Nicole + Felicia Limited Time Only Evening Wear at Chic Parisien
These two gorgeous Nicole + Felicia evening gowns are in stock at Chic Parisien for a very limited time only. We are often asked by brides about dresses for other events in their lives and we are thrilled to have these two stunning Nicole + Felicia ballgowns here for you to shop. Or, maybe, you’re a chic maid of honor or mother of the bride in search of something truly fabulous to wear for a very special wedding. May we suggest going big with these ballgowns?
#realchicbride Devin in Yolan Cris at her Key West Wedding
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Nick and I met in high school. I had just moved to a new town, and was living with my cousin. Nick was my cousin's best friend, and naturally we started hanging out every day and eventually dating. We have endured all the trials and tribulations that your teenage years and early/mid twenties offer. We have been together for 12 years! Nick finally proposed in June of 2022 on the island of Kauai!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
Being together for so long, Nick and I went back and forth between an elopement, a small, intimate wedding, or a larger gathering with all of our loved ones. As far as vision goes, we wanted to lean into the Old Florida/Tropical/Vintage aesthetic. We decided on limiting our ceremony and exchanging of vows to ourselves and our immediate family and bridal parties, and then having all of our loved ones share in the joy at our reception. We are so fortunate to have had our ceremony at the incredible Little Palm Island, and our reception on the beautiful Pier at Ocean Key Resort.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
Our top three most important things at our wedding were: 1. Having a moment to ourselves at some point in the day; 2. Having an amazing band; 3. Amazing photos to have for the rest of our lives. Other than that, I think we were a pretty relaxed couple - some might say too relaxed! We are so thankful for our amazing "type A" wedding planner!
How did you decide on the location?
I was born and raised in Key West, and that is our happy place and where we officially fell in love. It was always Key West!
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I have THE BEST dress story.
Let me preface this by saying I can never find anything to wear. I am late to everything because I never have anything to wear. I knew that choosing a wedding dress was going to be the most difficult decision of the entire wedding planning process.
I only had a few inspo photos and not very many leads. I liked gowns that were traditional, unique, funky and textured. I leaned towards Spanish and South American designers.
I live in Nashville, TN now, but my family and friends live in Florida - my mom in Key West, my Maid of Honor in Miami, and best friend just 3 hours north. I flew into Miami on a weekend in October that fit everyone's schedules. Before booking my appointments, I was on the phone with my mom asking her about her dress and where she got it. She only remembered, "Oh, somewhere in Miami." I had three appointments that day, Chic Parisien being the first.
That morning, a series of wild omens happened. First, my mom called to ask where to meet us. I told her "Chic Parisien," and she said, "wait a minute, that's where I got my dress back in the '80's!" Then, as we were driving to the appointment, a car pulled in front of us with Hawaii tags - where we got engaged! You don't see too many cars that traveled close to 5,000 miles from Hawaii on the roads in Miami. Before we got to Coral Gables, my dad called to remind me that it was his 34th wedding anniversary. I had no idea when I booked the appointment!
Once we get to Chic Parisien, Kendall assists me in trying to pin-point my style. Somehow, she absolutely nailed it with what little information I was able to give her. The first dress I tried on was a gorgeous lacy, beaded two-piece gown with long "Stevie Nicks" style sleeves and a high neck designed by Yolan Cris. Somehow, the sample size fit me perfectly. We all cried, my mom especially hard.
I thought we were emotional because it was the first wedding dress I had ever tried on, so I insisted we try on more. There was no way I found the dress on my first try. Twelve no’s later, we circled back to the first dress and again, tears from everyone. It was the one, there was no denying it.
We threw on a gorgeous lace-trimmed cathedral veil and that was it. It was mine!
After I said yes, my mom said, through tears, that she bought the first dress she tried on here at Chic Parisien 35 years ago.
As soon as we get into my Maid of Honor's car, her parent's wedding song comes on the radio. Nothing more magical or kismet than the day I got my wedding dress!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
-I couldn't have done it without my mom, dad, my maid of honor and each and every friend and family member who stuck by me on the wild ride of planning a wedding. Each person played a specific part in making our day absolutely perfect. Everyone was willing to lend a hand when needed. One of our best friends wrote and performed a song for us, about us, on stage at the reception. I couldn't ask for a better support group!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
Nothing compares to walking down the aisle and seeing your husband, and your future all right before your eyes. It feels as if the Earth stops spinning. It is the single most magical moment I have ever experienced. A close second is partying and dancing at the reception with my best friends and family to our amazing and talented friends while they played our favorite songs. Nick and my dad got onstage and performed too.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I don't typically wear a lot of make-up or do my hair, so I made sure to choose someone that specialized in a natural look.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
My wedding photographer - Gypsy Lemon by Kayla Elizabeth Czarniecki!! Hands down. Also have to give a huge shoutout to Julie at Simply You Weddings in Key West. She made it happen!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We did a mini-moon at The Bungalows in Key Largo and had a perfectly beautiful, relaxing two days. We plan on going on a bigger adventure next summer!
Vendors and credits:
Venues: Little Palm Island @LittlePalmIsland and @LittlePalmIslandWeddings
Sunset Pier @SunsetPierKeyWest
Wedding Planner: Julie at Simply You Weddings @SimplyYouKw
Florals & Decor: Milan Events @Milan_Event
Entertainment: Loose Lips band from Nashville @LooseLipsOfficial
Photographer: Gypsy Lemon @Gypsy.Lemon
Dress: Yolan Cris @YolanCris and @YolanCrisRealBrides and of course @ChicParisien!
Five Favs with Elle from Events by Elle
Five Favs with Elle from @eventsby_elle
🍰 get inspired for your wedding weekend wardrobe with the help of chic local wedding planner Elle 🍰 her picks include something for every wedding event for a dream bride — from a bridal shower set by Chosen By Kyha, a rehearsal dinner look by Katherine Tash, ceremony gown by Nicole + Felicia second look by Berta and day-after brunch mini by Monique Lhuillier 🍰
Bridal Accessories by Our Fav Local Designer, Maria Elena Headpieces
Take a peek inside the accessories we’ll be showcasing this weekend at our Maria Elena Headpieces trunk show this weekend featuring private bridal accessories styling sessions with Fashion Director Gisele Del Busto.
If you have your dress and your shoes, your venue and your florist and all the rest sorted out — accessories are sometimes the last thing on a bride’s to-do list. Our accessories trunk shows are the perfect time to turn your attention towards these sparkly little details. Deciding between a tiara or a hair comb, statement earrings or a headband, should be nothing but a delightful and chic shopping experience. Brides who shop our Maria Elena Headpieces trunk show will have the additional perk of styling by Gisele, who is a true expert in the field with a real passion for finding brides the most perfect accessories to complete their wedding day look. Whether or not you bought your dress at Chic Parisien, you are welcome to shop our accessories trunk show.
Mark Ingram at Chic Parisien
We are positively head over heels with the Old Hollywood inspired wedding dresses from the latest Mark Ingram Collection. If you’re in search of a timeless ballgown, lace or not, there is something for you in this edit of new wedding gowns available to shop in store at our Coral Gables bridal boutique for a limited time only.
Mark Ingram is a bridal world icon and a friend of Chic Parisien for many decades. We are thrilled to be hosting his latest designs for a limited time only trunk show.
New Arrivals Summer 2024 Edition
New Arrivals from Monique Lhuillier, Chosen by Kyha, Reem Acra and Yolancris.
#realchicbride Tiana wears Ines Di Santo at her Elopement in Italy
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Dean and I met at a popular bar overlooking the Miami River during a Gameday Saturday in Miami, where our respective friend groups were there to watch Florida State play Louisville. We met through mutual friends and as the night went on, we exchanged numbers and went our separate ways.
Less than a week later, Dean's impulsive lunch stop near my workplace in downtown Fort Lauderdale changed everything. As I passed by his car at a red light, he recognized me from the previous weekend and felt fate was at play. Dean seized the moment, sending a text that led to our first date a week later—and a start to our unforgettable journey.
Four years later, in 2020, we planned a trip through Greece and Italy, but the pandemic dashed those plans. Undeterred, two years, a new home, and a puppy later, we revived our dream on Italy's Amalfi Coast, and booked a trip to Positano and Capri.
In Positano, our first day unfolded like a dream. We stumbled upon a terrace overlooking the quintessential Positano landscape, and Dean immediately knew it would set the stage for the perfect proposal.
As evening approached, Dean, with a twinkle in his eye, suggested revisiting the terrace. The sun set as he professed his love and asked me to marry him.
I said yes and we celebrated the night away on the Mediterranean.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
Initially, we weren’t quite sure what we wanted. I wasn’t the girl who had her wedding planned out since childhood. Having all eyes on you while walking down an aisle isn’t for everyone, so it was important to make our day work for us.
We fell in love with the idea of tying the knot in Italy, yet we also wanted to ensure our friends and family could easily join us for the celebration. Despite our initial hesitation about a destination wedding, we found a compromise that allowed us to have both the intimate ceremony we dreamed of and a joyous party with our loved ones.
We eloped and exchanged personal vows in Puglia, Italy. A month later, we threw a big reception with all our friends and family in Florida to celebrate.
The reception was stunning! We envisioned neutral colors, curtains, dramatic drapery, and candles for an intimate ambiance, and it turned out exactly as we had hoped.
Although we did things a bit backwards and untraditionally, it worked perfectly for us, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Breaking it up into two parts allowed us to have the best of both worlds, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out!
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
We really wanted our friends and family to feel like they were there in Italy with us, so we filmed a video and played it at our reception. It was a special way to share our elopement experience with everyone.
Having attended many weddings ourselves, we knew we wanted the atmosphere to be anything but stuffy. We aimed for a fun and lively celebration of life. To achieve this, we opted for no seating chart and no plated dinner. Instead, we set up food stations and let everyone sit wherever and with whomever they wanted and without a timeline. This created a relaxed, party-like vibe that everyone loved!
How did you decide on the location?
At first we wanted a popular location like Capri or Lake Como, but ultimately decided on Puglia, Italy because it was less touristy and crowded, a place we had never been before and we were up for an adventure!
It ended up being such a dream. I can’t wait to go back for our Anniversaries!
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I went into Chic Parisien without a clue about what I wanted or even where we were getting married. I imagined my dress would either be big and princess-like or something from Berta. Boy, was I wrong!
My wedding dress was designed by Ines Di Santo, and it was actually the first dress I tried on. With only 15 made in the world, it was truly one-of-a-kind. It had lace, florals, and beading all over with a plunging neckline and low back. Florals ran up the back for a classy tattoo look. I fell in love immediately but still wanted to try on a few more to be sure. Eventually, I tried the first one again, and that’s when Irina, the Chic Parisien stylist, mentioned there was a matching veil. I tried on the veil, and it was a done deal!
For my reception dress, I wanted something with a high neckline that was classy, sexy, and fun. I found the Ines Di Santo Evie Dress, and it was everything! With its high neckline, floral lace and beads to match my wedding dress, and feathers and tinsel on the bottom, it was the perfect party dress!
I’m so happy with both of my dresses and wish I could wear them all the time! Thank you to the Chic Parisien team and Ines Di Santo for being such a fabulous designer!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
Our friends and family were incredibly supportive throughout our wedding planning journey. While we asked for their opinions and valued their input, we knew it was our special day and wanted to make it uniquely ours. One piece of advice we cherished was to prioritize our happiness and make decisions that felt right for us.
Leading up to the big day, we included our loved ones in various aspects of the planning process. From dress and suit fittings to shopping for accessories and travel plans, their involvement made everything more enjoyable.
We also wanted everyone at our reception to have an amazing time without any stress, so we hired a planner to take care of all the day-of details, as well as decor and design. This allowed our guests to simply relax and celebrate with us, making the day even more memorable.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
Oh my goodness, there are so many unforgettable moments! Our rooftop ceremony was such a beautiful and intimate moment, with just the two of us and a violinist playing our song—it felt like a dream.
Then, driving off into the Italian sunset by boat, sipping Prosecco without a care in the world, was pure magic.
And at our reception, when all of our friends and family rushed the dance floor to hug and celebrate with us, it was the perfect way to kick off the night. We truly felt the love, and that feeling will stay with us forever!
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I wanted a timeless look that I would still love when looking back at photos 30 years from now. To achieve this, I chose a matte, glowy makeup look that accentuated my features without being overdone. For my hair, I went with a half-up, half-down style that perfectly matched the relaxed, Italian vibe of our wedding. It all came together beautifully, and I couldn’t have been happier!
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
Absolutely! There are two vendors I wish everyone knew about.
First, Artonico Stories—a creative photo and video couple specializing in travel, weddings, and elopements. They were so relaxed and helped ease any nerves we had. They weren’t in your face but just went with the flow, capturing every special moment beautifully.
Then there was Micro Miami, who helped plan our reception. Sofia and her team took care of all the decor and design details behind the scenes. They handled everything seamlessly, understanding my vision and the vibe I was going for. They truly hit it out of the park! The round bar at our cocktail hour was such a hit with our guests—they didn’t want to leave!
We are incredibly grateful to both vendors for making our wedding so amazing and unforgettable.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We honeymooned in Taormina, Sicily, and it was an absolute dream! We spent a blissful week relaxing by the pool, exploring the island by boat, strolling through the enchanting streets of the town, and indulging in all the pasta, seafood, and granitas we could handle. The best part, though, was watching the sunset behind Mt. Etna, an active volcano, while overlooking the infinity pool, beach town, and Ionian Sea. It was one of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen and a moment we'll cherish forever.
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.
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