So my new obsession is decorating with items that are not your traditional flowers (not that I don't love flowers!) but there are fun ways to incorporate other items into your decor to give more depth and dimension to the overall look of your event.  Now this might be more interesting for a fall or winter wedding since it does give a heavy look even when combined with flowers. But if used correctly, you can certainly bring rustic and southern to the forefront of your design!

The pros to cotton: It lasts FOREVER! You don't have to worry about wilting flowers and they make memorable and creative keepsakes and it can be dressed up or dressed down. Meaning you can use it standing alone (as pictured strung) or mixed with flowers. 

photo credits for the above: jasmine star

 

Stephanie Williams Photography

Martha Stewart Weddings

Next Week: Favorite Non-Floral Items: Books

   I am a big fan of going against the grain, my husband calls it an “authority problem,” I say pish posh. I hate when someone tries to stifle creativity with rules. It actually makes me angry, maybe the hubs is on to something with this authority problem... I just think, why white for a wedding?! I know it’s supposed to stand for purity and whatnot, but come on your wedding day is exactly that, YOUR day. You should be wearing what you want on your day. And if your idea of beauty is peach, pink, blue, or heck even a subtle pattern. I’m focusing on paler shades because I think they look romantic and I’m a hopeless romantic, but honey if you wanna rock red or black, do it!!!! In Chinese culture white is a common funeral color and red is the the color of choice for your wedding dress, it stands for luck and happiness. So just be happy and be comfortable.

Pinks. Left to right: Vera Wang, Reem Acra, White by Vera Wang

Patterns. Left to right: Carolina Herrera, BHLDN, BHLDN

Blues. Left to right: Demetrios, Vera Wang, St. Pucchi

The Don’ts of Wearing Color:

Don’t wear the stark white gowns with the band of bright red or black. It’s not fashionable. AT ALL.

Don’t wear a color that washes you out. Shocking as it may seem white looks great on everyone. It really does, but colors can wash you out if you choose the wrong tone. So you definitely need to see the color on you. Peachy Pinks look great on olive or medium toned skin with while icy blues look great on someone with rosy undertones.

Don’t wear color just to shock people. Do it because you truly love it.

Don’t just pick any colored gown. It still needs to feel special... That might not seem important, but when you put on your wedding dress it comes with this feeling of sheer joy. Make sure that whatever pick gives you that feeling.

Don’t wear an overpowering pattern. Keep it subtle and keep it classy.

Until we meet again, stay bridal and stay fabulously chic... in color...

Lauren

Thanks to Nate from Openlight Studio Photography, one of our past couples was featured on WedCandy. Take a peak!

This beautiful wedding of Brittany & Jason in Savannah, GA is making me dream of Spring!  The light in the images is so beautifully captured by Open Light Studio.  I’m so in love with this beautiful bouquet of Peonies from Garden on the Square.  Stunning!  Enjoy

Images by Open Light Studio // Florals by Garden on the Square // Coordination by Morgan Gallo Events // Ceremony at St. John’s Cathedral // Reception at Vic’s on the River // Cake by Mollie Stone

Melanie Strok & Kenny Sholes

Date Engaged:

June 23, 2010

Where did you meet?

We grew up in the same hometown and went to the same high school. We weren't friends until my senior year when Kenny came back home for a visit from West Point. It was Valentine's Day weekend and we both got snowed in at a mutual friends house. I remember being very impressed that he was wearing real leather shoes, unlike the gross old tennis shoes I was used to boys my age wearing haha. We became friends and a long distance relationship formed quickly..

How did he propose?

A week and a half before Kenny's 2nd deployment to Iraq, we were walking through Forsyth Park on our way to dinner, as we had done many times before. Kenny was sweating bullets and looked like he was going to pass out! I asked him if everything was ok as he stopped me in front of the fountain. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! He even had a friend from work hiding in the bushes taking pictures of the moment!!

When is your wedding date?

November 12, 2011

Why did you pick the area you are getting married in?

We lived in Savannah for 3 years together until Kenny left in July. There is no where else that makes us quite as happy as this beautiful city does. It was never a question if we would get married here.

Where do you reside now?

I live up in DC (where we are from) and now that Kenny is back from Iraq, he is in Savannah until July.

Anything interesting or out of the ordinary you are including in your
wedding day?

We will (possibly) be attempting to include our dachshund/lab mix dog Lizzie in our special day because Kenny can't bear the thought of her not being witness to such an important event lol

Anything else you would like to add?

After 8 1/2 years together, separate colleges, 2 deployments, and 5 moves... we are ecstatic and the thought of FINALLY being married!

 

We are so thrilled to be sharing in one of the most memorable times in your lives! 

Love,

The MGE Team

So little Hermione Granger is all grown up and a total hottie. I adore this chicks effortless style. And this Valentino is absolute perfection. I love the detail at the neckline and paired with her pixie cut, it’s divine. Now you don’t have to chop off your locks to get this sexy look, just throw your hair up in a sleek updo and find a one shoulder gown with interesting details at the neckline. Steer clear of large jewelry with this look. A naked neck and small earrings are the best why to go with this look. Don’t be afraid to try a beautiful coral lipstick like Watson. Revlon ColorBrust Lipstick is one of my obsessions. LOVE it. It goes on just like an expensive lipstick, try Coral for her look.

Gowns clockwise from top right: Vera Wang, JCrew, White by Vera Wang, & Martina Liana.

Don’t be afraid to rock celebrity style on your big day!!!

As some of you may know, I have been dealing with acne since I was 13. I have tried everything under the sun. Who knows how much I have spent on clearing up my skin!?!? It depresses me to think about it. Two years ago, I started getting the Isolaz laser treatment and it cleared up my skin like a champ, but the budget doesn’t always allow for three hundred dollar face treatments, so a month ago I purchased the Happy Me Acne Kit. It’s not glamourous packaging or particularly luxurious, but it works... well, I’m pretty sure it works. It’s a natural skin care line that is PETA approved, yay vegan certified. The harshest chemical is salicylic acid and it uses it in combination with lavender oil, willow bark, and olive leaf extracts. It also comes with a supplement to take every morning that, as far as I can tell, works. It’s supposed to last for 60 days and is only 29.99. It’s hard to find the negative, right!? Well, I’ll update if it turns my skin purple, but so far, I’m loving it.

Also, if you suffer from acne do not be afraid to seek the help from a professional. A dermatologist can really help, but voice your concerns. If you don’t want to take a pill or want to try to stick to the more natural side of things, they do have options for you. I am currently using a topical called Duac gel and Retina-A and I’m definitely seeing results. And some words of advice, I am not even close to being a professional, but I’m as a very informed, very healthy person I would strongly advise not using Accutane unless you have no other options. It was the worst thing I ever did to my body and it didn’t work. I’d avoid it.

Check out Happy Me at http://www.happymeskincare.com

Lauren

Flowers a beautiful, there is no denying that. They smell great and look amazing, but dude, they are freaking expensive!?!? I mean, come on!? So, I did a wee bit a research to find some genius centerpieces that don’t need flowers at all. Most of them are as simple as hitting up the produce department, a craft store, or your own backyard. Seriously.  Here are my 3 favorite non-floral arrangements.

 Sticks: I love sticks in centerpieces. Is that weird?! I think that they look elegant and playful. I love them natural in all different shapes, just sitting in interesting vases. I love the smaller sticks placed in glass coke bottles or mason jars. For a touch of whimsy you can glue paper flowers on them. I also like the idea of painting them. Metallics always work, but high gloss black or white can be ah-mazing. I love seeing this.

Candles: When it comes to candles the more the merrier. I mean like tons and tons. Luckily, you can buy white, plain candles for dirt cheap and they look brilliant!!! You want pillars, tall pillars, tea lights, votives, etc. There are a few ways to do it. You can arrange a variety of sizes on mirrors, the light reflects and looks brilliant. Most banquet halls have mirrors that you can use for FREE with your purchase. I also love doing the same thing with candles in various size glass hurricanes, which you can also find super cheap at craft stores. It’s also possible to rent beautiful candelabras from florists or rental stores much cheaper than what you would pay for grand floral arrangements. I love the black ones pictured, great for a gothic or romantic wedding. You can also by large vases and feel them with shells, river rocks, marbles and top them with water and place a floating candle atop... Instant genius.

Fruit: This is one of the greatest ideas ever. It looks insanely expensive and it’s citrus fruit and a vase. There are a few ways to do it. I love the talk cylindrical vases that are stacked with limes, lemons, and/or tangerines. I also, love having them separated by color into to varying glass vases with lids. It also looks ah-mazing to have cut fruit pushed against the glass.

Using non-floral centerpieces is interesting and fun. I think that it really sets one apart from all the typical wedding hoopla. I love the idea of being creative and really making something special.

Tell me, would you ever consider a Non-Floral centerpiece? or is that just crazy talk!? What are some of your favorites? Please, do tell.

Until we meet again stay bridal, and don’t be a lemming try something other than flowers to doll up your reception.

Lauren

Tune in next week for Morgan’s favorite non-floral ideas!

Lindsay Dixon & Ian McNabb

Date Engaged

January 7th, 2011

Where did you meet?

We met through two mutual friends. One of my coworkers was dating (and now they are engaged!) one of Ian's good girl friends from Elon University. The first night we met Ian asked me to be his date at his Christmas party that following week, and my response was only if you will  be my date to my Christmas party the night after yours. So needless to say after the first night  of knowing each other we already had 2 dates planned for the coming week! We actually ended up seeing each other again a few times casually before our technical "first date" and have seen each other almost every day since!

How did he propose?

If I had changed my plans one more time on the day of January 7th, we still may not be engaged! That morning I told Ian that I was going to go to an exercise class from 3-4 PM and Ian had told me that he would not be off until 5:30 that afternoon. After a big lunch with my roommate on Friday, I decided I no longer felt like jumping rope for 20 minutes (one of the listed activities that day for the class). Ian proceeded to tell me I was lazy, he knew I was going to slack off and not go today, etc… All the while I thought he was being mean, little did I know it was because I was ruining his plans to enter my apartment while I was at this class. Ian in panic, contacted my roommate for help to think of something else for me to do. I got a text from Mallory asking if I wanted to get manicure's around 3:30 and of course knowing that Ian would be at work for a few more hours I gladly accepted! Randomly turns out that Ian's boss decided to let everyone out at 2 PM, and Ian knowing I do not get out of work until 3 on Friday's immediately called Mallory and said that he was going to come now! Unfortunately for Ian, I decided to leave work early around 2:30, but luckily I called him on my way home to say I just left work and was going to get manicure's with Mallory and would call him after. Ian talked to me the whole 2 mile drive home, which looking back on is pretty out of the ordinary. While talking to me on the phone Ian and Mallory set everything up in record time! Once they were finished laying all of the rose petals down Mallory quickly exited the apartment afraid that I may see her. Two minutes later I walked in the door and immediately saw rose petals on the ground. They started at the door and led to the back of our living room and at the end spelled out "Marry Me?". I was in complete shock! Ian got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and of course I said yes! Then we called both of our parents to let them know the good news. I ended up getting my manicure a little later and then we enjoyed a nice romantic dinner out!

When is your wedding date?

January 14th, 2012

Why did you pick the area you are getting married in?

We are getting married on Hilton Head Island, SC. I was born and raised there and my parents still reside on the Island today. Since I graduated high school I have only returned to the Island during breaks or to visit, and have really grown to appreciate the Lowcountry for its natural beauty. There would be no more perfect a place to get married than this! We will marry in First Presbyterian Church, the same Church that I was baptized in when I was just 4 months old!

Where do you reside now?

We both currently reside in Charlotte, NC. Ian works for Apex Systems Inc., an IT staffing firm, as a Specialty Recruiter. I work for The Shaw Group Inc., in their Nuclear Power Group, as an Analyst.

Anything else you would like to add?

Just that Ian and I are so excited to start planning our wedding with the help of Alysse and Morgan Gallo Events!

Ohmylordy, so excited, both Shopbop and Anthropologie both have announced that they are opening wedding shops!!!! How freaking exciting is that!?!?!? I was so pumped that I just had to share. Shopbop’s site will be perfect the funky, designer savvy bride. You can sign up to be the first to know at their site. And Anthropologie’s new line of dresses, BHLDN, will be perfect for the funky, artistic and not on a budget hipster. They debut February 14, Valentine’s Day... how sweet!?  It’s just so exciting to me that ah-mazing wedding gowns are available to anybody. I can’t guarantee that any of us will be able to afford them, but they will be so much fun to look at. Great for getting ideas. 

 

So, this little Gleekster was by far my favorite at last weeks SAG awards. This gown is perfection. The shape of the bodice is beyond fabulous. A deep V with a natural waist is a great way to show off sexy décolletage and your natural tiny waist. These parts are often the sexiest on a woman no matter what her shape or size. I just adore how slimming and sexy this look is without looking like you are trying at all. Simply effortless. I would take a cue from Michele and have a naked neck and an arm full or shimmery bangles. I wouldn’t even do an earring and if you must, make sure it’s just a stud. This is a dress where hair can be worn up or down, it doesn’t matter as long as it doesn’t distract from the neckline.

Gowns from the top, left to right: Lela Rose, Melissa Sweet, J.Crew, & J.Crew

Don’t be afraid to rock celebrity style on your big day!!!

           

Thanks again Openlight Studio for sharing these with us! Your talent and eye for those timeless moments are unsurpassed.