A Look At The New Mira Zwillinger Collection
Just about a month ago the Chic Parisien team traveled to New York for Bridal Fashion Week, where we see the latest collections from our international designers. This season, Mira Zwillinger presented an edit of dresses that we have positively fallen in love with. It’s all the signature reasons why we adore Mira Zwillinger’s gowns, with fresh new spins based on what brides right now are looking for.
Experience the craftsmanship and romance for yourself at our Trunk Show this Friday and Saturday only. A bridal trunk show is the best way to shop the latest gowns. Why? First, you’ll get to see the entire collection. Second, you can place orders on the latest dresses about six months before the gowns arrive in stock at the bridal boutique, which means you’re amongst the first in the world to wear these bridal gowns when you walk down the aisle.
photos by collin pierson
Backstage at Ines Di Santo's Runway Show During New York Bridal Fashion Week
Collin Pierson takes us backstage at the Ines Di Santo runway show featuring the newest collection by the chic designer:
New Arrival: Candlelight by Monique Lhuillier
New Arrival:
Candlelight by Monique Lhuillier now available at Chic Parisien in Coral Gables, Florida.
Enjoy the Yolancris Runway Show in Barcelona from the Front Row
We sent @crossingpathsphotography to Barcelona to photograph the epic runway show from our resident Spanish brand, Yolancris. As expected, they delivered the chicness. A favorite brand for a sophisticated boho aesthetic, Yolancris is a study in the elegant, handcrafted, fashion-forward designs coming out from Barcelona.
This Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, they send a slew of memorable looks down the runway that we can’t wait to see on a bride who is ready to make a statement:
#realchicbride Shir's Wedding in New Zealand Wearing Chosen by Khya and Nicole + Felicia
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
I met my husband Sam through the dating app bumble. He was working on super yachts at the time and we matched when the yacht he was working on was in south Florida. It was truly by small chance that we both were on the app at the right time, as the boat traveled all over the world, and when we matched, he was already on his way to the Caribbean. He’s originally from New Zealand and he was always planning on moving back there after eventually leaving the super yacht industry, which also was quite an obstacle as i wanted to stay in Florida. While all odds were against us, we both had a strong connection and wanted to be together. We did long distance for quite a few months until Sam decided to move to Florida to be with me.
Our proposal was extremely romantic and well planned! Sam proposed in Paris under the Eiffel Tower.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
We truly had the wedding of our dreams! The venue was stunning, the energy was amazing, and all of the guests had a fabulous time.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
The guest experience was the most important to us, so we included anything that may improve it. We wanted each guest to feel valued, especially as every guest had to travel to be there (None of our guests live on Waiheke island). We focused on the details, and were very guest centric. We knew if the guests were having a fabulous time, then we would too. Was truly a dreamy wedding weekend!
How did you decide on the location?
We decided to have our wedding in New Zealand to make it more convenient for Sam’s friends and family (since Sam moved to Florida for me, it made sense to have the wedding there for the Kiwis), and saw it as an opportunity for our American and other international friends to travel to the beautiful country. We had our wedding in Waiheke Island, which is a beautiful island filled with vineyards. When we traveled to New Zealand together for the first time, Sam and I shared our first I love yous after spending a beautiful day in Waiheke island.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I had two stunning dresses from Chic Parisien. The ceremony dress was a stunning two piece from Chosen by Khya! My second look was a beautiful short dress with a skirt of roses by Nicole + Felicia. The second look was a dress that caught my eye on Instagram only a few weeks before the wedding. The team at Chic Parisien was able to last minute get a sample from the designer. The sample arrived the day before I left for New Zealand and was exactly my size. Was truly meant to be! Both wedding looks were iconic.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
The wedding planning process was mostly done between us and our wedding planner, Waiheke Island Wedding and Events. My mom and friends did help me with my fashion selections (both for my wedding dresses and wedding trip outfits)! During the wedding day, our bridal party and immediate family got ready with us and hyped up our day.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
It’s hard to pick just one moment, as the whole day was truly a dream. The beautiful speeches were definitely a highlight!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I did a trial which really helped. I also had fantastic hair and make up artists. They were able to achieve the perfect classy glam!
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
We had a live painter do guest portraits which all our guests really loved!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We haven’t been on our honeymoon yet, as the trip to New Zealand was a big one. We will plan a honeymoon for later in the year. We did, however, have a buddymoon - a friends trip after the wedding. The best part of our buddymoon was the boat day we had in Auckland. A group of about 30 of us rented a yacht for the day - and we had the superbowl on the tv. Was such an epic celebration!
#realchicbride Adelaide in Ines Di Santo Aura Dress On Her Waterside Wedding Day
Get inspired by #realchicbride Adelaide on her wedding day in Ines Di Santo’s Aura dress…
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
We met the old fashioned way (on a dating app). I was actually Kelven’s first date on the app, we joke he got lucky! He got into a minor car accident on the way to what should have been our first date so we had to reschedule. He took me to a cute Italian restaurant for dinner and brought my favorite flowers, pink roses. He proposed after 2 and a half years just before a trip to Greece that we call our engagement-moon, and we got married on the 4 year anniversary of our first date.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
We wanted an elegant black tie wedding on the water and we thought it turned out perfectly. We couldn’t have asked for a more magical wedding day.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
It was important to us to have a few minutes to ourselves and for our day to involve Caribbean culture in some way for Kelven's family. We opted to do a first look and prioritize "us" time during cocktail hour, taking sunset photos alone and taking a few minutes to relax before rejoining our guests at the reception. This also allowed our bridal party and immediate family to join cocktail hour and the caribbean-themed food options there. We were so lucky this was a standard offering at Pelican Club!
How did you decide on the location?
We actually only toured one venue in person and loved it so much we booked! Pelican Club was perfect for us being on the water and with views of the lighthouse we got engaged in front of. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect place to host our wedding.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I went to 8 bridal shops before Chic Parisien but had a good feeling I might find my dress there. My mother & grandmother were in town for just two days so we prioritized scheduling Chic Parisien while they were in town.
I tried on a number of dresses in the style I had always pictured - sleek, silk, simple - but the attendant slipped in a more detailed Aura dress by Ines Di Santo to see how I would like it. The second I saw myself in the mirror I started tearing up and knew it was the one! It was beaded, strapless, and fit and flare - the opposite of what I had pictured but it was stunning. I customized the back to include the mesh cage I had seen on another dress and was delighted that the designer allowed this customization. It was truly perfect.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
We took our immediate families to tour our venue on the day of our engagement party before we booked and they loved it. Other than that, we centered cocktail hour food around family preferences (Caribbean food for Kelven's family, passed hors deouvres that accommodated all family dietary restrictions) and chose a holiday weekend to allow as many friends and family to attend as possible. We had a family friend officiate, and his wife was gracious enough to host our bridal party and families the night before our rehearsal to kick off the wedding weekend. It was really lovely.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
Walking down the aisle. We had gone back and forth on whether or not to do a first look in case it took away from us seeing each other at the ceremony, but it was still so emotional. Kelven cried when he saw me and I cried the entire walk down the aisle. Seeing each other before made us more comfortable, but didn't take away from the moment at all.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
The dress was the star of the show, so I wanted to keep it simple with hair and makeup. I did a soft glam makeup look and kept my hair down in waves. I really loved how it turned out in photos.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
Our planner, Stunning and Brilliant Events was amazing. I'm very type A and love planning (I do it professionally as a program manager) and Jacque and her team kept everything so smooth I wasn't stressed at all. We were amazed. Having three extra set of hands day-of is something I'd recommend to every bride. We forgot the flower girl's basket at the hotel, but a member of the planning team went back to get it before I was even aware. The entire day was seamless and I completely attribute it to our planning team and our venue.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We went to Oahu and stayed at the Four Seasons Ko'Olina, spending a few days in LA on the way home. The best part was the 3 days of pure relaxation and spa treatments when we first landed. It was perfect after all the stress of the wedding and our travel agent, Maria at Kax Lifestyle planned everything out perfectly so our only worry was enjoying ourselves. We transferred into the city of Honolulu for the second half of the trip once we were well-rested and shopped, hiked, etc. We couldn’t have asked for a more lovely wedding and honeymoon overall, it felt like a dream!
New Arrival: Jane by Katherine Tash
Old Hollywood glamour meets sleek modern bride. Jane by Katherine Tash is a jaw dropping wedding dress for a bride who wants to have it all. We also love this Katherine Tash wedding dress as a second look option for a bride who wants to slip into something a little more comfortable (maybe post-ballgown?). The flattering structured corset top is softened by the cowl neck and romantic draped skirt in a chic mermaid silhouette.
#realchicbride Vivian in Monique Lhuillier
Get to know real bride Vivian and her love story:
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Vivian and Max met while attending Boston College in 2012. After graduation, they moved to Los Angeles, where Vivian attended University of Southern California for graduate school and to complete her fifth year as a collegiate track athlete. Meanwhile, Max pursued a career in sports working for Los Angeles Football Club.
After a few years on the West Coast, Vivian decided to move back home to Naples, Florida and launch her own jewelry line, Henri Noël. Vivian is a third generation jeweler who specializes in creating bespoke engagement & wedding bands, in addition to her core jewelry collection. The family jewelry business was a staple of Vivian's upbringing and has been an inspiration to her own custom jewelry that holds long-lasting value and memories.
For the proposal, Max flew in his two siblings to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was living at the time, and had his sister convince Vivian to head to Lake Norman to model for her (she is a photographer and graphic designer for Casamigos Tequila). By Vivian’s own admission, she'd do “anything for tequila", so she was a willing participant.
Upon their arrival at Lake Norman, Max took Vivian to explore the lake while his sister got in position to photograph the proposal. After a short walk, Vivian turned a corner to find a gazebo decorated in rose petals. Right there and then, Max dropped down on one knee and popped the question! Shortly thereafter, Max took Vivian to dinner, where she was surprised by close friends and family.
Given that Vivian’s father is also a jeweler, Max had the perfect co-creator when it came to the engagement ring. Together, they sorted, color-matched and set each of the marquise diamonds to create this one-of-a-kind eternity band.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
Once engaged, the couple decided on Cutlass Cove Beach in Vivian’s hometown of Naples, FL for the wedding. After seeing the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian six months prior, the couple was unsure if they could still have their wedding on the property. Thankfully, however, with the help of close family friends, they were able to restore the area just in time.
To help bring their English garden vision to life, the couple enlisted the help of Kehrin Hassan as their wedding designer. She helped the couple throw the wedding of their dreams by putting on a ceremony that felt elegant yet relaxed.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
The couple shook things up in the layout of their wedding. On their invites, they told all guests the ceremony would start at 4pm but really they had the cocktail hour before the wedding ceremony. This allowed the guests to take photos and get a little loose before taking their seats for the ceremony. The signature cocktail was a ‘Spaghett’, a staple at the couple’s favorite restaurant in Charlotte, ‘Vana’. It mixes Miller High Life with Aperol, mimicking an Aperol Spritz, but replacing champagne with ‘The Champagne of Beers’, another subtle nod to the wedding’s elevated but informal feel.
The ceremony was not traditionally seated, but instead included long benches with accent pillows joined by areas for guests to stand. After the couple said “I do”, the music immediately kicked in, setting the tone for a night of dancing, highlighted by Max’s upbeat and choreographed dance with his mother, who herself used to be a professional dancer.
How did you decide on the location?
We decided on Cutlass Cove Beach Club. A beautiful setting in Vivian’s hometown that truly showed how beautiful Naples is.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
Vivian found her perfect dress early in the process - a Monique Lhuillier lace gown paired with light blue Manolo Blahnik heels. During a shopping trip with her mom in Miami, they shared a knowing smile when she tried on this gown, confirming it as "the one." Vivian once listened to a podcast once where Monique said, “If your dress is not filthy at the end of the night, you didn’t do it right”. Vivian connected with those words as she wanted a dress she wouldn't want to take off all night but also one that was comfortable to move in. Vivian’s after party dress was a light blue Rachel Gilbert ruffle dress - she wanted to bring a pop of color to the night once she took her wedding dress off.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
Vivian had 9 bridesmaids, each with their own unique personality. As such, she allowed them the freedom to choose their own dresses. And since no outfit is complete without some Henri Noël jewelry, Vivian created an iconic earring that each of the girls wore in the gold color of their choice.
One thing that was quite fun was Vivian’s mother-in-law, a former professional dancer, performed a dance with the groom to “I’m Holdin’ on to love” by Shania Twain. This set the tone for the evening, every guest was clapping, dancing and singing.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
The first look. Imagining the moment your soon-to-be husband sees you on your wedding day is something Vivian always dreamed of. Seeing the smile on her husband’s face and the warmth in his eyes is something she will never forget.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
Vivian always knew she wanted to still feel like herself and not worry about fixing anything throughout her wedding day. She went with a “party pony” so no matter the weather conditions, it would look good. For makeup, Vivian went with a very natural look, neutral tones and a subtle lip color.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
Kaleidoscope Floral! It is a good feeling when you can describe what you want and know it is going to be perfectly executed.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
Vivian and Max went to Zambia and Cape Town for their honeymoon. Many might say it is a trip of a lifetime, and they are certainly not wrong! The couple stayed at The Royal along the Zambezi River and loved how removed it was from inner city life. Each day out in the brush brought something new - an elephant spotting, a lion sprinting to kill its prey, monkeys swarming the trees - these unique moments creating unforgettable memories.
Fall In Love With Leah Da Gloria
Leah Da Gloria collection is available at Chic Parisien in Coral Gables, FL. Shop these beautiful wedding dresses at the best bridal boutique in Miami. SAy yes to the dress of your dreams from this collection with something for every bride’s style.
In Store For A Limited Time Only: Inbal Dror 23-11
Shop this chic Inbal Dror ballgown with a beautiful keyhole back and deep-V scalloped neckline at Chic Parisien in Coral Gables, FL for a limited time only.
Leah Da Gloria Boheme VI Collection At Chic Parisien
It’s the most wonderful time of the year to say yes to your wedding dress and this pre-holiday weekend we are hosting the Leah Da Gloria Boheme VI Collection at Chic Parisien. It’s a beautiful, festive season to gather your favorite people and bring them in for your private bridal shopping experience so that you are surrounded by love during this festive moment!
Leah Da Gloria Trunk Show is Friday and Saturday, December 15 - 16 only. Reserve your appointment today to shop Leah Da Gloria at the best bridal boutique in Miami.
Mark Ingram Collection Fall 2024
Get to know the Mark Ingram Collection Fall 2024 at our Trunk Show this Friday and Saturday only. This chic new collection is fresh from Bridal Fashion Week in New York City and we are amongst the first stores in the world to host the collection - that means that you’ll be the first brides to walk down the aisle in these new gowns when you say yes to the dress during the trunk show event.
Mark Ingram is an iconic figure in the bridal world. He is the name and brains behind New York City’s Mark Ingram Atelier - he even played himself on Gossip Girl! When you get the Blair Waldorf stamp of approval, you know you’re chic! Enter Mark’s vision of Old Hollywood glamour and timeless style.
Monique Lhuillier Fall 2024 Collection at Chic Parisien
Here’s a sneak peek into a little dress up session featuring the newest Monique Lhuillier collection, Fall 2024. Straight from New York Bridal Fashion Week, this collection is making it’s debut at Chic Parisien for a limited time only. Shop it now or wait until we receive our stock pieces of these positively lovely new wedding dresses.
The Cool Bride Edit
Our chic staff picked their favorite wedding dresses for a cool bride, looking to make a statement in her wedding day wardrobe. If your style descriptors look like: chic, cool, modern — these are the picks from our stock of bridal gowns for you. Featuring wedding dresses from our Coral Gables bridal boutique from designers: Berta, Katherine Tash, Chosen by Kyha, Ines Di Santo, and Alex Perry.
Chic Newsletter: Issue I
Today, in Chic News, we’ve decided to make our newsletter available for download! As we work on the second issue of our print newsletter, we thought we’d make sure that anyone who hasn’t seen it in person at the store has the opportunity to download all the chicness!
Our newsletter is a round up of the chicest in bridal trends, produced bi-annually. We’ve been listening to the questions our brides have, scoping the latest in bridal fashion, and finding a new way to highlight our roster of international bridal designers including: Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Berta, Mira Zwillinger, Chosen by Kyha, Yolancris, Inbal Dror, Alex Perry, Katherine Tash, Leah Da Gloria, Lazaro, Maria Elena Headpieces and more.
Download it here.
a special thank you to our cover photographer Collin Pierson.
#realchicbride Felicia in Her THREE Chic Gowns
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Felicia and Jack met in the COVID-era of early 2021. Jack attended one of Felicia’s house parties, and at the time, Felicia kept blowing Jack off because the only thing she was worried about was pouring her friends her world-renowned espresso martini shots. Finally after much persistence, Felicia agreed to go on their first date at his best friend JC’s restaurant, Wineology - a personal favourite of Felicia’s. Felicia was smitten by Jack over time - but not as smitten as she was with his 4 children: Tanner, Travis, Trent and Alexis. She wasn’t just a regular mom, she was a cool mom.
Finally in the summer of 2022 Jack asked Felicia for her hand in marriage along the beautiful coast of Nazaré, Portugal where they continued to eat cheese and drink port wine all the way home.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
My vision originally was very modern and romantic. I wanted the venue to have tons of modern white florals, yet the furniture be something you would see in a home – just a very unique twist on a venue. I ditched the traditional wedding draping, napkins, menus, seating charts and basically created mine from scratch. I wanted the wedding to be as different as possible from other weddings, so I would tend to take small ideas over various social media sites to construct my own vision. Having the wedding in a small town in Canada, I was extremely limited on resources, so I found myself sometimes having to construct things on our own just to make sure the vision was still achieved!
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
A few things really mattered to us as a couple when planning the wedding. We wanted a venue with an amazing backdrop for our guests to be wow’d by. We wanted an amazing photographer to really capture unique editorial moments. And we wanted an amazing live band all night. We got all 3!
How did you decide on the location?
We wanted to make sure that the venue had a stunning backdrop. Being from Windsor, Ontario we are fortunate to have such a stunning Detroit skyline view. We also wanted to incorporate a lake view backdrop, so we decided to do an outdoor ceremony at my father’s gorgeous lakefront beach house. We got the best of both worlds in one day!
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I originally heard of Chic, as my sister was getting married in Fort Lauderdale the same year I was. I went with her during the bridal gown shopping process. We worked with Kendall and I just thought the process was so flawless and easy. We actually found her dresses that day! A couple months later I found myself finally looking for dresses. Being from Canada, I originally tried to find my dresses locally to my country. I actually found the process extremely hard – they would have one dress and not the other, and it made the process extremely stressful. I thought to myself why am I wasting my time in making sure other companies have this and that when I know Chic Parisien houses most if not all the bridal brands I was looking for? So I made my appointment and booked my flight to Miami! I found myself purchasing all 3 dresses (main bridal dress, second look dress, and rehearsal dress) from Chic and it was honestly the best decision I ever made!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
What I thought was really unique is my sister and I got married the same year, 3 months apart to be exact. Although she had her wedding in Florida and mine was in Canada, it was really nice to bounce ideas off each other while going through the same process at the same time
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
I think the florals will be something I never forget, they exceeded my expectations!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
Given my dress was strapless on my first dress, I knew I wanted my hair down. For my second look I had a high neck and it gave such a party vibe with the feathers I knew I needed a high, fun ponytail to match the look! For makeup I wanted it to have natural tones with a hint of glam.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
Yes, Lauren Alatriste my photographer. She was a life saver when it came to the photos at my wedding and she did such an AMAZING job! She really nailed the vision I was looking for!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We went to Paris, Santorini and Sicily. We absolutely loved Paris, the shows, the shopping, the food but we also got to stay in the White Lotus hotel in Taormina, Sicily and it was absolutely STUNNING!!
CREDITS
@littlebirdeventco
@laurenalatriste wedding photographer
Jessica Ruxton Photography rehearsal dinner photographer
@theissenflowers
New ARRIVALS: What you've been waiting for..
Hello fiancees! We have exciting news about chic new bridal gown arrivals to our stock of the world’s most fabulous wedding dresses. We carry a selection of the chicest designers in bridal fashion from around the world, including Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Berta, Leah Da Gloria, Mira Zwillinger, Lazaro, Yolancris, Alex Perry, Katherine Tash, Chosen by Kyha, Berta Privee, Muse by Berta and more.
Shop these brand new additions to our edit of wedding dresses and find the one for you. You’ll work alongside a private bridal stylist at our iconic Coral Gables bridal boutique, in a dressing room that you’ll have all to yourself. Bring along your loved ones (if you’d like) and make your wedding day fashion dreams come true.
Fall In Love with Leah Da Gloria
It’s not every day that we add a new designer to our list. It takes a lot of love on our end to take the leap and say yes (sound familiar?). We are proud to present Australian designer Leah Da Gloria’s latest collection this weekend at our trunk show.
This chic new collection is GLAM embodied. We knew our Miami brides needed these elegant and chic gowns available to them. They’re modern and sexy and yet totally timeless wedding day looks. Need we say more? See a few favs from the collection below and make your appointment here to shop the Leah Da Gloria Trunk Show at Chic Parisien bridal boutique in Coral Gables, Florida this weekend only.
#realchicbride Zoe in Berta at her Tampa Wedding
Real Chic Bride Zoe at her wedding in Tampa wearing a chic and glittery Berta dress. Hear more about her love story, how they incorporated their dog into their wedding, and how she knew that this Berta dress was “the one” for her.
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
We met at the University of Central Florida in 2017! I was invited to play in a soccer game with a friend and met Matthew. A couple of months later we were inseparable! We traveled together, got our first dog, moved in together, and in 2021 Matthew got down on one knee on a trip to Washington D.C!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
When I thought about my wedding I wanted spring and sparkle. I think I got very close to my vision! I had beautiful pastel florals everywhere you could think of. I wanted some water element to my venue so when I found the river center I was obsessed it gave us enough creative freedom to make our vision come true. I have always wanted my wedding colors to be champagne and black because it is timeless but gives you so much room to add special details that may be hard to match with other colors.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
We actually had our dog, Kylo in our wedding and this was so awesome! We have had him since college and he has been able to grow with us as we went from boyfriend and girlfriend to fiancés and now husband and wife! We used Fairytail Pets and she was so amazing!! She got his attention for all the photos and even sent us pictures when they took him home. We felt so comfortable leaving our boy with them.
I also really wanted to do a first look. It was so special to have a moment just the two of before the craziness started and it was amazing! We got all of our photos done during this time as well which saved us a lot of time after the ceremony, totally worth it!
Lastly, we did a boat exit and it was so much fun!! Everyone got on a water taxi and got dropped off at the hotels!
How did you decide on the location?
When we picked a venue I wanted to make sure it was a place we could easily visit. I am from Tampa and Matthew is from Miami so we wanted to stay close to either city and preferred it to be on the water. When we saw the Tampa river center it was perfect. Right in the heart of Tampa, on the water, modern but elegant, and it’s somewhere we can go visit to remember all the great moments we had on April 28th.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I went to a dress boutique to try dresses and I liked them BUT I had my heart set on my Berta dress from the moment I saw it. I looked up all the places that carried it and when I saw Chic Parisien in Miami I made an appointment the next day.
Every dress I tried on was absolutely stunning however, when I put my dress on I and everyone else knew it was the one.
I love glitter and it doesn’t get more sparkly than this dress! Not only did the glitter sell me but also all the small details like the corset top, studded straps, and all of the layers. Truly the most stunning piece I have ever worn and I feel so lucky to have gotten married in my dream dress!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
My mom was my rock in all of this. She was on top of every detail in the best way possible. She helped me pick out all the details with the florals, rentals, and accommodations. Her and my father were a huge part in making my dream wedding come true and I couldn’t be more thankful! My twin sister planned my bachelorette helped with my bridal shower and was so helpful and encouraging throughout everything!
My mother and law and grandmother-in-law were at every dress fitting and did so much to help! All the signage done at the ceremony was from my mother-in-law and she planned our rehearsal dinner!
Matthew's grandfather actually officiated our wedding which was so special for us. Something we truly will never forget. Of course, I would have been lost without my bridesmaids and I am so appreciative of each other for everything they did, they are the best!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget?
Matthew and I started to make a first dance routine about two weeks before the wedding which was a little scary because we only had two weeks to get it right. We actually went and practiced in the venue with my dress on before the ceremony and it was a little rocky. Once it was time for our first dance we nailed it!! I just remember being so excited to have just perfected our first task in marriage and it was so fun!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
Because my dress was so much(in the best way possible) I wanted very simple hair and makeup. I had loose waves in my hair and for makeup I actually got inspired by looking at Berta’s page and seeing what other brides had done for their makeup! I went with a brown smoky eye and bronzed finish.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
This is so hard to pick!! I have to shoutout three of them,
First my photographer, Karin Marie Photography, she completely outdid herself. I felt so comfortable with her the entire night and she was a bride’s girl all night long. She never left my side and did everything she could to make sure I had the best night ever while getting the most amazing photos. I got my preview the next day which exceeded all my expectations. She was absolutely amazing.
Next, my florist with Petals Parties and Presents! I told her spring and she delivered. I never picked a single flower, only gave her a couple of Inspo photos like 8 months before and she made the most beautiful floral arrangements I have ever seen. She even texted me the night before about how obsessed she was with my bouquet and it just got me so excited! The florals complemented my dress and my bridesmaids’ champagne dresses. Classy can be colorful and she proved it!
Lastly, my wedding planner Katy with Coastal Coordinating. She had every detail planned out and was so supportive of every decision I made. She was honest and practical, you can’t ask for more! During my wedding, she always made sure I had everything I needed! She even called the dress company my bridesmaids’ dresses were from because there was a stain on one of them and she wanted to know the best way to immediately get it out. Literally above and beyond.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We went to Ocho Rios Jamaica for our honeymoon and it was so dreamy. We woke up to a violinist playing on the beach every morning. My favorite part was just spending time with Matthew. Everything we did together was so magical and we truly had the best time. We went hiking up waterfalls, floating down rivers, on catamaran cruises, snorkeling, and so much more! We are so lucky to have each other and can’t wait to build more memories !
Wedding Planner: Coastal Coordinating
Catering: Milan catering
Venue: Tampa river center
Florist: Petals Parties and Presents
Photographer: Karin Marie photography
Videographer: Namesake Creative
Dress: Chic Parisien, Berta
Pet care: FairyTail Pet care
Hair/MU: FemmeAkoi
DJ: Grainger entertainment
Cake: Alessis bakery