Bouquets / Anna & Matt / Pierre Hotel / Brett Matthews Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Unique and Thoughtful Bridesmaids Gift Guide

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Bridesmaids. You chose this group of women to be by your side on your wedding day for many reasons. They are your best friends, the ones you trust and care about most. Some you have known since childhood, others you met later in life and bonded with immediately.

 

Bouquets / Anna & Matt / Pierre Hotel / Brett Matthews Photography

Bouquets / Anna & Matt / Pierre Hotel / Brett Matthews Photography

 

From the bachelorette party and bridal shower to the dress fittings and heart-to-heart talks in between, they have been your support system during an exciting, yet occasionally stressful time. When it comes to a bridesmaid gift, thank them with something that expresses how much you appreciate all their hard work and commitment. Finding a special gift can be difficult though, and the last thing you want to do is resort to a basic, uninspired present. For the bride in need of some ideas, we put together a guide of unique and thoughtful gifts that your bridesmaids are sure to love.
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Jacob & Brittany - Intimate Cliffs of Moher - Ireland Wedding - via Epic Love Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Destination Inspiration: Ireland

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The Emerald Isle, with its fabled stretches of coastal green landscapes, offers an evocative inspiration for an utterly breathtaking wedding. Ireland conjures visions of vintage Irish lace and Waterford crystal next to the warm brown of a wooden bar. This inspiration is ideally suited to a décor that leans to the nostalgic, especially with elements such as a wedding dress or motifs that have a more retro and old world elegance.

 

Jacob & Brittany - Intimate Cliffs of Moher - Ireland Wedding - via Epic Love Photography

Jacob & Brittany – Intimate Cliffs of Moher – Ireland Wedding – via Epic Love Photography

 

Whether you wish to honor your family’s heritage or because its majestic verdant beauty inspires the romantic in you, adding touches of Ireland to your décor will transform your event into an unforgettable destination wedding. Giving attention to the defining elements of your wedding will help to thread your chosen theme throughout. Focusing on these first, keeping in mind they should all flow together, then sprinkling in the details, makes for a cohesive design aesthetic.
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Spring Floristry - Rose Filled Pink Tea Pot - via Idei Dekoru

Planning & Inspiration

Garden Tea Party Bridal Shower

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There are many reasons to be excited about planning a bridal shower in the spring. Warmer temps and sunshine means the season’s loveliest flowers are in full bloom. Make the most of spring’s splendor by taking the fête outdoors and hosting a garden tea party bridal shower. Delicate teacups, bountiful bouquets, vintage silverware, delicious sandwiches and desserts start a list of party-prepping details. From the décor to the food, the aim is to create a light atmosphere that is romantic and feminine. Now that you have the shower theme picked out, it’s time to get started. Here are ideas to guarantee that your bride has the loveliest afternoon bonding with her dearest friends over tea and shortbread cookies.
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Suspended Blooms / Jenna & Matthew Wedding / Jewish Heritage Museum NYC / Cody Raisig Photography

Weddings

Jenna + Matthew: Enchanting Romance at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

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Jenna & Matthew Rubin were married this past fall in a breathtaking ceremony and fantastical celebration at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Downtown Manhattan.

 

Chuppah / Jenna & Matthew / Jewish Heritage Museum / Cody Raisig Photography

Chuppah / Jenna & Matthew / Jewish Heritage Museum / Cody Raisig Photography

 

After years of disappointment with the New York dating scene and countless attempts to put herself out there and find Mr. Right, Jenna set up an online dating profile.  Her co-worker had encouraged her to try OKCupid after finding her husband there unexpectedly. “You have to weed through some super crazy messages,” she admitted, “but there are some hidden gems if you take the time to really look.”
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Maisie & Steve Wedding - Floral Cake - Photo by HollyDeaconDesign - via WhimsicalWonderlandWeddings.com

Planning & Inspiration

Flowers and Frosting

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A wedding wouldn’t be a wedding without a show stopping cake; the first piece cut as a newlywed couple, shared with joy, love and laughter. The cake is displayed for all to admire throughout the night until the treasured cake cutting ceremony where its details, design and individuality are greatly notice and appreciated. The evolution of the traditional wedding cake has progressed from a simple sheet cake to now offering multiple layers, tiers and decadent accents. One of the newest trends in the wedding industry is not only making flowers out of edible pieces such as frosting and sugar, but also featuring real flowers on the cake. This trend is hitting the scene in a great way, and is one that we can’t believe took so long to get here! The idea of incorporating your bridal flowers onto your cake ties the theme together beautifully and is a great way to ensure a one-of-a-kind picturesque confection.
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Ceremony / Joann & Michael Wedding / Mandarin Oriental NYC / Ryan Brenizer Photography

Weddings

Joann + Michael at The Mandarin Oriental

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Joann & Michael / Mandarin Oriental / Ryan Brenizer Photography

Joann & Michael / Mandarin Oriental / Ryan Brenizer Photography

 

“Michael is an anesthesiologist and I am a gastroenterologist and yes, it’s a little cliched, but we are two doctors who met at work in the hospital!”

Joann recalls the particular day she and Michael connected for the first time, after almost a year of seeing one another here and there. “I remember seeing him for the first time and thinking he was so handsome, but we are not in the same department so my interactions with him were always a bit random.”  However, one fateful Friday, Michael and Joann were paired to work together for the entire day. It was a slow day of work, so the two had a chance to chat and get to know each other. “I just remember laughing a lot and enjoying the day,” recalls Joann, “Shortly after that he asked me out and I was so excited to spend more time with him outside of work.”
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