Luxury Weddings - Weddingchicks

Have you heard of lake maggiore? well you sure have now

Kate — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Did you know that Lake Como had a big sister that’s just as pretty? This couple fell in love with Lake Maggiore! It has everything there is to love about Lake Como–epic views, bright blue water, and a breathtaking mountain backdrop surrounded by historic villas. The best part? It’s much less known so it’s not flooded with tourists and your guests can actually find a room! From their lakefront garden ceremony to the timeless greenhouse reception, you won’t want to miss a single one of these photos by Duet Friday, so keep scrolling!

a spectacular destination

Resting in the majestic Alps of Northern Italy Lake Maggiore is the ideal wedding destination! Although this gorgeous Lake seems a bit remote, the trip is worth every minute spent on its banks. Since the time of Queen Victoria Lake Maggiore has always been a luxurious destination thanks to the Mediterranean atmosphere and awe-inspiring scenery–gorgeous coastal areas rich with vegetation of a lost Eden. Emma and Olkan chose Villa Risponi Clerici, on the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore for their big day. The finely preserved late 19th-century residence overlooks the waters of the Borromeo Gulf with a beautiful view of the islands bearing the same name.

the vibe: stylish with a touch of old-money

The couple wanted the wedding to feel stylish, elegant, and emotionally full with a drop of old-money style. The wedding colors were ivory mixed with rich white and gentle blush pink, that rhythmically repeated the rhyme of the villa. The Blondie Flower assembled a charming table setting with waves of blush pink, cream, and ivory French roses mixed with laurel leaves and Sambuca branches.

the fashion

The bride’s dress from Mila Nova was practically seafoam transformed into a fabric, with splashes floating in the air while she moved. The veil added a lovely accent of old-money style to the look. The colors of the groom’s ensemble were relaxed and classical–the look custom-made by Basel Atelier.

a greenhouse reception

With everything you love from a garden party and all of the comfort of the indoors, we love a greenhouse reception! Vintage cream chairs paired with sage and peach linens to create a lovely pastel palette for this romantic wedding.

the cake

The wedding cake was served by candlelight–three tiers that seemed to float on the cloud of rose petals.

The post Have you heard of lake maggiore? well you sure have now appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Proof that rain on your wedding day makes for the best photos

Kate — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

When Natalie and Ashraf learned it would likely rain on their big day, they did something unprecedented. Instead of swapping their plans of an outdoor ceremony and reception to the indoor Plan B, they decided to go on as planned! And, we’re so glad they did, because these photos by Chrisnova Photography turned out incredible! Not only is the lighting from the moody sky perfect, we love the candid nature of every snapshot and the way the rain contributed to the overall feeling of the day. Besides, rain on your wedding day is actually said to be good luck. Keep reading to hear more about how this perfectionist couple overcame this potentially catastrophic obstacle and turned it into a memory they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

a meticulous design

Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes, the wedding of Natalie, who is of Armenian descent with a global upbringing, and Ashraf, hailing from Morocco, was a celebration of precision and passion. Co-founders of their interior design firm, the couple infused their expertise into every detail of their special day. For Natalie, whose affinity for geometry and meticulous lines guided the planning, every aspect of the décor was a testament to her exacting standards. Soft, ambient lighting, carefully curated to create an intimate evening, underscored their architectural sensibilities.

rain on their wedding day

Despite forecasts of rain, days before the ceremony, Natalie remained resolute in her vision, opting to embrace the unpredictability of the weather. As the planner, Modd Weddings, aptly remarked, navigating a wedding with someone so decisive yet adventurous can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. However, their gamble paid off—raindrops gracefully punctuated the day, enhancing rather than detracting from the beauty of the occasion.

well-dressed

This has to be one of the best-dressed weddings we’ve ever seen. Yes, the bride was stunning in her tea-length ruched tulle dress with matching sleeves, and the groom looked great in his tux, but these guests… Literally everyone brought it when it came to dressing for this wedding and you know we love that!

family and tradition

From live music to traditional dancers, this couple made sure to honor their family traditions in their wedding ceremony. And, from the looks of it, this dancefloor was never empty!

a vintage getaway car

We always love a chance to remind couples to book a getaway car for the day of your wedding. Whether you go for something flashy and modern or a cool vintage ride like this couple, the photos practically take themselves!

dancing (and dining) in the rain

Framed by lovely floral and vine installations by Art Mood Decor, guests sat down for a candlelit dinner outside followed by dancing where the rain continued to come and go. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, this is the perfect example of how to work with the weather and your venue rather than against it. These clear umbrellas look adorable on camera and will keep all of your guests dry without disrupting the ambiance.

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Travel influencer’s baz luhrmann inspired wedding in fair verona

Kate — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 19:00:00 +0000

If this lovely bride looks familiar, it’s probably because she’s Insta-famous luxury travel influencer @hofitkimcohen. She and her hubby tied the knot and it’s safe to say we’ve never seen anything quite on the level of this wedding…Ok, maybe the Baz Luhrmann films that inspired it. Vibrant colors, rich textures, and all the sparkle your little heart can take–this wedding has it all. You won’t want to miss a single one of these photos by Ersy Photography, so keep scrolling!

meant to be

Ben and I met in an elevator in our Miami condo building while walking our dogs in 2020 during COVID. I had just moved to Miami, two weeks before COVID started from Los Angeles, CA where I was raised. From the moment we met, we realized we had so many things in common, like we are both Leos, both left-handed, I was born in Israel in moved to LA when I was 8 years old and Ben was born in LA and moved to Israel when he was 8 years and so many other things! We knew this couldn’t be random. The funny part is that I’m 10 years older than Ben, but somehow it always worked out between us since I’m very childlike and Ben has always been super mature for his age. I traveled the world solo for 6 years before COVID started, to 67 countries, and Ben couldn’t wait to go on my travel adventures with me. One of the first countries we visited together was Italy and we both just knew that this is where we wanted to get married!

curating the right team

Our dreamy Verona wedding lasted three days with four pre-wedding events, all with their own unique themes. I believe something that’s very important is hiring and building a team of vendors who you actually like, personality-wise. We struggled a lot at different phases dealing with entitled personality types who wouldn’t get back to us on important matters leading up to the wedding which was super stressful for us. Halfway through hiring vendors, we decided that it was more important to us to hire people who were kind and that we liked because we would be spending a good amount of time with them on the most important day of our lives and we wanted positive people with a good attitude.

the theme: baz luhrmann’s happily ever after

Our wedding had a luxury celestial + happily ever after theme to it, inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s (director of Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet) greatest creations and designer Paolo Sebastian’s themed collections (Once upon a Dream and East of the Sun & West of the Moon). Everything was elegantly bedazzled with stars, moons, suns, and astrological symbols to align with our theme and packed with endless romantic quotes from our favorite movies that are related to the stars and happily ever after. I really wanted to create a unique touch to our wedding as far as theme and stationery went. I used my creative skills to draw and design all of our wedding and pre-wedding stationery and wedding invitations, alongside being the creative director of this destination wedding. I turned to Instagram for endless wedding ideas and inspiration, and I was following Wedding Chicks religiously to get ideas and inspiration during this 8-month planning journey.

the fashion

I had three couture gowns for the wedding weekend and we hired celebrity hairstylist, Lidor Hadida and celebrity makeup artist, Tali Moas (who we flow all the way from Israel to do full glam looks for all of the events). I was drawn to the dress, the moment it was handed to me, I literally started to cry! This was the second shop and time I went dress shopping and I just found the dress. I always thought it would take forever because I’m such a picky person.

I discovered Nicole + Felicia after I saw J.Lo wearing their gowns. I’ve always been a fan of up-and-coming brands, having someone unique and special before everyone knows all about it and wearing it and it just felt like the perfect move to make. Nicole + Felicia has very elegant, feminine, and dreamy gowns. I also had a Nicole + Felicia veil that matched my dress exactly, hand-beaded and designed to match my gown. I really felt like this dress aligned with the celestial theme. It sparkled like all the stars in the sky; it was magical.

All the bridesmaid dresses are from Milla. I’m obsessed with their timeless, dreamy gowns! I really wanted my bridesmaids to feel super beautiful and like they were the stars of the night too, like princesses in a fairytale movie.

the color palette: pastel rainbow

The vision for our wedding colors was pastel rainbow without the pink. Our main wedding colors consisted of pastel blues and purple with royal gold. This was showcased through the stationery, wedding invitations, and bridesmaid dresses. For the wedding flowers, I wanted sunset colors: purples, peach, baby yellow, pink, and a little bit of white.

a dramatic red rose aisle

We picked the dramatic red color of garden roses for the aisle because I wanted an edgy, dramatic, and moody feel to things. The aisle was inspired by Moulin Rouge (one of our favorite movies) but also by The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy and the gang are on the way to Emerald City. We also brought our dogs to Italy to walk down the aisle with us, Peanut and Mamba.

a fairy tale reception

Our reception took place in the Arena part of the garden of Villa Rizzardi, the design for this was actually inspired by Beauty and the Beast. I needed my Lumiere candelabra and searched all of Italy for the perfect vintage gold ones, of course, mixed in with our celestial wedding theme. On the side of the sweetheart table were lyrics from Moulin Rouge’s “Come What May”. All of our guests received personalized letters in their escort cards at their seats which left many in tears. We highly recommend!

a tale of two cakes

We had two wedding cakes. One was a traditional Italian wedding cake, Millefoglie, which was a live show that we created with the chef, and later on, we had a traditional American wedding cake, followed by one of the greatest fireworks shows that left everyone in tears.

the music

We had three separate live bands (no DJ)! The Krystal Kuartet violin girls performed at Ed Westwick’s wedding two weeks before our wedding. We also hired famous Israeli singer, Dor Shimon to perform our ceremony songs and Brazilian Italian singer, Claudston Cosra and his band, who we met earlier in the year in Sorrento, Italy, while searching for wedding venues. He was playing at an upscale restaurant and we fell in love with him and his energy. We knew he had to perform at our wedding.

Our first dance was to “Young & Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey because our wedding was partly inspired by The Great Gatsby. We even took private dance classes for the big moment. We also had the violinists playing all of my favorite Disney songs, as guests were arriving and later on in the night they did a special performance with dresses and violins that led up with lights and made our guests so emotional. It was incredible.

advice from the happy couple

When it comes to planning a wedding in Italy, the most important thing is to get super clear on your vision and then find a venue. Many venues we originally really liked had strict rules that didn’t align with our wedding vision, things like no music outside after 9 PM in many venues on Lake Como and other restrictions, or that all attending guests had to stay on property at the venue. Reach out to venues you like and get all the information you need first. We wasted a long time falling in love with venues that we later found out were never going to work out for us. What made the day special was truly the little moments–the little details, we had created for ourselves and guests like tossing the bouquet off of the balcony, the champagne tower I had dreamt of doing since I was a little kid, the firework show that we almost passed up, and all the moments we didn’t plan.

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This shoot brings back the 90s and they’re looking better than ever

Kate — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Big volume, over-the-top fabric draping, and roses–these are just a few of the classic 90s design elements that BTS Event Management pulled inspo from for this styled shoot. And while they do nod to the 90s, the monochromatic color palette and minimalist reception styling keep this wedding design feeling fresh and modern. Keep scrolling to see even more of these editorial-style photos by Ryann Lindsey Photography featuring the flash that everyone is currently crushing on.

the inspo

We created a 90s-inspired wedding design with modern-day elegant touches! We wanted to bring in a feeling of nostalgia all while keeping luxury and current style in the mix.

an ethereal ceremony

Bright white rose petals led the way to an ornately draped ceremony arbor wrapped in a monochromatic asymmetrical floral installation by Snapdragon Bloom Bar. A crystal chandelier added to the luxurious feel of the vignette while clear acrylic ghost chairs provided a sleek modern contrast.

designer fashion

We were able to get a wedding dress flown in from designer Steven Khalil that completed the throwback yet modern style we were going for and we couldn’t be happier with how the vision came to life.

a modern reception

The historic bones of the Silver Leaf Club combined with the modern furniture rentals to create a chic yet inviting reception space. The flicker of candlelight danced on ornate crystal stemware that lined the length of a spacious farm table.

the cake

A throwback to the draping from the ceremony, the towering cake was swathed in asymmetrically draped fondant. With event draping becoming more and more popular, we predict we will see these draped cakes trending soon too.

The post This shoot brings back the 90s and they’re looking better than ever appeared first on Weddingchicks.

A Colorado golf club wedding with its own Love Actually moment

cat — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

After meeting at a mutual friend’s wedding shortly before January of 202, Michael and Taylor dated and fell in love during the slower pace of Covid lockdowns. Ultimately, Michael proposed when Taylor was visiting her mother in Colorado for the holidays. He booked a last-minute fight to join Taylor and her family, and on Christmas Eve, he pulled her away to Washington Park to propose. For their wedding at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado, the couple embraced the natural beauty and scenic landscape. We Tie the Knots helped them plan a lush green theme enhanced by the mountain views and captured on camera by IVS Photography.

Botanicals & birds

A continuous theme of green-patterned botanicals and birds carried through from the invitation suite to the reception bar.

Summer wedding style

Both the bride and groom embraced summer fashion, with Michael in a linen dinner jacket and Taylor in a Daalarna gown with illusion mesh and floral appliques.

Sentimental seersucker bow

Her bouquet by The Story Of was lovingly tied with a piece of fabric from her late grandfather’s seersucker suit.

Hillside ceremony set-up

The wedding ceremony took place at the crest of the hillside with a view of the clubhouse’s magnificent clocktower and sweeping hills graced by the tops of the tree line. In their own special “Love Actually” moment, their band surprised everyone by playing “All You Need Is Love” after the couple’s kiss as an ode to Taylor’s love for The Beatles and her favorite movie.

Cocktail hour in the garden

The cocktail hour took place outside of the reception tent amidst a waterfall of stones and colorful flowers.

Private golden hour portraits

Taylor and Michael snuck off for intimate golden hour portraits while guests enjoyed cocktail hour. Their main goal: Have fun!

Reception design: Draping florals

The reception floral arrangements by The Story Of were lush with greenery, sweeping leafy branches, fresh berries, and unexpected floral drapery.

Family style dining for 200

Dinner was served family style, and although there were over 200 guests, the celebration still had a casual and intimate feel. The couple served milkshakes with a bottle of Michael’s favorite peanut butter whiskey passed around for an optional shake add-on.

XOXO, wedding cake

The newlyweds cut into a one tier white cake topped with large XO initials.

Custom golden stars for dancing

For late-night dancing, Taylor changed into white Miron Crosby boots customized with golden stars and her new married initials.

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A maximalist multicultural wedding inspired by Disney’s Tangled

cat — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

If you’re looking for a modern and tasteful way to infuse culture and meaningful details into your big day, look no further than this Maximalist dream wedding! Planned by Two Perfect Events and captured on camera by Hey Honey Photography, this Chinese-Vietnamese multicultural fusion wedding at Olympia’s Valley was nothing short of magical. Isa and Andrew’s stunning celebration shows that even the smallest of details go a long way, and it is a beautiful example of how childhood wonder and nostalgia can define a theme and frame new beginnings with creativity, love, and whimsy.

Animation invitations

One of their friends is an illustrator in the animation industry, so she drew a portrait of Andrew and Isa for the front of the invitation. She also painted the back of the invitation—a watercolor composition with the double happiness symbol, butterflies, and Southeast Asian flowers. Isa’s other friend helped hand-press hundreds of hydrangeas, each to be laid flat under a custom double happiness wax seal.

Squid ink dyed suit

Andrew partnered with a local tailor to design a timeless, bespoke tuxedo made with Japanese fabric and dyed with squid ink, which made it one of the blackest fabrics on the market.

Butterfly bridal details

After trying on over 50 dresses, Isa’s Tangled-inspired gown by Marchesa Bridal was ultimately constructed of an airy, ivory tulle held together by satin boning and floral appliqué cascading down the skirt. Isa opted for custom tulle cape sleeves rather than a traditional veil, and her aunt and cousin hand-sewed fabric flowers onto the cape sleeves to match the dress. To tie the look together, she wore lavender Bella Belle Shoes, delicately embroidered and embellished with butterflies.

Maximalist dream wedding

Isa and Andrew’s celebration was a maximalist’s dream. The color palette was infused with bright pastel pinks, oranges, blues, and greens. Their inspiration stemmed from many different places: east-meets-west garden party, Peranakan nonya (a unique culture that is formed through the marriage of Malay and Chinese during the older eras), and Disney’s Tangled.

How to: Last minute venue change

The first venue they had their eyes on was a local community garden, which they booked a year and a half in advance because it was so popular. Just over a month before the wedding date, the venue suddenly had to cancel due to a water main break in the venue’s main building. Thankfully, Isa explained, “Together with the Two Perfect Events team, we contacted over 100 different venues, but only a few were available and could accommodate all the vendors already booked. Andrew turned to TikTok, searching: “Nicest wedding venues in the Bay Area.” He discovered Olympia’s Valley, an idyllic farm and event space run by the same family for multiple generations.”

Floral garden party on a farm

Because their venue was no longer in a community garden, Isa and Andrew wanted to bring the floral garden party to the farm. Isa was inspired by John Singer Sargent’s painting, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, and coincidentally florist Fleurisse Design used those very blooms to construct the bulk of the floral arrangements.

Taking inspiration from Tangled

Disney’s Tangled was a formative movie for Isa, so she incorporated the animation’s enchanting lighting and floral elements throughout. They set up a dramatic waterfall string light installation and floral chandeliers that completely covered the barn’s high vaulted ceilings. Isa wanted the space to feel as magical and ethereal as possible, and this is about as close as one can get to a real-life Disney movie!

Design inspo: East-meets-West

Isa and Andrew took their east-meets-west theme literally by prioritizing the meshing of their dual Asian and American identities. They incorporated Chinese-Vietnamese details like double happiness signs (a Chinese symbol of joy and marriage celebrations), an ancestral welcome table, and an 8-course dinner menu — all juxtaposed with a venue as Americana as a barn. Their goal was for “the wedding to feel like a melting pot of community, or to feel immersed in the love of our friends and family.” Andrew’s parents also organized a surprise lion dance for the reception, which was an exciting way to incorporate Chinese culture.

Family heirloom decor and DIY

Isa and Andrew had a special place in their heart for personal touches. They used many vintage pieces and family heirlooms as decor, including a butterfly ring holder, fan-shaped ceramic dish, and several dessert platters. Andrew was inspired by the decor style of Peranakan nonyas and used mooncake molds as decor throughout while also making a double happiness LED sign.

Catering and cocktails

When it came to catering, Isa and Andrew had Smitten’s live-churned liquid nitrogen ice cream and Indonesian desserts from NUSA. Isa’s cousin helped design the cocktail menu honoring the couple’s shared heritage and including a Hennessy espresso martini made with Vietnamese iced coffee from Orbit Coffee, a pandan coconut drink inspired by soda gembira, and a lychee Asian pear sangria.

Playlist: From dinner to dancing

The reception playlist by X-Generation Entertainment was a mix of Asian American lo-fi and classics like “Ladyfingers” by Herb Alpert. Their music choices emulated a mesh of pop culture and traditional culture, ultimately creating a lovely ambiance for dining and an incredible night on the dance floor!

Traditional Chinese wedding attire

During the reception, Andrew changed into a custom shirt inspired by his Chinese-Indonesian-American heritage—it was a Chinese cheongsam (traditional Chinese attire) made with Indonesian batik fabric, embroidered with idiosyncratic imagery like the lion turtle from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

A handmade capelet

Isa’s reception outfit was a short, sparkling dress from Bronx and Banco. She intended on making a matching capelet for the dress but never got around it. The night before the wedding, her friend learned about this and immediately got fabric from Joann’s Fabric and Craft Store—she delivered a beautiful two-layer flowing capelet the next day, perfect for twirling around the dance floor!

After-the-fact advice from the bride

While reflecting on such a wonderful day, Isa shared some advice for couples going through the wedding planning process: “Consider this triangular trade-off where you can usually only prioritize two – budget, time, and/or expectations. There were some design concepts we loved (e.g. an Alice in Wonderland-inspired oversized paper floral displays), but they were either out of our budget or would take too much time to DIY. In those cases, adjusting our expectations was the most feasible option. On the day of, build in time just to be with each other. We were surprised by how much quiet alone time we had, and that protected our peace. If we could change anything, we would optimize for enjoying the moment! We thought we had time for things like multiple different portrait sessions, outfit changes, a private champagne pour, etc., but we actually didn’t have time, and it took away from enjoying the actual wedding and talking to our guests.”

The pros of hiring a planner

Isa had a wedding Pinterest board for years but came to their planner, Two Perfect Events, to bring the vision together. Isa explained: “There was no shortage of meetings with our planners, and they helped us narrow down the ideas into something more cohesive. Two Perfect Events was the backbone for this event!”

The post A maximalist multicultural wedding inspired by Disney’s Tangled appeared first on Weddingchicks.

A peach wedding inspo daydream at a palace in portugal

Kate — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Wow…just WOW. Have you ever seen anything so breathtaking? From the literal palace in the background to the larger-than-life peach floral installations and jaw-dropping fashion choices, this shoot is the perfect homage to the color of the year–peach! Unique Dream Wedding seriously outdid themselves when they dreamed up this masterpiece and we’re only too happy that Momento Cativo and Miguel Sevivas were there to document it all!

https://vimeo.com/963659862

a peachy palette

In the heart of Portugal, the royal Queluz Palace hosted a breathtaking wedding shoot, radiating the timeless allure of peach–the color of the year–meticulously planned and organized by Unique Dream Wedding. The peach color palette infused every aspect of the shoot with warmth and vibrancy, from lush floral arrangements to intricate table settings. Soft peach roses, cascading greenery, and touches of gold created a harmonious tableau, evoking timeless romance.

an opulent venue

The palace provided a picturesque backdrop with its opulent architecture and lush gardens, creating the perfect canvas for this romantic affair. The event’s many highlights were beautifully captured by the talented Momento Cativo team and Miguel Sevivas.

an ethereal ceremony

The unique ceremony structure, adorned with delicate peach blooms and distinctive semi-arches, as well as the rest of the floral arrangements, were created by flower designer Decorelle.

an intricate stationery suite

The stationery for this shoot, a symphony of elegance inspired by the enchanting eighteenth century, was crafted by In Love Weddings. They infused each detail with elements of Queluz’s charm.

the fashion

To complete each look, Diana Martins provided exquisite handmade jewelry that harmonized perfectly with each outfit. Throughout the day, talented makeup artist Tom Perdigão meticulously enhanced every look. Decorelle also added a flower bolero to one of the looks which made the look even more outstanding.

a gravity-defying cake

A suspended cake, crafted by Edelweiss, stood as a true piece of art. As the sun set over Queluz Palace, casting a golden glow across the landscape, the day’s beauty lingered in the air. Queluz Palace–a place where dreams become reality and memories are etched in time.

a vintage getaway car

When you’re booking your wedding vendors, don’t forget your getaway vehicle. Whether you opt for a Vespa or a cool vintage car like this team did, you won’t regret investing in your big exit. Just think of the photos!

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Timeless wedding at the Ritz with afghan and egyptian traditions

Kate — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

We love a trendy wedding as much as the next blog, but every now and then, we have to admit that it is refreshing to see a couple who dares to keep things classic. Instead of focusing on the decor to express their personalities and their relationship, they leaned into their families’ cultural traditions. Oh, and it’s definitely worth mentioning that this couple planned this epic wedding themselves…in just eight months!!! Keep scrolling to see more of these lovely photos by Vicki Grafton Photography and to read all about how they incorporated both cultures into their big day.

a surreal moment at an iconic venue

As an Afghan and an Egyptian and devout Muslims, we didn’t see ourselves represented in any of the wedding magazines while planning our wedding. It was very important that we had a traditional Afghan-Egyptian wedding combined with some modern elements.

a celebration of culture

The wedding was a celebration of Afghan and Egyptian culture. Our stationery was custom-designed and created in Egypt by the same vendor that my husband’s family has used for years. Our invitations were custom-designed and made by hand in pink velvet. The invitations were in Arabic, Dari, and English representing all three languages. We also created a custom monogram that was on all of our stationery as well as our cake. All of the details we used for our reception ceremony as well as our henna night and cake cutting also came from Afghanistan.

a timeless design

The design and theme for the wedding was traditional and timeless. Our goal was to have a wedding that our children could look back on decades later and still find the design and decor relevant. We explicitly opted out of any trends or colors from 2023/2024. Our venue, the Ritz-Carlton, has a very traditional and elegant ballroom. The decor and flowers by Bee Inspired Events all reflected traditional wedding colors and traditional design elements.

I did not have a full-time wedding planner and we planned our wedding ourselves despite a short engagement of eight months. The planning tools on Wedding Chicks were super helpful. Additionally, Wedding Chicks as a whole was a very helpful resource in navigating the planning process and making decisions, particularly the tips and advice section.

the traditions

During the wedding, my family also performed a traditional Afghan dance known as Attan while wearing traditional Afghan clothing. My sister performed Ragsheh Chagoo, a tradition where the groom must buy the knife from the bride’s sister by paying her money before the couple can cut the cake. The knife we used was also an heirloom from Afghanistan.

the gown

My gown is the “Alexandra” by Monique Lhuillier which I wore with a custom bolero. I knew I wanted to wear a Monique Lhuillier bridal gown ever since I came across the designer. When we got engaged, “Alexandra” was the first gown I tried on, and absolutely fell in love with the strapless sweetheart corset dress with a drop waist and the unique sculpted ballgown. Afterwards, I tried on at least 100+ gowns from every major designer including Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta but my heart was set on the “Alexandra” gown. The dress is the epitome of elegance. I also had a custom cathedral-length veil with matching lace created for the dress.

mix-and-match bridesmaids’ dresses

The bridesmaids’ dresses were shades of blush and light pink. However, the bridesmaids selected their own dresses from different designers. It was very important for me that my bridesmaids feel confident in their dresses. My two sisters, who were my Maids of Honor, have very unique and different styles. I wanted them to feel the best version of themselves and choose dresses that reflect their own unique styles. One of my sisters had her dress custom-created in Istanbul, Turkey. My other sister chose the “Henri” gown from the Bar.

a classic wedding cake

Similar to our wedding theme, we wanted a traditional wedding cake. The cake was designed and baked by Patricia SerryBurton of Ritz-Carlton who is one of the best pastry chefs in Washington DC. The cake included numerous pearls to reflect my dress and our monogram designed in gold. We chose two different flavors for our cake: 1) white chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries and buttercream frosting, 2) chocolate cake with caramel filling and buttercream frosting. We also served two types of Afghan and Egyptian desserts: Baklava and Firnee. Firnee is an Afghan dessert made of milk pudding infused with rose water and cardamom, topped with crushed pistachios.

The post Timeless wedding at the Ritz with afghan and egyptian traditions appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Cali vibes and vintage rides at this palm springs luxe wedding

Kate — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

From the laid-back venue and the monochromatic decor to their elegant but no-fuss ensembles, this couple perfectly captured the essence of “effortlessly chic” for their Palm Springs wedding. They worked closely with Save the Date Events to bring their wedding weekend vision to life and give their guests a true California experience. Keep reading to hear how everything came together and to see more of these gorgeous photos by Kathleen Geiberger.

the vibe: palm springs luxe

Erin and Sean’s sleek and chic Palm Springs wedding was all about contemporary fashion, luxe white florals, and modern decor elements to create the most stunning Southern California soiree. As their planner when it came to the event design, Erin and Sean shared a few inspiration photos and I took it and ran with it. We created a design with a white dance floor, white flowers, white linens, and the most important detail was a reception with moody and saturated lighting! There were a couple deal breakers for these two. They had to have the California tradition of an In-and-Out truck for a late-night snack and had to have a kick-ass wedding band. If one thing’s for sure, this party was going all night! Add a hilarious, heartfelt ceremony done by the bride’s brother and epic photos taken with a vintage car in the iconic front drive of The Parker Palm Springs and what else could you ask for?!

a true california venue

Being NY to LA transplants, the couple wanted to bring family and friends to a warm California location for their wedding festival, and they wanted to celebrate all weekend long! They knew The Parker Palm Springs was the perfect venue to wow their group and become a fun-in-the-sun playground for this energetic couple and their family and friends.

the looks

Erin opted for a relaxed satin halter gown with a sexy open back and her bridesmaids wore dark sage satin dresses with plunging necklines. Sage is trending hard right now for weddings, and this has to be our favorite shade of sage bridesmaid dresses that we’ve seen! Sean went with a classic black tuxedo with velvet loafers for the wedding ceremony and switched to a white dinner jacket for the reception.

the flowers

Two pillars of white orchids and hydrangea by Vasobello served as the backdrop for the ceremony. For the reception, they carried over the white floral theme with coordinating low-lying garland-style centerpieces on each table.

a classic reception

With candlelight and modern blown-glass chandeliers, the reception space glowed. From the linens to the flowers, Save the Date Events committed to the monochromatic theme and the result is a classic reception dinner that will never go out of style.

The post Cali vibes and vintage rides at this palm springs luxe wedding appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Guests walked a red carpet for this iconic Newport mansion wedding

cat — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to “The ROW”—the Rosecliff O’Connor Wedding—a unique celebration that took place at the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. The bride and groom met in high school in Boca Raton, Florida, where they still live today. Michael works in ultra luxury real estate, while Kristina works in social media and marketing. Though South Florida will always be home, the couple fell in love with the elegance and stunning landscapes of Rhode Island. Enchanted by Newport’s mansions and gilded age charm, they knew it was the perfect destination for their dream wedding. Every moment was thoughtfully curated by the bride and groom to celebrate their love while immersing their guests into a world of creativity and luxury – think MET Ball meets Art Basel.

Designing the epitome of black-tie luxury

Choosing to forgo traditional bright florals and pastels one might expect to see in Newport, the couple embraced bold tones accented with black and gold, and opted for extravagant candles and minimal florals, creating a striking visual experience that beautifully complemented the elegance of the Rosecliff Mansion. Guests were encouraged to dress on theme: floor-length gowns, dark & moody colors, bold accessories, shoulder pads, feathers, and more.

A unique red-carpet experience

Planning was expertly handled by Infinite Events, led by Lisa Nightingale. Upon arrival, guests posed for photos outside the venue with Atlantic Strings playing before walking down a red carpet, which also served as the dress train for a live performer who welcomed guests on stilts.

Custom three-piece Galia Lahav

The bride wore a breathtaking, custom three-piece gown by Galia Lahav, paired with exquisite 10-carat diamond earrings from Boca Raton’s CR Jewelers.

Bespoke apparel handmade for the groom

The groom did not fall behind when it came to his wedding weekend wardrobe. Over the course of the weekend, the groom wore a forest green Loro Piana suit for the welcome party, a bespoke Carnet Como Tuxedo for the wedding, and a linen Zegna suit for the farewell brunch. All pieces were curated by luxury handmade fashion expert, Shawn Christopher.

First-look backdrop: A fleet of vintage cars

For her first look with her dad, the bride arranged a fleet of vintage cars to serve as a stunning backdrop; while it made for unforgettable photos, the true intention was to honor their cherished memories of car shows and the deep bond they have built for classic cars over the years. This meaningful gesture was an emotional moment for the bride and dad due to his current year-long battle with stage three cancer.

A waving aisle of white florals

As they awaited the bride’s entrance down the aisle lined with white roses put together by Stone Blossom, guests enjoyed the serene sight of local surfers riding the Atlantic Ocean waves in the distance.

Unique luxury drink service

Following the ceremony, guests were greeted with glasses of champagne from TEN31Living Art performers dressed as marble statues and were invited to explore and engage with this non-traditional event. They rang a bell to choose between an Espresso Martini or Tequila Spritz, had their portraits painted by a live watercolor artist, savored fresh oysters from a raw bar, and left voicemails for the bride and groom.

Reception style: Mini and matching gloves

For the reception, the bride switched to a chic mini dress with matching gloves by Jaclyn Whyte, ensuring she wowed guests throughout the night.

Luxury reception design and details

During the reception, guests could visit the photo booth or leave the bride and groom a voicemail in-between dancing to Hudson Horns, a New York City-based group of musicians that pairs with a live DJ for an interactive and elevated dance experience. The entirety of the event was captured by a 10-person photography and videography team, The Cardonas, who along with many of the other vendors traveled from Miami for the event.

The post Guests walked a red carpet for this iconic Newport mansion wedding appeared first on Weddingchicks.

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