{Sneak Peek} Teresa & Ryan

Friday is here- yipee!  My husband & I don't have a single concrete plan for this weekend & it feels just awesome.  We can relax & let the weekend take us where it may.  Ahhhh.  But first, let's take a sneak peek at next Wedding Wednesday's delight: 

I'm jumping up & down from the joy of bringing you a beautiful winter wedding.  Yes, I got the memo that Fall started but as a former winter Bride, I will always, always have a special place in my heart for winter weddings.  As you can see from the lovely baby's breath bouquet tied with white ribbon & adorned with a sentimental locket, this winter wedding is pretty, pretty special.  Tune in next week for the full winter wedding glory!

Enjoy your weekend!

Photography: Kim Reimer Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights 

Wedding Wheels, Koru Edition

Have you noticed that many of the featured real weddings included some pretty cool modes of wedding transportation?  I was so excited about it that I wanted to scream & shout until you noticed.  In the end, I decided to go the more subtle route of letting you enjoy whatever you wanted from each beautiful wedding, then throw the fun wedding wheels in your face in this post.  Maybe not so subtle but whatever.

Brittany & Carter had a gorgeous creekside wedding & afterwards, they chartered a boat from their reception to their after party.  The new Mr. & Mrs. stole a quiet moment before they sailed away:

Wendy & Ramey had a lovely DIY wedding in Nashville & they found the downtown streets so cool that they decided to walk:

Corley & Jake had an elegant, peacock-themed wedding & they made their Grand Departure in a Cinderella carriage fit for a princess Bride:

Julie & Jim had a beautiful Florida wedding full of sweet surprises, including a sentimental Skype session with the Bride's brother who was stationed overseas.  Once the surprises were said & done, the Bride & Groom rode into happily ever after in a golf cart:

Ashley & Jeremy had a romantic rural wedding on hot summer day & they never stopped smiling.  Just look at those big smiles as they pose next to their vintage pick-up truck:

Shelly & Kevin got married in an antiquated automobile factory converted into a creative event space so I knew I could count on them for a unique set of wheels. They didn't disappoint with their 1929 Packard getaway car:

Jen & Ben had an incredible lakeside wedding which inspired their boat getaway:

As you can imagine, it's been an absolute honor to feature weddings with couples who got creative with their Grand Departures.  I hope to bring you more in the future!  Which set of wheels is your favorite?  

Photo 1 -3 & 6: Joe Hendricks Photography  /  Photo 4: Tonya Beaver Photography  /  Photo 5: Vendla Stockdale Photography  /  Photo 7: Brilliant Imagery

{Real Great Outdoors Wedding} Alycia & Daniel

Is there anything more romantic than a First Dance on a dance floor of green grass?  Not much, my friends, not much.  A natural, laid-back wedding in the Pacific Northwest showcases nature's stunning beauty in shades of green.  Trembley Photography is sharing this nature-lover's dream wedding with us:

Alycia & Daniel are kindred spirits who spend their free time wading rivers, catching fish & appreciating nature.  They love nature as much as they love each other so they decided to create a wedding celebrating both.  The wedding vibe was simple & indie.  Nature served as their wedding venue: a gorgeous green clearing with a small lake surrounded by majestic woods.  The Bride was a fresh, natural beauty with her flowing chiffon gown, her flower crown & lace flats while the Groom kept things casual in pants & a shirt complimented with suspenders.  A carved wooden sign pointed the direction to the lakeside ceremony.  No further decorations were needed when they said "I Do!" on the lake's dock.  Afterwards, a painted wooden sign pointed the way to the reception where a tented area kept the drinks & food safe but the tables were set under the sun & the green grass served as the dance floor.  The white tables had alternating DIY centerpieces: goldfish swimming in bowls & goldfish swimming in bowls resting on ferns & wildflowers.  The wedding cake was decorated with fresh ferns & flowers & topped with a bear cake topper.  A perfectly natural wedding!         

Congratulations, Alycia & Daniel!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Trembley Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Wedding Cake: 
Morning Side Bakery

Welcome, Autumn

Every season has a special place in my heart: winter brought me our engagement AND our wedding, spring gives me warm breezes & daffodils, summer provides me with sunny beach days & autumn doles out hot apple cider & pumpkin patches.  As it's my nature to be fair, I've never declared a favorite season.  Until now.  Autumn is my very favorite season!

Autumn officially arrived last weekend but I had begun my Autumn celebration long ago.  I was excited to kiss Summer good-bye & I pulled out my candy corn hurricane & pumpkin spice candle the very first week of September.  As the official start of Autumn drew closer & closer, I got more excited about crisp days, colorful leaves & hot apple cider.  It slowly became quite clear that Autumn is my very favorite season. 

To officially welcome Autumn on the blog, I didn't think there was anything more perfect than this sophisticated Autumn centerpiece.  I love the typical rusts & browns of Autumn mixed with unexpected blush & cream.  Such a stunning combo!  & those miniature white pumpkins just steal my Autumn-loving heart.

Welcome, Autumn; I am so very happy that you are here.  Do you have a favorite season?

{Sneak Peek} Alycia & Daniel

Who is excited as I am that today is Friday?  I knew we'd be on the same page.  I'm uber-excited for the weekend because we're celebrating my sister's birthday.  & it's a big one, the almightly 4-0!  Before I get lost in happy thoughts of cupcakes & confetti, here is a sneak peek of next Wedding Wednesday:

Oh, what can I say to do this wedding any justice?  Natural.  Indie.  Laid-back.  Amazing.  Tune in to see for yourself next Wednesday!  

Three cheers for a lovely weekend~

Photography: Trembley Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Champagne on Pretty Ice

My very favorite drink is a bubbly glass of Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne.  Should you come to my house for a party or pre-event gathering, you are greeted by a bottle of my beloved Almond Champagne chilling in a silver champagne bucket.  Until yesterday, I thought this lovely presentation was classy & fancy.

Then I spied champagne chilling on beautiful pink rose-filled ice cubes & I realized I need to step up my champagne game.  How pretty is this?  & so simple too.  You could fill your cubes with herbs, rose petals, violets, fake spiders (for Halloween), etc to match the color scheme or theme of your party.  The possibilities are as endless as your creativity.  No matter what you chose for your ice cubes, it's guaranteed to be a hit.   

Helpful hint: Use cupcake/muffin trays to make your decorated ice cubes.  The larger ice cube "tray" is easier to fill with flowers & makes a big impact upon serving.

I can't wait to give this easy entertaining idea a whirl at my next party!  Cheers~ 

Photography via

{Real Enchanted Forest Wedding} Rebecca & Robert

Last week's almost wordless wedding was a smash hit . . . is that a hint that I should be writing less commentary & showing more photos?  Hmmm.  I will give it a shot!

On this Wedding Wednesday, we are being whisked away to an enchanted forest wedding in picturesque Vermont, where five cute fairies are guaranteed to steal your heart. Take us away, Derek Fowles Photography: 

Rebecca & Robert were college classmates & friends.  After graduation, they went on their separate paths in life, only to be reconnected 20 years later.  Their friendship blossomed into love & soon they were planning their summer wedding in Vermont.

Inspired by the greenery of Vermont & the love of their family, the Bride & Groom created an enchanted forest wedding with an emphasis on family.  The wedding took place on a stormy summer day in the very meaningful location of the Mother of the Bride's beautiful backyard transformed into a creative vision of an enchanted forest.  The Groom's daughters & nieces were the only attendants, five adorable fairies of the forest.  The sunny day turned stormy shortly before the ceremony & the truly gracious Bride never stopped smiling.  She & her Groom said "I Do!" in a sweet ceremony presided by her late father's best friend.

During the reception, the Bride's DIY projects & vision came together for the enchanted forest.  An amazing moss & butterfly display guided guests to their tables.  The family-style wooden tables & chairs had a rustic flair; while trailing ivy, moss runners & overflowing centerpieces including roses & ferns gave the forest feel.  The beaming new Mr. & Mrs. added the enchantment!  

Congratulations, Rebecca & Robert!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Derek Fowles Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Ceremony & Reception Venue: Private Vermont Residence  /  Florist: Summersweet Floral  /  Hair & Make-up Artist: SB Beauty