Photos: Courtesy of Kari Herer (portrait), Getty (guitar and champagne), Aaron Dyer (shoes and flowers), courtesy of Jenny Packham (model), Alamy (cupcake)
The lovely founder and editor of Style Me Pretty, Abby Larson, can now add published author to her résumé: Her beautiful debut book, Style Me Pretty Weddings, which features page after page of breathtaking wedding inspiration and ideas, hits bookstores on December 18. To add to the fun, we asked Abby to dream up her own big day, complete with all of her favorite wedding details.
THE CEREMONY
Altar: Basic, wooden, with wispy fabric. Setting: Durham Ranch, Napa Valley. Officiant: My dad. Vows: Classic ("With this ring, I thee wed") and love letters read aloud. Attendants: Just two, maid of honor and best man. In the front row: My dog, in a tutu.
FANTASY LOOK
Hair: Soft waves, no veil. Beauty musts: False lashes and nude nails. Wedding dress: "Aspen," by Jenny Packham (see above!). Accessory: I love the idea of a garter—not for public tossing, just for your husband. Shoes: Gold Mary Janes!
ACCESSORIES & DESIGN
Stationer: Julie Song's gold-etched-and-watercolor invites are quite beautiful. Cocktail-hour decor: Pillows around a fire pit; twinkly tree lights. Palette: Gold and pink, with a touch of black-and-white chevron. Splurge: Chiffon chair covers from La Tavola Fine Linen Rental. Flowers: Roses and ranunculus by Fleurs NYC.
THE FOOD
Caterer: Peter Callahan makes food you want to devour—mini grilled cheeses, lobster-roll bites... Dining service: Family-style. Flow: Speedy dinner with a few amazing toasts, then dancing. Cake: Buttercream with layers of white sugar flowers by Sweet & Saucy Shop. Dessert bar: Truffles, mini pots de crème, petite cheesecakes, and dulce-de-leche tartlets. The menu: Calligraphed by Love, Jenna.
SOUNDTRACK
Band: 12 pieces from Élan Artists. First dance: "You're in My Heart," by Rod Stewart. Father/daughter dance: The theme from Ice Castles. Dinner music: Spanish guitar. Last song: "Last Dance," by Donna Summer. Surprise encore: I'd die for the scene in Love Actually where everyone breaks into "All You Need Is Love."
MUST-HAVES
Event designer: Lisa Vorce. Go-to planning apps: Plan Your Wedding with Mindy Weiss, Penultimate. Budget savers: A simple kids' table and a low-key wedding weekend without a million events. Inspiration guide: Mrs. Lilien's Pinterest boards. Necessary extravagance: The champagne toast.
THE SWAG
Keepsakes: A framed save-the-date and invitation, and our wedding video. Favors: Jars of tomato jam with mini baguettes. Dream gifts: Each guest's favorite bottle of wine. In the welcome bag: Cupcakes.
THE OTHER PARTIES
Rehearsal dinner: A backyard bash with food trucks or a rooftop pool party at a swanky hotel. After-party: Greasy food (mini sliders, fries) and a DJ for guests; late-night chicken fingers in the hotel room for us. Honeymoon: Santorini, Greece.
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