AELO Alumni | Jennifer + Christopher, 11/17/19

VENUE: LOFT LUCIA | PHOTOGRAPHER: BECCA HEUER PHOTOGRAPHY | CATERING: COCINA FUSION | DJ: OKYNE MEDIA LAB | FLORALS: BLOOMINOUS | HAIR: SUZI COATES | MAKEUP: MADELYNN LEEHMAN | PIES: BANG BANG PIE SHOP

What an incredible way to close out our TENTH season! Jen + Chris are two of the sweetest people ever, and we had the best time with them. Their vows had everyone in Loft Lucia emotional. These two are filled with joy just by being together. They are surrounded by some pretty amazing people, too. Both of their families and all of their friends are kind and lovely. It would be easy to gush on forever, but we’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Beautiful.

Congratulations, cuties! We’re so happy we were a part of your day!

AELO Alumni | Kristi + Randall, 6/15/19

VENUE: CITY WINERY | FLORALS: FLOWERS FOR DREAMS | PHOTGRAPHER: CATHY + DAVID PHOTOGRAPHY | VIDEO: REM VIDEOGRAPHY | MAKEUP + HAIR: RAREBIRD BEAUTIES | BAND: ORCHESTRA 33 | PHOTOBOOTH: HIPSTR

They say rain on your wedding day is good luck. Well then that means Kristi and Randall are in for a marriage full of luck! They didn't let the rain ruin their special day.  City View Loft even closed the restaurant to the public so that they could have plenty of room to have their ceremony indoors.   As part of Japanese culture, Kristi folded 1000 cranes to use at her wedding! The crane is a traditional symbol of love in Japan, and they are often a symbol used in weddings.  From the breathtaking chuppah to the centerpieces to the cake topper, there wasn't a time you didn't see these beautiful pieces of origami. You could tell how much love was in the room for these two. The speeches were filled with stories of love for these two. After dinner, guests were able to dance the night away to the lively music of Orchestra 33.  The dance floor was filled all night! Congratulations again to Kristi and Randall.  We wish you many many years of love and laughter. 

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AELO Styled Shoot | What Kind Of Bride Are You?

HAIR + MAKEUP: WE ONLY DO PRETTY | PHOTOGRAPHY: CODILLO PHOTOGRAPHY | VIDEOGRAPHY: KATHY RAMIREZ FILMS | FLORIST: DESIGNS BY JANET | DRESSES (EXCEPT BLUE): DIANA’S BRIDAL | SUIT: THE GROOMSMAN SUIT | CALLIGRAPHY: NB MODERN CALLIGRAPHY | VENUE: BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER | MODELS: STACY PALUMBO, LAUREN WISNIEWSKI, KATE MALCOLM, JENNIFER VASQUEZ, SAMANTHA MULLANEY, MONICA BAILEY

We can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since this incredible styled photo shoot. Check out our feature over on Offbeat Bride! We did this gorgeous shoot (it’s just a little taste here!) with some amazing vendors and the results were absolutely beautiful.

As wedding industry professionals, we understand that brides constantly get shown that there is only one way to be a bride. Traditions stemming from decades of weddings -- what our parents did, Queen Victoria's white dress, De Beers engagement ring marketing campaign -- have all contributed to people getting married in the same ways, often not knowing why something was even started as a tradition. In this photoshoot, we wanted to highlight the characteristics that make each of us different. We put out a call to real people, everyone who is getting married, has gotten married, or dreams of partnering up for life and received some amazing responses. 

These six very different people are all comfortable in their own skin and proud to be who they are. Their personalities, environments, life experience, and obstacles they've faced have shaped them to be the brides they are today. We as vendors know that a wedding is a celebration of who you are as a couple and as individuals choosing to love each other for life. There is no right or wrong way to be a bride, there is only the love we have for one another. We wanted to highlight and celebrate their diversity, and the diversity of all of us.

AELO Alumni | Beth + Amy, 10/26/19

VENUE: ARTIFACT EVENTS | PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH PETERS PHOTOGRAPHY | CATERING: JORDAN’S FOOD OF DISTINCTION | DJ: GROOVE IS IN THE HEART | FLORIST: LINDA LAAKE DESIGNS | LIGHTING: EVENT BRILLIANCE | CAKE: JENNIVEE’S BAKERY | HAIR + MAKEUP: WE ONLY DO PRETTY

Beth + Amy are two of the kindest, lovely humans you’ll ever meet. It was such an incredible joy getting to witness their wedding! They’re so in love and are surrounded by some pretty awesome people, too. We loved their ceremony under a chuppah made by Beth’s parents, the sweetest toast from Amy’s mom, and some SERIOUS dance moves to songs special to the family. Their guests had a blast with the insta-max camera, and even the all-day rain couldn’t deter how much fun they had. Beautiful.

Congratulations, Beth + Amy! We know you and all of your pets are going to have a wonderful life together!

AELO Alumni | Laura + Steven, 10/19/19

VENUE: LACUNA ARTIST LOFTS | PHOTOGRAPHY: VICTORIA SPRUNG PHOTOGRAPHY | DJ: STYLE MATTERS DJS | FLOWERS: COSTCO

Steve and Laura had a beautiful day for their October wedding at Lacuna Artists lofts. They are two of the sweetest, most genuine people you will ever meet, so it was an absolute pleasure making sure their big day was nothing short of amazing. They started their event off with a welcome hour on the roof top.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect for it! Once their guest made their way to the ceremony space, guests were greeted with a "ring warming" station.  This is where guests would hold the couple's rings in their hands and warm the rings with blessings for the couple's marriage. Once the ceremony began, Steve and Laura stood in front of a beautiful arch made of copper piping that the groom made and underneath an eccentric christmas light chandelier that a friend made. The groom looked sharp in his maroon suede jacket and matching maroon Jordan's. One thing you can say about Laura and Steve's wedding is that it was colorful.  From their tattoo inspired decor that a friend designed with Steve and Laura to their amazing cake, color was not lacking! After dinner, guests had the chance to snap a photo in front of their wall of 45's.  They even created a crown decorating table for the kids at the wedding which was a hit.  Guests were on the dance floor all night long but some guests were able to sneak up stairs to the roof top again and enjoy a soft pretzel for a late night snack.  This night was filled with fun, laughter, and lots of love!