Wedding trends come and go, but black tie weddings will never go out of style; the stunning gowns are simply too irresistible! Whether you prefer a slimming A-line dress or a voluminous ball gown, the Lillian West Collection by Justin Alexander offers a gorgeous selection of gowns that will guarantee you are the belle of the ball on your wedding day. The only question is: Which one will you choose?

You can’t go wrong with this organza A-line dress with sweetheart neckline embellished with delicate beading (Style 6271). It’s a classic and romantic choice for any bride.

If lace is what you’re after, this sophisticated number combines Alencon and Venice lace with pleated chiffon for a pretty and flattering look (Style 6349).

For an equally sophisticated lace dress that’s a bit more daring, this gown comes with a plunging sweetheart neckline under a Sabrina illusion neckline and a surprising keyhole back (Style 6345).

Satin is a bold fabric choice fit for a bombshell bride. We can’t help but love this stunning fit and flare satin gown embellished with delicate beading along the neckline and waist (Style 6341).

For brides looking to fulfill their princess fantasies, a voluminous ball gown can be hard to resist especially when complimented with Venice lace (Style 6354).

Last, but certainly not least, a removable cape – all the rage these days – adds a show stopping modern twist to this elegant chiffon fit and flare dress. Go on, give your guests something to talk about! (Style 6350)

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Why bother with all the hassle of an international destination wedding when you can enjoy a stunning beach wedding closer to home? The Outer Banks of North Carolina offers couples looking to say ‘I do’, a variety of stunning beachfront venues to choose from.

Renowned for their beauty and their vastness, the beaches on the Outer Banks are some of the best on the East Coast and with more than 100 miles of shoreline, there’s a perfect beach out there with your name on it!

But the Outer Banks isn’t just about the beach, there are also gardens galore!The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo offer a variety of gorgeous and unique settings for your wedding ceremony including The Great Lawn, The Sunken Garden, and The Queen’s Rose Garden. Once your ceremony is over, the grounds offer stunning locations for your wedding photos, and with 3 onsite reception options –  The Reception Hall, The Rose Garden Tent, and The Great Lawn – your guests won’t have to venture very far when it comes time to get the party started. It truly is the perfect all-in-one wedding venue!

If you looking for a place for you and your guests to stay, you will be happy to know that there are countless – and we mean COUNTLESS, vacation homes for rent on the ocean in the OBX. Some of the homes are mammoth – sleeping 20+ people, and would be perfect for an intimate, destination wedding. Why not have all of your guests stay at one place? And if you are on a budget you can get an awesome deal on these vacation homes by renting off-season.

The numerous piers on the Outer Banks make for excellent portrait locations and at Jennette’s Pier you can host your reception while dining and dancing over the Atlantic Ocean – an experience you and your guests won’t soon forget!

When having a destination wedding, it’s important to keep your guests entertained all weekend long, and the Outer Banks have no shortage of attractions and activities to keep everyone busy. From touring historic sites, to getting your adrenaline pumping with a kiteboarding adventure, to relaxing at the spa, there’s something for everyone! Why not book a 4 x 4 Tour of Corolla to catch a glimpse of the Spanish Mustangs of Corolla? These wild horses have roamed the area freely for 500 years. Seeing these wild horses roam the beaches is a beautiful experience that you will never forget.

Or perhaps hang gliding is more your speed! Jockey’s Ridge State Park has the tallest sand dunes on the east coast, making it an ideal spot for hang gliding, kite flying, and sand boarding. And with over 400 acres to explore, year-round nature programs, and picnic facilities, Jockey’s Ridge is the perfect pre or post-wedding day outing.

To learn more about what the Outer Banks has to offer for you and your guests, sign up to their eNewsletter or request a free copy of their travel guide here.

Photo Two: Still Frames Photography; Photo Six: Intimate Weddings; Photo Seven: Sun Realty

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Wedding dress designers are using the neckline to create stunning details and dress silhouettes. Sheer and illusion necklines are a popular bridal trend that add embellishments and jeweled touches to the dress. These dresses have a subtle sensuality that creates some interest to traditional wedding dress styles.

This dress gives a feminine twist to a t-shirt style by having a sheer neck and cap sleeves. The floral appliqué adds to the overall look.

A scalloped edge on a high neckline looks lovely in a textured fabric.

Alternatively, keeping the detail to the bottom of the dress creates a nice contrast with a clean, illusion neckline.

Fine lace with a high-neck is a delicate choice to balance out the volume of a high and low skirt. Complement an illusion neckline with a matching sheer veil for an ethereal look. What is also really great about these necklines are the modesty that they provide for revealing styles.

These necklines also look incredible on a sleeved dress, while still giving the impression of a strapless dress underneath. With a sleeved dress you can get away with more embellishments, including the cuffs. If you’re not really into the princess style dresses but still love the volume on the bottom, this neckline will add something new. A long-sleeved lace top with a high neck is a gorgeous idea for a fifties themed wedding.

Give the strapless dress a makeover by still sticking to the same silhouette but having an unexpected sheer top. It’s a very subtle look that allows for extra details and embroidery to finish higher up on the décolletage.

This embroidered panel gives the dress a vintage inspired twist.

Photo one: weddingsparrow.co.uk; Photo two: Jessica Kettle; Photo three: adambarnes.com; Photo four: theknot.com; Photo five: matthewmorgan.net; Photo six: pinterest.com; Photo seven: burnettsboards.com; Photo eight: josevilla.com; Photo nine: claryphoto.com; Photo ten: greglewisphoto.com; Photo eleven: pinterest.com 

For a twist on your floral arrangements, using foliage and greenery will give you a lush look for your wedding decor. Rosemary, mint, ivy and fern can all be used to create some stunning looks in addition to crisp leaves. There are so many ways that you can incorporate them into your table settings and beyond for a fresh and simple style. We’ve picked out 10 gorgeous ways for you to use greenery and save money!

1. Woodland Runner

To celebrate nature on a budget, a runner filled with moss, fern and leaves will wow your guests. This is a great idea for dressing up wooden tables, especially if you add candles and glass vases. This would look particularly lovely for an outdoor ceremony and will turn a backyard reception into an effortless woodland wonderland.

2. Green Crown

Floral crowns are a good way to update your bridal hairstyle with the use of bold blooms. If you prefer more of a minimal look, a green crown still has plenty of impact.

3. Cake with Vines 

A tiered buttercream cake looks delicious as it is, but for a simple decoration, adding some olive leaves has a very Mediterranean look.

4. Ceremony Backdrop

If you have a raw space to fill then you can get really creative with your decor. A ceremony backdrop is one of the ways that you can make the venue your own, with a personal touch. Lanterns and candles add some mood lighting, while the hanging greenery adds a rustic look.

5. Nautical Wreath

A great project to try out is creating your own wreath of greenery as a decoration. Add a length of patterned ribbon to include your color palette or theme.

6. Candles and Foliage 

When it comes to centerpieces, sometimes less is more. A bowl filled with fern, leaves and a candle, is all you need to add some inexpensive interest to a white tablecloth.

7. A Refreshing Bouquet 

Who needs flowers when you can have a bouquet like this?

8. Simple and Stylish 

Table runners are a great finishing touch, and swapping fabric for greenery will work well for a clean and nature inspired setting.

9. Scented Lights 

Hanging leaves from your lights has a stunning look. You can go one step further by using fresh herbs, which will also give off a lovely and welcoming aroma. A wonderful idea for an Italian inspired wedding.

10. On the Back 

Most chairs can do with a bit of a makeover; a leafy wreath with a few blooms will be perfect for the bride and groom chairs.

Photo one: ruffledblog.com; Photo two: bridalmusings.com; Photo three: mymintphotography.com; Photo four: emilywrenweddings.com; Photo five: greylikesweddings.com; Photo six: rusticweddingchic.com; Photo seven: stylemepretty.com; Photo eight: loftphotographie.com; Photo nine: greenweddingshoes.com; Photo ten: southernweddings.com

With an international guest list consisting of 70 of their closest friends and family, Carlos and Joice wanted two things on their wedding day:  a non-tradtional venue that could accommodate their small group without the space feeling empty, and a caterer that would be flexible enough to allow them to serve a variety of cuisines from around the world. With the help of their wedding planner, LalaBlu, the couple were able to easily fulfill both of these wishes as they exchanged their vows on the grounds of a 16th century palace in Spain and celebrated with a multinational cocktail and buffet reception, making for a truly special and memorable day for both the newlyweds and their loved ones.

Special thanks to Jairo Crena for sharing all the photos from their special day with us!

Joice, 25 & Carlos

Segovia, Spain

Wedding Date: September 13, 2014

Number of Guests: 69

Wedding Cost: Around $42,000 USD

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Palacio de Hoyuelos

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted an intimate wedding because we only wanted the people who really know our history, and who were present during our relationship before we were married to be part of this important day for us. We did not want to compromise on the guest list by inviting people who we do not know well or with whom we have not had a relationship with for years.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate weeding?

It was challenging to have something that was small but nice, and would fit our guest list. It was especially challenging when it came to finding a venue and a caterer. We didn’t want to miss any details, but we didn’t want something that was too over-the-top either.