Real Wedding: Mary and Stefan

I have a confession to make about this wedding-I have been saving for almost a year, especially for today! Mary and Stefan's wedding took place on Halloween, so I knew as soon as I saw it that no matter how delicious, it would simply have to wait until the perfect day. I hope that seeing it now, you agree!

So many beautiful weddings begin with an amazing dress, and this gorgeous bride's gown is a knockout. Mary designed it herself and comissioned Monaco Couture to execute this fashion forward gown with a sweetheart neckline, asymmetrical hemline and fabulous black and white bow. Along with a pair of sparkly Christian Louboutins and a Juicy Couture headpiece, Mary looked absolutely phenomenal, and she made sure her groom looked equally sharp in his Prada suit and coordinating black and white striped bow tie. This generous bride also gave a lot of thought to her maids' outfits, and was inspired by a May 2008 issue of Vogue to give the girls free reign. Obviously if you have such chic girlfriends, there's no need to make them match! The only girl she dressed was her flower girl; wearing an orange tulle tutu by Lily Anna for Girls, she made the most adorable pumpkin of the night!

Of course, a Halloween wedding could have fallen victim to all-pumpkin centerpieces and cauldrons of wine, but Mary and Megan of La Partie Events (who coordinated the event and designed all the flowers) made sure this autumn wedding was nothing but chic. In the ceremony space, large cloth lanterns, draped fabric that echoed Mary's sash and Stefan's bowtie and a pumpkin-lined aisle gave the space a playful, modern take on Halloween.

At the reception, pumpkins and black and white stiped runners echoed the ceremony space, and punches of bright color kept the tables looking splashy. Bright coral peonies, orange parrot tulips, deep pink and red roses and dahlias and red and orange berries gave the arrangements life and texture, and were nestled into mason jars, goblets and mercury glass vases.

The caterer, Auntie Em, made British-inspired hors d'oeuvres like mini shephard's pies as a nod to Stefan's heritage, and served a family-style buffet at dinner that kept conversation flowing. Mini caramel apples and Halloween candy were a sweet touch, and the bride and groom skipped a traditional wedding cake in favor of cupcakes topped with charming ballerina and pirate figurines, spotted at a local knick knack store for 75 cents a piece!

Of course, we wouldn't be able to enjoy this wedding without the absolutely stunning work of Erin Hearts Court, and I'm in Once Wed's debt for featuring this gorgeous wedding so many months ago! Pretty amazing, wouldn't you agree?