Photo by Sarah DiCicco Photography

We’ve been planning something big for the beginning of 2015, and are over the moon to finally be sharing the news! In years past, we’ve put together blog posts for our favorite weddings, but we have yet to give out awards or compile a full collection of our favorites. This year will mark the first of our Junebug Weddings Choice Awards, and we can’t wait to celebrate some of the most beautiful, artistic, and influential moments from 2014.

All winners will receive a winner’s badge, as well as placement in our 2014 Junebug Weddings Choice Awards e-magazine, which will hit the internet on January 5th.

If you or someone you know has done some fantastic work in the past year, N O M I N A T E! We will be accepting nominations until December 15th for the following categories:

• Best Wedding
• Best Elopement
• Best Bridal Style
• Best Bridal Hair and Makeup
• Best Wedding Party Style
• Best Groom Style
• Best Floral Design
• Best Bouquet
• Best Boutonniere
• Best Ceremony
• Best Reception
• Best Table Decor
• Best Wedding Cake
• Best Moment
• Best Wedding Video

View the Official Rules & Nominate someone worthy today!

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There was a time when being a bride required an up-do, but Junebug celebrates the fact that modern brides can choose to let their hair down. From beachy waves to vintage curls, here are a few of our favorite wedding hairstyles worn down.

Photographs by Alison Conklin Photography and C&I Photographers

Over-the-shoulder – A popular look among vintage-inspired brides, the over-the-shoulder look is the definition of demure. This style is best for brides with medium to thick hair and with length past the shoulders. Let your curls relax near the nape of your neck and keep the ringlets more tightly wound at your ends. Add a flower or barrette, or keep it plain, and you’ll look beautiful both in person and in your photos.

Photo by Jules Photography

Softly twisted – If you’re an non-fussy bride, softly twisting your hair away from your face is a lovely wedding day style. Simply style your hair the way you want it to look and pin a couple of twists from right around your face to the back of your head. It’s a good idea to find bobby pins in a shade that matches your hair color, or style your twists with a vintage clip or even fresh flowers.

Photos by Therese Winberg and Geoff Duncan

Floral crown – Speaking of fresh flowers, one of the easiest and most popular hair trends is, of course, the flower crown. This is the perfect style for bohemian, low-key, and DIY brides who want the tradition of a headpiece without opting for a veil. Brides who wear floral crowns often choose loose waves for a more natural look.

Photos by Adam Alex and Milou + Olin Photography

Something sparkly – For elegant brides with luxurious taste, finding a sparkly headpiece for your wedding day will add the extra special touch every part of your wedding deserves. Avoid princess tiaras by selecting headpieces with vintage, whimsical, or art deco vibes, like jeweled combs and crystal halos.

You should feel the most beautiful on your wedding day, so don’t forget to test out your bridal hair style in advance to work out any issues you might run into. For more bridal hair inspiration, see some of our favorite Junebug brides with fabulous wedding hairstyles .

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From the bride’s straw hat to the couples’ floral prints and general carefree attire, we are loving the adventure and whimsy of Gina and Mike’s wanderlust engagement shoot. Captured beautifully by Ash Imagery , these photos are sure to leave you basking in a Huck Finn daydream.

Thanks Gina and Mike for sharing! We are definitely looking forward to the wedding. In need of more adventure and wanderlust inspiration? Check out Alice and Chris’ Fun-Filled Engagement Session .

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We hope you enjoyed Tuesday’s article on beauty advice for brides – we had so much fun putting it together with Los Angeles makeup artist Tammy Yi . Today, in part 2 of her guest post series, Tammy is sharing some of her all-time favorite, must-have bridal beauty products, not to mention more fabulous advice for getting a glowing complexion and a radiant wedding look.

(Photo by Chelsea Patricia from Junebug’s Fashion Forward Photography Workshop )

Tammy ‘s decade of experience in the bridal beauty realm prove one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt – she knows her beauty products! Let’s hear from her why she never leaves her brides without these beauty essentials…

In the Primer of Life:Hydration and skin balance is key to how your makeup is going to wear. If your skin is too dry, it will eat up your makeup and if your skin is too oily, it will break up your makeup. There are so many great primers and moisturizers out there, so find what works best with your skin type. My suggestion is if you are oily try Hourglass – Veil Mineral Primer from Barneys New York , and if you are dry try Laura Mercier ‘Hydrating’ Foundation Primer from Nordstrom .

A Solid Foundation: Your foundation is so crucial to the overall look of your makeup. To look flawless, yet not over done, foundation plays a big part. I love Dior ‘Diorskin Airflash’ Spray Foundation from Nordstrom .

Beauty in the Blend: BeautyBlender ‘Pure’ Makeup Sponge Applicator & Cleanser from Nordstrom is a great tool for applying foundation and blending.

Dior ‘Diorskin Airflash’ Spray Foundation , Hourglass – Veil Mineral Primer , Laura Mercier ‘Hydrating’ Foundation Primer , BeautyBlender ‘Pure’ Makeup Sponge Applicator & Cleanser

Matters of Contour: For a light contour you can use powder bronzers, but for serious contour you will need to use foundation sticks or concealer sticks. Pick one that is at least three shades darker then your skin tone and one that is at least three shades lighter than your skin tone for highlighting. I suggest Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick from Nordstrom .

Hitting the Highlights: A highlighting concealer is your best friend in your makeup bag. Use one that is light weight so it doesn’t crease around the eyes. It works as an eraser around the eyes and lips. I suggest Yves Saint Laurent ‘Touche Éclat’ Radiant Touch from Nordstrom .

We’re All Set: Use a setting powder that is light weight. You need to set your makeup before applying any pigment or color on your face to ensure wear power and blendability. I suggest NARS ‘Light Reflecting’ Loose Setting Powder or NARS ‘Light Reflecting’ Pressed Setting Powder both from Nordstrom . It is talc free and doesn’t matte you out too much.

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick , NARS ‘Light Reflecting’ Loose Setting Powder , NARS ‘Light Reflecting’ Pressed Setting Powder , Yves Saint Laurent ‘Touche Éclat’ Radiant Touch

Draw the Line:Make sure to use a waterproof eyeliner. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack from Nordstrom is a good go to.

Hey There Bright Eyes: A nude or flesh tone eyeliner in the inner rim of your eye will give a more open look to your eye. Try Chanel Le Crayon Khôl Intense Eye Pencil from Nordstrom .

Raising a Few Brows: When filling in your brow, use a tone that matches the lightest tone in your hair. That will give a natural effect to your brows. Anastasia Beverly Hills ‘Brow Wiz’ Mechanical Brow Pencil from Nordstrom has a good variety of colors.

Walk the Tight Line: Tight lining the eye is one of my favorite eye tricks. Fill in the liner at the root of the lashes – it will give you a natural line and a full lash look. Laura Mercier ‘Tightline’ Cake Eyeliner from Nordstrom works great for this.

Laura Mercier ‘Tightline’ Cake Eyeliner , MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack , Beverly Hills ‘Brow Wiz’ Mechanical Brow Pencil , Chanel Le Crayon Khôl Intense Eye Pencil

A huge thank you to our beauty expert from the City of Angels – Tammy is beyond amazing and we love her incredible work!

(Photo by Spark & Flame Photography from Junebug’s Fashion Forward Photography Workshop )

Don’t forget to check out Tammy Yi ‘s contribution on bridal beauty advice from earlier this week – you don’t want to miss it!

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The vintage inspired wedding dresses from Claire Pettibone’s Spring 2014 bridal collection are, as always, delicate, intricate, and incredibly romantic. The epitome of pretty! Layers of chantilly, guipure, silk and vintage laces are combined with beading and floral details for rich texture in flowing, feminine dress shapes. Which one is your favorite?

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As a former dancer myself, I know well the power of regular ballet classes to transform muscles and create an amazing overall feeling of strength and poise. That’s why I love the approach of Pure Barre – for myself, and for anyone looking to feel better in their body. Pure Barre is an exercise system created by a dancer and choreographer that uses small isometric movements at the ballet barre to lift your seat, tone your thighs, abs and arms, and burn fat in a way that’s fun and centering at the same time. What could be better for a bride-to-be?

The Junebug team recently made a little visit to the Pure Barre studio in Queen Anne, Seattle to have owner Sami Dinsmore Sweeney (the stunning fitness guru seen below) give us a lesson for a wedding workout to share with you. Our models for the day were the lovely Amy and Emily – our very own Junebug team members – who bravely tried out these new movements, on camera, in leggings and tank tops, and looked gorgeous doing it. (Bravo and thank you girls!) If you’re looking for some new moves to feel more toned, connected and confident, try these out! And check out PureBarre.com to see if there’s a studio in your area. Group classes are a fantastic way to feel motivated and supported while you’re reaching your health and fitness goals.

Push Up Variations – Targets chest, arms and shoulders

Variation 1: Starting in a straight arm plank, rotate fingers in towards each other. Lower down 2 counts, extend arms 2 counts. Repeat 10x.

Variation 2: Bring knees to the ground, heels in toward the seat. Place hands directly beneath the shoulders. As arms bend down, keep elbows close to the sides to target the backs of the arms. Extend to straight arms, then repeat 10x to targets triceps.

Straight Arm Plank – Targets abs and arms

Place hands below shoulders, arms straight. Pull right leg into chest and create little pulsing movements as you repeatedly pull the knee into the chest, firing from the abs. Continue to pulse knee in for 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat with left leg.

Knee Dancing – Targets thighs

Sit on your heels, bringing knees a hip distance apart. Lift your seat off your heels a couple inches, then lower and tap seat lightly to the heels. As hips lift, tuck the hips under. Lower and lift seat repeatedly for 2 minutes.

Wide Second – Targets inner and outer thighs

Hold onto a chair for support, bring legs wider than shoulder distance. Rise to your tippy toes, then bend your knees and bring your hips down towards knee level. Lower hips down 2 inches, then lift 2 inches for 60 seconds. Then reduce the movement to down 1 inch, up 1 inch 60 seconds. Repeat for 3 minutes.

Pretzel – Targets outer seat and lower back

Sit with knees bent, right leg in front and left leg behind you. Place hands either on the ground in front of you, or lift in the air for more of a challenge. Rotate left hip forward, attempting to lift ankle higher than the knee. Lift left leg up an inch then down an inch for 30 seconds. Rest for 15 seconds, then repeat 4x. Switch sides to complete series.

Standing with Straight Leg in Turnout, and with Bent Leg – Targets outer seat and thigh

Bring right hand to a chair for support. Bend right knee and bring left leg straight behind you on a diagonal. Point toes and pulse the leg up for 30 seconds. Rest for 15 seconds, then repeat with left leg bent. Switch sides to complete series.

Table top – Targets seat

Come to hands and knees. Bend left knee, bringing your heel in towards your seat. Flex foot and press up, pressing with the glutes and not the leg. Press up for 30 seconds. Rest for 15 seconds and then repeat 4x. Switch sides to complete series.

Back Extension – Targets lower back

Lie face down, squeeze seat as you extend arms and legs long, lifting off floor. Hold still for 60 seconds.

Back Dancing – Targets seat and thighs

Lie on back, bend knees and lift hips into a bridge. Lower and lift hips, squeezing glutes on the lift for 60 seconds. Rise to your tippy toes and repeat for 60 seconds.

Now if that doesn’t get your muscles burning, I don’t know what will! Incorporate these exercises into your own fitness routine and let us know what you think.

Seattle residents, we love the Pure Barre studio in Queen Anne where we shot this session (we’re proud to count them as members of Junebug), and it’s also a fantastic little spot to pick up cute workout gear. They sell pieces from Pure Barre, Splits 59 and Mondetta Performance Gear that we couldn’t get enough of (Amy and Emily just had to try some on as you can see here, and getting them out of those super-soft sweatshirts after the shoot was no easy task!) Pure Barre has a University Village and Bellevue location as well, and many others all around the country.

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