A Vintage, Modern and Bold Intimate Wedding | Inspiration Shoot
Earlier this year, when I happened upon an abandoned plant nursery in Delray Beach I knew it was time to start pulling a shoot together. Once I found this incredible dress, which fell perfectly in line with the style we were trying to capture - modern vintage with a touch of natural and wild elements, all the pieces came together.
Lauren, of Lauren Louise Photography, and I try to collaborate on styled shoots at least once a year. This year, when I happened upon an abandoned plant nursery in Delray Beach we knew it was time to start pulling the pieces of a shoot together. Next up for inspiration was this incredible dress which seemed to fall perfectly in line with the style we were trying to capture - modern vintage with a touch of natural and wild elements. The dress was a bold statement but offered a lot of possibilities given the variations in color found in the pattern and the brass buttons fastened across the shoulders.
When shoot day came, we loaded the cars and headed out to what was once an abandoned nursery, but was now a construction zone. Womp. Thankfully, we knew of an abandoned golf course right down the street which acted as the overgrown backdrop.
When it came time to design the reception, we knew we wanted to keep blue as the focal point while pulling in warm autumnal tones and bright pops of pink. I love to use brass and gold accents in my designs, and I was able to pull those materials in through the flatware and geometric candle holders.
The black chairs pictured were a labor of love and I'm so happy with how sleek and modern they are. My husband and I spent two days refinishing and reupholstering them and it was well worth the hours spent trying to get black paint out of every nail bed.
We wanted to show couples planning a wedding, elopement, cocktail party, or any intimate gathering that they can have fun with color and vintage pieces, while still keeping the overall style modern and current. I hope this inspires more couples to try something different, and approach vintage details in a new fresh and modern way.
Photography | Lauren Louise Photography
Floral Design, Styling + Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Cake Design | Chic & Sweet Artisan Cakes
Stationery and Handlettering | Rachel Vanatta
Bridal Hairpiece | Nestina Accessories
Reception Venue | Social House
See the full shoot published on
Floridan Social
Anika + Brad | Swank Farms
When we first met, Anika had just said "yes!". California's wine country was tossed around as a destination for friends and family, but Anika and Brad ultimately ended up falling for Swank Farms right here in South Florida. Planning Anika and Brad's wedding was a true labor of love. We would meet over donuts, chat about all the pretty details and by the end of it all, they had a magical night with their closest friends and family - along with a few cows and pigs.
Anika and I first met via instagram, like all good friendships of mine start these days. She runs her own food blog, Miles and Mimosas (how cute!) and we had made a date to meet business owner-to-business owner when she unexpectedly became engaged! We grabbed a bite to eat at Max's Harvest, chatted about food, life, and by the end of the evening we were talking about all the possibilities for her wedding. California's wine country was tossed around as a destination for friends and family, but Anika and Brad ultimately ended up falling for Swank Farms right here in South Florida. Planning Anika and Brad's wedding was a true labor of love. We would meet over donuts, chat about all the pretty details and by the end of it all, they had a magical night with their closest friends and family - along with a few cows and pigs.
Anika and Brad exchanged vows under a chuppah made of foraged branches her mom had gathered. Friends and family huddled for an intimate ceremony and enjoyed craft cocktails served from vintage glassware followed by an intimate and delicious family-style dinner.
The night ended with a massive dance party, where sweaty button downs and smiles were stuck on each guest. As my team and I sat on the sidelines watching the night come to a close, you could just feel the love. Everyone was there to celebrate these two incredibly giving and in love people. Thank you Anika and Brad for your trust and hospitality throughout the entire planning and design process. You two couldn't be a more perfect pair.
Planning + Design | Port + Palm Co.
Photography | Big Day Photography
Floral Design | Julia Rhode Designs
Catering | Max's Harvest
Vintage Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Rentals | Simple Rustic
Venue | Swank Specialty Produce
ALSO FEATURED ON
Julia + Jerry | Delray Beach Wedding
Creating an elegant yet untamed floral story for a laid back and naturally in love couple was exactly what we did for Julia and Jerry's sunrise beach elopement in my hometown, Delray Beach.
Designing for Julia and Jerry's intimate sunrise elopement was maybe one of the most rewarding experiences I've had yet. Julia was not afraid of color, encouraged me to mix shades of yellow with dusty purples and feminine pinks, while incorporating some of my personal favorite fragrant accents like lavender and eucalyptus. Basically a dream come true.
There was a natural effortlessness to Julia that I knew we could only enhance with her bouquet and her daughter's flower crown. Creating an elegant, yet wild floral story for this beautiful couple's day was such a natural fit.
"When we asked our photographer for a recommendation for flowers for our wedding she gave us Jenny's name and I am so glad she did. Since we were a destination wedding couple, she emailed a series of very specific and detailed questions to get an idea of our style and taste. She nailed it. She made my bridal bouquet, some smaller bouquets, a flower crown, a boutonniere, and some smaller display pieces that were so gorgeous. She used flowers and fragrant plants that you wouldn't normally find in a bouquet like lavender and eucalyptus. To top it all off, she and her husband delivered everything to our hotel at 6 AM before our sunrise wedding! She is so sweet and so creative. I would definitely choose Jenny all over again!" - Julia
Cheers Julia and Jerry!
Photography | Lauren Louise Photography
An Interior Designer's Must-Have Registry Items | Registry
A snapshot of my life a little under 5 years ago: I'm a sophomore in college shoving Nutella covered microwave popcorn in my mouth watching another episode of Barefoot Contessa and vocally disagreeing with her use of capers. It is almost midnight and my roommate, an interior design major, is cutting tiny pieces of paper into various shapes and placing them in a floor plan. She's creating tiny model homes on our dorm room floor, I'm convincing myself I'd be a great Food Network host. Flash forward to this past year, I am engaged trying to start a registry, if not for the pure joy of being handed a scanner gun, but also because it is the easiest way to let your family and friends know exactly what you want and/or need for your next chapter in life. Registries can be daunting, with so many online options and products available, where does one begin? Thank my lucky stars I had my former roommate turned interior designer, Danielle Chase, by my side to fill me in on her must-have registry items so I could create my designer-worthy home.
1. Riedel Wine Glasses ($30-80): Danielle encourages her clients to purchase their everyday wine glasses from IKEA once a year. However, “Riedel is simply the best and it would be a shame not to include these glasses in your registry.” (Photo via@riedelusa)
Interior Designer Tip: Register for at least eight of any glassware. You will want your china and flatware count to match your wine glass count.
2. Luna Marble Bath Decor Set ($35-100): Marble everything FTW. This set is one of Danielle’s a personal favorites: “These bath accessories add the final touch to your at-home spa.”
3. Jaipur/Surya Rugs and Pillows ($40-1,000): These two brands keep up with the trends and are extremely popular in the design world. They are on the more affordable end when it comes to rugs, which is great because rugs can easily become the most expensive piece in a room.
Interior Designer Tip: “A rug holds a lot of power in a design,” Danielle points out, “It is grounding and can add color, pattern and texture to a space.” Ideally, all of the furniture in the room will fit the rug, and not hang over the edges. Add coordinating pillows or poufs to really make the room look seamless.
4. Simply Framed Frames ($75-300): Custom framing can become pricey, so why not enlist a little help from your friends and family? After the big day, you will have more photos than you’ll know what to do with. Having frames on standby will help you get those moments displayed on your walls in no time. (Photo via Simply Framed)
Interior Designer Tip: Order matching frames of different sizes, and BOOM! Your gallery wall is complete.
5. Waterford – Lismore Crystal Collection ($100 – $500): Crystal is like a rite of passage when it comes to weddings, and you cannot beat Waterford. Whether you decide to go the classic route or for something a bit more colorful like these marquis goblets ($50), these pieces will last a lifetime. (Photo via Sylive Gil)
Interior Designer Tip: Do you have glass doors in your kitchen cabinets or china cabinet? Danielle is adamant that, “This is where your Waterford collection should be displayed!”
6. Yves Delorme Bed Linens ($40-$900) This brand offers a fabulous collection of super soft bed and bath linens. You’re married now, so it’s time to nix the sheets you’ve had since college and indulge in these luxurious linens.
7. Nine Space – Throws ($56-144): The Lydia throws by Nine Space are made of bamboo, so they are super soft and environmentally friendly. They’ll be the perfect thing to snuggle up with on your next movie night. (Photo via @shopninespace)
Interior Designer Tip: Throws are great in any room of the house. They add comfort and color to a sofa, bench, chair or bed. Danielle promises you can never have too many.
8. Jonathan Adler Malibu Chair ($1695): This chair is style forward and just the right size for you and your partner to cuddle on.
9. Vietri Flatware ($45-90): Everyone needs a good set of flatware. It’s a registry staple, and for good reason.
Interior Designer Tip: The Aladdin flatware collection is stunning and comes in various colors, complementing any style of China.
10. Hurom Slow Juicer ($300): Hurom makes a powerful juicer that comes with a great warranty. Its slow mastication also allows for the least amount of nutrient loss. “I’m a huge proponent of juicing. It keeps me alert and healthy even during the most hectic days and late nights,” says Danielle.
Now that you know what you need, you must know where to register! Danielle adores the variety of registry items found on Zola.com. They have unique designer pieces and classic staples and allow couples to add items from any other website. Couples can create a completely custom registry experience. Other interior-designer-approved registries include Blueprint Registry and Bloomingdales, and even Target has brought on some pretty stellar designers and stylists (here’s looking at you, Emily Henderson) to build their home collections.
See this and more of my wedding planning tips on Brit + Co!
Juicing for the Wedding Tips from Alchemy Juice Co. | Health
I LOVE juicing, but often wonder if I'm doing it the right way. I wanted to get to the bottom of the juice trend and get an expert’s advice on the best way to go about it, so I sat down with Jen from Alchemy Juice Co. in West Palm Beach, FL. For all you brides-to-be looking for the best hair, skin and hangover cures, these expert tips are for you.
VEGETABLE-BASED VS FRUIT-BASED
We first asked Jen why a bride might consider juicing before a wedding, and she told us, “We reset our phones, computers and other devices regularly, but our bodies are the most important machines we can control. Often we forget that they need a reset as well.” In Jen’s opinion, “Both fruits and vegetables contain tons of vital phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. A thoughtful combination that features a two-to-one ratio of vegetables to fruit can both cleanse and rebuild your system, while also tasting delicious without too much sugar.”
Jen tells us that juicing can even keep your immune system strong, pointing out that anything green will do the trick. She also let us in on a little secret. “I am also a huge ginger advocate. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial.”
JUICING FOR CLEAR SKIN
According to Jen, clear skin has everything to do with diet. “Eliminating processed foods and including more whole foods and juices is integral to achieving that youthful glow,” Jen explains. “Our ‘heal juice’ is full of skin superfoods with spinach, parsley and green apple. You can never go wrong with ‘detoxify,’ which contains kale, spinach, cucumber, parsley, lemon and ginger. These all promote radiant skin.” Jen offered a bonus skin tip: “Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and remember that there are no overnight fixes. Start implementing these superfoods into your diet now to reap the rewards on the big day!”
TIPS FOR GETTING SHINY HAIR WITH JUICING
Jen’s got extra tips for brides who are dreaming of shiny, glossy hair. “Dark leafy vegetables contain vitamins A and C and help your body produce sebum, which acts as a natural conditioner for your hair. Carrots also contain vitamin A for a healthy scalp. Cucumber has silica, a mineral that promotes hair growth and nourishes roots. You can also add a beet. Red vegetables promote hair growth with phytochemicals and antioxidants like lycopene.”
THE JUICE ALL BRIDES SHOULD HAVE THE MORNING AFTER
Hangovers are not just a product of too much bubbly. “They happen mainly because of the toxicity of the alcohol and dehydration. By addressing these two issues, you can easily banish the symptoms. Drink a fruit juice that is high in fructose (fruit sugar) before going to bed. Fructose can help metabolize the alcoholic chemicals… remember to sip it before bed, and of course, hydrate! Tons of water!”
HOW TO GET YOUR FIANCÉ ON THE JUICE TRAIN
Jen acknowledged that getting others interested in juicing can be a common struggle. She tells us, “I think consistency is the key. Make one juice and share it. Their taste buds will change and they will begin craving the goodness of the juices. I can’t say I’ve noticed a ‘gateway juice,’ but green juices are all the rage. Beet seems to be tough for some people. I think you should start with things you know you like, and branch out from there. I’m a firm believer in moderation.”
BEAT THOSE HONEYMOON TRAVEL BUGS
We asked Jen to share her tips for beating any honeymoon travel bugs, and she told us, “Anything with ginger and turmeric! Both ingredients are full of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Try them with carrot or citrus to boost vitamin C intake too.”
THE BEST JUICIER TO PUT ON A REGISTRY
It turns out the Le Creuset of the juicing world might just be the Omega VRT ($330). “That’s what I use at home and I love it! It’s easy to use and clean, and it’s as close to a true cold press as you can get. It runs about $400, which isn’t cheap, but if you plan on juicing every week, it pays for itself in no time. Glowing skin, gorgeous hair and overall well-being will be yours!”
RECIPE: JUICE FOR LONG HAIR
Ingredients:
- 2 carrots
- 1 cucumber
- 1 handful of spinach
- 1 handful kale
- 1 beet
Directions: Wash all ingredients, and then feed into a juicer. Pour into a glass, and enjoy!
RECIPE: JUICE FOR SHINY HAIR
- 4-5 Swiss chard leaves
- 1 lemon, peeled
- 1 orange, peeled
- 1 sweet potato, peeled
- 2 carrots
- 10 strawberries, tops removed
Directions: Wash and prep ingredients, then feed into a juicer. Pour into a glass, and enjoy!
Will you try juicing for the wedding?
(Photos via Babble, Simply Kaylyn and Linda Wagner)
See this blog and more of my wedding tips on Brit + Co.
Vince and Vanessa | Jupiter, Florida Wedding
When I first met Vanessa I knew we would spend the next year creating something beautiful. She shared her vision with me over coffee, I listened to her love story and the dreams she envisioned coming true on her wedding day. We spent the next year bonding over a shared interest for the unique and different, visiting thrift stores together, texting pictures of different textiles, colors, furniture, and props to one another, going over budgets and vendor options, visiting her beautiful Jupiter, Florida wedding venue, and creating timelines over wine, all in the hopes that her dream would become a picture perfect reality. Vanessa and Vince, it was truly a dream being a little part of your big dream.
"I knew I wanted to marry Vince when he made me a CD of his favorite music and I cried while listening to it. I listened to that CD in the car every day for weeks and teared up every time."
When asked what her favorite moments were Vanessa replied, "my mother presented me with her engagement ring and asked me to wear it down the aisle. She had saved it for me my whole life, waiting to give it to me on my wedding day. It was so special that she gave me such a precious gift and I will cherish it forever and one day pass it to my own daughter or daughter-in-law."
"The second best moment was when I said my vow to the boys and presented them with their gift. It was the perfect way to symbolize our family coming together. I promised to always take care of them and love them. It was a perfect moment."
Vanessa's advice for future brides, "it is so helpful to have another person who has excellent taste and knows what they are doing in your corner. My wedding wouldn't have been nearly as stunning without the help of Jenny. Not only does she have a gorgeous collection of pieces, she also arranged every piece I had collected to perfection. I would suggest that any bride have a helper! I couldn't have pulled it off on my own. The setting of our wedding was so intimate, and many guests told us that they felt we were in our own little world out there in Jupiter Farms. Sharing that space with our dear friends and family made the entire night magical for the two of us."
"My favorite part of the planning process was collecting the pieces I wanted to include in the decor. It was actually really nerve wracking at the same time because I was worried that the pieces wouldn't look good together and that nothing would turn out how I imagined it in my head. I felt excited for the first time when Jenny came to my house and put some pieces together to create a tablescape. After I saw her concept for the reception and how she made all of my pieces look fantastic my mind was set at ease."
"It's worth splurging a little on the dress, the flowers, and the lighting. Oh my goodness, the lighting. You will never regret investing in that. The string lighting that hung over our reception made everything look ethereal. And it's worth hiring a professional to set it up and take it down."
Photography |Lauren Louise Photography
Wedding Planning + Design | Port + Palm Co.
Rentals | Sophisticated Settings
Lighting | Celebrations by Kathy
Floral Design | Becky Melton
Venue | Private Residence in Jupiter
Wedding Dress | Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon
So You Don't Need a Wedding Planner? | Wedding Planning
Lauren Louise Photography
When someone says they don’t need a wedding planner I cringe a little. I promise you it isn’t just me cringing, your photographer will cringe a little and your family will become slightly panicked. When I hear this comment I normally follow up with a question like, “How do you imagine your wedding day? What are you doing that morning and the night before?”
I normally get answers that include everything from, getting my hair and make up done with my bridesmaids, sleeping in and eating a big breakfast, sipping champagne in a beautiful hotel room, enjoying a delicious rehearsal dinner with my wedding party. The answer, “managing vendors, decorating my venue, counting every chair and place setting, unloading vintage furniture from a truck, showering at the last minute, and throwing my hair in a ponytail,” usually won’t come to the surface.
With the dawn of Pinterest, the growing number of bridal magazines and wedding blogs, a wedding planner seems obsolete. While these tools are wonderful and help you determine the style of your wedding, teach you how to make your own decorations, or even help you find a dream vendor, sadly Martha Stewart and her team of designers are not rolling up to your venue the day of your wedding tocreate the perfect tablescape, or distribute a timeline of events and manage your vendors (unless you’re Kate Bosworth). Your wedding planner will do that.
YOUR WEDDING PLANNER IS YOUR BIGGEST FAN
Your wedding planner is there to support your vision, make sure your vendors are providing the right products, and keep everyone on task and on time. Sometimes the most “DIY” weddings are the ones that require the most set up time and the most assistance from a wedding planner or wedding designer the day of the wedding.
I recently planned a gorgeous backyard wedding with a bride who was incredibly hands on and involved in the planning process. I was there for support and guidance for a year leading up to the wedding day. If she needed a vendor, I found her options and provided her with quotes, then negotiated. I kept her budget in check whenever possible, I did a mock tablescape with her, and we cut escort cards, went shopping for vintage centerpieces, and spiffed up a wood ladder for her escort cards to hang from the week before.
wedding-planner-florida
I was on site first thing in the morning, and was the contact point for every hired vendor from the musician to the caterer. While I was in my overalls directing the rental company, she was getting her hair done, while I was setting her centerpieces she was getting her pictures taken with her bridesmaids, while I was dealing with a plate shortage, she was saying, “I do”, to the man of her dreams, and while she was hopping into her getaway car I was dispersing tips to the musician, photographer, and catering staff.
YOU HAVE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY FOR YEARS
It is a day that is all about promising a lifetime of love and understanding to another person, and spending that picture perfect day with the people you love most. Do not spend your day arguing with the catering staff because nobody is serving water to your guests. Spend it soaking in every moment, every beautiful thing, and let your wedding planner make sure everyone is properly hydrated.
Let’s create the perfect wedding package for you!
Full Service Wedding Planner · Day of Planner · Wedding Designer
Photo Credit:
A Sephora Custom Makeover | Beauty
Makeup terrifies me. I was the girl on dance team begging someone to glue fake eyelashes onto my lids because I was completely inept. Who turned into the girl squirming when one of my friends tried to throw some makeup on my face before going out for the night. Who eventually tried foundation for the first time in college and didn't recognize my perfect looking skin in pictures. Who has now resorted to a Clarisonic, bronzer, and mascara- if I am feeling crazy.
THE SEPHORA CUSTOM MAKEOVER
So when it came time to think about the makeup portion of my wedding plans I was a bit lost. Thankfully, my maid of honor LOVES makeup and will be my makeup artist on my wedding day. Problem solved, right? WRONG. I still had no idea what foundation to buy, what the best lipstick color for my skin tone would be, or even what blush wouldn't make me look like a clown. With that in mind, I put my big girl pants on, called Sephora to set up an appointment for a custom makeover, and dragged Lauren (my best friend, photographer, and stand in bridesmaid) to the City Place Sephora in West Palm, promising a big glass of wine afterward.
MY SKIN COLOR IS NOW A PANTONE COLOR
I had a wonderful makeup artist who made me feel comfortable and asked questions about my current skincare routine (that was a short conversation). Then, she washed my face with some magical product, and went to town. Sephora and Pantone joined forces and created this incredible tool, Color IQ. It is a handheld camera that takes pictures of about 5 different points on your face, allowing the program to perfectly color match your skin tone with a Pantone color. My makeup artist was then able to select the perfect foundation, concealer, and blush.
From there, we chatted about product, she took me through, step-by-step, when to use each product, gave me three lipsticks to choose from, taught me how to contour like Kim K., and put together a bag full of goodies filled with everything I would need to create my perfect wedding look.
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Even if you're not getting married, I strongly recommend visiting Sephora and taking advantage of their Custom Makeover service. It is free, all they ask is that you purchase at least $50 worth of product afterwards. Which won't be a problem once you realize everything is perfect and foundation is about $40. The service is offered all day long, all you need is an appointment. I strongly recommend it for engagement pictures, if you're attending a wedding as a guest, or a fun activity to do with your maid of honor as a thank you.
WHAT I BOUGHT
Stila All Day Foundation + Concealer
Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow Palette
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow
Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Yellow
Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion
Marc Jacobs Lipstick
Smashbox Lip Liner
Fake Eyelashes
Sephora Eyeshadow Brushes
Brush Cleaner
Grand Total: $400
Find them all online here!
The Wedding Day
Photo Credit: Lauren Louise Photography