Wrapping up Handpicked 2014

Now that Handpicked 2014 is officially over, we are already excited for next year! Thank you to everyone who participated, including all of our fabulous vendors who helped make our visions come to life! Our guests deserve a big thank you for coming out as well! And of course a huge thanks to Baci Designer for hosting the second annual Handpicked Event. None of this would have been possible without Amanda, the founder of Baci Designer, who's inspiration and creativity made the event as amazing at it was!

If you didn't get to make it to Handpicked, so many amazing things went down: Boozy snow cones made by our interns, Alyssa and Brigit, chandeliers hanging in trees and amazing lighting by Anna-Jeannine and Justin of Something New Entertainment, breathtaking floral arrangements from Jessica of Blush Custom Weddings, unbelievably tasty gourmet food from the folks of Totally Cooked Catering, unique and timeless china from Carol and Susan of China Cupboard, vintage and eclectic furniture and décor from Anne of Borrow Rentals, the highest quality linens around from Amanda and Jeramy of Sitting Pretty Linens, and our amazing outdoor venue, Hines Hill, thanks to Brittany and the crew from the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

Your sweet tooth would have definitely been satisfied with a delicious and very fun donut bar by Peace, Love and Little Donuts, to-die-for macaroons, chocolates, and dessert shooters from Bittersweet's, and fresh funnel cake fries paired with french toast ice cream from the always so delicious Sweetie Fry!

Aside from all of the delicious and beautiful things going on at Handpicked, we also had meet and greets for our wonderful wedding planners, Melanie of Oak & Honey Events, and Anna of Pretty Miss Events!

In our Styling Suite, there were stunning brooch bouquets and jewelry by Susie Kay's, dress fittings with Karin and Rebecca of Something White, handmade Spanish lace wedding veils by Gloria of The Mantilla Company, and Caroline from the Wandering Wardrobe made an appearance with her trendy truck full of fabulous fashion!

We cannot forget the talented photographers, Renee of Studio Elle Photography, Lauren of Lauren Gabrielle Photography, and Tiffany of Tiffany Luc Photography, and the raddest cinematographer around, RAD Cinematographer, who helped us capture the essence of Handpicked!

If you did attend the event, don't forget to "throw & grow" your seed bomb favors complimentary of Baci Designer!!

Thank you again to Maggie of MKleinmanArtistry and Jordanne for our team's AMAZING makeup and hair!!!

We're wrapping up Handpicked 2014 with a video that Rob of Good Vibrations put together of all the photo booth fun at Handpicked! We cannot thank everyone enough and hope that you are as just excited as we are for future Handpicked Events! :-)

Handpicked 2014 Photo Booth Remix on Vimeo.

Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors| Rad Cinematographer

The Who: Rad Cinematographer

The Deets: we are a crew of rad dudes trying to make rad films

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Good Vibrations

 The Who: Rob and Lisa from Good Vibrations

The Deets: Together, Lisa & I have built Good Vibrations from these ideas focusing on extensive training and high-end equipment to provide the most personalized, smooth running special events in all of Northeast Ohio. The team at Good Vibrations conducts complimentary one-on-one in-person meetings to better understand our client’s dreams for their wedding reception or important event. Our event insight, highly trained personable DJs, custom playlists, and modern equipment are key to our happy clients. We would love the opportunity to learn more about your special occasion and discuss how we can set the tone for a successful event.

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Getting To Know Your Handpicked Vendors| Pretty Miss Events

The Who:  Anna Goldstone and David Moorman of Pretty Miss Events

The Deets:  Pretty Miss Events is a fine art event company featuring a no-fuss editorial style approach to impeccably planned and beautifully designed weddings and events. We offer our clients exceptional and responsive service, creative ingenuity and undistracted attention to detail to create events that truly reflect their personality. Our menu of services include full service and partial planning, day-of-coordination and many more. We are a new proud member of Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book of vendors and look forward to serving and meeting with the couples at Handpicked! 

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2014 Handpicked Schedule of Events

HOORAY!  Today is the day - 2014 Handpicked | A Different Kind of Bridal Event is here!!  Best.  Day.  Ever.

A few awesome things we thought you should know (because, you know, you're awesome!):

1)  Vendor Appointments available for you to get in some one-on-one time with the following fabulous vendors.

** Dress Fitting with Karin & Rebecca of Something White, A Bridal Boutique - Yes, the gowns will be there AND you can try them on!
** Makeup Consultation with Maggie of MKleinmanArtistry - Chat with the best makeup lady around about your big day look!
** Dress Your Table with Amanda & Jeramy of Sitting Pretty Linens - Don't know the first thing about linens?  You'll be in good hands with these two!
** Planner’s Corner with Melanie of Oak & Honey Events + Anna of Pretty Miss Events - Looking to hire a planner, but don't know where to start?  Having a major dilemma about a certain area of your wedding?  These two rockin' chicks are here to help!

Bonus:  If you buy advanced purchase tickets you get first dibs at booking these appointments - just follow the link in your post-purchase message!!  At the event, look for the Appointments Sign in each of these vendor's areas.


2)  Stop by the Stone Cottage throughout the night for Vendor Meet + Greets - learn a little bit more about them and their businesses in a super casual environment!  

6:45 P.M. Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals
7:00 P.M. China Cupboard
7:30 P.M. Tiffany Luc Photography
7:45 P.M. Studio Elle Photography
8:00 P.M. Lauren Gabrielle Photography

P.S.  Visit with all the other great vendors in or around their designated areas (found on the map you'll get when you arrive)!


3)  Experience Live Consultations with a few special vendors - show up early and maybe you'll be the lucky bride or groom to have their wedding incorporated into the consultation!

7:20 P.M. MKleinmanArtistry Live Makeup Demonstration on Stone Cottage Patio
8:15 P.M. Baci Designer Live Consultation in Stone Cottage
8:45 P.M. Something New Entertainment Live Consultation in Stone Cottage


A few other amazing things of note:

**  Hines Hill Guided Tours Available at 7:00 P.M., 8:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. - Starting at the Welcome Area
**  Welcome Greetings From Amanda of Baci Designer in the Reception Tent at 7:15 P.M.
**  Outdoor Cinema Viewing Begins at 9:15 P.M.


Oh, and since we'll be outside in the grass, you might want to leave your heels at home!

Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors| China Cupboard

The Who: China Cupboard 

The Deets: In China many of the elements of design, color, and form become works of beauty that we love and we hope that you do also. So, we have selected and collected vintage and, in some cases, antique china to use for your most important occasions and celebrations. Also, where appropriate, we add a few modern pieces to provide an interesting connection between old and new. Whatever your needs are, we will select, or help you select, place settings perfectly appropriate for your important occasions. 

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Sweetie Fry

The Who: Sweetie Fry

The Deets:  Sweetie Fry is ran by Keith Logan, a Cleveland Heights resident, who left corporate America behind in search of something sweeter. Keith began his soul searching quest to discover his next career which took him on a journey to taste some of the world’s best ice cream. On the last day of ice cream season, Keith ended up at a place called Tubby’s, voted New England’s finest. Keith loved the ice cream, and Tubby liked Keith so he became Keith’s mentor. Since then, Keith has graduated from the Penn State Ice Cream program and completed a course taught by two of the world’s top ice cream experts, all so he could make your favorite flavor better than you’ve ever tasted it before.And then there are the fries. Fries are another type of food which excites people. Just like great ice cream, there is something really special about a great french fry and so, Keith set out to make the perfect fry. He learned about pectin and starch, elasticity, crisp and more. From this, SweetieFry established a 7-step process that creates french fries with a great crispy exterior and a light fluffy interior. Sweety Fry is extending their business from a regular restaurant to a sweet treat catering company at weddings and other events.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Lauren Gabrielle Photography

The Who: Lauren Bota, owner and photographer of Lauren Gabrielle Photography

The Deets: Lauren Gabrielle uses a simple, modern and fresh approach to capturing your most precious wedding day memories from a unique and artistic perspective. She focuses on creating images in an editorial and storytelling fashion, preserving memorable moments for her couples.

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Getting To Know Your Handpicked Vendors | The Mantilla Company

The Who: The Mantilla Company

The Deets: The Mantilla Company offers a large selection of handmade, quality, authentic Spanish lace wedding veils at affordable prices. Browse through short and long lengths and luxurious European laces such as French Alencon! Whether you choose to shop online or schedule an in-home appointment, we look forward to helping you find just what you’re looking for! 

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Peace Love & Little Donuts

The Who: Robin, owner of Peace, Love & Little Donuts

The Deets: Peace, Love & Little Donuts specializes in gourmet donuts made fresh daily. We can add fun and deliciousness to your special event either by providing beautiful donut arrangements or by having a fresh donut bar where we will decorate donuts to order right on the spot for your guests!  Everyone gets exactly what they want with types like, apple pie, maple bacon, turtle cheesecake, raspberry lemonade, s'mores, samoa, and banana pudding to name only a few possibilities! 

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets

The Who: Susan, the owner of Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets

 

The Deets: Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets is a Brooch Bouquet and Jewelry Designer, located in Canton Ohio. Creating unique bouquets using your own sentimental jewelry pieces, or items from a very vast collection are what makes these bouquets and brooches simply amazing.  Susie Kay's has a passion to re-purpose and create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces to "have and to hold" forever. Susie Kay's has an addiction to all things vintage and sparkly, and is always on the hunt for treasures.  Keepsake Bouquets are so special and sentimental, and we are honored to create something that is such a special feature in a wedding.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | The Wandering Wardrobe

The Who: Caroline, owner of The Wandering Wardrobe

The Deets: The Wandering Wardrobe is Cleveland's first shop on wheels! Step in and shop this retired delivery truck that has been transformed in to a boutique carrying fashion forward women's clothes and accessories. We launched in May 2014 and will be wandering all over Northeast Ohio bringing the latest trends to you!

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Blush Custom Weddings

The Who: Jessica Colon, Owner

The Deets:  Blush Custom Weddings was created in 2009 to focus solely on weddings! Designing for over seventeen years, Owner Jessica Colon followed her passion for weddings. Blush has designed over 250 weddings since opening and our passion is shown in the quality and detail of each wedding. Creating beautiful wedding flowers for weddings as intimate as twenty-five and as grand as five hundred, Blush serves all of Northeast Ohio and beyond and is a full service wedding florist.  We pride ourselves in bringing your vision to life and getting to know our couples and their stories. 

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Hines Hill | Handpicked Venue Highlight

We're thrilled to be hosting Handpicked at Hines Hill this year - it's an incredibly unique venue that we are thrilled to help show off!  Learn a little bit more about the history of the space with a venue highlight from Brittany, the Hines Hill Event Coordinator! 

Photo Courtesy of Lindsey Beckwith Photography

Hines Hill is a truly rustic setting nestled in our Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  There are many unique features and buildings to enjoy for all types of special events.  The entire campus was built before 1900 and was originally owned by the Jaite Family of Jaite Packaging.  After a series of other owners, Bobby Gioia purchased the property in the 1970s and began reconstruction.  Being a demolition contractor, he was able to take pieces of other buildings and create the beautiful patchwork that we now call the Hines Hill Campus today.  You can see pieces from all over Cleveland including the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Case Western Reserve Infirmary, and the original East Tech High School. 

The Hines Hill Conference Center is an 1800's bank barn hosting many original architectural features as well as beautiful updated woodwork and stained glass windows.  Your guests will be transported to a simpler time while still enjoying modern amenities such as plumbing and WiFi.  The Stone Cottage will take your breath away with its charming features and architectural delights.  It was the original chicken coop on the property, but has certainly transformed.  With lush woodwork, a fireplace, and two stone patios, your guests will feel cozy and comfortable year-round. The Hines Hill Campus is located just seconds away from the towpath, and minutes from park landmarks such as Boston Store and Brandywine Falls.

We look forward to sharing our space at Handpicked, and are excited for you to be able to enjoy one of Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Extraordinary Spaces.

Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Something White, A Bridal Boutique

The Who: Rebecca and Karin of Something White

The Deets: Something White, a bridal boutique in Northeast Ohio, offers a curated selection of couture wedding gowns with styles ranging from rustic and whimsical to modern and preppy, plus fabulous jewelry finds, stylish bridesmaid dresses, and more! Something White is also the host of the Boutique Bridal Bazaar, an annual avant-garde bridal fair in the Cleveland area.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Tiffany Luc Photography

The Who: Tiffany Luc, Photographer

The Deets: “Tiffany Luc is a love-loving wedding photographer located in Akron, OH, while serving all of Northeast Ohio and beyond. Her approach to weddings is based on a solid relationship, ensuring that she will know her couples well enough to anticipate the candid moments that make up their favorite images. Tiffany’s fresh style appeals to even the trendiest bride while remaining classic enough to be cherished for a lifetime."

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Brand New Styling Suite!

We are completely thrilled to announce that Handpicked will incorporate a Styling Suite to the event this year! The Styling Suite is new to the event and will allow you to browse, buy and take home accessories right then and there! So far, our confirmed vendors are Something White - A Bridal Boutique, Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets, The Mantilla Company and The Wandering Wardrobe! We cannot wait and hope that you agree! Handpicked will be here sooner than you think so get ready and get excited!!! :-)

Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Studio Elle Photography

The Who: Renee Cleavenger, Owner and Photographer

The Deets:  Studio Elle Photography loves everything about photography & weddings! They truly enjoy being able to capture such important, meaningful moments and to be a part of each couples wedding day. We are genuinely excited to get to know their brides & grooms and help them relive their wedding day through their photos! Studio Elle enjoys to incorporate film into their photography for an authentic, fine-art quality. We believe in creating a wonderful experience for our clients, helping them through the photography process from start to finish. Photography has taught us to find beauty in just about everything, which is what we love most about being artists!

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Sitting Pretty Linens

The Who: Amanda and Jeramy, owners of Sitting Pretty Linens

The Deets: With over 15 years of experience in the chair cover and specialty linen rental field, Sitting Pretty Linens prides themselves on not only their wide selection of products but also the quality of products and services provided. Sitting Pretty Linens is located in Akron and services Akron, Canton, Cleveland and surrounding areas. Sitting Pretty Linens is the premier Northeast Ohio full-service chair cover and specialty linen rental company that would be delighted and honored to take part in your special day! Sitting Pretty Linens offers top-notch customer service from your first call to your final detail, allowing you to relax and enjoy your event with confidence that the full-service staff will deliver. They take the utmost pride in their rental products which are all laundered, pressed and processed on-site by their qualified, professional laundry staff. Sitting Pretty Linens is a family-owned and operated business with an ever-expanding, extensive inventory consisting of chair covers, sashes, table linens, overlays, napkins, napkin rings, charger plates, backdrops and up-lighting. Visit their website to view their fabric and event galleries. Contact them to schedule an appointment to visit their showroom in Akron for a personal consultation. Call today to create YOUR vision with Sitting Pretty Linens!

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Ticket Giveaways!

That's right! Our friends are so excited about Handpicked that they are giving out a few free tickets to some future lucky winners! ;-)

Ticket giveaways are located on A Lovely Little Blog (ending on June 11th), Dancing Lanterns (ending on June 16th) and at Baci Designer (ending on June 18th)! Don't miss out on your chance to win!

Update on Handpicked Vendors

We're beyond delighted about our confirmed vendors!

- Baci Designer

- Bittersweet's Chocolate and Pastry

- Blush Custom Weddings

- Borrow Rentals

- Hines Hill {Conservancy for CVNP}
- Lauren Gabrielle Photography

- MKleinman Artistry

- Oak & Honey Events

- Sitting Pretty Linens

- Something New Entertainment 

- Something White, A Bridal Boutique

- Studio Elle Photography

- Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets

- Tiffany Luc Photography

- Totally Cooked Catering

- The Wandering Wardrobe

We're still on the look for awesome vendors in these categories: 

- Hair Studio

- Photo Booth

- Cinematography

- Menswear

If you are interested fill out our Vendor Application Form. We would love to hear from you! 

Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Oak & Honey Events

The Who: Melanie Tindell, Wedding Planner

The Deets:  Oak & Honey is a sustainable wedding planning business that specializes in unique weddings with a local focus. Our mission: we design intimate details honoring your style with a locally sourced approach. Oak & Honey will provide top-notch customer service to provide clients with answers to their questions as soon as possible. We understand that planning a wedding is stressful and want to stand out with our incredible response times and personal touch we offer our clients.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Totally Cooked Catering

The Who: Kristin Yoho - Director of Special Events, Sara Nitzsche - Assistant Event Coordinator


The Deets: Totally Cooked takes weddings seriously. Addressing every detail with the utmost attention and care, we work with you to create the wedding you’ve been dreaming of. Our creative Event Coordinators will partner with you to personalize every aspect of your wedding day. From designing the menu and suggesting a service style that best reflects your vision, to working with your wedding design team on the décor, entertainment and rentals, Totally Cooked will make your wedding a flawless expression of you. Consider Totally Cooked to help plan and cater your rehearsal dinner, wedding reception, breakfast and lunch for the bridal party, cocktail hour or brunch the next day.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | MKleinmanArtistry

The Who: Maggie Kleinman, owner/stylist of MKleinmanArtistry

The Deets: MKleinmanArtistry is a mobile makeup artistry service with 8 years of training and experience providing makeup applications for Brides and their parties, Photo/TV/Video/Film, runway, special occasions, false lash application and more. Maggie has been trained by and worked for MAC Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, Smashbox, Laura Mercier and Shu Umura. Maggie’s laid back and outgoing personality puts her clients at ease. Her attention to detail and precise color and product recommendations are two great qualities Maggie displays. She sees each face she touches as a new blank canvas to create on. She truly has a passion for what she does and makes every client feel like they are the most important person on their special day. MKleinmanArtistry was even awarded the Bride's Choice award for 2013 and 2014 from Wedding Wire for her outstanding work!

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Hines Hill

The Who: Brittany Mullett, Hines Hill Events Coordinator

The Deets: The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a non-profit organization created to engage public support for the park and provide services to enhance public use and enjoyment of the park. The Conservancy aspires to engage the public as advocates, volunteers, and philanthropic supporters to ensure that Cuyahoga Valley National Park achieves its full benefit to the citizens of Northeast Ohio and the nation. Our guest services department strives to enhance your park experience by providing extraordinary spaces and experiences through weddings and special events at both Happy Days Lodge and our Hines Hill Campus.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Bittersweet's

The Who: Todd Horvath, Executive Chef {He makes things} and Gwyneddh Jones, General Manager {She makes things work}

The Deets: Bittersweet's is a husband and wife team with the best staff ever, dessert revolutionaries of the highest order, and they pledge to never take ourselves too seriously.  If you're not like anyone else, why should your wedding cake look like anyone else's?  Bittersweet's honors love and commitment in every form and will make sure your cake is as unique as you are!  From a five-tiered showstopper to the kitschy charm of a tray of cupcakes, they pride themselves on giving their brides and grooms exactly what they want.  Let Bittersweet's create something for you . . . unusual, glorious you!

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals LLC

The Who: Ann King, owner/president of Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals LLC

The Deets: BORROW® is a custom rental house for beautiful and unique furniture and accessories. The pieces range from rustic vintage wares to one of a kind up-cycled wood furniture. They love working for clients and providing them with one-of-a-kind options to create a truly spectacular occasion filled with wonderful design. They are dedicated to every planner, event organizer, bride and home stager, on any budget! 

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Vendors | Something New Entertainment

The Who: Anna-Jeannine and Justin, Something New Entertainment's Headline Entertainers and Lighting Design Gurus!

The Deets: Something New Entertainment is a couture entertainment boutique available throughout the Greater Northeast Ohio area and beyond specializing in wedding entertainment. 

Guests at Something New weddings know firsthand the experience of the Something New Difference — a moving evening of meaningful entertainment custom-tailored to each couple, stirring and memorable for both you and your guests.  Something New Entertainment creates exceptional events for extraordinary couples.

Known for its for highly-individualized services suites including wedding ceremony and reception amplification and accompaniment, entertainment coordination, and entertainment direction services, as well as a wide variety of professionally designed decor lighting and licensed officiant services, Something New Entertainment's customized blend of production and design services with a personal touch will help you take your event vision from dream to reality through careful planning, receptive brainstorming, elegant design, high-fidelity audio, tasteful vocal and microphone work, and creative direction.

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Getting to Know Your Handpicked Host | Baci Designer

The Who:  Amanda Cursaro, Stationery and Event Designer.  You might also see Ilario - my hubby and Baci's technology guru, Jami - my sister and Assistant Stylist, Caitlin - Baci's Assistant Stylist, Brigit - Baci's Styling Intern and Alyssa - Baci's Graphic Design Intern :o)

The What:  I love making things pretty, it's as simple as that :o)  It all started with my own wedding, almost seven years ago (Wow, how did that happen??), when my passion for beautiful paper pieces and a personalized wedding style evolved into what is know today as Baci Designer.  I love getting to know my clients on a personal level and creating a wedding design that perfectly reflects them.  I also adore getting to work with so many other talented individuals in the industry!

In my down time (Down time?  What's that, lol!), I enjoy reading magazines and watching the latest movie snuggled on the couch with my hubby, our giant cat Morris and our little man, Greyson.  We are expecting Baby #2 in late July and are thrilled to be adding to our family!

The Why:  Since moving back to Northeast Ohio from Charlotte, North Carolina in 2008, I've felt the local area deserved more - more credit for the presence of truly talented wedding vendors who believe that each wedding should be unique to the couple getting married and not just what is expected of them.  The vendors who aren't "wedding factories", but instead believe in thinking outside of the box for each and every event.  Handpicked is here to showcase those fabulous vendors!

One of my favorite images from 2013 Handpicked by Lauren Gabrielle Photography: