Bridal Guide May June 2019 by Bridal Guide Magazine

Blissfully Blend

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CONTENTS Bridal Guide May/June 2019

FASHION & BEAUTY 38 COVER STYLE

How to get that beautiful look.

42 STYLE FILE: BRIDES

Feathers galore; dreamy opalescent tones; Pantone’s Living Coral.

48 ALL THAT GLITTERS Naturally glamorous rings.

50 DESIGNER PROFILE

(Flower) girl talk with Hayley Paige.

52 BEAUTY FILE

Skincare best bets at gentle prices; top hair looks from the runways.

100

56 BODY FILE

An exclusive workout created by the pros at Chaise Fitness.

92 ROYAL AFFAIR

Behold—princess-worthy gowns rich in dazzling details.

100 RUNWAY REPORT

ON THE COVER

Short, sweet dresses; full-blown bows; detachable sleeves and more.

• 451 Amazing Details: Flowers,

102 STEALS & DEALS

• Best-Buys Special: Fab New

Take a look at these fab finds: gowns under $2,000 and accessories for less than $100.

Themes, Colors and More Finds for Every Budget, p.102 • The New Bridal Fashions:

Our Picks of the Hottest Trends, p.91 • Planning Secrets: What’s In,

What’s Out, p.82 • 50 Cool Outdoor Wedding

Ideas!, p.66

42 102

justinalexander.com

CONTENTS

Bridal Guide May/June 2019

WEDDING PLANNING 58 PARTY PLANNER

Beyond-fabulous wedding cakes.

62 BRIDAL INSIDER

Perfectly Parisian ooh-la-la moments.

66 OUTWARD BOUND

Au naturel weddings by a lake, at a ranch and in a garden. by Elena Mauer

72 ASK DAVID TUTERA 73

NEWS & FEATURES 58 66

Our guru talks color palettes.

74 PLANNING NOTEBOOK

40 WEDDING Q&A

Everything you need to know to plan a celebratory restaurant wedding.

76 WAS IT WORTH IT?

Planners tell all. by Stella Katsipoutis

80 BUDGET GURU

A wedding held at a family home in the green mountains of Vermont features stellar cuisine and loads of love.

Etiquette questions and answers. Real brides reveal their biggest splurges. by Daniel P. Smith Stay centered with these tips from APracticalBride’s Meg Keene.

106

82 WHAT’S IN...AND WHAT’S OUT 88 COUNTDOWN CALENDAR 106 WEDDING ALBUM

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CONTENTS

130

Palm Island

Bridal Guide May/June 2019

YOUR HONEYMOON 116 RESORT ROUNDUP

Reserve one of these tables for your most memorable romantic dinner.

118 EDITOR’S TIPS 120

Mexico

124 Paris

Sip, swirl and savor the best glass of wine with these expert tips.

120 WEDDINGS AWAY

From sea to shining sea, Mexico offers awesome options for hosting the ultimate destination wedding.

124 TRAVEL INSIDER

Our editor in chief gets the download on the best in art, food and romance from a true local in the City of Light.

128 TRAVEL SNAPSHOTS

The Central American country of Panama is packed with alluring amenities. by Carrie Bell

130 BEST BETS

What’s better than free? Our ultimate guide to getting hitched in the Caribbean for zero dollars. by Erika Hueneke

138 A-LIST HOTELS 000 128

Panama

138

California

Check out—and into—these posh celeb-owned hotels. by Carrie Bell

152 STAR RESORT

Hip-hop artist Pusha-T said “I do” in Virginia Beach.

Get more online at bridalguide.com PICTURE PERFECT Take a cue from social media stars and plan an Instagram-worthy bridal shower at bridalguide.com/repost 25 GORGEOUS PLACE SETTINGS Discover ways to liven up your tablescape at bridalguide.com/prettyplates COOL N CURVY Show off your figure in one of these flattering frocks at bridalguide.com/plusgowns

what’s new

BRIDALGUIDE.COM

PERFECT PLATES

SWEETHEART GOWNS FOR PLUS-SIZE BRIDES Discover romantic wedding dresses no matter your size at bridalguide.com /curvesahead

HOW TO HAVE A HOTTER HONEYMOON A certified sexologist weighs-in how to make your getaway even more special at bridalguide .com/sexytime

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR BIG DAY From seating charts to party favors, find ways to decrease spending at bridalguide.com/cuttingcosts

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PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) JUSTIN ALEXANDER: UEDA PHOTOGRAPHY; PABLO HEIMPLATZ; MIOARA DRAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Up your reception décor by creating a dream tablescape at bridalguide.com/placesetting

STAY WEDDING & HONEYMOON BEACHES FREE* WEDDING WITH A THREE-NIGHT STAY OR MORE!

INVITE FAMILY & FRIENDS AND BOOK MORE ROOMS TO GET MORE PERKS FROM A FREE HONEYMOON IN A HONEYMOON SUITE* TO A LOBSTER DINNER RECEPTION*

PLUS YOUR BEACHES HONEYMOON INCLUDES*:

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A BUBBLY WELCOME A bottle of chilled sparkling wine elegantly arranged in your room upon arrival to toast your future. A ROMANTIC GESTURE A special turndown service on an evening of your honeymoon. WAKE UP TO WEDDED BLISS Delight in a delivery of fresh flowers and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.

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You don’t have to give up on the dream of a traditional wedding when you get married in paradise. At Beaches ® Resorts, you can celebrate the most special time of your life with the people who mean the most to you. Whether you choose a Free* Tropical Wedding or customize it with your own style, every moment, from the planning to the I do’s, is all about you. After you’ve exchanged your vows slip off to your private honeymoon while your guests enjoy the vacation of a lifetime, with land and water sports, 5-Star Global GourmetTM dining at up to 21 restaurants, plus bars and lounges serving unlimited pours of premium spirits. Everything is all inclusive, all the time, even the tips, taxes, and Beaches transfers*. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your love.

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Diane Forden

EDITOR IN CHIEF, VP

The art of life

ART DIRECTOR Mary Cate Godfrey EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mary Clarke

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Airy tulle with a celestial motif puts a whimsical spin on an ultra-glam look.

BEAUTY NOT

Shine bright with a dazzling makeup palette that imparts a marry-me glow. Start by blending (1) CoverGirl Chocoholic Contour Palette’s rich bronzer to the outer parts of your face to add warmth to your complexion. Get sparkling skin by dusting (2) Fenty Beauty Fairy Bomb Shimmer Powder in Rosé on Ice to the high points of your face, like your cheekbones, brow bone and cupid’s bow. Try blending

this ultra-fine, lustrous powder along your décolletage for next-level radiance. Then brush brows diagonally up and away from eyes using (3) Hourglass Arch Brow Shaping Clear Gel to add structure and a touch of shine. Swipe lips with (4) Colourpop Lux Velvet Blur Lipstick in Hey Mr. DJ; its neutral-colored formula will enhance your natural pout and pair beautifully with your big-day look.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes sponsored by Bridal Guide, New York, NY. Begins 12:01 PM on 3/5/19 and ends 11:59 AM on 5/20/19. Open to any legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who is 18 years or older, except where prohibited by law. Enter online at bridalguide.com/covergown, or send a postcard with your name, address, email, phone number and wedding date to Bridal Guide 2019 Lillian West Cover Gown Sweepstakes, 228 East 45th Street, New York, NY 10017. Winner will receive a Lillian West Collection wedding gown with a value up to $2,500. For full rules visit bridalguide.com/covergown.

PHOTOGRAPHY: TERRY DOYLE. HAIR: DAMIAN MONZILLO AT CREATIVE SPACE ARTISTS USING SEVEN HAIRCARE. MAKEUP: JOY FENNELL USING M·A·C COSMETICS

ou’ll be a heavenly sight in a fit-and-flare gown twinkling with sparkle tulle and bead embellishments. The deep-V illusion neckline adds a touch of allure while the voluminous bell sleeves and dreamy, allover shooting stars make for a glamorous look of cosmic proportions. Gown, about $2,520, by Lillian West; lillianwest.com. Earrings by Maria Elena Headpieces; mariaelenaheadpieces.com. Necklace by Lafonn; lafonn.com. Rings by Maison Miru; maisonmiru.com. Engagement ring by Brilliant Earth x Lela Rose; brilliantearth.com. Bouquet by Designs by Ahn; designsbyahn.com.

B R A N DS YO U LOV E . WO R L D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S L A RG E S T S E L EC TI O N . CO M P L E TI O N D I S CO U N T S TA R T YO U R R EG I S T RY AT A M A ZO N .CO M / W E D D I N G

etiquette

Q&A

ANSWERS

wedding

Straight talk, smart solutions by Diane Forden, Editor in Chief

My son’s fiancé is vegan and wants to have an all-vegan menu at their wedding. Is this acceptable? Glen Echo, Maryland

Not everyone loves vegan food so the better option is to offer a varied menu that includes vegan dishes—she can even have a vegan cake. She should also place an insert in the wedding invitation asking guests if they have any special dietary requirements (kosher, gluten-free) and then ask her caterer to prepare those dishes if needed. PHOTO PHOBIA

My parents are divorced and I don’t have a good relationship with my stepmother. Am I obligated to have her in my wedding photos? Dallas, Texas

It’s not necessary to round everyone up for that “one big happy family” shot, but you do need to include your stepmother in some of the wedding photos. Leaving her out will hurt her and your dad’s feelings and further affect your relationship with them for the worse. Meet with your photographer ahead of time to discuss the types of photos you want and which members of your family are to be included. An experienced photographer is sure to have dealt with divorced family situations and can offer expert advice on how to handle potential problems. For example, have pictures taken of you and your new husband with your mom and dad and then have additional shots taken of the two of you with your father and stepmother. Your dad will have a keepsake and he and his wife will appreciate your efforts to make her feel a part of the wedding.

A CHILD’S PLACE

Should my four-yearold flower girl sit at the head table with the rest of the wedding party? Akron, Ohio

Considering how young most flower girls and ring bearers are (usually ages four through eight), I’d recommend seating them with their parents. The little ones will be more comfortable with this arrangement and you won’t have to worry about a bored or fussy child at your table. If you’re planning to invite a lot of children to the wedding, you might want to have a kids’ table strategically placed near their parents, and your flower girl can sit there. Consider a special children’s menu of treats like burgers and fries, mac ’n’ cheese and cupcakes and ice cream. Provide crayons and coloring books or other games and toys to keep them happy and busy throughout dinner. More than likely, though, they’ll be out on the dance floor with everyone else dancing the night away!

CONTRACT CLUES

A recently married friend was upset with her vendors: Her florist didn’t make enough boutonnieres and the band took too many breaks. How can I ensure that nothing like this happens with my vendors? Bellingham, Washington

The best way to avoid mishaps like these is to always check references and have detailed contracts. Before signing on the dotted line, do some research to see if a company/vendor has a history of consumer complaints, and deal only with those you know to be reputable.

As for the contract, insist that everything you discuss with the vendor is put in writing to safeguard against empty promises and hidden fees. You’ll want to spell out the specifics such as the number of floral arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres needed and how many breaks a band takes along with the length of time. Never pay anything—not even a small deposit—without first signing a contract that includes all parts of the agreement including the services that will be provided, the dates of service, the method of payment and the cancellation and refund policies. Make sure the locations and delivery schedules are noted and that all taxes, gratuities and overtime fees are listed. If you’re not 100 percent comfortable with the contract, don’t sign on the spot. A reputable pro won’t pressure you and if someone does, don’t hire that vendor! ››› Go to bridalguide.com/QA for more etiquette advice. And send your planning questions to us at mail@bridalguide.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY: THOMASZ WAGNER

MENU MATTERS

D E S I G N E R B R A N DS . WO R L D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S L A R G E S T S E L EC TI O N . 1 8 0 - DAY R E T U RN S S TA R T YO U R R EG I S T RY AT A M A ZO N .CO M / W E D D I N G

BRIDES

COLOR

Australian opal ring by Fade to Black Studio; fadetoblackstudio.com

MELT by Kayla Hayes

KELLY FAETANINI

Mother-ofpearl necklace by Andrea Fohrman; andreafohrman.com

DAALARNA

LEANNE MARSHALL

Opt for the unexpected with opalescent gowns and accessories.

Iridescent bracelet by Loren Hope; lorenhope.com

BLUSH BY HAYLEY PAIGE

Crystalinspired invite by Ink Blossom; inkblossom.ca

Amethyst glass earrings by Kendra Scott; kendrascott.com

WILLOWBY BY WATTERS

Crystal-infused cleansing tonic by Pacifica Beauty; pacificabeauty.com

Cake by Elli Saayman at The Turquoise Squirrel Patisserie; turquoisesquirrel.co.za

Butterfly pumps by Claire Pettibone for Bella Belle; clairepettibone.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DESIGNERS; (CAKE) GINGERALE PHOTOGRAPHY, GINGERALEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM, @GINGERALEPHOTOGRAPHY; (INVITE) LAURA KELLY; LAURAKELLYPHOTOGRAPHY.CA; (SHOES) JEREMY CHOU

style file brides

HEADPIECES

| VEILS | JEWELRY www.belairebridal.com

BELTS

style file brides

BRIDES

IN FULL

JUSTIN ALEXANDER SIGNATURE

PLUME LILIUM

Your grand entrance is guaranteed in a dress adorned with a flurry of feathers.

Wedding planner and compendium by Leeffect; leeffect.com.au

Turquoise feather earrings by Ranjana Khan; ranjanakhan.com Feather ring by Pandora; us.pandora.net

ROSA CLARÁ

Three-tier gold-accented cake by The Butter End Cakery; thebutterend.com Crystal satin heel by Nina; ninashoes.com

Minaudière by Ines Di Santo x Ciner; inesdisanto.com PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DESIGNERS; (CAKE) JEREMY CHOU; JEREMYCHOU.COM

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

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Foil-pressed invite by Pistols for Minted; minted.com

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BRIDESMAIDS Floral lingerie by Intimissimi; us.intimissimi.com

DAVID’S BRIDAL

Add a punch of color to your bridal party with Pantone’s Color of the Year.

JENNY PACKHAM EXCLUSIVELY AT DESSY

LIVING CORAL

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AZAZIE

Howlite earrings by Lele Sadoughi; lelesadoughi.com

Watercolor wedding invite by Zazzle; zazzle.com

Leather minaudière by Inge Christopher; ingechristopher.com

T-strap heel by Dyeables; dyeables.com

Naked cake with fresh fruit and flowers by Juniper Cakery; junipercakery.co.uk/blog

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DESIGNERS; (CAKE) FELICITY & KRYSTLE OF JUNIPER CAKERY, @JUNIPERCAKERY

COLOUR BY KENNETH WINSTON

Three-tier necklace by Swarovski; swarovski.com

all that glitters

RINGS Round center stone in a blossom of 18k white-gold, diamond-set petals by Parade Design; Design 213-627-4019.

FULL

Three-stone ring with floral halo of rose- and white-gold milgrain and pavé diamonds Sylvie Collection Collection; sylviecollection.com.

BLOOM Take your pick from this bouquet of floral-inspired sparklers. by Kayla Hayes

PHOTOGRAPHY: (MODEL) LISA LOFTUS

Scalloped halo on a half twisted shank of 14k gold with pavé diamonds by Adrianna Papell;; zalesoutlet.com.

Round diamond with four marquise-cut side stones and four bezel-set diamonds by Ritani; ritani.com.

> Pink diamond with

a triple halo of pavéset, pear-shaped and round diamonds by Cirari; cirari.com.

Twisted halo of pavé diamonds surround round center stone on a fishtail-set shank by Coast Diamond; > coastdiamond.com.

Gown by Amalia Carra ra

>> BRIDALGUIDE.COM Find more engagement ring inspo at bridalguide.com/blingring

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designer profile

HAYLEY PAIGE

SHORT & SWEET

Mini ballgowns with bateau necklines, beaded bodices and tiered tulle skirts, about $298 each.

Hayley Paige brings standout style to little ones with her La Petite flower girl collection.

What was the inspiration for the flower girl collection? I wanted to broaden our reach and extend the brand’s fairy-tale aesthetic to pint-sized princesses. These styles embody the whimsical spirit of the Hayley Paige bridal collections. I’m proud to say that I’ve maintained our brand’s sensibility by addressing comfort and proportion so flower girls can feel as great as they look.

What kind of brides and flower girls are your designs intended for? I see the Hayley Paige

bride as a true go-getter with a strong sense of self and a charming sense of humor. She seems like the most likely person to cause a cake fight at her own wedding and doesn’t limit her happy hours to an hour. The same can be said for our sweet flower girls: They are carefree, bubbly and ready for a fun time.

DAINTY DARLING TOP LEFT: Mini ballgown with jewel neckline and allover rose embroidery, about $320. ABOVE: Soft-blue chiffon A-line dress with ruched waistband and flutter cap sleeves, about $270. See same style in indigo at bottom left.

What are some of your favorite materials to work with and why? One of my favorite fabrics is our tone-on-tone striped organza; it adds a unique sense of depth that has become somewhat of a trademark in our collections. For the La Petite line, I used the same fabrics and colors seen in the bridal gowns, so brides can coordinate with their flower girls. Everyone loves a “mini-me” look!

Overall, what are some of the biggest trends you are seeing in bridal fashion? To be on trend right

now is to be unique. Trends are everchanging and open for interpretation. At the moment, it’s all about sleeves and shades of champagne. I also see more brides willing to take a true fashion risk, whether it’s going for a colored gown or a super-plunging neckline. I love the wildness and pageantry of it all and when we go all out with our designs we have the most fun. — Kate Watson

TIERS OF JOY Mini ballgown with wide waistband and satin-banded, cascading tulle skirt, about $298.

It’s all about turning up the charm and giving little girls an opportunity to shine.

Mini ballgown with bateau neckline, beaded bodice and tiered tulle skirt, about $298. Mini ballgown with jewel neckline and allover rose embroidery, about $320. Dresses available at jlmcouture.com

Blush tulle skirts with sparkly printed tees, about $190 as a set.

Clockwise from top right: “Prelude” by Susan Brown, Menomonie, WI.“Natures Greens” invitation and custom postage stamp by Susan Moyal, Toronto, Canada. NEW! All-Script Minted Envelope™. The Minted Envelope: U.S. Patent No. 10,007,943.“Palm” by Kaydi Bishop, Medford, NJ.“Midnight Vines ” by Grace Kreinbrink, Denver, CO. “Lovely Beginning ” by Oscar & Emma, Columbus, OH.“Nothing Compares to You” letterpress invitation by Design Lotus, Denver, CO.

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WEDDING READY Be a buff bride with this workout created and modeled by Rachel Piskin, co-founder of ChaiseFitness.

ARMS

BANDED PLIES: 1.Take a low or medium-resistance exercise band and fold it in half, holding one end in each hand. Stand with feet wider than shoulder width, with toes and legs turned out. Extend arms straight out in front of you at shoulder level. 2. Bend your knees as you extend your arms wide, keeping arms straight, and stretching the band as you go. Return to starting position. Do 2 sets of 20 reps. Focus on keeping shoulders down and your core engaged. “This move targets arms, plus glutes and thighs,” Piskin says. ADDED CHALLENGE: “Try raising your heels when you are in the bentknee position,” suggests Piskin.

ABS AB FLATTENER: 1. Lie on a mat with your hands placed behind your head. Bend your legs as shown, with toes pointed; left toes touching the floor. 2. Keeping both legs bent, raise head and upper back off the floor into a crunch position, as you bring left heel upward to meet the right leg, crossing at the ankles so that legs form a diamond shape. Release upper body and left leg back to starting position. Do 10 to 20 reps on each side, then repeat. “This exercise works not only the core, but also the inner and outer thighs, and glutes,” Piskin says.

GLUTES CURTSY ARM EXTENSION: 1. Place your left foot in the middle of a resistance band, with your leg and toe turned out, holding the ends of the band at your sides. Place your right leg behind you with the ball of your foot on the floor. 2. Keeping arms straight, pull the band up and out as you bend both knees and lower straight down into a curtsy position, as shown. Return to starting position. Do 12-20 reps and repeat on opposite side.This move targets the glutes, along with arms, core and hamstrings.

WAIST

WAIST WHITTLER: 1. Stand with feet wider than shoulder width, toes forward, balls of feet on a resistance band. Hold one end of the band with your right hand, elbow against hip, bending slightly to the right, as shown. 2. “Punch” right fist up toward ceiling, as you straighten at the waist, keeping elbow in line with fist. 3. Straighten arm up and overhead, leaning slightly to the left. Return to start position. Do 10-15 reps on each side.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CHAISE FITNESS

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TITLE INSPIRATION

An intricate motif pays homage to the traditional technique of smocking.

CAKE couture CAPTION HERE

Extraordinary, detailed wedding cakes are the hallmark of creative tastemaker Bonnae Gokson. Here, some of the creations showcased in her new book.

000 BRIDALGUIDE.COM month/month 2009

party planner A stunning 1960s wedding gown was the jumping-off point for this sugar lace and ribbon cake in ivory and white.

CAPTION HERE

Simple, romantic, and oh so personal, this cake features declarations of love on each tier.

TITLE

A wedding held in the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris called for an equally baroque creation, embellished with gold dragées and butterflies.

A croquembouche crafted from whitechocolate-dribbled profiteroles, sugar florettes and fresh Japanese albino strawberries.

“It’s seriously important to me that my cakes taste as good as they look, which sounds obvious, but is not always the case.” —Bonnae Gokson

party planner

INSPIRATION This zigzag motif is a nod to the bride, Margherita Missoni of the legendary fashion house known for its glorious patterned knitwear.

Not everyone wants a lacy-lacy cake, says Gokson, who riffed on architecture and origami for this design.

The blossombedecked design is inspired by Gokson’s mother’s traditional Chinese cheongsam dresses.

There may be no flower more appropriate for a springtime wedding than lily of the valley, here realized in sugar.

Adapted from Weddings, Butterflies, the Sweetest Dreams, by Bonnae Gokson, Goff Books.

“I want to celebrate individuality, love in all its different forms, and the artistry of the creative people who work with me.” —Bonnae Gokson

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RECEPTION

TOUJOURS PARIS Stylist and BG home editor Robin Zachary finds très chic wedding moments inspired by the City of Light.

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The wedding cake on display at the edge of a grassy meadow.

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Guests dined at sae nus enis Nullore long farm tables.

A wildly romantic floral arch.

Lakeside luxe

PHOTOGRAPHY: B. JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

he key to dressing up the grounds surrounding Spokane’s Zephyr Lodge was in the flowers, says wedding planner Natalie Good of A Good Affair. Good and her team created lush floral arrangements of peonies, roses and ranunculus, with plenty of greenery to add a touch of wildness. “The groom is big on fishing and hunting, so I played up the outdoorsy vibe.” Good says. Earthy details like leather napkin rings and antler decor were offset with vibrant color, chosen to reflect the bride’s sunny disposition. On a 95-degree day, the couple exchanged vows on a deck overlooking the lake. Afterward, guests cooled off with frozen rosé, beer and cocktails. As day turned to dusk guests followed a luminaria-lit path to an open meadow where dinner was served beneath a canopy of twinkle lights. Floral-print table runners in the same hues as the flowers accented the tables. Guests nibbled an array of locally sourced cheeses, berries and honey served on individual cheese boards that served as favors. Also on offer: platters of pulled pork, roasted vegetables and grilled prawns. After dancing in the meadow, everyone headed back to the lodge for an after party. “It was comfy and homey,” Good says. “Just what you’d imagine for a setting like this.” ➺ A floral-bedecked welcome sign.

Liberty Lake, near Spokane, Washington.

Colorful linens and leather napkin rings.

A pretty bouquet.

The head table.

from above left:

One of the pretty gardens.

Small silver trays were a sweet way to welcome each guest; a peek into the ceremony site, with an eclectic mix of pews and chairs.

A view to the Santa Monica Mountains.

A spirited crew. Bridesmaids on board!

Ranch dressing

A smoochworthy moment.

The bride’s bouquet.

A classic chandelier.

Signature sips. Kraft-paper escort cards.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

his part of Malibu really speaks for itself,” says First Pick Planning’s Jen Bergmark. “I wanted the decor for this summer wedding to be romantic without overpowering the natural beauty of the venue—Saddlerock Ranch.” To that end, the couple was married in front of a towering willow and framed by a rustic arch. A flurry of roses and eucalyptus ensured the ceremony space felt special yet still part of the natural surroundings. After cocktails in the garden, guests found their escort cards, each adorned with a vintage brass key. A lush lawn lit with string lights and set with tables and chairs served as the reception space, while above, chandeliers hung from trees cast the crowd in a romantic glow. Glass chargers were topped with an eclectic mix of vintage floral-patterned plates—a gift to the bride from a close friend. The formal dinner—featuring short ribs and chicken—took some doing, as there is no kitchen on the property. Bergmark rented, transported and assembled a mobile kitchen so everything could be prepared on site and individually plated. “It all made for an elegant alfresco dining experience,” Bergmark recalls, adding, “so many brides worry about the look of the wedding and neglect to think about the logistics that go into planning an outdoor wedding like this one. It’s a proud moment when it all turns out so beautifully.”

Laser-cut wood placecard-favors.

The sparkling reception setting..

Love is love.

Garden party

In bloom.

The junior set.

A sweet centerpiece.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (OPPOSITE PAGE) KOMAN PHOTOGRAPHY; (THIS PAGE) HUGH FORTE PHOTOGRAPHY

ineyards offer more than wine. Take this one: Annadel Estate Winery in Santa Rosa, California also cultivates heirloom roses and organic produce. “It’s in the middle of wine country, but it has a garden-like feel,” says Lindsey Relyea, creative director of L’Relyea Events. To plan a fête at this captivating venue, Relyea followed the stylish couple’s lead. “The bride has this beautiful style,” she says. “She pushed me to take a different approach than usual.” To wit: an unexpected color palette in moody, sophisticated shades of slate blue, grey and burgundy accented with dusty greens. Upon arrival, guests were escorted through a rose garden to the stone ruins of the original 1880s winery for the ceremony. “It’s truly a ‘secret garden’ type of space,” Relyea says. Guests dined on pork tenderloin and seared salmon served family style. “The couple described how they love going out to dinner with friends and ordering lots of different plates to share, so it was important to recreate that fun and camaraderie.” Dancing took place in the property’s barn, “It was definitely a sophisticated crowd,” Relyea says. “There was an expectation for a certain level of quality: great food, great wine and great ambience. But once people moved from the meal to the barn, they were ready to shake it on the dance floor and really have some fun.” 

Menus in a modern font. Gold-tone flatware adds a luxe accent. A garden gate provides the ceremony backdrop.

ask david

ADVICE

TRUE COLORS Find your perfect palette with these tips from the star of Lifetime’s “My Great Big Live Wedding with David Tutera.”

CHOOSING A COLOR SCHEME ISN’T just about picking a color; it’s about setting a style. Where does color first get infused? It starts out with color in the invitations, the color of the bridesmaid dresses, the embellishments for the groomsmen, the tablecloths, the flowers, the cake and, ultimately, the lighting. What does color do? It sets a tone, a mood and an energy. I’ve always said you should not go beyond three colors: Any more than that can result in a look that’s a little too juvenile or circuslike. So either pick three different colors or variations of one overall color—if the latter is the case, you can have more than three shades (e.g. five or seven shades of blue).

Here are some of my favorite palettes:

Go regal with a combination of violets. Plums and burgundy jewel tones are a perfect match when paired with lighter accent shades like creams or lavenders, imparting a royal look, perfect for fall or winter weddings. Considering a classic approach? Classic to me is whites with ivory and a touch of pewter or silver—super refined and very traditional. Black and gold are great when it comes to adding sophisticated glam. The bold combination has a modern vibe, while retaining a classic, opulent look. Don’t limit yourself: Use a few different shades of gold, including both metallic and non-metallic versions. A modern color scheme is pure diamond white across the board—literally just one color. If you wish, sprinkle in some accent colors, which could be metallic (no gold) and one strong color (e.g. purple, red, cobalt blue)—or simply a solid white paired with a metallic.

A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS NOT TO OVERDO IT. Stick with a variation of one hue or no more than three different colors. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself or your guests with too much of a good thing—leave some room to breathe—and dream. Now, exhale slowly—and get started.

Whether you’re holding your wedding near the seashore or in a lush garden, mint greens, soft creams and pops of pretty peach tones create the perfect contrast of warm and cool within this fresh color palette. The striking combination of pastels really captures the beauty of a light, airy affair. Don’t be afraid to even add flashes of a metallic (like gold, silver or copper) as an accent. I predicted coral would be hot in 2019 , and Pantone agrees, naming it Color of the Year. Chic, upbeat, yet warm and calming, coral works well no matter the season. Think about coordinating it with ombréed tones of peach, apricot, sand and beige, or let it take the starring role, as we did on an episode of my show, embellished with robin’s egg blue and lilac as well as olive green. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: © BEN AGUIRRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Everyone knows my favorite color is blue. It’s the color of my brand, it’s soothing, calming and it of course fits in with the “something blue” aspect, which should definitely be in your wedding. Think about working in multiple iterations of this dreamy color, along with white and silver or pewter (but not both).

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planning notebook

RECEPTION

BG: How do entertainment and dancing factor in? AS: “It’s important to know what kind of music you envision before you book. For example, if you’re planning to hire a band, keep in mind musicians take up more room on the dance floor than a DJ. Knowing the electrical capabilities of the restaurant will also let you determine any limitations, which all bands and DJs will need to know before agreeing to sign a contract. And be sure to ask about any noise restrictions.”

BG: How is the wedding menu determined? AS: “Whatever an eatery offers on a regu-

BE MARRIED A restaurant wedding offers much more than great food. Here’s what else is on the menu.

Bridal Guide: Why consider a restaurant wedding? “The food, of course,” says Avi Szapiro, executive chef and owner, Roìa Restaurant in New Haven, CT. “It’s a major draw, especially for foodie couples. Think about it; you can make multiple visits to get a feel for the place and service, along with the all-important cuisine itself. A traditional wedding venue or catering hall will provide a tasting, but at that point you’re already committed and have paid a deposit. And the wedding planning itself is simplified. A restaurant already has everything you need: glassware, tables, chairs, linen, etc.”

BG: Where should couples start? “The type and style of cuisine offered should be top priority. And it’s important to know if the space will accommodate the number of guests expected, as this will quickly determine if the restaurant is a good fit for your wedding.”

BG: Let’s talk overall decor. AS: “One of the biggest advantages to a restaurant wedding is that there is very little to rent. For example, here at Roìa we carefully selected the furniture and fixtures

to support our architectural gem, originally the dining room of the Taft Hotel, which was built in 1912, with tall, soaring ceilings, 100-year-old wood panels and hand-laid Calcutta marble. When you get to start with a room that is already beautiful, not much needs to be done to bring the space to life.”

BG: How are restaurant weddings coordinated? AS: “Many restaurants have a dedicated point person, often the restaurant manager or catering manager, to ensure no key details are missed. If the restaurant doesn’t have someone on site to handle the numerous logistical pieces of the day, consider an outside coordinator to keep the wheels running smoothly.”

BG: What’s involved in a buyout? AS: “Restaurants may offer both full and partial buyouts, a full buyout being a complete takeover of the entire space. Partial buyouts can be arranged with venues that have separate areas that can accommodate smaller celebrations. At Roìa, we can offer our upper-level space as a partial buyout for weddings with 75 or fewer guests.”

lar basis is what they will do best. At Roìa, we take great care in designing menus for our couples that highlight peak-season ingredients. Our couples are often regular diners, so we start with what they love to eat during the season in which the wedding will be held. Once options have been discussed, we invite the couple and two guests for a tasting that includes wine pairing as well.”

BG: What about dessert? AS: “Some restaurants include a plated dessert in their package, others include a wedding cake. You may have the option to bring cake from an outside bakery, in which case many restaurants will charge a cakecutting fee. At Roìa not only do we create wedding cakes, we also do dessert bars, which really keep the energy going. Guests don’t have to be seated, they can help themselves to a bite-sized dessert or mini pot de crème to enjoy while mingling with friends, and then get back on the dance floor.”

BG: What else should couples keep in mind as they search? AS: “The places you go to regularly may not work for a wedding, so get out and explore. You may find a gem you didn’t know about. Once you find ‘the one,’ try it out a few times. You’re looking for a combination of elements: the food, the service, the look and feel of the space itself. Consider, too, the return-visit factor, which is not possible with more traditional venues like catering halls. So many of our couples come back for date nights, for a drink at the bar, their anniversary or eventually with their kids. Each visit rekindles joy. Now that’s an added value worth celebrating!” 

PHOTOGRAPHY: KELLY PRIZEL PHOTOGRAPHY

EAT, DRINK

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Was it worth it? REAL BRIDES REVISIT—AND WEIGH IN ON—THEIR BIGGEST WEDDING COSTS.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LIPPERT PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY: TANJA EMILY ANGLR

by Daniel P. Smith

000 BRIDALGUIDE.COM May/June 2011

e asked brides about their wedding-day splurges. Did these must-haves prove to be worth every penny? While some brides have few regrets, others, in hindsight, might make a different choice, pocketing the savings or redirecting their cash elsewhere. Here, their shared wisdom.

The Splurge

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Worth every penny, says Melissa. “We wanted an outdoor wedding that was different than the traditional banquet hall setting and a site that could accommodate at least 150-200 guests. We found an apple orchard and barn in northwest Indiana, about an hour from downtown Chicago. Though the venue rental price was still about $3,500 and the per-person price was around $85, we actually found savings in the long run since the sales tax was significantly less in Indiana than if we had found a similar venue in the Chicago area. It was something we could have easily overlooked and I’m glad we didn’t.”

Worth every penny, says Amanda. “Our wedding was small—about 50 people— and a majority of those guests had traveled from out of town to Miami, where we were married and lived at the time. So for most of our family and friends, it was a destination wedding. They had spent a lot of money to fly to Miami in February and we wanted it to be a celebration they would enjoy without having to worry about driving themselves from the hotel to the wedding and reception venue and then back to the group hotel. $500 well spent.”

The Splurge PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY; SINCLAIR AND MOORE; KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY

A WEDDING PLANNER Could have done without, says Danica. “We had a small, intimate destination wedding out of state, and a larger luncheon reception back home with our family and friends. I had no desire to plan a wedding and with all the moving parts we felt it would be a good choice to have someone else plan it for us. While it could’ve been the particular planner we hired, it wasn’t worth the $3,500 we paid, especially given our already super small budget. My husband and I found ourselves undertaking more venue and vendor research than we’d expected and we probably could have done everything that was accomplished without our planner’s help—and at a quicker, more efficient speed, too. To add insult to injury, on our wedding morning we discovered that no one had assembled any of the signage, table numbers, centerpieces or favors—tasks we paid the planner’s team to take care of. Luckily, we were able to outsource these last-minute jobs to friends and family.”

The Splurge A PORTABLE RESTROOM Could have done without, says Jessica. “Everyone we spoke to insisted we rent a portable restroom for our backyard wedding and reception—about 80 guests at my parents’ home. We were advised that having so many people at the house could easily overwhelm our septic system, and, in truth, temporary restrooms are a very common sight at the many parties and benefits in our seaside community. I hated the lowest-priced restrooms, which looked like they belonged at a construction site, so we spent $800 for a nicer-looking ‘luxury’ model. The lack of signage and the location (tucked away by the driveway) may be the reason that at the end of the day, the facility stood unused—and fortunately, our plumbing system was totally fine.”

The Splurge A PROFESSIONAL DJ Worth every penny, says Lisa. “My music-

obsessed husband wanted to put together his own iPhone playlist and not use a DJ, but I convinced him otherwise, and I’m ➺

glad I glad I did. The DJ kept the energy up the entire time. There were no awkward breaks or moments of ‘What now?’ It totally made the event smooth and fun. While using our own playlist would have saved us close to $1,000, a digital device just can’t fill in gaps or read the crowd. It was just so nice to have someone else make sure everyone was having fun, which then allowed us to focus on chatting with guests.”

The Splurge FLORALS AND DECOR Could have done without, says Kiki. “We spent an enormous, enormous amount of money on florals and decor—close to $20,000. Honestly, I went nuts to the point that a refrigerated truck was driving flowers to the venue and a crew was removing pictures from the walls of the banquet room, hanging fabric to create curtains, creating a floating floral wall behind the chuppah, floating candles in the pool, glass terrariums on the tabletops, ivy chandeliers and so on to completely transform the space. It was absurdly beautiful, but beyond pricey. If I were to do it again, I’d set a realistic floral budget and stick to it. I’d also try to work with the ambience the venue already offered, rather than attempt to totally transform the space.”

The Splurge VIDEO PACKAGE, INCLUDING A 5-MINUTE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO Worth every penny, says Sarah. “Not only

did we have a still photographer, we hired a videographer who would capture every one of our day’s details and then create a separate 5-minute highlight video in addition to DVDs (total cost: $2,000). This allowed us to show off our celebration on social media and gave us a chance to easily and quickly revisit our special day. Having our highlight movie just a click away is the best.”

The Splurge A WHISKY BAR Could have done without, says Angelica: “My husband was obsessed with the idea of a top-shelf, handcrafted whisky bar for

the cocktail hour. The hotel where we held our wedding offered the option on the catering menu so we booked it at a cost of—get ready—$64 per person for 1 hour! It added a wow factor, but not as many guests indulged as we thought. Looking back, we definitely could have put the almost $6,000 to better use.”

The Splurge CUSTOM LETTERPRESS SAVE-THE-DATE CARDS Worth every penny, says Victoria.

“My wedding planner insisted that they set the tone for the entire event. I hesitated though—after all, the cards just go in the trash. But with about 80 percent of our guests coming from out of town, having such nice save-the-date cards was a bit of a draw to get them excited. Spending $1,000 on those cards was the one thing I thought I’d regret, but ultimately I’m glad I did splurge.”

The Splurge A CANDY AND PASTRY BAR Could have done without, says Brianna. “We spent $2,000 on a 12-foot candy and pastry bar stocked with macarons, bitesize brownies, doughnuts and cupcakes, rice krispie treats, custom-colored M&Ms, ribbon candy and more, plus another $300 on signage and mini to-go pails and fabric bags. The display was over-the-top gorgeous, and I think people thought it was appealing, but there simply wasn’t enough time for anyone to partake and enjoy all the treats after a full meal, wedding cake and dancing.”

The Splurge DESIGNER HEELS Could have done without, says Rachel,

“which is why I actually returned them before my wedding date. I fell in love with this $450 pair of shoes and bought them on the spot. I wore them around the house for a few days, but just couldn’t justify spending so much money on them despite how pretty they were—especially knowing that people wouldn’t even see them. I was very happy I returned them and found a pair for about $50 that looked just fine.”

DIY or DI DON’T Many brides tackle DIY wedding projects to offset the budget so they can splurge elsewhere. Here, some recent brides assess their efforts.

DIY YES! Megan crafted the signage and welcome boxes for her wedding and found her DIY efforts proved “therapeutic for the planning stress.” DIY NO! Laura tried to make her own bouquet and wedding favors. But when those tasks proved too time consuming, she opted for ready-made solutions. And though she did make her own centerpieces, she says it wasn’t worth all the fuss. “People remember the free margaritas and the party, not what was on the table,” she says.

DIY YES! Julia tackled a number of DIY projects to save money and personalize the day. She made table runners, centerpieces, favors, corsages, boutonnieres, programs and gifts for the wedding party and both sets of parents, corralling help from friends on various “wedding work days” at her home. It was a significant amount of work, Julia admits, but also what elevated her wedding day into something truly special. “We incorporated so many small touches that reflected us as individuals and as a couple.” DIY NO! For her destination wedding, Tarah handcrafted personalized beach bags packed with practical items like sunscreen, lip balm, ibuprofen and trail mix. Though many of her guests used the items, Tarah confesses it was stressful to create 45 bags and a gigantic effort to transport all of the completed bags down to Mexico.

DIY YES! Alongside her mom, Katie made all of the desserts for the sweets table to provide guests dancing into the night an extra boost of energy. Many of the treats relied on recipes from Katie’s late grandmother, which injected added emotion into the DIY effort. “It was as if my grandmother were there with us,” Katie says. “It was a lot of work, but I’d do it again.” ¢

KELLY SWEET PHOTOGRAPHY

Reasons to Shop at Your Local Bridal Salon

The YES Moment

You,ve probably been dreaming of this day for a long time—with good reason! There is no greater feeling than trying on a wedding gown and seeing yourself as a bride for the very ﬁrst time. Surrounded by friends and loved ones makes the YES moment that much sweeter! Selection

Make the Dress Your Own

Bridal salons offer the largest selection of reputable designers, styles, and colors.Your consultant will work directly with the designer to ensure everything from the color, to the fabric and the ﬁt, are exactly what you envision.

The dress you try on in the store is just a starting point. Want to add a sleeve? Lower the back? Elongate the train? At a traditional bridal salon, you can work with a seamstress to customize your gown and turn your dream into a reality.

Feel-Good Factor

Special Pricing

When you buy from a trusted, local bridal salon, you not only support your community, but also small businesses mostly owned by women!

No Surprises You get what you pay for. A designer dress may be pricier than similar versions online, but counterfeit gowns can be poorly constructed, ill-ﬁtting, and made out of cheap fabrics, if you receive your gown at all.

If budget is a concern, there are many ways to shop smart at a local salon. Many brick-and-mortar stores offer discounts at designer trunk shows, and host sample sales annually.

So Much More Than Just the Gown Your trained consultant will take precise measurements, assist with alterations, and put you at ease throughout the entire process. The salon will even steam your gown and store it safely until your wedding day!

For more wedding day fashion shopping tips, visit bridalguide.com/perfectdress.

budget guru

YOUR MONEY

A BETTER BUDGET

Meg Keene, creative force behind APracticalWedding.com, shares her stay-sane spending tips. by Mary Clarke Bridal Guide: What inspired you to launch your site—and later, write a book? Meg Keene: It sounds like a myth now, but I really did come home crying in the early days of my own wedding planning. I just wasn’t sure we could pull off a wedding that matched our values and budget. My nowTIP: Keep in mind that husband had started a political blog he called a wedding is just a day “Practical Progress,” so he suggested I start a you say vows to the person you love, and blog and call it “A Practical Wedding.” And the have a party afterwards, rest, as they say, is history. your day-to-day life, maybe you should take a pass on and everything becomes much those pricey peep-toe pumps. BG: Determining a realistic budget, simpler.

where should you start? MK: You have to figure out what you can afford to spend and

BG: Your thoughts on wedding planners? MK: Whether you have a planner or not, you shouldn't be the

who you need to invite, and then figure out what it would cost to feed them. You should start with exactly as much as you can afford, and make it work. Many lovely weddings have been had at a courthouse with cake. There is no reason to go into debt.

person in charge on your wedding day. Give that responsibility to a friend or someone you hire. A wedding planner can, in theory, make the planning process easier and save you tons of money. So if you can throw money at a problem (here, the stress of wedding planning), and make it go away, I say do it.

BG: What are some of your go-to cost-cutting strategies? MK: Start by going back to basics. If you keep in mind that a

BG: What do your readers stress over? MK: They stress over having a wedding that’s indie and differ-

wedding is just the day you say vows to the person you love, and have a party afterwards, then everything becomes much simpler. Different cost-cutting strategies work for different people, but non-traditional venues and receptions where you don’t serve dinner are a great place to start.

ent, which can be just as consuming as the pressures to have a more traditional wedding. You have to have a moment where you step back and put it all in perspective: The wedding is one day, and the start of something great. If the way to make it happen is to ditch the idea of having every detail hand-crafted, ditch it.

would this seem reasonable?” If you don’t wear $500 shoes in

BG: Favorite budget-friendly wedding strategy? MK: Food trucks in lieu of traditional catering. BG: DIY wedding projects—budget friend or foe? MK: They can be great if you genuinely want to

The Practical Bride Remembers ✔ Research average wedding prices in your area and then think about what you

want to spend. These numbers do not have to be the same. But if the average catering cost in your area is $10,000 and you have $5,000 to spend, It’s good to know you will probably need to get creative and make some compromises.

✔ If you have a limited budget, you’re going to hear a lot of “can’t” and “won’t be

able to.” But so much more is possible than you imagine. Once you’ve said yes to having a wedding it’s your job to say yes to the people around you who want to help. Your best friend wants to make you a wedding cake? Yes!

✔ Prioritize your spending: What do you want to put money toward? Amazing food and drink? Feel empowered to ruthlessly cut other budget items. (Flowers, for example. You can still have them—but you won’t go overboard.)

Adapted from A Practical Wedding: Creative Ideas for Planning a Beautiful, Affordable,and Meaningful Celebration, by Meg Keene (Da Capo Lifelong Books).

make things and have time to manage the projects. Often, however, they add stress and may not save money. So if you’re not into crafting, consider just not having an item at your wedding instead of DIY-ing it.

BG: Are there particular weddings that have informed your thinking? MK: Growing up, I went to a lot of cake-and-

punch-on-the-church-lawn weddings. I didn’t attend what we would now consider a “traditional” wedding until high school. Over the years I’ve realized that what I remember most is the emotion behind the wedding, and I honestly can’t remember a single centerpiece—other than the one that caught fire! ¢

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICAH AND MEGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

BG: How do you advise a couple to stay on track? MK: Keep asking yourself, “If I were not throwing a wedding,

T S R I F T VE A

E P I SW

Download Bridal Guide to your iPad or iPhone and gain access to expert wedding advice and planning essentials, browse the lastest fashion trends and style guides, and plan the wedding of your dreams.

BRIDALGUIDE.COM/TABLET iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

WHAT’S IN... WHAT’S NOT We asked our favorite wedding planners to zero in on the wedding details that delight versus the ones that have seen their day. BY STELLA KATSIPOUTIS

✘OUT Invitation suite add-ons, like seal-

✘OUT“The ‘chandeliers in trees’ look is fading,” says Rachel Eden Leuck of Rachel Events. “We’re doing fewer and fewer lanterns and chandeliers hanging from branches.”

✘

07/2106 reception story-south

chancey ✔IN Instead, Leuck is designing

with “the soft glow of twinkle lights, patio lights or string lights to give a romantic feeling.”

are visually sophisticated and beautiful, yet easy to set up and navigate.” OUT Escort cards lined up with military precision on a table. “Cards are necessary, but they don’t have to be boring,” says Ron Wendt of Ron Wendt Design. ✔IN Wildly creative card displays. “They offer another opportunity to add to the

✘

guests’ overall experience and add a layer of personalization,” Wendt says. “We’re seeing cards of all shapes and sizes pinned to a giant oak tree, to a surfboard, even to a rocking horse! It’s about thinking beyond the table.” OUT “I love a soft pink and grey color palette, but it’s becoming played out,” says Todd Fiscus of Todd Events. ✔IN “Unique tones like jade green and pinks, or soft butter yellow and white.” OUT Bold geometric motifs like chev-

✘

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH SIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

ing wax and other embellishments,” says celebrity event planner David Tutera. ✔IN “Putting the focus on paper stock, and the different finishes and print methods,” Tutera says. “For instance, an envelope can be one type of paper, while the invite and RSVP card can be another. It’s totally fine to have your invitation embossed or foil-printed and go with flat digital printing for everything else.” OUT Paper save-the-dates. ✔IN “Couples are realizing that emailing their save-the-dates is the quickest way to get their guests the information they need,” says Jen Bergmark of First Pick Planning. “And if you take a further step and provide an RSVP option on your wedding website, you can track information faster and keep guests’ contact information well organized.” OUT Direction cards included in the invitation suite. ✔IN “Wedding websites have come a long way and allow couples to provide more information than can be conveyed in a traditional invitation,” says Amy Cagginello of Amy Champagne Events. “Template-style websites like Squarespace

signed that includes not just names, but also other elements that hold meaning to you,” says Marina Birch of Birch Design Studio. This could include pets, graphic symbols such as nautical motifs or something specific to the wedding location, like a palm tree. “The crest can be used throughout the wedding on paper goods, at a custom bar, etc. and for years to come on stationery, cocktail napkins, towels and framed artwork,” Birch says. OUT Traditional, plated meals served course by course. ✔IN Think tasting menu with tableside service, says Tutera. “For instance, serving an artisanal Tuscan flatbread pizza or shrimp and filet mignon skewers. You're

✘

choices,” Bergmark says. “Couples are keeping it local, frequenting farmers markets to ensure top quality provisions while also contributing to the local economy.” OUT Seated dinner. ✔IN Cocktail-hour style receptions. “Many of our clients want a party right from the start and do not want to have their guests sitting for an hour and a half plus for dinner,” says Cagginello. “To that end, we’ve been doing receptions where we switch from passed appetizers to more substantial stations that are open for an hour or two for guests to graze, mingle, dance and lounge at their leisure.”

✘

rons and lattice for invitations and decor.

✔IN “New patterns are emerging that are looser and more delicate,” says Heather Wiese-Alexander of Bell’INVITO Stationers. “Think dainty trellis-type patterns and romantic toiles. Florals and watercolors are also super popular.” OUT Full-blown boho-chic Coachellalike themes that carry through to every last element of the wedding. ✔IN “Artisan-crafted, natural, textural elements like macramé and stoneware are still big, but are being paired with clean and modern pieces to shift away from overriding hippie-boho vibes,” says Rosemary Hattenbach of Rosemary Events. “The idea is to pair modern luxury with the natural beauty and simplicity of the great outdoors.” OUT Same-old, same-old monograms. ✔IN Go beyond the classic monogram and consider having a custom crest de-

✘OUT“Gold will always be around, but gold combined with black and white is looking dated now,” says Wiese-Alexander.

✔IN

“The key to making gold look fresh is to use it creatively, pairing it with colors like coral, robin’s egg blue or dark taupe,” Wiese-Alexander tells us.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) ANNA DELORES PHOTOGRAPHY; KATELYN JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAULINA/PHOTOGRAPHYBYPAULINA.COM

✘

not lessening the sophistication, but instead are putting a twist on the traditional sit-down dinner, making it more unique.” OUT Ye olde “beef or chicken?” approach to menu planning. ✔IN “Sourcing foods that are locally grown and environmentally responsible has now become the default mode for couples who value sustainable lifestyle

✘

✘OUT Dessert tables in lieu of a traditional wedding cake.

✔IN The wedding cake and cake-cutting moment. “I think the traditional wedding cake should be a permanent fixture in every wedding,” says Tutera. “The cake dates back many centuries, symbolizing happiness and a good life for the newlywed couple—and the cutting of the cake symbolizes the couple’s union and commitment to each other.” OUT Super-traditional all-white wedding cakes, says Harriette Rose Katz, of Gourmet Advisory Services. ✔IN Colorful, unique cakes that make a statement. “Brides are integrating whimsical details such as feathers or pearls or even special creations,” Katz says. “One couple was so sad their dog couldn’t be at the wedding, they had his likeness done in fondant at the base of the cake!” OUT Signature drinks. ✔IN Interactive tasting stations. ➺

✘

“Signature drinks are a cute way to incorporate the couple’s favorite drinks, but guests often take a pass so the drinks are wasted,” says Cagginello. “A fun substitution is having tasting stations set up during the cocktail hour, each station manned with the appropriate expert serving and educating guests on, say, whiskey, scotch, wine or craft beer.” OUT “Full bars,” Tutera says. ✔IN “Instead of a full bar, opt for serving wine at dinner and opening a specialty bar to create an experience for your guests,” says Tutera. “For example, a champagne or whiskey bar after or during dessert.”

✘

and be merry,” Cagginello says. OUT “Gobo lighting, where the couple’s initials are splashed onto the dance floor or ballroom wall,” says Bergmark. ✔IN “Instead of initials, we are working with more abstract gobo stencil designs that work to create different moods on the dance floor and enhance the party atmosphere,” Bergmark says. OUT Disco lighting on the dance floor. ✔IN Dialing those special effects down—way down. “Don’t overdo the strobe lights at the dance portion of the evening,” Wendt says. “It’s your wedding— not a New Year’s Eve party.” OUT Flower-only floral designs. ✔IN “Rather than your average ‘wedding-y’ look, we’re using more organic components like succulents, smilax, petrified wood, driftwood and moss,” says Tutera. “In the past these elements have been considered secondary, but now they are taking center stage.” OUT A single type of flower used throughout the wedding and reception. ✔IN “We’re seeing texture, texture texture,” says Katz. “Whether brides are mixing bright colors, staying monochromatic or working with one palette and creating an ombré look, the focus is on texture.” OUT “Ginormous ‘Kardashian’-scale floral walls,” says Blum. ✔IN “We’re setting up interesting areas for guests to pose for photos,” says Blum, such as “a couch or two and a coffee table with a curtain behind it—sort of a living room feel for guests to pose in groups.” OUT Traditional bridal party portraits. “Height shouldn’t dictate where people are

✘

‘house wine.’ ”

✔IN “ Well chosen (not necessarily pricey) and delicious varietals that go well with food, and interesting beer choices,” says Marcy Blum of Marcy Blum Associates.

✘OUT High-drama lighting. Steer clear of “those over-lit spaces that make people feel like they are on stage,” says Wendt. ✔IN Warm, flattering tones.“A good rule of thumb is always to trust the glow of candlelight,” Wendt counsels. OUT Uplighting with primary colors. “Absolutely no one looks good in a room with blue uplighting,” says Cagginello. ✔IN “Uplighting in a cool amber or a pale pink really transforms the space, plus it has a relaxing effect, creating the perfect ambience for guests to eat, drink

✘

placed in a photo, so ditch the stiff look and consider something a bit more organic for these photos,” says Lisa Raffo Ashley, of the Wedding Artists Collective.

✘OUT“That perfectly round ball of flowers on a tall glass vase,” says Fiscus. “Boring!”

✔IN

Floral design is taking a looser, more organic approach, featuring the likes of peonies, garden roses, ranunculus and tons of greens. Think informal cottage garden, as opposed to a more structured, architectural feel.

✔IN

Dynamic group photos. “Play with different focal points, with some of your party seated and others standing or staggered,” Ashley says. “This idea lends itself well for family photos, too: Try mixing and matching family with those in your bridal party for a more complete picture of your nearest and dearest.” OUT Blowing your entertainment budget on a band. ✔IN Variety and surprise. “Divvy up the money on different elements of entertainment and performances throughout the evening,” Tutera says. “Whether it’s a surprise performance by an electric violinist, a special guest performer, a 1920s-style singer or a smaller band and DJ combo. OUT “Candy favors,” Fiscus says. ✔IN “Doughnut walls or beignets served with iced coffee as a grab-and-go as guests leave,” says Fiscus. 

✘

PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) JENNY QUICKSALL; PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAULINA/PHOTOGRAPHYBYPAULINA.COM

✘OUT“Cheap, undrinkable

@SincerityBridal

#SincerityBride

sinceritybridal.com

FASHION & STYLE GUIDE

Satin Satin and and tulle tulle ballgown ballgown with with sweetheart sweetheart neckline neckline and and allover allover ﬂ floral oral beaded beaded embroidery, embroidery, about about $5,100, $5,100, by Justin Justin Alexander Alexander by Signature; jasignature.com. jasignature.com. Signature; Earrings by by Bel Bel Aire Aire Earrings Bridal; belairebridal.com. belairebridal.com. Bridal; Necklace by by Maison Maison Necklace Miru; maisonmiru.com. maisonmiru.com. Miru; Pearl ring ring by by Carolee; Carolee; Pearl carolee.com. Rings Rings by by carolee.com. Jewlr; jewlr.com. jewlr.com. Jewlr; Engagement ring ring and and Engagement wedding band band by by Ritani; Ritani; wedding ritani.com. ritani.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LISA LOFTUS. HAIR: ALBERTO GUZMAN AT RAY BROWN PRODUCTIONS USING RENE FURTERER. MAKEUP: GREGG BROCKINGTON AT SALLY HARLOR USING GAVÉE GOLD SKINCARE AND YSL BEAUTÉ. FEATHER WRAP: JUSTIN ALEXANDER.

Photographed at at Photographed Glynallyn, The The Castle, Castle, in in Glynallyn, Morristown, NJ. NJ. Morristown,

Enchanted

Charm your guests in a regal gown suited for royalty. Score fairy-tale finds for less with our affordable gowns and accessories, then see what trends are ruling the bridal runway. 91 000

Ballgown with illusion long sleeves, bateau neckline and geometric beaded bodice, about $2,400, by Sottero and Midgley; sotteroandmidgley. com. Crown by Maria Elena Headpieces and Accessories; mariaelenaheadpieces. com. Engagement ring and band by Truly Zac Posen for Blue Nile; bluenile.com. on him: Suit by Awearness Kenneth Cole; menswearhouse. com. Shirt by Generation Tux; generationtux.com. Tie by Bonobos; bonobos.com. Shoes by Dr. Scholl's Shoes; drschollsshoes.com.

ROYAL

AFFAIR

Ethereal gowns graced with dazzling details, sumptuous skirts and stately sleeves evoke a majestic opulence befitting your storybook romance. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA LOFTUS

000

on him: Velvet suit jacket by Bonobos; bonobos.com. Shirt and belt by Generation Tux; generationtux.com. Pants by Awearness Kenneth Cole; menswearhouse. com. Wedding band from Monique Lhuillier by Blue Nile; bluenile.com. Shoes by Aquatalia; aquatalia.com.

PRINCESS BRIDE

Ballgown with allover linear beading and sweetheart neckline, about $5,100, by Justin Alexander Signature; jasignature.com. Floorlength cape by Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridal; davidsbridal.com. Earrings by Jennifer Behr; jenniferbehr.com. Necklace by Maison Miru; maisonmiru.com. Engagement ring and band by Ritani; ritani.com.

000

MAD HATTER

LISA LOFTUS

Strapless ballgown with bow-accented waistline and rows of mille-feuille flowers, price upon request, by Viktor&Rolf Mariage; viktor-rolf.com. Earrings by Ranjana Khan; ranjanakhan.com. Bracelet by Berricle; berricle.com. Gloves by Jessica Bedard; jessicabedardshoes.com.

000

CINDERELLA STORY

LISA LOFTUS

Guipure lace romper with open back and detachable multi-layered tulle overskirt, about $1,650, by Morilee by Madeline Gardner; morilee.com. Headpiece by Paris by Debra Moreland; parisstyles. com. Earrings by Swarovski; swarovski. com. Cuff by Vince Camuto; vincecamuto. com. Rings by Maison Miru; maisonmiru.com. Engagement ring and band by Ritani; ritani.com. Heels from And God Created Woman Vintage; 973-722-4821.

000

SWEET LIFE

Italian embroidered silk organza over silk gazar gown with voluminous sleeves, V-neck front and back, and side pockets, about $3,890, by Leanne Marshall; leannemarshall.com. Crown by Maria Elena Headpieces and Accessories; mariaelenaheadpieces. com. Necklace by Adore Jewelry; adorejewelry.com. Engagement ring and band by Christopher Designs; christopherdesigns.com.

Jacket by Paisley & Gray; menswearhouse.com. Pants by Awearness Kenneth Cole; menswearhouse.com. Shirt, bowtie, belt and shoes by Generation Tux; generationtux.com. Socks by The Tie Bar; thetiebar.com. Macarons and mini-cakes by LadurĂŠe; laduree.com. Pink cake by Ron Ben-Israel; weddingcakes.com.

on him:

000

eyond the iron gates, tucked away on over seven acres of lush landscape, sits Glynallyn, The Castle, a century-old, medieval-revival mansion. Located in the heart of Morris County, NJ, just outside of New York City, this exquisite location recently opened its doors for exclusive private events and weddings. The three-story, 32,000 square-foot historic castle offers an enchanted setting both indoors and out for any sophisticated celebration. From its picturesque gardens to its captivating interior and medieval architecture, every inch of this majestic location offers a picture-perfect backdrop. The Castle’s many rooms allow for specialized entertaining and decor, while the exterior includes a back terrace overlooking vibrant gardens and a serene pool where a moat once stood. A stone-wall structure covered in greenery serves as a stunning backdrop for wedding ceremonies. For more information, visit glynallyn.com.

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Two-piece tulle ballgown with crepe one-shoulder bodice and raw edge skirt, about $2,955, by Hayley Paige; jlmboutique.com. Gloves by GreatLookz available at David’s Bridal; davidsbridal.com. Cuff by Vince Camuto; vincecamuto.com FASHION EDITOR: Kayla Hayes ART DIRECTOR: Mary Cate Godfrey

MAKEUP: Gregg Brockington at Sally Harlor using Gavée Gold Skincare and YSL Beauté PROP STYLIST: David Yarritu 000

LISA LOFTUS

HAIR: Alberto Guzman at Ray Brown Productions using Réne Furterer

000

RUNWAY REPORT

JUSTIN ALEXANDER SIGNATURE NAEEM KHAN

GRACY ACCAD

RIME ARODAKY

LILLIAN WEST

IDAN COHEN

This season, larger-than-life bows and little white dresses were major showstoppers, while chic add-ons elevated every bridal style. by Kayla Hayes

SHORT NOTICE JULIE VINO

HALFPENNY LONDON

ALEXANDRA GRECCO

INES DI SANTO

on the drama with sleeves that detach for ARM CANDY Layer an easy change from ceremony to reception.

ELIZABETH FILLMORE

Stylish embellished minis celebrate a modern, fashion-forward aesthetic.

SAREH NOURI

Go big with an oversized bow for the perfect exit.

VERA WANG

BLACK TIE

INES DI SANTO

CAROL HANNAH

MAGGIE SOTTERO

ALLISON WEBB

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DESIGNERS; (INES DI SANTO) TOM RAUNER.

RIVINI BY RITA VINIERIS

BOWS ART

Opposites attract in gowns that wow with a shock of black ribbon.

ALLURE BRIDALS

ANNE BARGE

MOIRA HUGHES

NOUVELLE AMSALE

Steals Deals

Wow the crowd without breaking the bank in one of these chic gowns. by Kayla Hayes BaubleBar heart earrings, $42

Tier Up A-line gown with embroidered lace bodice and tiered English net skirt from Ti Adora by Allison Webb, about $1,415.

Hot Button

Strapless ballgown with crystal and pearl floral buttons and skirt with chapellength train by Justin Alexander, about $1,800.

Satin crepe gown with crystal bandeau and deep-V bodice from White by Vera Wang, about $530.

Lace Up

Off-the-shoulder lace gown with open corset back by Lillian West, about $1,500.

Nina multiglitter Casey heel, $89

Kitsch x Justine Marjan rhinestone bobby pins, Set of 12, $49 PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DESIGNERS

Take the Plunge

Olive + Piper Empress necklace set, $78

Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridal crystal link sash, $90

Princess Perfect

Tulle and satin gown with lace appliquĂŠs and silver beading from Beloved by Casablanca Bridal, about $995.

Sleeves Please

Embroidered lace gown with side cutouts and bell sleeves from Willowby by Watters, about $1,500.

Clean Slate

Frill Seeker Show Me Your Mumu acrylic clutch, $48

Sheath with cold shoulder ruffle sleeves and button details on the back by Allure Bridals, about $899.

Crepe gown with Vionnet inset panels and cascading back buttons by Robert Bullock Bride, about $1,955.

A NATURAL

CONNECTION In Los Cabos, things naturally come together. You and your partner will feel more connected to everything and everyone around you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including each other, your guests, this beautiful destination and its people. Your start to forever is waiting where the desert meets the sea. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see you on the other side. visitloscabos.travel/weddings

Photography by Julieta Amezcua

wedding album

REAL COUPLES

pure delight Erika and Jason hosted a vibrant celebration tucked away in the Green Mountain state.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY

Guests popped confetti into the air after the bride and groom said, "I do."

A J

ason turned a routine weekday morning into a surprise proposal to Erika, which he then extended into an unforgettable, all-day outing to visit their favorite local New York City spots: coffee at Abraço, brunch at the Coffee Shop and massages at Great Jones Spa. The Manhattanites’ admiration for personalized celebrations led them to host an awe-inspiring, custom-designed wedding at the bride’s childhood home in Putney, Vermont, a quaint town along the state’s southeast border. The big day’s scenic, woodsy landscape and rustic details were thoughtfully enhanced by offering guests a seasonal, farm-to-table menu. “Cooking is the way to show love,” said the bride, a TV food producer, who reflected this sentiment by serving guests a pastoral-style cuisine for the backyard soirée. Eggplant parcels, woodgrilled peppers with feta and smoked oysters made for fresh bites during the cocktail hour while hand-spun, roasted chicken and beef ensured a satisfying, family-style dinner. Similar to the bountiful, handcrafted food, the DIY decor was a true labor of love for the pair and their loved ones. Erika and her mother bunted recycled red-and-white fabric during the yearlong engagement to drape above the dance floor. Additionally, 200 recycled wine bottles, which had been collected by both families, were used to serve fresh spring water directly from the property. Erika said, “The wedding was exactly us: lively, homey, delicious and curated with endless personal touches.”— Kate Watson

THE COUPLE Erika Heymann and Jason Engelmann WEDDING LOCATION: Family home in Putney, Vermont NUMBER OF GUESTS: 100

wedding album

REAL COUPLES

1. The picture-perfect ceremony featured breathtaking views overlooking the Green Mountain National Forest, as well as a wooden entryway crafted by the bride’s neighbor, Faraway Farms. 2. Popcorn was served to guests to create a “movie moment” feel prior to the start of the ceremony. 3. Standing between two Italian candelabras that had belonged to Erika’s late grandfather, family friend and Bridal Guide’s editor in chief, Diane Forden, officiate the wedding. 4. Buckets filled with sunflowers and mixed florals added a f esh pop of color to the ceremony site.

1. A variety of local artisanal cheeses paired with roasted nuts, dried fruits and preserves were displayed on wooden panels during the lawn-front cocktail hour. 2. Members of the bridal party received engraved cast-iron skillets from NoMo Milling and handwoven potholders from the newlyweds. 3. Displayed in vintage wood boxes, Grissini breadsticks served as clever escort cards (the bride’s nickname is “breadstick”). Each package made by the bride and her mom included a stamped tag featuring guests’ names. 4. Family and friends sipped on carrot bellinis and munched on popcorn before the ceremony.

The bride and groom share a moment just after the “first look.

76 The bride’s striking bouquet included richly hued dahlias, straw flowers and zinnias with wheat and leafy fern sprigs.

Favorite Moments HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY

• The wedding band surprised the couple by playing their favorite Italian song “Lasciatemi Cantare” by Toto Cutugno. Jason, Erika and her mother buoyantly sang along as the pair cut the cake that Erika’s mom, owner of Twenty Two A, made for their special day. • To highlight Jason’s Polish heritage, an upbeat apron dance broke out during the reception as the groom’s godmother encouraged guests to pay a dollar to dance with the bride and groom. • Jason and Erika’s first dance was to “You Ain’t Goin' Nowhere” by Bob Dylan, a song the pair heard during their first vacation together as a couple.

wedding album

REAL COUPLES

2 3

Personal Touches

• Guests received packages of five sugared almonds to honor the bride’s Italian heritage and symbolize the newlyweds' wishes for health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity. • Each of the bride’s and groom’s wedding bands featured raw obsidian stone procured during their travels to Yellowstone, as well as their engraved initials and wedding date. 4

1. Erika and her sister, Kiira, the maid of honor, pose with their mother and father. 2. Hearth-baked breads made for warm appetizers to be savored on a breezy summer day. 3. Impressive pop-up open-fi e cooking stations were set up across the property, upping the wedding’s overall wow factor. 4. Edison bulbs and festive red-and-white tasseled banners hung inside the translucent reception tent.

1 2

HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY

The bride’s mother designed the four-tiered chocolate cake, which included a surprise tie-dye layer as a nod to Jason’s family, who are big fans of the Grateful Dead.

1. The dark oak reception tables featured an amalgam of locally sourced, rustic-styled decor, like pinecones from Maine provided by the bride’s godmother, ferns foraged from the property’s garden and wood slices from nearby trees. Each guest also received personalized candles. 2. The newlyweds blissfully hold hands and savor the sentimental toasts given at the reception. 3. In lieu of traditional bouquets, bridesmaids carried tambourines decked in straw flowers and ribbons to be jingled during the recessional. The groomsmen wore colorful boutonnieres accented with wheat sprigs to complement the bride’s bouquet. Caterer: Heirloom Fire Reception Band: The Loving Cup Tent & Rentals: Rain or Shine Cake: Bibiana Heymann at Twenty Two A Wedding Coordinator: Magdalena Events & Design Florist: Melissa Hessney Masters at Tanglebloom

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PHOTOGRAPHY: TOP, VISIT DENVER; BOTTOM, SARA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

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HONEYMOON & DESTINATION WEDDING GUIDE

Simply the Best

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELITE ISLAND RESORTS

Dig into some of the world’s most romantic destinations. Reserve a table at these epic resort restaurants for the best views, cuisine and experiences. And sip your perfect wine with our awesome tasting tips. Take an art-focused tour around the classic honeymoon destination—Paris. And relax like an A-lister at a haute hotel owned by some bold-faced names.

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RESORT ROUNDUP

The opulent Le Meurice Alain Ducasse.

Le Meurice Hotel.

Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

Candles or not, with or without musicians, these are some of the most romantic dining experiences on earth. by Jenna Mahoney On safari: Dining under the stars.

BILIMUNGWE BUSHCAMP

The vast, untouched expanse of the African plainlands are as magical as they are legendary. It is here that Mother Nature’s most magnificent offerings are on a live—and constant—feed. Book into this posh safari camp in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and be prepared to be awed by the surrounding fauna and flora at every turn. The accommodations at the five-villa adventure property are just as awesome, with sumptuous linens, indoor/outdoor showers and open-front architecture to showcase all that wildlife. Public spaces, including the newly launched Star Deck, also boast uninterrupted views of the enormous African sky (room rates start at $590 per person, per night and are all inclusive; bushcampcompany.com).

BOUCHON BISTRO Fact: Thomas Keller is one of the country’s most lauded chefs. At the helm of French Laundry in Napa, he revolutionized the concept of haute French cuisine with a farmOn the to-table ethos. Since reservations Bouchon and the tasting menu may be out patio. of reach for some, Keller expanded his offerings to be more accessible. One such outpost is Bouchon Bistro Las Vegas housed in the Venetian Resort. Offering traditional bistro fare, the menu showcases some of Keller’s favorite dishes—steak frites, croque madame and roast chicken. Score a table on the pretty outdoor terrace and savor oysters with a glass of rosé in a chic Parisian-like setting (room rates start at $295 a night; venetian.com).

The Great House at Round Hill Hotel and Villas. A delicious dish, below.

ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS This classic yet breezy Jamaican property of 27 individually owned villas and a Great House boasting 36 intimate guest rooms is one of the world’s iconic island hideaways. Meals here are memorable for not only their island-fresh, garden-grown organic offerings, but also the pretty perch from where they are savored. At the Grill, a rooftop eatery designed by Ralph Lauren featuring chic black-and-white decor, tables have unbeatable views of the lush Jamaican landscape and beach (room rates start at $430 a night; roundhill.com).

PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) DORCHESTER COLLECTION (2); IMAGES COURTESY OF ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS (2); COURTESY OF THE VENETIAN; THE BUSHCAMPCOMPANY

Table for Two

Of all the memorable meal offerings in the City of Light, this haute eatery helmed by one of France’s most famous chefs literally takes the cake. Housed in the famed Le Meurice Hotel located just steps from the Tuileries Garden, the eponymous restaurant showcases classic French favorites crafted from the freshest seasonal ingredients. The setting, which was designed by Philippe Starck and influenced by the grand palace of Versailles, is just as spectacular. An ornate fresco adorns the ceiling and on the red carpet sit ultra-modern Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen (room rates start at about $783 a night; dorchestercollection.com).

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THE PERFECT POUR Show the sommelier you know the difference between your cabernets with these wine-ordering tips. by Jenna Mahoney

restaurant. Most of the time, I cross my fingers and hope one of my dining mates will pick the perfect bottle, other times I’m so unsure of how to talk to the wine steward, I skip the process entirely. Since I refuse to believe I’m alone in this behavior, I got some oenophiles (wine experts) to share the art of picking the best bottle for your romantic dinner.

ASK THE EXPERT Unlike Fight Club, the first rule is to talk about the wine list. Ask your server or sommelier what has her most excited on the menu, says Rajat Parr, a vintner and master sommelier. And let her know what your preferred tastes are. Personally, I like reds and bubbles— though not generally together. Parr said I should lead with that. I also prefer fruity tastes, as opposed to smoky wood finishes, so that’s another detail I should share. Based on that and the dinner selection, the sommelier can recommend a wine to complement your meal.

I tend to go for mid-range wines, since I think they will be more complex than the cheap bottles and just as interesting as the more expensive wines.

TAKE A SIP

Once you’ve selected your wine, your server will open the bottle tableside and offer you a small pour to try. The process is to ensure that the wine is at its best. While handling the glass, hold it by the stem, as your hand temperature may affect the overall taste of the wine. Once the wine is poured, tilt the glass and notice the color of the liquid. Is it deep SPEAK UP and rich? Healthy reds tend to If the sommelier is tossing around have purple, ruby and maroon terms that you don’t understand, tones to them; older whites are let her know. “A good sommelier golden and amber in appearance. should have the ability to put Keeping the glass on the table, images in your head,” says Marco TIP: WHEN IN DOUBT GO FOR A PINOT NOIR, lightly spin the base, so that the A RED WINE WITH A SIMPLE, UNDERSTATED Pelletier, a sommelier and wine liquid swirls around the glass. TASTE THAT GOES WELL WITH MEAT AND FISH. maker in Bordeaux, France. There Check for any cork or lingering are certain terms that are commonly used when describing sediment, which may indicate the wine isn’t at its prime. wine, including tannic, which refers to a dry, lip-puckering taste, akin to a strong cup of tea; juicy, a rounder taste that feels like GIVE SOME FEEDBACK a fruit burst in your mouth, and demi-sec (or half-dry), which Upon trying your wine, tell the sommelier what you like about can be a bit confusing since it describes sweet, sparkling wines. it. Use clear descriptions, even if you aren’t up on the oenoBody is another common wine term that refers to fullness of the phile terms of the moment. Instead of saying, “It doesn’t taste as I expected,” try: “It has a bitter edge” or “I like the buttery taste. A wine can be light-, medium- or full-bodied. flavor.” If your glass of wine tastes like a moldy basement or GO FOR PRICE wet cardboard, say so immediately. This means the wine may There’s no need to feel compelled to buy the most expensive be corked (or tainted). Note: It does not mean that bits of cork bottle. Choose a price point and don’t be ashamed to stick are in the glass. Technically, a corked bottle is the only one with it. “The least expensive wine is not always the worst,” you should send back, but Parr assured me that you can says Parr. “There is a reason it is on the list—it may be a great refuse any wine—for the right reasons. Use specific language value.” When negotiating the wine list, you may want to point to describe what it is you don’t like. “Of course, if you’re clear to your preferred price and ask the sommelier for similar sug- about your likes and dislikes in the first place, you shouldn’t gestions. She’ll give input on bottles that are in the same range. have any problems.” 

PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTOGRAPHYBYPAULINA.COM

“

gads, the wine list!” is the first thing that goes through my head each time I am handed the book of beverages at a

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In every issue, we scout a spot that’s perfect for tying the knot away from home. by Jenna Mahoney

he country of Mexico is delightfully diverse and wonderfully welcoming to visitors. Cuisine is, of course, a calling card, as is amazing hospitality. From the sparkling Caribbean Sea to the cosmopolitan streets of the capital Mexico City and the golden sands of the Pacific Coast, here are our postcard-perfect picks for swapping “sí quiero” in beautiful Mexico.

COSTA CAREYES, JALISCO A resort enclave, founded by a group of jet-setting tastemakers with a passion for design and give-back initiatives, this sprawling property that hugs the Pacific coastline is a truly special place. Think of the sweeping jungle-y 20,000-acre expanse, located just over two hours from Puerto Vallarta, as your personal beach village complete with seven dining options, a cultural center, polo fields, watersports and an adorable town square. Accommodations run the gamut and are independently owned, which translates into various styles and price points for your guests. There are sleek one- to three-bedroom condos that overlook a photogenic pool and the golden sands of Careyes. Sixty five private villas are perched on rugged cliffs and offer all manner of amenities including personal pools and dedicated staffs. Two things they all have in common are abundant style and sweeping Mexican vistas. Marry here and host your weekend of events in a variety of locations— beach, garden patio, private villa or castle—without ever leaving the property. Local planners work with couples to craft exclusive celebrations that reflect both your personalities and the magnificent setting (wedding and ceremony site fees start at $4,000 for a ceremony in the sand and reception in one of the restaurants; careyes.com).

LE BLANC SPA RESORT, CANCUN This sophisticated adults-only resort on Cancun’s golden sands is the epitome of tropical vacation paradise—complete with personalized butler service. Toss in a sparkling pool, comprehensive wellness programming, and—oh, did we mention it is all inclusive?—you’ve ➺

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The beach at Le Blanc. The central pool at Careyes.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP LEFT) PALACE RESORTS; COSTA CAREYES; DESIGN HOTELS; PALACE RESORTS; COSTA CAREYES

Mexico

Picturesque Costa Careyes.

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WEDDINGS AWAY

Overlooking the private villas at Careyes.

The gorgeous facade of Downtown Hotel.

got the makings of happily ever after. Wed here and your guests can do as much or as little as they desire. Really, lounging in the oversize, brillant white cabanas, may be all anyone will want to do, before witnessing your walk down a sand aisle. Celebrate with a sparkling toast and meal in one of the grand eateries. Psst— the formal Lumiere is a delight of elevated design and traditional French gastronomic offerings (starting wedding packages are complimentary with a minimum four-night stay and include ceremony site and set-up, officiant, wedding coordination and specialized day-of wedding butler, sparkling wine toast, dinner for up to 25 guests and more; leblancresorts.com).

A private perch at Careyes.

With its Colonial-meets-Modern architecture, excellent art museums, sizzling hot food scene, emerging cocktail culture and ultra pampering hotels, Mexico City, D.F. has cemented itself as chic, cosmopolitan destination. Host a wedding at this boutique hotel and celebrate not only your union, but also the distinct flair of the city. The design of this 17-room hideaway is pure D.F—a blend of the antique (the facade is circa 17th century and there’s a traditional leafy interior garden) and the modern (furnishings are sleek and the addition of a hip roof deck bar area is so very now). Events can be hosted on the aforementioned space that’s outfitted in low-slung furnishings and boasting awesome city views. There’s also the adjacent pool mezzanine, a poppy spot with an additional bar. Host your ceremony on the picturesque Breakfast Patio, with its dramatic wall murals, geometric tiled floors, verdant plantings and traditional Colonial plaza vibes before sampling an artful blend of high/low Mexican cuisine offerings, and grooving to the blends of a local DJ (wedding site fees start at about $1,100 and include dedicated staff, set-up and clean-up, music and five hours facility rental; downtownmexico.com). ¢

A guest room at Le Blanc.

LEGALLY WEDDED The requirements for saying “I do” in Mexico are extensive. Most hotels can help with the process. All couples must be 18 or older and not currently married. You’ll need to present a valid passport, tourist card (issued upon arrival), birth certificate, blood test results (done in Mexico), completed marriage application forms from local registry and four witnesses. All foreign documents, with the exception of your passport, will need to be translated, apostillized and notarized. The couple, plus their witnesses, will also need to arrive in Mexico four business days before the wedding day for legal ceremonies.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) COSTA CAREYES (2); DESIGN HOTELS; PALACE RESORTS

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PARIS

Julie Eugène, art concierge at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, shares her favorite things about this most romantic city. by Diane Forden

Il Carpaccio is a Michelin-starred restaurant.

BONJOUR! The facade of Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris.

SWEET DREAMS A posh guest room.

REPOSE A quiet corner.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) THE DORCHESTER COLLECTION; DIANE FORDEN

Bridal Guide: Why is Paris so perfect for honeymooners? Julie Eugène: Paris, the “City of Light,” also known as the “City of Love,” is the classic romantic destination. It’s filled with history, art, culture and many romantic venues. INDULGE BG: How does Le Royal MonThe classic ceau cater to guests? macaron. JE: All of the rooms at Le Royal Monceau are decorated like a Parisian apartment: chic, serene and TRAVEL TIP: Fly Air comfortable. We have lots of amenities. The Spa My Blend by Clarins is ultra pampering—and the couples France Business Class to massage is notable, as is the indoor pool. Our conParis. Enjoy lie-flat seats, cierge can arrange for such experiences as a dinner noise-canceling headphones cruise on the Seine river. Of course, the program I and more. Amenities at the helm—Art Experience—is quite special (room rates Air France Business Lounge start at about $960 a night; leroyalmonceau.com). at Charles de Gaulle Airport BG: Tell us about the art program. include a detox bar, Clarins JE: When designer Philippe Starck renovated the Spa, private suites, a relaxproperty in 2010, he wanted to create the first luxury hotel dedicated to contemporary art. Today, to stay ation room and showers. here is to be immersed in art. We have a private collection of photographs and commissioned works GARCON Service is a standand dedicated art spaces. There’s La Librairie des out at the hotel. Arts, an art concept store, the Art Gallery featuring temporary exhibits and Le Cinéma Katara, a 99-seat movie theater. As the art concierge, I curate a weekly newsletter on exhibitions throughout the city. I also lead art tours of the hotel that highlight our history and collections. Moreover, any guest can ask me for a customized program of exhibitions to see in Paris, artist studios to visit, or if they’ve ever dreamed of having a private dinner in the Picasso museum, the Louvre or at Versailles—I can make it happen. BG: Other than the Louvre, what museums are notable? JE: The Musée de la Vie Romantique is in an antique mansion where the artist Ary Scheffer lived and worked for 30 years. Nearly the entire artistic community of 19th-century Paris visited there: Delacroix, George Sand, Chopin, Rossini and Dickens. I particularly like its wisteria-filled garden. Another must-see is the Musée Picasso; it houses more than 5,000 works. At the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton, major exhibitions are presented in an astonishing modern building and I love the views of Paris and the Bois de Boulogne from ➺ A STAR TURN

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its terraces. L’Atelier des Lumières, a new kind of cultural space, is also amazing. Visitors feel immersed in the artwork thanks to luminous floor-to-ceiling screening installations everywhere. BG: What are some of your favorite city sights? JE: Paris is full of historic monuments, old mansions, cafes and beautiful parks and gardens like Parc Monceau (within walking distance of the hotel) and the Tuileries Garden. Take a walk along the Seine river. And for breathtaking views, visit the Eiffel Tower. Or go to Montmartre where you can also see the Wall of Love (“I love you” is written in 250 languages). The top of Centre PompiSUNNY SPOT A terrace dining setting. dou, the largest European museum for modern art, also has panoramic city views. BG: Where’s the best shopping? BON APPETIT JE: The hotel is just steps from the Faubourg An offering at Il Carpaccio. Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, where you’ll find some of the best boutiques. SaintGermain-des-Près and Le Marais are two areas where Parisians love to shop. As for a must-buy, the unique coffee/tea sets in the hotel’s concept store are perfect souvenirs. They were designed exclusively for Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris by Philippe Starck in collaboration with Raynaud. PICTURE PERFECT A romantic park view. BG: Do you have a favorite restaurant? JE: I love both of the restaurants at Le Royal Monceau—Matsuhisa Paris and the MichelinDEEP AZURE TRAVEL TIP: Take a day The city’s largest starred Il Carpaccio. Off property, there’s indoor pool. trip to Reims for a private tour Balagan (1st arrondissement) a very popular, of the Champagne Houses. of-the-moment restaurant with delicious MediSip champagne and learn terranean food. I discovered Sense eat, (6th arrondissement) while I was doing a tour of art about terroir—how the region’s gallery openings in Saint-Germain-des-Près. It climate and topography affect has become one of my favorites. Baieta (5th champagne production. arrondissement) opened last year and is so good that it may receive a Michelin star soon. It is typically French—Baieta means “kiss” in Nice patois—and I adore that the chef, Julia Sedefdjian, is a woman. SANTÉ! The hotel’s BG: Are there must-try regional dishes? stylish bar. JE: Everyone has to try foie gras at least once in their life! My family comes from Bordeaux and Périgord, the region of foie gras, and even though I am a vegetarian I can’t refuse a bite! BG: Where are the coolest clubs? ON DISPLAY The art gallery at JE: I have one favorite: Le Silencio. This nightLe Royal Monceau. club was design by filmmaker David Lynch and is both very Parisian and artsy. It’s a private club for the artistic community but opens to the public after 11 p.m. BG: When is the best time of year to visit Paris? JE: Paris is wonderful year-round but as an artist, I adore autumn and spring. Not only is the natural light especially pretty and nature’s colors so beautiful, but there are also major art events to enjoy: FIAC, the International Contemporary Art Fair, is held in October and Paris Photo in November. They are presented in the Nave of the Grand Palais, the largest glass-roofed space in Europe. ¢

PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) THE DORCHESTER COLLECTION; DIANE FORDEN

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Kick back at Buenaventura.

Just Coast When you’re ready to flee the capital’s legendary traffic and log some serious pool time, retreat to Riviera Pacifica and the sprawling Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, where you can scuba dive, fly-fish, A serene scene at Buenaventura Golf kayak in a lagoon or the Pacific, play golf at & Beach Resort. the Nicklaus-designed course, ride bikes and horses, taste 19 local brews in the new craft This Central American country is a cornucopia of options—outdoorsy beer bar and learn to make spicy ceviche. animal-filled adventures, tropical R&R with umbrella drinks and palmIf that sounds entirely too active, chill at the dotted beaches and an urban crawl with cosmopolitan delights of museums beach club and sip a frozen coconut limeade and luxury hotels. The capital Panama City juxtaposes a bougainvilleaor a cocktail inspired by the surrounding draped colonial Old Town with a shiny sector of skyscrapers that grew up scenery and crafted by a master mixologist around the canal that has connected the world since 1914. Bonus: English who also gives lessons (room rates start at $199 a night, thebuenaventurahotel.com). is widely spoken and U.S. dollars are usually accepted. —Carrie Bell

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Old World

Capuchin monkey.

Free Fallin’ Eco Circuitos Tours creates custom daytrips to the lush El Valle de Anton, the world’s only inhabited town built inside a volcanic caldera. Possible stops include: hikes to see the cloud forest’s Sleeping Indian formation, hot springs soaks, bird-watching and ziplining over the allegedly enchanted El Chorro Macho waterfall. There’s also a local mariposario (a butterfly house) and some nearby ancient petroglyphs. Don’t miss a visit to a local openair market, where you can stock up on rare peppers and painted trinkets.

As of 2019, Panama City celebrates 500 years of history, commerce and culture. Wander the brick streets and waterfront promenades of Casco Viejo (Old Town) admiring the picturesque balconies, plazas, cathedrals and new boutiques built atop preserved tile floors with views of the modern skyline and the only Frank Gehry building in Latin America (the visit-worthy Biomuseo) in the distance. Look out for indigenous Kuna women in traditional dress stitching and selling molas (vibrant embroidered panels). And grab lunch at the fish market and taste a raspado (Panamanian shave ice). Traditional weaving.

LOCK AND ROLL Get a closer look at the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks, where a multi-level museum details the arduous, harrowing creation of the engineering marvel. Schedule an observation deck stop while a cargo ship is passing through for a bird’s eye view of the well-oiled process. Then head back to the Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel, for a massage inspired by the native Holy Spirit orchid followed by a cup of awardwinning Geisha coffee, locally grown at high altitude and served in the cute cafe (room rates start at $179 a night, santamariahotelpanama.com).

An outlook point deep in the jungle.

CARIBBEAN

TALK ABOUT A DEAL—THESE AMAZING ALL-INCLUSIVE CARIBBEAN RESORTS OFFER WEDDINGS FREE OF CHARGE. BY ERICA HUENEKE

destination wedding in the balmy Caribbean may sound like the ultimate fantasy, but what if we said you could do it for free? It may sound too good to be true, but at these five dreamy resorts, the basic wedding package is gratis if you meet certain reservation requirements. From a gazebo in the Grenadines to a sugar-sand beach in the Bahamas, here’s where to walk down the aisle without having to open your wallet.

PHOTOGRAPHY; BLIE WATERS RESORT & SPA

BEST BETS

Yep, the name says it all—Blue Waters Resort & Spa on Antigua.

BLUE WATERS RESORT & SPA, ANTIGUA Posh enough for Prince Harry (he stayed here during his 2016 official tour of the Caribbean) but reasonable enough to host weddings for free, the photogenic Blue Waters Resort & Spa has been racking up the high-fives from chic guests for almost 60 years. The Blue Waters Wedding Package provides the essentials: coordinator, cake, champs and more. Beach vows are an option, but the oceanfront gazebo (decor included) is the hands-down favorite ceremony spot, thanks to its secluded location—set at the end of a jetty and hugged by the Caribbean Sea. Take photos in the lush gardens or by the ruins of an old sugar mill. With all the money you’re saving on the big event, splurge on a memorable group outing: The on-site activity desk is happy to arrange a sunset sail or a lobster-lunch cruise. If

your crew is more into R&R, set yourselves up at one of several pools, including beachfront, family and no-kids-allowed. THE DETAILS: The basic Blue Waters Wedding Package, available through Dec. 21, 2019, is free with stays of seven nights or more in a deluxe beachfront room or higher (room rates for deluxe beachfront rooms start at $520 per night. All-inclusive meal plans are available; bluewaters.net).

DREAMS PUNTA CANA RESORT & SPA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Invite up to eight loved ones to share in your big day with the Dreams Wedding in Paradise Package, which covers everything from pressing and prepping your wedding clothes to bouquet and boutonniere to cake and chair covers. Symbolic ceremonies take place on Uvero Alto beach or in the ➺

CARIBBEAN

The gorgeous aisle at Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa.

The newly revamped Sonesta Maho Resort.

The chic swim-up bar at Riu Palace Paradise Island.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS ARE ON THE RISE. ACCORDING TO OUR READER SURVEY, MORE THAN 45% OF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ONE. THE CARIBBEAN IS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR REGIONS, WITH THE BAHAMAS AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RANKING HIGHEST.

pretty garden gazebo, and reception spaces include several outdoor terraces, a ballroom, and tables right in the sand. After the “I do’s,” take advantage of fun photo ops like Flamingo Lake, bar swings and a grand staircase. A daily roster of free activities means it’s impossible to become bored: Challenge your squad to beach volleyball, bocce ball or cornhole; join in a rum tasting; or learn something new via Spanish, dance or cooking lessons. The wedding package comes with free anniversary nights, so you can return sans guests and spend the entire visit in a double-decker beach cabana with your mate. THE DETAILS: The Dreams Wedding in Paradise Package is complimentary when you book at least seven nights in a preferred club honeymoon suite or higher, or if five rooms, in any of the categories, are booked for a minimum of three nights (room rates start at $327 per person, per night and are all inclusive; dreamsresorts.com).

HOTEL RIU PALACE PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS Welcome glasses of champagne at check-in set a celebratory tone at this stunning 379-room all-inclusive, converted to

adults-only (and completely renovated) in 2017. The star of the show here is mile-long Cabbage Beach, a postcard-worthy milieu of white sand set against endless aquamarine water. All weddings take place on the beach (weather permitting), and you won’t pay a dime for services like an on-site planner, ceremony decor, a bouquet and boutonniere, music, a cake and a semi-private dinner for up to eight guests at one of the property’s three signature specialty restaurants. (We love the traditional Steakhouse; the innovative fusion outpost is also fun.) With planning kept to a minimum, you and your fiancé will be free to bliss out in hammocks or belly up to the swimup bar, dangerously sweet Bahama Mama cocktails in hand. If you’re feeling a tad adventurous, wander over to the sprawling Atlantis next door (Riu guests may purchase day passes to the pink-hued resort’s huge water park; don’t miss a glimpse of the impressive aquarium). Or gather the gang for an Instagramready aqua wildlife encounter at nearby Blue Lagoon Island, dolphin kisses included. THE DETAILS: The Free Wedding Package is available when booking any room category; no minimum number of rooms is required (room rates start at $190 per person, per night and are all inclusive; riu.com).

PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) DREAMS RESORTS & SPAS; SONESTA MAHO RESORT; BLUE WATERS RESORT & SPA.

Spa à deux at Blue Waters.

AS FOR CHOOSING YOUR POSTCARD-PERFECT DESTINATION, NEARLY 70% OF YOU DESIRE WARM WEATHER AND A BEAUTIFUL BEACH AS THE TOP MUST-HAVES. AND NEARLY 20% OF OUR READERS PREFER TO GO GREEN WITH AN EVENT AT AN ECO-RESORT. A sleek guest room at Sonesta Maho Resort on St. Maarten.

The money shot of private Palm Island. Claim your spot in the sun— Dreams Punta Cana. Life is sweet at Riu Palace Paradise Island.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) SONESTA MAHO RESORT; ELITE ISLAND RESORTS; DREAMS RESORTS & SPAS

PALM ISLAND RESORT & SPA, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES With more than 2,000 coconut palm trees, this adults-only, private-island resort of just 43 guest accommodations on the southern tip of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago is aptly named. Wed among the island’s lush ﬂora and fauna with the Elite Wedding Package: a heartfelt ceremony for six that comes with a bouquet and boutonniere, a decorated ceremony site (beach gazebo or breezy canopy), a onetier cake and a bottle of sparkling wine. After you’ve made it official, pose with George, the obliging resident iguana. The free package requires a stay of at least two weeks, so you’ll have plenty of time to play romantic castaways and explore the 135-acre island, with its three hiking trails and five bleachwhite beaches. Daytime is all about snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding in the crystalline water, while after dark, nightly entertainment ranges from steel-pan performers to beach bonfires to crab races. Don’t miss a sailing trip to the nearby uninhabited Tobago Cays, where you can swim with sea turtles and claim your own beach à la Captain Jack Sparrow (parts of The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise were filmed here).

THE DETAILS: The Elite Wedding Package is free for couples staying 13 nights or more in a beachfront category or higher (room rates start at $333 per person, per night and are all inclusive; palmislandresortgrenadines.com).

SONESTA MAHO BEACH RESORT, CASINO & SPA, ST. MAARTEN After being gutted by Hurricane Irma in 2017, this popular 416-room resort reopened in February 2019 with a completely new look and storm-resistant building technology. What hasn’t changed: the signature Oasis pool, excellent restaurant and bar offerings, and a white wedding gazebo with box-seat views of the glistening ocean. Instagram fun bonus: Tying the knot here comes with the chance to get a wedding-day selfie set against a jumbo jet landing at the oft-snapped Maho Beach. THE DETAILS: Book at least 50 room nights for your guests, and score the Marry Me for Free Package, which includes a coordinator, a cake, a three-course reception dinner, a private open bar and more. Reserving 100-room nights sweetens the deal— think a complimentary cocktail hour (room rates start at $132 per person, per night and are all inclusive; sonesta.com). ¢

planning 101

ADVICE

WED-AWAY TIMELINE 12-10 MONTHS • Set a budget. Factor in the number of guests and determine how much you can afford to spend. • Decide on a place. Consider your style and choose a first, second and third choice. Factor in travel time and airfare. • Research resorts in your country/location of choice and compare what each offers. Analyze packages, rates and amenities. • Look into the marriage legalities in the locations you’re considering. • After selecting a resort, make travel arrangements for a visit. • Request a list of preferred local vendors such as the photographer, florist and band. 9 MONTHS • Visit the resort and meet with the on-site wedding coordinator and local vendors. Research group discount on room rates. • Begin your search for your honeymoon location if you will not be honeymooning at your wedding destination. • Start gown shopping and begin register registering for gifts. • Finalize your guest list. • Set up your wedding website. Start with your wedding date and location; add travel info and other relevant logistics as you go. 6 MONTHS • Send out save-the-dates to give your guests plenty of time to make travel ar arrangements. • Reserve a block of rooms at a hotel in different price ranges. • Contact your officiant. For religious ceremonies, you may be required to attend pre-wedding counseling. Civil ceremonies may require permission to be married in the location. • Prepare all paperwork (passports, documents needed for marriage application). • Review and finalize pros’ contracts. • Buy travel and wedding insurance. • Contact a travel agent to see if you can reserve a block of seats with an airline. • Make final selections for your flowers, decor, menu and cake. • Make arrangements for any transporta-

tion at the location such as an airport shuttle for guests. 4 MONTHS • Send out invitations. • Have groom and groomsmen rent tuxedos, if wearing them. 3 MONTHS • Ensure website is updated. • Review documentation for a legal cer ceremony with your coordinator. • Research group activites and excursions. • Prepare welcome letter to guests and itinerary of events to include in gift bag. 2 MONTHS • Set up a seating chart, get all RSVPs from guests. 3-6 WEEKS • Confirm travel reservations. Finalize guest head count; release any rooms not needed. • Review an order of events schedule with your coordinator and local vendors. • Revisit ceremony details: write vows, finalize music. • Ask guests to RSVP for group activities via e-mail. • Ship gift bag items, printed materials (programs, etc.) to site. 1 WEEK • Finalize the seating plan; give caterer a head count. • Pack what you need for the wedding and honeymoon; pick up tuxes. • Put together an emergency kit (spot remover, band-aids, aspirin, etc.). • Determine photo schedule and shot list for photographer. DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE • Go over final details with coordinator. • Contact wedding party and make sure they know how to reach you. 3-4 DAYS • Arrive on site and meet with coordinator and vendors to review final details. ■

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WORLDWIDE

One of the postcardperfect rooms at Nobu Ryokan Malibu.

A-LIST HOTELS

LIVE LIKE A CELEBRITY—LITERALLY—WHEN YOU CHECK INTO THESE SUPER POSH PROPERTIES OWNED BY YOUR FAVORITE STARS. BY CARRIE BELL

Nobu Ryokan: Malibu, California

PROMINENT PROPRIETORS: Robert De Niro & chef Nobu Matsuhisa These good fellas started their hospitality empire 25 years ago with a sushi joint in New York City’s star-studded Tribeca. This new installment, a beachfront, 1950s motel on the Pacific Coast Highway reimagined into a boutique hotel of 16 rooms, sits in longtime playground for the 1 percent, Malibu. Thanks to minimalist decor touches—shoji screens, linen yukatas (robes), tatami mats and deep soaking tubs—and a Zen atmosphere, you’ll

feel transported to a Japanese traditional inn that inspired its name. The best news—Nobu sushi takeout is mere steps away (room rates start at $2,000 a night; noburyokanmalibu.com).

Palazzo Margherita: Bernalda, Italy PROMINENT PROPRIETOR: Francis Ford Coppola Not content with simply being an admired auteur, The Godfather director is also a winemaker, restaurateur and hotelier with five luxury resorts in four countries. This 1892 palatial estate is special, as it’s in the Southern Italian hilltop village where his ➺

PHOTOGRAPHY: NOBU RYOKAN MALIBU

n a world where you can fulfill champagne wishes and caviar dreams with a honeymoon at a celebrity-owned hotel, we’ve discovered the best—and, dare we say, most cinematic—options. From the Australian woodlands to the shores of Southern California, couples can get a taste of the lifestyles of the rich and famous by booking a room at a property owned by a member of its ranks. Household Hollywood names, Grammy winners, top chefs and athletes are increasingly getting into the hospitality game. And they’re bringing their appreciation for the finer things in life, like high thread counts, fresh sushi and infinity pools, to their hotels. Check into these posh spots.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GUNDOLF PFOTENAHUER

The refreshing pool at Palazzo Margherita.

WORLDWIDE

Evening at Cromlix.

Welcoming the sun at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.

CELEBRITIES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE LONG-TERM HOTEL GUESTS. THE CHELSEA HOTEL IN NEW YORK CITY FAMOUSLY HOUSED CREATIVES FROM SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR TO PATTI SMITH.

Bucolic Bedford Post Inn.

earning an in-room spa treatment or a token (slippers, tea cozies and flasks) in the property’s bespoke purple tartan designed by Murray’s mom (room rates start at $298 a night, cromlix.com).

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat: Queensland, Australia

PROMINENT PROPRIETOR: Hugh Jackman Even the greatest showman on earth needs to unplug, detox and return to nature from time to time. Multi-talented megastar Jackman found this 500-acre eco-friendly wellness wonderland atop a panoramic plateau on the Gold Coast of his homeland during his grueling Boy From Oz show run. According to insiders, he so enjoyed the crystal-powered meditation rooms, morning Qi Gong, bush hiking, garden-fresh meals and two-bedroom villas with private steam rooms and plunge pools that he decided to become an owner. Two- to seven-day programs can be customized to include a private dinner under the stars (room rates start at $744 a night and are all inclusive; gwinganna.com).

Rival Hotel & Pop House: Stockholm, Sweden

Mamma Mia—Check out the Pop House.

grandfather was born and raised. The mansion is meticulously appointed with antique tile floors, elegant chandeliers and handpainted fresco ceilings. Laze around the pool and walled gardens or in a gazebo at the beach club 15 minutes away. A new partnership with Indigo Bay means guests can add a private yacht charter and overnight sails to the Amalfi Coast (room rates start at about $980 a night and include breakfast and a cooking class, thefamilycoppolahideaways.com).

Cromlix: Dunblane, Scotland

PROMINENT PROPRIETOR: Andy Murray The score will be love-love if you decide to honeymoon in Scotland at the Victorian country cottage—basically Brit code-speak for a mansion easily mistaken for a castle—owned by the tennis player. Murray performed best-man duties for his brother at the 34-acre lake property in 2010 and purchased it in 2013 to lure visitors to his hometown. A renovation restored the antique grandeur of the 15 rooms named after notable Scots and gave the place five-star status. Make a competition out of shooting clays, fishing, archery and Highland games, with the winner

PROMINENT PROPRIETORS: Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus Take a chance on two hotels owned by members of Sweden’s beloved pop group Abba. Andersson’s Rival Hotel in Stockholm’s hip Södermalm hood offers an indulgent pillow menu, a 703-seat live events theater and breakfast in bed served all day (room rates start at about $140 a night and include breakfast; rival.se). It also has its own theme song co-written by Ulvaeus, who has a stake in Pop House in the Djurgarden area. The former is connected to the Abba Museum—guests get discounted tickets. Three of the 49 rooms are themed suites. Mamma Mia looks like a mini Greek village while Abba Gold is a gilded tribute to the group’s most successful album and features their real gold and platinum awards (room rates start at about $135 a night and include breakfast; pophouse.se).

Bedford Post Inn: Bedford, New York

PROMINENT PROPRIETOR: Richard Gere Take your pretty woman to this posh country charmer, a property dating to the 1860s that was restored in 2007 by a team including the Chicago actor. His then wife, Law & Order alum Carey Lowell, co-designed the eight rooms, most of which have cozy fireplaces; some have terraces overlooking the surrounding woods. Particularly gorgeous in autumn, guests can leaf-

PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) ICMI;-BEDFORD POST INN; JOHANNA KASSEL/POP HOUSE; GWINGANNA LIFESTYLE RETREAT

FUN FACT:

The quaint— and welcoming— Cypress Inn.

Getting an air-view of the slopes at Sundance Mountain Resort.

peep while flowing in the yoga studio or sampling sustainable cuisine (room rates start at $390 a night, bedfordpostinn.com).

Walk on—a pretty perch at The Clarence.

PHOTOGRAPHY: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT; THE CLARENCE; THE MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU; COSTA D’ESTE BEACH RESORT & SPA

Sundance Mountain Resort: Sundance, Utah

PROMINENT PROPRIETOR: Robert Redford More than 50 years ago the actor/director/film festival founder stumbled upon a pristine canyon at the foot of Utah’s Mount Timpanogos and fell head over heels. First came a family cabin and then the rustic yet stately ski resort (which of course a river runs through). Winter reservations come with two free lift tickets and summer stays are filled with hikes, art classes, yoga outdoors and concerts in the amphitheater. After getting centered with gemstone aromatherapy and a sage and sweet grass ritual, savor trout cannoli or squab with blackberry confit in a dining room built around a 65-foot pine and spruced up with Redford’s Native American art collection and views of the bucolic splendor (room rates start at $199 a night; sundanceresort.com).

Mission Ranch Inn & Cypress Inn: Carmel, California

PROMINENT PROPRIETORS: Clint Eastwood & Doris Day, respectively Dirty Harry, once the mayor of the well-heeled hamlet on the central coast, plays host at this 1850s dairy turned alluring 22acre resort. Stays are supremely pleasant with in–room whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, mountain views, complimentary coffee and pastries, tennis lessons and farmhouse-chic furnishings. Trouble sleeping? Look out to a meadow and count sheep (room rates start at $145 a night; missionranchcarmel.com). The quintessential “girl next door” Doris Day has owned neighboring Cypress Inn for more than 20 years. Pillow talk is encouraged, especially while wearing a provided plush robe and imbibing in free cream sherry and snacks. An animal rights activist, Day encourages pairs to bring their pets along by providing treats, fresh water, a washing station and waste bags in the courtyard (room rates start at $279 a night; cypress-inn.com).

The Clarence: Dublin, Ireland

PROMINENT PROPRIETORS: Bono & The Edge Love’s the sweetest thing but for U2 diehards the runner-up might be an Emerald Isle sojourn complete with a stint at the circa 1852 hotel Bono and The Edge rescued in the ’90s. Set aside the River Liffey in the Temple Bar district (known for its lively pub scene), the 50-room retreat features Shaker beds

FUN FACT:

ELOISE, WHO LIVED AT THE TIPPITY TOP OF NYC’S PLAZA HOTEL, IS PERHAPS THE WORLD’S MOST RECOGNIZABLE FICTIONAL HOTEL GUEST. IT IS SAID SHE IS BASED ON THE YOUNG LIZA MINELLI.

I see you smile upon checking in at Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa.

and local artisan-made leather chairs. The Penthouse’s piano is primed for composing your masterpiece. Get inspired by watching a video of the concert U2 played on the hotel’s roof. The rockin’ afternoon tea at Cleaver East ensures honeymooning guests a beautiful day (room rates start at about $145 a night, theclarence.ie).

Costa d’Este Beach Resort: Vero Beach, Florida

PROMINENT PROPRIETORS: Gloria and Emilio Estefan Whether it’s during a swim in the beachfront pool, a stroll along the 1,000 feet of Atlantic Ocean shoreline, a cuddle in front of firepit or a feast of champagne and strawberries on a rose petalstrewn bed, the romantic rhythm is gonna get you at this 92room boutique hideaway owned by the music industry power couple who have been married nearly 40 years. When you grow tired of lounging, practice sunrise yoga in the sand, take a kayak or SUP out to snorkel at a nearby shipwreck or explore the Ocean Drive shops and eateries via complimentary bikes (room rates start at $159 a night, costadeste.com). ¢

LIKE NO OTHER WEDDING SHOW IN THE WORLD

FREE WEDDING RINGS for the first 50 couples who register and attend a show! Plus FREE $200 GIFT CARD for EVERYONE who registers and attends a show. AN $850 VALUE!!

Rings courtesy of JVL Jewelers.

EVERY COUPLE that REGISTERS and ATTENDS will receive a gift card. A $200 VALUE!!

Bring your future spouse, a friend, and anyone involved in planning your wedding, and join us for a wedding show like no other. Great Bridal Expo is a fun, exciting, hands-on way to get great information to help you plan for your wedding, honeymoon and home!

• Conveniently located at upscale venues • Knowledgeable exhibitors • Contests & prizes & fun! • Free samples and huge show specials • Stunning one-of-a-kind, NY-style fashion show

COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU ATLANTA

HOUSTON

Sunday, October 6, 2019 • 12:00 pm

Saturday, October 26, 2019 • 12:00 pm

GRAND HYATT ATLANTA IN BUCKHEAD

HYATT REGENCY HOUSTON

BALTIMORE

LOS ANGELES

Sunday, September 8, 2019 • 12:00 pm

Sunday, November 10, 2019 • 12:00 pm

HYATT REGENCY INNER HARBOR

WESTIN BONAVENTURE LOS ANGELES

BOSTON

NEW YORK CITY

Sunday, September 22, 2019 • 12:00 pm

Thursday, September 26, 2019 • 5:30 pm

THE WESTIN BOSTON WATERFRONT

NEW YORK MARRIOTT MARQUIS

DALLAS

PHOENIX

Sunday, October 27, 2019 • 12:00 pm

Sunday, November 3, 2019 • 12:00 pm

HYATT REGENCY DALLAS

PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER

DENVER

SAN JOSE

Sunday, October 20, 2019 • 12:00 pm

Sunday, March 24, 2019 • 12:00 pm

HYATT REGENCY DENVER TECH CENTER

SAN JOSE MARRIOTT

Sunday, November 17, 2019 • 12:00 pm

FT. LAUDERDALE

FAIRMONT SAN JOSE

Sunday, March 31, 2019 • 12:00 pm Sunday, October 13, 2019 • 12:00 pm

WASHINGTON, DC

BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

Sunday, September 15, 2019 • 12:00 pm HILTON ALEXANDRIA MARK CENTER

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www.GreatBridalExpo.com | 800.422.3976 Exhibitor & sponsorship opportunities available. Call to learn more!