Meaghan + Joe | Classic Palm Beach with a Modern Twist
When I first met with Meaghan, I knew we were going to be fast friends and that we were about to plan one beautiful and elegant wedding. There was an easiness about her and something so inherently elegant. She expressed a love for classic Florida style, simple palms, and wanted to keep the overall design of her wedding modern while still pulling influence from the natural surroundings of her venue. We worked together to bring her vision to life, and I couldn't be more excited to share Meaghan and Joe's wedding day!
When I first met with Meaghan, I knew we were going to be fast friends and that we were about to plan one beautiful and elegant wedding. There was an easiness about her and something so inherently elegant. She expressed a love for classic Florida style, simple palms, and wanted to keep the overall design of her wedding modern while still pulling influence from the natural surroundings of her venue. We worked together to bring her vision to life, and I couldn't be more excited to share Meaghan and Joe's wedding day!
The sweetest words from the bride (which make me weep on a regular basis): "Where do I begin? Jenny and Glen are amazing. When Jenny was first recommended to us, my photographer spoke so highly of her. I was a little lost at the time and knew we needed someone to assist with our wedding. We were previously recommended another wedding coordinator but their style was not what I was looking for. I was looking for a hybrid. In marketing you call this person a strategist, in event planning a stylist."
We used potted plants to define their ceremony location. The ceremony took place at the end of a dock with a naturally beautiful view while the plants added that extra bit of lush greenery.
"The moment I met Jenny I knew she was ‘the one,’ no pun intended. The first time we met, we didn’t talk too much about the wedding but I instantly felt a connection. She understood me and we had so many things in common! And that’s important, when you are planning a wedding.
Fast forward to planning. Jenny was not only my event and floral designer but last minute we made a few adjustments and Port + Palm Co. provided a few specialty rental items.
When Joe and I first started planning we decided the vision we were aiming for was elegant Floridian with a modern twist. We had a lot of family coming in from out of town and wanted to create an atmosphere where our guests would be able to experience Florida in one night. Thanks to Jenny, her awesome husband Glen and the Port + Palm crew the vision came to life effortlessly with minimum direction or feedback from us."
"Jenny also assisted with finding us a band, which we still get compliments on, as well as a lighting and draping company, that helped set the ambiance for the night. If something came up during the setup, ceremony, or reception, (and I’m sure something happened because there was a public concert happening across from the ceremony location), we didn’t know about it. Jenny is so relaxed, so even-tempered, so warm she just exudes confidence. Making it so easy to trust her, allowing us to enjoy the night. I can honestly say I don’t think our wedding would have been as beautiful were it not for Port + Palm Co.
Fast forward to now. I miss our emails and have experienced some withdrawals but that expected when you connect so well with your hybrid stylist extraordinaire, right?"
We couldn't have asked for a more trusting couple. Glen and I are both so thankful, and will remember their wedding day for years to come.
Photography | Chelsea Erwin Photography
Floral Design, Coordination + Vintage Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Lighting + Drapery | Celebrations by Kathy
Music | SOSOS
Catering | Cafe Chardonnay
Rentals | Panache
Makeup | Cathy Canavan
Hair | Allison Dunleavy
Venue | Lake Pavilion, West Palm
Ann Norton Sculpture Garden Elopement | Inspiration Shoot
I remember the first time my mom took me to the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. Which is pretty phenomenal considering she has dragged me into countless house museums and historic home tours. The woman is obsessed with history and architecture, a love I never quite understood or fully appreciated until recently.
I remember the first time my mom took me to the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. Which is pretty phenomenal considering she has dragged me into countless house museums and historic home tours. The woman is obsessed with history and architecture, a love I never quite understood or fully appreciated until recently.
So when Chelsea of Chelsea Erwin Photography suggested putting together an inspiration shoot at The Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, I immediately said "yes"!.
Chelsea and I both share a love for small intimate weddings and elopements. We feel weddings should be so much more about the couple and this incredible commitment they are making to one another, rather than throwing a big party with every person you've ever said, "hi" to. Showcasing an elopement style wedding, in a gorgeous intimate location, with a few unique pieces intertwined, was our main focus.
Chelsea wanted to pull in deep rich colors, which gave us a great starting point for the overall design. We created an eclectic tablescape full of unique details including an indigo hand dyed Silk and Willow runner, an assortment of vintage botanical dinner plates, and vintage gold accented glassware, while the floral arrangement featured anemones, peonies, and roses in rich romantic shades of pink and purple.
Our rental inventory is comprised primarily of midcentury modern and art deco pieces, which we felt played nicely against the modern sculptures placed throughout the lush tropical gardens.
Collaborating on this shoot with so many local creatives was such a rewarding experience, and we hope it encourages couples to consider a custom designed elopement complete with vintage and handmade details.
Photography | Chelsea Erwin Photography
Design, Floral Design, and Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Stationery | Gold Cotton Print
Jewelry and Gem Stones | Kattilac Gems
Hair and Makeup | Palm Beach Makeup Pro
Wedding Dress | Wildeflower Boutique
Venue | Ann Norton Sculpture Garden
Models | Taelor May + Walker Shipley
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
A Summer Soirée
Summer may be coming to an end, but my love for strawberries, rosé, and freesia will stay strong right through fall, winter, and spring. Florida summers are H O T. But that doesn't mean we can't revel in the fact that it is the best time to escape the heat with a crisp glass of rosé and a buttery cake topped with strawberries.
Summer may be coming to an end, but my love for strawberries, rosé, and freesia will stay strong right through fall, winter, and spring. Florida summers are H O T. But that doesn't mean we can't revel in the fact that it is the best time to escape the heat with a crisp glass of rosé and a buttery cake topped with strawberries.
Creating a seasonally inspired table design and menu incorporates fresh produce and beautiful flowers, each enjoying their season. I always visit the produce section first before crafting a menu. I look for the items that are organically grown and if they are on sale and look fresh that is normally an indication that there is an abundance of the fruit or vegetable. Strawberries are at their peak during the summer months and pair perfectly with a light rosé. The bright orange tomatoes were the sweetest little bursts of tomato I ever popped in my mouth. To balance the sweet of the tomatoes I selected a mild but peppery goat cheese. The bright pink freesia danced right in to my basket and joined our summer soirée.
Design and Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
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.