As we know, wedding makeup is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone has a different idea of beauty. It’s the same with the climate of the place you’re getting married. A tropical Hawaiian “I do” requires a different approach than nuptials in the desert of Palm Springs or the mountains of upstate New York or Aspen. As celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty (who works with Freida Pinto and Rosario Dawson) says, “When having an outdoor wedding many times it can feel like your makeup is at war with the elements, but with the right products it doesn’t have to be that way.” Issues include direct sun, which can blow out your makeup, making it appear you’re not wearing any, and can also turn you bright red. According to Jenny Slate’s beauty guru, “The key to successful destination wedding makeup is to embrace the environment you are in and let it reflect where you are. If it’s hot, embrace the glow; if it’s cold, embrace a rosy cheek and matte lip.”

If you’ve planned your vows on an island or a beach, it’s critical you take sun care into account. (Supergoop’s setting spray provides protection and is mattifying.) “Even if it’s overcast you’re still vulnerable to the sun’s effects,” says Bhatty. “Because of the beach, skin and hair will be extra dewy because of the moisture in the air. If you are someone whose makeup tends to run, be on extra alert because it’s very hard to maintain in this climate if you have oily skin.” To combat that, prep properly. Start with a mattifying moisturizer by Kate Somerville, she says, then Smashbox Primer Light to control shine and force makeup to stay in place. Try a lid primer by NARS to keep shadow from budging, too. Waterproof eyeliners and cream-based shadows (set with a powder) are key — she likes Make Up For Ever’s. With those, “You cold jump into the ocean after and your makeup should be just fine,” says Bhatty. Seal everything in with Urban Decay All Nighter. Ultimately, she says, “Embrace the glow and don’t fight it.”

Good news for desert brides: “As far as destination weddings go, dry heat is the easiest to handle,” says Bhatty. “Though you can’t stop sweating with makeup, you can ensure it looks soft and is long-lasting.” In this climate highly moisturized skin is key, since you can easily wind up feeling-and looking-parched. (Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids leading up to the big day, too.) Bhatty’s prep go-to is La Prairie SPF 50, which will protect and also keep the complexion supple, bright and hydrated. Next, use Smashbox’s hydrating primer on the cheeks and orbital bones for glow, and primer light on the T-zone to reduce shine. Cream blushes, highlighters and waterproof liners and mascaras “will be your best friend,” and will ensure a “beautiful, healthy desert glow.”

See More: The Surprising Perks of a Destination Wedding

For a wooded, rustic wedding, sun care is also important (try Kate Somerville SPF 20, which protects sans white cast and is hydrating yet non-greasy) and primer is always critical. “Anytime you’re in the elements your makeup is fighting against them to stay on,” says Bhatty. Particularly if it’s cold, skin can chap, so she advises lots and lots of hydration. (And if it’s buggy where you are, remember to pack a natural bug spray that doesn’t smell too terrible.) Before any makeup goes on, she likes to use Cle de Peau’s sheet masks: “They are really helpful and give you an instant hydration starting point.” Afterward, apply creamy products and set them with a powder-based product in the same hue, which will give a one-two punch that should last through the big day. At the end, Bhatty recommends, seal and set the look with rose water and a dusting of Cle de Peau translucent powder in the T-zone. Ultimately, says the makeup artist, it’s all about “making your environment work with you, not against you, because the last thing you want is to be touching up every five minutes.”

Every bride wants to look and feel her best on her wedding day, from finding a super-flattering wedding dress to perfecting her hair and makeup with a trial (or two!). For many brides, that also means finding the best smoothing, supportive shapewear to make her wedding dress fit and fall properly and flaunt her figure. But while shapewear may make you look your best, those suck-it-in garments are not always so comfortable. If “beauty is pain” is a mantra you have no desire to adhere to (or you just want to be able to eat your wedding dinner comfortably!), do you have to wear shapewear under your wedding dress? Here’s what our experts have to say.

Shapewear is 100% optional, on your wedding day as well as any other day of your life. If you love how it makes you look and feel, go for it! But if the thought of squeezing into something constricting beneath your already structured, boned, zipped, and buttoned gown makes you shudder, skip it! The smile on your face will be much more genuine if you’re comfortable in — and under — your dress.

When you’re trying on dresses, keep your undergarment opinions in mind. Let your consultant know if you’ll be skipping the Spanx so she can help you find a style of dress that will look fabulous on your body no matter what. We love the way gowns with fuller skirts allow you to wear whatever underwear you’d like. Bring on the cozy cotton! And if you have a bustline that needs some support, either look for silhouettes that allow you to wear a bra or consider styles that have boning and structure built in.

During your fittings, your seamstress will want to make sure you have the underwear you’ll be wearing on your wedding day. Consider shopping for a few different styles in case what you thought was seamless and no-show is actually visible beneath your gown. If the dress you fell in love with didn’t have enough structure or support already included in the design, your seamstress can help you add cups (or even sew in a strapless bra!) and adjust the seams and fabric so they are as flattering as possible.

Then, instead of bracing yourself for the moment you’ll have to shimmy into your shapewear on your wedding day, revel in the fact that you won’t have to peel it off at the end of the night!

See more: 10 Items Every Bride Needs In Her Lingerie Drawer

Looking for some major inspiration for your wedding ceremony and reception? Then be sure to check out our real weddings video channel, packed with tons of beautiful celebrations and countless ideas to steal for your own big day. Each week we take a deeper look at one of our favorite new love stories, and today we’re taking you inside Abbe and Jordan’s barn wedding in the heart of Dallas, Texas.

With Brad & Monica Wedding Films behind the camera throughout this couple’s whole day, we’re lucky enough to get a close look at this emotional and stylish celebration. Abbe and Jordan’s day was picture-perfect — which should come as no surprise considering their venue, The White Sparrow, was designed with ceremonies and receptions in mind. The rustic look of the barn is perfectly balanced with whitewashed walls and manicured grounds, which was perfect for this couple’s big day.

See More: 32 Knockout Dahlia Wedding Bouquets

Since the space is so spectacular on its own, Abbe and Jordan kept their ceremony décor minimal. Garlands of greenery studded with fresh flowers adorned the walls while empty picture frames made for a simple and sweet accent. Cross-backed wooden chairs were the ideal finishing touch, making the space feel very refined but still comfortable.

In addition to looking great, the party also seemed like a ton of fun. Everyone crowded the dance floor throughout the night, and Abbe and Jordan even handed out fun glow sticks and headbands to keep the reception interesting.

No two families are alike, which means every wedding is bound to have at least one headache-inducing hoop a wedding planner must jump through in order to make their client’s big day perfect. But when we asked the pros to share the biggest whoppers they’ve encountered, along with their stealthy solutions, we couldn’t believe our ears. A mother-of-the-bride running off with the wedding dress? A friendship-ending fight between a bride and her bridesmaid? It’s tailspin city, folks.

Here’s how these planners smoothed over some of the worst big day issues of their careers and how they solved the issue by the time the bride walked down the aisle. They will make your seating chart concerns feel like a piece of delicious wedding cake.

The Issue: Runaway Mom
The Pro: Rachel Abrams, W Retreat & Spa — Vieques Island
“I once had a bride who had a misunderstanding with her mother, who incidentally had possession of her wedding dress and had gone off property. The ceremony was to take place in our spa garden and was perfectly timed so that the bride would walk down the aisle and say her vows as the sun was setting behind her. The time for the ceremony was only about 20 minutes away, and we still did not have the wedding dress for the bride. Needless to say, she was in a state of panic. We made every attempt to reach the mother of the bride, but we were unsuccessful. Not only was the sun starting to set, and the bride risked having to get married in the dark as there was no lighting that was prepared for, but we had no wedding dress — and no mother of the bride!”

The Solution: “We collectively made the decision to move forward with the ceremony and take advantage of the little amount of light we had left. The event manager and I ran to the boutique in our hotel lobby and grabbed every white dress we could find. The bride quickly tried on all of the options, and as she was an extremely petite bride, all of the options were way too big on her. We settled on a simple white cotton dress, with spaghetti straps. We wanted the dress to look beautiful at least from one angle in the wedding photos, we quickly looked around the spa for any other resources we could use. We found a gold sequin spandex sash, and cut it in half and created a belt for the dress to create a more secure fit. We used staples to secure the back of the ‘belt’ and tucked it in to hide any evidence of the makeshift dress. We then used staples to ‘hem’ the dress and create a custom length, also tucking all of the edges underneath to hide any evidence of this makeshift wedding dress. The result was actually beautiful, and the bride looked stunning! She was able to walk down the aisle, and get married while the sun was still setting. She ended up with beautiful wedding photos, and unless you looked very closely at the dress, you could never tell that this was not the perfect dress that she had originally planned for!”

The Issue: Tipsy Groomsman
The Pro: Michael Motylinski, Ordained Minister, Blue Sky Ceremony
“I had a bride whose parents were no longer in her life so she wanted to have her brother escort her down the aisle. Problem was, the brother and groomsmen were doing a few final shots at the pool bar before the ceremony. By the time we needed to start lining up the wedding party for the processional, the brother was having a hard-time standing.”

The Solution: “What I had the brother do was escort the groom’s mother down the aisle instead of the bride. The mother was able to manage/control the wonderfully sloppy brother down without too much incident. The photographer was able to take several pictures where the brother looked relatively sober. The hard part was letting the bride know just before she walked the aisle that her brother wasn’t able to do it. I told her that the groom’s mother was feeling unwell and that her brother was making sure she was seated and comfortable. It was a difficult dance, but the bride accepted my explanation and walked down solo.”

The Issue: Bridal Wars
The Pro: Jamie O’Donnell, Wedding Planner, Jamie O’Donnell Public Relations & Events
“I was working with a bride who was hosting her ceremony and reception at a beautiful but conservative country club. On Friday we held the rehearsal, everything went great and I sent the wedding party off to the rehearsal dinner smiling and ready to celebrate for the evening. Unbeknownst to me the bride and one of her bridesmaids got into a fight at the rehearsal dinner. When I walked in on Saturday, the bride was furious and pulled me aside to tell me that I needed to go find the bridesmaid and tell her she didn’t have to stand up in her wedding, which was just a few hours away.”

The Solution: “As I tried to make sense of the situation, I tracked the bridesmaid down to talk to her and gingerly let her know that if she was still upset and didn’t feel like she could stand up in the wedding, the bride would be ok with her decision. The bridesmaid started screaming at me in a guest area for being in the middle and siding with the bride. At that point, I asked everyone to leave the bridal suite, took a deep breath and mediated the issues between the bride and bridesmaid. Sometimes as wedding planners we just have to take the brunt of the anxiety or anger in a family situation and then calmly refocus them on the importance of the day and the foundation of love they have for each other. Once we solve the problem and pull off a perfect wedding, we go home and drink a glass of wine!”

See More: The Worst Wedding Planning Advice Ever, According to Actual Wedding Planners

The Issue: Crowd Control
The Pro: Ivy Lumpkin, Wedding Planner, Voulez Events
“I was hired as a day-of wedding coordinator 10 days before the wedding date, and the to-be-weds were primarily concerned about crowd control in a smaller venue for up to 120 guests, transitional setup from ceremony to reception in the same space, and the art of delegating duties to friends and family (who always want to help) without overloading or undermining each individual’s duty on the big day. This constitutes a disaster because, at 10 days away, no single wedding participant had been given a task; there was absolutely no plan for flipping the space nor was there a floor plan, venue staff or bar staff hired; no oversight for catering and no time for the bride and groom to assume these responsibilities. This is not only a disaster for the to-be-weds, but especially the photographer.”

The Solution: “I fixed the problem by securing on-call event staff in the kitchen, at the bar and a doorman for security; assigned a few groomsmen to tasks to efficiently flip the space in less than 10 minutes; composing a floor plan & coordinating the rehearsal; cueing the DJ with the best songs to substitute the otherwise silent processional, bouquet toss, cake cutting, etc. The buffet style catering prompts guests to visit the bride and groom before their table is called to self-serve, so I fixed another potentially ‘hangry’ disaster by making sure the couple got the only alone time they could get (with a plate of every menu item) before their grand entrance. Last, but not least, I conducted a thorough walk-through with the photographer to ensure we’d get the best light in a unique yet challenging venue.”

The Issue: Stained Gown
The Pro: Vanessa Valedon, Wedding Planner, W Retreat & Spa — Vieques Island
“I had just left the bride who was getting her hair and makeup done in the spa, and she was doing great. When I arrived at the bridal suite the photographer and the maid of honor showed me to the dress. It was a lovely, strapless basic white Romona Keveza raw silk gown, and it was hanging from our sliding door railing which we keep very well-greased as we are beach front and otherwise the doors would get constantly stuck. A little chunk of grease had fallen right in the middle of the bodice, and they had already attempted to rub it off, unsuccessfully. The photographer looked at me with pain in her eyes, as she asked, ‘You can save it, right?'”

The Solution: “I had no clue how I was going to get this stain out. I knew that even if I could get the black stuff off, I still ran the risk of ruining the dress by leaving a big yellow stain on the silk. I googled what to do, I called our housekeeping manager, and I prayed to my great grandmother who always knew how to deal with these things. Finally, I came back to the room with an arsenal of wipes and soaps, still unsure of which to use. When I got there the bride had a clear eye makeup remover soap that I noticed in a moment of enlightenment. I asked the mother of the bride if I could use it instead. I told her, I might use it all up, but I knew that was what I needed. She told me to use anything I needed, and save that dress. At this point I took a small hand towel, moistened it and started to gently dab and lightly rub the huge stain. It took me about 45 minutes, but I managed to get it out completely. Then came the second challenge; drying the dress, so that you couldn’t see the watermark. This was a lot easier. First I took a moist towel and lightly moistened the fabric around the spot and tried to sort of diffuse the moisture outward. Then I used a blow dryer to quickly dry the dress out, and an hour before the wedding, the dress was perfect again.”

Honeymoon planning is just as fun as prepping for the big day itself — or even more so, since it’s all about one-on-one relaxing with your other half in some dreamy destination. Touch down looking just as good as you feel whiledecked out in super stylish finds from around town. Hit these Miami boutiques stocked with the chicest bikinis, shades and sexy little numbers snagging everything you need to pack in your honeymoon suitcase (and even a gift or two for the hubby).

The Webster
The three-level flagship boutique on South Beach has a floor devoted just to designer resort wear, from Lisa Marie Fernandez bikinis to Lanvin wide-brim straw hats, for a style that would feel right at home anywhere from Saint Lucia to the South of France.

Alchemist
When it comes to best location, the Alchemist shop set on level 5 of the Herzog & de Meuron-designed parking garage wins, hands down. The glass box-encased boutique has an eagle’s eye view over the Miami skyline and showcases a collection of pieces that are just as stunning. Here’s where you’ll find that to-die-for bag by Céline or a sexy little black dress that’s made for romantic nights out strolling the streets of Paris, while the downstairs location on Lincoln Road is stocked with streetwear for him and beautiful little daytime looks for you.

Wynwood Shades
Whether you’re jetting off somewhere tropical or heading on safari, you’ll definitely want to snag a pair of stand-out sunnies for your trip. The Wynwood concept shop and art gallery is the perfect place to get outfitted with just the style you have in mind, from classic Ray-Ban aviators to more out-of-the-box looks by Balenciaga.

Wanderlista
Stepping inside this intimate boutique is sure to get your wanderlust flowing as you peruse the carefully curated collection of trinkets from design newcomers around the globe. Think bold beach cover-ups, neoprene bikinis, and Grecian bags sporting hand-painted cobra that are sure to make a statement. And if you want something to spice things up in the hotel room, throw in a pair of lace bondage lingerie by New York-based line Fleur du Mal.

See More: Don’t Forget the Thank-You Notes! These Local Wedding Stationers Have Got You Covered

Atrium
The New York boutique brings its street style cool to Collins Avenue on Miami Beach with a collection that’s perfect for his-and-hers honeymoon shopping. It wouldn’t be hard to source your entire honeymoon suitcase here with Instagram-worthy Mara Hoffman one-pieces and the cutest cut-out booties by Alexandre Birman, plus clutches that can easily transition from day to night.

Agent Provocateur
The haute lingerie line has homes in two of Miami’s most exclusive shopping centers: Bal Harbour and the Village of Merrick Park. Here you’ll find everything you need to look and feel sexy from your wedding night on, with a collection of bridal nightwear from kimonos to corsets — and even boudoir satin heels to complete the look — that will definitely turn up the heat on your honeymoon.

Be sure to check out these other Miami boutiques for all your wedding day must-haves!

No matter what the style of your wedding dress, toned arms are the perfect accessory. While you’re more than likely already trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle so you can glow on your big day, a little exercise extra credit never hurt. We asked some top fitness experts to offer up their favorite arm moves that you can easily do at home while you’re bingeing on Netflix or taking a breather from stuffing wedding invites. You’ll have killer definition in no time.

Bicep Curl
For arm exercises, Barry’s Bootcamp trainer Dagmara Lometti suggests using a medium set of weights (8 lbs. or more). “You can also perform most moves with a resistance band (pack one into your bridal bag for one final round the morning of your wedding or, as was my case, 20 minutes before walking down the aisle),” she says. “Form is everything so if at any point it becomes too much to curl both arms at once, start to alternate one at a time.”

For the bicep curl, start with feet shoulder width apart, slight bend in the knees, keeping your core tight and belly button pulled in. Holding a weight in each hand, arms down, elbows close to your side, rotate palms of your hands away from you so they are facing forward. Exhale as you curl the weights up to shoulder height and inhale as you slowly lower back to start. Continue for 1 full minute then curl up only half way, hold for 10 seconds and then add a little pulse for 10 seconds.

Hammer Curl
Lometti’s second move is a tried-and-true hammer curl, using either weights or a resistance band. Holding a weight in each hand, arms down, elbows close to your side, rotate palms of your hands to face in towards your body. Exhale as you curl the weights up to shoulder height and inhale as you slowly lower back to start. Continue for 1 full minute then curl up only half way, hold for 10 seconds and then add a little pulse for 10 seconds. (if you are using a resistance band, you will need to grip the band underneath the handle).

See More: 6 Fun (and Trendy) Workouts for Brides-to-Be

Triceps Kickback
Don’t even think about cheating the backs of your arms. Taylor Gainor and Justin Norris, co-owners of fitness studio LIT Method in Los Angeles, explain the perfect form for a triceps kickback using resistance bands. Stand with your feet hip width apart on your resistance band; hinge your body forward until your elbows are at a 90 degree angle. Slowly extend your arms back while squeezing your triceps at the end. Perform this exercise for three separate rounds of 20 reps.

Around the World Bicep Curl
Target every part of your bicep with this move. Start with feet shoulder width apart, slight bend in the knees, keeping your core tight and belly button pulled in, advises Lometti. Holding a weight in each hand, perform basic bicep curl up, before lowering bring arms slightly to the outsides of your shoulders to lower down in a wide position. Perform for 30 seconds and reverse the direction, curling up wide (outward curl), lowering narrow (basic bicep curl).

Resistance Band Lateral Raise
For this move, Gainor and Norris suggest starting with one foot on the band, slowly raising your arms to the side of your body until they are in line with your shoulders. Make sure your shoulders are pulled back and your core is tight. Perform this exercise for 15 reps. Do three rounds.

Nothing announces the arrival of fall like Pumpkin Spice Everything. From lattes and lip balm to vodka and cream cheese, the blend of seasonal spices has touched pretty much everything. And if the PSL is your favorite coffee order this time of year, why not infuse a little spice into your wedding, too? Yes, we’re talking about signature cocktails for your fall wedding. Just think: Nutmeg, spiced rum, cider, cinnamon… all together in a cocktail your guests will totally rave about! We asked two fantastic mixologists from Liquid Lab NYC and Barçon in San Diego to give us their very best seasonal cocktails, perfect to warm you up as the weather cools down.

Harvest Wood
This bourbon-based cocktail [above] is all about warmth. “The combination of traditional pressed apple cider and smokey bourbon brings to mind the changing of the seasons and the falling of temperatures,” says Eric Constein, bar manager of Barçon. “The nose evokes cool nights on the farm, while the sweetness of the cider and the bite of the bourbon creates a sense of being in the woods, playing in the leaves. The aromatic bitters and carbonated water allow all of those flavors to really pop.”

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Woodford Bourbon
1 oz. apple cider
Club Soda
1 Sugar Cube
Bitters

Muddle sugar and bitters in an Old Fashioned glass. Add ice, Woodford Bourbon and apple cider. Stir and top with soda.

The Parkside Pumpkin
“This simple yet delicious cocktail tastes exactly like a slice of boozy pumpkin pie,” says Parker Boase, co-founder of Liquid Lab NYC. “It’s great for Halloween and Thanksgiving get-togethers, and it’s quite easy for most home bartenders to assemble.” Perfect for the bar at your fall or winter wedding!

Ingredients:
2 oz. Spiced Rum
1 oz. Pumpkin Spice Syrup (recipe below)
1 oz Pineapple Juice
.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Thyme & Nutmeg, for garnish

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with thyme and a dusting of nutmeg.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
Add equal parts sugar and water and 1 tablespoon of ground Pumpkin Spice seasoning per quart. Boil until pumpkin spice is dissolved, chill and use.

The Rumstick
Rum isn’t just for the summer! “Spiced rum evokes a winter wonderland spent fireside,” says Constein. “Orange from the Cointreau brings out the robust flavors of the rum, while a splash of lemon perks the palate and makes way for the robust cinnamon flavor.” Add a cinnamon-sugar rim for a little extra sweetness and spice!

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Spiced Rum
.5 oz. Cointreau
.5 oz. Lemon Juice
.5 oz. Simple Syrup
Cinnamon Sugar (for garnish)
Cinnamon Stick (for garnish)

Rim a Double Old Fashioned glass with cinnamon sugar. Dry shake (with no ice!) the rum, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add fresh ice to the glass, then strain the drink over ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Instead of carrying bouquets, why not have your bridesmaids walk down the aisle wearing wrist corsages or flower bracelets, instead? Floral wristlets are a great way to incorporate your favorite flowers into your wedding day yet cost a fraction of the price of a full bouquet of blooms. And lest you’re concerned that they scream “high school prom,” these six chic takes on this idea will prove they’re elegant and totally worthy of your wedding day.

Purple Blooms (above): Instead of carrying bouquets, bridesmaids at this wedding wore lovely flower bracelets in shades of purple around their wrists.

Orange Flower Bracelet with Succulents: For a brighter, more modern style, we love the look of a wristlet with citrus-toned ranunculus buds mixed with tiny succulents.

Romantic Wristlets: These elegant wrist corsages consist of majolica roses and pieris, wrapped with dove-grey ribbon.

Hellebores: Moody hellebore blossoms paired with long lengths of dusty-rose velvet ribbon? So, so chic.

Feverfew: For a more casual, hand-picked feel, opt for a bridesmaid bracelet made of cheerful feverfew flowers.

Fresh-Flower Cuff Bracelet: This clever cuff bracelet is adorned with fresh roses, seedum, and blackberries.

Celebration is in order for Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham! Although the celebratory champagne toasts won’t be for her own love life, which has been through some serious ups and downs as seen in this past season of the reality TV show, we are pleased to report that her mom, Debra Danielsen, is happily engaged to her beau. And much to our surprise, Abraham has some pretty nice things to say about their engagement.

“[I’m so] happy for my mom to be engaged and find a lifelong partner who is a positive influence for our family,” Abraham told Us Weekly.

Aww! Apparently Danielsen and her fiancé, David, met in early July after chatting on a dating website called Elite Singles, according to fan blog Starcasm.com. And ever since meeting, it’s clear they have been inseparable! On Danielsen’s Instagram account — which consists of a LOT of collages TBH — we’re able to see plenty of pics of her smiling sweetheart. In the first Instagram photo (collage, no less) posted of the pair by Danielsen, she writes, “Celebrating!” behind a masquerade mask and her now fiancé by her side at the airport. And about three weeks ago the reality TV mom posted a rather *saucy* photo of the two sharing a loving kiss “at the Metz.”

It seems that Danielsen has her daughter in favor of this new blossoming relationship, but what about her ex-husband Michael Abraham? No word yet on that one. But regardless of his feelings, we’re infinitely happy to see that the mother-daughter duo is getting along much better on this season of Teen Mom OG, which if you watched last season, it was a TOTALLY different story. In one episode, Abraham actually called her mom a “b*tch” and a “nanny” as her daughter Sophia slapped her on camera. Yikes.

Here’s to turning over a new leaf?

See More: Teen Mom Star Maci Bookout and Taylor McKinney’s Wedding Album Is Ridiculously Gorgeous

Celebrating!

A photo posted by Debra Danielsen (@ddanielsen1) on Sep 9, 2016 at 4:00pm PDT

At the Metz!

A photo posted by Debra Danielsen (@ddanielsen1) on Oct 1, 2016 at 9:02am PDT

Farrah made my B-Day amazing! Thank you! Mom

A photo posted by Debra Danielsen (@ddanielsen1) on Oct 25, 2016 at 11:34am PDT

Kevin Wolcott came up with an epic plan for his proposal to girlfriend Mayra Lelli: He’d whisk her away on a hot air balloon ride, and then propose as they glided through the air. Unfortunately, bad weather kept the couple on the ground, but that didn’t stop Kevin from making his move. “We went to the spa instead,” says Mayra. “The proposal was a success anyway.”

The couple’s wedding, however, went exactly as they planned. “I wanted our wedding to be a fairytale, as I imagine most brides do,” says Mayra. They envisioned a refined-meets-bohemian garden-inspired celebration in Nashville, Tennessee, with a color palette of ivory, blush, rose gold, greens, and subtle pops of blackberry. And with Kristyn Hogan there to capture it all, you can see for yourself that the day was nothing short of magical.

“I was so impressed with Kevin’s romantic plan to propose to me in a hot air balloon that balloons became a symbol of our relationship and were featured on everything from our wedding invitations to our signage,” says the bride. The romantic suite paired a whimsical illustration with modern calligraphy, all tied together with twine and mailed off in a pale pink envelope.

Mayra chose a champagne-colored Lazaro wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline and cascading tulle skirt with horsehair pickups. When she selected the gown at the now-famous Bridals By Lori, designer Lazaro Perez just so happened to be at the salon, too. “We met, and he sketched the dress on me,” the bride says. “I framed the sketch and displayed it during our reception.”

While bridesmaids wore rose-quartz knee-length dresses with lace detail, the couple’s flower girl donned a pale blush tulle dress and a fresh floral halo. Mayra carried a hand-tied bouquet of anemones, silver brunia, ranunculus, roses, stock, dusty miller, scabiosa, and tulips. Using Mayra’s own bouquet as the inspiration, her florist differentiated the smaller arrangements with a few extra blush-toned flowers.

“Kevin wanted to surprise me by picking out his own outfit,” says the bride. Other women might have been worried, but Mayra gave him the green light and was happy with his choice: a fitted light gray suit paired with a white tie. The couple’s ring bearer wore a coordinating light gray suit and the cutest felt derby hat.

The couple chose Historic Cedarwood, a Nashville farm estate that dates back to 1835, for their big day, and immediately knew they wanted their ceremony held outside on the property’s well-tended lawn. Before Mayra walked down the lantern-lined aisle with her father, the ring bearer led the way with a sign that read, “It’s too late to run ’cause here she comes.”

The pair exchanged traditional vows in front of an altar made from a patina garden gate that was draped in asymmetrical fresh flowers in hues of white, blush, and blackberry.

“I loved the elegant southern estate feel of Historic Cedarwood,” Mayra says of their venue. And since there are several spaces to explore within the property’s grounds, the bride and groom planned a celebration that would take friends and family through their favorites. The rustic-chic black barn was the first stop for cocktail hour.

Inside the barn, guests could enjoy passed canapés of tomato basil, buffalo mozzarella caprese salad skewers, and pastry shells with chicken salad.

“Also, in lieu of a guestbook, and to facilitate table assignments, I provided Polaroid cameras and family name cards with table assignments, which were hung on a twine line in the barn during cocktail hour,” says Mayra. “As an activity during cocktail hour, guests had their photos taken and hung them on the twine line to replace their table assignment card. The photos are a great memento for us of who was at our wedding, and much better than signatures in a book.”

Guests moved outside to the property’s pavilion for the reception. Tables were dressed in ivory linens and set with gold chargers and low floral centerpieces. European-style string lights were hung above the tables for added ambiance. “The lighting was important to me and one of my favorite parts of the décor,” Mayra says.

The couple dined at their own rustic sweetheart table, which was done up with a gorgeous arrangement of roses, tulips, and dusty miller.

Mayra and Kevin used the signs on the back of their chairs as another opportunity to call out their engagement story: They were stamped with an image of a hot air balloon.

To celebrate their Southern wedding location and to treat their guests to a local classic, the couple set up a self-serve biscuit and berry bar. Talk about inventive dining options!

The couple’s traditional vanilla wedding cake received an upgrade with blackberry and strawberry filling and glamorous rose gold icing.

The newlyweds left the party through a tunnel of sparklers, and then climbed into their brand new car. “I bought Kevin a Corvette as his wedding gift,” the bride says.

Looking back on that fairytale day, Mayra has this advice for other brides: “Allow your personal story to shine through, and don’t forget to drink in every moment of bliss,” she says. “It’s okay to be the center of attention for one day with your family and friends.”

Venue, Wedding Planner & Florist: Historic Cedarwood || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Lazaro, purchased at Bridals By Lori || Shoes: Christian Louboutin || Invitations: Designs in Paper || Music: Chris Marks; Premier DJ || Catering: Epic Event Centre || Cake: Patty Cakes || Photographer: Kristyn Hogan

Did you love this beautiful wedding? Then check out another couple’s southern bash in the video below.