After the big day you will want (no, need!) a relaxing getaway. But, then again, you might not want to spend a once-in-a-lifetime trip simply unwinding at a resort. The perfect plan? Bask in post-wedding bliss with a brief off-the-grid vacation that’s close to home, then follow it up a few months later with an epic, far-flung adventure that complements your minimoon experience.

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Photo: (from left) Courtesy of Abbey Thomas / @abbeythomas; Courtesy of Airin / @airin.heatscore

You’re getting married in . . .

LOS ANGELES

Minimoon in . . .

Ojai, California

Simply arriving in Ojai is said to make you feel more blissful and relaxed, thanks to the supposed “electromagnetic vortex” created by the surrounding landscape. (And, if you don’t feel the energy shift, there’s always the stunning mountain views to help you unwind.) Stay at the Ojai Rancho Inn, a revamped retro roadside motel, for hip digs and poolside shuffleboard. Or, rest up at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa if golf and massages are more your thing. Kick off married life with a meal at Farmer and the Cook, a seasonal, vegetarian restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team, then round out your registry at deKor&Co., a chic, one-of-a-kind home store. Head up to Meditation Mount to take a yoga class or a meditation workshop, or just to get a breathtaking view of a perfect pink sunset.

Honeymoon in . . .

Tokyo

Re-tox from your healthy, wholesome SoCal getaway with a bit of indulgence: Tokyo’s legendary cocktail scene means “going for a drink” is arguably the best way to get a glimpse of modern Japanese culture. At cocktail temples like Mori Bar, Star Bar, Bar High Five, and Tender Bar, the drinks are made with touches like hand-carved ice (a cocktail trend that originated in Tokyo), house-made tinctures, and elaborate garnishes. The chic, minimalist Claska hotel makes a great home base: It is in Meguro, a quiet neighborhood that lets you escape the signature crowds of Shibuya. You’ll stop by the bigger hotels, like the Park Hyatt and the Mandarin Oriental, to perch at their on-top-of-the-world bars for more cocktails with a side of city skyline.

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Photo: (from left) Courtesy of Dryan Parker / @dryanparker; Courtesy of The Mint Partners / @themintpartners

You’re getting married in . . .

ATLANTA

Minimoon in . . .

Walland, Tennessee

When the last wedding guest leaves, head straight to Blackberry Farm Resort at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains. At this foodie destination, postcard-worthy hills and rustic barns meet gourmet farm-to-table meals and posh accommodations. Here you can end a day of leisurely horseback riding with dinner in a gorgeously restored barn, where you’ll enjoy dishes like hearth-roasted Arctic char with potato mousse and malt vinegar gastrique. You won’t want for anything during your stay: The Barn at Blackberry Farm was the winner of the 2015 James Beard Award for Outstanding Service, which means every detail is taken care of—including the to-go meal they’ll pack for your ride home.

Honeymoon in . . .

Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa

There’s nothing like a safari to provide a change of scenery. Stay at the &Beyond Phinda Homestead, where sunrise game drives on the private reserve star cheetahs, rhinos, elephants—the kind of sightings that will get the heart pumping faster than a shot of espresso. It’s adventure with an unparalleled side of luxury: You’ll have your own private 4×4 for game drives, a personal guide, and a private butler. But, there’s more to do outdoors than see big game: Because the reserve is so close to the coast, you can book a trip to scuba dive or even swim with whale sharks. Or simply watch elephants wander by from the comfort of the Homestead’s sparkling swimming pool.

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Photo: (from left) AJ Polson / @ajpolson; One Month One Trip / @onemonthonetrip

You’re getting married in . . .

DENVER

Minimoon in . . .

Dunton, Colorado

Get the feel of log-cabin living with all the luxuries of a high-end resort at Dunton Hot Springs. Set in a former mining ghost town in a lush alpine valley, it’s the perfect place to ski and snowshoe in the winter or fly-fish and hike in the summer, but odds are good that you’ll be happy simply spending time in the namesake restorative natural hot springs. Enjoy a soak inside the restored 19th-century bathhouse or outside under the stars at the springs’ source. Known for their dissolved mineral content, the springs impart the kind of glowing skin that goes above and beyond the newlywed blush.

Honeymoon in . . .

Agafay Desert, Morocco

Trade mountains for desert at Scarabeo Stone Desert Camp in Morocco. Here, luxury tents are set up in the middle of a barren-desert landscape. Once you get over the jaw-dropping view of endless rolling sand hills, you’ll want to get out there and explore. Book a dune buggy tour, a camel ride, or a stargazing lesson, or stay put at camp for a massage or yoga class. Nights in the desert usher in a whole new depth to darkness, but you’ll enjoy dinner around a glowing, candlelit communal table in the camp’s dining tent. You may not even notice you’re just an hour away from Marrakech, where buzzing souks and world-renowned markets offer incredible shopping and stunning photo ops.

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Photo: (from left) Courtesy of Lindsay Kastuk / @lnkastuk; Courtesy of Martolas / @lovingjune

You’re getting married in . . .

NEW YORK CITY

Minimoon in . . .

Hudson Valley, New York

Buzzy enough to be relevant but still undiscovered enough to feel like an escape, the Hudson Valley is the perfect place to re-energize after a wedding. Create your home base at the Hotel Tivoli, a 10-room hotel that was creatively restored by two painters. When you’re not vintage shopping in nearby Hudson or spending hours perusing books and sipping local craft beers at Spotty Dog Books & Ale, take a hike: The intimidatingly named Breakneck Ridge hike involves some rock scrambling, but the views are worth it. Don’t head back to the “real world” without eating at Fish & Game, chef Zakary Pelaccio’s restaurant that serves creative, seasonal fare in a space that feels like the Chesterfield sofa–filled hunting lodge of your dreams.

Honeymoon in . . .

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

After spending some time at the foot of the Catskills, you can have the age-old “beach house–or–mountain home” debate as you stare at the waves crashing below your ocean-side bungalow at Morgan’s Rock, an eco-resort in Nicaragua. It’s a luxe and hospitable home base for surfing at the nearby beaches, deep-sea fishing trips, or volcano excursions. The adventure doesn’t stop there: You’ll cross a suspension bridge daily to reach your bungalow, perched on a cliff overlooking the mile-long beach, where you’ll fall asleep to the sounds of howler monkeys and wake up to tropical bird calls.

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Photo: (from left) Courtesy of Grant / @mngrant; Courtesy of Sai Tharun / @skylerz

You’re getting married in . . .

CHICAGO

Minimoon in . . .

Chetek, Wisconsin

Privacy is the name of the game at the couples-only Canoe Bay hotel. Enjoy the peace and quiet with lakeside views from the light-filled, Arts and Crafts–style cottages. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé John Rattenbury, the cottages are the perfect place to order an in-room massage. Or rent a canoe to paddle across the bay and follow that up with a secluded dinner for two in the well-stocked wine cellar. For a bit of retro romance, head into town and have an old-fashioned date night at the adorable drive-in movie theater.

Honeymoon in . . .

Hyderabad, India

After your all-American mini escape, you’ll be in the mood to explore something entirely new, so head to Hyderabad, the bustling tech capital of India that has a rich, 4,000-year-old history. Stay in a restored 19th-century palace, the Taj Falaknuma Palace hotel, and get ready for opulence. The gilded scorpion-inspired structure has walls lined with handmade tapestries, royal portraits, and rare books. Spend your days absorbing the city sites, like the stunning, 180-foot-tall Charminar monument and the Mecca Masjid, one of the world’s oldest mosques. Don’t leave without exploring the colorful, bustling markets and shopping for timeless jewelry souvenirs: Hyderabad is the pearl-processing capital of the world.

The post The New Way to Honeymoon appeared first on Vogue.

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Photographed by George Powell/Written Light, UK

The Best Vogue Weddings include nuptials on the shores of Patagonia with a nod to Star Wars, a Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown in a Roman basilica, the ultimate New York City wedding, a three-day extravaganza in India, and much more. It would be impossible to choose just one glorious moment—Caroline Trentini at the altar, Lauren Bush en plein air in Colorado, Sola Káradóttir enveloped in wisteria—so Vogue.com’s photo team compiled an album capturing dozens of our favorite, beautifully intimate images from the many weddings we’ve featured on Vogue.com. From the final fitting to the first dance, see the best Vogue.com weddings pics in our slideshow above.

Read our article Irreverent Brides: Unconventional Wedding Dressing.

See more weddings on Vogue.com.

The post Just Married: The Best Wedding Photos on Vogue.com appeared first on Vogue.

Choosing a song for the first dance at your wedding can be tough: You don’t want to play something too unusual but also might want to steer clear of the sappy ballad of the moment (beware Ed Sheeran). Part of the fun in picking the perfect first-dance tune is getting creative, whether that means resurfacing the classic 1940s hit your grandparents danced to at their wedding or going acoustic with a poetic and soulful indie song. In case you’re a bride-to-be in need of some musical inspiration, or you’re dreaming about what that moment might be like someday, a few Vogue.com editors share the songs—including some unconventional choices—that make their hearts melt every time.

“I wish we had danced to ‘Sea of Love’ by Cat Power: short, sweet, and hauntingly vulnerable. ‘I want to tell you how much I love you.’ What more needs to be said?” —Virginia Van Zanten, Vogue.com Living Editor

“Sparklehorse’s ‘Shade and Honey.’ In our early days as a couple, my husband and I bonded over our mutual affection for the Lisa Cholodenko film Laurel Canyon. This beautiful song has a starring role in the movie.” —Nicole Phelps, Director, Vogue Runway

“One of my favorite childhood memories is listening to the Beatles with my dad on the way to school, so I’m a die-hard fan—I even took a Beatles history class in college. ‘Two of Us’ from Let It Be is one of my all-time favorites, and it’s exactly what I’d want to dance to at my future wedding. Not only are the lyrics really sweet, but the upbeat, slightly folksy rhythm would get everyone moving.” —Emily Farra, Vogue.com Fashion News Associate

“I imagine my first dance being incredibly meaningful to me and the groom. Nothing beats an old romantic classic. Nat King Cole’s ‘Embraceable You’ is the ideal first-dance song. My favorite line, ‘My heart grew tipsy in me,’ puts a smile on my face. It’s much how I imagine I will feel when dancing with my new husband on our wedding night: weak in the knees, heart tipsy, and absolutely head over heels in love.” —Brooke Ely Danielson, Vogue.com Accessories Editor

“My husband and I danced to Ben E. King’s ‘Stand by Me.’ We picked it because we liked the message, but it’s also really easy to dance to, which is pretty crucial in my book.” —Alexandra Macon, Vogue.com Managing Editor

“Hüsker Dü’s ‘Green Eyes’ is, in my mind, one of the most simply romantic songs ever, and would be perfect for a hypothetical first dance. Still, in the interest of something a bit more slow-danceable, I’d probably have to go with the Stones’s ‘You Got the Silver,’ penned by Keith Richards, reportedly about his stormy relationship with Anita Pallenberg.” —Kristin Anderson, Vogue.com Fashion News Writer

“ ‘2 Become 1’ by the Spice Girls, because ‘tonight is the night where two become one.’ It wouldn’t be my wedding without a throwback Victoria Beckham music moment.” —Edward Barsamian, Vogue.com Style Editor

“It may not be the most traditional choice for a first-dance song, but ‘I Won’t Share You’ by The Smiths encapsulates how I feel (or how I think I’ll feel, granted, as a currently unmarried and very single 23-year-old) about marriage. Like so many of Morrissey’s songs, it’s not jovially upbeat or entirely optimistic but hauntingly poignant—when can you be a bit selfish about romantic love with another if not in a marriage?” —Olivia Goodman, Vogue.com Market Assistant

The post Vogue Editors Share Their Wedding Day First-Dance Songs appeared first on Vogue.

Before guests go off into the night, it’s customary to give them a little something for the road. And after hours of dancing and countless flutes of champagne, a little something to nosh on might be the best medicine. Here are nine single-serving sweet treats that are both Instagram-worthy and supremely delicious.

The post 9 Delicious Favors for Your Wedding appeared first on Vogue.

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Jennifer Yee’s lemon cream–filled éclairs with jasmine glaze and fresh and crystallized petals can be transformed into a wedding “cake.”

Photo: Courtesy of Jen Yee Pastry

Behind the scenes at New York’s Lafayette café and bakery, Jennifer Yee whips up delightful French pastries that are timeless with a twist: gorgeous éclairs topped with flower petals and tarts with undulating, artfully sculpted meringue. Yee, a Food & Wine Best New Pastry Chef, takes the same whimsical approach to wedding cakes. Though she does create stunning takes on the multitiered white icing variety, her unconventional offerings—some that leave out the cake entirely—are particularly memorable. Yee will often create tiered “cake” displays out of macarons, éclairs, and cannelés. “Some pastries stack better than others,” she explains. “Small brownies, Belgian Liège-style waffles, and double-crust pies all have a sturdiness to them and are great for stacking on their own. If you have a more delicate pastry, like an éclair or fruit tart, it’s best to find or create a tiered display stand for them to sit on.”

“These nontraditional wedding cakes speak to a bride and groom who aren’t afraid to eschew the traditional and go with something outside of the box,” she says. Replacing the piping and flower fondant with cannelés, Yee shares the secrets behind one of her inventive wedding day sweets that gives “cutting the cake” a whole new meaning.

Cannelés Wedding “Cake”
“The French celebrate weddings with a croquembouche—a tower of caramelized cream puffs—and I think it’s time the cannelé stood in the spotlight. We make miniature cannelés every day at Lafayette, and they already have a sturdy build to them as individual pastries, which makes it easy to arrange them on a cake stand or platter and then stack them into a tower.”

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Photo: Noah Fecks

The post A Stunning Alternative to Traditional Wedding Cake appeared first on Vogue.

If your dream wedding involves gathering your nearest and dearest for a weekend of country strolls, carriage rides, and lakeside cocktails at your family’s private farm in the English countryside . . . but your family doesn’t happen to have 100 bucolic acres at their disposal, the recently opened Soho Farmhouse may just be your fantasy venue. The new property, operated by Soho House & Co., is situated in the Oxfordshire countryside, a 90-minute drive or 75-minute train ride from London—and truly a world away.

The couple can exchange vows at either the nearby historic 11th-century village church in Great Tew or the on-site Hay Barn for a nondenominational ceremony, followed by a reception on the Marquee Green for up to 250 people, dinner in the Sperry Tent, and a rollicking party in the Barwell Barn. The venue seems tailor-made for weddings, but the most alluring part is that the Soho Farmhouse is so much more than just a wedding venue. The property can accommodate up to 140 overnight guests—between the 40 cabins, the farmhouse, and the four-bedroom cottage—for a full weekend of fun. It’s practically begging to be turned into a grown-up camp entirely populated with the couple’s favorite people.

Guests’ cars are whisked away upon arrival and traded for a pair of Wellington boots and a Foffa bike (guests are encouraged to provide height and shoe measurements when they reserve their rooms to ensure the proper fit)—although waiting horse and carts or an electric tuk-tuk will shuttle guests about the 100-acre property if a full farm-fresh meal (think stew, suckling pig, and a sampling of the more than 500 fruits and vegetables grown on-site) from one of the six on-site restaurants has rendered an immediate nap a necessity. And if, post-nap, the mood to snack strikes, two reconditioned milk trucks have been converted into mobile restaurants serving up all manner of traditional English comfort food, while two other trucks have been turned into mobile bars.

Amid the restored 18th-century farmhouses (that blend seamlessly with the newer buildings), there is a pub, flower shop, deli, private movie theater, Cowshed spa, a boathouse with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, grass tennis courts, a softball field, a soccer pitch, a stable that’s home to 11 horses, three man-made lakes, and an ice rink in the winter. Though, of course, guests can also hide away in the thoughtfully appointed rooms—inspired by “upstate New York cabin culture.” The one-bedroom and larger cabins, for example, are fitted with cooktops and refrigerators, and some feature wood-burning stoves, balconies, and outdoor bathtubs. With so much on offer, perhaps the Soho Farmhouse can check one more wedding-related box: the perfect location for a post-wedding mini-moon.

The post A New Dream Destination Wedding Venue in the English Countryside appeared first on Vogue.

Fans of Rifle Paper Co. cofounder Anna Bond’s painterly florals and sweet illustrations, rejoice! The company is partnering with Paperless Post for a brand-new collection of stationery—a staggering, 200 sweet designs for every occasion. There are baby announcements that can be customized with photos, Christmas cards, moving announcements, thank-you cards, an extensive wedding suite (including darling save-the-date illustrations for Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and other major U.S. cities), and much more.

While Rifle Paper Co. is known for its physical paper goods (as well as iPhone cases, wallpaper, and countless other pieces emblazoned with its designs), Bond is also a proponent of elegant digital correspondence. “Although I love stationery . . . sometimes it’s not practical or convenient to send a paper card,” she says. “So we wanted to be part of making the alternative beautiful as well.” And it’s also a bit of a departure for a company founded on the premise of digital correspondence: Paperless Post will be offering both paperless and physical paper versions of the designs starting today, as well as hosting its first-ever pop-up store called Bloom Room on 171 Elizabeth Street in New York, open to the public October 8–11. Below, an exclusive first look at some of the charming designs from the Paperless Post x Rifle Paper Co. wedding suite.

Cards start at $130 for 50 cards with lined envelopes, and start at 25 cents each for e-cards.

The post A First Look at Rifle Paper Co.’s Beautiful Wedding Invitations for Paperless Post appeared first on Vogue.

Listen up, all you single ladies (and those about to put a ring on it): Savannah Miller has just launched a bridal collection for Stone Fox Bride. Which means if you’re not exactly the tulle-ball-gown-at-the-country-club-type bride, your dreams of silk, ease, and everlasting chic are now that much closer to becoming a reality.

Miller is no stranger to weddings or, for that matter, designing an easy-yet-flattering shape. Having established with equally chic sister Sienna (yes, that Sienna Miller, patient zero of the mid-’00s boho street style movement; star of screens big and small) the contemporary line Twenty8Twelve, she went on to do a solo collection of elevated basics. This new collaboration is her official entrée into wedding dresses, though it’s worth noting that she’s not exactly a novice—she did design her own. Seen it? Google “Savannah Miller wedding dress” and you’ll find an image of her on an English moor in procession with an unspeakably photogenic family, clad in a silk velvet gown with a hood (be still, all your bride-to-be hearts out there!). This same image was espied by one Molly Guy of Stone Fox Bride, who did what you do with all visual depictions of one’s own personal #goals—she Instagrammed it. Miller double-tapped, DMs were exchanged, and the rest is very modern history. “We started that conversation about 18 months ago, and started developing the collection in April this year,” Miller told Vogue.com over the phone, during a chat that ranged from the topic of her own wedding to the larger implications of modern love (more about that in a minute).

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Photo: Courtesy of Stone Fox Bride / Frances Tulk-Hart

Though her wedding dress is beautiful in any setting, it makes even more sense in her personal context—take note, autumn knot-tie-ers. “I had this sort of merry, abundant, feasty type of wedding, with banquet tables heaving with plums and grapes and apples, and candelabra with wax drippings on the tables. Reindeer skins over the benches—very much a medieval banquet vibe,” says Miller. It may sound extravagant, but just look how wholly at ease she looks doing it. “My main thing is the bride feeling comfortable and great on her wedding day and having that effortless elegance,” Miller says, and she invoked that old style truism of clothes not wearing the person, the person wearing the clothes—one that’s never more axiomatic than upon one’s nuptials.

One particular design from the new collaboration, a silky style with lace sleeves, was inspired by a brushed cotton caftan Miller wore to her civil service, with the fabrication lightened up and the lacy bits added for a little sex appeal. What did stick around: the total comfort of the thing. “It’s an incredibly flattering line—to have the gathering in the center front means that the woman can be relaxed and comfortable, and it really draws the waist in,” Miller notes.

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Photo: Courtesy of Stone Fox Bride / Frances Tulk-Hart

And that silk and velvet hooded cloak number that played such a large role in her life can be yours, too—she’s made an homage to her own much-Pinterest-pinned wedding dress (and perhaps the seminal piece in the whole collection) for Stone Fox Bride, with whose owner she has total, natural synergy. “Really, [Molly Guy and I] are very similar in our approach to the way things should look, and we just get on really well—she’s like a sister now,” says Miller. “I was originally drawn to Stone Fox Bride because the aesthetic felt very much at one with my own. I’ve always dreamed of making wedding dresses, and this is absolutely how I imagined they’d be, and the setting—it’s a perfect fit for me.”

Plus, Miller brings an undeniably British edge in all the right places—a combination of out-in-the-country charm and to-the-manner-born splendor. One’s thoughts often turn more continental (ahem, look to the French Girls Do It Better school of thought) when looking for effortless, everyday chic, but where bridal ease and casual sybaritism are involved, the Brits do it best (think: Kate Moss in John Galliano). “I think that whimsical bohemian thing, and the way English people do it, is something [Stone Fox Bride] has always aspired to, because of the Old World-y and Guinevere vibe—it’s all very English,” says Miller. “So it has brought something new, but it isn’t a radical departure.” But there’s no trace of Renaissance fair here. Miller and Guy shared more contemporary common inspiration in the  ’70s and early ’20s, too, so it’s not all cone hats and corsets. “Our points of reference really are the same,” explains Miller, “our interpretations of them will obviously be different.”

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Photo: Courtesy of Stone Fox Bride / Frances Tulk-Hart

For Miller, wedding chic and interpersonal honesty go hand-in-jewel-topped-hand: “You have these delusions as children of marriage and the wedding day, and that it’s about the dress and flowers and everything. I think as humans in relationships, these days everything is a lot more honest. I think the more honest we can all be every day, the better. And I think those weddings where people are themselves but a little polished—there’s something so beautiful about the rawness of that. And I really love the honestly of that kind of experience when I go to a wedding and it’s real, and these people have been through it and they’re committing to each other. It’s a really interesting time in the world generally, not just from a fashion perspective. Relationships are much more a growing process rather than this perfect cutout picture of wedded bliss.” Hear that, Pinterest? Gone are the days of the bride having always to adopt the virginal princess stance. These wedding dresses are for the woman in full bloom, in the prime of her adulthood, which, let’s face it, comes a good deal later.

And as to the future of the Savannah Miller–Stone Fox Bride partnership? If you don’t have any nuptials on the horizon (or even serious prospects) just yet and feel markedly silly earmarking a dress in advance, don’t worry: “We’re already plotting and scheming about our next moves,” Miller reassures. “There will be more additions soon.”

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Photo: Courtesy of Stone Fox Bride / Frances Tulk-Hart

The post The Dreamy, Chic Bridal Collection Made for It Brits and Boho Babes Alike appeared first on Vogue.

One would be hard-pressed to find a more international couple than contemporary art entrepreneur Maria Baibakova and financier Adrien Faure. The Russian bride and French groom live in London, met in Massachusetts, married in Provence, and then honeymooned in Asia. Their August nuptials, attended by 275 guests, was a three-day affair that wove in various aspects of the couple’s heritage, from local French flora and cuisine to traditional Russian shawls for the ladies and—because it was, after all, a party—a dedicated table of vodka shots. The theme, in broad strokes, was the Ballets Russes—“such an important cultural moment, when France was really in love with Russia, and vice versa,” says Baibakova—and they built, sumptuously, from there.

Following a January 6 engagement (FYI, for non-Russians, the date serves as their Christmas Eve), Baibakova went to Paris couture week with her girlfriends Nasiba Adilova and stylist Ekaterina Mukhina to assess the gown landscape. Enter Giambattista Valli, whose signature voluminous skirts capture the fanciful feeling of a ballerina’s tutu, perfect for the burgeoning wedding theme. “He’s an artist,” said the bride, “and I don’t use that word lightly!” The designer created two distinct and removable options for the bride, each to fit seamlessly over the same strapless bustier. Her showstopping ceremony gown was constructed of an incredible 300 meters of frothy tulle, and at each fitting Valli inserted still more layers in varying shades of white. “It was very challenging to get the color right,” says Baibakova, who ceded control early on. “I have to say, it was really his vision.” She worked with him for months on the dresses, which were delivered literally in the nick of time—July 31, the last day that Paris couture studios are open for the season.

Ultimately, of course, the multiple fittings and nail-biting over the color of the gown were completely worth it. Despite the challenge of the heavy skirt—“I kept knocking over my chair every time I got up for a toast!”—the bride kept the spectacular confection on through dinner. “I have zero complaints. I was very sad to take it off.” But the second skirt was literally made for dancing, so she wasn’t sad for long. A tea-length affair, this A-line, cream-tone skirt looked almost like spun sugar, and was covered with delicate three-dimensional anemones. “It was very light,” says Baibakova, “and at moments a little bit transparent.” Valli constructed it so that the length would look right with both heels and flats, guaranteeing that the bride wouldn’t have to stop dancing for even a moment.

The couple chose the stunning location, the historic Baumanière in Les Baux-de-Provence, having visited it last year for the groom’s 30th birthday. It fit with their desire to incorporate pieces of their heritage into the event—not only was the setting French, like Faure, but he used to visit Provence as a child. “It was a really natural choice,” said Baibakova, “like a homecoming.” Set into the picturesque rocky hillsides, the hotel hardly needed over-the-top embellishment, which is why they chose to work with Belgian florist Thierry Boutemy, who utilized local vegetation to create downy, moss-toned arrangements. Olive branches and herbs wove their way through lofty florals on the chuppah and altar. Debora Spar, the president of Barnard College, Baibakova’s alma mater, officiated, speaking of equal partnership and contemporary romance—values the couple try to espouse.

After the ceremony, Baibakova’s mother offered the groom bread and salt, a traditional Russian gesture to welcome him to the bride’s family. “It was so special,” sighed Baibakova. “I loved every single moment.”

The post Maria Baibakova and Adrien Faure’s Wedding in the Hills of Provence appeared first on Vogue.

It’s that time of year again when the leaves change color and the Spring 2016 collections draw to an end. Winter brides looking for a last-minute dress or spring brides just starting to plan now have an extra dose of inspiration from designers who presented a bevy of options for those desiring to make their trip down the aisle look like a strut on the catwalk. Notable looks included a return to the minimal and streamlined styles of the ’90s slip dress, sporty influences offsetting overly feminine skirts, and whimsical jumpsuits for the fashion-forward ceremony. Meanwhile, purists will love the reworking of lace and embellishments on floor-length frocks, taking their cues from Old World European royalty coupled with modern silhouettes. Above, straight from the Spring runways, we present 100 wedding day options for every type of bride. Groom not included.

The post 100 Bridal Looks From the Spring 2016 Runways appeared first on Vogue.

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Photographed by Mario Testino, Vogue, June 2013

While securing a dream venue for your wedding can be incredibly stressful, finding the perfect rehearsal dinner venue is certainly no small task. The room can’t be too big . . . or too small; the food needs to be memorable (but shouldn’t compete with the wedding fare); and the decor must be spot-on. After all, the rehearsal dinner sets the tone for the entire celebration. (No pressure.) Thankfully, there is a crop of fresh eateries offering photo-ready decor, tasty plates, and plenty of room for your nearest and dearest. Here, our five favorites.

The post 5 Buzzy Restaurants That Are Fit for a Beautiful Rehearsal Dinner appeared first on Vogue.

The summer beach wedding has gotten a lot of airtime lately, but what about its much-overlooked younger sister, the Autumn Wedding? Pinterest boards abound boasting the wonders of the seaside nuptial: barefoot bridesmaids in gauzy caftans, white-sand aisles strewn with pink petals, tiki torches, driftwood chuppahs, seviche served in clamshells. Personally, I find the whole thing a bit boring.

I grew up in Chicago, have Eastern European blood, and would opt for cold weather and all that comes with it (Burberry trenches, wool scarves, black eyeliner, and coffee) over a bleached-out, Beverly Hills heat wave any day. Random fact: I got married in New York City on Halloween. It was one of those perfect fall afternoons: bright blue sky, low white sun. Afterward, my husband and I drove over the Queensboro Bridge blasting the heat and Nick Cave, and that night after we washed the “Just Married” from our car, we donned heavy sweaters and walked to the neighborhood bistro for chicken potpie.

Bottom line: Summer might be the season for young love to flourish (think Baby and Johnny, Sandy and Danny), but when it comes to the real thing, saying “I do” beneath the harvest moon packs a stronger punch. Who wants to ride off into the sunset on a white horse anyway? I’d rather stroll down a cobblestone road, hand in hand with my one true love, wearing a really good pair of boots. To quote Truman Capote in Breakfast at Tiffany’s: “Aprils have never meant much to me, autumns seem that season of beginning, spring.”

Here, 10 Stone Fox–approved ideas for fall weddings:

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Photo: Jonny Valiant

2. Instead of fragrant summer florals, why not create table garlands of blood oranges, berries, crab apples, pomegranates, squash, seeded eucalyptus leaves, and crimson dahlias?

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Photo: Miki Duisterhof

3. No need for icy cocktails. Instead, opt for an aromatic batch of mulled cider with whiskey, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg.

4. Go against the grain—and throw wheat grains instead of white rice. After all, good old gluten does represent fertility and hearth.

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Photo: John Cary

5. If your wedding falls on Halloween, tell your flower girls or ring bearers to walk down the aisle in whatever costume they want. The weirder, the better. I’m a huge fan of witches, butterflies, and Spider-Man (pictured here at the wedding of Claire Mazur).

6. Don’t underestimate the deliciousness of autumn fare. Try pumpkin soup served in a mini pumpkin, bitter-greens salad with roasted sunflower seeds, sliced tart apples and  maple syrup vinaigrette, and roasted root vegetables.

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Photographed by Mario Testino, Vogue, May 2010

7. Forgo the ironic Saturday night bachelorette party complete with white stretch limo, male stripper, and miniskirts. Instead, rent a huge van and ask your bridal party to host an afternoon of apple-picking.

8. Instead of giving your bridesmaids the typical thank-you gift (think monogrammed beach bags), why not offer them local honey with wooden swizzle sticks? Supersweet.

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Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, September 2013

9. Who says that tropical islands are the ultimate honeymoon destination? Why not cozy up in the mountains somewhere with piles of blankets, a ton of books, and hot toddies galore?

10. Bare legs are beautiful, but goose bumps are gross. Try wearing your white wedding dress with black tights and black boots or flats. Looks supercool in an It-girl street style sort of way, especially paired with a vintage Edwardian frock.

The post 10 Reasons Fall Is the Most Stylish Time to Get Married appeared first on Vogue.

After a summer filled with brides in playful, romantic, and frilly confections, this past weekend saw a return to simple elegance. The bride, model Hilary Rhoda, married her longtime beau, former New York Rangers star Sean Avery, in an intimate ceremony at the Parrish Art Museum on Long Island. And while the model has oft demonstrated her penchant for adding athletic touches to her evening ensembles, her Carolina Herrera stunner ushered in a new look for modern brides.

Befitting Rhoda’s vibrant personality, the column dress featured moss green detailing and subtle embellishments, both of which played off the bride’s brilliant something-blue eyes. But it was the halter neckline and body-skimming silhouette that provided the perfect antidote to the intricate lace and tulle dresses traditionally favored for weddings. Chopard earrings amped up the wattage of Rhoda’s streamlined look, adding sparkle for a truly dazzling matrimonial moment.

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View all images of Hilary Rhoda

Photographed by Kevin Tachman

The post Hilary Rhoda’s Carolina Herrera Wedding Dress Redefines the Look of the Modern Bride appeared first on Vogue.

On Friday last week, the now-ubiquitous and highly controversial selfie stick popped up in an unexpected place: on the runway at Reem Acra’s Fall 2016 bridal show. Models were sent down the runway wearing bedazzled headphones—an unexpected sartorial statement in and of itself—but it was the rhinestone-and-floral-appliqué-adorned selfie stick that really turned heads. “The bridal selfie stick and headphones were a way for me to communicate a bride’s desire to tune out the rest of the world and simply have fun,” says Acra.

Point taken. But what happens when the bride accidentally smacks her groom in the face trying to turn and get a picture with the bridesmaids in the background? Should the couple leave some out for guests to use? Will they become a distraction during the ceremony or the speeches? Should the selfie stick replace the bouquet entirely? Here’s the bigger question: Are selfie sticks really appropriate for a wedding at all?

The evolution of wedding photography closely mirrors our growing need to capture—and share—every precious (and mundane) moment. Wedding photographers snapping some formal shots gave way to days-long reportage-style affairs, HD video, Hollywood-style “trailers,” drones, and GoPros (it turns out attaching one to a bottle of Fireball whiskey yields some amusing reception footage). And that list excludes the fact that just about every guest will be snapping away with his or her phone, hashtagging the night away. While the age of the selfie stick may be only natural in this age of tech- (and self-) obsession, some are vehemently against the phenomenon when it comes to tying the knot. “Frankly, I never think a selfie stick is right for a wedding, or for that matter, anytime,” says event planner David Stark. “It’s the extreme opposite of chic—the fanny pack of photography. Why not just ask a friend to take a picture of you?” Acra, on the other hand, obviously disagrees: “Posed pictures can look formal and serious, and the selfie stick will give everyone something to smile about.” Whether you’re laughing with it in your own hand or at it in someone else’s, Acra’s right in saying that the selfie stick will most likely always provoke a smile, even if it’s one that comes with a big eye roll.

See The Reem Acra Bridal Fall 2016 Collection

The post Is the Selfie Stick the New Must-Have Wedding Accessory? appeared first on Vogue.

The post Photos: Best Weddings appeared first on Vogue.

There’s nothing more magical than a fall destination wedding: The foliage, the lovely crisp air, and the vivid sunsets provide the most incredible backdrop for any couple’s big day. Whether you want to tie the knot somewhere a bit exotic overseas or at a venue that feels closer to home on a ranch or farm, these six master planners share their favorite locales for the season’s most breathtaking (and vacation-worthy) destination weddings.

Feriye Restaurant, Istanbul, Turkey
“The Ottoman sultans originally built Feriye in the early 19th century, and today it is one of the premier restaurants in Istanbul. It’s located right on the water of the Bosphorus and features traditional Turkish cuisine. You can celebrate in a tent right on the water, perfect for arrival by boat or for viewing fireworks late at night.”
—David Stark, David Stark Design

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The Wedding Deck at Vail Mountain

Photo: Courtesy of Wesleyann / @wesleyann

The Wedding Deck at Vail Mountain, Vail, Colorado
“The Wedding Deck at the top of Vail Mountain is nature’s best ballroom, especially when the aspen leaves change to a vibrant red. This spot is 1,000 feet above sea level and accessible only by gondola, so it’s not necessarily great for a huge wedding—though it’s incredibly majestic. You can start with sunset cocktails to take in the view, and then tuck into a warm tent for dinner and dancing. It’s important to make sure you have plenty of heaters, blankets, oxygen, and, of course, vodka on hand.”
—Bronson van Wyck, Van Wyck & Van Wyck

The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, Montana
“Fall really is my favorite time on the Ranch. Located in the heart of western Montana on an authentic homestead, the Ranch at Rock Creek sits adjacent to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, which features stunning high-alpine vistas. This time of year, when the aspens are changing colors, your heart will stop. It is the perfect fall backdrop for tying the knot. Not to mention, an autumn ranch wedding wardrobe is fab.”
—Michelle Rago, Michelle Rago Ltd. | Michelle Rago Destinations

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Twin Farms

Photo: Courtesy of Becahaley / @becahaley

Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
“Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont, is a gorgeous 300-acre Relais & Chateaux property with panoramic views and a beautiful pond where you can have an intimate ceremony. There are also large open lawns available for setting up a warmly lit tent with perfect views of the autumn color. It’s the quintessential New England fall experience.”
—Ron Wendt, Ron Wendt Designs & Weddings

Château de Challain-la-Potherie, Challain-la-Potherie, France
“At the Château Challain, the grounds are particularly breathtaking in the fall. It is located just two hours outside of Paris and is a town studded with storybook villages and burnished castles. France’s longest river is also in Loire, and guests can enjoy boat rides before the wedding festivities, taking in the remarkable countryside.”
—Colin Cowie, Colin Cowie Weddings

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The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch

Photo: Courtesy of Brush Creek Ranch / @brushcreekranch

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming
“We have all heard of dude ranches, but Brush Creek is in its own league. There are numerous outdoor activities for guests like horseback riding and fly-fishing and campfire meals. It’s where the West really comes to life and a true feeling of togetherness emerges.”
—Yifat Oren, Yifat Oren and Associates

The post The Best Spots for Fall Destination Weddings From 6 Top Planners appeared first on Vogue.

While some wedding details are finalized months in advance (the dress, the invitations, the exact shade of blush pink peonies), there is one important beauty decision that is often overlooked until the last minute: the pre-wedding manicure. When it comes to the nuptial nail, accurate planning is required—and there are more than a few good reasons to consider the cool, clean minimalism of a nude manicure this season.

First, it’s important to select a color “that won’t detract from the dress,” says fashion stylist Karen Kaiser, who ultimately chose Essie’s Jazz for her recent Hudson Valley wedding—a taupe shade she describes as “not too warm or too white.” Vogue Communications Manager Liz Dishi wore a sheer pink down the aisle for similar reasons: “My dress had beaded sleeves, so I wanted to keep my nails pretty subtle,” says Dishi, who layered one coat of Essie’s Mademoiselle over the company’s slightly milkier Ballet Slippers for an understated sheen.

Flesh-toned polishes may look especially great in the fall, when cold weather and wind can leave hands looking, well, challenged. Figuring out what works with your skin tone may take a bit of experimentation, but generally one of four families—beiges, pinks, mauves or sheer metallics—should provide a solid option, with the best shades remaining actively visible while simultaneously blending into the background. For her Tuscan wedding, Vogue.com Beauty Director Catherine Piercy didn’t hesitate in reaching for Chanel’s Frenzy, a longtime favorite that has “an almost invisible taupe undertone that’s incredibly flattering. Plus, I love the way a neutral polish extends the line of the hands.”

Whether you’re prepping to say “I do” or simply searching for that perfect shade of not-so-nude nude, look no further than these 12 shades for your wedding day manicure inspiration.

The post 12 Perfect Nude Nail Colors for Your Wedding Day and Beyond appeared first on Vogue.

Singer-songwriter Lia Ices and vintner and Scribe Winery owner Andrew Mariani initially ran into each other at a dinner party in New York in 2010. Lia lived in the city at the time and Andrew was in town for a quick work trip. “The next day he invited me out, and on our date, he told me I should move to California to be with him,” remembers Lia. Their connection can only be described as instant. “I responded, saying I had to go upstate to record my album, but could be there in six weeks. I stuck to my word and we’ve been together ever since.”

The proposal happened four years later in Martha’s Vineyard. “We were there with family, and I had gone for a walk to get wildflowers for my mother,” says Lia. “Andrew followed me and suggested we keep walking to the beach, a mile from my parents’ house. He popped the question once we were there, and I simply agreed nonchalantly because it had been a hot topic for us recently. And he was like, ‘No! I’m asking you for real now.’ I started to cry. We walked back to the house and my family was waiting with champagne—then we all went to dinner at The Outermost Inn that night.”

Martha’s Vineyard—specifically, Aquinnah at the upper end of the island—has always been a special place for Lia. “It’s magical to me—not only because of how insanely beautiful it is, but what it has come to represent. Every summer, my family heads there for a couple weeks, and we reset our clocks for the entire year: We swim in the ocean together, go to the farmers’ market, the local fish market, hike through the woods, make amazing dinners, and stargaze uninterrupted by the trials of everyday life.” With all of these memories in mind, choosing Aquinnah as her venue was a no-brainer.

Lia has always been a big fan of Rosie Assoulin, so when she found out the designer had started making wedding dresses, the decision was made. “I think Rosie Assoulin is a genius,” admits Lia. “The dress I wore was exceptionally feminine but also very sculptural and minimal, almost technical. Her work is not frothy—even a pleat for her has a measured coolness. My look was architectural, iconic, and entirely feminine—it has bows! And the craftsmanship is just so special.”

She also wore a Jennifer Behr crystal headband made of little stars because she is interested in space and all things astrological. “My bouquet was my favorite flower, star jasmine,” she says. “And I wore rings on all my fingers, including my grandmother’s Colombian emerald. My hair and makeup were simple—I knew I wanted my hair off my face, and a sleek straight ponytail seemed to be the right amount of balance for the dress. Plus, it showed off my back. One of the things I liked most about the dress is that it almost looks like a bathing suit from behind. I am always a fan of creating moments of contrast within one context . . . so I absolutely loved that the ball gown skirt shape was married to the ultra sporty. There are many ways to feel like a bride!”

The couple got married in a tiny white Native American Baptist church in Aquinnah that is situated on the same road as Lia’s family’s house. “It’s the oldest Native American Baptist church in the country, and it was founded in the 1690s by the Wampanoag tribe,” she explains. “I’ve been fascinated by it for years—it’s simple and tiny and so unique. Everyone had to cram in to see the ceremony, though.” The bride walked down the aisle to the Beatles’s “Here Comes the Sun,” played on an old upright piano, and the couples’ four siblings, best friend, and the local pastor joined them at the altar. “We incorporated the Native American wedding tradition of washing our hands together on the altar before saying our vows, which was very special,” says Lia.

Dinner and the reception were at The Outermost Inn, where Lia’s family has dined summer after summer. “It sits at the most western tip of the island, with the most romantic rolling meadows and a view of the lighthouse,” explains Lia. “Being on an island is very powerful—you are by nature disconnected. And I really wanted to highlight how enchanting the whole experience is.” The couple had an open-air tent set up on the property, and flowers and chains of carnations and delphinium were hung from the ceiling to convey a whimsical romantic vibe, while the centerpieces incorporated fruit on branches. Their friend, Carrie Wilkinson, from Chez Panisse in Berkeley, came out to cook for the wedding and created a menu with lobster bisque, grilled rib eye, slow-roasted local fish, summer vegetables, and sweet corn as the highlights. The meal was served with magnums of Pinot Noir from Andrew’s winery and finished off with a cheese plate and Lia’s favorite dessert, Pavlova with berries. Chris Gillespie from the Carlyle hotel brought a band out and played all night. “I surprised Andrew and performed ‘Thank You’ by Bonnie Raitt with the band—it’s always been one of our faves,” says Lia. “After the band finished, our friends Hank and Effie from Hudson, New York, spun vinyl, and we all danced to awesome soul and old hip-hop. At the end of the night, everyone hung out by the fire pit, drank wine, and some of us went swimming—there were phosphorescence in the ocean that night!”

The post Lia Ices and Andrew Mariani’s Magical Wedding in Martha’s Vineyard appeared first on Vogue.

Bridal trends fluctuate at a different clip than ready-to-wear ones, but the Fall ’16 collections that wrapped earlier this week seemed to mirror fashion’s new romantic mood, from Peter Copping’s soft ruffles at Oscar de la Renta to Marchesa’s sensual low-cut backs. Before you say “I do,” click through the slideshow for seven of the bridal collections’ standout gowns, then share your favorite in the comments.

The post The Best Wedding Dresses From Fall ’16 Bridal Week appeared first on Vogue.

Fall foliage is now in its prime. Dahlias, bittersweet berries, and crabapple branches in shades of orange and crimson are abundant and may even be growing in your own backyard. Rather than taking a trip to the flower market, foraging can be a wonderful way to create unique and fresh floral arrangements showcasing berries and shrubs that may otherwise go unnoticed. “Oftentimes, the best foraging can be on the side of any road or highway,” says potter Frances Palmer of Frances Palmer Pottery. Earlier this month, Palmer teamed up with florists Michael and Darroch Putnam of Putnam & Putnam for an afternoon of foraging at her Connecticut home. There they collected bunches of ripe blooms and rustic branches to create whimsical Secret Garden–esque arrangements in Palmer’s signature white vases. Here, Palmer and Darroch Putnam offer tips and tricks for transforming foraged finds into effortless, woodsy centerpiece arrangements.

What types of flowers and berries work best for fall floral arrangements?
Frances Palmer: The flowers that are abundant in my garden in the fall are dahlias, nicotiana, zinnias, roses, cosmos, scabiosa, sage, and amaranth. Porcelain and bittersweet berries grow nearby, and rose hips as well. I use fruit branches such as raspberry, crabapple, fig, grape, and apple. Then come the quince and persimmon fruit and branches, which are also gorgeous. I like vegetables and herbs like tomatoes, string beans, chard, fennel, mint, basil, and nasturtiums.

Darroch Putnam: Fall is an exciting time for flowers! Dahlias are at their peak. Other wonderful fall flowers are Japanese anemones (also called autumn anemones), amaranth, zinnias, and celosia. When arranging with fruit, pomegranates, apples, persimmons, and grapes are all in season and fun to work with.

What combination of florals, greenery, and branches create the best effect?
FP: I tend to think of flower arrangements by color. I take different types and sizes of flowers and branches and put them together to make a profusion of orange, pink, or red. I’ll pick branches that will support the flowers in the vessel and give an underlay of the dominant color.

DP: When making an arrangement, you should start with base foliage: Choose something with an interesting shape and color. Then find a focal flower that pulls in a color found in the branch. A great combination for the fall is plum branches and chocolate dahlias. You could also bring in other elements with a similar palette—a burgundy trailing amaranth and pomegranates would look beautiful.

What are crucial tools to have on hand when foraging and making the arrangements?
FP: For foraging, I always carry clippers in my car or bring them with me on my daily walk with my dog, Peter. For flower arrangements, I use the clippers and the foraged branches, which function as the support system in the vase or bowl for the arrangement.

DP: When foraging, always wear pants, long sleeves, and gloves. There are many plants that can irritate the skin when touched, as well an abundance of thorn-covered vines and branches. Also bring a bucket or canvas drop cloth to put your found materials in, small floral clippers, extending loppers, and waterproof shoes.

What types of vessels do you like to use?
FP: I am a potter and make many shapes of vases and footed bowls. Just as I think of the flower arrangements in terms of color, I select the vessel by glaze to echo the tones of the flowers.

DP: We always lean toward a footed bowl or compote. The wide opening and shallow base is easiest to achieve a low, wide arrangement.

Do you find particular flowers while foraging that may not be available in flower markets?
FP: I don’t go to the New York flower markets often to compare, but when a foraged flower is cut fresh, it is at its best. This summer I was working with joe-pye weed, goldenrod, jewelweed, Queen Anne’s lace, yellow primrose, clover, milkweed, chicory, aster, rose hip, and grapevine. Not pokeweed, as that is toxic.

DP: Finding flowers while foraging can be tricky. Many types of wildflowers wilt immediately when cut. That being said, there are many fun flowers like goldenseal, milkweed, and Queen Anne’s lace that are in abundance in the Northeast.

For city dwellers who don’t have access to fields of wildflowers and berries, where would you recommend to forage? Are there any hidden foraging gems nearby?
FP: Oftentimes, the best foraging can be on the side of any road or highway. For example, I always contend that the best lilacs are on the side of a highway. If you are going onto someone’s property or into a park or preserve, it is optimal to get permission first.

DP: Foraging can be tricky because you often need a permit to cut in state parks. We often find fun stuff growing on the side of country roads in upstate New York. Just be weary of traffic and never pull over on busy highways. The best option is to forage on friends’ and family’s property if you have that option available.

The post How to Create a Fall Floral Arrangement With Foraged Foliage appeared first on Vogue.