The 3 things a Bride forgets on her Wedding Day

A wedding day can be extremely stressful especially if it’s under the blazing South Florida sun. Stress might cause you to forget a few things even after months of planning the wedding of your dreams. From the day of your engagement to the wedding day, you’ll be preoccupied with picking out bridesmaids to finding the perfect dress and venue. But you may have overlooked a few little things to be 100% prepared for your wedding day. Here are three things that will save you from a wedding day headache.

Eat!

The preparation before a wedding is pretty intense. And one thing is for sure: you’ll won’t want to face the day on an empty stomach! Make sure to arrange for you and your bridal party to have breakfast and lunch as well as snacks throughout the day. This can be arranged by just asking someone to pick up food. This simple task saves everyone from frustration (and hanger!) later in the evening. It’s also really important to remember to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will allow you to be a happy bride under Florida’s intense heat.

Bring extra comfy shoes!

Your heels may be gorgeous, and I know you want everyone to marvel at them and their gorgeousness. However, your heels can also be very uncomfortable and cause pain and blisters later in the night. Remember to bring an extra pair of flats or sandals – anything that you may find comfortable to ensure you will be able to dance for your entire wedding! The good thing is that your gorgeous gown will take all the attention and no one will notice that you slipped into comfier shoes. If you absolutely, positively can’t part with your wedding shoes, make sure to break in your heels prior to the wedding or use a shoe insert to enhance the comfort of your heels.

Have an Emergency kit

This kit can include anything that you feel will be needed throughout your wedding. A hair and makeup kit are necessary. Your hair and makeup squad may have made you look stunning throughout your ceremony, but now it’s time for your reception. From the sweat to the tears (sweat is inevitable under the South Florida sun) throughout your wedding, there comes a point where you and your bridesmaids must touch up. This kit may include eye lash glue, samples of the makeup used by your make-up artist, hair spray, etc. You should also have a separate kit for wardrobe malfunctions. This kit may include band-aids for blisters, a needle and thread, deodorant, etc. Band-Aids are a must as blisters on your wedding day are dreadful.

Throughout all the craziness you may endure on her wedding day, always remember that the most amazing part about a wedding is that every person in the ceremony is there to celebrate your relationship! It is important to create the most memorable experiences throughout your wedding. Remember to appreciate every moment! So with a little extra preparation, you’ll be sure to have fun!

The Bride Candy can make your special day extra beautiful. Ask us how we can make your wedding dreams come true.

The 3 Bridesmaids Every Bride Should Have

Friends – what would we be without our friends? Those people who are your family and chosen family. They will hold your hair up when you’ve drank too much, hold you when you cry. There are friends you vent to and surprise you on your birthday. We have a lot of friends, cousins, sisters, brothers, high school friends work friends etc. but there are 3 essential friends you need in your bridal party. Let’s see what The Bride Candy has to say (and by the way I’m naming each paragraph after my Bridesmaids).

The Sister Bridesmaid (The Jaja)

Your first bridesmaid is usually the person you’ve grown up with. You’ve known for years they would be your bridesmaid and usually become your maid of honor. They can be your biological sister or chosen sister you’ve been friends with forever. This bridesmaid has known every stage of you, there are secrets you have together you will take to your grave. You both nurture each other because you know that in the end, you’ll always have each other. This bridesmaid knew he or she was the one and if all fails will climb a mountain to save you. You’ve watched each other grow, experienced some of the most beautiful moments in your lives together and also the darkest. Brides need this person in their life always because they are your family. This bridesmaid is named after my maid of honor and sister Jaja, which is what I called her when I was baby.

The Wise Bridesmaid (The Jeff)

We all have a wise friend. Someone who calls you out when you are wrong and gives you advice when you need it most. They come from a place of love but yet make you see the other side of things. You trust this person because you know they are smart, loyal but know what’s best for you. They remind to keep your cool and every so often you get into trouble together that you somehow get out of. This bridesmaid is named after my bridesman Jeff, who is the brother I never had.

The Ride or Die Bridesmaid (The Nelly)

This bridesmaid is always down to have a drink with you – and trust me there will be a few times you’ll have one too many. They will defend you till the end and always be on your side. Loyalty is the name of their game and anyone who crosses you should watch out. This friend is tough but not when it comes to you. They will drop anything to lift you up, and you can drive to their house in the middle of the night when things are tough. This bridesmaid is named after my Miami sister Nelly.

All your bridesmaids are important, and each bring different qualities who have made you, you. It’s important to have them by your side especially on such a momentous occasion. I have been blessed to have amazing friends who would life me up when everything felt like it would crumble and fall. They filled my happiest of times with even more joy and love. I don’t know what I would do without them. I feel so blessed to have these amazing people by my side. I know for those of you who are reading this, whether you are married, getting married or even single, know who these people are in your lives. We all have them, and our world wouldn’t be the same without them. To my bridesmaids I love you so much, thank you for being my rock.

Fur Babies And Weddings

Tips on how to keep them safe and comfortable on your special day.

Photography by uriel-photography

We love our fur babies and they are a big part of our families. It’s becoming very popular to involve them in our weddings. And why not? They make everyone smile and look really great in a flower collar. Some couples decide to even use their pet as a ring bearer! It’s a great idea to involve your pet in your wedding. But weddings can be dangerous for pets. Taking a few simple steps can make sure that your pet is happy and healthy at the end of your wedding.

Photography by laylle digital media

Designate a handler

You’re going to have your hands full on your wedding day. It’s a good idea to choose someone to be responsible for your pet during the wedding. Make sure you choose a person that doesn’t have other wedding responsibilities so they can keep a close eye on your pet. I highly recommend hiring a handler. Not only are they professionals but you don’t want your guests baby sitting your fur baby do you? Too often I see family members forget about the animals and well that’s when the chaos starts. In general, you want to be sure that your pet doesn’t cause damage to the venue (so you can get that deposit back) or that your pet doesn’t get injured. Make sure to talk to your venue so you have a place where your pet can stay for most of the wedding. If you need help finding a professional handlers ask you're planner or even us!

Photography by care weddings

Be careful of toxins

For your pet to be comfortable, they need food and plenty of water. But you’ll also need to keep them away from things that might make them sick. That includes some wedding flowers! Lilies, anthuriums, holly, poinsettias, and tulips are all very poisonous to pets. It’s also common to treat wedding florals with hydration chemicals that are also toxic. Make sure your handler keeps your pet away from any and all wedding flowers (except for a floral collar designed for your pet – I always use safe flowers).

Photography by uriel-photography

Have an emergency kit

If the worst should happen and your pet gets injured at the wedding, will you be prepared? Give the handler the name, location, and number to your vet and a nearby emergency clinic. Pack a kit with a crate, pop-up water bowl, blanket, basic first aid kit, Benadryl, paw protectors, and a photo in case of separation. And include something from home to help make your pet feel safe and secure, like a favorite toy

Take photos!

It’s special to have your pet at your wedding! Make sure to capture the moment. Many couples choose to do a first look with their pets as well as their partners. It makes for a great photo holiday card later! You’ll always want to remember how your whole family was part of your special day.

We love our fur babies !! I know I love mine very much and want them to be comfortable and safe from harm. Im sure you do too! I hope this blog helped you with things you may not have thought about. I highly recommend hiring a professional so you don’t have to worry. Make sure to take lots of photos and talk to your designer about floral accents for your pets. like yours truly, I love making floral colors for pets . Talk to me about how I can make your pet look beautiful on your wedding day!

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.

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.

The Millennial Bride

Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto

Model @Laurahelton

Apparel by @thebeachbride

Florals by @thebridecandy

Members of Generation Y (millennials) were born between 1980 and 2000. This generation usually prefers to combine personalized and traditional wedding elements to create a unique wedding. For example some brides choose a unique way to display the tradition “something blue”. I’ve seen brides wear blue shoes , blue jewelry, even blue dresses making the tradition of something blue become a statement. The millennial bride knows that traditional never goes out of style but making it your own tailors it to you. 

Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto

Model @Laurahelton

Apparel by @thebeachbride

Florals by @thebridecandy

Millennial Bride Fashion 

The Millennial bride goes beyond just her wedding dress for her bridal fashion. Of course she has to look fly for all of her occasions (all for the gram ). From bridal bathing suits, bride bags, and wifey jean jackets, the millennial bride knows life is a fashion show. Her wedding dress tends to be romantic and timeless in style. This bride breaks all the rules that need to be broken while keeping things classic and chic. 

Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto

Model @Laurahelton

Apparel by @thebeachbride

Florals by @thebridecandy

Millennial Music

The Millennial bride’s music choices may include anything from country to rock to techno music. The 90’s music culture made this bride one of the cool kids. She will definitely ditch the 90’s fashion (or maybe not) but the millennial bride wants to have fun and relive childhood memories with her friends and family. This bride digs the oldies but holds her dress up so she can definitely twerk too. Often times this bride will chose live music and a DJ too.

Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto

Model @Laurahelton

Apparel by @thebeachbride

Florals by @thebridecandy

Insta Bride 

The millennial bride will likely find her wedding vendors through Instagram and if she doesn’t, she will definitely check their vendor’s insta handles for sure. The millennial bride is #BrideAF. She will make sure to #hashtag everything and have fun doing it too. What’s more fun than getting your #bridessquad matching shirts with a hashtag? This bride is tech savvy and will document everything via iPhone. She’ll also change her relationship status on her wedding night . 

Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto

Model @Laurahelton

Apparel by @thebeachbride

Florals by @thebridecandy

This Millennial bride is more than just a generation. She is the one who will carry the torch to the daughter after her. She will teach them to be themselves but value their traditions. Often we hear the word Millennial thrown around in a negative way and I hope this has helped bring a positive view to this generation. I wonder what the next generation of bride will be like. For now, I am enjoying hearing Backstreet Boys with these Millennial brides.  

Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto

Model @Laurahelton

Apparel by @thebeachbride

Florals by @thebridecandy

The Mermaid Bride

The Mermaid Bride

IG: @Mermaid_jules

Photography @thestory

Many of us have seen Little Mermaid. As a child I would flip my hair just the way she did in the movie in my bath tub splashing water all over my bathroom (poor mom). So you could only imagine what I felt when I discovered a bride of mine was a professional mermaid! I became one of her biggest fans and would stalk her instagram on the regular.

IG mermaid_jules

I remember the first time I spoke to mermaid Jules. She was everything you would expect a mermaid to be like. She was bubbly , sweet , and very pretty. She has a pink mermaid tail , her hair was long , and she wore crowns made out of seashells. Anthony her fiancé definitely resembles a prince. Anthony was a tall, dashing, dark haired gentleman. The both looked like they came straight out of a fairytale.

What does a mermaid Choose for her wedding? A seaside wedding of course! Starfish were placed on every table, pearls were added to her bouquet and a mini starfish in Anthony’s boutonniere . Her colors were blush pinks, pearly whites and light shades of greens.

On the day of the wedding I wore my Little Mermaid shirt. I must say it was a hit, especially for my bride who noticed it immediately. What does a mermaid wear on her wedding day? A dress with a seashell top, pearl necklace , and a smile that made the entire ocean sparkle with her. When she walked down the aisle her dress flowed as her bare feet hit the sand. Hair blowing in the wind she married her prince in front of all of their her loved ones. It was a happily ever after straight from a fairytale.

#MermaidSquad

Look closely at the petals in her bouquet!

Fun Fact : Mermaid Jules made her dress!