autumn – Sweet Violet Bride

Elegant Fall Barn Wedding at Vintage Oaks Ranch

Naomi — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:52:18 +0000

It’s not technically winter for a few more weeks yet so I intend to enjoy all the autumn I can! Which is why I’m very excited to share this absolutely gorgeous fall wedding inspiration drenched in golden light. This styled shoot from Shelly Taylor Photography highlights the season’s natural beauty in shades of brown, gold, cinnamon, blush, and sage. A Studebaker Hawk and lace gown from Georgio’s Bridal add a hint of vintage charm to the rustic details of the bride’s bouquet, ivory and green pumpkins and brass woodland creatures adorning the table. Feathers are used as a motif throughout in the stationery, floral arrangements, and place settings which have the unique effect of being both regal yet natural and slightly bohemian at the same time. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Photographer: Shelly Taylor Photography / Bakery: All Sugar’d Up / Invitation Designer: Bohemian Mint / Hair Stylist: Casey Hartmann / Jewelry: Di’Amore Fine Jewelry / Dress Store: Georgio’s Bridal & Prom / Signage: KDunks Creative / Makeup Artist: Kimberly Cutler Professional Makeup / Equipment Rentals: Pendley Party Productions and Rentals / Floral Designer: Thee Design / Transportation: Thee Design Weddings and Events / Event Venue: Vintage Oaks Ranch / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Southern Autumn Barn Wedding at 9 Oaks Farm

Naomi — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:41:27 +0000

Tiffany and Justley tied the knot at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Georgia. The high school sweethearts chose a fall inspired theme with pumpkins, hay, sunflowers, and cotton. Tiffany’s beautiful rustic bouquet included peach roses, sunflowers, and cotton buds. Their two adorable pups joined for photos before the ceremony, and we love how their cake topper included them too! The wedding party wore cowboy boots and danced the night away in the beautiful barn decked out in twinkle lights and orange and yellow flowers. Claire Diana Photography is behind the lens.

From the Bride…

Before the Ring:
Justley and I are High School Sweethearts 🙂 We first started dating in 2004 when I was a Freshman and he was a Sophomore. Started out as friends. One night all of our friends had other plans so we decided we would just go out, just the two of us. We went out to dinner at Moe’s where he showed me his chewed up food, very mature. Afterwards we went and saw the movie “Secret Window.” We were both active in the FFA, Justley’s Mom was our Agricultural/FFA Teacher. We had our ups and downs through high school but always found our way back to each other. We’ve been together now since 2007.

The Proposal:
We never were in any rush to get married. After Justley graduated from UGA, he got an opportunity a few months later to work in Savannah. Since we’d been together for so long, it was only right that I move with him, along with our dog baby, Willow. Moving to Savannah, away from our Family and Friends made us grow stronger as a couple. After living in Savannah for over a year, Justley realized it was time to ask me. I always told him I would not pick out my ring, he had to choose! So he creeped on my Pinterest account and found what kind of ring I wanted. He then took the picture to multiple jewelers to only discover the ring had been discontinued. Two of our good friends assisted Justley on picking out the perfect ring! A few days later we took the dogs for “a walk” at our apartment, so I thought! In a private area by the Marsh he proposed, with our two pups as witnesses. I always told him I would kill him if he did it in public, I didn’t want all eyes on us!

Photographer: Claire Diana Photography / Event Venue: 9 Oaks Farm / Dress Store: Charme Bridal / Hair Stylist: Hair & Company / Caterer: Mama’s Boy / Floral Designer: Wedding Flowers by On / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

By Amber Light: BHLDN’s New Collection

Naomi — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:01:13 +0000

In an October daydream filled with luxe, floral textures is the new collection from BHLDN – By Amber Light. The collection, with encrusted beading that ushers in a new wave of refined bohemian style, was shot amid a golden meadow at a nature preserve in Pound Ridge, New York by noted photographer Boo George. The glass “chapel” was constructed from re-claimed windows and colored glass – the pièce de résistance in this surreal and dreamlike environment that captures the romantic feel of an intimate autumn wedding. These photos celebrate the launch of eight new BHLDN looks that narrate the dreamy environment and the spirit of wanderlust evoked by model Jenna Earle.

Highlights from the new assortment include the floor-skimming nude chiffon Lake Gown, the Pendleton Gown by Tadashi Shoji with its stunning graphic lace, and the Mirella Gown from Notte by Marchesa in a pale blush hue.

Photos by Boo George / Shop Now > Romantic & Vintage inspired wedding gowns at BHLDN.

*FTC This post contains affiliate links

Rustic Autumn Red Cliff Ranch Wedding {Pepper Nix Photography}

Naomi — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:09:33 +0000

Kate and Damon had a beautiful, albeit rainy September wedding at Red Cliff Ranch in Utah. That is often the way of mountain weather – especially in the fall! But it didn’t bother this sweet couple who had a gorgeous day filled with love, laughter, and pretty rustic details. They said their vows at a church with mountain views in Park City, and then started their celebration at the end of the ceremony with a bagpipe recessional. Bouquets and boutonnières were autumn and mountain inspired with wheat, berries, and shades of gold, red, and orange. Guests left the ranch with little burlap bags with Utah honey and a caramel flavored bee candy. Pepper Nix was there to capture each moment.

From the Bride…

The beginning: We met our freshman year in the dining hall on campus at UF. Damon proposed in Savannah, Georgia on New Year’s Eve 2012

The Dress: I wore a fit and flare lace gown by Jorge Manuel. It had an ivory to champagne colored satin underlay with lace on top of the dress. I wore a belt and veil that matched the cream and ivory tones in the dress. I wore pumps that matched my belt to the ceremony and Luchese cowboy boots to dance at the reception.

Details of the Day: Our bouquets and boutonnières were autumn and mountain inspired picking up on natural coloring with wheat and berries. They were just a little unkempt too, almost like the most beautiful bunch of wildflowers.

I wanted the decor to reflect the beautiful venue at Red Cliff. I wanted it to be reverent of the picturesque surroundings and just add a touch of softness and beauty. We used a lot of burlap and natural colors with floral and lace to soften the look. Most of my inspiration came from the beautiful setting in Park City. I love to decorate and had a lot of fun planning.

Guests left the ranch with little burlap bags with Utah honey and a caramel flavored bee candy. Damon’s sister made little tags with a stamp with our names and wedding date and the line “meant to bee.” We also did welcome boxes for our guests that they received when they arrived in town. They had necessities for the weekend from Kate’s energy bars to custom cozies.

Our cake was a 3-tier vanilla cake with salted caramel dressing. It was decorated with some of our floral and we had a wood grain cake stand and twigs that had our initials connected with a heart for a cake topper. We really loved the groom’s cake that Julie at Layers made for us. We are University of Florida alumni and huge Gator fans and she made a huge gator cake that we served at our rehearsal dinner.

Favorite Moments? My favorite moment was our sparkler exit and ride back to Park City in the classic car Damon picked. I was so excited to be married and so happy everyone had a wonderful time celebrating. As much fun as it was, I was happiest in that moment when I had a moment alone with my husband.

Advice to Couples in the Planning Process: I think the best advice was to allow the wedding to be an example of our love and not to worry too much about the details. I’m BIG on details but I think everyone most enjoyed seeing Damon and I happy and having fun. I wish I would have had a better plan for the rain though! We missed out on some of the things we had planned for our cocktail hour and I really hadn’t wanted to acknowledge the possibility of rain, even while it was raining.

Photographer: Pepper Nix Photography / Shoes: Badgley Mishka / Dress Designer: jorge manuel / Cake Designer: Layers Cake Company / Transportation: Something Vintage Something Blue / Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Vera Wang / Makeup Artist: Versa Artistry / Caterer: Culinary Crafts / Reception Venue: Red Cliff Ranch / Event Designer: Scenemakers / Floral Designer: Scenemakers / Ceremony Location: St. Mary of the Assumption / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

‘Meant to Bee’ Autumn Wedding Style {Lis Photography}

Naomi — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:52:59 +0000

Aren’t these colors amazing together!? Deep plum purples, yellow, and rich golden honey never looked so good. This beautiful editorial shoot was put together in Fairfield Vermont and designed by violet vendor, Creative Muse Floral Design. Natural local products (including pure Vermont honey!) made for the perfect details, and three different fall bridal looks give plenty of inspiration for fall brides-to-be. I have to say the honey-pumpkin colored millinery headpiece with black netting and a deep plum lip make for a beautiful alternative to the traditional Halloween palette also. The organically styled bouquet is one of my favorites this fall – with callas, dahlia, ranunculus, craspedia, lisianthus, veronica, ferns, and berries!

Photographer: Lis Photography / Jewelry: After Midnight Jewelers / Invitation Designer: Christa Alexandra Designs / Floral Designer: Creative Muse Floral Design / Hair Stylist + Makeup Artist: Finishing Touch / Dress: Fiori Bridal Boutique / Etsy Designer: Mirrorball Boutique / Specialty Foods: Northern Border Apiares / Bakery: The Little Purple Cake Shoppe / Event Venue: The Patten Place / Equipment Rentals: Vermont Tent Company / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Alternative Autumn Wedding Dresses: Brides in Black

Naomi — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 15:16:45 +0000

This look is not for everyone – even if you don’t consider yourself to be of the traditional mindset you might find it hard to wrap your mind around the concept of a black wedding dress. It has been ingrained in our culture that white is a must, but think for a moment on the fact that grooms almost always wear black… Autumn is the perfect time for a black dress because the deeper flower colors go beautifully with it, Halloween might be your favorite holiday, or it is simply a reflection of darker nights and the beauty found in a darker season. I say if you love black, then at least allow yourself to try on a black dress and see how you feel in it. Keep in mind there are many ways to wear black, whether it be in a solid fabric, layered with white or other colors, or to simply accessorize with black over a white dress. You might also choose to wear black as a second dress at your reception if you want to keep your ceremony more traditional. What do you think? Would you wear black on your wedding day?

1-2) Dark Pony Designs 3) Millie B Photography 4) Amanda K Photography, dress by Simple Marie Styling 5) Jose Villa, dress by Romona Keveza 6) Allure Romance Style 2767 7) Sue Wong dress via 100 Layer Cake 8) Vera Wang, Michael Segal Photography 9) The Knot 10) Elie Saab Spring 2014 11) Julie McKee Photography

Orange + Gray Autumn Vineyard Wedding {Audra Wrisley}

Naomi — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 14:17:06 +0000

Rachel and Sean had their gorgeous October wedding at Keswick Vineyards. The stunning backdrop nestled in the rolling hills of Charlottesville, Virginia complemented the natural orange and gray colors of their wedding perfectly. The Ceremony was held outdoors in front of the stately white mansion and cocktail hour was nestled under an oak tree nearby. The Florals were arranged in mason jars and aluminum cans to craft the original centerpieces which added to the understated, rustic look. We love the light gray bridesmaid dresses and vibrant berries in the bouquets! They also had a delicious dessert bar filled with pies and cakes. Their day managed to be elegant as well as fun and laidback – hello donut truck! Thanks to Audra Wrisley for capturing and sharing their lovely day.

From the Bride…

Before the Ring:
Sean and I met freshman year at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) in a two semester long class that is required for all new students. During the second semester Sean invited me out to Piccola’s for lunch and we ended up staying there for three hours just talking. We remained good friends for about two years before we started dating. Before we started dating Sean moved into an apartment across the street from me. Sean claims it was coincidence, but I think he may have planned it because we started dating shortly after 🙂

The Proposal Story:
Sean proposed back in January of last year, and it was a strange week. Work had been crazy and he was acting funny all week long. One morning he told me he was going to have dinner ready that night, so I wouldn’t have to worry about it when I got home. Instead I came home to him and his friends partying that night. I went straight to bed and woke up and went straight back to work the next day without a word to him. The next night I came home and the table was set for dinner and there was a gift box on the table. In my head I was thinking, “oh great—he bought me a gift because he thinks I am that upset with him.” I opened the box and there was a ring box, I got nervous and opened it only to find a note that read “Whoops! Your gift is not in the box! You must collect all the pieces of the triforce to get it…” So immediately knew I was going on a Legend of Zelda (my favorite games) themed scavenger hunt to find my ring. The scavenger hunt allowed more time for me to get nervous and Sean laughed at me a couple times when I became flustered trying to find the pieces. It sort of became a family event because our two cats followed us around the house the entire time and even were rubbing against Sean while he was down on one knee proposing. I was totally caught off guard, but it was a beautiful moment that I will always cherish.

Photography: Audra Wrisley / Venue: Keswick Vineyards / Floral Design: Verde Natural Florals / Doughnut Truck: Carpe Donut / DJ: Andy Wilfong / Rentals: MS Events / Music: Classical Hillbillies / Cakes: Beth Christiano / Catering: BBQ Exchange

Find Autumn Inspiration in Issue 2 of Sweet Violet Bride

Naomi — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:24:12 +0000

If you haven’t taken a look yet, it is the perfect time to flip through the second issue of our magazine. It is packed with summer and fall inspiration for your nature inspired wedding day. It is available on Issuu which recently came out with a new app for iOS. This beautifully crafted app delivers an incredible reading experience, where you can browse our magazine and many others around the world, free of charge. You can get the app here. Issuu also recently introduced Issuu Clip, a way for readers to clip and share content from their favorite magazines on Issuu.

In Issue 2 you’ll find element-inspired jewelry, wild woodland adornments, 25 tips for a green wedding, makeup for your big day, an interview with Fair Trade wedding dress designer Celia Grace, how to make a dried flower crown, the beauty of naked cakes, and many styled shoots and real weddings…a few of our fall favorites below.

See all of our issues here.

12 Rustic Autumn Wedding Bouquets to Fall For

Naomi — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:57:58 +0000

Happy first day of Fall! To celebrate the Autumnal Equinox I’ve collected images of a dozen gorgeous bouquets that would be perfect for a rustic fall wedding. This season presents us with unique colors, crisp weather, and an air of intrigue, and these bouquets reflect that organic, sometimes enigmatic look. Some contain flowers of rich dark chocolate or violet hues, others rich red, citrine, or gold. All of them emit a captivating beauty that is created by a blend of wild textures, not only of the floral kind but also of seed pods, ferns, vines, or the addition of various ribbons. I hope these inspire you to create your own earthy, one-of-a-kind bouquet!

For even more bouquet ideas check out our floral inspiration page.

1) OneLove Photography 2) Babb Photo 3) Boutwell Studio 4) Laura Gordon Photography 5) Jayson Munn Design (violet vendor) 6) Jose Villa 7) Day 7 Photography 8) Crystal Stokes Photography 9) Brooke Shultz Photography 10) Studio 28 11) Michael Radford Photography 12) Lara Hotz Photography for Hooray Magazine, Jardine Botanic Floral Styling

Autumn-Inspired Wedding Dessert Tables

Heather — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 23:34:33 +0000

Autumn is in the air, and a visit to my local orchard last weekend reminded me why I’m so in love with fall weddings. I can’t get enough of the sweet smells, vibrant colors, and cozy décor of the season, and especially the rustic flavors you can share with your guests. Looking for a creative way to provide reception desserts and drinks? Consider setting a table with your favorite seasonal treats. Antique furniture and vintage linens can be the perfect backdrop for a bountiful spread of luscious pies and tarts, crisp apples, spiced cider, and fresh doughnuts. Adorn the table with harvest favorites like pumpkins and gourds, or maybe even a little candy corn! Here are a few of our favorites…

Tip: When decorating with lots of gourds, let it be known that your guests can take them on their way out. That way you don’t end up with a heaping mountain of them after the event!

1) J. Fiereck 2) Emilie Inc & Pencil Events 3) Elisa Bricker & Barb Wired Event Management 4) Jenny Cookies 5) Aster & Olive 6) Love by Serena & Jessica Adams Design 7) Hetler Photography 8) B. Schwartz Photography 9) Pinterest 10) Amanda Dumouchelle Photography & Take a Seat Events 11) Dogwood Events 12) Simply Rosie Photography 13) Birds of a Feather 14) Amanda Dumouchelle Photography & Take a Seat Events