Gorgeous Lace Bridal Gowns

Alexandra Wallace did a fabulous job capturing the beauty of these gorgeous gowns. The detailing on both gowns are perfection and I'm not sure I can pick a favorite!

About the shoot: "I love pink peonies, white lace dresses, and big, open fields. So, naturally, it only seems right to throw those all together. But that's what it seems like everyone does, right? Well, I hate being run-of-the-mill, so throwing a magnificent, gigantic bouquet into the mix was a good place to start; Rachael of Eden Floral not only made this happen with flying pastel colors, she also created the prettiest vintage birdcage flower arrangement! Emily modeled some glorious gowns, from a lacy Claire Pettibone from her latest collection Romantique, a delicate mermaid dress from Moonlight Bridal, and - perhaps the show-stealer - a blush, beaded little number from Gemy Maalouf that is completely unique and utterly irresistible."

Vendors: Photographer: Alexandra Wallace // Makeup Artist: Ariel Lizarraga // Dress Designer: Claire Pettibone // Floral Designer: Eden floral // Dress Designer: Gemy Maalouf // Dress Designer: Moonlight Bridal // Location:Orcutt Fields // Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Bohemian-inspired engagement session

"Stephan and I worked with Michelle from Lam+Lens Photography to create our bohemian inspired shoot. We really wanted our engagement shoot to be focused on our love and interaction with each other. So we decided to keep the wardrobe simple and carefree, while still expressing our personal style. I wore jewelry that was special to me for each of our looks - the first jewelry he ever brought for me, and the last piece of jewelry he purchased as my "boyfriend"!

Throughout the years, Stephan and I regularly go on picnics because it allows us time to talk and bond without much distraction. So we wanted to recreate some of our fond memories by incorporating antique books, blankets, and wine into the shoot. Plus, Thomas Riley Wilderness Park was the perfect location because it showcases how beautiful Southern California is. The rolling hills, and the gigantic trees made for a beautiful backdrop." -Ariyana & Stephan

Their love story: Stephan and I met the Fall of freshman year in Temecula, CA. A mutual friend was having his (belated) high school graduation party, and both Stephan and I made the trek to celebrate with him. I saw Stephan along the wall, grooving by himself, because he didn't know anyone at the party. So I went over and introduced myself and asked him if he wanted to come meet my friends. He happily accepted, and he seemed to hit it off with the group. After dancing a bit together, he asked if I wanted to go inside and chat. We instantly clicked and found that we had a lot in common. I knew at that moment we would be great friends. Stephan got my number, but I neglected to get his. I left the party wondering if we would stay in touch. 

It took TWO whole weeks before Stephan texted me. And from that day forward we haven't went any extended period of time without talking. What started out as casual conversations about college, interests, hobbies, and friends turned into deeper conversations about life. We found that our thinking was in sync and that our bond was deeper than merely liking the same things. It didn't take long for us to fall in love. Since 2009 Stephan has always said he will marry me. Nearly 5 years later, we are tying the knot!

The proposal: Stephan must have taken so much time to plan our engagement, because it was so special! A few of my best friends told me that they had been talking about planning a "girls day" on March 16th, 2014 and asked if I would like to join. We spent a lot of time talking about where we could go and what we could do. In hindsight, I now see that even though they led me to think that I was part of the planning, everything had already been decided! Everyone met at my family's home and we went off to explore the city. One of my friends made sure we all packed dresses and heels, because she said we had dinner reservations at a swanky beachside restaurant. 

We went to lunch and to the Getty Museum. Then we changed and headed over to the restaurant. The ride to the restaurant was extremely frustrating. We got turned around twice, we got "lost", and then when we were almost there one of my friends had to "use the bathroom". A 30 minute car ride turned into a 2 hour car ride! What I didn't know was that my friends were stalling to make sure Stephan had enough time to set up the proposal. 

Before we arrived at the restaurant, the girls requested that we do a quick photo op at a nearby private beach in Malibu, CA. When I got to the water, I saw Stephan standing there. I was shocked, and I instantly started to tear up. He had a private area of the beach roped off with seating, roses, & champagne. He had blown up photos of us throughout the years and placed them on stakes in the sand. His best friend was by his side playing guitar, and Stephan proceeded to sing to me our 3 favorite songs "Is This Love" by Bob Marley, "Better Together" by Jack Johnson, and "Marry Me" by Train. Then he got down on one knee and proposed. I was so enthralled with Stephan I didn't realize that he had arranged for a photographer to be there the entire time!

After we left the beach he suggested we go home to spend time together. But when I opened the door to my house, I was greeted by over 40 of my closest friends and family members. He had arranged a beautiful suprise party to celebrate the proposal, complete with tons of dessert and champagne! It was a day full of surprises, and I couldn't think of a more perfect proposal.

Photographer: Lam & Lens Photography

Tips For Planning Your Honeymoon

The honeymoon - a fun and relaxing vacation you take with your new spouse. There are so many different ways to honeymoon and it's best to find a place that your will enjoy the most with your lovely spouse. Today we have several SCB vendors and bloggers who are sharing their honeymoon stories and advice and we hope you enjoy reading through them!

Here is mine:

> Advice: You might have to compromise and that's okay. My husband and I vacation differently - I love adventure and he loves to relax. For me, sitting on the beach is just boring and for him, he loves that. So originally, I wanted to go to Europe but that didn't work out and we decided that we would just do something small locally, like Vegas. But a couple months before our wedding, he surprised me by telling me we'd be going to Jamaica! We did things each liked doing - relaxing (laying by the pools or the beach) and being adventurous (like zip-lining 10 lines and horseback riding). Whatever it is you do and wherever it is you decide to go, just remember to have fun with each other!
> Honeymoon location: Jamaica
> Stayed at: Sandals: Montego Bay
> Fun activities we did: We were in Jamaica for 8 days and spent a lot of days just relaxing. We did go zip-lining (AWESOME!) and horseback riding through a remote village and through the water. We did some water activities at our resort as well as played board games by the water. We had so much fun - especially since this was our first vacation together, alone!> Dream vacation: I love to travel and see the world, so there isn't one place I wouldn't want to see. But lately, I've been eyeing Palace of the Lost City in South Africa. 

Jaime of Jaime Davis Photography
> Advice: Contact a travel agent to get you the best deals on flights and hotels! Also be sure to ask family and friends if they have been to the location you are going because they may have discovered a must see activity or restaurant you may not have heard of from your travel agent or other tourist sites!
> Honeymoon location: London & Paris
> Stayed at: Hotel Aramis, Paris
> Fun activities we did: Definitely HAVE to go to Eiffel 58 for dinner, because not only was the service and food amazing but you are eating in the Eiffel Tower. It is not as expensive as you expect so be sure to check it out. Also the best part of both cities was walking around from place to place. In London we would stumble upon great pubs and in Paris some of the best cafes with the cutest patio dining. I feel like sometimes that is the best way to explore a city and experience more of what the local experience.
> Dream vacation: Bora Bora (over water bungalow!)

I-Jou of IM Events and Design
> Advice: Once you figure out where you are going, go online to research what other people have said when they were there. Buying last minute items at the resort can be expensive and even unattainable. If you are going snorkeling make sure to bring a good underwater camera.
> Honeymoon location: Maldives
> Stayed at: Kani Resort
> Fun activities we did: Snorkeling, island tour, kayaking, relax by the beach, massage. We stayed at one of the villas above water, so our backyard was the water, which was the best thing because we went out to the water every morning.
> Dream vacation: Greece

Danielle of Classically Lovely Events
> Advice: Do your research! We were on a budget and spending $300 a night on a hotel room in NYC seemed absurd to me. We found a cute apartment in Hell's Kitchen for less than half the price of a room and rented that for 3 days. It was the best idea! We felt like locals and had a great time. Now whenever we Tavel we check airbnb.com or vrbo.com for apartments to rent before we book a room. Much cheaper and a better experience.
> Honeymoon location: NYC, Boston and Maine
> Stayed at: NYC: rented a private apartment, Boston: The plaza, kennebunkport, Me: Cabot Cove Cottages
> Fun activities we did: We honestly did all the "tourist things" and had a blast. We both really wanted to see a "real" fall. Both growing up in So Cal we had never experienced much of a real fall. It was so much fun to snuggle up and walk trough Boston Common with Hot cocoa and all the leaves changing. One if my favorite activities was taking a "Haunted Tour" of Boston and hearing about all the old ghost stories of the cemeteries and haunted places. We walked through Central Park and got lost, but we were in no rush to go anywhere, so we wandered. The whole 10 days was truly magical. Be spontaneous!
> Dream vacation: Greece (still!)

Cameron & Tracy of Cameron Leung Photography
> Advice: Most important advice - go on a honeymoon. Don't skip out on taking a trip. We used honeyfund.com as our gift registry that helped us a ton when planning out and making sure we spoil ourselves for once. 
> Honeymoon location: Kaua'i, Hawai'i
> Stayed at: Grand Hyatt Kauai
> Fun activities we did: As we started to plan out our honeymoon, we really wanted to focus on relaxing during our 11 day honeymoon. We kept going back and forth with a trip to Europe or a trip to Hawaii. Since we know that Europe has a lot to offer and that our goal was to really have a relaxing trip, we settled on Kaua'i. We really planned out our stay day-by-day based on the suggestions from some of the locals and also by what we wanted to see. So we did a few things like take a sunset cruise to the NaPali coastline, hike the NaPali coast for the breathtaking views, visit the various vista points, indulged in the local dishes, and sat on the beach every single day we were there. 
> Dream vacation: It was South Africa, but we will be going there in 3 weeks...so now its visiting Patagonia, Chile

Vanessa of Vanessa Noel Events
> Advice: You're likely planning your wedding and honeymoon at the same time. While some grooms are really into the wedding planning process, chances are he's deferring to you when it comes to flowers and linens. But when it comes to the honeymoon, get out of your pattern of making the decisions! I promise you that this is something he's excited about and something that he'll talk about without his eyes glazing over. So plan it together! Ask if he wants a nonstop adventure or a more leisurely experience. Tropical or European? Talk about places you've always wanted to go or things you've always wanted to try. Travel tends to bring out people's passions, so take advantage of this opportunity to experience that as a unit.
> Honeymoon location: Ambergris Caye, Belize
> Stayed at: Victoria House
> Fun activities we did: Our hotel provided complimentary beach cruisers so although Victoria House is situated near the end of the island of Ambergris Caye (where it's perfectly peaceful and serene) we were able to take a short, leisurely ride into San Pedro any time. We were able to explore the island and grab local food, which we loved. The highlight of our trip was a 3 stop snorkeling tour that included a trip to the Blue Hole, which is an international diving destination. My husband and I don't dive, but we still wanted to experience it so we looked into trip options with snorkeling. It was a full day (we had to be at the dock by 6:00am!) but we shared an absolutely breathtaking experience together... and get this, we saw sharks! I was absolutely terrified and screamed like a little girl before swimming back to the boat (faster than I've ever moved in my entire life). I look back on that day as one of the most memorable and awe-inspiring. Even if you and your husband-to-be have a travel style that includes nothing more than an ice cold drink and a hammock, I encourage you to take 1 day or just 1 afternoon during your honeymoon and do something that's a bit crazy/intense/exhilarating. Try something new together; hold each other's hands while your adrenaline is pumping; have an adventure together. You might be surprised how bonding it is!
> Dream vacation: Thailand

Haley of The Bride Link
> Advice: I recommend not over planning. Choose a location that is known for simply being relaxing. I remember being so worn out from all of the wedding excitement that I had little energy for more than lounging on the beach and enjoying local restaurants. I can not imagine having planned a honeymoon focussed around sight seeing or traveling. I also recommend choosing a location that does not require a huge time-change or long flight. Like I said, my husband and I were pretty tired from the wedding and could not wait to get to our honeymoon destination and finally relax!
> Honeymoon location: Sea Island, Georgia
> Stayed at: The Cloister
> Fun activities we did: After recovering from our wedding with a couple of restful days on the beach, we enjoyed Kayaking in the Georgia marsh and lots of romantic dinners on the Island. I personally enjoyed splurging a little on our dinners, because it is not very often that we would have such a large selection of fine places to eat. For a couple who honeymoons on Sea Island, I highly recommend dining at Colt and Allison. The service was amazing and the food and wine even better!
> Dream vacation: Italy

Cris of Kiss My Tulle
> Advice: Don't be afraid to take a road trip if you can't afford a traditional honeymoon. We saved a ton of money driving our own car + we weren't limited to just a carry-on. Also, road trip nooky.
> Honeymoon location: New England road trip
> Stayed at: Different hotel each night - which ever had the best rate.
> Fun activities we did: Fenway park tour, Civil Rights museum in Birmingham (AMAZING!), ate at The Causeway in Gloucester, the Fisherman's Memorial, lots of antiquing and house tours.
> Dream vacation: England, Ireland, Wales

Jenn of The Overwhelmed Bride
> Advice: The honeymoon seems to always get lost in the midst of planning. I would always recommend planning early! This way, you don't run out of budget when it comes time to plan for your honeymoon and you'll get the best deals by planning ahead! It'll give you more time to research what you want to do and the prices are lower the further out you book!
> Honeymoon location: The Caribbean
> Stayed at: We went on a cruise! www.carnival.com
> Fun activities we did: We absolutely loved our caribbean cruise because we got to go to 5 different islands and there were so many activities we could do at the various ports...and they were all planned for us. All we had to do was pay! We held monkeys, went zip lining, snorkeling, had relaxing beach days, and jet skiing a couple of times!
> Dream vacation: Greece! I've been there twice but my hubby hasn't and I want to take him!

Lauren of Every Last Detail
> Advice: Once you've decided on where you're going BOOK IT! I waited a little while, hoping that prices would go down, and they definitely didn't. When I saw the price of flights jump by $200, I rushed to book asap! Also, I would recommend going somewhere where you don't have to worry about anything- like an all inclusive resort. After all the hustle and bustle with your wedding, it's nice to not have to think about anything!
> Honeymoon location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
> Stayed at: Formerly the MoonPalace, now Hard Rock Punta Cana
> Fun activities we did: We honeymooned in the Caribbean, so we of course did some of the usual beachy things, like snorkeling. We also did a tour of the town, coupled with a ziplining trip, and it was awesome! I definitely recommend doing something you've never done before- it's great for creating an experience you will always remember!!
> Dream vacation: Touring Italy's coastline

Esther of Belle and Chic
> Advice: I initially wanted to spend more time at the hotel and have us pampered, but my husband had his mind set on seeing as much as possible. In the end we compromised and did fun stuff for the both of us, and I have to admit that the best memories we share are from the activities and tours we did and not from hanging out at the pool.
> Honeymoon location: Morocco
> Stayed at: We actually toured the country and stayed at several places, we ended our trip in Marrakech, where we stayed at Riad Zolah. Amazing place!!
> Fun activities we did: If you stay in Marrakech, take 1-night-trips to other places. I recommend Essaouria (at the sea), a trip into the Atlas mountains and the dessert (camel ride and spending the night in a Beduin tent included).
> Dream vacation: I'd love to do the same thing again!

Krisstin of On the Go Bride
> Advice: I think out trip turned out so well, because we went through a travel agency. Going to another country or even just some place you have never been before can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to planning. It helped me to have someone there to sort of hold out hand through the process and we ended up at a gorgeous resort.
> Honeymoon location: Jamaica
> Stayed at: Sandals: Royal Plantation
> Fun activities we did: Snorkeling. Massage and facial (for me). We spent lots of time on the beach lounging with drinks and books just enjoying time together. Trying out local cuisine. Got photos done by the staff photographer on the resort around the beach.
> Dream vacation: Rome

SOUND OFF BELOW:
Where did you honeymoon? Where would you like to vacation? Where will you be honeymooning?

All photos taken by myself on a recent trip to Maui.

Vintage San Juan Capistrano Mission Engagement Session

"Our engagement shoot was very DIY. We are a couple that loves to have fun and wanted to show off our fun and funky personalities in this shoot! Mony was super excited about getting dressed up for the shoot and bought his suspenders and bow tie at Nordstrom Rack. Margaret then planned her outfits around what Mony was wearing. She decided on a simple ivory dress and boots, as well as a cute royal blue dress with a red belt. She borrowed the red umbrella from her mom and found a cute blanket at their house for some cuddly photos. Everything else in the shoot was very inspired by what Margaret saw on Pinterest including the burlap sign she made with their wedding dates on it. Margaret actually was on Pinterest so much during the wedding planning process that Pinterest contacted her saying that she was one of their top pinners!" -Margaret & Mony

Their love story: Margaret & Mony first met at their work in Glendale, California. Mony liked Margaret from the moment they met, but Margaret was a bit hesitant to start a relationship with someone she worked with, so they decided to be just friends. Their friendship lasted about a year and a half before making it official - not that Mony hadn't tried to make it official many times before that. :)

The proposal: On their one year anniversary Mony proposed to Margaret. They had planned to go out to a nice restaurant that night, but Mony couldn't wait until the restaurant to propose. As they were sitting on the couch together before going out that night, Margaret looked at Mony and said, “I'm hungry...why are you so sweaty?” Mony then launched into his proposal speech. One of their first dates was at an ice cream shop called Diddy Reise near UCLA where Margaret was taking classes. Mony had hid the ring box in the ice cream box in the freezer. After he finished his proposal speech about why he loved her, he asked her if she wanted some ice cream. Confused Margaret said she'd like to eat dinner first before having ice cream. Little did she know the ice cream he was talking about wasn't your typical ice cream. He then went into the freezer and got out the 'ice cream' box with the ring inside and proposed. Margaret of course said “YES!” and then immediately asked “Did you ask my parents first?” Mony then told her he did ask her parents and her dad had completely grilled him with questions when he did.

Photographer: Kayden Studios

Classic Luxurious SLS Hotel Ballroom Wedding

"Surrounded by the company of 150 of their closest family and friends, Cassie and Kevin celebrated their nuptials under a vintage Chuppah complete with gorgeous flowers and a chandelier. As they arrived at the unique SLS Hotel tucked away in Los Angeles, CA guests were greeted by a refreshing beverage station. To memorialize the occasion, they were asked to offer their best wishes and sentiments to the bride and groom, on custom post cards created by Prim and Pixie of places that they love to travel to, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Barcelona. Friends and family were then invited to enter the ceremony area which took place on the hotel’s terrace. Marking the entrance stood two vintage birdcages and plants with an aisle of rose petals. Guests were also handed paper bags of petals so that they could toss the petals on the bride and groom when they were announced as husband and wife. The groom and groomsmen, looking dashing in classic black tuxedos. The groomsmen were escorted by 10 beautiful bridesmaids adorned in blush pink dresses and black sashes. The beautiful bride, wore an exquisite vintage lace, Claire Pettibone gown and for her something blue she worked bright blue Christian Louboutin pumps. Following the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktail hour where they listened to the tunes of a Spanish Guitarist, sipped on Magic Mojitos- a mojito served over cotton candy and dined on Philly Cheesesteaks and mini sliders.Before guests entered the reception space they picked up escort cards that sat in gold boxes filled with moss. The room was decorated with a mix of round and rectangular tables. Each table featured a champagne linen and either a lace overlay or table runner. Centerpieces were displayed in a variety of vintage containers and bird cages filled with gorgeous roses, veronica and hydrangea. To complete the vintage look we brought in gold flatware and vintage plates from Dish Wish. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of an entertaining DJ and had a blast taking pictures in their photo booth filled with fun props. When it came time to cut the cake, guests gathered around their 10 tiered intricate cake and watched as they did the ceremonial cake cutting." -Alyssa Armstrong Photography

Vendors: Photographer: Alyssa Armstrong Photography // Event Planner: A Stunning Affair // Cake Designer: A Sweet Design // Lighting: Amber Event Production // Floral Designer: BUTTERFLY FLORAL // Equipment Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals // Shoes: Christian Louboutin // Dress Designer: Claire Pettibone // Linens and Coverings: Designer Specialty Linens // Dinnerware Rentals: Dish Wish Events // Cinema and Video: New Classic Wedding Films // Invitation Designer: Prim & Pixie // Reception Venue: SLS Hotel // Photo Booth Equipment: TMZ Booth

Submitted via Two Bright Lights