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Real Weddings:

Natacha and Fábio’s Wedding in Portugal

featuring João Almeida Fotografia

Natacha and Fábio were married privately in Cuba the year prior to their stunning wedding celebration in Portugal.  Their venue, Aqueduto Eventos, a one-stop-shop responsible for the stationery, cake, decoration, florals and catering; set the tone with moody lighting, and modern, textural romance. We’re loving the way the live trees look against the graphic, contemporary architecture. Gilded details add hints of glam while Natacha stuns in a Pronovias. Check out all the details of the couple’s big day in these photographs by João Almeida Fotografia.

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Natacha & Fábio | Elegant wedding in Porto from Vanessa & Ivo on Vimeo.

Video: Vanessa & Ivo // Photography: João Almeida Fotografia // Venue, Stationery, Cake, Decoration, Flowers and Catering: Aqueduto Eventos // Dress: Pronovias // Suit: Prassa // DJ: Nuno Rodrigues

 

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Real Weddings:

Edita and Michael’s wedding at Cordiano Winery

Michael and Edita had a venue booked in Chicago, but on a trip to Escondido, California the couple visited Cordiano Winery and completely changed their wedding plans. Their midwest family and friends loved the destination wedding that was almost completely created by Sisti&Co—their planner who was responsible for designing, styling and creating the florals that made the day so memorable. A palette of warm neutrals punctuated by blush dahlias sets a gorgeous scene and it’s all captured beautifully by Dana Richards.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

The venue! Michael and I visited Cordiano Winery with friends who live in the area and instantly fell in love with it. We had a venue booked back in Chicago, but upon experiencing the breathtaking views of Cordiano, we quickly made some huge changes to those plans! The majority of our guests were from the Midwest, so they all loved this designation wedding. Also, one of our close friends married us and put together a touching, humorous, and genuine ceremony.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

I was meeting a business partner at a Starbucks that happened to be next door to the Crystal Bride in Geneva, IL. I saw their Maggie Sottero sign and popped in out of curiosity. The rest was history. I did end up going back to the salon with Mom and girls to try it on again, but it was the only dress I was interested in even trying on!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

From Kim, the designer:

We wanted to add a bit of the Bride’s Bosnian culture into the wedding, so we decided on infusing something traditional from home – a candy bowl at each setting. The bowls have a handmade saucer and a lid, and hold Turkish delight or chocolates. They are most commonly seen in Turkey at cafes, and are filled with tasty little sweets to nibble on while sipping coffee.

Edita’s bouquet was also very special. As the florist, I was tending to a bunch of cafe au lait dahlias. They are drop dead gorgeous blooms, and I knew that I wanted them to be the focus of her bouquet. I found the prettiest one of the bunch that was slightly nude, and had a little mauve coloring on the edges to take it over the top. It complemented her style perfectly. Feminine, and playful, with just a hint of violaceous drama.

 

First Cut-HD 1080p from Dana Richards on Vimeo.

Design and Styling, Coordination & Florals: Kimberly Sisti/Sisti&Co  // Photography & Videography: Dana Richards // Paper goods: Minted-weddings // Venue: Cordiano Winery // Gown: Maggie Sottero // Bridal Salon: Crystal Bride // Bridesmaids: Lulu’s // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // His Wedding Band: Brilliant Earth // Her Wedding Band: CatBird NYC // Hair: Michelle Finch // Cake: Kimberly Sisti/Sisti&Co // DJ: Christian Palugod Just 4 Fun Entertainment // Linens: La Tavola Linen Luxe Linens // Rentals: Concepts Event Design // Tabletop: Cheri’s Vintage Table // Lighting: Brilliant Event Lighting // Jewelry: Sara Gabriel // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

design and styling, coordination & florals @sisti.co // photography & videography @dana_ann_photography // paper goods @mintedwedding // venue cordianowinery // gown @maggiesotterodesigns // bridal salon@crystalbrideofficial // bridesmaids @lulusweddings // shoes @jimmychoo // wedding bands @brilliantearth @catbirdnyc // hair @jt_hairandmakeup // cake @sisti.co // dj @j4fentertainment // linens @latavolalinen @luxe_linen // rentals @conceptseventdesign // tabletop @cherisvintagetable // lighting @brillianteventlighting // jewelry  saragabrielveils // ring box @the_mrs_box

Real Weddings:

Susie and Sam’s wedding at Accelerator Space

featuring Marie Violet Photography

Susie and Sam had us at custom-neon-light-floral-ceremony-structure. Their celebration at Accelerator Space in Baltimore fit their “personalities to a ‘T’.” Both collect taxidermy and the details planned by Eventi Floral & Events reflected the couple’s “more macabre sense of style.” The encased paper butterflies and ’til death’ neon sign were a way to incorporate those organic, yet modern, elements while still being beautiful and chic. A bold invitation suite by Ruby the Fox introduced the style perfectly and the florals are colorful and abundant and we are all so lucky that Marie Violet Photography was on hand to capture it all in these gorgeous images.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

Every little detail was well thought out, from the music to the table settings and it fit our personalities to a” T”.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it! 

The dress is by Made With Love. I visited my friends in St. Louis and this was probably the 5th store I had gone to. I just tried it on and knew that was the one and didn’t look any further.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

We both collect taxidermy and have a more macabre sense of style. The encased paper butterflies and til death neon sign were a way to incorporate those organic yet modern elements while still being beautiful and chic.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

Probably the speeches from my Dad and the groomsmen. They were heartfelt and so funny. All our guests were laughing so hard there were tears.  It was so wonderful to have our favorite people to toast to us on our day that traveled near and far to witness and be with us for our wedding day.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met when we were 21 while attending CU Boulder. I was friends with his upstairs neighbor and we met, started dating a few months later and we’ve been together ever since. Sam proposed to me at our friends house in the LA hills.

Susie & Sam || Accelerator Space Wedding from Shutter And Sound Films on Vimeo

Photography: Marie Violet Photography // Wedding Planning & Florals: Eventi Floral & Events // Paper & Invitation Suite: Ruby the Fox // Venue: Accelerator Space, Baltimore Maryland // Dress: Frankie with pockets by Made With Love Bridal / White Dresses in Nashville, TN // Cake & Caterer: Chef’s Expressions // Videography: Shutter & Sound // Hair & Makeup: Behind the Veil Beauty // Photo Assistant: Dami Or Photography // Groom’s ring and Engagement ring: Julio Banez at Artisan LA Jewelry // Bride’s band: Mother in law’s ring // Linens: BBJ Linen // Equipment: Go Events Pro // Equipment Rentals: Select Events Rentals // DJ: DJ Sean

 

Real Weddings:

Marilyn and Victor’s Wedding in Paris

featuring Sandra Aberg Photography

Marilyn and Victor wanted a personal celebration—one that was true to who they are as a couple—so they threw a cocktail party for 150 in Paris! With the help of planner and creative director Xenia Motif they celebrated their love with a town hall ceremony followed by a reception at La Cartonnerie, Paris. Light shone down through the glasshouse ceiling of the organic setting and decor included garden roses and lots of greenery by Studio Ohlala. Our favorite details are—hand down—the bride’s Hermione de Paula gown, the traditional French croquemboucheat wedding cake and the views of Paris in the stunning portraits by Sandra Aberg Photography.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

prom the planner: I was really excited to be on board of this project, as everything about this wedding seemed unique to me. I’ve done many classic destination weddings before, but Marilyn and Victor wanted theirs to be very personal and very true to who they are as a couple, what they like, and their connections in life. So throwing a cocktail party for 150 people in Paris sounded like it!

Everything — from the choice of venue, food decision to the bridal gown, — everything was dictated by what the couple liked, not by wedding conventions.

Growing up in 7eme arrondissement, Victor knew that they have to get married in the townhall of that district, especially with it being so close to the Eiffel Tower — Marilyn’s favourite place in the city. And it worked out perfectly!

Following that, the cocktail party was hosted at an old cardboard factory loft in the center of Paris. Decorated with garden roses and lots of greenery, the setting was organic, reminiscent of autumn garden blooms, at the same time giving way to the venue itself to shine properly with its vintage props, glasshouse ceiling and incredible wood.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

The story of Marilyn’s gown is truly one of a destiny. We were looking at a few different options, and Marilyn wanted an unconventional gown, not white (as white was planned to be worn for their second religious wedding in Swiss Alps). We were looking for something playful, elegant, and a little sexy, and then one day we came upon Hermione de Paula creation. We knew it was THE DRESS right away just by looking at Marilyn — she was radiant! Subtle hand-made floral embroidery, golden accents, playful sheer inclusions — it was just perfect both for morning civil ceremony and for a party at night!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

First of all, it was hosted in Paris — the city of Victor’s birth, and Marilyn’s favourite city to visit.

French and American references were here and there in food and entertainment. Starting with an Oyster bar, the dinner then transitioned into a multi-cultural pass-around menu, with delicious things like southern waffles with corn and avocado, pulled pork buns, Asian dim-sums, and so much more.

Entertainment of choice for the night was an incredible lounge live band, followed by a Vinyl Bar, where guests could select their favourite tune, new or old.

A surprise for the bride was an old French tradition of ‘brioche dance’, where the bride and groom are to sit on the delicious French pastry and all guests shall dance around them.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

I think I will get it right if I say that the whole day was memorable! But one great highlight was the brioche dance mentioned earlier — bride and all guests were utterly amused and had an amazing time dancing around the high bread, before turning to the underground ‘dance cave’ for the actual party!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Marilyn and Victor met one serendipitous night at a pub in Central London and never parted since!

The proposal happened at a small resort town in Swiss Alps (where the couple later hosted their second wedding), when Victor arranged a morning hike in winter with their St. Bernard dog (who Marilyn loves!). Everything was going according to the plan, and Victor knelt down proposing. Marilyn happily says yes and takes the ring, when the dog pulls on her, and the ring gets dropped into the snow!

Planning and creative direction: Xenia Motif // Photography: Sandra Aberg Photography // Flowers: Studio Ohlala // MUAH: Onorina Jomir Beauty // Venue: La Cartonnerie, Paris // Bridal dress (Paris): Hermione de Paula // Catering: Charlotte Puckette // Live Music: Reyko // DJ: Dance Police

 

Real Weddings:

Jillian and Tim’s wedding at The Cleveland Museum of Art

photography by Lauren Gabrielle

Jillian had this to say about her wedding to Tim at The Cleveland Museum of Art,”It was a place that I always went to as a little girl and being able to marry the man of my dreams there was inexplicably unique and special.” It was also exceptionally gorgeous! Planning, design and coordination was by Kirkbrides, with voluminous florals and greens by HeatherLily, stationery by Blue Envelope Boutique and cake by Luna Bakery. Jillian’s Monique Lhuillier could not have been more fitting for both the bride, and the event, but it’s her gigantic smile that’s the winning feature. Lauren Gabrielle‘s images perfectly capture the joyous day and we’re thrilled to share them!

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What made the wedding special and unique?  

Our wedding day was phenomenal – filled with so much joy and love. Being able to have our wedding at the Museum was a dream come true. Celebrating in a place that hosts some of the world’s most treasured pieces of art felt surreal. It was a place that I always went to as a little girl and being able to marry the man of my dreams there was inexplicably unique and special. For our guests, we wanted them to feel transported, like they were somewhere completely outside of Cleveland.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it! 

My gown! One of the great loves of my life! I had seen a very beautiful bride wear the gown with a tulle skirt overlay. I was in love with how ornate the beading was, but without too much glitter or sparkle. I hunted it down and identified it as the Gwyneth by Monique Lhuillier. We went to the boutique in New York City and tried on about 5 different gowns, the Gwyneth being the first. All of them were stunning, but nothing seemed to compare to the first one. I really and truly believe it was meant to be. I wanted a dress that was timeless and whimsical, but still modern and showed some curves (I knew my husband would appreciate that as well). I couldn’t have been more thrilled with how it came out. It was a dream.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?  

Tim and I wanted everyone to be connected during the ceremony (our Cantor kindly asked for everyone to put away their cell phones, nothing irritates me more!) and let loose during the reception. We knew from the start that we wanted black tie (the venue almost demands that given its imposing nature), but we wanted the opposite of a stuffy, formal affair. We brought in an amazing vendor to string the dance floor with bistro lights to create a truly romantic ambiance as the sun went down; outside, but inside was a common mantra. Plus, it was a perfect alternative to a stark dance floor. Instead of flowers during the cocktail hour our florist created huge, gorgeous urns of olive branches and eucalyptus to create a more modern, Tuscan feel. Those were centered on the charcuterie and cheese displays. I also brought in vintage compotes in a deep amber color and requested the Museum recreate our favorite bar nuts from a whisky and rye bar where we live in Washington, D.C. These were the centerpieces on the cocktail tables, a little something different than bud vases.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The ceremony, 100%. I will never forget the smell and sounds during our ceremony. I’m a firm believer in signs and serendipitous moments. While Tim was reading his vows he recited a poem by George Gershwin: “Birds love and bees love and whispering trees love/And that’s what we both should do”. A honey bee came into the Chuppah at the exact same moment that Tim said that line. Since a Chuppah symbolizes the four corners of our home that we will create together, I firmly believe the bee was coming to bring sweetness into our home, our marriage. I guess I’m a bit sappy like that.

Tell us how you met and became engaged. 

We met on Tinder! We went on our first date to a pizza place outside of Washington, D.C. in a quaint neighborhood called Old Town Alexandria. I ate nearly all of the pizza. I think Tim was too nervous. We fell in love about 5 months later. Tim proposed 3 years later at the same restaurant. He had a HUGE bouquet of my favorite flowers (lilies) on the same table where we sat during our first date. He got down on one knee and after regaining my composure, I realized that our parents were watching us from the steps up to the second level of the restaurant. I almost fainted…I was completely in shock, utter disbelief. It is one of the greatest days of my life to date.

Planning Design and Coordination: Kirkbrides // Photography: Lauren Gabrielle // Floral Décor: HeatherLily // Stationery: Blue Envelope Boutique // Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Cleveland Museum of Art // Bridal Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier // Hair/Makeup: Cleveland Makeup Artistry Karin Dodge // Cake: Luna Bakery // Lighting: Rock the House // Linens: L’Nique // Videography: Just Hitched Wedding Films // Band Cocktail Hour Music: TCB through Cleveland Music Group  // Transportation (guest shuttles): A1 Mr. Limo // Transportation (bridal party): LED Luxury Line