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Real Weddings:

Margaret and Clay’s Southern Garden Wedding

Photography by Davy Whitener

Margaret and Clay’s stunning southern estate garden wedding took place on the property of both the bride’s parents’ and grandparents’ homes. Margaret grew up across the street from her grandparents and the charmed childhood inspired the gorgeous wedding day planned by Mariee Ami Ami  with abundant florals designed by In Bloom and perfectly captured by Davy Whitener. Read on for more of the love, heartbreak and joy that went into the couples breathtakingly beautiful day.

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Growing up across the street from your grandparents isn’t something most families experience, but this was the only upbringing that Margaret knew. Spending her childhood running back and forth between her home and her grandparents’ allowed her imagination to run wild as she saw the endless possibilities in these places. This experience made decision-making much easier when it came time for Margaret and Clay to choose where they would be married. They aptly chose for their ceremony to be in the backyard of Margaret’s parents’ home followed by an elegant reception in the backyard of her grandparents’ home.

When planning began, Margaret’s family was thrilled about the wedding and her grandparents were especially excited to immediately begin taking on projects to get their home ready for the celebration. Margaret’s grandparents have always had a special place in her heart because they played such a large part in her life, so she was ecstatic they would be part of the planning and her big day as well. The bride’s inspiration was pulled from the overall style of both homes and her desire to bring a real connection between the ceremony and reception. A watercolor of the bride’s home on the save the date was the perfect piece to set the tone for the entire wedding and many other classic southern themes were seen throughout the weekend.

Heartbreak overcame this family when Margaret’s grandfather fell ill during the planning and ultimately passed away before the big day. An immense void was felt by all, but when Margaret and Clay’s wedding day came it was evident he had a hand in the beauty of it – the perfectly manicured lawns, fresh potted window boxes, wrought iron gates and traditional beauty of the family’s spaces were a big part in the design of the wedding and it was all perfectly executed just as if he had been there to make sure of it himself. After a beautiful ceremony, the wedding party was led to the reception by a second line band which really got the party started. With the setting of his home surrounding the celebration, Margaret’s grandfather continued to shine down on the day as the happy couple danced into the night with their loved ones. The elegance of the evening concluded with the bride and groom departing in an antique Rolls Royce to begin their life as husband and wife.

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Photographer: Davy Whitener // Planning, Design and Paper: Mariee Ami Ami // Floral Design: In Bloom // Dress: Oscar de la Renta // Hair and Make-up: Celine Russell // Cake: Barb’s Cake // Tent and Rentals: Pre Events // Specialty Rentals: Please Be Seated // Catering: Shindigs // Videographer: Film Poets // Band: Atlanta Rhythm and Groove // Get Away Car: Coats Classic Cars // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

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Real Weddings:

Kate and Alden’s wedding at Menlo Circus Club

photography by Carlie Statsky

Kate and Alden’s mantra during their wedding planning was this: “all we wanted was to throw the best party possible for all of our favorite people in the world.” They made it happen with the help of Riley Loves Lulu at Menlo Circus Club. The florals by Mindy Rosenberg stunned in a warm, sunny palette and decorated the cocktail party and dinner reception on the lawn of the Circus Club’s amazing polo field. Photographer Carlie Statsky was on hand to capture all the warm romance of the day in these lovely images.

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What made the wedding special and unique? 

Alden and I grew up in neighboring towns and both of our immediate families are still local and live just a short drive from where we now live in San Francisco. We love to travel and briefly considered getting married somewhere a little bit further afield, but we ultimately realized that it’s so special that we could stay close to home for our wedding. Instead, we chose to incorporate some of our travel loves in other details like papel picado decorations, and a cookbook from a famous wine country restaurant as a guest book.

We loved that we were able to host cocktails, dinner, and speeches outside on the Circus Club’s amazing polo field. The weather was perfect, and having dinner and lawn games outside felt fun and relaxed. When the surprise mariachi band arrived to bring everyone inside, we then danced the night away to from the most amazing band, and took a break only to eat tacos from the late-night taco truck!

While planning our wedding, we just kept saying that all we wanted was to throw the best party possible for all of our favorite people in the world, and we loved every single moment of the day.

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

I had a really hard time choosing a wedding dress, but was fortunate to find the amazing Jin Wang in San Francisco, who created my dress by combining the bodice of one dress with the skirt of another (plus an amazing bow!). I never grew up imagining exactly what my wedding dress would look like, but I couldn’t have been more in love with mine — I never wanted to take it off.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

Since we stayed around our hometown for the festivities, it was so fun to be able to incorporate lots of small personal touches throughout the day. My bridesmaids and I got to get ready at my maid of honor’s parents’ house around the corner from the ceremony and reception sites. It was so special to get to spend the morning in the same place where we spent so many afternoons, late nights, and sleepovers as teenagers. Because we were local, we also got to invite the family dog to the reception! Hank was a big hit and definitely thought that the crowd was there to just to see him.

We also tried to remember members of our family in some small details too — we added blackberries to the florals in honor of my maternal grandmother, our recessional song was one that my paternal grandfather loved, and we wanted lots of dahlias because Alden’s dad grows them in his garden. Food is also very important to my family, so we honored my mom’s Croatian heritage with some of the passed appetizers and local berry pies for dessert. No one went hungry!

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

The day was so amazing that it’s hard to choose just one moment, but I loved our vows, which we wrote to each other. I would have put money on the fact that Alden would cry while reading them, but I was actually the one that broke! The other special thing about the ceremony was being able to look out at those gathered and to be able to really clearly see everyone’s faces. It was so special to have so many people that we love gathered in one place, and we both loved being able to look out and take it all in.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Alden and I went to high school together! We met in photo class when I was a sophomore and he was a cute, older senior guy. While we were mutually interested in each other then, the timing was never quite right to get involved romantically. We never lost touch though, and stayed close as friends for almost a decade before the stars finally aligned for us a few years ago.

Wedding Planner & Designer: Riley Loves Lulu // Photography: Carlie Statsky // Florist: Mindy Rosenberg // Papel Picado: I Invite You // Venue: Menlo Circus Club // Dress: Jin Wang // Hair & Make-Up: Celia Castaneda // Signage: Paper Caper // Lighting & Draping: Got Light // Rentals: Standard Party Rentals // Tables And Chairs: Theoni Collection // Linens: La Tavola Linen // Ceremony/ Table Top: Bright Event Rentals // Cake: Rachel’s Cakes // Pie: Gizdich Ranch // Transportation: Carey International, Inc // Band: Pride and Joy // Ceremony Music: Music To Go / SF Conservatory // Photobooth: Trulight Photo Booth // Taco Truck: Tacqueria Angelicas

 

Real Weddings:

Amanda and Anthony’s NYC Wedding

Photography by Kylee Yee

Amanda and Anthony, with the help of Carrie Sartor of Sartor Events, drew upon the view of the NYC skyline at their wedding venue, The William Vale, for all of their design inspiration. The couple met and fell in love in the city of New York so it was fitting that the iconic NYC skyline was their inspiration. Customized details had a clean, minimalist and modern feel—from the architectural bow on Amanda’s Amsale gown to the graphic floral arrangements by Rachel Cho Floral. Glowing rays of sunshine were the final touch and photographer Kylee Yee was on hand to capture it all in these gorgeous images.

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

As Amanda was marrying into the ‘Bow’ family she thought it was fitting to wear a bow on her dress, choosing to adorn a modern yet classic Amsale design with a statement bow on the back.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

We had a small but sweet Chinese Tea Ceremony to honor our parents, and our Chinese heritage.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Our fur baby Bella stole the show during the ceremony.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Our first date was at the Big Apple Circus near Columbus Circle. The most memorable “date” was when I was running the Brooklyn Half marathon, and Anthony purposely traveled to every 3 mile checkpoint to wave at me and provide me with emotional encouragement. He basically ran around the city that day to get to each checkpoint as well. As for the proposal, it was my birthday, and I had lamented how Anthony didn’t seem to plan anything. I had to suggest where to go for my own birthday dinner! Turns out Anthony actually hid the ring underneath my sleeping pillow the night before my birthday, and I never found it.  Until the morning 3 days later, Anthony told me he couldn’t find his phone, and he asked me check under my pillow. I retrieved his phone, but I still didn’t find the ring. A few minutes later, Anthony said he lost his phone again, and asked me to check under the pillow again — and I finally found the ring!  That’s when he proposed to me afterwards!

Photography: Kylee Yee // Wedding Planner: Carrie Sartor of Sartor Events // Florals: Rachel Cho Floral // Venue: The William Vale // Videography: Shutter and Sound  // Hair: Andy Tseng // Makeup: Anny Chow Bridal Artistry // Bridal Gown: Amsale // Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN // Groom’s Tuxedo: Enzo Custom

 

Real Weddings:

Seri and Toan’s wedding at Montage Kapalua

photography by Wendy Laurel

Seri and Toan met in college and dated for 12 years before they married in Maui. “We’ve gone through every milestone in our lives together and were so happy to finally be able to share our love with everyone,” says Seri. They enlisted Maui’s Angels to help them plan their gorgeous day at Montage Kapalua filled with tropical florals by Mandy Grace, stationery by Anna Claire Calligraphy and signage by Miss B. Calligraphy. They also had Wendy Laurel behind the lens capturing their vibrant, island party in the way only Wendy can and we know you’ll love the photos as much as we do!

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What made the wedding special and unique?

Our wedding was an intimate affair with our most cherished family and friends sharing the special day with us.

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

My beautiful ball gown dress was designed by Stella York. It was one of the two dresses I tried on in my search for the perfect dress at a cute little boutique called Lang’s bridal. I’ve always wanted to feel like a princess for my special day and it definitely made me feel so! I also had the added touch of a cathedral veil to tie the look together.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

We wanted our guests to have some fun entertainment and loved the idea of having a cute photo-bus to entertain our guests.

What was the mostmemorable part of the day?

The best part of the day was when we finally had the chance to enjoy a few moments of the beautiful backdrop of Maui together. We held each other and just breathed in each other’s air and couldn’t believe we were finally there enjoying that moment together.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met in college and have been on our journey together for over 12 years.  We’ve gone through every milestone in our lives together and were so happy to finally be able to share our love with everyone.

Seriphone + Toan | Montage Kapalua from All Time Media II on Vimeo.

Wedding Planning & Design: Maui’s Angels // Photography: Wendy Laurel // Flowers: Mandy Grace // Stationery: Anna Claire Calligraphy // Venue, Catering & Bar Services: Montage Kapalua // Gown Designer: Stella York // Hair & Make-up: Meili Autumn Beauty // Signage: Miss B. Calligraphy // Video: All Time Media // Musician: Brian Santana // Linens: La Tavola // Place Settings: Set Maui // Rentals: Inspiration Events Hawaii // Officiate: Tino Rosete // Photobooth: Bamboo Shootz

 

Real Weddings:

Kate and Grant’s Wedding at WestPoint

photography by Rodeo and Co

Kate and Grant dated long distance in college and when Kate visited WestPoint, she would stay at the Thayer Hotel, so it it was a natural choice for the location of their reception following their traditional ceremony at the breathtaking Cadet Chapel. The couple enlisted the help of planners Table 6 Productions to create their stunning day filled with sentimental details in blue and bold, brilliant florals by Faye and Renee, vibrant watercolors by Bohemian Mint and a Momofuku Milk Bar cake that was shipped directly to the reception!! Loving all the joie de vivre in Kate and Grant’s day and it’s all captured here by Rodeo and Co.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

From the photographer: So many aspects! First of all, the cloche jar display wall for the escort cards is one of our favorites. But also the location was so unique! Getting married in the WestPoint Chapel is a super memorable setting because it’s a breathtaking chapel. The entire WestPoint grounds are gorgeous, and I think every guest appreciated just walking around and seeing the amazing views!

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

Kate found her dress at Kleinfeld’s! She wanted something unique but that still had an elegance to it – just like her! I remember her sending us the picture of it, and we were BLOWN away. It is stunning and honestly no picture could do it justice! The beauty is in the details.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

Definitely the WestPoint Military traditions added such a personal touch. They sabered champagne for their toast, did a saber arch after exiting the ceremony, had an ice sculpture of the academy’s logo, had a table for their fallen soldiers, and so many other small things! It definitely made it feel super personal for both of them. Also, the Momofuku cake was a must for Kate – we literally used Fed Ex to ship the cake to the Thayer Hotel!!! It HAD to be the original Momofuku, and if you taste it you’ll realize why it’s totally worth it.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The band! They were AMAZING. We have used Hank Lane Music multiple times before, and we are continually impressed with the quality of their bands. Everyone was dancing ALL night and kept raving about them.

 

 

Photographer: Rodeo and Co // Planner: Table 6 Productions // Stationery: Bohemian Mint // Floral: Faye and Renee // Venue: WestPoint Military Academy and the Thayer Hotel // Videographer: Blue Moon Video // Dress: Isabelle Armstrong New York // Dress Store: Kleinfeld’s // Music: Hank Lane // Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar // Beauty: Beautini // Transportation: Peekskill Trolley Company // Live Painter: Peter Pluchino // Rentals: Durant Rentals // Velvet Ring Box: The Mrs. Box