Sari and Holly

I love everything about this wedding.

There, I said it. I think it's beautiful, sweet, romantic, perfectly styled and it makes me think of Labor Day, which is right around the corner. It has all the warmth of the few rays of summer sun and all the pedigree of an East Coast seaside celebration, and I am smitten.

Sari and Holly are professors at Skidmore College, and spend every summer at the tip of Cape Cod in Provincetown, MA. They chose The Red Inn, a small restaurant and inn close to the water and planned a wedding with "nautical, romantic and modern" in mind.

Sari bought a floor length Amsale confection that she promptly shortened to increase its twirl-ability, and a pair of low-heeled Christian Louboutin peep toes. Simple drop earrings and a lush bouquet of peonies, garden roses and sea star fern by Bow Street Flowers completed her bridal look, while Holly chose a traditional navy suit and tuxedo shirt from Hickey Freeman. Anchor cufflinks from Fine and Dandy were a cheeky reference to the celebration's seaside location and traditional notions of "tying the knot", and caramel brogues from Cole Haan with the most darling cherry striped socks finished her wedding day look. For a really powerful conversation about their wedding style and shopping experiences, take a peek at their interview with dapperQ.

They exchanged rings from Stuart Moore during their tented ceremony and toasted their new marriage with cocktails overlooking the water, followed by a gorgeous supper. Gold flatware on linen tablecloths and vintage grain sack runners gave the tables a well-worn look, and they chose nautical navy and white menus with pink accents to match their invitation suite, all designed by Float Paperie.

The divine duo, Weddings by Two, photographed this gorgeous celebration, first spotted on 100 Layer Cake, and Hello Super 8 filmed it in gorgeous, grainy goodness (take a peek at their wedding video on Style Me Pretty). Thank you so much for letting me feature Sari and Holly's beautiful wedding, Laura!



I know planning a wedding is tough, but I've heard from some dear friends that trying to find inspiration for a same sex celebration can be downright impossible. I hope this joyful wedding has inspired all of you, gay or straight, marrying or not–and that one day, a wedding will just be a wedding, no matter who's getting hitched.

Goody Two Shoes

The bride who actually rocks a pair of high heeled red loafers may be rare, but these pumps were too perfect for this week to pass up! I think these henna-hued Biella loafers from J.Crew are the most divine back to school accessory-what was the one thing you always made sure you had before classes began each fall?

Back to School

I might be a summer baby, but Back to School is my favorite time of year; pencils, binder dividers and reams of fresh notebook paper make my heart beat just a bit faster! I'm not a student this fall but John's classes start tomorrow so I've been living vicariously through his well-stocked leather satchel. While I couldn't convince him to tuck this absolutely darling Moleskin Cahier into his bag, wouldn't they make perfect fall favors for a Back to School-themed wedding? You know I'll be raiding CutiePie Company's Etsy shop for fall stationery!

Since this weekend felt like summer's last hurrah, we made sure to say goodbye in style; we had dinner with a dear friend from Baltimore and his family on Saturday night at the Grand Café, and although John was disappointed he couldn't have foie gras for dessert (they had run out), a tour of some of the city's best cocktail bars was a good consolation prize. John nursed a considerable hangover on Sunday morning while I delivered cups of his favorite coffee and breakfast to him in bed, and by that afternoon it was time to celebrate another friend's birthday on Forbes Island, the only floating island on Earth. In fact, this weekend was so busy I'm actually looking forward to the relative calm of the week, and of course, the long weekend ahead!


How was your weekend? I want to hear all about it!

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

It's no secret that I love a good rum cocktail-whenever I'm not sure what I'd like at a cocktail bar, I peruse their rum selection. I find that a lounge that stocks a considerable variety of rums is the sort of place I'd be happy to imbibe, and reminds me of our own liquor cabinet-we have six rums and a single bottle of scotch, vodka and tequila, respectively.


Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

2 oz of Barbados rum
1/2 oz of falernum
1/2 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 oz of Cointreau

Shake with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Notes: Falernum is a pretty unusual cocktail ingredient-it's a sweet spice syrup used in tiki drinks, and well worth the hunt to find a bottle. I try not to pick drinks that include these curiosities, but this one is too delicious not to share! Try Fee Brother's non-alcoholic version, or John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum. Feel free to substitute any orange liquor for Cointreau-orange curacao and triple sec are both inexpensive alternatives.

Why a Bermudan cocktail calls for a Barbados rum remains a mystery to me despite quite a bit of research, but the bottle of Mount Gay that's been sitting in your liquor cabinet for ages is perfect for this libation! Cheers, darlings!

Photo via Summit Sips.

Bows and Pearls

Kristi Bonnici's veils and accessories are nothing short of lovely-embellished combs, birdcage veils scattered with stephanotis blooms and delicately placed crystals fill her shop. My favorite piece combines an over-sized bow and plenty of pearls–the Wrapped Up in Your Love birdcage veil and it's doppelgänger, the Little Lolita, have been a near constant preoccupation of mine for the past few days!

Tell me, do you love a cathedral length veil trimmed in lace, a crown of fresh flowers or a simple jeweled clip for the big day?

Australian Elegance

Spotted on Once Wed ages ago, this little gem of a wedding came to my mind last week and I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. Jimmy Choos, vintage gowns, those spectacular floral arrangements by Fjura and a classic tuxedo-it's like a very beautiful dream.

Photographs by Georgia Moxham.

Slender

A delicate heel, a slim, satin covered platform and the most ethereal photograph. This is the stuff that makes a busy day slow down just enough.

Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Romance

After a truly wonderful birthday (thank you all for your well wishes!), this weekend brought even more celebrating. On Friday, we joined friends for drinks to toast a new job, and despite the late hour we finally got to bed, John was up with the sun and off to practice at school (the semester has almost begun!). I joined him for lunch at Hayes and Kebab, and then we indulged in the most delicious Saturday afternoon nap. I got the movie theater for the first time in months to see "The Help" with a girlfriend-I couldn't recommend it more highly, but be prepared for a weeping headache after the show!

After a quick and efficient cleanup Sunday morning (thank you, Hoarders), John and I enjoyed our favorite weekend sport-brunching at Le Zinc. An afternoon stroll around Noe Valley was the perfect way to enjoy the weather-70ºF and sunny doesn't happen all that often in San Francisco, particularly during August-and we picked up the most authentic chorizo for that evening's simple paella I've seen outside of Spain.

Tell me darlings, how did you spend the weekend?


Image by Beaux Arts Photographie.

Spanish Sparkler

I'd be hard pressed to turn down a bottle of anything sparkling, but John and I particularly like Cava-it's bright and crisp, unlike some sweeter varietals, and we can happily share a bottle, which believe me is unusual! Spotted on the Kitchn, the idea of adding a bit of elderflower syrup and lemon has me dreaming of a kicked-up glass of Cava this weekend!


Spanish Sparkler

1 oz of elderflower syrup
1/2 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Cava
raspberries

Combine elderflower syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker or glass and pour into a chilled flute or cocktail glass. Top with Cava; garnish with raspberries.


It may not be a mimosa, but this Spanish Sparkler is light enough to enjoy at any time of the day. I think I might request these with brunch tomorrow-doesn't it sound divine? Cheers, darlings!

Photo by Faith Durand.

Birthday!

I'm not ashamed to admit it–today's my birthday, and I have plans to enjoy each and every minute! I told John the perfect celebration would include an Indian feast from our favorite restaurant, Masala, a bottle of rosé champagne and this Tomboy cake from Miette served up on a new milk glass cake stand–I'm practically dizzy with excitement! Of course, my birthday week will probably carry into the weekend too, but can you blame me for milking this milestone birthday?

What's your favorite birthday cake, darlings?

Recipe by Miette, Image by Bakerella.


P.S. I'm sharing a tiki favorite on Magnolia Rouge and I'd love if you came to visit me on The Knotty Bride, too! My "bloggistaship" with Alison starts today, and you do not want to miss lesson one!

Julie and Joseph

If you're like me, you have a few favorite colors. I love the freshness of white, the flirtatious nature of red and a regal touch of navy blue, but there's a soft spot in my heart for berry shades–one that's been on display this week! So when I thought of the perfect wedding for a week of berry patch inspiration, Julie and Joseph's was the only celebration suitably decked out in rich, romantic raspberry!

The couple was married at L'Auberge de Sedona in Sedona, AZ, against a backdrop of red rock. The bride wore a trumpet gown by Paloma Blanca while her sweetheart chose a classic charcoal three piece suit. After a simple outdoor ceremony, guests dined en plein air beneath a curtain of twinkling stars.

A mounted canvas and paints served as the guestbook, and celebrated the bride's chosen profession, art. Sandy Walker of In Awe Weddings & Events helped to bring the couple's whimsical, romantic style to life, while Flowers with Flair created lush arrangements in shades of wine, ivory and blush. The couple served Joseph's favorite coconut-covered cake from Sedona Cake Couture and danced away the evening under strings of paper lanterns. On hand were Kitty and Craig of Twin Lens, who captured this joyful celebration and generously agreed to let me feature their gorgeous work!