100 Layer Cake

18 May

A punchy spring Newfoundland wedding: Sarah + Brandon

categories Real Weddings

Very very excited to share Sarah & Brandon’s super gorgeous, colorful Newfoundland wedding with you all this morning. So very many breathtaking things about this pretty event – bold & bright interiors, classy & colorful decor, incredibly stylish threads, the gorgeous photos by Adam of W. Scott Chester. Not to mention the unbelievable location! Kind of makes us want to move to Newfoundland as soon as we’re done writing this post. Let’s get on with it!

And don’t forget to read on for how Sarah kept her budget in check during planning. Great tips she’s got for ya!

Can you even believe that view?! What. a. dream. All that sky & water… so pretty!

Love the way Sarah & Brandon put their own unique spin on wedding style – those indigo boots are just waaaay too cute. They, along with her super amazing floral jacket, are from ModCloth. The vintage lace gloves are such a sweet touch, too.

The vibrant and velvety interiors are so cozy and retro hip. Having a venue this beautiful makes it easy to go without extra decor items!

Sarah added so many DIY bits to the wedding to give it a more homemade, special feel. She and her bridesmaids even made that super pretty backdrop for the head table!

She has a few tips on how she managed to save a bit during the planning process:

“While we did have a band play at the reception, and they were great, guests seemed to enjoy iPod music during the break just as much. So unless you’re looking for more of an atmospheric thing, iPods are just as good! especially cause you can take requests. [Also,] pick the aspects that are most important to you both (for us it was photos & venue/food) and focus your budget on that. that way you’ll enjoy it no matter what. And great photographers can make anything look good!”

So fun and pretty. Congrats to Sarah & Brandon, thanks so much for letting us share your magical day!

Ceremony Venue: Gower St. United Church / Reception Venue/Food: Yellowbelly Brewery / Decor/Flowers: Your Space, Our Design / Photography: Adam of W. Scott Chester / Cake: Bistro Sofia / Cake Topper: Country Squirrels R Us / Programs & Menus: Baumbirdy / Dress: Alita Graham for Kleinfeld (NY) / Groom’s tie: Hugo Boss / Men’s attire: Le Chateau / Bridesmaids dresses: Alfred Sung

Don't forget to see more of W. Scott Chester's work in our guide!

17 May

An adventurous Moroccan honeymoon and a post-wedding shoot

categories Honeymoon, Real Weddings

Super excited this amazing couple decided to take an exotic, gorgeous and romantic trip to North Africa, because now we get to share it with all of you! After a small and intimate ceremony in the states with close friends and family, Engracia and Andy hopped on a plane to Marrakech, Morocco to celebrate their honeymoon. Apparently, it’s not an easy task to find a photographer in Marrakech. Fortunately, for all of us, they found Andreas Holms! Seriously, we can’t imagine a richer, more colorful backdrop than Morocco – plus a bride riding a camel in her wedding dress? Sounds scary, amazing, and makes for incredible photos.

Moroccan honeymoon and a post-wedding shoot

Camel back riding has never looked so romantic. Be warned though. As Engracia pointed out, “Hold on tight when the camel is about to stand up or you’ll fall head first!”. Love the adventurous spirit this couple shares!

Moroccan honeymoon and a post-wedding shoot

What better way to end their photo session than to rehash the memories of their wedding day and adventures in Morocco over a crackling campfire. Definitely makes you want to pack your bags and follow in their footsteps, right?!

Thanks for sharing, Andreas, Engracia and Andy!

Photography by Andreas Holms Hotel: Riad al Massarah / Dress & Shoes: J.Crew / Makeup: Bobbi Brown Groom’s outfit: J.Crew

17 May

Dear ESB: So the fiance wants to wear a tux

categories Wedding Wardrobe

Poor grooms. They get totally left out of the wedding fun so often, don’t they? But East Side Bride doesn’t forget about them. She always has their best interests in mind.

Paul Newman in a tux

So the fiance wants to wear a tux… And I have nothing against tuxes per se… but I totally do.

We’re doing an outdoor ceremony and laid-back reception in September, not some stuffy, puffed-up reception at the Grand Prospect Hall. He’s telling all his groomsmen to wear black suits. And he wants to wear a tux. I thought this would be a perfect time for him to get a really nice, tailored suit from someplace that’s not the Men’s Wearhouse, but apparently, dude does not care about custom-made garments as much as I do.

So two things: (a) How do I convince him not to wear a tux by not just saying, dude, don’t wear a tux and (b) Do you happen to know an awesome/not too expensive tailor around the Brooklyn area where dude can get a suit made for a wedding that’s six months away?

*****

If the man wants to wear a tux, LET HIM WEAR A TUX.

A really nice, well-tailored tux from someplace that’s not the Men’s Wearhouse.

Indochino makes relatively inexpensive custom tuxedos that you can order online. (Sounds scary, I know, but here’s one glowing review.)

Or go the vintage route. My sources recommend Star Struck Vintage on Greenwich Ave. Also try What Goes Around Comes Around, Ina Men + The Family Jewels.

Image via the impossible cool.

(Editor’s note: There’s nothing like a photo of young Paul Newman to make you want to see your man in a tux every day. Rrrrrr. )

17 May

Vendor spotlight: Les Loups pictures + songs

categories Sponsored Post, Vendor Spotlight

Les Loups pictures + songs is collaboration between the lady Ro (the photographer) and her hubby Kenan (the DJ). Their words are the best representation of who they are as artists, so we’ll let them tell you about their work:

“A wedding is a celebration of love, a day filled with joy and magic. It is our intention to help create and capture a collection of moments that embody the whimsical and personal nature of your wedding day.”

winter nyc wedding

“As a DJ, Kenan works closely with clients to create a soundtrack that reflects who they are, and what the day means to them. I have been working as a documentary and portrait photographer for over 10 years. My goal is to capture people’s natural interactions, and to create a timeless visual narrative. I love documenting all aspects of the wedding day, from the sweet and subtle nuances, to the most dramatic moments.”

winter nyc wedding

Isn’t that perfect? A soundtrack to go along with visual documentation of your wedding day! And their photos are simply gorgeous. Love this New Year’s Eve wedding we found on their blog. Where you can also find songs and playlists compiled by Kenan.

Be sure to check out more from Les Loups Pictures + Songs in our guide!

16 May

Parker Palm Springs wedding: Shanin + David

categories Ceremony & Reception, Real Weddings

Good Monday morning to you, cakelets! We have a small but very gorgeous wedding to share with you today. It’s stuffed full of some of our favorite creative people in the industry, including Max Wanger, Bash Please, Betsy Dunlap, and Michael and Brian of the Flashdance, and we think you’re going to like it. Like, a lot.

Parker Hotel Palm Springs wedding

Air plant Betsy Dunlap calligrahy

The ladies of Bash, Please made all the decorative touches, like this adorable “here comes the bride” sign with calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap (carried by their wedding attendants – David’s daughters).

A delightful installation of fabrics, ribbons, tulle and silk triangles were fringed for a fancier type bunting. We absolutely adore how this turned out!

fringe bunting flags

The reclaimed wood table runners were washed in bronze paint, then adorned with vintage bottles, milk glass vases, and compote dishes stuffed with succulents, craspedia, peonies, ranunculus, chinese bells, heather and kumquats. Perfecto!

Bash Please florals

The guests waved these adorable “hooray” flags made from muslin and a custom gold stamp.

Betsy Dunlap calligraphy

Max Wanger Photography

Isn’t it so cute? The perfect amount of detail. Not totally over the top, just sweet and festive and wonderfully romantic. It was a super small wedding, only 37 peeps including the bride and groom, which sounds so nice and intimate, doesn’t it? You can get so much more fancy with your decor when you only have one big table to keep in mind. As favors, they gave each guest a teeny airplant as a thank you for attending their celebration. Simple and sweet. Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks when we’ll be sharing their wedding video!

Nice work everyone! So pretty. And big congrats to Shanin and David. Thanks for letting us share.

venue (both ceremony and reception) – The Gene Autry House at The Parker, Palm Springs / catering – The Parker / dessert table – The Parker, candies sourced by Bash, Please / event design, florals, and day-of coordination – Bash, Please / photography – Max Wanger / videography – Brian Morrow of Shark Pig / DJ – Michael Antonia / invites and calligraphy – Betsy Dunlap / groom’s suit – hugo boss / bride’s dress – vera wang / flower girl dresses: Crewcuts /
Illustration on invitations – Kathryn Hunter