Brides USA - June-July 2017

Contents
J U N E /J U LY 2 0 1 7 VO L . 8 4 , N O. 3
186 LOVE ACTUALLY

Eight couples from different
backgrounds—like Emanuela
de Paula and Gaston Levy,
shown here—incorporated the
ROBERT MAXWELL
best of their traditions and

culture into their weddings (and
relationships). Let their stories
inspire your own celebration.
By Sandy M. Fernández
8 JUNE/JULY 2017 (continued on page 16)

CONTENTS
178
From left: Viscose
dress, $3,510, Sonia
Rykiel; 212-396-3060.
Silk top, $5,450, and
silk skirt, $3,750, Chloé;
net-a-porter.com.
194
90 SHORT & SWEET
FEATURES IN EVERY These six dresses make
178 SHEER BLISS ISSUE the case for going above-
Easy-breezy dresses, 40 EDITOR’S LETTER the-knee on your big day.
embellished frocks, sexy
48 THE LIST
sandals—you’ll want
52 ETIQUETTE 92 SQUAD GOALS
them all on the journey Step one: Pick a gorgeous
60 BRIDES POLL
from engagement party to palette. Step two: Share
honeymoon.
68 WANT. NEED. LOVE.
these chic mix-and-match
216 GET THE LOOK
styles with your ’maids.
194 GARDEN PARTY 222 WEDDING
Transform tabletop TRADITIONS
arrangements into edible
treats, and we guarantee
BEAUTY ON THE COVER
Photograph by Dan Smith.
your guests will be hungry FIRST 115 FRENCH LESSONS Styling by Eleanor Strauss. Hair
by Eric Gabriel for Oribe/the
Channel your inner
for more. PERSON Parisian for makeup that’s
Wall Group. Makeup by Valery
Gherman/the Wall Group.
64 A BRIDE ABROAD perfectly au naturel.
Manicure by Allison Burns-
Cooper/Crosby. Floral embroi-
Writer Jo Piazza learned the dered gown with flutter sleeves,
secrets to a happy marriage 116 NAIL IT $8,990, Carolina Herrera;
ultimatebride.com. Earrings,
FROMO LEFT: DAN SMITH; RYAN LIEBE
by traveling the world with These three tricks will Forevermark Black Label
her new husband. get your hands Collection; forevermark.com.
#ringselfie ready. Necklace, Bulgari; bulgari
.com. Ring, Grace Lee; grace
lee.com. To get the cover look,
120 WAY TO GLOW
STYLE Celeb nutritionist Kimberly
try this makeup by Revlon:
Photo Ready Airbrush Effect
89 LASER FOCUS Snyder shares five
Makeup, ColorStay Brow Pencil,
ColorStay 2 in 1 Angled Kajal
Cutout details give smoothie recipes to make in Onyx, ColorStay Creme Eye
Shadow in Praline, Insta-Blush
classic white accessories you look as good as you in Rose Gold Kiss, and Ultra HD
a modern refresh. feel when you say “I do.” Gel Lipcolor in HD Sand.

CONTENTS
125
153
DETAILS 146 ASK LAUREN chance to win a five-night 212 HIGH COURT
From gifts to etiquette, honeymoon on Maui!* This NBA star’s glitzy
125 BRANCH OUT! Ms. Conrad weighs in on Atlanta party would
Swap vases for garlands give Gatsby a run for
all things wedding party.
to give your tabletops an YOU’RE his money.
eye-catching boost. 148 THE ULTIMATE INVITED
GUIDE: INVITATIONS 214 DINNER IN
130 PALETTES 201 TO CAPRI THE VINEYARD
Let Tuscan, seaside, or Want to wow your
guests when they open the WITH LOVE Two grooms kept the
tropical vibes inspire your With their bougainvillea- location for their
wedding mood board. envelope? Personalize
all the pieces. We show filled ceremony and Sonoma vineyard bash
142 PLAN LIKE A PRO: you how. reception overlooking the a surprise—and made
CAKE DESIGNER sea, this New York couple’s their money count with
Florida baker Janderyn Italian Riviera nuptials a small guest list.
Makris knows how to GETAWAY were all about la dolce vita.
please your sweet tooth—
153 HONEYMOON 206 FASHION FETES
even on a budget.
AWARDS 2017 If you’re a cofounder of
144 STYLE BY THE YARD Our annual roundup of the bespoke fashion brand
Add a dose of summer the world’s sexiest resorts, Dee Hutton, you’d better
to your registry with these destinations, cruises, and believe your bridesmaids’
outdoor essentials. more. Plus, enter for a dresses will be on point.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. TO ENTER AND FOR FULL RULES, GO TO BRIDES.COM/WIN. STARTS AT 12:00 NOON E.T. APRIL 27, 2017, AND ENDS AT 11:59 A.M. E.T. ON JULY 3, 2017.
OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES/D.C. 18 OR OLDER, EXCEPT EMPLOYEES OF SPONSOR, THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES, AND THOSE LIVING IN THE SAME
HOUSEHOLD. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID OUTSIDE THE 50 UNITED STATES/D.C. AND WHERE PROHIBITED. ONE (1) WINNER:
A.R.V. OF PRIZE: $10,246. FLIGHTS ARE TO/FROM CONTIGUOUS U.S. SPONSOR: CONDÉ NAST.
22 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

A DV E R T I S E M E N T
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GENIUS
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Q
WHAT IS THE
BEST FAVOR EDITOR IN CHIEF Keija Minor
YOU’VE EVER
RECEIVED AT A Creative Director Barbara Reyes
Digital Director Lisa Gooder
WEDDING?
Senior Features Editor Jill Sieracki
Real Weddings Editor Gabriella Rello “Personalized
Associate Editor Katie James matchboxes.
Editorial Assistant Anna Price Olson I have a
collection on
Fashion Director Eleanor Strauss my bar cart.”
Senior Fashion & Accessories Editor Shane Clark
Beauty Editor Elizabeth Swanson
Fashion Assistant Sophie Moore
Senior Wedding Style Editor Kate Donovan

“Flip-flops Associate Wedding Style Editor Hannah Baker
for dancing
at the after- Art Directors Kirsten Hilgendorf, Becky Eaton
party. It was the
perfect gift Senior Art Director Alberto Orta
following hours Senior Designer Mary Fama
in heels!” “Honey from the
Visuals Director Mariel Osborn father of the
Senior Visuals Editor Nic Williams groom’s bees!”
Visuals Editor Cristina Cianci
“Homemade Copy Director Michael Casey

limoncello, Copy Managers Sarah Strzelec, Ellen Shea
although that’s
dangerous at Production Manager John Mok
the end of the
night.” Associate Managing Editor Erin Brownell
“A bag of
homemade
Digital Editor Roberta Correia chocolate-chip
Video Editor Carly Marsh cookies with
Associate Digital Editor Katherine Santana the recipe,
Social Media Manager Fara Marcus passed down
from the groom’s
Associate Social Media Editor Alexis Hobbs grandmother,
which I saved. It’s
Assistant to the Editor in Chief Samantha Short a favorite of mine
to this day.”
Public Relations & Special Projects Director Samantha Kane
PUBLISHED BY CONDÉ NAST

Chairman Emeritus S. I. Newhouse, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Sauerberg, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer David E. Geithner

Chief Business Officer,
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EVP, Chief Digital Officer Fred Santarpia
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EVP, Consumer Marketing Monica Ray
SVP & Managing Director, 23 Stories Josh Stinchcomb

SVP, Network Sales & Partnerships, CN
& Chief Revenue Officer, CNÉ Lisa Valentino
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SVP, Licensing Cathy Hoffman Glosser
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SVP, Digital Operations Larry Baach
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General Manager, Digital Matthew Starker
Anna Wintour
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Q
WHAT IS THE
BEST FAVOR CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER Kim Kelleher
YOU’VE EVER
RECEIVED AT A Head of Revenue Heddy Sams Pierson
Head of Marketing Katie McKenna
WEDDING?
ADVERTISING “Our ad
National Advertising Manager Abigail Breene manager, Abby,
Executive Beauty Directors Jackie Keber, Sarah Menninger had a pizza
Account Directors Lauren Himelstein, Bridget Quirk truck set up at
her wedding,
Director of Finance and Business Operations Karen Manville and as you left,
Associate Finance Director Nilsa Serrata you got a take-
Marketing Assistant Samantha Bowen home box of
Digital Campaign Manager Tommy Atkins pizza—perfect
Digital Sales Planner Fay Wu for after-
hours.”
Business Development Specialist Ware Trimble
Sales Assistants Manuela Bongiorno,
Stephanie Leinbach, Jeena Pena
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Italy/Milan: Enrica Manelli, European Manager—011-39-0265584232
New England/Detroit/Southeast/Florida/Caribbean: Kristin Havens,
“We gave
custom party KVH Media—585-255-0247; fax 585-421-9078
sunglasses to Southwest: Carol Contestabile, Lewis Stafford—972-960-2889; fax 972-960-2886
our guests. I West Coast, Mexico/Hawaii: Hutch Looney, Hutch Looney & Associates—
didn’t think they 818-990-9000; fax 818-907-6848
were crazy
special, but four Regional, Classified & Direct Response Sales Manager: Natalie Corrales—
years later, my 323-965-7175; fax 323-784-2985
friends still wear
them!”
MARKETING & CREATIVE SERVICES
Creative Services Director Toni Nicolino “Lavender
Creative Director Jill Sabato macarons with
Associate Director, Integrated Marketing Kerri-Ann Ogrudek the couple’s
initials and
Associate Director, Marketing Christina Fortney wedding date
Associate Director, Integrated Marketing Natalie Greenfield painted on top.
Associate Manager, Integrated Marketing Haley Hoover They didn’t
Designer Sierra Piland make it past the
car ride home!”
CONDÉ NAST ENTERTAINMENT

President Dawn Ostroff
EVP & General Manager, Digital Video Joy Marcus
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Editor’s Letter
Check out our UNLESS TRAVELING FOR WORK, I rarely book the
annual Honeymoon
Awards to find your same hotel twice. Why repeat when there is so much
dream destination uncharted territory to explore? However, I make an
(like the number-one exception for Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos.
Grace Bay Beach in
Turks and Caicos, The first time I waded into Grace Bay and made my
home to GRACE BAY own waves in its calm, crystal-clear water, in view of
CLUB, below).
my private plunge pool, I knew I’d be back. I’d fallen
in love with the property, the resort’s staff, and the
breathtaking beach. It took me five years, but in an
attempt to shake off post-election blues, I scheduled
a return trip to Grace Bay. The sea and sand were as
spectacular as I remembered, so I was not surprised
when Grace Bay Beach ranked as the top beach in our
2017 Honeymoon Awards. For more unforgettable
trip ideas, go to page 153, then head to brides.com/
travel for the complete list of winners.
Speaking of life post-election: The women’s
marches held around the world and the protests
against Donald Trump’s travel ban are just two positive
FROM TOP: PERRY HAGOPIAN/BERNSTEIN & ANDRIULLI; COURTESY OF THE HOTEL; CARLY MARSH; CINDY ORD/GETTY IMAGES FOR BRIDES
ANDREA PEDICINI and SHELBY COLEMAN reminders that we live in a truly global community. In
rocked their photos for our feature “Love Actually,”
but their son, Ludovic, stole everyone’s heart at the “Love Actually,” beginning on page 186, we celebrate
video shoot. Go to video.brides.com to watch. eight couples who have blended cultures both in their
relationships and at their weddings. Are you marrying
someone of a different faith, who holds a different
passport, or who checks a different box on the census?
Email us at editors@brides.com to tell us how you’ll
blend traditions at your wedding. Happy planning!
KEIJA MINOR
EDITOR IN CHIEF
@keijaminor
AISLE STYLE
Big thanks to (from left) founder
of the 12ish Style blog Katie Sturino,
bridal atelier owner Mark Ingram,
designer Hayley Paige, and Yahoo
Style’s editor in chief, Joe Zee, for The fifth-annual BRIDES LIVE WEDDING
is June 3! See how all the decor, details,
joining me on our AISLE STYLE and fashion come together, thanks to
FASHION PANEL held on March 7 at your votes on Brides.com, and watch the
Tribeca Rooftop in New York City. main event at video.brides.com.

The
List
YOUR WEDDING TO-DO’S—
AND WHEN TO DO THEM
Diamonds
in 18-karat
white gold,
Suzanne
Kalan; Jaimie
Geller
Jewelry, 310-
454-5392.
12 10 8 6
MONTHS
MONTHS
MONTHS
MONTHS
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
• Write up the guest list. • Choose your officiant. • Hire the caterer, florist, • Order bridesmaids’ dresses.
• Figure out who’s paying • Go dress shopping. band/DJ, ceremony • Book the bachelorette
for what. • Set up in-person meet- musicians, and photogra- party if you plan to travel.
• Set the wedding budget. ings with potential pher and reserve rentals. • Shop for wedding bands.
• Hire a planner if you’ll vendors. • Book the honeymoon. • Order invitations.
be using one. • Select the bridal party. • Order your wedding dress • Send save-the-dates.
• Book the ceremony site • Hire the stationer if if it’s custom. • Meet with vendors to talk
and reception venue. you’re going custom. • Block hotel rooms for out- details.
• Set up your wedding of-town guests. • Secure wedding-day
Web site. • Register. transportation for guests
if you’re providing it.
4 2 6 2
MONTHS
MONTHS
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
WEEKS
WEEKS
• Order your cake. • Have your hair-and- • Confirm delivery of • Have your final dress
• Hire the calligrapher. makeup trial. bridesmaids’ dresses. fitting.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner. • Buy your wedding dress • Apply for a marriage • Submit a shot list to
• Choose the groom’s and if it’s off-the-rack. license if you can. the photographer.
groomsmen’s attire. • Write vows if you plan (Rules vary by state.) • Send playlists to the
• Reserve the getaway car. to personalize them. • Print the programs, menus, DJ or band.
• Finalize the ceremony with et cetera. • Pick up your marriage
the officiant. license.
• Mail invitations. • Update the registry.
• Review RSVPs
and contact stragglers.
1 48 1 DAY OF
BEFORE
BEFORE
BEFORE
HOURS
WEEK
DAY
• Provide a final head count • Pick up your dress. • Reconfirm pickup times. • Give rings to the best
to the site and caterer. • Write checks due the • Do last-minute primping man and maid of honor.
COREY MAYWALT
• Finalize the seating chart. day of. (manicure, pedicure). • Beautify.

• Give last-minute requests • Put vendor tips in enve- • Rehearse the ceremony • Get married.
to vendors. lopes and ask the maid and go to dinner. • Enjoy!
of honor or best man to • Give gifts to the bridal
distribute them. party and parents.
48 JUNE/JULY 2017 GET MORE WEDDING-PLANNING TIPS AT BRIDES.COM/IDEAS.

Etiquette SERIOUSLY. ASK US ANYTHING.
CASH CATCH
3!"½! &%0#
together, so we have
what we need for our
home. Is it rude to ask
for cash instead of gifts?
Short answer: yes. But sites
such as NewlyWish and Zola
let you register for things
you would be using that
cash for, like travel, interior-
design sessions, cooking
classes—even TaskRabbit
services! Plus, guests can
contribute to your honey-
moon or a house fund. You
should still consider doing
a registry at one or two of
your favorite brick-and-
mortar stores for guests who
prefer shopping in person.
HAUTE MESS RANT & RSVP
My mom showed me the Should I say something to a friend who didn’t get an invite to
dress she wants to wear my wedding and is complaining about it to those who did?
for my wedding, and it’s Probably not. If she knows several people in your crew got the invite, she might
a little inappropriate. not want to hear you’re “keeping the guest list small” or any other polite reason
Can I say something? why she didn’t make the cut. Here’s what Brides’s Instagram readers had to say:
Yes! It’s best if you gently suggest a
more fitting style for the occasion.
“Your mom wants the best for your
big day, so show her some exam-
85% 15%
ples of what you’re envisioning
she wear,” says Michelle McCool,
celebrity stylist for Jessica Alba.
SAID NO
“She’s making your special day about herself. If she was meant to
LEVI BROWN/TRUNK ARCHIVE
Find something you love about the be at your wedding, she would’ve been invited.” —chef_nichole
dress she chose—“You look great “You shouldn’t have to explain yourself. You can’t make everyone
in this color!”—then invite her happy, so just ignore it.” —nicannd
out for a mother-daughter day of SAID YES
shopping. Remember, Mom helped “It’s wonderful that so many people want to share your special
day. I would talk to the person and say you really didn’t intend
you pick out the Dress; now’s your to hurt her feelings. Then explain your budget/venue restric-
chance to be there for her. tions and tell her you still value her friendship.” —diva_k3000

Poll
WHEN YOU WHERE’S THE
BEDROOM
STARTED CRAZIEST
DATING YOUR PLACE YOU’VE
PARTNER, HOOKED UP?
HOW SOON
DID YOU
GET IT ON?
DIARIES
IS SEX DIFFERENT AFTER
“On our dining-
room table.”
“In a department-
store fitting room.”
41% After a few dates “The hammock in a
24% After a month TYING THE KNOT? relative’s backyard.”
15% On the first date 101 NEWLYWEDS TELL ALL. “On the side of the
8% After the wedding! interstate.”
7% After three months “His parents’ house—
5% After six months with them in the room
or more next door.”
38%
WOULD YOU EVER GIVE
YOUR HUSBAND A “HALL
PASS” TO SLEEP WITH
HIS CELEBRITY CRUSH?
SAY GETTING 58% SAY NO WAY!
ELIZABETH YOUNG. SURVEY DATA COLLECTED FROM 101 WOMEN MARRIED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, USING SURVEYGIZMO AUDIENCE.
ENGAGED
CHANGED
THEIR SEX YOUR BEST
84% HAD
LIFE—FOR HOW MANY TIMES
DID YOU GET BUSY ON
ADVICE
THE BETTER! YOUR HONEYMOON? FOR BRIDES-
58% One to five TO-BE?
SEX ON THE
WHAT HAPPENED?
“We had it more often.” 18% Five to ten
14% Ten to 15 “Be willing to try new
“It felt more
WEDDING NIGHT. 5% 15 or more! things. You might end
connected than ever.” up liking them.”
“It was more 5% Zero
“Make time for it.”
66%
adventurous.” AND THEY RATE IT… “Speak up about
56% LOVING, what you want.”
22%
“Have fun!”
SWEET, AND
AMAZING
25% NICE, 37% DISH
ABOUT THEIR
BUT WE WERE SAY MARRIAGE SEX LIFE WITH
DID A “SEXUAL EXHAUSTED MAKES YOU GIRLFRIENDS.
FAST” BEFORE 19% SMOKING MORE DARING 29% ASK THEM
HOT IN BED. FOR ADVICE.
THE BIG DAY.
HOW LONG DID
75% MADE LOVE

69%
YOU HOLD OUT?
“Just the week before ARE TOTALLY OK
the wedding.”
WITH WAKING
THE NIGHT
“The last month of
our engagement.”
THEIR PARTNER
“Three months—and
it was so worth it!” FOR SEX. THEY GOT ENGAGED.
FIRST PERSON
A BRIDE ABROAD
WHEN GLOBE-TROTTING WRITER JO PIAZZA WED HER HUSBAND
NINE MONTHS AFTER THEY MET, SHE FIGURED OUT HER
MARRIAGE THE BEST WAY SHE KNEW HOW: THROUGH TRAVEL
I WAS A REAL GROWN-UP WHEN I GOT MARRIED—a last night of our trip along the equator, he kissed me on the
wise old woman of 35. I’d traveled to more than 40 countries; top deck of the boat. Nine months later, we were married.
I had my own car, my own apartment, my own Netflix Since Nick and I both work in the travel industry, we
account, and my own way of doing things. But what I was spent most of our first year of marriage on the road together
WILLIAMS + HIRAKAWA/TRUNK ARCHIVE
most proud of was how good I was at traveling on my own. while we navigated how to be husband and wife. For our
That was how I set out for the Galápagos Islands: just a girl, honeymoon in Tulum, Mexico, I booked excursions to dive
a carry-on, and a tattered copy of Kurt Vonnegut’s Galápagos. into crystal-clear swimming holes and snorkel with whale
Only there was this guy on my 10-day boat tour—a long- sharks off Isla Mujeres, leaving time at the end of each day to
haired California dude who wore hiking sandals with mis- drink margaritas until we collapsed into a heap of sweaty
placed confidence, and when he laughed, it rolled up from his limbs and made love on the beach. And then everything
belly and made everyone else on the boat laugh with him. went straight to hell.
He’d brought along his own tattered copy of Galápagos, which It was September, the most “off” part of the off-season in
made me feel like I was in a bad romantic comedy, and on the eastern Mexico. Recent storms meant the beaches were

covered in trash and seaweed, and people who bring their ornery fake tabloid magazine—crafted a blazing
because the sewer system hadn’t been service dogs on 12-hour flights in fire and cooked my own dinner.
emptied in weeks, the entire town liter- coach. Married life is filled with similar I’d spent a whole year learning to be
ally smelled like shit. And then I got small injustices that seem like massive on a team, to compromise, to commu-
food poisoning. The old me would have affronts: unemptied dishwashers, dirty nicate. But I’d also discovered one of
ordered Nick out of the room and socks, and missing pieces of the Ikea the most important building blocks of
suffered alone. In fact, the first night furniture kit that you will never ever a happy marriage is maintaining your
we hooked up, in a hotel in Ecuador, I find. What Nick and I discovered on own life outside of the marriage so
had a similar bug and I sent Nick back the road is that if you let the little you can come back together stronger,
to his own room. He figured I wasn’t things get to you, the big things will with new perspectives and the ability
into him; the truth was that I hated ruin you. You stop worrying that the to miss each other.
anyone seeing me look weak. hotel sheets are scratchy when you And in Scotland, I missed Nick like
In Mexico, we were a married couple land in a foreign hospital with appendi- crazy. When you wake up next to
with only one wildly expensive room. citis. You don’t care that your flight someone every day and listen to all his
I had to allow Nick to see me at my was delayed if you’ve already gone stories over and over again, it’s nice to
worst, to let him bring me food and
fizzy bottled water when I could
hardly get out of bed. It was a blow to WHAT NICK AND I DISCOVERED
both my ego and independence, but
it taught me that marriage is having ON THE ROAD IS THAT IF YOU LET
someone who can take care of you, THE LITTLE THINGS GET TO YOU,
who can hold your hand—and your THE BIG THINGS WILL RUIN YOU.
hair—when everything falls apart,
despite your pride.
Six months later, we found ourselves through losing your passport and be reminded of what it’s like when he’s
on top of Mount Kilimanjaro—or very slogging through the red tape to get not around—and to realize things are
nearly the top. I’m the slow and steady a new one. It’s the same with marriage. better when he is.
type; Nick likes to lead the pack and I learned that if dirty dishes turn you I pulled out my phone to text Nick
push himself as hard as possible. into a lunatic, the death of a parent, before I fell asleep. Our first anniver-
Close to the summit, my outdoorsy a startling medical diagnosis, fertility sary was just days away. After this trip,
husband crumpled to the ground problems, or the loss of a job—all we had no plane tickets booked, no
from the crippling effects of altitude hurdles we faced in our first year— trips planned. In a month I’d be preg-
sickness. He told me to keep going; will destroy you. nant. We wouldn’t leave the country
we’d agreed in advance that if one of A marriage isn’t a quick jaunt or a again until after our son was born.
us couldn’t make it, the other wouldn’t fancy vacation. It’s a long journey filled “Are you sad this is over? The first
stop. I stared up at the peak and pic- with unexpected twists and turns that year? That our adventure is ending?”
tured my triumphant Instagram photo can be both wonderful and terrifying. I wrote.
at the top, but then I looked at Nick. The truth is that it’s impossible to be His reply came just as I drifted off to
His face was contorted in pain, and the same person you were before you sleep. “Don’t you think the adventure
he looked vulnerable for the first time said “I do.” And that can be earth- is just beginning?”
since we’d met. I decided not to go on. shattering for someone who deeply
I had to put someone else’s needs values autonomy, like I did.
ahead of my own. Making that choice A week shy of our first anniversary,
showed me that I was capable of taking I realized how much I’d changed when
care of him and us—and, more import- I set out for a backpacking trip in the
ant, that I wanted to. Scottish Highlands without Nick.
Having met and married in less than Traveling with my husband, I’d
a year, we found that traveling sped allowed myself the leeway to complain,
up problems that would have material- to be a pain in the ass. Nick had grown
ized slowly over time. At home, it’s so good at noticing when I was cold or
easy to stop talking and retreat to sepa- hungry, or about to be crabby because
rate corners. Confined to one room in I was cold and/or hungry, that some-
the Netherlands, you’re forced to have times I would forget to anticipate my
TRACIE VAN AUKEN
hard conversations and hash things own needs. But overseas on my own,
Jo Piazza is the author of How to Be Married:
out—now. I booked tickets, negotiated the com-
What I Learned from Real Women on
Travel is also filled with small indig- plicated European rental-car process, Five Continents About Surviving My First
nities: missed flights, lost luggage, and and—with a single match and an old (Really Hard) Year of Marriage.
BRIDES.COM JUNE/JULY 2017 65

Want. Need. Love.
Dior Addict
Fluid Stick in
389, $35.
1 Bathing 2
suit, $295,
Zimmermann;
zimmermann
wear.com.
Single-
baguette
18-karat-gold
ring, $600,
HILLARY
Suzanne Kalan;
suzanne
kalan.com.
3
KERR
THE WHO WHAT WEAR
COFOUNDER SHARES
HER BRIDAL MUST-HAVES
PORTRAIT: JUSTIN COIT; GLOSS: SVEND LINDBAEK; PLACE-CARD HOLDERS: STEVE

STEINHARDT; FLOWER: GETTY; ALL OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNERS
1 LIP SERVICE
“Celeb makeup artist (and dear
friend) Joey Maalouf introduced
me to this gloss when we did
my wedding trial. I’m hooked!”
2 BATHING BEAUTY
“I love Australian designers— 4
Zimmermann in particular.
Custom place-card holders, $3
They make the most flattering each, SpilledGarbage; etsy.com.
swimwear.”
3 PERFECT FIT
“My husband gave me a Suzanne
Kalan diamond-and-emerald ring
that I wear on my right hand. Her Shoes, $795,
Gianvito
pieces are modern but also have Rossi; net-a-
a romantic vintage vibe.” porter.com.
4 OBJECTS OF AFFECTION
“I’m always searching for place-card
holders in curious shapes. They
make any table more charming. The 5
T. rex was a nod to my husband’s 6
love of science and our inside joke
that it’s my spirit animal.”
5 WELL HEELED
“If you’re dancing all night, you need
shoes that are kind to your feet and
easy on the eyes. No one fulfills
both requisites like Gianvito Rossi.”
6 FULL BLOOMS “WE LIKED THE IDEA OF
“I’m obsessed with fat flowers, INJECTING A BIT OF WHIMSY INTO
OUR WEDDING DECOR.”
like ranunculus, garden roses,
and peonies.”

B E C A U S E T H E A I S L E I S YO U R R U N WAY
Shoes, $895,
Marchesa;
akh-group.my
shopify.com.
Bag, $2,730,
Alaïa; net-
a-porter.com.
LASER
SHAY PLATZ, PROP STYLING BY ALEX BRANNIAN/BA REPS
FOCUS
GRAPHIC CUTOUTS GIVE
TRADITIONAL SILHOUETTES
A MODERN MAKEOVER
STYLE
SHORT & 4
SWEET THESE SHOWSTOPPERS PROVE
HIGH HEMLINES CAN WORK FOR THE
RECEPTION AND CEREMONY
5
2
MODEL: COLETTE DE BARROS/ALYSSA PIZER; SELF-PORTRAIT AND NEEDLE & THREAD BRIDAL DRESSES:
COURTESY OF THE BRANDS; ALL OTHER DRESSES: COREY MAYWALT, STYLING BY DAVID KAGAN
6
3
1 Organza with embroidered appliqués, $1,485, Casablanca Bridal; casablancabridal.com. 2 Lace, $240, Dress the Population; davidsbridal.com.
3 Embellished tulle, $900, Needle & Thread; net-a-porter.com. 4 Lace top, $399, and satin skirt, from $499, Martina Liana; essensedesigns.com.
5 Lace, $458, Enchanting by Mon Cheri; moncheribridals.com. 6 Lace, $545, Self-Portrait; neimanmarcus.com.

STYLE
SQUAD GOALS
WITH 66 PERCENT OF BRIDES CHOOSING A COLOR, THEN LETTING THEIR
’MAIDS PICK THEIR OWN GOWNS, WEDDING DRESSING IS GETTING MORE
CREATIVE. LET US BE YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT MIX-AND-MATCH PALETTE.
BLUE
Earrings, $1,900,
Larkspur &
Hawk; larkspur
andhawk.com.
In shades ranging from
powder to navy, blue is
a modern-day neutral. But
note that if your skin has
golden undertones, softer
shades can make you look
washed out, while deep,
smoky ones may not work
for medium or dark skin
tones. It’s safest to let
your bridesmaids choose
from the full spectrum
so they can find their most
flattering option.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: PAUL FARNHAM/THELICENSINGPROJECT.COM;

COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER (3); COREY MAYWALT, STYLING BY DAVID
1 Silk, $2,570,
KAGAN; COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER
Rochas; farfetch
.com. 2 Polyester,
$200, White by
Vera Wang; davids
bridal.com. 3 Lace
and tulle, $895,
Jonathan Simkhai;
1 2 3 4 net-a-porter
.com. 4 Stretch-cady,
$1,243, Preen;
matchesfashion.com.

STYLE
Necklace, $946,
Bounkit; bounkit.com.
BLUSH 1
There’s a reason
pink is one of the
most popular wedding
colors. Fresh and
feminine, it’s universally
flattering and looks
lovely on its own or
as a background for
textured lace or poppy
prints. In this palette,
stick to soft nudes, not
bubble gum.
MALONE/TRUNK ARCHIVE; COREY MAYWALT, STYLING BY DAVID KAGAN (3)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER; OLIVIA
1 Sequined top, $85, and crinkle-chiffon skirt, $165, Watters; watters.com. 2 Lace,
$240, Hitherto; bhldn.com. 3 Silk, $278, Reformation; thereformation.com.

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STYLE
BLACK Clutch, $1,690,

Oscar de la
Everyone looks good Renta; net-a-
in black, so the only porter.com.
challenge is to make
sure the dresses match
your venue. Floor-
length gowns fit a
ballroom setting, while
shorter dresses with
graphic details are
showstoppers at an
urban loft ceremony.
“LETTING YOUR
BRIDESMAIDS PICK
STYLING BY DAVID KAGAN; COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER (2)
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: FOLIO ID-ANDREA MARTIN/TRUNK
ARCHIVE; COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER; COREY MAYWALT,
THEIR OWN DRESSES

WILL ENSURE
YOUR B.F.F.’S FIND
SOMETHING
THEY’LL ACTUALLY
1 2 3
WEAR AGAIN,
WHILE YOU GET
THE LOOK YOU
WANT—WIN, WIN!”
—SHANE CLARK,
1 Lace, $545, Self-Portrait; neimanmarcus.com. 2 Lace, $898, Kate Spade; BRIDES SENIOR FASHION AND
katespade.com. 3 Chiffon, $270, Hayley Paige Occasions; jlmcouture.com. ACCESSORIES EDITOR

STYLE
PRINTS
Botanicals have been
popping up on red
carpets and runways,
and they’re a natural
fit for weddingwear
as well. Try them in
anything from buttery
blossoms to lush green-
ery for an eye-catching
outdoor event.
1 2
1 Cotton, $890, Zac Zac Posen; zacposen.com. 2 Organza,

$2,695, Lela Rose; net-a-porter.com. 3 Polyester, $180,
ASOS; asos.com. 4 Mikado jacquard, $795, ML Monique
Lhuillier; moniquelhuillier.com.
DESIGNER (2); COREY MAYWALT, STYLING BY ZAHRA JOHNSON; COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER (2)
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NICOLE NODLAND/ART + COMMERCE; COURTESY OF THE
3 4
“CAP SLEEVES, STRAPLESS NECKLINES, AND ANYTHING

BIAS CUT CAN BE A NIGHTMARE FOR PLUS-SIZE
WOMEN. A-LINES, V-NECKS, AND EVEN SUPPORTIVE
Shoes, $445,
Stuart HALTER STYLES WORK FOR EVERYONE.”
Weitzman; —KATIE STURINO, BLOGGER, THE 12ISH STYLE
stuart
weitzman
.com.
102 BRIDES.COM
YO U R B E S T H A I R , M A K E U P, B O DY— E V E R
From top left: Maison

Francis Kurkdjian APOM
Femme eau de parfum,
$205; Ban.do Everyday
Bobbis, $12 for 26; Nars
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Velvet Duo Eye Shadow
in Old Church Street,
SHAY PLATZ, PROP STYLING BY ALEX BRANNIAN/BA REPS. JEWELRY, FROM TOP: EAR CUFF, HIROTAKA;
$36; French Girl Organics

Facial Oil Elixir, $44; Nars
BARNEYS.COM. RING, DAVID YURMAN; DAVIDYURMAN.COM. NECKLACE, CARTIER; CARTIER.COM.
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Multiple Tint in Alice,
$39; Nars Charlotte
Gainsbourg brushes, $175
for Au Poil set with five
brushes and a leather roll.
FRENCH
LESSONS
TAKE CUES FROM THE PARISIANS TO LOOK LIKE
YOU—BUT BETTER—ON YOUR BIG DAY

BEAUTY Burberry nail Gucci nail lacquer
polish in Rose in Sinful Blush
Pink No. 400, $23. High Gloss, $29.
NAIL IT
Get your hands in shape with these tips, then
add polish in our favorite shades for the best ring
selfies ever. (No filter needed!)
MOISTURIZE STRENGTHEN BRIGHTEN
GAINSBOURG PORTRAIT: BEN HASSETT/TRUNK ARCHIVE; POLAROID

AND LIPSTICK: SHAY PLATZ; POLISH: CONDÉ NAST DIGITAL STUDIO
Apply lotion every For stronger nails, Dark polish can
time you wash slather coconut seep into the nail
your hands to help oil from knuckles to and cause discolor-
prevent dry skin fingertips twice ation, so always
and overgrown a day. Taking biotin wear a base coat.
Nars Charlotte cuticles. And use supplements and Our pick: Jin Soon
Gainsbourg Lip Tint one with citric eating a rainbow Power & Base
in Éphélide ($26) acid, recommends of fruits and veg- Coat ($18) because
is the ultimate lip- New York City gies may also help it also contains
enhancing shade. dermatologist Ellen decrease breakage. biotin. If you’re
Marmur: “It revives “The deeper the already dealing with
skin tissue and food’s color, the yellowing, a bit of
About Face
“I created this collection around my
increases absorp-
tion of minerals
in the moisturizer,”
more nutrients it
has for growth,”
says Marmur. (See
lemon, baking soda,
or bleach from
tooth-whitening
she says. Try Lano page 120 for some strips can help,
exact beauty needs,” says French actress Lanolin Rose Hand produce-packed says manicurist
Charlotte Gainsbourg of her new Cream Intense ($15). smoothie options.) Jin Soon Choi.
collaboration with Nars. Lucky for us,
Gainsbourg had “needs” for products
that would subtly highlight favorite
features and cover up blemishes and
dark circles. In the collection are next-
generation offerings of several Nars
classics, such as the Multiple stick,
which is now sheer enough that even
the red lets your skin shine through
while giving you a flush of color, says
Gainsbourg, the daughter of English
beauty Jane Birkin. Eye shadows are Deborah
soft, matte neutrals, and the line’s Smith & Cult Lippmann Gel Lab
nail color in Bitter Pro Color in
Hydrating Glow Tint ($36), a gel cream Buddhist, $18. Get Lucky, $20.
that evens skin tone, makes it appear
as if you’re lit from within. That, in fact,
is perhaps the greatest French-girl tip
of all: Perfect your base and you won’t
need to cover up with lots of makeup.
To get the look on your wedding
day, prep with a hydrating serum, like
French Girl Organics Facial Oil Elixir,
and refresh with Avène Thermal Spring
Water ($19)—a Gainsbourg beauty Zoya nail polish Essie nail polish
secret. (We’ve already stocked up.) in Kristen, $10. in Lilacism, $9.

BEAUTY
THE RECIPES
WATER WEIGHT
ELIMINATOR SLIM-DOWN
1 cup coconut water
1⁄2 cup frozen cranberries
1⁄2-inch-piece ginger, peeled and minced
1⁄2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
Blend until smooth.

GOOD TO KNOW Pineapple is full of
skin-brightening vitamin C, can aid
digestion, and reduces water reten-
tion. (How’s that for a multitasker?)
HERBAL DE-STRESS
TUESDAY
1 cup coconut water
1 cup baby kale or spinach
1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves
1⁄2 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. bee pollen
Blend the first four ingredients,
starting on low, then increasing
speed. Sprinkle with bee pollen.
GOOD TO KNOW Bee pollen
contains vitamins and protein, while
mint is a natural energizer.
ACAI PURPLE PRINCESS
WEDNESDAY
2⁄3 cup coconut water
1 tbsp. dried acai powder
1 banana
1 tsp. raw cacao powder
1⁄4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1⁄4 avocado
1 pitted date
Blend the first four ingredients.
Add the cinnamon, avocado, and
date. Blend until smooth.
MODEL: CLAUDIA FESSLER/THELICENSINGPROJECT.COM; SMOOTHIE AND KALE: EVA KOLENKO

GOOD TO KNOW Acai has more
antioxidants than blueberries; cinna-
mon is an anti-inflammatory that
can reduce redness and blemishes.
DIGEST-EASY
THURSDAY
1 cup unsweetened hemp milk

1 cup papaya chunks
1⁄4-inch-piece ginger, peeled and minced
1⁄8 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground nutmeg
WAY TO GLOW
Pinch of ground cardamom
2 pitted dates
1⁄2 banana
Blend until smooth.
GOOD TO KNOW Fatty acids in hemp
may help promote strong hair and
nails; papaya is rich in beta-carotene,
which can give skin a sun-kissed glow.
A SMOOTHIE A DAY…KEEPS THE BLEMISHES ALMOND BUTTER AND

FRIDAY
AWAY! SIP THESE FIVE BLENDS FROM GREENS LOVE SHAKE

CELEB NUTRITIONIST KIMBERLY SNYDER 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup frozen banana
AND BE THE BRIDE WITH RADIANT SKIN. 1 tbsp. almond butter
1 tbsp. raw cacao powder
1 cup spinach
To look bright on your big day, feed your skin from the inside, says Beauty Detox 1 pitted date
author Kimberly Snyder, whose clients include Amanda Seyfried and Rooney Mara. Blend until smooth.
That means replenishing your body first thing in the morning with fruits and vege- GOOD TO KNOW Spinach contains
iron, which helps oxygenate
tables, like those in Snyder’s smoothies. Produce breaks down quickly, she says, the body; cacao helps fight skin-
so when eaten on an empty stomach, it can help promote high energy and optimal damaging free radicals—and who
digestion—which is also essential for healthy skin. Whip up these drinks as part doesn’t like chocolate for breakfast?
of your wedding prep and you’ll be one step closer to a photo-ready complexion.
120 JUNE/JULY 2017

RYAN LIEBE/ASHLEY KLINGER, PROP STYLING BY HILARY ROBERTSON/JUDY CASEY. GARLANDS BY DENISE FASANELLO FLOWERS. “HEMISPHERE” DINNER PLATE, $98, AND CHARGER,
$144, J.L. COQUET; JUNGLEENY.COM. “SIMPLE” FLATWARE, $75 FOR A FIVE-PIECE PLACE SETTING, AND LINEN NAPKIN, $18, HAWKINS NEW YORK; HAWKINSNEWYORK.COM.
BRIDES.COM
L E T ’ S G E T T H I S PA R T Y S TA R T E D !
JUNE/JULY 2017 125

ARRANGEMENTS INSPIRE YOU, AND
AT THE MOST STYLISH CELEBRATIONS
LUSH GARLANDS ARE TOPPING TABLES
LEARN HOW TO GET THE LOOK.

TODAY. LET THESE OF-THE-MOMENT
OUT!
BRANCH
DETAILS GARLANDS
/ GO SEASONAL
“A garland, if mostly made of greenery, can help you
1 save money by filling the table with foliage instead
of big, expensive flowers,” says floral designer Denise
Fasanello. Use a range of leaf sizes and shapes to
To make a big impact on a budget, break up all that green, then add your favorite wild-
flowers. (Local and in-season blooms will save you
consider garlands as a cost-effective even more.) Budget for two feet of overhang to make
option for reception centerpieces. a statement, or take it to the floor for high drama.
GARLANDS BY DENISE FASANELLO FLOWERS. CREAM-COLOR LARGE DINNER PLATE,

RYAN LIEBE/ASHLEY KLINGER, PROP STYLING BY HILARY ROBERTSON/JUDY CASEY.
$50, YAARA CERAMICS, AND GRAY LARGE PLATE, $68, RIPPLE; ABCHOME.COM.
2/ ADD
SCENT
Flower free doesn’t mean
fragrance free. Fruits and herbs
supply a heavenly aroma.
Edibles such as bay leaves, rosemary,

and seasonal fruits (apricots and plums in
the summer, or figs and pomegranates
in the fall) smell amazing and appeal to
all of your senses. But a little goes
a long way. Just as with perfume, you
don’t want to overwhelm guests.
3 / BREAK IT UP
A tight grouping Sculptural succulents are popping
of individual plants up in more arrangements thanks
to their geometric shapes, cool
offers an easy colors, and hardiness. If you’re
alternative to long, DIYing, they can be set up a
entwined vines. day or two in advance without
watering, plus guests can take
plants home as favors.

DETAILS PALETTES
Surratt Beauty
Artistique
Eye Shadow in
Ingenue, $20.
Necklace, $5,000,
Larkspur & Hawk;
larkspurandhawk.com.
Cake, price
upon request,
Once Wed;
oncewed.com.
“Elizabeth” invitation,
price upon request,
Fourteen-Forty;
1440nyc.com.
TUSCAN
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI
OLD-WORLD AND ROMANTIC
Shoes, Aerin;
CAKE: JOSE VILLA; FLOWERS: ALEX CAO; ALL OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNERS
LANDSCAPE: FRANÇOIS HALARD; MODEL: VOGUE.COM; MAKEUP: CATHY CRAWFORD;
aerin.com for
similar styles.
Villa Médicis
incense
sticks, $50 for
120, Astier de
Villatte;
aedes.com.
Lilacs,
price upon
request,
Lewis Miller
Design; lmd
floral.com.
130 JUNE/JULY 2017

DETAILS PALETTES
“Stripe Suite”
invitation, from $1.81
each, Kate Spade;
paperlesspost.com.
Hand-dipped
cherrywood bowl,
from $40, Willful;
food52.com.
Cake, $6 per slice,

Love Is in the Air; loveis
intheairevents.com.
Sachajuan
Ocean
Mist, $28.
SEASIDE CRISP AND CLEAN
Sunglasses,
$500, Cutler and
Gross; cutler
LANDSCAPE: FRANÇOIS HALARD; MODEL: VOGUE.COM; CAKE: MEGAN VAUGHAN

andgross.com. Safety matches,
VALENTINO
$13, Sideshow
Press; sideshow
press.com. PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNERS
White cyclamen,
$150, Michael
George; michael
georgeflowers.com.

DETAILS PALETTES
Earrings,
$352, Bounkit;
bounkit.com.
“Tropical Romance”
invitation, $2.74 each,
Elly Liyana Ruslan;
zazzle.com.
OPI Nail
Lacquer in
Glitzerland, $13.
Hat, $210,
Sensi Studio;
sensistudio.com.
TROPICAL
GRAPHIC AND TEXTURED
“Palm Beach”
pillow, $85,
Furbish Studio;
furbish LANDSCAPE: FRANÇOIS HALARD; MODEL: VOGUE.COM; NAIL POLISH: TOM
studio.com. GORMAN; DRINK: LEVI BROWN/TRUNK ARCHIVE; CAKE: JESSICA KETTLE
PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNERS
You can’t go wrong

serving a fresh take on
a crowd-pleasing
classic, like a ginger-
peach mojito.
RALPH & RUSSO
Cake, $4.50 per

slice, Flour &
Faux palm-leaf Flourish; flourand
branch, $22, West flourishcake.com.
Elm; westelm.com.

DETAILS
PLAN LIKE A PRO
CAKE
DESIGNER
SELF-TAUGHT BAKER JANDERYN MAKRIS
OF EARTH & SUGAR, IN WEST PALM BEACH
AND MIAMI, DOES 350-PLUS EVENTS
A YEAR. HERE, SHE EXPLAINS HOW TO
PUT THE ICING ON YOUR CAKE.
TALK IN ADVANCE Before a tasting, I have the couple select five or
six flavors they want to try and answer questions about their decor,
guest count, budget, and menu. This helps me give the best recom-
mendations on flavor and look. BRING PICS Our designs are based
on the wedding’s overall aesthetic, not on photos of other cakes. I ask
the bride to show me three or four images of, say, the entire room set-
ting, her dress, and one cake she likes. DO YOUR RESEARCH Find out
if the company bakes from scratch. When I visit others, my trick is to
say that my son has a severe allergy to propylene glycol mono, an
additive that’s in almost every cake mix. If they can’t tell me confi-
dently that it’s not in their product, I know they’re baking from a
box. It’s crazy how common this is. THINK BEYOND VANILLA Choose
a flavor that speaks to you as a couple and makes guests think, Oh, of
course we’re eating this. It’s so Erin and Josh. At the moment, my favor-
ite is banana with Nutella buttercream. But if you must do vanilla,
modernize it by adding chocolate chips or pistachios for texture.
WORK WITHIN YOUR BUDGET There are many ways to get a look for
less, so ask. Like, if a bride says, “I want a cake covered in gold foil,”
I’ll say, “Let me show you a cake that’s painted in gold. It’s an eighth
of the cost.” DISCUSS THE DELIVERY… Many bakeries have people
who aren’t trained artists do the drop-off. I send only staff who can
fix a problem if something happens. Sometimes they have to refrost a
cake on-site. …AND TIMING If the cake is buttercream, it should be
delivered no more than two hours before go time. If the reception is
outside, an hour prior. PERFECT THE PLACEMENT Have your baker
call the venue to work out the logistics of where the cake will go. You
PS PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMS
don’t want it sitting in direct sunlight, in a wind tunnel, or on an

uneven surface. PLAN FOR THE TOPPER My team has been handed
Sugar flowers, as shown, cake toppers that are too big or that weigh enough to kill your spouse.
can range from $35 to $80 That’s too heavy to sit on buttercream. Bakers need to know these
apiece. An easy way to
save is to use real blooms. things up front. CONSIDER A PRIVATE CAKE CUTTING I love it when
couples make it an intimate moment. —As told to Yolanda Crous

DETAILS
GARDEN: FRANÇOIS HALARD; ALL OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNERS

STYLE BY THE YARD
ALREADY HAVE A TOASTER? ROUND OUT YOUR WISH LIST WITH
PATIO ACCESSORIES AND ELEGANT GARDEN ESSENTIALS.
Copper watering
can, $149, Paul
Loebach; home-
coming.com.
Textured plate,
Bespoke bocce $28, Cost Plus
set, from $325, World Market; world
Shopdog Turnery; market.com.
shopdogturnery.com. “Wanderlust
Iberian Journey”
napkin, $15, Juliska;
juliska.com.
Terra-cotta pot,
$322, Eye of the Day
Garden Design
Center; eyeoftheday
gdc.com.
“Tobago” wicker
sofa, $3,812,
Lloyd Flanders;
curranhome.com.
Wood tray, $35, A&B

Home; target.com.

DETAILS
ASK LAUREN
CURATOR OF CHIC LIVING
LAUREN CONRAD SHARES HIS-AND-
HERS WEDDING-PARTY IDEAS
What are some great present ideas

for bridesmaids and groomsmen?
It can be challenging to find a one-size-fits-
all gift. Instead, make it more personal. Consider
giving tank tops with different Beyoncé
lyrics or a coffee-table book based on each
person’s interests with a handwritten note
inside. How about a monogrammed Lucite cell-
Have a wedding-planning
phone case and charger for the selfie queen
question for Lauren? Email or rose-gold headphones for the music lover?
LAUREN@BRIDES.COM.
Give them each something they’ll really enjoy.
My brother is my man of honor. be a better option for a combined

What should he wear? It’s becom- bash. If you’re determined to make it
a weekend getaway, open it up to CONRAD: ANDREW MACPHERSON/COPIOUS MANAGEMENT, HAIR BY KRISTIN
ESS, MAKEUP BY AMY NADINE, PROP STYLING BY AMY TAYLOR/BERNSTEIN &
ing more common to have male mem-
bers in the bride’s party. (According plus-ones so no one feels left out. ANDRIULLI; HEADPHONES: STEPHANIE DINKEL; BOUTONNIERE: LEVY ELI
to the 2016 American Wedding Study,
14 percent of brides have a guy stand Do I need to have the same
on her side.) Typically, he would coordi- number of girls and guys in our
nate with the groomsmen’s attire, but wedding party? Absolutely not!
if you want to set your brother apart, William and I had more bridesmaids
have a special boutonniere made than groomsmen. Simply send a
for him or select a different color tie. groomsman down the aisle with
a bridesmaid on each arm like we did.
We want to do a joint bachelor-
bachelorette weekend. What My husband-to-be is super
would appeal to our whole crew? allergic to flowers. What can we
When my husband, William, and I do for the guys’ boutonnieres?
discussed this option, we felt like the Uh-oh! Fortunately, there are lots of
uninvited significant others might feel great nonfloral options, including
uncomfortable with their partners succulents, greens, and berries. You
going on a coed sleepover. A day trip, can also get creative with feathers,
like a wine tour on a chartered bus vintage lapel pins, shells, geodes—
or a rented box at a ball game, could the options are endless!

DETAILS
From far left: “Fleurs

Sauvages” invitation,
from $1.65 each, Paperless
Post; paperlesspost.com.
Gray calligraphed invitation,
price upon request, Virginia
Lucas Hart; virginialucashart
.com. “Gramercy” invitation,
$710 for 100 sets, Aerialist
Press; theaerialistpress.com.
The wedding invitation is a guest’s

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE first impression of your big day.
INVITATIONS
That’s why you want to put your
best foot forward with a personal-
PROP STYLING BY REBECCA BARTOSHESKY
ized preview. So how exactly do you

do that with a piece of paper? First,
decide what you want your invites to
highlight—whether it’s a general
FROM PAPER STOCK TO STAMPS, FONTS feel, like a formal design to match
TO PHRASING, THE CUSTOMIZATION your 7 p.m. start time, or a specific
OPTIONS ARE LIMITLESS. HERE’S HOW TO element, like a floral motif to call
CREATE AN INVITE THAT’S TOTALLY YOU. out your garden venue. To gather
BY ANNA PRICE OLSON PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHELSEA CAVANAUGH inspiration, look at real weddings on

DETAILS ULTIMATE GUIDE
Brides.com and stationery sites like Oh So Beautiful Paper

and pull at least five examples of what you do (and don’t) PRINTING LINGO, EXPLAINED
like to help guide your vision.
For the actual production, decide how involved you want
to be and how much you want to spend. Your choices are to Letterpress The text and using shiny metallic foil
work in person or online with a stationer or graphic design are pressed into the instead of ink. (This is the
paper, leaving an impression. most expensive method.)
designer on a custom or semicustom suite (the term for
Engraving Like letterpress, Embossing A raised image
the invite, reply card, info card, and all envelopes), hire that adds a structural ele-
but text is raised rather than
a calligrapher or illustrator to hand-draw the design, or imprinted. ment to your suite. It’s often
create your own on a site like Minted or Paperless Post Thermography A combo used for accents like crests.
(which offers actual paper too). If you’re going the custom of ink and powder creates EXPERT TIP: Go ahead
route, consult with a pro 10 months out; if not, you can the 3-D feel of engraved and mix and match styles!
wait until the six-month mark. Starting early allows time type at a lower price point. Alexandra Rinde, at
Aerialist Press in Walnut
for back and forth in the design process, plus printing, Digital Printing Flat text Creek, California, frequently
assembling, and addressing. that’s similar to what you combines foil with letter-
can print at home. (This press or digital printing.
Save-the-dates should be sent six to eight months before is the most cost-effective
the big day (10 months if it’s a destination wedding), with the The only combo to avoid:
method.) digital with letterpress,
formal invitation mailed just six to eight weeks prior (or 10 Foil Stamping Same tech- because different paper
weeks if most guests will need to travel). nique as letterpress, but stocks are required.
Put a Stamp on It
The shape, size, and weight of the suite affects how much
9 WAYS TO SAVE
postage will cost. Do the math and factor it into your
budget. (Heads up: A square invite will double your bill.) 1 / NAIL YOUR NUMBER If you run out of invitations and
You can opt for standard stamps from the post office need to print more, they can cost an additional $12 to $25
or customize them (add your initials, match the envelope
liner, include a photo) on Zazzle.com. Don’t forget each, says Heather Wiese-Alexander of Bell’Invito, in
to include postage on each reply card too. Dallas. To avoid unexpected fees, add an extra 10 suites
and 20 envelopes to your initial order. 2 / GET A DIGITAL
FILE Hire a pro to design the invitation, reply card, and
info card in a PDF that you can take to a local printer.
Rachel Marvin Creative, in Richmond, Virginia, charges
about $105 for a file, as opposed to $1,100 for 100 custom-
printed suites. 3 / GO SEMICUSTOM Tweak a style in a
stationer’s existing collection to lower costs by $300 to
$500. 4 / THINK THINNER Print the reply and info cards
on one-ply paper rather than two-ply, like the invite. Card
stocks that are half the thickness will save you $85 to $125
for every 100 suites. 5 / NIX THE REPLY CARD Instead, do a
mini tag that includes only the RSVP date and a URL where
guests can respond. (Make sure to monitor replies, since
it’s an open link.) Depending on quantity, you could lower
your bill by $350 to $600, Rinde estimates. 6 / OR MAKE IT
A POSTCARD Eliminate the envelope to save up to 55 cents
per suite, says Marvin. 7 / DIY ASSEMBLY Stuff and stamp
envelopes (with your bridesmaids and wine) to shave about
$1.50 off the assembly fee for each set. 8 / PRINT ADDRESSES
DIGITALLY On the outer envelope, use a typeface that looks
like real calligraphy for a fraction of the price (from 75 cents
per envelope, compared with $1.25 for letterpress or $2 to
$7 for calligraphy). 9 / OR REDUCE CALLIGRAPHY COSTS
Square invitation If your heart is set on hand-drawn addresses, ask what your
envelope, price upon pro charges to use a brush marker or ballpoint pen, suggests
request, Gather and Virginia Lucas Hart, a calligrapher in New York City. In most
Co.; fleurcalligraphy.com.
cases, choosing an easier utensil cuts costs in half.

What Should
Your Invites
Actually Say?
Well, that depends. Want your
wording to check all the etiquette
boxes, or are you aiming for
something more casual and
personal? These days, you can
be as creative or traditional as
you want—just as long as you
include essential information,
like who, what, when, and
where. Use this suite as inspo,
browse stationers’ Web sites,
or lean on your pro for a more
detailed how-to.
The Main Invite: At the top, put

the names of whoever is footing
the bill, meaning those who are
hosting the party and technically
“Celine” invitation, $605 inviting everyone. If it’s you and
for 100 sets, Rachel your groom but you still want to
Marvin Creative; rachel honor your parents, add “Together
marvincreative.com. with their families” after your
names. That also covers a multi-
tude of sticky situations, like
divorces, remarriages, et cetera.
The Reply Card: The most traditional

RSVP method is a card for guests
to write their name on the “M” line
with the appropriate prefix, mark
if they’re attending (or not), and send
back by the requested date. The
“number attending” line at the bottom
is optional but helpful for families.
The Info Card: This can come in any form

you want, whether it’s a rundown of the
weekend’s events or an annotated map of
your destination. The goal is to give
guests the details they need in a creative
yet concise format. It’s a good idea
to include your wedding Web site at the
bottom—but never list your registry
information. (That’s considered poor form.)
HONEYMOON IDEAS FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME
MOST ROMANTIC
DESTINATIONS
IN THE WORLD
1. French Polynesia
Flying in over dreamy reef-
ringed motus (a.k.a. islets)
sets the scene for an epic
honeymoon. Touch down
on culture-packed Tahiti,
dive in the ocean from
HONEYMOON
your overwater bungalow
on Bora Bora, sample
plates of smoked bread-
fruit on Moorea, or sail
to the barely inhabited
AWARDS 2017
Marquesas Islands and you’ll
learn the true meaning of
paradise. It would take years
to explore all 118 islands
of French Polynesia—but
that’s what anniversaries
are for, right?
WE TEAMED UP WITH VIRTUOSO, A NETWORK OF MORE FAVORITES 2. Italy
TIM MCKENNA
MORE THAN 15,000 LUXURY-TRAVEL ADVISORS, TO 3. The Hawaiian Islands

4. Maldives 5. Greece
FIND THE SEXIEST ESCAPES FOR TWO. LET’S GO! 6. Bali 7. Mexico 8. Thailand
BY KATIE JAMES 9. Fiji 10. South Africa
JUNE/JULY 2017 153

GETAWAY
TOP RESORTS
IN MAINLAND
U.S. AND
CANADA
1. Auberge du Soleil,
Napa Valley, California
You never need a reason to
honeymoon in Napa, but
the reasons to stay at this
EXCLUSIVE: ENTER FOR A CHANCE über-romantic resort, on
TO WIN A TRIP TO HAWAII! 33 acres of vines and olive
One lucky couple will score five nights in an ocean- groves, are many. First, there
view room at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, are the 50 modern yet cozy
plus complimentary flights on Hawaiian Airlines, rooms, suites, and maisons
a 50-minute couples massage, a helicopter tour of (a fancy term for mansions).
the island, and a round of golf at Wailea Golf Club. Then there’s the fine-dining
See page 22 or visit brides.com/win for more details. Restaurant at Auberge du
Soleil, which has 11 consecu-
tive Michelin stars and a
15,000-bottle wine cellar.
But most important, it’s the
feeling you get of total,
TOP RESORTS IN HAWAII unequivocal relaxation, the
kind of zen that comes from
being surrounded by nature
and that warms you from
1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
the inside out, like a good
Fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation, this 383-room mainstay on Maui’s popular bottle of cab. From $675.
southwestern shore has updated guest rooms, Missoni-decorated pool cabanas,
secluded oceanfront sundecks, and unforgettable experiences (like a private chef’s MORE FAVORITES 2. Post
dinner beside the adults-only Serenity Pool). Also not to be missed: the couples Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
instructional massage—talk about a worthy souvenir. From $589. 3. Amangiri, Canyon Point,
Utah 4. Amangani, Jackson
MORE FAVORITES 2. Four Seasons Resort Lanai 3. St. Regis Princeville Resort, Kauai Hole, Wyoming 5. Fairmont
4. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii 5. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GETTY (2); COURTESY OF THE HOTEL
TOP RESORTS IN THE CARIBBEAN
1. Amanyara, Turks and Caicos

Those in the know head to the northwest corner of Providenciales and check into
this 38-room subtle stunner. (Amanyara means “peaceful place” in Sanskrit.) Wake
in your Asian-style pavilion fronting a gorgeous lagoon, recharge in an open-air
yoga class, catch rays beside the zero-edge infinity pool, or play a round of golf at
Pebble Beach on the simulator (winner buys drinks!) before capping the day with
sunset cocktails and plates of jerk grouper and homemade tagliatelle. From $1,350.
MORE FAVORITES 2. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia 3. One & Only Ocean Club, Bahamas
4. Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, St. Barth 5. Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia

GETAWAY
TOP RESORTS
IN EUROPE
Le Sirenuse,
1.
Positano, Italy
The winding drive south
from Naples to Positano
can take nearly two hours,
but the magic of Italy will
seep into your veins within
minutes. As you pull up
to this legendary still-
family-run hotel, you’ll ask
yourselves a series of
questions. We’ve answered
them for you here: Yes,
that’s a village built on
a 400-foot cliffside. Yes,
that’s your colorfully tiled
suite overlooking the
Bay of Positano. Yes, that’s
400 candles illuminating
dinner at the Michelin-
starred restaurant, La
Sponda. Yes, it’s okay to
have a glass of prosecco
at noon. From $367.
MORE FAVORITES 2. Four
Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
3. Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy
4. Belmond Hotel Cipriani,
Venice, Italy 5. Ritz Paris
TOP RESORTS
IN MEXICO
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF THE HOTELS (2); PEDEN + MUNK
1. One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos

You’d never guess this ultraluxe resort
has been around since 1956, thanks to
a complete overhaul two years ago that
included a new restaurant from chef
Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a celeb-
stylist-led hair salon, and an indoor-
outdoor gym. This year’s update: the
just-debuted Villa One, a four-bedroom
hideout perched above the Sea of Cor-
tez with a glass-enclosed infinity pool,
chef’s kitchen, screening room, personal
trainer, and 24-hour butler. Maybe
invite your friends and turn the honey-
moon into a “buddymoon”? From $615.
MORE FAVORITES 2. Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa
del Carmen 3. Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa,
Playa del Carmen 4. Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Playa
del Carmen 5. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

GETAWAY
TOP RESORTS IN CENTRAL

AND SOUTH AMERICA
1. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

“Pura vida” is a way of life in Costa Rica—an ethos of simplicity that you’ll find infused
into every aspect of this 181-room gem set on a tiny spit of northern Pacific coastline.
Look no further than the two perfectly unkempt beaches, earthen-hued suites that
blend into the greenery, and howler monkeys calling out from the treetops as you
walk to breakfast. But if you’re worried about missing your thousand-thread-count
sheets, fear not; there’s still a wellness concierge, a made-to-order-ceviche bar,
an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific (below, top left), and spa treatments ranging
TOP RESORTS from a volcanic-mud body wrap to a healing bamboo massage. From $650.
IN AFRICA MORE FAVORITES 2. Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu, Peru 3. Mukul
AND THE Resort, Golf & Spa (bottom left), Guacalito de la Isla, Nicaragua 4. Andaz Peninsula
Papagayo Resort (bottom right), Costa Rica 5. Turtle Inn, Placencia, Belize
MIDDLE EAST
One & Only Cape

1.
Town, South Africa
It’s no coincidence that
well-traveled couples
choose to start (or end)
their safari with a few
days at this sprawling
133-room resort. First,
there are the panoramic
views of Table Mountain—
that majestic 3,558-foot
plateau overlooking the
city. Then there’s the
location, on the Victoria
& Albert Waterfront, with
hip shopping hubs like
the Watershed and cultural
musts like the new Zeitz
Museum of Contemporary
Art Africa. And let’s not
forget the spa, set on
its own private island.
From $690.
MORE FAVORITES 2. Singita
Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park,
South Africa 3. Singita Kruger
National Park, South Africa
4. Sabi Sabi Private Game
Reserve, Kruger National Park,
South Africa 5. La Mamounia,
Marrakech, Morocco
FLOWERS: GETTY; ALL OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE HOTELS
TOP CRUISE LINES

1. Paul Gauguin Cruises
2. Crystal Cruises
3. Seabourn
4. Silversea
5. SeaDream Yacht Club
6. Windstar Cruises
7. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
8. Celebrity Cruises
9. AmaWaterways
10. Oceania Cruises

TOP RESORTS IN
ASIA, AUSTRALIA, AND
NEW ZEALAND
1. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand

Nestled in the heart of northern Thailand’s
Mae Rim Valley, this 20-acre jungle oasis feels
worlds away from the chaotic energy of Asia.
Here, it’s all about peace and quiet: Days are filled
with nature hikes, yoga, Thai language lessons,
and instruction in traditional rice-planting tech-
niques. Each villa is shrouded in flora and fauna
for maximum privacy—all the better if you want to
skinny-dip in your pool before dinner at the
Rice Barn, a venue reserved exclusively for one
couple each night. From $520.
MORE FAVORITES 2. One & Only Reethi Rah, North Malé
Atoll, Maldives 3. Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Trian-
gle, Chiang Rai, Thailand 4. One & Only Hayman Island,
Great Barrier Reef, Australia 5. Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand
TOP RESORTS
IN THE SOUTH
PACIFIC
1.Four Seasons
Resort Bora Bora,
French Polynesia
Tell people you’re honey-
mooning in Bora Bora
and they’ll probably ask,
That’s the place with
those huts on the water,
right? But this 107-suite
resort has so much more
to offer than just overwater
bungalows. (Though after
a few nights listening to
the gentle sound of water
lapping against stilts, you’ll
wonder how you ever fell
asleep without it.) Whether
you choose to swim with
sea turtles and rays in
crystal-blue water or race
around the island on
Jet Skis, soar high above
Mount Otemanu and
Mount Pahia by helicopter
or indulge in a Tahitian-
black-pearl-infused body
scrub, everything about
your stay will be perfec-
COURTESY OF THE HOTELS
tion. From $1,198.

MORE FAVORITES 2. St. Regis
Bora Bora Resort, French
Polynesia 3. The Brando, French
Polynesia 4. Laucala Island, Fiji
5. Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa,
French Polynesia

GETAWAY
TOP BEACH
RESORTS
UNDER $350
1. Turtle Inn,
Placencia, Belize
Few places are better for
exploring the Belize
Barrier Reef (the world’s
second-largest coral-reef
system) than this 25-villa
sanctuary fronting the
Caribbean Sea. Among its
highlights are a pristine
white-sand beach, easy
access to the laid-back
fishing village of Placencia,
and one very famous pro-
prietor: legendary director
Francis Ford Coppola.
At dinner, expect dishes
blending seafood and
Italian cuisine (made with
ingredients from the
organic garden)—and
maybe even his Oscar-
winning daughter, Sofia, at
the next table. From $319.
MORE FAVORITES 2. Hotel
Punta Islita, Guanacaste, Costa
Rica 3. JW Marriott Phuket
Resort & Spa, Thailand 4. Turtle
Bay, Oahu, Hawaii 5. Victoria
House, San Pedro, Belize
TOP ADVENTURE LODGES UNDER $350 TOP ALL-INCLUSIVE

BRANDS
1. Grand Velas
FROM LEFT: KEN KOCHEY; COURTESY OF THE HOTEL
1. El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica 2. Secrets Resorts & Spas
Here’s how you know an adventure honeymoon is right for you: 1. You’d gladly wake 3. Zoëtry Wellness & Spa
up at 8 a.m. to hike a mile to a blue waterfall. 2. Your ideal version of bonding is Resorts
by zip line at 350 feet. 3. You’d rather make your own chocolate from raw cacao than 4. Sandals Resorts
buy it at a store. If you agreed with any of the above, book a room at this remote 5. Excellence Group Luxury
500-acre cloud-forest lodge, where you can immerse yourselves in nature while in Hotels & Resorts
your riverside suite’s outdoor whirlpool, make a day trip to Arenal Volcano National 6. Hyatt Zilara
Park to soak in natural hot springs, explore mountain landscapes on a horseback-
riding excursion, learn the art of tortilla-making from a Bajos del Toro local, and 7. Paradisus Resorts
indulge in a rain-forest aromatherapy massage. From $310. 8. Dreams Resorts & Spas
9. Meliá Hotels International
MORE FAVORITES 2. Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Peru 3. Blancaneaux
Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Belize 4. Tree House Lodge, Limón, Costa 10. Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Rica 5. Daintree EcoLodge & Spa, Queensland, Australia
FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS AND

166 JUNE/JULY 2017 ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES, GO TO BRIDES.COM/TRAVEL.
JUNE/JULY 2017
Button-front
jumpsuit, $440,
Alice + Olivia
by Stacey
Bendet; alice
andolivia.com.
Ring, Allurez;
allurez.com.
THE PERFECT DRESS, BEST FRIENDS,

AND A STUNNING LOCATION—
DAN SMITH
NOW THAT’S HOW YOU GET MARRIED!

FROCK STARS
You’re going to
be the star of the
show, photographed
throughout your
engagement, so have
fun dressing the part.
Bridal gown, $2,400,
Sophia Kokosalaki;
sophiakokosalaki.com.
Shoes, Aquazzura;
aquazzura.com. Chiffon
dresses with lace and
velvet inlays, prices upon
request, and sandals,
Valentino; Valentino bou-
tiques. Necklace, Eddie
Borgo; eddieborgo.com.

Whether your big day is
around the corner or months
away, make sure to enjoy
the journey—bonus points if
your girls do too
BLISS
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN SMITH
STYLING BY ELEANOR STRAUSS
WHITE LIGHT
To mix a little sexy
with the sweet, sheer
lace is the way to go.
Lace gown, $4,900, Yolan
Cris; Gabriella New York
Bridal Salon, 212-206-1915.
Sandals, Stuart Weitz-
man; stuartweitzman
.com. Lace jumpsuit, $229,
Tadashi Shoji; tadashi
shoji.com. Shoes, Paul
Andrew; paulandrew.com.
FRILL SEEKERS
Your wedding party can play
with a wide range of colors
if the dresses share one cohe-
sive detail, like flirty ruffles.
From left: Iridescent chiffon
dress, $1,390, Zac Zac Posen;
zacposen.com. Ring, Juliet M;
julietm.com. Shoes, Jimmy
Choo; jimmychoo.com. Pleated
lace wedding gown, $1,199,
Whistles; whistles.com. Brace-
let, Bulgari; bulgari.com. Shoes,
Roger Vivier; rogervivier.com.
Silk-chiffon dress, $1,250, Sachin
& Babi; 212-996-5200.

THREE OF A KIND
Not a formal-gown kind of
girl? Minidresses can make
just as big a statement
as any floor-length number.
From left: Eyelet dress, $370,
Acler; us.acler.com.au. Bag,
Bulgari; bulgari.com. Shoes,
Aerin; aerin.com. Lace dress,
$630, Rebecca Vallance; rebecca
vallance.com. Shoes, Loeffler
Randall; loefflerrandall.com.
Lace dress, $995, Maria Koro-
vilas; mariakorovilas.com. Clutch,
Aerin; aerin.com. Shoes, Manolo
Blahnik; manoloblahnik.com.

With palm-tree-lined streets and midcentury-
modernist architecture, Palm Springs, California,
is full of throwback charm. To capture it all, the
Brides team checked into the storied Colony
Palms Hotel (from $199; colonypalmshotel.com),
a 1930s classic that’s undergoing a refresh this
year by L.A. design firm House of Honey. With
its Spanish-colonial tiled rooms, chic poolside
cabanas (perfect for catching rays while sipping
a Mojave mule), and fresh Cali fare at the
Purple Palm restaurant, this glamorous hotel
is a perfect escape for you and your crew.
WALK ON AIR
Versatile enough for an
afternoon or evening cere-
mony, this layered A-line
is flattering for most figures.
Silk-chiffon gown with lace
ruffles, $2,640, Christos; christos
bridal.com. Sunglasses, Tory
Burch; toryburch.com. Bracelet,
Bulgari; bulgari.com. Shoes,
Alexandre Birman; alexandre
birman.com.br.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
The glam-bohemian look is
playful, not fussy—and fits right
in at a black-tie wedding.
From left: Blush embroidered
gown with ostrich-feather embel-
lishments, price upon request,
Monique Lhuillier; monique
lhuillier.com. Earrings, Mateo New
York; mateonewyork.com. Ring,
ILA; ilacollection.com. Blush
organza and tulle gown, $9,500,
Monique Lhuillier; 212-683-3332.
Earrings, Juliet M; julietm.com.
Ring, Coast Diamond; coast
diamond.com. Shoes, Christian
Louboutin; christianlouboutin.com.
MOMENT IN THE SUN
Pleats, chiffon, and pastels keep
things light in warm weather. Just
add a fur topper after sundown.
From left: Chiffon dress, $1,550,
Adam Lippes; adamlippes.com.
Shoes, Zara; zara.com. Dress, $1,395,
Sachin & Babi; sachinandbabi.com.
Silk-chiffon gown, $7,375, Elie Saab
Bridal; eliesaab.com. Dress, $535,
Love Shack Fancy; loveshackfancy
.com. Jacket, Yumi Kim; yumikim.com.
Necklace and bag, Eddie Borgo;
eddieborgo.com. Shoes, Jimmy Choo;
jimmychoo.com.
HAIR Eric Gabriel for Oribe/

the Wall Group MAKEUP Valery
Gherman/the Wall Group SET
DESIGN Evan Jourden/the Owl
and the Elephant FLORAL DESIGN
Native Poppy MANICURE Allison
Burns-Cooper/Crosby PRODUCTION
Johnny Pascucci/Photobomb
Production LOCATION Frederick
Loewe Estate; frederickloewe
estate.com

Emanuela
&
Gaston
(To read this couple’s
story, go to page 188.)
On Emanuela: Seersucker
organza dress with sequin
embroidery, $8,995, Monique
Lhuillier; Bergdorf Goodman,
212-753-7300. Earrings and
ring, Tiffany & Co.; tiffany
.com. On Gaston: Suit
and shirt, Brooks Brothers;
brooksbrothers.com.
186 JUNE/JULY 2017
V
O
In the last year, there’s been a lot of talk
about how divided we are as a nation,
but when it comes to marriage, that isn’t
the case. An increasing number
of couples are blending cultures and
traditions: While in 1980, the year Ronald
Reagan was elected, fewer than one in
15 marriages was between spouses of a
different race or ethnicity, today it’s one
in six. More and more, we’re sending
invitations across international borders,
saying our vows in different languages,
and standing before officiants of different
faiths. As these couples show, by
celebrating their backgrounds in their
V
relationships—and at their weddings—
they’ve created even more perfect unions.
BY SANDY M. FERNÁNDEZ
PHOTOGRAPHS BY
ROBERT MAXWELL
STYLING BY
actually
ELEANOR STRAUSS
Emanuela
& Gaston
MARRIED 4 YEARS
HOW THEY MET: Ten years ago, Eman-

uela de Paula, a Brazilian model, was
in Tulum, Mexico, for a fashion shoot;
Gaston Levy was a driver for the
crew. “I’d been working in advertis-
ing, but I got a bit burned out,” says
Gaston, who was raised in Argentina,
“so I was living on the beach, Robin-
son Crusoe–style. Manu and I spoke
different languages, and we looked
different from each other—she was
black and I was white—but sur- On Alejandra:
Embroidered
rounded by a German crew, we were silk dress, $960,
like, ‘Hey! We’re two Latins!’ And we Zimmermann;
connected.” zimmermannwear
.com. Earrings,
DISSENTING PARTY: “My father gave David Yurman;
Gaston a really hard time,” says davidyurman.com.
Emanuela of the men’s first meeting, On James:
Suit, Ralph Lauren;
after the couple had been dating ralphlauren
almost a year. “I was talking my best .com. Shirt, the
Portuguese ever, but I was getting Black Tux;
theblacktux.com.
nowhere,” recalls Gaston. “He wasn’t
making any effort to understand me
or speak any Spanish. And imagine:
I’m an Argentinian guy coming from
Mexico, I speak a different language, Alejandra & James
I’m a different color, he doesn’t know MARRIED 12 YEARS
my family, he doesn’t know if I have a
job, and he has no way of checking. So HOW THEY MET: Alejandra Lagos’s first words to James Lindsay were “I can tell
for him it was like, ‘OK, welcome … but that you are a bad influence.” The two were in class at music school in Boston, and
hold on, tiger.’ Finally, the last day, I with the teacher late to arrive, James thought it was reasonable to leave. Alejandra,
said, ‘Can I talk to you for a second? a rule follower who had just moved from Mexico City, disagreed. But being part of
Because I came here for your blessing.’ the school’s small student body meant the two got to know each other, and after
And after we talked, he literally said, a few years of friendship—and even a few double dates with other people—Alejandra
‘OK, I’ll live with you.’ ” and Boston-raised James became a couple.
A few months later, Emanuela’s SACRIFICES: “I always expected to go back to Mexico City to live, but when James
father insisted on visiting. “He felt and I started talking about getting married, I had to rethink that,” says Alejandra.
bad,” says Emanuela. “He’d wanted to “I also had to rethink my wedding. Since I was young, I’d wanted to marry in this
see if Gaston would be scared off, but gorgeous church in Oaxaca called Santo Domingo de Guzmán—but since James
he wasn’t, and that won him over. After is Protestant, we couldn’t marry in a Catholic church. We had the wedding in a
a while, he realized Gaston is the best beautiful library in Mexico City, and James’s uncle, who is a pastor, performed the
guy, best husband, best friend. And ceremony. The reception was Mexican-style, though; it went all night! James’s
everything went well.” family couldn’t believe it was 6:30 a.m. and the party was still going, but that’s
THEIR WEDDING: The couple rented normal for us.”
out a beach hotel in Brazil for three LINE IN THE SAND: When the couple were expecting their first child, Alejandra
days, hosting about 110 of their insisted that they speak only Spanish to her for the first couple of years. “James’s
friends and family. One featured mother had a very hard time with that: ‘She won’t understand me!’ ” Alejandra
event: a game of soccer—complete says. “Even my mother didn’t think it was a good idea because she was afraid James
with T-shirts—between Brazilian and wouldn’t be able to communicate.” Her husband, though, agreed to the plan and
Argentinian guests. The ceremony is glad he did: “Both our daughters, who are now 7 and 5, speak Spanish much
was bilingual, officiated by both a better than some of their friends with similar backgrounds,” he says. “And even
Baptist pastor to represent her faith my Spanish has gotten better. We’re all much richer for it.”
and a Catholic priest for his. “The real
meaning is, you’re creating family,”
says Gaston. “I met her in Tulum one
day, and now she’s my family.”
188 JUNE/JULY 2017

On Kimberly: Pearl-
beaded tulle and
organza dress, price
upon request, Oscar
de la Renta; 212-
288-5810. Earrings,
Tiffany & Co.;
tiffany.com. Shoes,
Marchesa; akh-group
.myshopify.com.
On Viqar: Suit,
Indochino; indochino
.com. Shirt, Brooks
Brothers; brooks
brothers.com. Shoes,
Allen Edmonds; allen
edmonds.com.
Kimberly
&
Viqar
MARRIED 14 YEARS
“My mother and

grandmother always
told me not to let race
limit my possibilities
1# %+-(##
to spend my life with.”
—Kimberly
(To read this couple’s story, go to page 221.)
Shelby
&
Andrea
MARRIED ALMOST
TWO YEARS
On Shelby: Sequin-
embroidered gown,
$7,995, Monique
Lhuillier; neimanmarcus
.com. Earrings, Hueb;
hueb.com. Ring, Tiffany
& Co.; tiffany.com. On
Andrea: Suit, Salvatore
Ferragamo; 866-337
7242. Shirt, Brooks
Brothers; brooks
brothers.com. Ring,
David Yurman; david
yurman.com.
On Brian (left):
Tie, the Hill-Side;
thehill-side.com.
On both: Suiting,
CULTURE CLASH: “I’m their own.
African-American, and
I always thought I
would end up with an
American black guy.
I didn’t expect to marry
this straight-up white
guy from Italy,” says
Shelby Coleman about
her husband, Andrea
Pedicini. “Obviously,
I’m glad I did, but in the
beginning there were
some misunderstand-
ings. I’m goofy and
sarcastic, and Andrea is
more reserved. Some-
times he’d get offended,
and I’d wonder, ‘Oh,
wow, why is he so mad?’ ”
“Anyone who dates
across cultures or
languages has to be
ready to work through
those differences,”
says Andrea.
MEETING THE FAMILY:
“When I was growing
up, my dad was very
strict,” says Shelby,
“and he wanted me to
marry someone just Brian
like him. But when he
met Andrea, he had &
a great time, drinking
martinis and asking
him a million questions
Joshua
WEDDING PLANNED
about growing up FOR SEPTEMBER 2017
in Italy. I texted my
siblings and said, ‘You
won’t believe what is HOW THEY MET: Joshua Blaylock and Brian Chen connected on an online dating site 10 years ago.
happening right now.’ ” Joshua was out to friends and most of his family, but Brian wasn’t. When the couple went on to live
Shelby met Andrea’s together, visits from Brian’s Taiwanese parents meant a very thorough housecleaning. “I’d put away
family in Italy last year, everything of Josh’s, from his toiletries to the dog we shared,” says Brian. “He’d put her in a tote and
a few months before go downstairs to read in the coffee shop until they left.” Joshua’s Indiana-based family, while warm
their son, Ludovic, and friendly to his beau, also had a few bumps. “They were so eager to welcome him,” says Joshua,
was born, when she “but they’d ask things like ‘Does he eat hot dogs?’ And I’d be like, ‘Yes, he’s from New Jersey!’ ”
took the opportunity to
WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED: A couple of years ago, Brian’s brother and his Japanese wife—who
convert to Catholicism:
had themselves faced disapproval from his parents because she wasn’t Taiwanese—were expecting
“Andrea didn’t ask
their first child. By this time, Brian was out to his brother, who detailed a basic scenario: “He said,
me to do it. I wanted
‘In a few years, my daughter will ask who Josh is to us. I don’t want to have to lie to her, and I don’t
to. I’ve never been
want to teach her to lie.’ That was just so simple and clear to me. I knew I had to do something.”
super religious, but his
The two couples consulted with a therapist to stage a coming-out. “As far as my family went,
parents are, and I
I viewed telling them I was gay and telling them I was in an interracial relationship as one and
wanted us all to go to
the same,” says Brian. “The funny thing was, our therapist happened to specialize in cross-
the same church.
cultural relationships—and battlefield trauma. That seemed apt.”
That mattered to me.”
THEIR WEDDING: For their upcoming nuptials, they’re planning to incorporate things they’ve
gotten to like as a couple, from steamed dumplings to country music. Brian’s parents’ attendance,
he says, “is still TBD.” “But your mom came over to me at a party recently and shook my hand,
which I have to give her credit for,” says Joshua. “She’s trying. Baby steps.”
JUNE/JULY 2017 191

Tali & AJ
MARRIED ALMOST A YEAR
DIFFERENT BEGINNINGS: Tali Jang calls herself “ethnically Chinese”—her mom is an

immigrant from Taiwan, while her dad’s family has been in the United States since
before the Great Depression—but “culturally, I was born and raised in San Fran-
cisco,” she says. AJ Asver was born in Sri Lanka but lived most of his life in the United
Kingdom before getting lured overseas by the tech business. “My family’s Muslim,
and I knew there was an expectation that I’d marry someone Muslim, and that caused
me anxiety,” he says. When Tali first met his parents, they embraced her, but AJ knew
his mom still struggled behind the scenes. Over the next year, she let him know she
had reached out to her siblings for advice about his relationship. “But I think by the
time I asked Tali to marry me, both sides were just wishing we would get on with it!”
THEIR WEDDING: “I didn’t want to include Muslim traditions that don’t mean much
to me,” says AJ. “But one thing I did want: Since there’s no dancing, everyone
wants a photo with the bride and groom.” The couple tackled that like the techies
they are (she works for Google; he’s a cofounder of a music startup): “We made Kari & Ken
a spreadsheet of all the possible combinations and gave the groups numbers so our MARRIED ALMOST 10 YEARS
photographer could be like, ‘Group One, time for your photo!’ ” says Tali.
HOW THEY MET: While living and
The ceremony was officiated by a Jewish childhood friend of Tali’s. “We had a joke:
A Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew walk into a wedding—and it’s ours!” Tali says. working as a journalist in Hong Kong
in 2006, Kari Jensen was asked to
report on a visit by physicist Stephen
Hawking. At the event, a crowd caught
On Tali: Cut-fringe
satin gown, $3,995, her eye, and she tapped the shoulder
Lela Rose; neiman of the man in front of her to ask what
marcus.com. Ear- was going on. That man was Ken Teng,
rings, David Yurman;
davidyurman.com. a Hong Kong–born scientist visiting
On AJ: Suit, Bur- from New York City. “The moment he
berry; burberry.com. turned around, I was like, ‘Wow!’ ”
Shirt, Brooks Broth-
ers; brooksbrothers she says. “We tell people that Stephen
.com. Shoes, Santoni; Hawking was our matchmaker.”
santonishoes.com.
A CROSS-PACIFIC WEDDING: After a
HAIR Kiri Yoshiki year of dating, the couple got married
for Living Proof at city hall on a date that was auspi-
MAKEUP Charlotte cious in the Chinese lunar calendar.
Day for Nars
Cosmetics/See “That was more important to Kari,”
Management says Ken. “I’m a scientist; I’m not
MANICURE Kayo superstitious.” The bride wore red—a
Higuchi for Chanel lucky color in Chinese culture—along
Le Vernis/Defacto
SET DESIGN Jim with items both borrowed and blue.
Gratson/Atelier ON STEREOTYPES: “I’m a second-
Management
generation Danish-American, and
I grew up in Oregon,” says Kari. “It’s
a beautiful place but pretty homo-
geneous, so when I first moved to Asia
and was dating, my friends would say
Asian men weren’t sexy. That’s just
ignorance, lack of exposure. Ken was
love at first sight for me. I’m so happy
I was able to find the perfect person
for me all the way across the world.”
On Kari: Lace gown, $995, Sachin &
Babi; sachinandbabi.com. Earrings,
De Beers; debeers.com. On Ken: Suit,
Ralph Lauren; ralphlauren.com. Shirt,
Brooks Brothers; brooksbrothers.com.
192 JUNE/JULY 2017 WHAT SHOULD YOU NEVER SAY TO A MULTICULTURAL COUPLE? FIND OUT AT VIDEO.BRIDES.COM.
On Claire: Silk
dress, $3,200,
Zimmermann;
zimmermannwear
.com. Earrings,
Claire Yael Sonia; yael

sonia.com. Shoes,
Marchesa; akh-
& group.myshopify
.com. On Mat-
thew: Suit and
Matthew shirt, Burberry;
burberry.com.
Shoes, Aldo;
MARRIED 10 YEARS
aldoshoes.com.
Socks, Falke;
falke.com. On the
girls: Dresses,
Zara; zara.com.
Black flats,
Capezio; capezio
.com.
“Our younger daughter

was born blond
and blue-eyed. I guess
from so much mixing,
you never know what
you’re going to get!”
—Claire
(To read this couple’s story, go to page 221.)
GARDEN
PARTY
P H OTO GR APHS BY RYAN L IEB E
TURN ARRANGEMENTS
INTO APPETIZERS
AND DESSERTS WITH
PALATE-PLEASING
EDIBLE FLOWERS
“People buy edible flowers
almost entirely for looks,
but a lot of them have very
interesting flavors,” says
Justin Marx, CEO of specialty-
foods purveyor Marx Foods.
Karma orchids taste like
cucumbers, and purple pansies
(seen here on cookies with
lavender and roses) have a
hint of mint.
195
In addition to buds and blooms, vegetables
can provide a graphic pop. Translucent radish
and cucumber slices give canapés a crisp bite.
“Mitre” large marble server, $25, CB2; cb2.com.

PROP STYLING BY HILARY ROBERTSON/JUDY CASEY; FOOD STYLING BY REBECCA JURKEVICH/EDGE REPS; FLOWERS COURTESY OF MARXFOODS.COM
Yellow nasturtium petals
elevate a salad with a pep-
pery flavor. Most gourmet
botanicals stay fresh for
about a week. “Forest Leaf”
salad and dinner plates,
$33–$41 each, Michael Aram;
bloomingdales.com. “Viridian
Floral” place card, price
upon request, Venamour;
venamour.com. “Marta”
double-old-fashioned glass,
$2, CB2; cb2.com.
TO SEE MORE WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS (AND HOW BUTTERFLY-PEA BLOSSOMS CAN TURN
198 JUNE/JULY 2017 YOUR SIGNATURE DRINK SAPPHIRE BLUE!), VISIT VIDEO.BRIDES.COM.
These colorful petals are
a shortcut to an incredible
presentation, says Marx
Foods’s Matthew Johnson.
“Mother Nature has done
all the work for you.”
Fresh or crystallized blooms
also offer a big impact for
a relatively low cost: Many
can be found for less than
$100 for 100 flowers. Cake,
$7 per slice, A Simple
Cake; asimplecake.com.
YOU’RE
INVITED
W E D D I N G S W E LOV E , I D E A S TO M A K E YO U R OW N
TO
CAPRI
WITH
LOVE
THIS CREATIVE COUPLE TURNED
THEIR DESTINATION WEDDING
INTO AN EPIC CELEBRATION OF
ITALIAN CULTURE
BY GABRIELLA RELLO PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERICH MCVEY

YOU’RE INVITED
TEN YEARS AFTER they first met at the University of Texas, Jessica Latham and Ryan Brooks reconnected as producers on the
film Inocente, which won an Oscar in 2013 for best documentary short. The couple got engaged two years later and decided on a
destination wedding at one of their favorite vacation spots, Italy’s Amalfi Coast. But while scouting venues, Jessica and Ryan fell
for the nearby island of Capri and locked in a private garden and restaurant overlooking the water for their party. “It was
important to us to share a part of the world that we love with our family and closest friends in an authentic way,” the bride says.
“We didn’t want to go to Italy and create a wedding that could have happened anywhere else.” On July 30, 2016, 100 guests gath-
ered on the picturesque coast for a celebration rooted in Italian tradition, with a post-ceremony parade led by a local folk-music
group and a four-course dinner that included salt-crusted fish and a tiramisu cart. After the outdoor reception, everyone con-
tinued the festivities at a nearby club and danced until 5 a.m., then headed back to the bride’s brother’s villa for a swim and an
informal after-party. “The wedding was beyond wonderful, but we thought what made the weekend most special for our guests
was being in such a beautiful place and experiencing new things,” says Jessica. “It’s hard not to be happy in Italy.”

YOU’RE INVITED
DREAM TEAM The FLOWER FANTASY To WHEN IN ITALY Local ROAD TRIP After the
couple relied on their fulfill the bride’s vision touches included dinner ceremony, guests
Italy-based planner. “We of a colorful garden menus embossed on hopped into convert-
shared video calls and wedding, trees at the Italian leather and com- ible taxis for a ride to
tons of photos,” Jessica ceremony site were plimentary espadrilles, the reception that
says. “You can accom- wrapped with lush bought in Capri at doubled as a tour of
plish a lot from afar.” bougainvillea. shops along the harbor. the coastline.
204 JUNE/JULY 2017 FOR MORE DESTINATION WEDDINGS, GO TO BRIDES.COM/REAL-WEDDINGS.

RECEPTION VENUE
Lido del Faro; lido
faro.com. PLANNER
Sugokuii Events;
sugokuii-events.com.
DRESS Vera Wang;
verawang.com.
FLORAL DESIGN
Capri Flor; capriflor
.com. INVITATIONS
Cheree Berry Paper;
chereeberrypaper
.com. PHOTOGRAPHY
Erich McVey; erich
mcvey.com.
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Stephanie and Peter said “I do”
on top of a swimming pool,
thanks to a custom-built platform
lined with lavender.
FASHION FETES
THE LADIES BEHIND DEE HUTTON, A MADE-TO-ORDER-
DRESS LABEL, DESIGNED TWO HIGHLY
CUSTOMIZED EVENTS JUST SEVEN MONTHS APART
BY ANNA PRICE OLSON PHOTOGRAPHS BY CORBIN GURKIN

JOHNS ISLAND,
SOUTH CAROLINA
In true Palmetto
State style, Nedenia
and Reed wed under
rows of palms.
AS COFOUNDERS OF BESPOKE WOMENSWEAR BRAND DEE HUTTON, Nedenia Hutton Craig and Stephanie Brag create
party dresses for a living, so when their boyfriends proposed within four months of each other, it was only natural that the
business partners (and best friends) would dive headfirst into bridal. “It was so special to go through the planning and design
process together,” says Stephanie, the brand’s chief operating officer.
For Nedenia’s nuptials to Reed Edmiston, planned by Tara Guérard at a plantation outside Charleston, South Carolina, she designed
15 dresses, including her own drop-waisted ball gown with a seven-foot train. “I wanted that ‘Who does this girl think she is?’ drama,”
says Nedenia, Dee Hutton’s designer and great-granddaughter of General Foods heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Her bridal par-
ty’s looks were striking as well, with a different yet cohesive collection of styles that varied in material, silhouette, and color.
For Stephanie’s seaside wedding to Peter Enestrom in Newport, Rhode Island, also orchestrated by Guérard, Nedenia again
took the lead on the dresses, creating one for her BFF that featured scalloped straps, a low back, and close-to-the-body lace.
“When I got engaged, Denia showed me a sketch and I fell in love,” says Stephanie, who donned a Dee Hutton sequined mini for
the after-party too. Her 11 bridesmaids and the bride’s and groom’s mothers also wore Nedenia-designed pieces.
With their weddings, the girls caught the bridal bug. Stephanie and Nedenia have since developed a program in which they
work one-on-one with clients to produce custom wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses in as little as six weeks (compared
with the industry standard of eight months). Now, that’s something last-minute brides-to-be—and their girls—can get behind.
YOU’RE INVITED
STEPHANIE & PETER

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND / JUNE 18, 2016
THE COUPLE Stephanie Brag, cofounder and chief operating officer of Dee
Hutton, and Peter Enestrom, education entrepreneur THE WEDDING At a
friend’s home, with a reception following at the New York Yacht Club HOW
THEY MET In 2013, at a mutual friend’s house party in New York City THE PRO-
POSAL On the beach in Antigua on April 3, 2015 THE HONEYMOON A mini-
moon in St. Barth, then a two-week trip to India for their six-month anniversary
GLOBAL RECEPTION With FRAGRANT FLORALS POPS OF COLOR A rug PRIME TIME The day’s
guests coming from 16 Bundles of lavender in Stephanie’s childhood festivities started at
different countries, Peter doubled as favors and bedroom inspired the 4 p.m., when the sun
and Stephanie paid extra escort cards. “The men wedding’s pastel palette, was still strong, so the
attention to seating and loved this idea and put which was woven into couple provided parasols
gathered a mix of nation- the sprigs in their jacket the tent’s draped ceiling and their favorite French
alities at each dinner table. pockets,” says the bride. and floral arrangements. rosé for everyone.

CEREMONY VENUE
Private residence.
RECEPTION VENUE
New York Yacht Club;
nyyc.org. PLANNING
& FLORAL DESIGN
Tara Guérard Soirée;
taraguerardsoiree.com.
DRESS Dee Hutton;
212-488-6800.
PHOTOGRAPHY Corbin
Gurkin Photography;
corbingurkin.com.
YOU’RE INVITED
NEDENIA & REED

JOHNS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA / NOVEMBER 7, 2015
THE COUPLE Nedenia Hutton Craig, cofounder and fashion

designer at Dee Hutton, and Reed Edmiston, media director
THE WEDDING At Fenwick Hall HOW THEY MET As undergrads
at Brown University THE PROPOSAL On December 6, 2014, over
breakfast in their first apartment THE HONEYMOON St. Barth
STYLISH SQUAD The bride CUSTOM I DO’S Nedenia A MASTER PLAN Guérard IMPROVISED TRADITION
dressed her wedding and Reed recited tradi- used calligraphed wine En route to the venue,
party in individualized tional vows but also carafes for table numbers Nedenia realized she
colorful looks. “I wanted put their own touch on and topped each place didn’t have a “something
my bridesmaids to be the ceremony by each setting with a gold pear, blue,” so she drew an
the wow factor,” says the selecting a reading and a last-minute addition R (for Reed) on her hip
designer. asking a friend to speak. and surprise to the bride. with a navy marker.
TO GET THE LOOK SHOWN HERE, TURN TO PAGE 216.

210 JUNE/JULY 2017 FOR MORE CLASSIC WEDDINGS, GO TO BRIDES.COM/REAL-WEDDINGS.
VENUE Fenwick Hall
Plantation; fenwick
hallweddings.com.
PLANNING & FLORAL
DESIGN Tara Guérard
Soirée; taraguerard
soiree.com. DRESS
Dee Hutton; 212-488-
6800. PHOTOGRAPHY
Corbin Gurkin
Photography; corbin
gurkin.com.
VENUE & CATERING The St. Regis
Atlanta; stregisatlanta.com.
PLANNING & FLORAL DESIGN
Alchemy Event Studio; alchemy
eventstudio.com. DRESS Galia
Lahav; galialahav.com. STATIONERY
Jenny’s Paper Ink; 404-329-1970.
PHOTOGRAPHY Reichman Pho-
tography; reichmanphoto.com.
212 JUNE/JULY 2017

YOU’RE INVITED
HIGH COURT ATLANTA / JUNE 11, 2016
THE COUPLE McKenzie Redmon and Detroit Piston

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope THE WEDDING At the St.
Regis Atlanta HOW THEY MET In Dallas, where McKenzie
lived at the time, when Kentavious was in town for a
game THE PROPOSAL In October 2015, at Kentavious’s
house in Atlanta THE HONEYMOON Krabi, Thailand
SOUND ADVICE Retired DRAMATIC ATTIRE ALL-OUT GLAM The CENTER STAGE
NBA player John Battle McKenzie made two bride had a vision Kentavious ended the
officiated the ceremony, grand entrances for a Gatsby-esque night by serenading
sharing lessons from at the reception—the party, minus the McKenzie with a Justin
his nearly-30-year-long second in a beaded beads and feathers. The Bieber song. “It was
marriage and life as jumpsuit with a detach- result: a chic black, magical and hilarious at
a pro athlete. able 12-foot train. white, and gold affair. the same time,” she says.
TO GET THE LOOK SHOWN HERE, TURN TO PAGE 216. FOR MORE
PHOTOGRAPHS BY REICHMAN PHOTOGRAPHY GLAM WEDDINGS, GO TO BRIDES.COM/REAL-WEDDINGS.
YOU’RE INVITED
DINNER IN
THE VINEYARD
KENWOOD, CALIFORNIA / AUGUST 11, 2016
THE COUPLE David Fonseca (opposite, at right), hairstylist and

salon owner, and Christopher Larsen, event coordinator
THE WEDDING At Kunde Family Winery HOW THEY MET On the
sidewalk after a Madonna concert in Chicago in June 2006
THE PROPOSAL While on a boat ride in London’s Regent’s Park
in June 2015 THE HONEYMOON Still to come!
STYLE, REDEFINED The MUSIC MATTERS The PARTY PEOPLE In the SECRET SPOT Guests
grooms wore matching couple entered to their precisely planned seating were bused to the
suits but accessorized fave Beyoncé song, “Halo,” chart, Dave and Chris winery without know-
to fit their own aesthetics. then the wedding party sat guests across the ing exactly where
That meant sparkly read Madonna lyrics table from someone they they were going. “We
loafers for Chris and gray during the ceremony in knew, with new faces wanted it to be a
suspenders for Dave. a nod to how they met. on either side. surprise!” says Chris.
214 JUNE/JULY 2017 PHOTOGRAPHS BY SYLVIE GIL

WHERE THE
MONEY WENT
VENUE
$9,000
PLANNER
$2,100
GROOMS’ ATTIRE
$1,470
WEDDING BANDS
$4,000
CATERING, BEVERAGES
& CAKE
$10,125
FLOWERS
$3,342
INVITATIONS & PAPER
GOODS
$800
MUSIC
$2,034
RENTALS & ADDITIONAL
DECOR
$7,372
MISCELLANEOUS Favors,
gifts, wedding-party makeup,
transportation, cake topper,
guest book, marriage license
$5,294
PHOTOGRAPHY
$12,000
TOTAL
$57,537
FOR 38 GUESTS
VENUE Kunde Family Win-

ery; kunde.com. PLANNER
Sasha Souza Events; sasha
souzaevents.com. FLORAL
DESIGN PoppyStone Floral
Couture; poppystone
designs.com. RENTALS
Bright Event Rentals; bright
rentals.com. CATERER Park
Avenue Catering; parkave
cater.com. PHOTOGRAPHY
Sylvie Gil Photography;
sylviegilphotography.com.
FOR MORE VINEYARD WEDDINGS,

GO TO BRIDES.COM/REAL-WEDDINGS.
YOU’RE INVITED
GET THE LOOK…

“Simply Anna
Antique” bread-
and-butter
plate, $55, Anna
Weatherley;
bloomingdales
.com.
ATLANTA
Lace and
organza
JOHNS ISLAND, dress, $1,640,
SOUTH CAROLINA Casablanca
Bridal;
casablanca
bridal.com.
Silk-faille
dress, $7,825,
JOHNS ISLAND AND NEWPORT COUPLES: CORBIN GURKIN; ATLANTA COUPLE: REICHMAN PHOTOGRAPHY; SHOE: COURTESY OF THE DESIGNER;
Dee Hutton;
212-488-6800. Table
Bouquet, numbers,
$300, Amy $2 each,
Merrick; amy Gracefully
FLOWERS: CARLTON DAVIS; CAKE: BRANDON KIDD PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL OTHERS: COREY MAYWALT, STYLING BY ZAHRA JOHNSON
Shoes, $815, Gianvito merrick.com. Made;
Rossi; gianvitorossi.com. gracefully
madeart
.com.
Alençon-lace dress,
$8,000, Dee Hutton;
212-488-6800.
NEWPORT, Cake, price

RHODE ISLAND upon request,
Roxanne
Floquet
Cake Design;
roxanne
floquet.com.
Lavender
Custom two-color boutonniere,
letterpressed invitation, $12, Ebb &
$5,500 for 100 suites, Flow Flowers;
Christa Alexandra Designs; ebbandflow
christaalexandra.com. flowers.com.

(continued from page 189)
HOW THEY MET: Kimberly and started with an American- church, and my kids going to
Viqar Shariff were introduced style bridal shower in New Sunday school was a big deal
by friends during law school York City and a destination to me. So Viq and I talked
in New Orleans. Once they wedding in Jamaica, then about that ahead of time. Now
started dating, both say, what a Pakistani shower called a going to mass is something we
surprised them wasn’t their Mehndi. (“I sat in a beauti- do—our two daughters and I
differences but some striking fully decorated chair and had more often, but as a family too.
similarities: “Both our moms my feet and hands covered Easter, we all go to church.”
were doctors, and we were in henna,” says Kimberly. CULTURAL MISHAPS: “Both of
both pursuing similar careers,” “Friends had to hold my our girls are much fairer than
says Viqar, who was born in champagne flute up to my I am,” says Kimberly. “One
Pakistan and moved to the lips!”) A Muslim wedding- day when my older daughter
United States when he was six. contract ceremony and recep- was about two, I took her to
“Culturally it’s cool, though, tion followed, during which the park. I’m sitting with a
because you get to experience Kimberly wore a sari and the
Kimberly new things, like going to a DJ played plenty of bhangra
group of women watching the
kids, and a woman comes
& Viqar traditional black church and music. Last stop: a Pittsburgh up and says to me, ‘So how
MARRIED 14 YEARS eating black-eyed peas and reception for those who hadn’t long have you been with this
greens on New Year’s Eve.” been able to travel to Jamaica. family?’ Usually when I’m
THEIR WEDDING: Because of POINT OF COMPROMISE: “One shocked, I’m speechless. But
far-flung family and tradi- thing I felt really strongly this time I immediately said,
tions, their celebration was about was religion,” says ‘Since conception,’ and I just
a yearlong extravaganza. It Kimberly. “I grew up going to walked away.”
(continued from page 193)
BLENDED BACKGROUNDS: farmland when the Japanese because I’m from Hawaii,
“I define myself as hapa, were interned. After my mom I felt such separation from
which in Hawaii basically met the family, my uncle apol- it. It didn’t occur to me that
means half anything and half ogized for that.” this would play out in my life.
white,” says Claire James. Her PAST AND PRESENT: “We’re But it does now, every day.”
father is Filipino, and her trying to hold on to cultural BREAKING BOUNDARIES: “At the
mother is a meld of Irish, touchstones for the kids,” time my folks got married, they
Dutch, Mexican, “and proba- says Claire. “We celebrate wouldn’t have been legally
bly a few other things.” Mat- Hinamatsuri—Girls’ Day—a allowed to do so in certain
thew also identifies as hapa: Japanese tradition, and we take states,” says Matthew. “Claire’s
His father, a military man, is them to visit the Philippines.” mother came from Beverly
Irish, German, and English; his There, people would often Hills. I’m sure it was a surprise
mother is from a Japanese mistake Matthew for Filipino, for her friends when she
family that’s been in Hawaii and “when they learned he married an island guy. In terms
for four generations. “My was Japanese, you could sense of multiethnic families, our
Claire Japanese grandfather saw the the disappointment,” she says. parents were the real pioneers.
& Matthew planes fly over the pineapple Matthew adds, “You feel a For us, this is just normal, and
MARRIED 10 YEARS fields to Pearl Harbor and flood of history falling upon it’ll be even less notable to our
enlisted in the U.S. military you. During World War II, kids.” According to Claire,
immediately,” says Matthew. Japan occupied and was terri- their daughter summed it up
“On the other side, my father’s ble to the Philippines. I knew best: “She’d say, ‘I’m 2 percent
father and brother got some that from textbooks, but of everything in the world.’ ”
ROBERT MAXWELL, STYLING BY ELEANOR STRAUSS
BRIDES IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS INC. COPYRIGHT ©2017 CONDÉ NAST. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. VOLUME 84, NO. 3. Brides (ISSN 1084-1628) is published
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WEDDING TRADITIONS
Jacqueline Kennedy tosses

her bouquet of spray orchids
and gardenias from the stair-
case at Hammersmith Farm in
Newport, Rhode Island, where
she married John F. Kennedy on
September 12, 1953.
THE BOUQUET TOSS

Ever wonder why some single ladies duke it out on the dance floor to catch the prized bridal
bouquet? The practice dates to the 14th century: The bride was thought to be extraordinarily lucky,
and it was common for wedding guests to rip off shreds of her dress (while she was wearing it!)
GLASSHOUSE IMAGES/ALAMY
and grab at her bouquet to claim a bit of good fortune for themselves. But in England, women got fed
up with people—think drunken groomsmen—attacking their bridal ensembles and came up
with the garter toss to steer them away. While it’s still customary to throw the garter, tossing the
bouquet became another diversionary tactic. So at the end of the night, as your girls are
getting into formation, take a moment to be grateful that the crowd is in a frenzy over your
flowers and not tearing apart your new Vera Wang. —Anna Price Olson

Brides USA - June-July 2017

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Contents

186 LOVE ACTUALLY

best of their traditions and

8 JUNE/JULY 2017 (continued on page 16)

16 JUNE/JULY 2017 (continued on page 22)

22 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks

Senior Wedding Style Editor Kate Donovan

“Homemade Copy Director Michael Casey

PUBLISHED BY CONDÉ NAST

Chief Financial Ofﬁcer David E. Geithner

SVP & Managing Director, 23 Stories Josh Stinchcomb

36 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

BRIDES ADVERTISING OFFICES

CONDÉ NAST ENTERTAINMENT

CONDÉ NAST INTERNATIONAL

Condé Nast is a global media company producing premium content

38 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

40 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

• Finalize the seating chart. day of. (manicure, pedicure). • Beautify.

48 JUNE/JULY 2017 GET MORE WEDDING-PLANNING TIPS AT BRIDES.COM/IDEAS.

HAUTE MESS RANT & RSVP

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SAY GETTING 58% SAY NO WAY!

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BRIDES.COM JUNE/JULY 2017 65

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90 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

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92 JUNE/JULY 2017 (continued on page 96)

MALONE/TRUNK ARCHIVE; COREY MAYWALT, STYLING BY DAVID KAGAN (3)

96 JUNE/JULY 2017 (continued on page 100)

Use a cheek duo to sweep a

INDULGE YOUR SKIN WITH 11 AGE-DEFYING BENEFITS.

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116 JUNE/JULY 2017 BRIDES.COM

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JUNE/JULY 2017 125

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