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!
Vesna & Kenneth's Intimate Sunday Family Gathering Wedding
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
We initially met briefly at work while in Miami because we work for the same company but in different offices. Two years later I like to think fate brought us back together when his office relocated to West Palm Beach and shortly after the new office in West Palm opened I was offered a job there as well. When it was announced I was going to be working in the same office as him, he asked me out to lunch to celebrate, not to be corny, but after that first lunch date the rest was history!
Six months later, on Valentine's Day 2019 he asked me to marry him. I had an inkling it might happen on Valentine's Day, but we were together all day and nothing! So, I convinced myself it was just in my head and it wouldn't be happening that day, just as I was sure that there would be no proposal, he caught me off guard towards the end of the night and said "can I ask you a question?" I unassumingly replied, "sure". And that's when he asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him. I, of course said, yes.
Turns out that a just a few weeks before the proposal, he had asked my dad for my hand in marriage. He asked my dad while they were out shooting, so he likes to joke that he really loves me because he asked my dad for permission while my dad had a gun in his hand.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
I knew I wanted an outdoor wedding from the get go. I envisioned a daytime, garden party and it magically turned out to be everything I wanted and more.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
I wanted it a small wedding, Kenny and I wanted it to intimate, and we ended up inviting family only. I grew up very close to my family and we had a tradition on Sunday's where all of us- aunts, uncles, and cousins, got together for lunch. Because of our Sunday tradition we had when we were all younger I wanted to recreate that for the wedding and decided on a Sunday garden party lunch theme.
How did you decide on the location?
At first I was stumped. There were so many beautiful venues from Miami to Jupiter to Naples, I couldn't decide. One of my friends had gotten married at The Addison in Boca Raton the year prior and recommended it. As soon as I went to my initial meeting and saw the beautiful courtyard and hundred year old Banyan trees I knew it was the spot.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I am the world's biggest procrastinator, it totally admit it. I got engaged in February and wanted to get married in November but I didn't start planning until June. After picking the date (mind you I didn't have a venue at this point, I just picked a date and hoped whatever venue I picked would accommodate) my next stop was Chic Parisien. The wedding revolves around the dress after all, or at least in my mind it did.
My first wedding dress shop that I visited with my mom and soon to be mother-in-law was Chic Parisien. I went in with pictures of two Berta dresses that I loved. The Daphne dress was the second dress I tried on and I loved it. But I thought this is too easy, NO WAY it's this easy. After trying on more dresses at Chic Parisien, visiting several more shops, and trying on a myriad of dresses, I came back a week later and said the Daphne dress was my dress. It was just the right amount of classic with the A-line shape but had a touch of modern and dare I say sexy with the illusion top which covered me in all the right places.
“I came back a week later and said the Daphne dress was my dress. It was just the right amount of classic with the A-line shape but had a touch of modern and dare I say sexy with the illusion top which covered me in all the right places. ”
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
My mom and mother-in-law were such a big part of picking my dress and I'll always treasure that memory.
My friend recommended the venue I ended up choosing so I'm so thankful to her for her input.
Although the wedding was family only, Kenny and I shared a mutual friend, Melissa, who happened to be a notary. We met Melissa when we first started dating so she saw us from first date to engagement. We thought that who better to perform the ceremony than someone who saw our relationship grow, no one else could make it so personal. So we asked her to officiate the ceremony; she incorporated our faith, our story, and quite a bit of humor (she's hilarious).
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
We decided on doing first look pictures and it's the best decision we made, the look on his face when I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around to look at me was one of my favorite moments. The look in his eyes reaffirmed that I was the love of his life, just like he is the love of my life.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
Our friend Melissa who officiated the ceremony is not only hilarious but opinionated as well...and thank goodness for that! I couldn't decide: hair up? hair down? half up, half down? She explained to me that there was no way I could leave my hair down and cover "that fabulous back on your dress". It was decided, low bun it would be. I wanted my makeup to accentuate my look but I didn't want anything overwhelming since it was a daytime wedding, rosy and dewey is what I was going for.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
The Addison itself was amazing and they provided the food as well. I'm the type of person who lives to eat, not eats to live, so food was extremely important to me and man was the food delicious! They made everything about the planning process easy which for the girl who dreaded planning and was the biggest procrastinator was a huge plus.
Starfish Photography was also great. They made me feel comfortable and captured all our special moments.
Ines Di Santo x Chic Parisien. A Chic Italian Meets Miami Mood.
On a glorious, albeit hot, Miami day in December the Chic Parisien and Ines Di Santo teams joined creative forces on this stylish shoot featuring their latest collection. Shot on location at Mr. C’s in Coconut Grove, a popular wedding destination in Miami and a new favorite location for rooftop cocktails and wedding events, this shoot is a chic dream.
There’s nothing better to us than seeing a new collection by one of our all-time chicest designers set against the tropical backdrop of our home town.
We went for breezy, sexy styling for hair and makeup to really let the gowns (and new jewelry by Ines Di Santo) shine.
Photos by our dear friend, the very talented Vanessa Velez Photography at Mr. C Coconut Grove.
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 .
Backstage at the Berta Runway Show, #frontrowwithchic
SURPRISE! The Berta trunk show arrived early and we are extending trunk show appointments to include Tuesday (January 21), Wednesday (January 22), and Thursday (January 23).
If you haven’t heard, it’s the stateside debut of Berta’s FW 2020 collection and we are positively thrilled to be the first boutique in the United States to host the collection for our brides to shop.
When you make an appointment, you’ll be amongst the first brides in the world to try on this collection in person and pick the perfect dress to make your vision for your wedding day come true.
Take a peek from our favorite photos from backstage at the Berta FW 2020 collection on the top of the World Trade Center and then make an appointment to come and visit us.
Precious by Ines Di Santo
We are positively smitten over this delightful confection by Ines Di Santo. Yes, we know this dress isn’t for everyone, and the collection has a wide range of silhouettes and styles, sure to please every newly engaged fiance, but if you’re the haute couture bride that has been looking for something to make a chic statement, Precious by Ines Di Santo is it!
Naughty & Nice Party at Chic Parisien (Featuring Kiki De Montparnasse and Eberjey Lingerie)
It’s not every day that turn the bridal store into a naughty happy hour hangout, but for this year’s holiday soiree that’s exactly what we decided to do… handcuffs and all.
We teamed up with a very chic team of vendors who we merrily welcomed into the store to transform it into a festive but sexy hangout for a Friday evening. Mi Vintage changed the space into a chic little lounge, Alain Martinez Photo team was here to snap these chic photos of our favorite model Alli Martinez showing off the goodies by Kiki De Montparnasse and a few new Eberjey staples that we’ve added to the collection.
Kiki De Montparnasse is an NYC based ultra-luxury lingerie brand that has ventured into… other accessories for your bedroom. Your honeymoon won’t be complete without a little something fun from their collection of toys made with the highest quality materials (think leather paddles, 24 k gold handcuffs, ultra-soft lace robes, massage candles in lotus and santal scents, little leather whip keychains and more…).
We will have the Kiki De Montparnasse pieces in-store through the holidays - including a very chic rehearsal dinner ensemble (the white cowl neck dress featured below) and all the things you need for a chic bedroom wardrobe for your future married life to start off with a bang… literally…
#realchicbride Dana's Bahamian Wedding Wearing Muse by Berta
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Justin and I actually went to high school together but we never spoke in school! I remember having one class with him freshman year and he remembers me as the girl who wore Sperry shoes to school. Fast forward to four years after high school graduation and I was attending a concert with a girlfriend and she asked if she could bring along a guy friend who wanted to bring Justin with him as well. I work in the concert business so the show we were attending was a show I had pit passes for so I tried to show off and brought him into the pit and I guess it worked! The rest is history and he proposed on November 19th, 2017.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
When I first started thinking about the wedding, I was at a loss for what I wanted visually. I originally thought to get married in Palm Beach where we live and have our reception at the same place my parents got married at but something about that vision overall just didn't seem right. One night when I was having trouble sleeping, it just sort of dawned on me it would just feel right to have a wedding in the Bahamas (Justin and I travel there frequently). And from then on my vision was a true authentic Bahamian wedding without an overkill on decor because the location itself is the best decor you could ask for. I think I got pretty close!
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
We got married on a very small island in the Abaco's and something that was really important to us was using as many local services as we could to give support to the local community there. All of our flowers came from the Bahamas, the band was a local band from an island nearby, our Priest was from the Bahamas etc. We wanted everyone to really utilize their time in the Bahamas since it takes a bit of travel time to get there. So my main priority was making sure there was something planned out every day so everyone could get the full Bahamas experience. It was a lot to plan a full 4 days for everyone but it was worth it! We did a BBQ with the locals on Thursday night, went to see the swimming pigs on Friday, a big welcome party Friday night, the wedding Saturday, and then we took whoever was still there to Nippers which is a bar on an island nearby on Sunday! We liked to call it adult spring break!
“ The Bahamas is the first place Justin told me he loved me!”
How did you decide on the location? The Bahamas is the first place Justin told me he loved me! We both have grown up going over there with our families. We also have been to Green Turtle Cay (the island we were married on) multiple times and it really holds a special place in our hearts.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I will be honest, dress shopping was not my favorite thing during the wedding planning process. Mainly because I've always been one of those girls who prefers to shop alone and I hate trying things on in front of other people. I started shopping in May 2018 and went to multiple stores all over the state of Florida, I even traveled to Kleinfeld in New York! However, none of the dresses I tried on really felt like they were "the one."
In August 2018 I went to another boutique in Miami and found a dress I really loved and was ready to say yes but there was some part of me that still hesitated. So one day my mom and I decided to go back down to Miami and I told her to stop at Chic Parisien because I've heard great things about it and if we don't find a dress there, we can go back to the other store and get the dress I loved. So low and behold, we go to Chic and I tried on a few dresses and I loved every single one, but then the last dress I tried on, a Muse by Berta, was literally a combination of every single dress I had tried on in my 3 month search for a dress and I knew it was the one!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
My mom was my wedding savior! She traveled to the Bahamas with me about 5 times over the year and a half planning process to narrow down every detail. My sisters were my maids of honor and made sure my day went exactly as I wanted! My friends were also the best support system I could ask for throughout everything. And of course, the whole wedding could not be possible without my dad!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget?
One thing that did worry me about getting married in a tropical climate was the chance of rain. And March does tend to be a windy/rainy time so my aunt told me an old wives tale was to bury a bottle of alcohol upside down in the sand on a day that the weather was nice out, and that would be the weather on your wedding day. On our last trip over to the Bahamas before the wedding week, we buried a bottle upside down on a beautiful day and it must have brought us good luck because we had great weather the wedding day. After the wedding was over, we all went out to the bar and on our way back to the hotel Justin said, "we have to dig up the bottle!" And we did so and I think one of my favorite pictures is him holding the bottle at 2:30 in the morning that he dug up! That is a memory I'll never forget.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I knew I wanted half up half down because my hair doesn't really hold style well so I knew if I had some of it up it would hold better. I also knew I wanted some sort of fishtail because fishtail and Bahamas go together! I also don't wear a ton of makeup so I didn't want to overdo it so I went for a more natural look.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about? Bohemian Mint! You can find her on Etsy. She did my invitations, map, and welcome booklet and she was beyond amazing.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
Since we did a destination wedding, we didn't want to do a honeymoon right after since we stayed in the Bahamas after our wedding. We are planning to go on a delayed honeymoon for our anniversary/30th birthdays in 2020 and are thinking of going to Hawaii!
Here are some ideas about ways to help with Hurrican Dorian relief in the Abaco Islands.
Vendor List/instagram handles:
Photographer- Jack Bates Photography @jackbatesphotography
Venue- Green Turtle Club @greenturtleclub
Hair- Brittanne Hammond @beascenehair
Makeup- Alyson Khanna @alysonkhanna
Dress- Muse By Berta @musebyberta
Dress Store- Chic Parisien!
Flowers- Bud's N Blooms Marsh Harbor @bahamabloom
Bridesmaid dresses- Show Me Your Mumu @showmeyourmumu
Planner- Glitter and Twine events @glitterandtwineevents
Invitations- Bohemian Mint @Bohemian Mint
Day of Coordination- Visit Green Turtle Cay, Ash Gardiner @visitgreenturtlecay
Annual Sample Sale: Reem Acra Inventory
Our annual sample sale started this week and runs through December 15. We’re going to be featuring the samples that are marked down to their lowest prices of the year.
Exhibit A: All Reem Acra wedding dresses are 50% off the original price.
Here is a look at the current selection. Reserve your appointment and come shop this fabulous selection of gowns as we make room for the new year’s new arrivals.
La Vita e Bella in Capri! A #realchicbride wears Berta at her swoony Italian wedding.
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Mike and I met in Miami through a mutual friend I went to college with. I had been living in Miami for eight years at the time and was ready for a new experience. I had decided I would move to NYC to be closer to friends and family but hit it off with Mike a month before I was scheduled to move. I followed my gut and put my move on hold and it ended up being one of my best decisions to date.
Mike proposed about three years later when we were visiting my family in Rhode Island one summer weekend. We were running towards my favorite lookout spot over the beach and once we got to a bench there he faked a leg cramp. Next thing I knew he was down on one knee!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
To be honest, I actually had no idea what I envisioned for our wedding when we first got engaged. We were open to everywhere from Miami where we live to Rhode Island where I grew up and Mike has family, and finally ended up choosing Italy. Once we got our planner (Federica Nascimben with the Italian Wedding Event – she was fantastic) – everything kind of happened organically and she really helped us shape our vision.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
We realized everyone would be taking a long trek to get to Capri (not the easiest little island to travel to) so we wanted our wedding to be super stress-free and just straight fun for everyone making the trip. That helped us prioritize having enough transportation and bars that no one was ever waiting for a ride or a drink the whole weekend!
How did you decide on the location?
Initially, we were trying to plan a wedding in Miami as we both live here and a lot of our friends do as well. It started becoming really stressful and I was having a hard time finding a venue that I loved enough to have it be super special and memorable.
Mike and I have always loved traveling and after a long conversation venting to one of my best friends about venue options, one night realized that a destination wedding was such a better fit for us. Being that Mike and I are both from Italian families and it’s one of our favorite places, we initially decided on Portofino as we had vacationed there the summer before and had such an amazing time. Federica, our planner, convinced us to look at Southern Italy after discussing the things that were important to us and really sold me on this “magical ocean location that was not your typical wedding venue.” That got me from the start and even looking at pictures of Lido Del Faro did not prepare me for how beautiful it was in person (which I didn’t see until the day I walked down the aisle)! I’ve always loved the ocean and was way more into cliffside beach club vibes than a more formal hotel-type setting.
The locations for the welcome party and brunch the day after were at Capri Palace and Il Ricco which Mike picked and they were just as incredible. And the best part about Italy was obviously that the food was insane at every venue!
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I think out of most every detail of my wedding the dress was the only one I was sure of from the very beginning! I’ve never been one to fantasize about a wedding growing up or look at wedding dresses, but I stumbled across Berta dresses on Instagram a few months before we got engaged. I actually have a picture of my dress in my phone from before we got engaged because I thought it was so different and beautiful. The week after I got engaged, being super excited and already thinking about trunk shows, I called Chic Parisien after finding out they were the only Miami bridal store that carried Berta to make an appointment for a trunk show I saw they were having a few months later. The lady on the phone told me that they were having the last trunk show of the 2018 F/W dresses the following weekend and why don’t I just come in then to try some on. I swore up and down I would not be buying a dress as I had gotten engaged about two weeks earlier at the time but once I tried this dress on it was a done deal.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
Luckily both our families were super excited once we decided on Italy and were very supportive during all the planning. That being said, I did easily figure out that while I am normally very indecisive and like to ask others’ opinions, for your wedding you really do just want to do what you and your husband want and I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by not taking their recommendations. For that reason, I mostly kept the planning between me, Mike and our planner.
On the day of the wedding, we both got ready and spent the day preparing with family and friends, and I also chose my parents’ wedding song to walk down the aisle to.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
That we all ended up in the pool at the venue for a pool party at the end of the night because it was so hot from all the dancing! Also, that I got my husband dance for the first (and probably last time) and I think he actually enjoyed himself!!!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I thought I knew what I wanted for both our welcome reception and the wedding (I experimented a few times during fittings to test out some different looks) but I changed both looks the day of with the hair and makeup team. I have to admit that’s mostly due to the heat because didn’t want to deal with any sort of down hairdo or pieces when it was so hot. It ended up being a great decision because we were all dripping sweat during the ceremony!
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
I’m going to have to mention two. My photographer, Evan Rich Photography, I discovered when I was looking for venues in Miami. He had an Italian shoot on his site and was also another inspiration for choosing Italy because his pictures made it look absolutely dreamy. I loved his work but unfortunately, he was booked on all the dates I was looking at in Miami. When we decided on Italy, I was thrilled he would be able to make it. He and his wife were so amazing in every step of the wedding day. They really helped streamline the day and took the most beautiful pictures I could have asked for. Also, Mike hates taking pictures normally and I’ve never seen his teeth so much from him smiling as in all our wedding pictures.
Also, DJ Fabio Vuotto!!! DJ Fabio is the Capri resident DJ and he played all the music for our ceremony, reception and the day after brunch. I didn’t give him any recommendations other than the songs we walked out to for our ceremony and our first dance/father daughter/mother son dances. I figured if he was that good I should just trust his vibe and music judgment for the crowd and he was such a hit.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We left straight from our wedding to Switzerland and toured the country over the next week from Zurich to Lucerne and ended in St. Moritz. We stayed at some beautiful hotels and took some amazing hikes and nature tours but the best part was being so well-rested by the time we returned home to Miami that I went straight into work the next day feeling like a million bucks! Switzerland was extremely relaxing which was very much needed after going straight from a bachelorette weekend in the Amalfi coast to the wedding week.
Photos by Evan Rich Photography
Dress by Berta from Chic Parisien
Muse by Berta Inspires in Florence
Florence is extremely romantic, wildly inspiring, the history, the food, the air, the surrounding Tuscan landscape and the wine too, of course. We went gaga over these images from the new Muse by Berta campaign featuring the latest by this chic designer.
Honeymoon in Florence, anyone?
Stay posted for an update on trunk shows and new arrivals from this brand new Muse by Berta collection.
Two Monique Lhuillier Gowns, One Beautiful #realchicbride
Beautiful #realchicbride Jessica wore not one but TWO beautiful Monique Lhuillier gowns for her wedding at Miami’s Epiphany Church and Mandarin Oriental hotel. You know what that means, hold your breath for a series of beyond gorgeous photos, put together with the help of an all-star team of vendors…
Bride: Jessica (Garcia) Estrada.
Both gowns by Monique Lhuillier, from Chic Parisien.
Planner: @andisoirees www.andisoirees.com
Photographer: @jessicalorren
Monique Lhuillier Fall 2020
The latest bridal collection by the inimitable Monique Lhuillier comes to Coral Gables this weekend at Chic Parisien’s trunk show. The Fall 2020 collection is just about as dreamy as they come. With a wide range of shapes, styles, textures, fabrics, and details, there is something for every chic bride in this collection.
The laces chosen by Monique Lhuillier in this special collection of wedding dresses are particular standouts. There are throwbacks to some of the brand’s all time favorite looks as well as experiments with new laces. be sure to ask us about the many different reveal looks available in this collection. We saw a plethora of boleros. shawls and chic two-in-one looks that we know you’ll be swooning over as you picture yourself walking down the aisle in these chic confections.
Reem Acra Trunk Show Featuring the Love From New York Collection
Just a few weeks after Bridal Fashion Week in New York City, we’re still reeling fro our #frontrowwithchic experience. The newest collection from Reem Acra is the first collection we’re hosting for a trunk show for the fresh season of gowns. We are thrilled to have this collection, inspired by New York City (just like us!), in store so soon after we first saw it in the City That Never Sleeps.
Labor Day Sample Sale Sneak Peek at Ines Di Santo Samples
Today marks the official start of our Labor Day Sample Sale so we thought we’d kick it off with a peek at the Ines DI Santo gowns we have marked down for 40% off - for a limited time.
Appointments are limited. Make yours now.
#realchicbride Alyssa in Berta Tells Us Her Love Story
When we saw the beautiful photos of Alyssa Lattizori’s wedding we knew we had to chat with her to hear a bit more about it! Luckily, she was happy to spill all the details about how she planned the wedding (by herself!), her love store and how she picked her perfect dress at Chic Parisien (a Berta!).
Tell us your love story! How did you meet? What was your journey to the proposal?
July 2015, I talked to a psychic who was highly recommended from friends. She told me that at the end of August, I was going to meet my soulmate and he would be THE ONE. She said he'd have dark hair and hazel green eyes, live in the same state but not the same city and would be in the same industry as me but different facets of it. She told me that work would mutually bring us to the same place maybe a convention of sorts, but we wouldn't meet at work - we'd meet at a social event affiliated with work. She told me to make sure I said 'yes' to everything and if I didn't meet him by fall that means I missed my chance.
August 31, 2015 I was at a Real Estate convention and saw this handsome man across the way! My girlfriend Jenna said, 'go say hi!' I was too nervous, and said 'If I'm supposed to meet him, I will." After dinner that night, saying 'yes' to grabbing one last drink at the hotel bar, Will happened to be there. We met, and the rest is history! I couldn't sleep that night and I texted my best friend Katie at 5:30am, "I think I met my soulmate the psychic was telling me about" Go figure, he also lived in Florida, had dark hair and hazel eyes and was in Commercial Real Estate while I'm in Residential. I still have the actual recording, all the other details she got right is pretty wild!
We talked about getting married 3 months after we met. Will proposed about a year later! We knew we were getting a puppy January 2018 but couldn't decide on a name. We both liked Rosie but Will was convinced we couldn't name her until we met her and made sure the name suited her. Dec 22, 2017 - Will came back from a work trip and told me last minute that his parents were coming down to visit that night before we left on a super early flight the next day to visit my family for Christmas. Assuming we both agreed our 10 day trip would be our gift to each other, I was surprised when he handed me a thin flat box, which he said "was just a little something." I opened it to find a new red dog color with a dog tag attached. Thinking how thoughtful it was he agreed to calling her Rosie and got her name engraved on the tag, I flipped it over and to my surprise I saw, "Marry Me" instead! I turned around to find him down on one knee. Of course I said yes! Even better we got to celebrate with his family that night and then mine in Connecticut!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
I envisioned soft blush colors with pops of gold and navy accents. Super sweet, girly and classic. I just kept thinking blush, blush, blush. Thankfully I had some major rock star vendors and day-of coordinators that helped to make my vision a reality! Wouldn't have changed a thing.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
Will is not a dancer, so he was actually the one who decided we take dancing lessons and do a choreographed dance! He claimed that if we were going to dance in front of a bunch of people he wanted to at least look like he knew what he was doing and make it more interesting than swaying back and forth. It was a blast learning ballroom together!
I've always loved starfish and keep them in the front windows of our house. I wanted to incorporate them in a classic way, so we actually handmade all 135 starfish napkin rings! Loved having that little touch.
How did you decide on the location?
I was born and raised in a sleepy little seaside town outside of Mystic, CT. I've lived in Florida for about 8 years and it was so important to me to have the wedding where I grew up! It is SO beautiful in Connecticut (and definitely not as hot as FL!) So I am happy that Will agreed we could have it there.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
Funny story about my dress! I've been OBSESSED with Berta gowns but wasn't totally sure what style I would end up wearing. Last minute, I saw that Berta was having a trunk show in Miami, and since my Mom was out of town and all my bridesmaids live out of state, I asked another good friend to just come with me so I could see the dresses and at least narrow down what shape I'd want to wear.
Go figure, about 5 dresses in, I try on THE dress. Bethany and I looked at each other and started to tear up. It was definitely my dress. BUT I was so upset my Mom wasn't with me! Being a pageant girl growing up, dress shopping was always something my Mom and I enjoyed doing together, never mind the fact that this was a once in a lifetime chance to try on wedding dresses!! Barbette at Chic Parisien was so sweet and said if I put a deposit down she would still honor the trunk show discount if I could get my Mom in there the next weekend. Thankfully it work out, and I was able to have her, Will's mom and sister there with me the next weekend, which we all agreed was THE dress, thankfully!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
Since I was so clear on the vision of the wedding, I just dove in and did it all myself! A blessing and a curse. After managing all the vendors on my own, it was just too hard to delegate because I knew exactly what was already taken care of and what still needed to be done. I made sure to run everything by Will and the few times he spoke up and said a solid NO, I made sure to listen.
I utilized our families for tackling my DIY projects and basically was Etsy's number one customer for all custom signage and little details. It's amazing what you can find on the internet!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
At first I think - how I had dreamed about the moment I went to walk down the aisle for years and years. Literally envisioned ever little detail of it. Nora Jones, Come Away With Me, starts to play, when she starts singing in the song would be the moment I stepped out, everyone would stand.. etc etc. Well... didn't end up happening the way I had envisioned haha! My Brother and I step out after the bridal party walks, ready for my big moment anddddd the music doesn't play. We stood their awkwardly - wondering, do we just go?? Should we wait?? What felt like an eternity passed, and thank goodness the music finally played. BUT two steps in and... I feel my head tug back! Dying, I realized my veil had wrapped around the tent post in the wind. With the help of whoever was standing around, we freed the fabric and off I went. Everyone had a good laugh, including myself and I was on my way to Will finally. Needless to say, things played out differently than what I already dreamed of!
Otherwise, it really was just the coolest feeling having all our closest friends and family together in one place with us. The love, energy and laughs that weekend is something I will absolutely never forget!!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I have super thick curly hair and I have been a slave to it my whole life! I envisioned my hair down with soft glam waves for the ceremony and so I would't get too hot wanted to pull it back for the reception! Thankfully my friend Shelby who did my hair was willing to stay and change it for me which I'm happy we did! Will came to the bridal suite with me and it was a nice quiet moment to have with him while she did my hair. Our caterer was so awesome and brought up an appetizer sampler since we missed cocktail hour so it was a nice 10 minutes before the madness!
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
All of our vendors were wonderful! I don't think I could pick just one. If I could give any advice to planning brides, I'd say that communication is EVERYTHING! Even if there is a vendor you feel like you "have to have" but they don't respond in a timely manner or just disappear, trust me its not worth it! Stick with people you can trust and go out of their way to answer questions. When it's down to the wire you want people in your circle that communicate and are on top of everything. Any vendor I had to hound to get a response from I cut out immediately and found someone else, thankfully finding wonderful vendors was a life saver when I was super stressed closer to go time.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We did a honeymoon fund as part of our registry! I'm so glad we did because we are blessed with a beautiful home and have everything we couple possibly need already but had never gone on a big vacation just the two of us. We splurged on two stops, one incredible boutique hotel called The Other Side in Eleuthera, and another called The Bahama House on Harbor Island, both in the Bahamas. It was so nice to slow down and just spend quality time together. Both places that we stayed at were super low key and quiet. My favorite night was at TOS, where dinner is served in a "tent" that has open doors by the eater and a set menu and time for dinner. One night, we happened to be the only ones there! We could hear the ocean, dinner was fabulous, we had a bottle of champagne, music played on a record player and we slow danced together barefoot after dinner. I will never forget that moment!
Get To Know Lazaro Perez, Designer of Lazaro
Our summer intern, Carolina Baigorri, sat down with our friend, the talented designer, Lazaro for a chat about how he got involved in the industry, Diana Ross, and the future of his brand. Caro did an excellent job capturing the spirit of Lazaro, who speaks with passion and excitement about everything he does!
How did you discover your passion for designing wedding dresses?
I always wanted to become a costume designer. I entered a competition for a bridal contest while I was still in school for a young designer to create a bridal collection.
Growing up, my mother was a seamstress and she did a lot of bridal gowns and other things to help make ends meet. I realized after joining the competition that I really loved doing this and it was something I wanted to do in the future. If you think about it, a wedding dress is the most important costume you’ll ever wear. I ended up winning the contest and it opened up many doors.
How have your Cuban roots impacted your designs?
You always see a little bit of a Spanish flare in my dresses. Especially when I was starting my career I always put lace that gave almost a flamenco feel to my designs. As years passed, my aesthetic changed but there will always be a little Spanish influence.
I play off of my heritage and a lot of my customers also come from ethnic backgrounds.
Do you have any tips brides?
I always say “keep an open mind.”
I travel a lot and do various trunk shows and I always see that the biggest mistake a bride makes is not wanting to try something out of their comfort zone. Some brides have an idea of what they want their dress to be but it may not be the one you walk out of the store with.
Do you have a muse or a specific person you think of when designing?
I’m going to be very corny and say my brides are my muse. A lot of my collections are based on what I see that my brides want.
I have this repore with my brides where they tell me what they like and I can probably go back and design a whole collection based on that.
I grew up in the 80’s with the whole disco era and my style icon is Diana Ross. I actually designed a dress for her daughter and I thought I would die when I met her. She is able to change 20 times throughout one show and it is a mind blowing experience. Diana Ross made a movie called “Mahogany” and it was what made me want to be a fashion designer. In the movie she plays a designer and when I met her she said “That’s what I really wanted to do, that was my passion”. Every fashion person should watch Mahogany it was life changing for me.
Describe your creative process. What steps do you take when creating?
I am not one of those designers that actually sits and creates a whole collection. I may come up with an idea and there’s always one sketch which can lead to ten sketches.
I am a very visual person, so I like to work on the mannequin a lot. Every designer starts with a certain way that they want the collection to go to, whether it’s glamorous or very soft. I come up with a concept and we take it from there.
What do you think makes a bride feel beautiful?
I think once a bride puts on that one dress, it hits her.
Every bride to me is beautiful no matter what dress it is, mine or someone else’s. I think that’s something to be said for the bride because they try on a dress and feel like this is the one. It’s a happy occasion, so no matter what they try on, they feel it.
What does the future have in store for Lazaro?
I would love for the brand to evolve. I am starting to creep in there some of the red carpet looks. Eventually, there will be an evening line coming out, which I am excited about.
Every designer should expand for themselves, not just their brand.
You start very red carpet, you know for evening events and eventually expand. Eventually that evening collection can turn into mothers of the bride or something similar. That is where I see it going right now, there are talks of many other things but that is where I see it going.
Marcela Mar made the cover!
Chosen by One Day is the newest brand to join the Chic Parisien family, we were totally taken by their boho but couture sensibility and Aussie cool girl aesthetic - something we felt we were missing in our mix of designers. The Chic Parisien team couldn’t have been happier to see Colombian actress Marcela Mar (of El Capo and dozens more soap operas and theater productions) in her dreamy Chosen dress on her wedding day. It’s no wonder that Hola Magazine put her on the cover of her Colombia edition!
Marcela came in with a clear vision for the look and style we had and we were happy to step in and assist he in making that dream come true! Here are some photos of the truly inspiring wedding on the beach in Mexio straight from the edit of Marcela’s very chic Instagram page…
13.2k Likes, 258 Comments - Marcela Mar (@marcelamar07) on Instagram: "Hace alrededor de dos años, me levanté con la sensación de que algo maravilloso estaba por suceder......"
10.5k Likes, 113 Comments - Marcela Mar (@marcelamar07) on Instagram: "El fin de semana más especial de mi vida, gracias a todos los presentes, se sintió fuerte la magia..."
40.6k Likes, 730 Comments - Marcela Mar (@marcelamar07) on Instagram: "El primer día del resto de nuestras vidas ❤️ @thechefisback #marceypedro"
7,024 Likes, 157 Comments - Marcela Mar (@marcelamar07) on Instagram: "Buenos días Marzo/ Marce 🧜🏻♀️ es tu mes! Gracias @andresoyuela por este fotón 💕MarcelAmar💕 #piscis"