Stepping away from the traditional bridesmaid look can bring about some truly phenomenal results and this gorgeous wedding filled with sequined touches certainly proves that point!  Elizabeth Evans D’Ascensao & Nick D’Ascensao’s wedding day was steeped in traditional while pursuing more modern takes in just the right areas.  Bridesmaids were dressed in gorgeous sequin dresses, while our lovely bride donned an elegant headband, shoes & clutch to perfectly compliment the ensembles!  The room at The Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center was dressed in champagne & blush tones with beautiful florals for pops of color.  Elizabeth & Nick’s wedding is a beautiful take on traditional with the perfect about of modern embellishments!

Novella of the Bride…

Nick and I met the old fashioned way… at a bar.  We went on our first date a week later and the rest, as they say, is history.  Nick is the director of sales for an advertising start-up and I am the executive director of a non-profit.  We live in Boston with our French bulldog, Clark.

We hoped to achieve the perfect balance of traditional and modern and drew a lot of inspiration from both our parish church and reception site, which were both recently restored and renovated.  We wanted our invitations to set the tone, and found a great graphic designer who incorporated our “champagne and blush” colors with a loose brushstroke design.  We balanced a classic shift dress for our bridesmaids with an incredible sequined fabric, incorporated a lot of texture into our flowers, and traded a standard wedding cake for mini desserts that could be brought to the dance floor.  Ultimately, we really just wanted to throw a great party for our friends and family.

We were thrilled to be getting married at St. Cecilia, our parish church in Boston’s Back Bay.  It is such a vibrant, warm and welcoming community and I know our friends and family sensed that on our wedding day.  We chose our reception site, The Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, because it had the perfect charm and character.  It was once a court house, and after being renovated is now a performing arts center.  After our friends and family enjoyed a cocktail hour in one of the center’s galleries, we enjoyed dinner and dancing in the former courtroom.  We were lucky to have so many family members and friends in town for our wedding, especially Nick’s grandmother who flew over from Portugal.  It meant so much for us to have her there.

I love flipping through our wedding photos because it seems like we had one favorite moment after another.  From exchanging vows and processing out of the church to dancing to one Michael Jackson song after another, everything came together just perfectly.  Our first dance was to Ben Folds’ “The Luckiest,” – I think that sums up exactly how I feel about the day, and about being married to Nick.

Vendor Love

Ceremony Venue: Saint Cecilia Parish | Reception Venue: The Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bridesmaid Dresses: Pisarro Nights/Nordstrom | Shoes: Nine West | Hair Stylist: Kent Newton Salon | Groom’s Suit: Ralph Lauren | Invitations: Real Papel Design Company | Transportation: The Original Party Trolley | Music: Sheldon Gentles, C-Zone Music | Florist: Judy’s Village Flowers | Baker: Mix Bakery Boston | Second Shooter: Jaclyn L Photography | Photographer: Henry Photographers

I love how spot on styled shoots can be, even when they dont mean to.  Case in point is this truly AH-dorable Pretty In Pink spring fever shoot!  The idea is fresh poppy vibrant colors that take you that spring tingle along with some super fun whimsical elements.  This sweetheart bride is styled in an adorable short rosette gown from Ivy and Aster, which is paired with a bright pink cardigan & matching thick pink tights!  The cardie & tights are two amazing elements that, given the freakish overly cold weather that most of the country is dealing with right now, is incredibly spot on!  Spring brides are brides that always run the risk of getting either truly phenomenal weather or weather to snuggle up to!  The use of elements like a wrap or cardie, along with thick tights not only transcends a bride into a fun quirky persona, they keep her quite warm too!  Spring and even fall weddings often give couples the chance to wear some extra layers, really giving them the chance to pick some  statement pieces that really show of their personalities!  {SBW Note: I’ll touch on some of the fun styling details after the gallery!}

SBW Styling Notes:

When fun, bright & whimsical are some of the buzz words for your wedding planning, there are a few great things to remember when coming up with the style for your day. Much as I noted in my intro, dont be afraid to play with non-traditional elements when crafting your bridal style.  In addition to the perfect cardie & tights, our bride is wearing one gorgeous crown of fresh florals.  What I really love about this particular crown is that they weren’t afraid to play with big full blooms.  These big blooms provide a sense of wonder all themselves bringing the whimsy to life!  Keeping with the gorgeous florals for just another moment, the centerpieces are utterly divine & play perfectly into bright & fun!  What makes this arrangement work so well is what I love to call structured chaos.  Its very clear to see that the arrangement was skillfully put together, with plenty of thought into what went where and why.  However its the use of various long leafy greens the expertly hang out of the arrangement that keep you on your toes, really bringing in that sense of chaos, order in chaos though!

Lets be honest, everybody loves toys.  So why not work a few stellar props into your day!  Balloons are great, streamer balloons are waaay better and waaay cooler!  Get creative when your putting together your streamer balloons, use anything from thick gorgeous lace, to simple bakers or farm twine to attach to your balloons.  Additional florishes are really fun touches, in the case like our couple here with hearts drifting down from the balloons.  Lastly, unique props like our couple’s bow & arrows are beyond super cute!  Just make sure that the props you use truly work into your day and fit the overall feel, dont force anything, and it will indeed be lovely!

Cakes are a terrific way to really punctuate whatever your overall wedding vibe is.  Dont be afraid to choose bold looks in the cake design department that really reflect how you want your day to feel.  In this case the three tier decadent treat has three distinctly unique looks from the piped rosettes which pay homage to our brides gown, the simple clean white background mid-layer which is finished with multicolored hearts, & a top petite tier which is covered in a ribbon like look, all finished with a gorgeous giant sugar rose.  Each of these elements in some way relates to portions of the wedding beyond that of just the colors.  The rosettes in the dress, the hearts & ribbons in the balloon streamers & on the bridal bouquet, and the giant rose for the large gorgeous blooms!  This cake is as much of a fingerprint of the wedding as the entire package itself!

Vendor Love

Floral design and Fashion Styling: Janie Medley Flora Design from The Bride’s Cafe / Creative Direction and Styling: Dana FitzGerald / Dress: Ivy and Aster from Bella Bridesmaid in Richmond, VA / Cake: Candy Valley Cake Company / Makeup: Emily Hudspeth / Invitations: Page Stationery / Venue: Historic Mankin Mansion / Models: Tori + Aaron of Marvelous Things Photography / Flowers: Fifty Flowers / Photographer: Gina Petersen Photography

With my deep love of all things horses, when this submission came across my desk saying something about the Del Mar Racetrack, I was pumped and boy did it not let me down!  Wanting to put a playful twist on all things Gatsby, the team opted to shoot their styled inspiration at the stunning Del Mar Racetrack.  I dont know how many of you have had the pleasure of going to a proper horse race track, but typically they are absolutely gorgeous & most certainly make for one lovely backdrop!  The couple is featured in 4 unique looks, each offering readers a slightly different interpretation of what it is to be 1920′s inspired!  Bridal headpieces are the big show stopper here, my personal favorite being a really fun play on the veil which is fitted more closely to the head while being pulled back from the face by 2 floral fascinators.  Between the bridal fashion, the beautiful outdoor table set up {diiiiiiieing over those plates!}, and one incredibly cool 1927 Star 4-Door by Durant Motor ride, this styled shoot is a How To Have A Gatsby Inspired Wedding, dream guide!

What Storyboard Likes…

The Fashion- The 4 different looks might be a lot to take in at first, so I really encourage you to spend sometime going back through the shoot as there are some really lovely things happening that can be easily applied to other styles of weddings, not just those sampling from the 1920′s.  As I noted in my intro, headpieces have a heavy presence in this shoot and I gotta say, I am loving it.  Whether you find yourself more drawn to the direct retro style literal headband & pin style, or your find yourself more vibing with the veils gone showpiece looks, there are ways to apply to any wedding.  In the case of today’s feature the dresses were chosen to further compliment and reinforce the 1920′s Gatsby feel, however pair just about any of these great ideas with a more modern gown & you have Bridal Inspirationsensation!

Pow Wow Is Right!- I’ve had a lil industry crush on Pow Wow Vintage Rentals for sometime now and am beyond thrilled to be featuring a shoot that showcases some of their great offerings!  There are so many great pieces to love, but let me highlight a few of my favorites.  First up is the too perfectly cake table.  That piece is a charmer & needs to get into my house on a yesterday basis!  This little table has a strong antique feel {I am sure it  probably is!} and marries beautifully right into the 1920′s vibe of the day while also being just the right size to be a complimenting piece, not another thing fighting for attention.  My other favorite pieces are on the strong {oak, walnut?} table set up.  I am loving the mix of a big strong heavy wooden table mixed with the super tall clear glass candelabras!  However my favorite of favorites here are the stunning Mother of Pearl Chargers!  I have no idea if you can actually eat off of them or if they are strictly for gorgeous show, but L.O.V.E, like mega love!  Pow Wow defiantly brought it overall!

Picture Perfect Moments- One thing I always love & appreciate are great photographic moments.  Between the artistry that is the eye of Siegel Thurston Photography and the wonderful location & props, there are some really lovely moments happening here.  A few of my favorite photos in this shoot all have the same feel, a very airy ethereal lighting quality that elevate the average image into the stratosphere of art.  The use of props also can transform an image, perfect example being the shot that I love to refer to as the ‘We Won!’ photo, that of the kiss with racing tickets flying  all around.  Finding great ways to incorporate the right props can give your day a boost of energy & style!  Lastly, when you have a vista of a location like a race track, using those gorgeous grounds to your advantage is always the thing to do!  I can’t get enough of the shot of our couple at the top of the stairs with the stunning California race track as a backdrop.  I encourage couples to location scout before their big day, find amazing places to shoot, & if/when you find props that play into your day, use them!

Vendor Love

Venue: Del Mar Racing
Dress Boutique: Mia Bella Couture, La Femme Chic Consignment Boutique
Jewelry: Sandra Nicole Designs,Crush Jewelry Design
Hair Stylist: Hair Ya Go
Makeup Artist: Thorne Artistry
Personal Stylist: Thorne Artistry
Florist: Grand Floral Design by Robin
Baker: Hey There Cupcake
Rentals: Pow Wow Vintage Rentals
Transportation: Haynes Chauffeuring
Paper Props: Paper Scissors Print
PR Rep: Mackenzie Marketing & Design
Cinema and Video: Zeke Torres Films
Photographer: Siegel Thurston Photography

When this wedding first hit my desk I was oh so very excited!  There is a certain lightness, bright airy loveliness to the entire affair.  The design styling is just the right amount of special touches in all the right places.  When I learned that the groom’s, Bassim Abo Said, name actually means ‘always smiling in Arabic’ I thought how sweetly perfect it was for him, but how very much the lovely Mona Abo Said is also a candidate for such meaning as well!  Their beaming smiles betray their absolutely bursting joy from within, inviting us to feel the glee that they do right along with them.  This wedding is a lovely departure from the more heavily styled & boldly colored fetes, leaving you with a sense of tranquility as you look through their day!

What Storyboard Likes…

Light Bright- One major reason that Mona and Bassim’s wedding so successfully pulls off the allure of a heavenly wedding is location. The gorgeous Art Gallery of Alberta is a glass wonderland offering up as much ambient light as the sun herself has to offer.  This is why something like where you get married is oh so very important.  If you wish for a similarly bright, light, airy wedding, choosing the right ceremony location is paramount.  Make sure that the look, feel, as well as lighting {both ambient as well as structured} properly portray the overall look & feel that your going for!  Where you get married should mirror and amplify your vision!

Bridal Details- There is so much about Mona’s overall look that I am completely loving.  From the choice of the lace form fitting mermaid San Patrick to the absolutely stunning hand made lace trim finger tip length veil, Mona is a picture of bridal perfection.  While the clothes do make the bride, Mona’s her & makeup are truly divine, bringing the perfect amount of drama in the eyes with the balance of softness & romance in her softly tumbling locks.  The pièce de résistance however, is the statement necklace, tying everything together in one sweet bridal box!  I am a huge fan of statement necklaces and when the right one is selected, nirvana!

Flower Power- Simply put, I love the flowers here.  The garden roses are utterly divine while the cream hue is perfection.  I appreciate the use of them as single blooms, vs grouped together to make something larger.  There is a lot of power in singular stems & considering the light bright feel to the day, the choice is superb!

Novella of the Bride…

My husband Bassim and I have been together for over 7 years and as cheesy as it sounds I knew he was the one for me very early in our relationship! He is the best of both worlds: super handsome + amazing personality!!! He treats me like a princess even when I dont deserve it Bassim is Egyptian and I am Persian and you would think it would be easy breezy both being from the middle east but it was anything but that.

We didn’t want to over do it with decor  for our ceremony so we had it at the gorgeous Art Gallery of Alberta.  When scouting for my ceremony locations I wanted something very clean that didn’t require too much extra décor..so it was love at first sight when I booked the Art Gallery of Alberta  The venue was so gorgeous on its own that it didn’t need anything extra. There was so much natural beauty and lighting surrounding the building that we didn’t need that much decor! Our wedding theme was split between the Persian ceremony and Egyptian reception. We had a traditional Persian ceremony featuring lots of whites and naturals. During the planning I looked for a lot of vintage mason jars and vases for the flowers. We used the most gorgeous garden roses and carnations. PS- I think it is time for the carnation comeback!!!!! The Ceremony was an ancient Persian ritual of getting married while seated in front of a spread of symbolic items, such as honey, apples, spices and family heirlooms.  During the ceremony the bride’s closest friends hold a silk lace fabric over the couples head and shower them in sugar flakes. Our reception had a traditional Zaffa entrance which involves a musical procession of drums, bagpipes, horns, belly dancers and men carrying swords. This announces that the marriage is about to begin. Our reception colors were pewter grey, ivory and pops of Tiffany blue.

We have been through so much and our relationship only got stronger through the planning process. Something that Bassim and I recommend for every couple during the planning process is to just be okay with things not being perfect. You are going to struggle and things will go wrong from time to time but you just have to let certain things (like a perfect wedding) go! From our personal experience it is so easy to get lost in all of the drama that you really lose track of why you are getting married in the first place. All that matters is that you are going to spend your life with the person you love! If possible, hire a wedding planner so you have someone who always has your back and can handle the situations you don’t want to get involved with. I had the honor of having the fabulous Maria Milonas Tsounis of Flawless Couture Event Planning to help put our dream wedding together. She is the best of the best! Finally, have at least one date night a week with your sweetheart and there can be NO wedding talk during this special time!

Bride’s Favorite Moment: “Looking back now, my favorite moment of the night was during our first dance as husband and wife! Our song was at last by Etta James and my husband whispered in my ear…at last..i get to call you my wife and then he kissed me oh so sweetly. It was a moment that was just for us and I will never ever forget it.”

Vendor Love

Ceremony Venue: Art Gallery of Alberta
Reception Venue: Millwoods Golf Club
Wedding Dress: San Patrick- Evelynn Gown
Bride’s Veil: Handmade by Brides Aunt in Iran
Bridal Jewelry: Novelle Bridal
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom Made
Hair Stylist: Jennifer Chivers
Makeup Artist: Anita Gill
Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss
Invitation Designer: Pink Polka Design
Transportation: Audi
Rentals: River City Events
Florist: Funky Petals
Caterer: Millwoods Golf Club
Baker: Sweet Cakes by Wessam
Sofreh Aghd Design: Birds & Honey
Event Design: Birds & Honey
Wedding Planner: Flawless Couture by Maria Milonas Tsounis
Photographer: Klyment Tan & Dong Kim

*A Note from Shauna Autry Photography

“Before Mara and Andrew’s wedding I only had a chance to meet with the bride. When I arrived at Mercury Hall on the wedding day Mara’s sister approached me and said, “Just wait until you see Mara and Andrew together they are so loving towards one another.” She was absolutely right and you could feel the love in this vintage inspired DIY wedding. The bride and groom made the day so smooth, special, and laid back. The wedding had a very vintage feel with it’s neutral color palette that included creams, grays, and light pink. The flowers were simple and white and displayed in elegant table settings made using vintage tea kettles, books, and candle holders. The wedding was filled with touching surprised from the bride to the groom, including a vintage car for transportation, a flash mob, and a pancake snack. The whole event made me feel like I was in the novel The Great Gatsby, with a little flair. It was simple, heartfelt, and beautifully put together.”

What Storyboard Likes…

Feelin Kinda Sunday- I dont know about you, but I am loving the idea of a reception venue that has gorgeous Baptist church influences!  Mercury Hall seems like a unique location allowing you to have that slightly naughty feel of partying in a church!  From the color block stained windows to the vaulted white wood ceiling, I have a crush on Mercury Hall!

White On White- While white is most certainly the signature of the classic bride, this wedding in particular has a sweet white finger print throughout.  Starting with our lovely bride who is indeed beautifully styled in a slink white Nicole Miller gown with complimentary white birdcage veil, we next move on to the simple white florals that perfectly punctuate this sweet fete.  Mercury Hall’s white wood space perfectly fits into this white washed theme while the white on white cake brings the whole neutral feel home.  White is not just innocent, but beautiful.

Easy Breezy BM Style- There is something about the overall feel of Mara’s girl’s that bring a real well styled casual feel.  The girls, while looking absolutely lovely in their dresses, have a comfortable happy sense about them & it shows all the way to their  bright smiles.  Dressing your girls in ensembles that make them happy too leads to an even better wedding day all around!

Vendor Love

Venue: Mercury Hall
Dress Designer: Nicole Miller
Hair Stylist: JCO Salon
Florist: Central Market
Cake Designer: Brides Table
Cinema: Jackson Adair
Photographer: Shauna Autry Photography