To the Moon and Back

One year ago, Chris Plaza proposed to Jeremy. And in The Bride Candy way, he did it right from the pages of a storybook. The proposal was featured on the cover of Style Me Pretty during 2019 Pride month. Chris wrote about the experience last year. Here’s the story from Jeremy’s point of view.

Photography by Vanessa Velez Photography and Enuel Viera Photography

How it happened

As a man, I always assumed that I’d be the one doing the proposing in life. I was ready to propose to my partner Chris – we had been together over two years, had weathered a few storms together, and were still as madly in love with each other as we were at the beginning of our relationship. It’s hard to be totally sure of anything in life, but I was sure that I wanted to spend it with Chris by my side. But then something completely crazy happened. Before I could propose to him, he proposed to me. The story of Chris’ proposal to me is the story of our love. It’s a beautiful story, told in minutes but unfolding over years, as unique and ephemeral as each of his floral creations and just as beautiful.

The Setup

My Thursday on February 28 was fairly normal until my boss told me to leave work for the day at 3:30 PM. She was getting over the flu, she said, and had decided to close shop. It was unusual, but I took it as a happy little gift of extra time. It wasn’t until I got home that I instantly realized that this would be a special day. I opened the front door of the townhome I share with Chris to discover a fork on the kitchen counter and a note hanging from the ceiling:

Pop each balloon with fork. Hurry! Don’t keep me waiting. – Chris

Beyond this was a trail of single balloons hanging from the ceiling on clear wire. I had to take a moment to smile – Chris had done this once before early in our relationship. We had been dating only a few months and I had gone on a weeklong work trip. When I came back I found a similar note. Each balloon was filled with confetti and a piece of a love note, leading me though the first floor, up the stairs, through the master bedroom to a couple’s bath filled with rose petals and surrounded by candles. It was a moment that always stood out to me as the point where I realized that Chris showed his love differently and more powerfully than anyone I had ever met, and I was smitten.

The memory washed over me. I was left with gratitude and goosebumps. He had made these balloons with purpose, knowing the significance to me. I didn’t know what lay ahead, but I knew it would be big. I took the fork and plunged it forward into the first burst of this incredible experience. The white balloon exploded, sending metallic confetti scattering in all directions. And just as I thought, in it was a note – it had the name of the place where we first met. I followed the trail of balloons, popping them one by one and reliving the other milestones of our relationship: the place where we took our first date, the place where I asked Chris to be my boyfriend, the place where we said I love you for the first time.

The trail of balloons led me upstairs to our bedroom. There on the bed he had laid out clothes for me – a crisp new white shirt and beautiful green jacket, and on it a watch, a rustic compass we picked up at a bookstore in Montreal, and my old travel journal, open to a new page. And above this was one final balloon. I popped it, and read the note: Curtiss Mansion, the next step in our journey together.

The Letter

I picked up the travel journal. I had kept it as a diary when I travelled through Asia in my twenties, but there were a few blank pages left in it. In those pages, Chris had written:

Remember the first time we got lost in each other’s eyes? The whole World melted around us and nothing was left but you and me. Since that day every embrace, every kiss, every memory has written a love story named after us. Since I met you my life has been an adventure, one I never thought was possible. Our love is written in the stars and there are moments we have spent together that some only read about in books and hear in love songs. You have always looked for adventure, and I ask are you ready for the next chapter? Do you take me forever? This time I leave you with something to find me, maybe not a glass slipper but a trail of balloons leading to an address. There I will be waiting.

The Mansion

I arrived at the Curtiss Mansion dressed in my fresh new suit, ready for the next step in our journey. As I entered the large central courtyard, the first thing I saw at the far end of the yard was a violinist in a flowing white dress. She was playing our song - Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” – and I started to tear up. I walked through the courtyard to the backyard area and was floored by what I saw. Chris had transformed the back gate to the garden into a storybook landscape. The gate is already surrounded by a stone arch with a strangler fig creeping down it. He had added flowers and greenery crawling up the sides of the gate. And a whimsical scroll of muslin fabric with calligraphy covered the gate and spilled forward as an aisle, flanked by pillar candles. I looked closer – that calligraphy was his note to me that he left in my old travel journal.

To the side was a beautiful vintage head table with a massive arrangement. I saw white anemones, roses, ranunculus, delphiniums, carnations, spray roses, and greenery. I knew he chose to use anemones because they are one of my favorite flowers. And to Chris, roses reminded him of growing up in his father’s rose garden so they were significant too.

And then there was Chris, standing on the scroll, on the first page of the next chapter of our lives. He was dressed in a beautiful pink suit and that same amazing smile, and once I saw him everything else melted away. It was just him and me in the moment. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, and I closed the distance between us.

The Proposal

He took my hands, looked into my eyes, went down on one knee, and said those magic words:

Jeremy you are my everything. I want the world to know just how much I love you. I want you to know that I choose you forever. And now I need to know – Jeremy Paul Mason – will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?

And then he offered me the ring.

I realize that in life you sometimes have to take a brave new start in any journey. You don’t always see the moment before it arrives, but the truth is there are clues that lead the way. In that moment, I thought of that path. I thought of coastal sunset “I love you”s, long candlelit baths surrounded by roses, hiking on childhood Connecticut trails, and loving glances across that Montreal bookstore. I thought of watching his eyes sparkle with wonder whenever butterflies are around, soaring together over Miami Beach in a helicopter, cutting out pictures and putting our dreams on a vision board, and releasing sky lanterns filled with those dreams into the Miami night air.

And then suddenly in a moment it all came into focus, the one true most important path forward in life’s journey. That journey is with Chris: in the sunshine, in the rain, in the dark and light, to the moon and back. Because our love is from the stars, and it shimmers and grows every day. Chris made the brave step and grand gesture of asking me to take this new journey with him. The only possible answer was yes.

All About Bride Bouquets

Bride bouquets have been part of weddings since the beginning. Your bridal bouquet is the statement piece of the wedding.  Bridal bouquets to florists and floral designers are the most important floral arrangement of the entire wedding. This one arrangement is featured in most of the wedding photos and is probably the only arrangement that is kept forever. Where does this tradition stem from? How many different style and trends exist ? Let’s talk flowers and bouquets !

History and meaning

Bride bouquets date back to Roman times. They were used for weddings as symbols of new beginnings, fidelity, and fertility. In the middle ages they used more herbs in their bridal bouquets. Especially herbs like Dill and garlic, Which were believed to keep evil spirits and bad Luck away. In Victorian times bridal bouquets were often used for a message, almost like secret code. Each flower sent a different message. For example:

Dasie: loyal love, gentleness, innocence.

Peonie : Happy marriage,prosperity, and bashfulness.

Sunflower: false richest 

STYLES

Bride bouquets come in many shapes, designs, sizes and color schemes. They are tailored to each brides particular wedding style. Some brides like their bouquets small and delicate and other like their  bouquets to be a statement piece. Bouquets can be really round, some very loose and some cascade flowers which give it a waterfall effect. Most of my brides Choose very loose bouquets.  I have discovered that most brides want their bouquets to be “just right” for their particular body but yet still be a statement piece . The perfect marriage 😉.Make sure to tell your florist or floral designer how tall you are, send a full body photo or even a photo of you in your dress.

Trends 

Bouquets have definitely become more trendy. In the 90’s cascading bouquets  were the it thing. However I think this generation bride go for loose bouquets and have their bridesmaids boquets be smaller less elaborate versions of their bouquets. Flowers like the protea make for a statement flower brides love. For a more romantic bride peonies are a must! Dried flowers and dried grasses like pampas mixed with greenery is all the rage. Even though light colors like blush and creams will never go out of style, brides are steering more towards a “moody” look and feel. Often brides combine both which make for the perfect marriage of trendy and traditional. 

Bridal bouquets are the cherry on top of the perfect bride. There are so many different styles colors and options how do you choose?! Maybe you can incorporate flowers that have meaning to you and your partner almost like the Victorians did. Try going with a bouquet that is proportionate to your body ( ask your florist ). Get to know your style as a bride, remember you are getting to know this part of you and your choices may surprise you. Make sure you have your designer make a bouquet you don’t want to toss. This is the arrangement you will hold as you walk down the isle to your fairytale and will remember always. 

Trends, Traditions, and Themes: How to have a themed wedding (that’s not too cheesy)

We all see those cool themed weddings shared on Pinterest and think “wow how did they pull that off?” Well here's how. It's easy to take a theme and make it cheesy by adding so many elements it almost looks like a child's birthday party. In this photo shoot we were inspired by The Nightmare before Christmas. We took the theme and added trends and a splash of tradition to make a happy marriage and a stunning wedding concept.

Be trendy!

If you’re going after a theme, you’ll want it to look cool and current. We definitely had that at the top of our mind when we planned this photoshoot. Using a moody color palette is popular right now, so we decided to use those colors rather than using the bright purple and orange colors that are more closely associated with Halloween. Pampas grass is also very trendy and it signifies Autumn, and it matches the season of the photoshoot. No matter what, you want your guests to feel like they’re walking into a fresh experience that’s whimsical and fun.

Don’t be afraid of the old

Tradition might seem like it’s sooo yesterday, but it’s also a shortcut to instantly creating moods that are familiar to just about anyone. By using elements like a black lace gown, a black cast iron urn, a black iron gate, a crimson wax seal on the menus, and a low bun as a hairstyle we were able to immediately evoke a Gothic Victorian feel in this photoshoot.  These are all symbols from hundreds of years ago that are still relevant today. These symbols ground the visual experience in something that is familiar and gives it a foundation. 

But don’t be too obvious

It would have been too easy to just use the characters from Nightmare Before Christmas or use a lot of Halloween decorations and call it a day. So instead of using spiderwebs or fake gravestones, we referenced the feel of the movie by using colors and subtle hints, like the Nightmare Before Christmas cake topper, or using white pumpkins which are more understated than the orange ones. Less is more here – you only need one or two elements from the actual theme to drive the point home. 

So if you’re going after a theme, don’t be spooked. There’s a classy and elegant way to showcase your passion. Just remember that when it comes to a themed event, less is actually more – just let your guests take the subtle journey into your theme with you, giving them an experience they’ll long remember.

LGBTQ+ And Getting Married in 2019

The wedding industry is evolving and becoming more diverse and inclusive. Ever since gay marriage became legal in all 50 states four years ago the LGBTQ+ community no longer is invisible. Over time, it became more common to see non-straight narratives in advertisements and more industries have shown their support, but unfortunately we still have a long way to go. This dawned on me one day as I experienced what it is like to feel uncomfortable while looking for a wedding vendor. Still, there’s a lot of positive things that have happened over the years so here’s a little of my experience. I also included advice for those of you who are in the industry on how to become a better LGBTQ+ Ally.

Photography by Juan Saco Mironoff

Mr. & Mrs. 

One thing I always thought was tacky were the Mr. and Mrs. signs – at least until I walked into a store and saw Mr. and Mr. gift bags. I had never seen them casually displayed anywhere before. It’s nice to see how inclusive the market has become. Now, you see cards for same-sex couples, cake toppers, all types of merchandise that never existed before. But as great as it is to see more inclusive items, sometimes they can still make people uncomfortable. A venue I visited had a Mr. & Mrs. sign hammered to their wall. As a same-sex couple (speaking for Jeremy and myself) it’s not a problem to see something like this, but when it’s permanently attached to the wall it shows my partner and I that you never thought to cater to same sex couples. So if you yourself own a business, keep in mind if you have novelty bridal items such as Mr. & Mrs. and no same-sex selection it looks as though you are not an ally or comfortable working with same-sex couples. Just something to keep in mind – a little effort goes a long way. 

Say yes to the dress 

One scary experience for same-sex couples is showing up to a vendor meeting with your partner and having the vendor look at you in shock. I had an experience like this that I want to forget, but it happened to Jeremy and me. I made the mistake of not mentioning my fiancé was a man. Luckily, we have mostly had vendors greet us with open arms, and so have other same-sex couples we know. Jeremy’s cousin was afraid of poor treatment when calling to reserve slots for her and her fiancé Nicole’s wedding dress fitting. She wanted to mention that they were a same-sex couple on the phone to one bridal shop but before she could say it, the associate asked if they were and made them feel totally comfortable. This made them feel good, because there is always a fear someone might make you feel unwanted.  No one wants to made feel different or ashamed for who they love.

Photography by Manolo Doreste

Gay wedding

Some people get so excited when they hear about gay weddings. Their curiosity gets the better of them. They ask things like: Who is the bride? The groom? Is it the same as a heterosexual wedding? The answer is none of that matters. All weddings are the same, it’s two people are taking a vow to be together forever. It’s not a gay wedding – it’s a wedding. Most traditions are the same but same sex couples tend to be a little less traditional. In the LGBTQ+ community we try and be inclusive with everyone. We try not to label everything and everyone in masculine/feminine terms. So let’s shy away from assuming it’s always bride/groom. Instead ask: Are you the bride? And your what’s your fiancé’s name? Do this instead of handing over a form to fill out with the words bride and groom printed on it. 

Photography by laylledigitalmedia

The key to being an ally is simply showing a bit of support. Treat the LGBTQ+ community with the same respect as one would for any other couple. We are all human and I am a firm believer that we are here to love. Let’s break away from our old school  thoughts of only man/ woman weddings. Not everyone is the same, and together we can make the world more inclusive and an overall better place.

Bigger Isn't Always Better

I think we all picture our wedding day the way they are in movies. Doors open, your heart drops and a sea of faces look at you in awe as you walk down the aisle. Most of us dream of a big wedding, lord knows I did before I became I planner. A big wedding means less one on one time with your guests. Think of it this way, the average wedding can be 150 people give or take. Let’s say you give each guest 2 minutes of your time and times that by the number of guests. That’s 5 hrs of time for 150 guests at two minutes each! Let’s not forget the time it takes for pictures, toasts, dances, so on and so forth. Some brides even forget to eat! I can’t tell you how many full plates of food I have seen on the head table!

In some instances, having a big wedding is inevitable or sometimes you just want a big wedding and that’s ok! If you want a big wedding I say do it!! Here are some tips on how to manage your guests while enjoying your time

• Have distractions. Keep your guests entertained the entire night so you don’t have to! One simple way is the infamous photo booth (Dipp Photo Booth). People love photo booths. Not only will they be distracted but they’ll have a nice souvenir to bring home. There are plenty of creative ways to distract your guests. I once went to a barnyard wedding where you got to ride on a horse and buggy!

• Opt to have the “first look” and get most of your pictures over with before the Ceremony begins. It’ll save you more time to enjoy your reception. Therefore giving you more time with your guests.

• I always suggest hiring a "Day-of Coordinator" (Oh My Occasions) . The Day-of Coordinator not only will ensure everything runs smoothly but will be the one to make sure everything runs in a timely fashion, giving you more time. That person will guide your guests to where they must go and direct all your vendors so you wont have to.

For my big wedding bride and grooms I hope these pointers will help you. Marriage with the “one” only happens once. Don’t get consumed with all the hustle and bustle. ENJOY your special day! Make plans on how to accommodate your guests and of course yourselves. Plan ahead or hire someone to do that for you. Never forget what is important, celebrating your love!!

The Story Of Us

Photography by Vanessa Velez Photography and Enuel Viera Photography

Gay Bingo

Three years ago I left my family, my friends, everything I knew in search of love and happiness. I lived in Connecticut my entire life and felt like I didn’t belong. I lived in Miami for less than three months when I started to volunteer for a non profit organization organizing their yearly gala. Thats when I meet him, Jeremy Mason. I first heard him speak on the phone and I was so intimidated by him, though I never saw his face - he spoke so eloquently and refined. It wasn’t until one fateful night that my friend Kevin dragged me out to “Gay Bingo” where drag queens called out the bingo numbers and they offered shots to all who participated. Thats when I saw him, and I will never forget that moment. The first thing I noticed was his piercing green eyes and bright smile. I felt a spark between us even though I convinced myself he wasn’t my type. I enjoyed seeing him blush as I flashed my pearly whites. It felt good to have someone so smart be so smitten over me. It was then I invited him for tacos with my friends. And right when we got to tacos, I realized that I never put more money in the parking meter! So I left, not even leaving him a glass slipper. I did however take the taco.

The Balloons

Jeremy was persistent. He invited me to the beach which I later cancelled to travel back to Connecticuit for the birth of my nephew. When I came back, we finally had the opportunity to open up at a birthday party my friend threw for me . It was then we got lost in each others eyes. We spoke about our dreams, our ambitions, where we wanted to travel. That night was the first time we kissed and from then on we were together everyday. We had long talks in a bathtub filled with candles, explored parts of Florida I had never seen. It wasn’t until he left on a weeklong work trip that I started to realize I was falling In love. I needed to show Jeremy my feelings, but how? Then one of the most memorable things happened, the night of the balloons. When Jeremy came back I left a note hanging that said “pop each balloon with fork and read the messages inside”. I hung balloons from the ceiling leading up to the bedroom. When he popped each ballon confetti would burst out and each one had a message. When he reached the bedroom it was filled with candles and Sam Smith “Lay Me Down” was playing. That was the first time we danced to that song. A month later under a pink and orange Miami sunset we said “I love you” for the first time.

The Next Step

Fast forward moving in together, meeting our families, and making a life together - we talked about the next step, engagement. I’ve dreamt of getting married since I was a little boy playing with flowers in my father’s garden and I knew Jeremy was the one. So I waited for him to ask me. Until one day I told my sister I wanted to beat him to it. “You know this is the 10th time you told me this, Chris. You’re going to do it, I know you!” she said. It was then I realized what I had to do and a week later I had a ring in my hand and the planning process began. It was one of the most stressful, nerve racking, emotional times in my life. I planned every detail. I would recreate the moment with the balloons but this time the messages would have a location where something significant happened in our relationship. The last balloon however was a new location, the location was where I would wait for him. Underneath that balloon I would lay out his clothes I bought for him and his travel journal he wrote in when he traveled in Asia. I would write a love letter hinting what was going to happen next and tell him to meet me at the location written in the message. When he reached the location a violinist would play our song – “Lay Me Down”– and I would be waiting under a beautiful floral installation (made by me of course) and a massive muslin scroll with the letter I wrote, written by a calligrapher. The morning of the proposal I woke up. I had never been so happy or ready in my entire life. As While I created the floral installation alone, and I reminisced on all the memories we had made together. After today we would start a new chapter.

The Letter

Remember the first time we got lost in each other’s eyes? The whole world melted around us and nothing was left but you and me. Since that day every embrace, every kiss, every memory has written a love story named after us. Since I meet you my life has been an adventure, one I never thought was possible. Our love is written in the stars and there are moments we have spent together that some only read about in books and hear in love songs. You have always looked for adventure, and I ask are you ready for the next chapter? Do you take me forever? This time I leave you with something to find me, maybe not a glass slipper but a trail of balloons leading to an address. There I will be waiting.

The Proposal

As my photo was being taken inside the venue I could see his car pull in to the parking lot. My heart dropped – it was go time. I ran through the courtyard to where my most beautiful creation, built with love, was waiting. As I stood there, ring in hand, I could hear the door from the courtyard open and close. “He’s here!” I could hear someone say. That’s when the violinist started playing and I could see him walking towards me in awe and disbelief. I grabbed his hand and said the words I had practiced a hundred times. It wasn’t until I said “Will you make me the happiest man alive…” where everything turned vivid and then melted away where nothing was left but Jeremy. His eyes were the same piercing green I had seen when I saw him for the first time, and for a moment I felt like I relived that moment. Only this time I was in love and I was about to ask him to take me forever. “…And marry me” I said, finishing my sentence as I went on one knee. Everything after that was a blur. I remember hearing him say yes and hugging him. We both shook as we held each other crying. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with joy I couldn’t stop kissing him. This was it, the moment we had been waiting for and it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Today, Tomorrow, Forever

I am so lucky for far more than this beautiful story that has unfolded. I meet my prince and he is far better than I had ever dreamt. I don’t know how our story will continue. We haven’t decided on a wedding date or picked out colors, but we have the rest of our lives to have a wedding. We are just enjoying this moment, dreaming of forever. Jeremy, you are far more than any fairytale prince, more than a dream engagement. I have the privilege of waking up everyday with you next to me and growing old with you. I love you, now and forever.

4 Gorgeous Wedding Dresses And The Dreamer Who Created Them

Photography: @findinglightphotography
Dress @dorasasu
Florals @thebridecandy
Planner @ohmyoccasions
Hair/makeup @tashymariemakeup
Model @camicuesta_
Stationary @tintaypulso
Venue @penthouserw

Dora Sasu is a wedding dress designer born and raised in Romania and now residing in Miami Florida. Dora’s soul is as beautiful as the wedding dresses she designs. Her story is written in her dresses which she has named after the people she loves. This is a story about 4 dresses and a childhood dream turned reality. Let’s get to know her and the dresses she creates.

Styling and planning @socoalicea
Photo: @ericamelissa_
Floral design: @rodristudio
Venue: @thetemplehouse
Makeup & Hair: @katytc
Headpiece: @roxlynch
Model: @camicuesta_
Dress: @dorasasu

The Lilian

Dora has been sewing by hand since she was seven years old. She would sneak into her mothers closet and take old clothes so she could sew dresses for her dolls. The Lilian dress was named after Dora‘s mother. Dora’s design style is sexy and elegant. So to reflect her mothers graceful reserved persona this dress is the most modest of her collection. The beading of the dress has no sparkle but adds beauty and texture to the entire dress. Lace is in homage to how delicate her mother was. This dress defines elegance with a subtle approach – her rendition of her mother as a dress.

The Isabella

Dora received her first sewing machine at 14 years old. In high school she wore her clothes and people would ask her where she got them. This is the age where she started to get paid to make clothes for other people as a side gig. Growing up in Romania there wasn’t many options for clothing so it was interesting for her to see who had a different style of clothing from other parts of the world. The Isabella was named after her cousin she admired for her style which she described as sexy and Italian. 

The Michelle 

Throughout her life, Dora has never stopped sewing. Even in college or when she was waitressing she would sew on her breaks. She later moved to the United States where she eventually started working for a production company that produced weddings and other events. This is where she was inspired to create wedding dresses. The Michelle was named after a friend of hers she cared for very much. Michelle felt very lonely and Dora understood the feeling as they both left their homes in Romania to build a new life in the United States. Even though Michele is an introvert, Dora made the Michele dress sparkle so that it could bring light in to her life and make the sadness go away. Almost like the night sky even in its darkness the stars still sparkle.

The Viorela 

Designer wedding dresses are mostly hand beaded and sewn. This was a talent Dora honed over years of sewing. So she started doing photo shoots for her dresses. The more she created, the better she got and the more innovative her dresses became. The Viorela was named after her father Viore. Dora met her father later on in life and discovered that he liked to sew as well. In fact he loves unique styles and patterns like she does. He would often get his clothes made and designed for himself. She took this into consideration when creating this dress/pantsuit and made it interchangeable. This is her favorite of the collection and is three outfits in one. The pant suit comes with a train and a skirt that turns it in to a dress. 

Photography: @findinglightphotography
Dress @dorasasu
Florals @thebridecandy
Planner @ohmyoccasions
Hair/makeup @tashymariemakeup
Model @camicuesta_
Stationary @tintaypulso
Venue @penthouserw

Dara started designing dresses full-time a year ago. I think what I love most about Dora’s collection is learning about her story. I think it’s amazing when a dreamer makes their childhood dream a reality. Dora’s devotion for sewing her whole life has manifested beautiful dresses created with love for brides to be. When you wear one, it’s as if you’re wearing love itself. Not only has she made beautiful dresses but touched the hearts of all the women who wear them.

How to deal with loss before your Wedding

Most of us have dealt with the loss of a loved one. No matter if we are prepared for it or not, it can be very heartbreaking. What does one do when you are planning a wedding and a family member passes away? It’s a nightmare turned reality for some unlucky people - one that I’ve seen happen a few times. 

Ways to cope 

There is no magic antidote or any medicine that can help you cope with a death of a loved one especially right before such an important time in your life. I think one of the best ways to cope is by making their presence known at your wedding. One of my brides had an ofrenda that is customary in her culture. An offenda is a table filled with photos, candles, and flowers for loved ones who have passed. Right before she walked down the aisle, she visited it and made a prayer. This helped her pay her respects and made her feel complete. Many people choose to do very similar things like having a photo of their loved one on a table where everyone can see. Some even leave an empty chair with a photo of them at the ceremony. You can even add a locket to your bouquet with a photo. These things won’t take your pain away but it will make you feel as though they are there with you and every little reminder of them helps. 

It’s ok to cry 

Let it out, it’s OK to cry. You are already going through so many emotions. This is a stressful and very happy time in your life. Losing someone you love is devastating for some. But remind yourself of the love that they had for you. Would they want you to feel this pain on your wedding day? Ask yourself this question and think about how happy they are for you even though they are unable to be there for you physically . This is the time when all of your family members will be together and even though there will be a moment of sadness you will all rejoice with happiness for the love and marriage that has been created.

They are always with you 

I believe that the people you love stay with you way after they are gone. They live in our hearts and in our memories. I’ve lost a few people that I love very much and I’ve noticed over time that they have made their presence known to me in some way or another. I’ve had my grandparents visit me in dreams before birthdays, and photos appear in random places at times when I needed them the most. If you believe in life after death we must remember that they will always watch over us and send their love and blessings no matter where they are. 

I never like to see my brides go through such a hard time right before an event they have dreamt of for most of their lives. I’ve had brides lose their loved one a day before her wedding. I have seen strength in these beautiful women and I have seen happiness in them too. Death is a part of life – it’s a new chapter and with all new chapters we must accept that they are moving on to a better place. Even though they are no longer with us physically they live in our hearts forever.

5 Things Every Budget Bride Should Know when Ordering Her Wedding Flowers

Shopping around for your wedding flowers can be fun and exciting. There are so many different styles, color, and flower choices that the possibilities are endless. However a lot of us are so excited that we lose sight of reality and how much these dream weddings cost. So let’s put the vision board away and let’s talk about five things you should know before shopping for wedding flowers.

Beware of Pinterest

Floral designers both hate and love Pinterest. Pinterest is helpful when looking for examples for your wedding flowers. We often ourselves look for inspiration through Pinterest too! We like to showcase our work on it as well. But beware – what you see on Pinterest is usually the best of the best. So even though you might think it’s inexpensive it can actually cost a lot more than you think. We often see tips and tricks on Pinterest that are inaccurate or misleading. I encourage you to use it as a tool to get to know your style – just be careful not to fall down the Pinterest hole.

Budget 

Have a budget in mind. I can’t stress this enough – this is the most important thing you can do. We often don’t realize that things add up even if we go with the most budget friendly options. Your florist will ask you for your budget and can steer you in the right direction to make sure you can adapt your vision to your budget. This can save you a lot of time when choosing your florist and your floral options. Keep in mind it doesn’t necessarily mean that everything will come out right on the money with budget. But you will avoid getting a $10,000 proposal when your budget is actually $3,000. So come up with a reasonable budget and inspiration and let the professionals do the work for you. Keep in mind you’ll also have to pay for other costs, like set up, breakdown, and labor. Most brides have never ordered wedding flowers before so it’s natural to not know how much things cost and how things work.

Keep an open mind

We all have a vision of our dream wedding. But when being budget friendly, we should keep an open mind. Give your floral designer a bit of design freedom when creating your wedding flowers. This doesn’t mean not to go with what you want but often times I see very specific details that bring the price up. Remember, florists are the professionals who can help guide you into giving you the look you want for a better price. Find a florist whose design aesthetic you really enjoy – that way you can trust their decisions when creating your dream wedding. Make sure to be clear about what you like and dislike. Budget friendly doesn’t mean not getting the look you want. Any good designer will have your back in this process.

Flowers

When searching for inspiration photos, we see all these gorgeous flowers that create an intricate and detailed look. Stay away from flowers like peonies, ranunculus, King Protea, orchids and garden roses. These are very trendy but they are very costly as well. Stick to flowers like roses, carnations, stock, and hydrangeas. This doesn’t mean your invoice will come out to be dirt cheap but you can get more for your money this way. If you are truly in love with exotic flowers then try going smaller with your arrangements or mixing budget friendly flowers with a few statement flowers. Also, having lots of greenery does not mean your bill will be cheaper. It takes a lot of greenery to fill up vases and floral installations. Labor is also something we should keep in mind, so even if we go for the most budget friendly of flowers the labor plays a big part in the grand total as well.

Keep it  small 

The less you get, the less expensive it will be. Try and keep your guest count low. The lower the guest count, the less tables you need, so you’ll need fewer centerpeices. This can also help you get the look you want without having to buy so many of them. Some of the most beautiful weddings are small. Having smaller quantities means being able to spend more per arrangement. I’ve seen small weddings of 30 guests look like big elaborate weddings.  A common mistake I see brides make is having big bridal parties. Even if your bouquets and boutonnieres are budget friendly the more you have to get the more it’s going to cost. For example, let’s say you chose an inexpensive bridesmaids bouquet that’s $30, multiply that by 10 bridesmaids the cost goes up to $300 and that’s not including any of the personals like boutonnieres , corsages, etc.

Don’t be afraid my love! I’m here to help guide you in the right direction. Don’t be discouraged – your wedding is already beautiful all on its own. You are marrying the love of your life and flowers are the frame for the beautiful fairytale you and your partner have created. We all deserve a beautiful wedding no matter the budget. Have a beautiful day and blessings always.

Destination Bride

Photography by BowtiePhotography

Florals by The Bride Candy

Venue Holiday Inn Miami Beach

Miami is a hub for destination weddings. So it’s common for  people in the wedding industry to work with brides and grooms from all over the globe. Sometimes we don’t get to meet our clients until the day of the wedding. Recently, I created a beautiful tropical themed wedding for a sweetheart named Kaytie. Let’s get to know a little about Kaytie’s story and why she chose to be a destination bride.

Kaytie admits to selling him lots of shoes and socks just so he would spend time with her (so cute).

Why Destination ?

Kaytie is from Minnesota and Nick is from Miami. They meet in North Dakota but now live in Minnesota. Nick was in the air-force and met Kaytie while she was working at a shoe store while in college. So why Miami? Most of Nick’s family lives in Miami and a few can’t travel. So they decided to bring the wedding to them. It was the perfect excuse to enjoy the warm tropical weather in February. Most brides choose a destination wedding because they like to travel and usually choose warm beautiful locations. A wedding is the perfect excuse to make it a vacation, which also makes the wedding experience more fun for the guests. It’s also quite common to choose to do a destination wedding because of family related things. 

Kaytie: “We were both obsessed with the arch for the ceremony. It was exactly what we wanted. I also loved the bouquets, they were beautiful and we got so many compliments on everything.”

Me: Blushes

Adventurous Wedding Style

Most of my destination brides choose a style to reflect the location of their wedding. They choose to make their wedding experience feel like they are in a different part of the world. Kaytie was one of those brides. She and Nick wanted the beach to be the focus of attention when it came to decoration . They chose tropical greenery to match the aesthetic of the tropical foliage in South Florida. It was sleek, timeless, and elegant, giving you the feeling of adventure and romance. She and her husband are modest in style and chose neutral colors and flowers. Kaytie’s dress flowed in the wind as she walked. It was really romantic and she looked beautiful as she walked down the aisle.

Traveling Love 

I asked Kaytie what her favorite part of the wedding was. She said she loved seeing both their families intertwined. They have family from all over the country. It meant the world to her that people came from all over to celebrate her and Nick’s love. I think she speaks for most destination brides. What could be more wonderful than to experience another part of the world with the people you love most? Weddings are magical and romantic and are the essence of celebrating love. This is the perfect way to get the perfect wedding setting. 

My favorite part 

The destination bride is a woman who seeks to celebrate love with adventure. What I love about my destination brides is the experience of meeting someone from far away and making their wedding dreams come true. I have met so many amazing women from all over. My favorite part of Kaytie’s wedding was when I was leaving - I felt someone hug me from behind and say “I loved everything, thank you”. It was her, and that’s a memory that I will always remember. I not only got to meet a sweet girl from Minnesota full of love and adventure but I also got to make her wedding day just a little bit more beautiful. Kaytie, thank you for choosing me as your florist! It was my honor to create your wedding day flowers and to get to know you and learn your love story .

I sometimes never meet my destination brides until the day of the wedding. Through emails and phone calls I get to learn about each one in the process and who they are as a person. I’ve met some pretty amazing, interesting people. It’s one of the things I love most about my job.