All time favorites: Lily and John

Since I work in weddings (and it has been apparent to all who know me for a long time that I have a deep love for weddings), I was often asked before we got engaged whether I had my whole wedding planned out. The answer? In a word, no. That's not to say that I didn't have a few thoughts about what I wanted my future wedding to be like, I just didn't have one color scheme, one dress, or one location in mind.

However, I've always had favorite weddings, and while there are very few that fall into that category, but they are all glorious. I thought it might be fun to share my top five weddings from years past with you this week. These are the staples from my inspiration files, and they are no doubt the ones that will influence my and John's wedding. Enjoy!

The wedding I'm sharing today is my oldest favorite (I first saw it in the summer of 2008), but even though it's now three years old, it looks as fresh as the day I first came across it. It's classic and elegant, relaxed but traditional. I love it so much I actually posted about it in my first two months of blogging, but I thought it was worth a re-run.



Gorgeous classic stationery incorporating beautiful calligraphy by Nancy Howell.



I adore the ribbon on her bouquet!



As you all know, I love polka-dot and swiss dot wedding dresses, and Lily's Carolina Herrera was the first one I ever saw.





Sweet little boutonnieres -- I love that they're tied off with ribbon!





So smart to let the groomsmen wear gray suits they already own -- and they look great together.



Married in her home church!



I pretty much die over these -- so classic, yet fresh. Why oh why don't more venues let you toss things?



Custom clutches for the bridesmaids by Lauren Merkin.



Simple yet chic monogrammed napkins.



This image more than any other has probably influenced my wedding style the most -- this looks like the absolute perfect wedding to me.



Love the centerpieces in footed silver bowls.





I know some people are used to seeing vintage china used at weddings now, but I still think Lily and John did it first and best. All of the china used at dinner came from her Mom's private collection!



In love with their cake. Seriously, there's not a detail I don't love from this wedding.



And finally, as if this wedding could get any more perfect, their first dance was to "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin, one of my very favorite songs.

I'll be back with another favorite tomorrow!

All photos by Thayer Photo, and first featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. You can see all of the sources from Lily + John's wedding here, and can see the full gallery of images here.