Love Goes On: Krystal's Wedding Day in Reem Acra
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
In February 2016, I started working at a law firm in the Gables. The last thing that was running through my head, was that I would meet my husband that day. He had just returned from a month-long trip to Australia and as I’m standing at the reception desk, he greeted me super casually and turned the corner. He quickly took two steps back to the reception desk to properly introduce himself AGAIN. It really was love at first sight. The rest is history after that!
So while we were dating, he asked me what places were on my bucket list. I told him I’ve always wanted to visit Cuba and see where I came from. I’ve always wanted to see where my mom and dad grew up. Jorge planned the entire trip to Cuba and just told me to pack light. On June 14, 2019, we arrived in Havana, Cuba. I had no idea that the entire way there the ring and box were in his pocket. We arrive at the hotel to drop our things off and go straight to sightsee. Our first stop was at Morro Castle “Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro”, named after the three biblical Magi. It is a fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay in Havana, Cuba.
As we walk up the stairs to the top of the castle, there was a truck selling fresh coconuts with rum. So of course, Jorge buys us a couple and tells me to stand at the top for some pics. I’m standing there when all of a sudden he takes the coconut away. I was left puzzled when he immediately pulls the ring out gets on one knee. I was speechless and all that would come out was “are you serious!!” Well, he was serious!
When you started planning your wedding - what did you envision?
I envisioned myself walking down the aisle in a beautiful traditional, yet breathtaking wedding gown.
I envisioned a lush and elegant ballroom with all whitener decor - simple, yet elegant and romantic. I wanted to make sure we included calla lilies everywhere to honor my late father - it was his favorite and also the flower he and my mom used at their wedding.
I saw myself having my first dance with my husband, as everyone lovingly looked on.
How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
The fact that we are going through a pandemic, I knew there were certain aesthetics that weren’t going to be possible (i.e. a dance floor, long rectangular tables with candles to name a few).
I was able to walk down the aisle at the Church of the Little Flower in the dress I so desired to wear.
My wedding planner made sure to make my wedding look as breathtaking as possible.
She created a structure where my husband and I would sit under - with hanging callas and gorgeous florals all around. She also created a mirrored backdrop with more hanging callas for the cake display.
These alone helped create the look I was going for - clean, elegant, and definitely a “wow” factor.
It also served as a backdrop as my husband and I had our first dance that I so dreamed about.
Aside from that dance, because of COVID, we were not allowed to have dancing overall - however, my mother surprised me with a trio consisting of 2 singers and a guitarist. They were able to liven up the night and create an ethereal vibe as guests sang along to the music.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
My husband’s only request was that we get married in the Catholic Church. We chose the Church of the Little Flower because my parents got married there and also my son attends the school. In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful churches. The Priest who married us was, Father Manny. He was the sweetest and most caring with my husband and I. He got to know us along the way so that he could make our wedding ceremony very special for us. Another request I had for the wedding was that i would be surrounded by callas. My dad passed away when I was 20 years old from cancer and I wanted to honor him somehow. Callas were his favorite flower and also the flower my he & my mom used at their wedding. Petal Productions alongside my wedding planner created the most beautiful calla wedding. I am forever grateful.
How did you decide on the location?
My original location was The Ritz Carlton in coconut grove, but COVID shut them down. The team at The Ritz was so amazing and flawlessly set us up at The Ritz in Key Biscayne. It was the most magical weekend of our lives.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
My amazing gown was by designer Reem Acra. My veil was by designer Ines De Santo. It’s a sweetheart-shaped A-line gown with silk flowers. The veil is all hand sewn with pearls and diamonds.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
My friends and family were super supportive throughout the entire planning process. I’m not going to lie and tell you that it was the most magical experience planning this wedding because it was not. Covid-19 came in like a wrecking ball and changed everything around. I originally had 200 people invited and about 110 came. I’m super thankful for my amazing mother and super comforting wedding planner, Marylen Exposito. All of the vendors were super accommodating to all of the changes. My flowers were by Petal Productions. My photography was Rodrigo Varela and my videography was Osiris Photography.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
One specific memory that I will never forget about was when the church opened up the curtain to reveal me to my husband. The look on his face was absolutely priceless. Once he laid eyes on me, he couldn’t control his emotions anymore. He looks so dashing in his Sartori Amici custom navy tux. I couldn’t wait to stand next to him.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
My hair and make up was done by Marz & Co. Marz & Co. is a squad of some of South Florida’s most sought after (and fierce) makeup and hair professionals. While all different, in personality and technique, the incredibly talented members of the Marz Makeup + Hair team share the common goal of making women feel the most stunning they have ever felt. They live (and die!) for the moment when a woman looks into the mirror and lights up from the sight of her own vibrant beauty, all while ensuring your hair and makeup lasts all day and night. Marz & Co. work alongside the most elite wedding vendors and are consistently considered a “preferred vendor” at many of South Florida’s finest venues. I chose a timeless sleek part down the center with a criss cross low bun in the back.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
My wedding planner, Marylen Exposito. She never gave up hope that this wedding was going to happen and was my voice of reason. She would calmly update me on the current phases Miami-Dade was going through and held my hand through the entire process. She made sure we were compliant with all social distancing standards, while still creating the wedding of my dreams with no detail overlooked.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
Our original honeymoon had to be completely canceled due to Covid-19. We went on a Plan B honeymoon to the most beautiful new resort in Key Largo called Bungalows. It is an only adult and all inclusive resort. I really felt like I was transported to Bali for the week. 45 minutes from my house and the most relaxing and gorgeous honeymoon.
Monique Lhuillier Spring 2021, World Debut at Chic Parisien. Part I.
We were honored to host the world debut of the Monique Lhuillier Spring 2021 Collection, so we called in some talented friends to capture these beautiful gowns, previously unseen my any brides. We got to see these gowns through the lens of the talented Madison Aycoth (@mhpandco and @madisonaycoth), Cristina Liviero (@cmlmakeup) a master Chanel artist brought our vision of a summer bride to life and, of course, the magic of Monique Lhuillier’s latest collection made it all happen.
Inside and outside of our Coral Gables bridal boutique, gown after gown from the Spring 2021 collection inspired us to think forward to the beautiful brides who will one day walk down the aisle in these chic gowns.
Many of the gowns featured here are from Bliss Monique Lhuillier, a more accessibly priced collection by Monique Lhuillier. These new gowns for Bliss Monique Lhuillier feature chic, simple silhouettes with sumptuous silks but little to no embellishments. If you’re a bride who wants all the glamour of a classic bridal dress but is looking for something a bit more simple, there are some very beautiful inspiration gowns in this collection. We are particularly fond of the first dress featured here, because, pockets!
A special shout out to Maria Elena Headpieces, whose accessories completed these chic bridal looks!
Ines Di Santo Spring 2021 Debuts At Chic Parisien
Ines Di Santo’s Spring 2021 debuted this week at Chic Parisien and we had to take advantage of the opportunity and play a bit of dress up to share with you all.
This collection was released digitally during the Covid-19 crisis, our Coral Gables bridal boutique is the first in the world to have it here for our brides to try on. We wanted to share this bit of chic bridal joy!
Glendaliz's Bahia Beach Wedding in Inbal Dror
We’d like to pause our day to celebrate this STUNNING Inbal Dror ballgown and the bride who wore it! Congrats on your beautiful wedding right at the start of 2020 Glendaliz!
photographer Wilo Rosado
Ines By Ines Di Santo Collection Now At Chic Parisien
Shhhh… here’s a little secret - the Ines by Ines Di Santo Collection is now at Chic Parisien for a trunk show. This diffusion collection by Ines Di Santo has been quietly gaining steam season after season, offering the chic style of Ines Di Santo’s couture collection, at a more accessible price point, we think this is their chicest collection yet.
Ines By Ines Di Santo gowns are about $3,500 - $5,000.
Here’s a peek at a few of the gowns we now have in store for our trunk show:
Real Chic Bride Nicole on Her Wedding Story
A chat with #realchicbride Nicole about her wedding…
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Felipe and I were actually set up on a blind date from 2 very close friends! It felt like we had known each other our entire lives, it was so natural and easy from the very beginning. From our first date we were inseparable and a proposal came just a year into us dating!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
I always wanted something that was traditional but not expected. We both loved the idea of being married in a church so that was a must.
For the reception, I wanted something that had the convenience of a hotel but not the standard ballroom feel. Our wedding planner, Amber at Oh My Occasions helped me achieve the wedding of my dreams by introducing me to the one of a kind look of the basketball court at the JW Marriott Marquis. They completely transform that room and the floor to ceiling windows out showing the city lights was perfection! It is hard to envision what a basketball court can become but it is a blank canvas that can be transformed into just about anything.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
We both wanted to include all the traditions that come with a wedding. It was important for us to have a church wedding surrounded by all of our family and friends. For the reception, we wanted everyone to have fun all night long. We achieved this by not allowing the party to stop and ending it with an amazing hora loca performance by Black and Wine which I highly recommend!!!
How did you decide on the location?
Because I didn't want just a ballroom, Amber knew the basketball court would be perfect for us! We wanted a large enough space where our guest count fit comfortably and we could have cocktail tables framing the dance floor to have an area where people could hang out during the wedding. With such a large space, we were able to comfortably have our guests spread out while making the checkered dance floor (which was a must for me!) by MPE Event Group a true focal point of the room.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
Anyone who knows me knows that it is very difficult for me to make decisions, it's the Libra in me. I had heard a lot about Chic Parisian so I thought that was a great place to start. I scheduled my first wedding dress appointment, EVER, for a weekday after work with just my mom and sister. I thought we would go, try on a few different styles so I could get a better understanding of what I liked and then go another day with the wedding party to really try on and decide. Alana welcomed us when we walked in and I knew we were in good hands. She had a great understanding of what I wanted and pulled different styles that I loved! My dress ended up being the second dress I tried on! After trying on 6 different dresses I went back to the second and after trying on a different belt I fell in love and knew that was my dress.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
I was lucky to have the support and help from both my side and my husband’s side of the family! Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful but having people who have gone through this process before helps ease your mind! It is a lot of moving parts that need to come together to make everything work. I had so much help especially from my twin sister (who was also my maid of honor), I could not have planned everything without her!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
Aside from the feeling of the doors opening at the church and walking down the aisle with my dad, I would definitely say seeing the completed room where the reception would be held! Amber and her team had me and Felipe close our eyes while they guided us into the room. They placed us in the center of the dance floor and the said: "open your eyes". Seeing all the hard work and all the planning come together in one room was the most amazing feeling. From the checkered dance floor to the feather wall of my dreams, it was all absolutely perfect.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I knew I wanted my hair down so it was a pretty easy decision. I wanted something that was going to be easy throughout the whole night. I knew we would be dancing and didn't want to have my hair in my face so the sleek look was perfect. For makeup, I usually get a little nervous because I don’t wear too much makeup, to begin with, but I trusted the Marz team and knew I was in good hands.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
Masson Liang Photography!!!! There are so many wonderful photographers out there but I am so happy we picked him. He was so easy to work with and truly captured photos that we will cherish forever.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
Unfortunately, our honeymoon to Greece has been put on hold due to Covid-19 but we were lucky enough to have taken a mini-moon to St. Lucia! It was such a relaxing trip, and much needed after the wedding planning madness!
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
Stay Home. Stay Chic. Playing Dress-Up With Kendall Huibregtse and Chic Parisien
A bit of dress up with Kendall from home in Miami, Florida…
Inbal Dror Pure “19-24”
Reem Acra “Flock of Angels”
Mira Zwillinger “Mia”
Lazaro “Ines”
A Chat With Our Virtual Stylists Alana Sirota and Kendall Huibregste
Kendall
My fav dresses right now are:
Inbal Dror’s 16-05 - the color & fit is to die for
Reem Acra’s Flock of Angels - love the slit, an edgy twist to an otherwise classic dress
Monique Lhuillier’s Alexandra - beyond romantic and the prettiest lace, ML is the lace queen
Berta’s 17-135 - a fully beaded, glamorous dress that still feels bridal & elegant
Here’s a tip for brides who are struggling with figuring out postponing wedding events and up-in-the-air timelines:
Stay calm and know that your wedding is going to feel as special as it did, even if you had to postpone. And if you had to postpone - know that planning flies by and even the day itself is over in the blink of an eye... so you get to enjoy being a bride for even longer, which is a pretty special 🥰 it only happens once!
My quarantine routine…
During quarantine I’m eating a lot of home-cooked meals, salads and take out. Binging Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning, and still trying to get 8-10k steps in going on long walks with my dog & boyfriend. Listening to a lot of Banks and Kacey Musgraves 🎶
Alana
Current favorite dresses:
My new fav is Berta Privee 20-P105 - it makes any waist tiny!
YolanCris’ Estrella Boho gown for beach destination wedding.
Ines di Santo’s Margot Old Hollywood glamour.
Monique Lhuillier’s Everest. Just so much fun!
Here’s a tip to get brides ahead of the game for their visit to shop with us when this is all over!
Define what silhouette do you see yourself walking down the aisle. Define the fabrics you love. Who will accompany to your appointment that will help you to say yes the dress.
My quarantine routine…
I’ve been talking loooong walks, supermarket runs for my elderly neighbor, lots of cooking, Listening to DJ Nice, Netflix and most important catching up on SLEEP 😴 💤
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
New Yolan Cris Arrivals
Highlighting some new arrivals from Yolan Cris, a Spanish brand designed by two sisters who never fail to inspire us with their sense of timeless elegance and cool flair:
Arabis
Hierba Luisa
Gardenia
Arabis
Estrella
Regaliz
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!
