Simply Modern Weddings

just LOVES chandeliers! There is just something so “antique chic” about them. Growing up, my grandmother’s house had 2 beautiful chandeliers that she purchased while in Europe with my grandfather when he was in the military. I was so excited and honored when she gave them to us as a wedding gift. Thank you grandma!!

If your wedding vision is pure elegance and you love the look of chandeliers, why not incorporate them into your wedding design? My super amazing friend Lisa from Oh How Charming! was recently featured in Style Me Pretty for working with photographer Elizabeth Messina on her recent wedding. I loved that they used beautiful chandeliers Elizabeth collected to decorate the reception. After the wedding, Elizabeth gifted the chandeliers to close family and friends…what an amazingly thoughtful gift! Another cool idea is to use a chandelier motif throughout your wedding stationery.

What if you are already married, but still love the chandelier look? Why not get a funky chandelier decal to put on your dining room wall? Now that’s a “simply modern” spin on vintage chic!

(from left to right) Row 1: invitation-White Aisle; Elizabeth Messina’s wedding-Style Me Pretty; Row 2: wall decal-Urban Outfitters; wedding reception-Jasmine Star

Tis the season for engagement sessions! If there is one thing I recommend, it’s to schedule an engagement session with your wedding photographer. Not only is it a great time for you and your fiance to get to know your photographer, but also a chance for you both to let loose and get comfortable in front of the camera. Whether your photos are fun and silly or model hot…it should represent your true personalities. So go ahead and have FUN with it!

Most people use their photos for their wedding website or save the dates. My favorite is when couples use the photos to create a coffee-table style album as their guest sign-in book. Your wedding guests will get a kick out of it, and it’s a wonderful way to preserve your engagement photos and guest comments in one beautiful book that can be displayed in your home.

Today I decided to showcase the beautiful work of the creators of J’Adore Details

Amelia Lyon Photography

DrewB Photography

Jasmine Star Photography

Trista Lerit Photography

The other day I met up with the uber-fab Jasmine Star to get photographed for my website. If you haven’t heard of her…you have to head over to her website and blog and meet her. Jasmine is one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and her photography is absolutely beautiful! Her blog is so enjoyable to read because not only to you get to see updated work, she is also a wonderful writer and keeps you entertained with stories from shoots and other fun tidbits from her life.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer, definitely give her a call…you will not be disappointed! Jasmine has also teamed up with 3 other wonderful photographers to create J’Adore Details which will help you find other trusted wedding vendors that they have worked with. It is such a beautiful, informative website, and will be very helpful with your wedding planning!

Here is one of the photos she blogged from the shoot.

Thank you again j*…you are super duper outta this world!

On Friday my husband and I went to see Wicked for the first time. Everyone I spoke to said that we were going to LOVE the show. Of course I was a bit apprehensive, because usually if everyone loves something…I am most likely going to be the one person that hates it. (because I am a weird like that) The verdict? I LOVED IT!!! The last scene of the first act was so powerful that I cried. The whole drive home I couldn’t stop raving about the storyline and the performance. If you haven’t seen it yet, it is definitely a “must see”!

This wedding board I created is inspired by the colors in Wicked. I love using the combination of white and black with a pop of color to make a statement. I hope this board is wicked to you as well!

(from left to right) Row 1: Romona Keveza Gown-knot.com; Cocktail-Jennifer Skog; Lazaro Bridesmaids-knot.com; Row 2: Ceremony-R Jack Balthazar; Cake-R Jack Balthazar; Boutonniere-knot.com; Row 3: Tablescape-Jennifer Skog; Bouquet–knot.com

One of my good friend’s husband always says, “When you are married, everyday should be Valentine’s Day”. Now I don’t know if he was truly romantic, or if that was his way out of buying roses. Haha! No, he really is a sweet guy…great pick Debbie!

Although I am not much of a Valentine’s person, I decided to surprise James with a beautiful arrangement from Spiraled Stem Floral Design. Of course it was organic roses, she also added some beautiful white hydrangeas and red gerber daisies. Great job Christine…he LOVED them! He loved them so much that he surprised me by cooking a yummy dinner.

In honor of “lover’s day” , below is a shot of us in front of a cool art gallery in Venice. I love that they had a LOVE replica, so we had to take a picture in front of it!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

One of my good friend’s husband always says, “When you are married, everyday should be Valentine’s Day”. Now I don’t know if he was truly romantic, or if that was his way out of buying roses. Haha! No, he really is a sweet guy…great pick Debbie!

Although I am not much of a Valentine’s person, I decided to surprise James with a beautiful arrangement from Spiraled Stem Floral Design. Of course it was organic roses, she also added some beautiful white hydrangeas and red gerber daisies. Great job Christine…he LOVED them! He loved them so much that he surprised me by cooking a yummy dinner.

In honor of “lover’s day” , below is a shot of us in front of a cool art gallery in Venice. I love that they had a LOVE replica, so we had to take a picture in front of it!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

One major philosophy of Simply Modern Weddings is creating a wedding that truly represents you and your fiance. It’s the one day where you can really express not only your love for each other, but your own personal styles. So naturally, I am all about adding your own little spin onto wedding traditions.

As a child, my friend and I would dress up in her aunt’s poodle skirts and petticoats and go skipping around the neighborhood. There is just something so sweet, feminine, and stylish about vintage dresses to me. Although with bridal gowns…it’s almost expected that you will wear the typical big white dress. But what if that style isn’t “you” and you want something different? If a touch of vintage is more your style, there are now many gowns that are available to brides that are looking to reflect this look.

One of hottest new designers is Stephanie James Couture. Stephanie’s line began after she designed her gown for her own wedding because she couldn’t find the perfect dress. All I have to say is that I am very glad that she couldn’t find the right dress because we may be without these lovely designs today!

Below are some of her beautiful creations…including the bottom photo from her own wedding to the fabulous Jim Kennedy! Enjoy!

MiShi! Congratulations on winning the Pinko giveaway! Because you had the sweetest pickup line (and was the lucky number drawn), you will be receiving 2 boxes of these yummy treats. I will email you to get your shipping information for the cookies.

For those that didn’t win the giveaway, don’t fret…you can still order your Pinko cookies by February 10th for the Valentine’s release. Yum-yum!!!

Besides, look at this lovely box…it’s just dying for you to take it home (you know you want it)!!!

Happy Lunar New Year everyone! It’s the Year of the Rat…which from what I hear, is the protector and bringer of material prosperity. Wishing you all a year of love and success!

is Cajun for “let the good times roll”! Today is Fat Tuesday, which is also known as Mardi Gras. So, in honor of my Creole ancestry and today’s Fat Tuesday celebration, I created an inspiration board titled “love in N’awlins”!

Although I am more of a “modern chic” type of girl, I wanted to create a classic Southern feel for this board. Since the colors of the Mardi Gras festival are purple, green and gold….I paired purple and gold as the color combination to complete the look for this elegant affair. I hope you enjoy!

Now don’t get so wrapped up in collecting bead necklaces for Mardi Gras that you forget to vote in today’s Super Tuesday election. Rock the vote!

(from left to right) Row 1: Ballroom-Aaron Delesie; Cake-Brides.com; Centerpiece-Magnolia Flowers; Row 2: Bouquet-Real Simple; Bridesmaid dress-Jim Hjelm; Shoes-Boutwell Studio; Row 3: Pecan Pie Favors-Martha Stewart; Church-HyStudio ; L’ezu Atelier Gown-Brides.com; Row 4: Cocktail-unknown; Invite-Amber Chic ; Boutonniere-Wedding Channel