Cecil and Jessica wanted to make their wedding day about more than just their love for each other. They wanted to plan a relaxing day where all of the important people in their lives could come together and celebrate a union of two families.

“People would often say to us, ‘It’s her [Jess’] day’, but we didn’t see it that way. For us, it was everyone’s day. Everyone’s time to come together and see us join our lives forever,” says Cecil.

The result of a family focused day? No regrets from the bride and groom: “We still hear people say today, ‘If I could do my wedding over again I would and it would be in the living room of my house.’ Not us. We loved every moment of our wedding and wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

The stunning photographs were provided by Jemma Coleman, a close friend of Cecil and Jessica.

Cecil, 30 & Jessica, 22

Tallahassee, Florida

Wedding Date: June 22, 2013

Number of Guests: 52

Wedding Cost: <$5,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: SouthWood House, Tallahassee, FL

Wedding Reception Location: SouthWood House, Tallahassee, FL

You’ve decided you want live entertainment at your wedding, but you have no idea who to hire. Sure, you could go with your cousin’s garage band, but this is your wedding we’re talking about.  That’s where Gigzolo comes in. Gigzolo is a new curated marketplace to help you find awesome bands, photographers and other artists for your big day. Simply register online (it’s free) to get started.

Here are the highlights:

They show PRICES (finally) – Gigzolo provides instant customized pricing for each artist, specific to your event. No more waiting around for quotes!

It’s a curated site – Gigzolo only shows artists they think are great. Only about 10% of artists that apply actually make it onto the site. Oh, and no one can pay to be featured.

Coming Soon: Instantly Chat with Artists – Another amazing feature in the works is an instant chat interface that gives you the ability to communicate directly with each artist in real time.  No more going back and forth with email!

For intimate wedding entertainment that’s a true reflection of your nuptials, leave it to the pros.

Gigzolo is currently beta testing and wants your feedback. Here’s a quick video of how it works:

Gigzolo… a little taste from Gigzolo on Vimeo.

If you sign up now (remember, it’s free!), Gigzolo will give you a $20 credit to use towards the cost of hiring an artist.  Can you hear wedding bells?

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Alternative honeymoon excursions are becoming increasingly popular for couples that want to get the most out of their honeymoon.  If you’re like many couples who are looking to trade in that traditional “nap on the beach” resort stay for a honeymoon that mixes adventure, culture, and time to explore the destination, consider taking your honeymoon with travel company Contiki Vacations.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape through Italy, a sun-filled adventure through the Mediterranean coast of Europe, or an action-packed adventure through South America – Contiki has a trip for each and every couple looking for a unique honeymoon experience .

Contiki trips are the perfect blend of iconic sites, free time to find your own adventures, and the opportunity to enjoy your honeymoon destination without the hassle of planning or coordinating every detail.

Even better, the tours are for young people between the age of 18 and 35 – so you can meet solo travelers and couples in your own age group and make friends along the way.  Traveling the Contiki way ensures that you have free time to spend with each other and also gives you the ability to make lifelong friends worldwide.

Here are a few Contiki trips that are most popular among young couples:

Italian Espresso – This 9-day tour visits some of Italy’s most iconic and romantic cities – from the dreamy canals of Venice to the beautiful architecture in Florence.  Throw in a glass of Chianti while looking out over the sweeping hills of Tuscany and this is one honeymoon you won’t soon forget.

Peru Uncovered – Grab your hiking shoes and watch the sun rise over the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru on this 14-day jaunt through Peru.  Experience the Inca culture, explore the Andes & Amazon jungle, and toast your marriage with a delicious local cocktail, the Pisco sour – and then craft the perfect story to your honeymoon experience!

Mediterranean Highlights – With a vibrant mix of culture, coastal hotspots, and iconic sights, Contiki’s 14-day jaunt along the Mediterranean coast will have you experiencing a live flamenco show, posing for memorable shots at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or strolling the boulevards in picturesque French Riviera.

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Is there anything more sophisticated than a classic black and white wedding? It’s a color scheme that never goes out of style and is both elegant and contemporary. And just because it’s usually associated with more formal affairs, don’t think you can’t have fun and be playful with it. To keep it modern and fresh, simply add in a little texture, throw in some pops of color or play with pattern–polka dots, anyone?

Halloween by Richard Anderson

A gentle breeze rustling the dry cornstalks.
A sound is heard, a goblin walks.
A harvest moon suffers a black cat’s cry.
Oh’ do the witches fly!
Bonfire catches a pumpkins gleem.
Rejoice, it’s Halloween!

Photo: Shawn Van Duele via Splashnology