#realchicbride Margarita in Berta / Wedding in Cartagena
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Our journey began 12 years ago on a high school trip to San Andrés, Colombia. At the time I was completely unaware that we had just met the love of my life. We started dating back then, but as life often does, it led us in different directions for college. Years passed, and fate intervened when we reunited in New York eight years ago. This time, it was different. We had grown, we had changed, but our connection had only deepened.
The proposal was magical. It happened on a private beach in Miami, a place that has always felt like home away from home for me. I love being close to the ocean, so having such an intimate moment by the water made it even more special. Just when I thought the night couldn't get any better, he surprised me with a beautiful dinner where my closest family members, who had flown in from Colombia, were waiting to celebrate with us. It was perfect, emotional, and filled with so much love.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
At the start, I had always dreamed of an oceanfront wedding, something outdoors, with the sea breeze and sunset as our backdrop. But I knew that getting married in my hometown of Cartagena meant embracing the warm Caribbean climate, so we pivoted. Instead of a fully outdoor wedding, we created a perfect balance of an elegant open-air dinner followed by an indoor party.
Looking back, the final result was entirely different from my original vision, but it turned out to be exactly what I wanted. When we found the Teatro Heredia, a stunning colonial-era theater in the heart of Cartagena’s historic district, everything fell into place. The venue embodied the soul of the city; charm, history, and grandeur. It had the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor elements, and as we crafted every detail, it became the wedding of our dreams.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
For us, the food was a top priority! We are both food lovers, so we made sure that there were options for every guest at every stage of the night. From the welcome cocktails to the late-night bites, we wanted it to be an experience that people would talk about for years.
Music was another non-negotiable. We had live music in both areas, our favorite DJ, and a carefully curated playlist featuring a couple of must-play songs that were special to us. Every beat, every note, and every dance move was intentional, making the celebration feel uniquely ours.
How did you decide on the location?
Cartagena is where we were both born and raised, so there was never a question about where we would get married, it had to be home. When it came to venues, Teatro Heredia checked every box. It was grand yet intimate, historic yet vibrant, and conveniently close to the church where we would say our vows. The moment we saw it, we knew it was the one.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
Some things in life are simply meant to be, and my wedding dress was one of them. For months, I kept seeing this stunning gown on social media, and every time, I felt an instant connection. The dress was a Berta Bridal masterpiece, the perfect blend of elegance and timeless beauty. It had everything I wanted: delicate lace, touches of pearls, and the most breathtaking silhouette that perfectly blended modern sophistication with classic romance.
When I walked into Chic Parisien, I already had this dress in mind, but the moment I tried it on, I knew this was the one. They also helped me make all the alterations I wanted which made it even more unique to my body and style.
I did try other dresses but I could not stop thinking about the Berta one. It was as if this gown had been waiting for me all along. Everything about it felt right, and when I saw myself in the mirror, I could already envision walking down the aisle in it. It was love at first sight, just like my love story.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
My mom was the true mastermind behind it all, she knew every vendor in the city and guided me through every step of the planning process. My two cousins, who are like my sisters, were also a huge part of the journey, helping with details big and small.
On the wedding day, my closest friends got ready with me, filling the morning with laughter, happy tears, and memories that I’ll cherish forever. The energy, the love, and the pure joy of having them by my side made the day even more meaningful.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
One of the most unforgettable moments was our “crazy hour” (hora loca), which we took to a whole new level with a Star Wars theme! My three older brothers played a huge role in making it a standout moment, adding their own special touch that made it even more fun and sentimental. It was wild, unexpected, and truly one-of-a-kind, just the way we wanted it!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
For hair and makeup, I wanted something timeless, classic, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful. Given Cartagena’s humidity and ocean breeze, a sleek bun was the best choice, and my makeup was kept fresh and natural to complement the Caribbean glow. It was simple but perfect for the occasion.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
Our wedding planner, Mary Cueter, was a lifesaver. She is simply the best in Cartagena, her attention to detail, her vision, and her ability to bring every dream to life was unmatched. She did walk-throughs, created renders, and ensured that every single element was executed to perfection. I would recommend her a thousand times over.
Another standout vendor was Nova Productions. They transformed our venue into something straight out of a dream, constructing breathtaking scenery that made the entire night feel magical. Every vision I had, they brought to life in ways I couldn’t have even imagined.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We haven’t gone on our honeymoon yet, but we have big plans! Japan and the Maldives are at the top of our list, but since we are both currently pursuing our MBAs, we decided to wait until after graduation to make it happen. The anticipation only makes it more exciting, and we can’t wait for this next adventure together!
New BERTA MUSE 25-40 Orion
Get ready to fall in love with Orion by Muse by Berta - a modern corset with tulle skirt paired with a rosette strap that wraps around the neck. How many different ways can we say CHIC?
The Cool Bride Edit
Our chic staff picked their favorite wedding dresses for a cool bride, looking to make a statement in her wedding day wardrobe. If your style descriptors look like: chic, cool, modern — these are the picks from our stock of bridal gowns for you. Featuring wedding dresses from our Coral Gables bridal boutique from designers: Berta, Katherine Tash, Chosen by Kyha, Ines Di Santo, and Alex Perry.
Behind The Scenes at Bridal Fashion Week with the Chic Parisien Team: Berta, Mira Zwillinger, Chose by Kyha, Reem Acra, Mark Ingram
Our team just took our bi-annual trip to NYC for Bridal Fashion Week where we scope out tyhe latest collection from our beloved roster of designers and are always on the look out for new and exiting brands to add to our collection. We spent three whirlwind days looking at the latest in bridal fashion and taking stock of the bridal trends for the rest of 2023 and 2024 so that we are prepared with what our brides will be asking for in the coming year as we buy wedding dresses for our stock.
We won’t have these gowns available for another six months or so in our collection (it takes time to make these beautiful, chic, handmade bridal gowns!) but if you see something you love, you should keep an eye out for a trunk show by that bridal designer where the collection will visit our Coral Gables bridal boutique in its entirely. Trunk shows are the best way to get a first look at the wedding dress collection of your favorite bridal designer way in advance of the dresses arriving for our stock.
Here’s a first look at a few of our collections, more to come soon!
BERTA
Chosen by KYHA
Mira Zwillinger
Mark Ingram COllection
Reem acra
Chic Parisien bride Amanda in Berta
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Tyler and I met in high school and started dating senior year. We both attended FGCU together and graduated with our master’s in clinical mental health counseling. Tyler proposed to me at the Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina March 2020.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
We started planning the wedding right after we got engaged but then Covid happened. We decided to set our wedding date two years in advance to hopefully not have any issues with Covid. We decided on October 15th 2022 which would be our 8 year anniversary that happened to also fall on a Saturday which was perfect. I am a type-A bride and did everything in advance. I envisioned our wedding at a golf club getting married outside. Unexpectedly, Hurricane Ian hit SWFL two weeks before our wedding in Fort Myers. Our venue unfortunately was unable to host our wedding and we had to scramble to find a venue a week before our date. We luckily had our wedding at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples on our original date and it was more perfect than what I had been planning.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
It was important for us to have our first look to be private to share that special moment together. The wedding day was very busy and we wanted to make sure we have time by ourselves during the course of the event.
How did you decide on the location?
We decided to get married in SWFL since we moved here for college 7 years ago and have a lot of memories here.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I absolutely adore my wedding dress. I have had my eye on Berta dresses for so many years. My sister actually found the dress I ended up choosing back in 2020 on Instagram. I tried it on and everyone started crying. I love the floral details, pearls, and stones. I also decided to go with a cape instead of a veil and i’m so glad I did.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
I am a type A bride and wanted to plan everything by myself. After the hurricane and the change in venue last minute, my family stepped in to help which I am thankful for. It helped me let go of total control and to trust the process.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget?
I will never forget walking down the aisle and not noticing anyone except for my husband. We had been waiting for that moment since we were both 17 years old. We wrote our own vows so it was really special to share that with each other in front of our friends and family.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I wanted to look like royalty on my wedding day. I decided to go with a classic bun with old Hollywood curls. I also decided to wear a crown which really put my look together. I also wanted to have dramatic makeup rather than the traditional soft glam bridal look.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
My florist was amazing. She did all of the ceiling installations that completely transformed the room and added hundreds of flowers last minute for the wedding.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We went to St. Helena Napa Valley California. We stayed at the Alila Hotel which was amazing. Our balcony overlooked the vinyard and had a private fir pit and the hotel gave us champange every night. My favorite part was driving up the valley on the scenic route and seeing all the beautfil vinyards.
New Wedding Dress Arrivals For Spring 2022
At Chic Parisien, we receive new arrivals from our international wedding dress designers weekly. That way, there’s something new for all our brides to experience when they come in to shop for their wedding dress at our Coral Gables boutique. It’s almost impossible for us to pick favorites - and why would we? We only select the finest, most stylish gowns from our visits to New York Bridal Market for our brides.
That said, we wanted to give you a sneak peek into some recent arrivals. We won’t call them favorites but we will call them very chic.
Reserve your appointment to shop with a private bridal stylist at our 50+ year old bridal boutique in Coral Gables, just down the street from Miracle Mile and Merrick Park.
A Bit of Ballgown Inspiration...
Here’s a look at some of our favorite ballgowns from the Chic Parisien stock room:
"When people dream of their wedding and imagine themself as a princess, you've likely been picturing a ballgown. In a lot of cases, it's a once in a lifetime silhouette."
-Catherine Fox Milian
A Polo Moment at a Vineyard Wedding (Rebekah Wears Muse by Berta!)
#realchicbride Rebekah wore Berta to her wedding - AT HER (NOW) HUSBAND’S VINEYARD! I mean, talk about dreamy. The polo player met her husband when she was hired to help him with the launch of the vineyard and the rest is history.
Her gorgeous Muse by Berta gown looked positively stunning against a backdrop of majestic friends!
Scroll to the bottom for credits.
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
I MET MY HUSBAND AT GREENHILL WINERY IN MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA. HE HAD JUST PURCHASED IT, AND I WAS HIRED TO HELP LAUNCH THE BUSINESS. FOUR YEARS LATER, HE PROPOSED BY SURPRISING ME WITH A MINIATURE HORSE AND EQUESTRIAN INSPIRED RING (WE ARE HORSE OWNERS AND FANS!)
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
IT WAS A DECEMBER WEDDING, SO I ENVISIONED A WINTER WONDERLAND THEME. IT REALLY WAS A WONDERLAND! WE HAD WHITE FAUX FUR WALLS, WHITE FLOORS, FAUX FUR CUSHIONS AND COZY COUCHES, A PEGASUS ICE SCULPTURE, A HOT DRINKS BAR, AND CHRISTMAS TREES EVERYWHERE. THE WEDDING PARTY WORE WHITE, SPARKLES, AND ICE BLUE TONES.
How did you decide on the location?
THE RECEPTION LOCATION WAS AT GREENHILL WINERY, THE PLACE WHERE IT ALL STARTED.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I PURCHASED THE "BRIDGET" DRESS FROM MUSE BY BERTA'S SICILY COLLECTION. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE FLUTTER SLEEVES, BUT I JUST LOVED THE BODICE AND HOW IT MOVED. THE TRAIN AND LENGTH WERE BOTH PERFECT FOR WALKING AND TWIRLING WHILE STILL BEING ELEGANT.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
MY BEST FRIEND AND MATRON OF HONOR CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF A WINTER WONDERLAND WEDDING, SHE HELPED ME A LOT WITH IDEAS. THE BRIDESMAIDS CHOSE THEIR OWN DRESSES, STICKING TO A SILVER AND ICE BLUE THEME.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN MY HUSBAND, DAVID, REQUESTED THE BAND TO PLAY METALLICA. AND THEY DID. WE HAVE THE BEST PICTURE OF HIM SINGING FROM THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS WITH HIS HANDS IN THE AIR.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I WENT BY MUSE BY BERTA'S SICILY INSPIRED LOOK. A LOW BUN, HAIR TENDRILS, HOOP EARRINGS, AND A GLOWY MAKEUP LOOK.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
GOSH, THEY WERE ALL AMAZING! I LOVE EVERY VENDOR. THE PASTRY CHEF MADE A TOWER OF BOMOBLINI'S WITH SUGAR ICICLES AND A DUSTING OF POWDERED SUGAR, SO I DO THINK EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THAT IF YOU WANT A TOWER OF SNOWBALLS TO EAT AT YOUR NEXT EVENT, IT CAN BE DONE!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
WE WENT TO THE CARIBBEAN. THE BEST PART WAS MY HUSBAND FLYING US AROUND IN HIS PLANE, WE GOT TO THE BEAUTY OF THE ISLANDS FROM THE AIR.
Rebekah Greenhill @ rebekahpolo
Photographer Abby Ballin @aballinphoto
Hair & Makeup Michelle Lelia @ makeupbymichellelelia
Dress Berta
Looking Back At Jordana's Real Chic Breakers Wedding
Where are you from?
I was born in Brazil, but I have been living in Boca Raton, Florida since 7 years old.
Where was your wedding?
The Breakers, Palm Beach.
How did you know you found the perfect dress?
I chose to have my first (and only) wedding dress shopping appointment at Chic Parisien because I have always said that I wanted my wedding dress to be a Berta.
The moment that I walked in, their stylist said, “I have the perfect dress for you!”.
Since I had walked in with an open mind, I said: “OK, let’s try it on!” I walked into the fitting room and there it was - the most beautiful gown I have ever seen, it was love at first sight. When I stepped into the dress, all of the emotions ran through my body and I just knew it from that second. I walked out to show my family, and they all started crying and also loved it. So for me, it was a very easy decision. I did have some other options to try on but I would put it on and it wouldn’t even compare to the first one. In about an hour or so, I had chosen my gown, headpiece, earrings and we also decided to make a custom Berta veil to match the dress perfectly! My wedding dress shopping experience was amazing! I always knew I would be a Berta Bride!!
How did you and your husband meet?
My husband and I are High School Sweethearts! We have been together ever since 2006. We have the most incredible bond so our wedding day was a VERY special day for us!!
What was a special moment you will never forget from your wedding day?
This is a hard one since the entire day was filled with magic! I would have to say that our “first look” for our photos and videos and then kissing my “husband” at the alter was two very special moments for us. This was followed by an amazing reception at The Breakers with our loved ones… full of love, laughter and dancing. I wish I could re-live our wedding day!
What piece of advice would you give future brides?
My piece of advice for future brides would be to not stress about the wedding day. EVERYONE would tell me that I was the most relaxed bride that they had ever seen, and this is how all brides should be. It is not worth stressing or worrying over every little detail because at the end of the day, you are planning a celebration of love and your friends and family will have an amazing time regardless of any situation!
Were there any traditions or something from your religion that you incorporated on your wedding day?
One tradition that I would love to keep in my family is the rosary that was given to me by my grandmother before she passed. I have a photo with it as my “something blue” and I would love to see my daughter take the same photo with it one day <3
Credits:
Retailer: Chic Parisien
Photographer: Munoz Photography
Hair and Makeup: Renata Estapan
Venue: The Breakers
Wedding Planner: GuerdyDesign
Design Team: Birch Event Design
Casey Bought The First and Only Dress She Tried on!
Real bride Casey does not shy away from the details of her stunning wedding in this little interview - you’ll want to keep reading this captivating story!
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
My new husband, Kevin, and I met through some of our best friends in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2015. I was born and raised there, and Kevin played for the St. Louis Cardinals at that time. We were out and about one summer night after one of his games, and, I think it’s safe to say, there was an immediate connection. Although we were intrigued by one another, we took our relationship very, very slowly after that first night. Through months and months of light texting about the weather, we finally went out on our first date. It was then, where I knew I had to know this incredible man even more. Timing was not on our side, because immediately following our first date, the baseball season ended, and Kevin had to move back home to Jupiter, FL, while I continued to work in St. Louis. It was more texting about the darn weather until the 2016 season started, when Kevin moved back to St. Louis. It was that year we finally could spend together and our relationship continued to grow. Shortly after, we decided to move in together, and have been together in Jupiter, FL, with our beautiful Siberian Husky, Maverick, ever since!
One weekend in October of 2018, Kevin and I drove from Jupiter to my grandparent’s vacation home in Navarre Beach to meet my parents for a mini break. This Navarre home is so special because my entire family has been visiting together since I was born. I was so excited to show Kevin the home where my family has built so many memories. Low and behold, it was that weekend, on October, 19, 2018, where Kevin got down on one knee on the white powder sand beach in front of my childhood vacation home, where the sun was setting and the moon had already risen, and told me he wanted to “make another memory at this home”. And boy, was this one the most memorable of all. It was an extraordinary moment, and I have never been more sure about saying “Yes” to anything in my whole life.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision? When I started planning our wedding, my original vision was “Fire and Ice.” I’d say we accomplished that vision and more, adding touches of romanticism and edge. Our invitations set the tone: a gorgeous clear acrylic print with embellished gold lettering and black envelope featuring a black crocodile leather and envelope liner by Penn and Paperie, based out of New Jersey. Our reception did not have a head table or centerpieces, rather, we had 22 round tables, each dressed with single white long-stem roses in glass vases and real candles encased in glass tubes and lucite candelabras. The candles reflected off the class tubes and then off one another, so it seemed as if there were twice as many candles as there actually were. We had crushed-white linens, lucite chairs, and the most breathtaking wedding cake you’ll ever see.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding? As a couple, it was important to us not to have a first-look prior to the ceremony. We both wanted our first look to be when they opened the doors at the church. I am so happy we stood firm on that decision, because it was such a magical moment. We locked eyes throughout my entire walk down the aisle, and we both had tears of joy.
How did you decide on the location? Since I am from St. Louis, and it’s also where we met, we decided to get married there. Also, my favorite Ritz Carlton is the one in St. Louis; there is something comfortable and magical about it. The service is always impeccable, and the unique and distinct smell will change your mood for the better instantaneously.
“When the day arrived, it was truly a five-star luxury experience. The service was outstanding, the gowns were insanely gorgeous (even more so in person.”
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
To be honest, the most important decision on my wedding day, other than my groom, was my dress. It was exceedingly important to have a dress that was unlike any other. I had been browsing for dresses for years, and the first dress I ever fell in love with was a Berta (a good 10 years before I got engaged ☺). I studied Berta as a designer and defined her as a true creative genius with a keen attention to detail and impeccable taste. She stunned me more and more every season with each new line of evening gowns and wedding dresses.
After our engagement, I kept my eyes peeled for a trunk show near my area in South Florida. Finally, Berta came to Chic Parisian in Miami, so I excitedly scheduled an appointment for my sister and I to visit the luxury bridal boutique. When the day arrived, it was truly a five-star luxury experience. The service was outstanding, the gowns were insanely gorgeous (even more so in person), and we had the honor of meeting Nir Moscovich, who was hosting the 2019 Berta Athens collection trunk show. As we were guided to through the line-up of delicate hand-made dresses which were glistening under the studio lighting, I found it hard to contain myself when I saw ‘my dress’; I reached for it, knew it was the one, and immediately began to tear up at its beauty as it danced effortlessly from its hanger. It was the only dress I tried on that day (even though people would think I am nuts for not trying on every single Berta dress possible!), but I knew I didn’t need to. I felt like the dress was made for me: a mermaid-style, with a plunging v-neckline and backless scoop back with sheer long sleeves and beaded appliques with a badass, cathedral-length cape overlay as my “veil”.
“It was the only dress I tried on that day (even though people would think I am nuts for not trying on every single Berta dress possible!), but I knew I didn’t need to. I felt like the dress was made for me.”
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day? My two sisters and my mom were my wedding planning squad. Who needs a wedding planner when you have a team comprised of:
A mother who is incredibly imaginative and can design anything on a dime
A younger sister who is the most organized, thoughtful, true voice of reason in any setting
An older sister who is a visionary and an insane cake artist
The three of them assured me when I felt fickle; they brought me ideas when I needed them, and assisted in executing every last detail. Flawlessly.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
The moments right before the doors opened in the church. Everyone wanted to rush in opening the doors for ‘the bride’s grand entrance’, but I insisted we take a few extra seconds to pause. I absorbedly listened to our captivating string quartet play Gabriel’s Oboe; I peeked through the tiny gap of the massive wooden doors at an attempt to wrap my mind around how blessed I felt that all the people we love the most, purposefully gathered together in one space to celebrate Kevin and me. Finally, I caught a tiny glimpse of my exceptionally handsome groom (who was wondering what the heck was taking me so long!) and that moment, I was resoundingly sure that I was making absolute best decision of my life.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look? I really did not decide until the day of which, I know, was a bit dicey. I did a ‘first look’ with my grandmother two days before my wedding, and two things you should know about my grandma:
She has exquisite taste
She has no problem telling anyone the truth; the good, the bad, and the ugly
When I did my first look with her, I shared with her that I planned to wear my hair down. She strongly suggested I wear my hair up, so as to show off my neckline and cape for the ceremony. So, I did what grandma advocated! I have always been a bit hesitant with updo’s because they are so darn risky (I am very comfortable in my long, wavy curls), especially since I did not want to try any updo whatsoever during my H&M trial!
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about? I was lucky enough to have TWO vendors I wish everyone knew about!!
Cake Artist: Cara Albertelli, owner of In Love in Food in Naples, FL:
Cara is an incredibly talented cake artist and also happens to be my sister (I know, I hit the jackpot with her). Cara is located in Naples, FL, and managed to design, fly, and execute my absolutely stunning wedding cake in St. Louis, Missouri. The entire progression of building this cake was kept from me so as to surprise me on our wedding day. I was purposely kept in the dark throughout my cake’s conceptual stages, including the flavor selection and final decorative elements. Most brides would find that stressful; we have a vision and our wedding is an investment of so much time and money, but I had trust that my cake artist knew the elegant and edgy, one-of-a-kind vibe I was going for even when I did not know how to put it into words for her. The moment the cake was revealed, both Kevin and I were shocked. We walked into our reception to see our dazzling 9 tier, gravity-defying, floating wedding cake with a ‘funfetti’ interior (another sneaky surprise in itself as funfetti is my favorite cake flavor). Our wedding cake was, deservingly, the focal point of the room. It had its own gathering of admirers at any given moment throughout the entire evening while the candle-lit room made our cake, which was dripping in crystals, dance. The visual concept of the cake elevated the beauty of the candle, lucite, and white rose-filled ballroom. I knew the cake would be incredible, but it was better than incredible; it was a unique and stunning work of art that captured my personality and vision of “fire and ice” for this once in a lifetime occasion.
Hair and Makeup Artist: Christine Diaz with Amped Artistry in Naples, FL.
Here is what I will say about Christine: she is a master of her craft. But that is an understatement. She has the gift of being a well-rounded, service-oriented artist with an eye for beauty. I threw Christine for a loop on my wedding day: my hair was the wrong color (she toned my hair after our rehearsal dinner at midnight, the night before the wedding to save me from any unnecessary stress), I changed my mind last minute and wanted an updo (thanks to Queen Grandma), and changed my idea for makeup…all within 24 hours of walking down the aisle. None of that seemed to phase Christine in the slightest. Christine also made me feel secure, confident, and supported, which is something I did not know I needed on my wedding day. With so many opinions and emotions, she was exactly what I needed: peace of mind that she would not let me walk dawn that aisle without feeling perfect. That is something you cannot put a dollar value on.
All that being said, put these two artists together you have the MVPs of your wedding day. These two do not come as a duo, but, they really are an unmatched pair. I honestly did not know how much I would need both of them, until I did. If you were to ask me where I got the most value from my investment, it would be hiring Cara and Christine. These two women are so special and made the ultimate difference on my wedding day.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part? Islamorada
We decided on a low-key, easy and relaxing honeymoon, and all signs pointed to The Moorings Village in Islamorada (yes, where Bloodline was filmed). It was the most perfect honeymoon for us. Coming off our wedding week in chilly St. Louis, one quick flight and short drive to 78-degree weather in Islamorada was exactly what we needed. Honestly, the best part was simply being together without distractions; no work emails (it felt so good to turn off my notifications!), having coffee in the morning on the front porch with the palm trees, a quiet beach, and the ocean as our daily view; quiet dinners with sunset views and healthy, fresh food; I could go on and on, but the full vibe was exactly perfect.
Wedding Planner Ashley Weds in Berta
We wanted to chat with Ashley a bit more about her wedding for a few reasons:
1.) she looked STUNNING in her Berta gown
2. she is a wedding planner so she can bring a different perspective than many of our brides who are new to the wedding process.
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Aidan and I met on Tinder actually! We both swiped right and he had a quirky pickup line about drinking wine, so he instantly got brownie points. Our first date was at a Wine Loft in our hometown, Naples, Fl. You know when they say, “You know, when you know?”, well we definitely knew instantly that God had brought the two of us together for a reason. A year and a half later Aidan proposed in front of our family and closest friends at Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club in Naples, FL., it was such a dream!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
My sister and I own a Wedding and Event planning company in Naples, FL, so its both a blessing and curse to plan your own wedding with ALL the different ideas and trends that go on in the industry. We had always had a vision of exactly what we wanted. All of our family and closest friends, a romantic ceremony and reception setting and an amazing band! How close did we get to that actual vision? I think we were spot on!
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
It was very very important to Aidan and I that we had an Unplugged Ceremony. That is something that we both discussed right away after getting engaged. Ensuring that everyone was present at that moment was very important to us. We never liked the idea of all your guests having their phones, ipads, etc in their faces.
How did you decide on the location?
Naples, FL is the only place that has 2 Ritz Carlton hotels. One of The Ritz Carlton’s is right on the beach here and it was a no brainer that this was such a beautiful venue for our wedding. The Ritz has an in-house team that makes your wedding planning process seamless!
“I think I need to come up with a couple good excuses to put the dress back on?! Chic Parisien made everything so stress-free! ”
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
BERTA! BERTA! BERTA! Oh my gosh, my dress was such a dream! I had always dreamed about my wedding dress having all the SPARKLE and let me tell you that is exactly what my dress was, SPARKLE SPARKLE SPARKLE. I think I need to come up with a couple good excuses to put the dress back on?! Chic Parisien made everything so stress-free!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
My sister and I own the Wedding Planning company together, so she was a huge part of our wedding planning. My family and I have always been so close-knit, so everything that involved wedding planning, they were always a part of! There was not a detail that they did not know about!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
One specific memory from our wedding day that we will never forget is having to move our Ceremony from outdoors to indoors due to the rain that day. We had a cold front move through right around our Ceremony time and had to move to our plan B the day before the wedding. Let me tell you……our plan B was SUCH A DREAM. We had the room pipe and draped, all the florals, and tons of candlelight to make it super romantic and intimate and we also had The Ritz include a stage for Aidan and me to exchange our vows on! It was truly breathtaking.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I knew for sure that I wanted my hair to be down, and to go with the beautiful dress I wanted to keep it more of a classic look. I didn’t want to look back at my wedding pictures in 10 years and say “What in the world was I thinking?!”. I wanted to keep my makeup classic as well, I am definitely not a fan of smokey eyes, so I decided on a more natural look and added a little blush on the eyes to go with that.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
VIDEOGRAPHY!!! Our day went by so fast and we are so excited to know that we have a video to relive our magical day over and over again. We used Fidelis Films based out of Naples, FL and they were so amazing. We can’t wait to see our video!!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We went to St. George Grenada! We stayed at the Sandals Resort there and it was absolutely beautiful! The fresh salt air and the clear blue water was so Zen! The best part of our honeymoon was being able to do absolutely nothing! To just relax and listen to the waves crash every day, someone bringing you your Pina Coladas and having no worry in the world Whew! I’m really missing that right now!
Our Invite Only Influencer Preview of the Berta Napoli Collection
We invited three stylish women (whose Instagram’s we adore, obviously) to visit the boutique before the official launch of the Berta Napoli Collection Trunk Show to try on the gowns and take some photos to inspire our future #realchicbrides. Each had a distinct personal style (two were engaged!) and we were thrilled to see these chic dresses come to life when they were put on by these chic new friends!
Check out https://www.instagram.com/misstarynwalker/, https://www.instagram.com/sherramichelle/?hl=en, https://www.instagram.com/vickyjustiz/?hl=en for more images and of course, https://www.instagram.com/berta/?hl=en .
Can You See Yourself In One Of These Chic Designers?
We know that picking the right wedding dress for you requires decision after decision. The process is different for every bride, that's why our bespoke approach to the bridal experience is one we've stuck with for nearly half a century. Here's a bit of guidance to get you started in your search to find the perfect dress for you. We've gathered a few of our #realchicbrides stunning images and sorted them on here by designer, with a link to the designer's page so that if the style speaks to you, you can click the designer's name and keep exploring. Remember, this is just a tiny sample of the gowns that we have in store and the designers whose collections we carry. For a list of upcoming trunk shows, click here.
Berta
Photo by Madison Hope Photography
Photo by UDS Photo
Romona Keveza
Photo by UDS Photo
Ines Di Santo
Photo by Ray Santana
Photo by Lucia Rubio
