The Edison

Tallahassee

“Before my husband and I got married, many of our dates and special occasions were at The Edison. We selected The Edison because of the memories we shared there as well as how beautiful the space is. We had a brunch wedding, which paired perfectly with the abundance of natural lighting from the windows. We loved having access to Cascades Park and the Beer Garden for family photos. “Kate Biel, the event planner at The Edison, was incredibly helpful, making our day look exactly the way we wanted. She went through all the fine details with us, eased our minds and was always quick to answer questions. She was so flexible and accommodating, from dietary restrictions to rearranging locations for events due to rain. We couldn’t be happier to have chosen The Edison. The best part is that we can go back and dine there whenever we want to remember all the fun of our wedding.” — Rebecca Hodges, Tallahassee, Florida

At a Glance

▪ INDOOR VENUE ▪ OUTDOOR VENUE ▪ CATERING ▪ DINING ▪ RENTAL SERVICES ▪ THIRD-PARTY VENDORS AVAILABLE ▪ BARTENDING SERVICES ▪ LINEN RENTALS

‘Altar-d Vision’

Backdrops and altars create a scenic ceremony in any location

By Rebecca Padgett Frett

All eyes should be on you and your partner during the wedding ceremony. You might as well give guests no other option by using a swoon-worthy altar.

With the exchanging of vows and rings being one of the most photographed moments at a wedding, a beautiful backdrop can greatly add to the overall aesthetic. Where the ceremony space has long been a beacon of sacred beauty, the onslaught of Zoom weddings and downsized weddings led to an increase in altar exposure.

“The ceremony sets the tone for the whole wedding, and the backdrop is the rst major element of the celebration that your guests see,” said Kylie McKinney, sales and events manager of The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach.

While altars began as religious platforms, their wedding counterparts serve as the central focus of the ceremony — framed by the bridal party while highlighting the couple.

In recent years, archways, rustic doors, pergolas, crosses, gazebos and chuppahs have been the envy of countless Pinterest boards. All of these options are often covered in owers and foliage.

Couples have begun including other geometric shapes, including pentagons, triangles and half moons. Missy Gunnels, owner of Missy Gunnels Flowers in Tallahassee, has recently had many couples incorporate a “moongate,” a large metal circle, up to 8 feet, encircled with owers and vines.

Backdrops can be as simple yet striking as string lights or as intricate and ornate as artwork installations. Background ideas could include shapes cut from large pieces of wood, window panes, sur oards, a ower wall, drapes, a cloth with art or a quotation printed on it, wallpaper, streamers or an antique folding screen.

Where these backdrops add some pop and pizzazz, plenty of Northwest Florida wedding locations let the region’s unparalleled allure do the talking.

“Don’t overthink this. If your ceremony spot overlooks an amazing view, that is your backdrop, no need to compete with Mother Nature,” said John Gandy, founder and creative director of John Gandy Events.

That being said, John Gandy Events is renowned for creating personalized ceremony spaces that re ect the couple. For the wedding of two attorneys, their design used a large partner’s desk covered with a wide variety of candles, creating a centerpiece that was both stunning and unique to the couple.

Altars spaces have extended beyond pulpit and podium to include decor and personalized pieces, including family heirlooms, potted plants or trees, bohemian rugs, artwork, antiques, furniture, chandeliers and more.

Cheryl Walton, senior wedding sales and services manager of the WaterColor Inn, noted that one of the most meaningful on-property weddings she witnessed had a family Bible at the altar that was hundreds of years old and had been signed by every member of the family on their wedding day.

In many cases, the ceremony spaces have become a place of welcome, of comfort and of personal expression — much like love itself. ▪

SARAH & PAUL PHOTOGRAPHY

Archways at altars are a classic that’s ever evolving in shape, size and style. Arches sweetly silhouette the main attraction.

Dress Styles

DEFINED

By Janecia Britt

Congratulations! You’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with — now it’s time to nd the perfect dress. Wedding gown shopping can seem overwhelming at rst, but researching what styles and terminology to use when you walk through the door for that rst appointment will be a godsend. Being able to articulate your favorite wedding dress silhouette styles will also help your bridal consultant at your appointment. We’ve created this glossary explaining the di erences between seven popular wedding dress shapes you’ll de nitely want to know, including the best wedding dresses for your body type and the bene ts of each silhouette. When trying on dresses, no matter the style, you should go with the dress that makes you feel the most beautiful and con dent in your own skin.

BALL GOWN

Ideal for most body types but could be overwhelming on petites with very small frames.

A-LINE

Ideal for all body types and brides that want the princess look and feel.

FIT AND FLARE

Ideal for brides looking to accentuate a small waist.

POPULAR NECKLINES

MERMAID

Ideal for brides looking to show off their curves. EMPIRE

Think Bridgerton. Ideal for most body types and perfect for the bride wanting to accentuate the bust without being overly revealing.

TRUMPET

Ideal for all body types. Particularly great for curvy brides who want a fi t and fl are look without the drama of a Mermaid-style gown.

SHEATH

Ideal for lean frames and athletic body types.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY LINDSEY MASTERSON

TOP TEN TIPS FOR A SEAMLESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

1. Start shopping nine to 12 months prior to your wedding. This leaves four to six months for your dress to arrive and two to three months for alterations.

2. Know your budget. This will help you narrow your choices down and tailor your expectations. It is helpful to let the bridal store know your budget beforehand so they are respectful of your range. 3. Make an appointment. While some bridal salons take walk-ins, having an appointment will ensure all of your needs are met.

4. Call ahead. While certain salons may have your favorite designers, they’ll likely only have a select number of gowns. Ask them questions, like if they carry plus-size gowns or if they have your favorite style. 5. Forget sizing. Wedding dress sizes are vastly diff erent from your everyday clothes, so don’t get worked up when you see your wedding dress size. Nearly everyone needs alterations, so the gown you buy will eventually be tailored to fi t you perfectly — totally diff erent from the usual “pick a size number” shopping experience. 6. Bring your accessories. Bring any shoes, undergarments or shapewear you may want to wear on your wedding day. Also, a hair clip if you’re unsure whether you’ll be wearing your hair up or down. 7. Stay away from large groups. Bring one to three people whose opinions you really trust. Too large of a group can become overwhelming. 8. Take pictures. If you need to simmer on a few options before saying yes, pictures will help you remember all the small details. 9. Be open. Go in with confi dence, a positive attitude and an open mind. Don’t be afraid to say yes right away if you fi nd “the one.” 10. Stay organized. Save all of your contracts in a secure location and schedule alterations with enough time for any lastminute tweaks you may need.

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