My Wedding Reception Ideas

Speakeasy Themed Industrial Real Wedding

Today's modern day Bonnie and Clyde wedding is beyond gorgeous. The bride, Heather, is jaw droppingly beautiful and has one of those contagious smiles that you just can't help but grin along with. The groom Bradley Cooper...oh I'm sorry, I mean Brian (but seriously though...don't you think he could be Bradley's long lost brother?). Let's just say these two are picture perfect and their wedding is nothing short of the same. We love the speakeasy throwbacks and industrial styling sprinkled in throughout their entire day. A big thanks to the talented group over at Zorz Studios for sharing this amazing wedding with us.

Brian and Heather worked in insurance for the same big company but never actually ran into each other in the building. They finally met each other out at a company sponsored event, after which point became inseparable.

The day of their wedding, Brian gifted Heather a locket with a picture inside of her mom and her. Her mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago and was physically not able to attend the wedding and this was extremely difficult for the bride.

Heather's favorite memory from the day - "The rabbi read our vows of why we wanted to marry each other, the touching vows Brian wrote brought me to tears and my favorite part during the ceremony was when Brian reached over to wipe my tears away," says Heather. "I am Jewish and Brian Protestant, so we decided to fuse our backgrounds by incorporating an Irish 'hand-fasting' and a stomping of the glass, both beautiful traditions and incredibly sentimental."

For the ceremony, Heather wore a gorgeous lace mermaid gown which she found at The Bridal Garden, a not-for-profit bridal boutique in New York City in which all proceeds benefit education for disadvantaged children. "It was awesome to know my purchase went to such a terrific cause! I bought it off the rack and it fit me almost perfectly!" says the bride.

The couple fell in love with The Green Building for its effortlessly beautiful interior and the vintage flair. The Green Building was previously a brass foundry and has beautiful original brick walls, exposed beam ceilings, gold chandeliers, and even a back speakeasy room equipped with vintage decor and red velvet curtains.

Photography: Zorz Studios / Venue: The Green Building / Location: Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, NY / Event Planner: Parties N All LLC / Floral Designer: Boos Floral Showcase / Bakery: CMNY Cakes / Cake Designer: Wafels and Dinges / Dress Designer: Marchesa / Dress Store: The Bridal Garden / Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo Collection / Linens and Coverings: For Your Party / Equipment Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals / Calligrapher: Butler's Pantry Calligraphy / Photo Booth: Good Times PB / Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss / Mens Attire: The Black Tux / Videographer: Kiss The Bride Films / Makeup: Marlena Singh Makeup Artistry / Officiant: Michael Ehrlich / Shoes: Miu Miu / Favors and Gifts: Pope Liquors / Hair Stylist: Pravana Hair Studio / Caterer: Purslane Catering / Jewelry: Rent the Runway / DJ: Rhythm of the Night Entertainment / Transportation: Supreme Valet Parking / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Ultimate Bridesmaid Gift Guide

Your bridesmaids are your closest friends, so you know what kinds of things they love, but it can still be difficult to decide what to get them as a gift for helping you down the aisle. You want to thank them for standing by your side through dress fittings, showers, planning every last little detail, and finally as you exchange your vows - something that they will treasure for years and hopefully use quite a bit. We've collected some fun, affordable bridesmaids gift ideas that your ladies will love to help make the process a little bit easier.

Are your girls always on the go? If she is constantly jetting off to somewhere new - whether for fun or business - chances are she would love a passport holder personalized with her name or initials. If her travel destinations are a little closer to home - think the beach or the gym - she might enjoy one of these super cute embroidered tote bags.

Personalized Nappa Leather USA Passport Holder / Personalized Chevron Buckle Tote Bag / Personalized Hand Bags and Shopping Totes

Is she more inclined to spend the night at home relaxing or pampering herself with spa treatments? A plush or satin embroidered robe is likely to have her overjoyed! As a bonus, you will get to take advantage of all your ladies in adorable robes as you all get ready on the morning of your big day - making for perfect pictures to remember it by.

Embroidered White Plush Spa Robe / Personalized Solid Color Satin Knee Length Bridesmaids Robe / Personalized Floral Satin Bridesmaids Kimono Robe

Wine lovers everywhere are rejoicing over customized wine troughs (printed with initial, names, or a custom line of text). When it isn't being used to keep her favorite wines cool, it doubles as a decorative storage solution in the home. Engraved glassware is always a hit, and can be paired with a bottle of their favorite wine for an extra personal touch.

Custom Printed Rustic Wood Trough Wine Chiller / 4 Pc. Personalized 19 Oz. White Wine Glass Set / 4 Pc. Monogrammed 21 Oz. Stemless Wine Glass Set / 4 Pc. Monogrammed 16 Oz. Stemless Red Wine Glass Set

If she loves entertaining in her home, another fun gift is a unique accessory for entertaining. Gift your girls with a beautiful serving tray or cheese board, or an engraved recipe book or tablet stand. Wood candle holders are perfect for storing silverware once the candles are removed, and a wine trough doubles as a book, mail, or magazine holder. These are gifts that just keep giving, as they are used over and over in her home.

Personalized Rustic Wood Serving Tray / Personalized Stained Rustic Wood Stand / Personalized Gourmet 5 Piece Cheese Board Set with Utensils / Custom Engraved Rustic Wood Holder (shown holding both candles and silverware) / Custom Initial Rustic Wood Wine Trough (shown holding magazines)

15 Gifts Your Groomsmen Will Actually Use

Buying for guys can sometimes be more difficult than shopping for girls - so when it comes to figuring out what to give your groomsmen, it can be tough. You want something that is unique and useful to show your guys how grateful you are to have them standing beside you on your wedding day. We've been there - on the hunt for the perfect gift and having no luck - but we have curated some great ideas that should make your search a little bit easier.

Without further ado, here's 15 of our favorite groomsmen gifts they'll actually use!

Personalized glassware is always a hit - and makes a great addition if your guys have a home bar, or just enjoys having the boys over. Choose from custom engraved beer or whiskey glasses, or opt for a more unique alternative like this viking drinking horn that comes with a specialty stand. Growler sets are ideal for the craft beer or bourbon enthusiast.

Engraved Contemporary Whiskey Glass Set / Personalized Craft Beer Growler & Glassware Set / Engraved Initial Craft Beer Can Glasses / Glass Viking Drinking Horn & Stand / Distillery Craft Growler and Low Ball Glasses Set

These craft beer coolers and carriers are great for toting beer to the bachelor party, couple’s shower and any other manly pre-wedding activities. Choose from several color options and have each groomsman’s initial added to the front for a personal touch!

Wooden Craft Beer Carrier with Bottle Opener / Rustic Wood 6 Pack Craft Beer Bottle Carrier / Personalized Insulated 12 Pack Beer Cooler Bag

Having a destination wedding or just know your groomsmen spend a lot of time on the road? Then these personalized travel accessories may be just the thing to spoil your guys. A personalized passport holder holds and protects passports and travel papers, and is an absolute essential when traveling abroad. Toiletry and grooming kits will be used for years to come as a staple whenever packing for a trip, and a messenger bag holds all of his essentials whether used as a carry-on or for daily commutes.

Engraved Canvas and Leather Travel Kit / Debossed Top Grain Nappa Leather Passport Holder / Grooming Kit in Personalized Leather Travel Case / Personalized Green Canvas & Leather Messenger Bag

Stock the bar of your closest friends with these unique 'Drink Local' accessories - encouraging the support of local breweries and tap-houses. Take your gift over the top by adding a few growlers of their favorite brew. Beer glasses and bottle openers are a huge hit that will be used time after time, and this carrier (complete with growlettes) and sign make quite a statement.

Personalized Drink Local Beer Can Glassware Set / Personalized Drink Local Oval Wood Wall Mount Bottle Opener / Drink Local Personalized Craft Beer Carrier w/ 2 Growlettes / Personalized Drink Local Beer Growler Sign

Blush and Gold Southern Fairytale Real Wedding

Southern fairytale wedding, and they overcame a lot to make their dream a reality. Tara had a near death experience when she was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and spent two nights in the intensive care unit, with Brian by her side the entire time. After she recovered, she decided to take the wedding planning into her own hands instead of using a wedding planner, and we are sure glad she did! The final result is absolutely beautiful.

Pasha Belman Photography skillfully captured every last detail at the Mansfield and Wedgefield Plantations in Georgetown, South Carolina. These historic Southern plantations are filled with live oak trees, making for a dreamy ceremony under a canopy of Spanish moss and a breathtaking reception space to fulfill all of their wedding day wishes. A pink, ivory, and gold color palette gives an incredibly romantic feel to their nuptials. From their darling first look to their sweet first dance, you can see the love these two share, and that they enjoy every second they spend together.

Blush and Gold Southern Fairytale Real Wedding

And that dress... Tara looked stunning in a strapless sweetheart ball gown featuring detailing on the bust and a tiered skirt, not to mention the dreamy blush pink tint. Her bridesmaids matched her look perfectly with strapless blush dresses with draped sweetheart necklines. Brian and his groomsmen looked flawless in black tuxes and bow ties.

Towering white plume feather centerpieces are a sophisticated nod to the 1920s, while other centerpieces feature lush floral arrangements created by Colonial Florist bringing a secret garden feel to the day. Pink table linens are the perfect match for the gold chargers and gold-accented glasses on each table. White Chiavari chairs feature gold cushions to keep guests comfortable while adding a classic look to the reception space.