Not many couples are as cute as Jillian and Steven!  Let me just say that they are freaking adorable.   We had the best time with them and their families.  

It was a gorgeous day at Admiral's Cove and we had the best vendor team.

Michelle Gonzalez Photo

Xquisite Events

A Creation Films

Tropics Entertainment

The Clyque Hair and Make Up

Happy 2023 Everyone!  As we move into a new year filled with possibilities we are going to share some tips and tricks along the way.  This week we are talking about wedding dress shopping....And NO, it's not like on Say Yes to the Dress.

Now that the time has finally come to start shopping for your dress, you want to make sure you find the perfect one. But with so many different styles, fabrics, and silhouette options out there, where do you even begin? Not to worry—we're here to help. Below is a rundown of what you can expect when shopping for your wedding dress, from finding the right salon to saying yes to the dress of your dreams.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment:

When it comes to finding a salon, it's important to do your research. Start by reading reviews online and asking friends or family members for recommendations. Most bridal salons require appointments for wedding dress shopping, so call ahead and schedule a time that works for you. When you arrive at the salon, you'll be greeted by a consultant who will ask you about your vision for your wedding day. Be as specific as possible in your answers; the more information the consultant has, the better they'll be able to help you find a dress that suits your style. 

Next, the consultant will likely ask about your budget. Don't be afraid to be upfront about how much you're willing to spend on your gown; most salons have a wide range of options to suit any budget. Once the consultant has a good understanding of what you're looking for, they'll pull a selection of dresses for you to try on. 

Here are some things to consider:

1. You'll Try on A Lot of Dresses

This is the fun part! The average bride tries on between 15-20 dresses before finding the one. With so many different styles, designers, and silhouettes available, it's important to try on a variety of dresses to ensure you find the perfect one for you. Don't get discouraged if you don't find the one right away; it takes most brides a little bit of time (and lots of dress fittings!) to find their dream gown.

2. Who will accompany you?

For most brides, wedding dress shopping is a group event. But remember that there are no rules when it comes to wedding dress shopping. If you want to bring your mom, sister, or best friend with you, go for it. But if you prefer to shop alone or with just your bridal consultant, that's OK too. The most important thing is that you find a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful. 

3. You May Feel a Bit Overwhelmed

As we mentioned before, with so many choices available it's normal to feel overwhelmed when wedding dress shopping. The best way to combat this is by doing your research ahead of time and having an idea of the style of dress you're looking for. This will help you narrow down your search and make the process less daunting. Trust us, once you find the perfect dress you'll know it!  

Choosing the Right Dress 

As you start trying on dresses, it's important to keep an open mind. You may think you want a certain style of gown only to find that something completely different looks best on you. Trust your consultant's opinion and take their suggestions into consideration; after all, they know what looks good on different body types. With so many gorgeous gowns to choose from, it can be tough to pick just one. But don't worry—you'll know when you've found THE ONE. Pay attention to how you feel when trying on different dresses. Do you feel like a princess in one particular dress? Do you love the way it looks but not necessarily how it feels? Or do you feel completely comfortable and confident in a certain style? You want to feel beautiful on your wedding day, but also comfortable enough to dance the night away. Once you've found a dress that ticks all three boxes, chances are it's THE ONE. 

You'll need to allow ample time for alterations. Once you've found THE dress, it's not quite time to relax just yet. Most brides need to schedule several fittings in order for their gown to fit perfectly. Alterations usually take 4-6 weeks, so be sure to factor that into your timeline.  

Shopping for your wedding dress should be an enjoyable experience—after all, it's not every day that you get to wear a beautiful white gown! Follow the tips above and trust your gut. Soon enough, you'll be walking down the aisle in the dress of your dreams! Congratulations and happy shopping!

Photos courtesy of: 

Karla Korn Photography

Shea Christine Photography

Captured Beauty Photography

Hi All,

This week we are sharing Madison and Michael's fabulous wedding that was held at The Polo Club of Boca Raton.   The weekend started on Friday evening with a fabulous poolside White Party for all of the guests.  Saturday saw a beautiful interfaith wedding ceremony, followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing.  And let's just say that Madison never stopped smiling the entire weekend. And it was the coldest weekend of the entire year.  Those of us from Florida were freezing while everyone from Chicago, thought it was fabulous weather!  

Check out these fun photos from the rehearsal dinner!

Wedding Magic and Fun!

Thank you to the incredible vendor team that made this special day happen!

Venue: Polo Club of Boca Raton

Planning and Coordination: Fabuluxe Events

Photo:  Gloria Ruth Photo

Decor: Dalsimer Atlas Events

Video: Senderey Video

Hi Y'all!  So we all know that wedding planning is super stressful in the best of times.  Now in the middle of a global pandemic, wedding stress gets a little crazier.

The rules for gatherings are in a constant state of flux.  Guests may or may not want to travel to your wedding.  And even attending a wedding is a life or death decision for some people with health risks.  Top that all off with changes in food service, availability of some items such as special flowers, additional lead time needed for ordering items.  It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out...well don't do that!  We have some tips for saving your sanity while planning your wedding during these crazy times.

1.  Take at least one day each week and make it a NO WEDDING day.  That means no talking about the wedding, no stalking instagram and pinterest, calling your wedding vendors.  NO WEDDING related items.

2.  Date Night - Remember why you are getting married.  Date night may look different right now and that is ok - make dinner together, go for a long walk, watch a movie you haven't seen, binge watch your favorite tv show together, "netflix and chill" is always a great option!

3.  Set boundaries with family and friends.  It's ok not to want to talk about the wedding every waking moment.  And even though they usually have the best of intentions..it's ok to step back.

4.  Let your wedding planner help you!  Your wedding planner is going to have the most up to date information on venue guidelines, federal, state and local rules, travel restrictions and more.  Your wedding planner is a huge resource of information.

5.  Self-care - this could be something different for everyone - a hot bubble bath, an exercise class (virtually or in-person), girls night out, a mani/pedi, a massage, binge watching Gilmore Girls for the 100th time.  Whatever works. 

Recently this wedding planner was looking for something to help with stress, that could be done at home, and it didn't cost a fortune.  

I stumbled across Yoga with Adriene and can you imagine how excited I was when I saw that she had a pre-wedding yoga practice.  I am still working through all of her beginner videos, and videos for neck and shoulders. 

There are 13 practices all designed to help with the unique stress and anxiety associated with wedding planning.  Click the link below to check it out.

Yoga for Anyone Planning a Wedding!

*please note that I have not received any compensation for sharing these videos, nor is it an official endorsement.  It's just something that I found that may help!

 6.  Talk to a licensed therapist or counselor.  It is ok to reach out for help.  We are living in unprecedented times.  And during this strange time, you are trying to plan your dream wedding.  Sometimes, a neutral, third-party can help you sort through some of "noise".  My therapist has been on zoom-speed dial since lockdown in early March.

7.  Turn off the news and stay off social media...Covid will be here for a while.  Your planner will keep you updated. Constant watching of the news and "doom-scrolling" wont suddenly change things.  

8.  Take up a new hobby.  Coloring books, virtual painting classes, reading a new book, petting your dog or cat, journaling, knitting...all receive rave reviews for helping calm stress and anxiety.

It's so important to take care of yourself while wedding planning in normal times.  Well, we aren't in normal times, so taking care of yourself becomes even more important!

Stay well my friends!

Jen

So, recently we were asked to style and curate a photoshoot celebrating a 25th Wedding Anniversary.  It was such an honor, because the "bride" celebrating is the owner of Bacio Bacio Bridal in Wellington.  When someone in our industry trusts us with their personal celebrations, it is one of the highest compliments we can ever receive.

Lenyce and Al got married in Key West 25 years ago.  And let me just say that they are still like newlyweds.  The love that they share is inspiring.  The love they have for their family is inspiring.  And it was so much FUN for us to plan this celebration photo shoot for them.  We hope you enjoy the photos as much as we do!

A HUGE Thank you to everyone involved for making this happen!

Venue:  The Ben West Palm Beach

Photographer:  Krystal Capone Photography

Al's Suit:  The Tux Shop Palm Beach

Lenyce's Dress:  Bacio Bacio; Watters Design

Hair and Accessories:  Phairis Luxury

Make Up: Make Up Artistry by Diana Escobar

Cake:  Johnson's Custom Cakes

Chargers, Linens, Glassware:  Atlas Event Rental

Calligraphy and Engraving:  Calligraphy by Michelle B

Clutch Purse:  CloeNoelDesigns

Styling and Planning:  Fabuluxe Events