AMERICA’S TOP WEDDING MAGAZINE
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
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CONTENTS
Bridal Guide January/February 2024
WEDDING PLANNING 21 BODY FILE
Get sleekified with these moves from Chaise Fitness in NYC.
22 ASK DAVID TUTERA
Here’s how to get the wedding you want.
24 PARTY PLANNER
A flower-ful fête in Montecito, California.
31 PLANNING NOTEBOOK
How to find—and work with—your wedding photographer.
32 WEDDING TRENDS 2024
The ins and outs of weddings in the year ahead. by Carol Straley
54 WEDDING ALBUM
Be inspired by Veronika and Danil’s enchanting Adirondacks wedding.
NEWS & FEATURES 13 WEDDING Q&A
Etiquette questions and answers.
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28 FEAST FOR LESS
Take a bite out of your catering budget with these pro tips. by Sharon Naylor
TRAVEL NEWS
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64 WEDDINGS AWAY 82
Swap vows and savor one of the globe’s most popular destinations—Barcelona.
66 RESORT ROUNDUP
Channel history at these classic hotels and resorts around the world.
70 REAL DESTINATION WEDDING
A California couple hosted friends and family at their favorite Mexican beach town, Tulum.
82 REAL DESTINATION WEDDING
One couple married their cultural and religious traditions in Philadelphia.
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88 FIRST LOOK
Sneak a peek at Paris’s chic Too Hotel.
• The Perfect Dress for Your Body, p. 187 • 10 Gorgeous Hairstyles for Night, p. 202 POP OF COLOR Give your wedding an extra dose • 101 Best Budget Tips, p. 166 of fun with the ideas at bridalguide.com/colorpop • Make It Personal: Reception Ideas To BRIDESMAID GUIDE Learn the important info you need to give your bridesmaids at bridalguide.com/Suit Your Theme, p. 68 importantinfo • Aisle Style: Fabulous Ceremony, p. 207 YOUR RECEPTION LAYOUT Design your dream • Celeb Rings! Get the Look, p. 92 reception with the advice at bridalguide.com/layout • Cheers! Ways to Trim the Bar Bill, p. 164 Get more online at bridalguide.com
www.eveofmiladybridals.com
DON’T SINK IN THE GRASS AT YOUR WEDDING
Mary Clarke
EDITOR IN CHIEF ART DIRECTOR Mary Cate Godfrey
FASHION AND BEAUTY
FASHION AND BEAUTY DIRECTOR Juli Alvarez
TRAVEL
TRAVEL EDITOR Jenna Mahoney
HOME DESIGN
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Robin Zachary
ART
DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Wendy Mansfield
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Bridal Guide magazine (Vol. 40, No.1 January/February 2024 ISSN 0882-7451) is published bimonthly by RFP Corp., 1333A North Avenue #706, New Rochelle, NY 10804; 212-838-7733. Copyright © 2023 by RFP Corp. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use without permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Subscription Rates: U.S. and possessions one year $18.95. Back issues $7; prepayment required. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10017 and additional offices. All unsolicited editorial must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We assume no responsibility for returning unsolicited material, including but not limited to photographs, artwork, manuscripts and letters. Postmasters—Send address changes to P.O. Box 16717, North Hollywood, CA 91615 PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
A Q
etiquette ADVICE
Wedding
&
Straight talk, smart solutions by Mary Clarke, Editor in Chief
NUPTIAL NEWS We’re planning a tiny wedding. How do we announce our upcoming marriage to those family members who won’t be invited without upsetting them?
Q A
These days, there’s no reason to stress over constricted guest lists, given that mini-monies have morphed from “new normal” to perfectly appropriate and acceptable. And you don’t even have to think about sending out a formal wedding announcement until after you’re married. But in the interest of keeping feathers unruffled, you, your partner— and both sets of parents—should let extended family members know as soon as possible that yours will be a very small wedding. They may be disappointed, but will certainly respect your wishes and appreciate the heads up. HOME SWEET HOME My fiancé and I would like to have a wedding at my parents’ home. They have a lovely backyard and we think it will be both more personal and cost-effective. What do we need to consider?
PHOTOGRAPHY: MANDA WEAVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Q A
There are quite a few things to take into consideration. While an at-home wedding can be lovely and unique, there are a number of details that may not prove as cost-effective as you’d like. Rental fees are required for the tables, chairs, linens, silverware and glassware, for example. You might want a tent for shade. Depending on the weather, you may need heating lamps, fans or an air-conditioning unit. You’ll need to make sure the kitchen
is large enough to accommodate a catering staff (a concern even if you’re hosting a small celebration). There should be enough electrical power available to handle kitchen needs, entertainment and lighting, so a generator may be necessary. That said, if you research all of these factors and a wedding at your parents’ home still fits into the budget, then by all means go for it and enjoy the festivities! DIVA BRIDESMAID One of my bridesmaids just told me she does not want to take part in the “financial aspects” of being an attendant or to participate in any required planning for my upcoming wedding. How do I handle this?
Q A
Simple: Tell her that as much as you would have loved having her in the bridal party it’s probably best if she takes part in your wedding in some other way. (You can ask her to do a reading during the ceremony.) Paying for her attire and pitching in on a number of other planning aspects are all part of being a bridesmaid, and it wouldn’t be fair to your other attendants to expect them to do all the heavy lifting—not to mention the animosity that would create. Our guess is she will probably be relieved. DANCE DILEMMA At my daughter’s wedding, am I expected to dance with my ex-husband after the father/daughter and mother/son dances? I’ve remarried and would not want my current husband to feel slighted.
Q
A
It’s considerate of you to ask. No, you’re not expected to dance with your ex-husband. When the parents are called to the dance floor, your partner can be your new husband and your ex can dance with his date or wife (if he’s remarried as well). SHOW ME THE MONEY We would love to buy a home soon after we marry and use any money we receive as wedding gifts for a down payment. What is the proper wording for this type of request on our invitation?
Q A
Wedding invitations should never include requests for gifts of any kind. The only way to let your guests know your preference for cash is by word of mouth. Friends and family members can inform invited guests that you plan on purchasing a home and would prefer a monetary gift but they should also graciously add that any type of gift would be greatly appreciated. You can set up a cash gift registry so guests are able to make contributions online. But do not count on receiving enough money for a down payment: Couples often overestimate how much they’ll receive. More than likely, you’ll need to save quite a bit more yourselves before reaching your goal. ››› Go to bridalguide.com/QA for more etiquette advice. And send your planning questions to us at mail@bridalguide.com.
Jan/Feb 2023 BRIDALGUIDE.COM 13
GUIDE WILDFLOWER.
Anne acrylic floral gown with oversized organza rose, $8,200, by NARDOS. Diamond Posey Rivière and Sapphire and Diamond Victoria Ring, both by BRIONY RAYMOND.
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HONEYMOON & DESTINATION WEDDING GUIDE
Ultimate Romance
PHOTOGRAPHY: THE NOBU HOTEL
Classic European capitals—Paris and Barcelona—sizzle with romance, iconic sites and totally modern hotels. Book into one of these gorgeous properties and make history—literally: They all have a landmark significance. One couple swaps vows in their favorite beach town, Tulum, Mexico, and another blends their cultural traditions with multiple events in the City of Brotherly Love—Philadelphia.
Soak in the view at Nobu Barcelona. Jan/Feb 2024 BRIDALGUIDE.COM000 61
REAL DESTINATION WEDDING
on hand
From some pre-wedding festivities to the farewell brunch, the wedding weekend’s events were bookended at The Logan. Since it also served as the site for the Jewish ceremony and black-tie formal reception, the couple used the hotel’s ace on-site wedding coordinator. They also enlisted the help of a wedding planner. “Both helped coordinate the complex logistics and helped put out fires behind Cheers! the scenes.”
The Sangeet often has a henna artist.
Made it official!
The evening reception was black tie. Pooja in her morning ceremony look.
wedding details • Photographer: Nina Lily Photography • Videographer: Cinebunce Productions • Planning and Design: Erganic Design • Florals and Decor: Valley Forge Flowers
“People love the LOVE sculpture in Love Park. We took a selfie there after getting our marriage certificate”
• Entertainment: ADM Talent • Jewish Ceremony and Wedding Reception: The Logan
• Sangeet: City Winery • Baraat and Hindu Ceremony: Horticulture Center • Staffing and Beverage Service at the Horticulture Center: Constellation Group • Luncheon: Moghul Caterers • Baraat Horse: Cloverland Entertainment • After Party: City Tap House
Pennsylvania requires a marriage license. Couples must present, in person, proof of birth (or age), a valid form of government ID and, if applicable, a divorce decree or death certificate. The fees vary from county to county. Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days.
• Off-Site Entertainment: Bollywood DJS Entertainment
Banquet-ready.
• Hair and Makeup: Cinderalla Bridez & GlassSlipper
the stately square Taking its name from a clockmaker/astrono-
• Henna Artist: Nisha Sharma • Wedding Dress: Nazranna • Stylist: Styled by Puja • Transportation: Academy Bus
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mer who was a descendant of one of the first papermakers in Pennsylvania, tony Rittenhouse Square is known for its leafy expanses, pretty parks, historic homes and excellent lodging and dining offerings. In addition to the central park and award-winning cultural institutions, a visit to the Trinity Church is a favorite. Much of the neighborhood boasts public art.
PHOTOGRAPHY: NINA LILY PHOTOGRAPHY
legally wed
• Catering, Custom fusion Indian menu: The Logan
Welcome to the stately Logan.
travel notes
PHILADELPHIA’S SOPHISTICATED LOGAN Square, like leafy Rittenhouse Square, is one
The indoor pool.
of five that were part of the city’s original urban planning by William Penn in the 1600s. The pair
of parks are located within a 10-minute walk from each other, which is why staging at The Logan, located just steps from the eponymous square, is the optimum perch for experiencing the best that Philadelphia has to offer. Set in the heart of the cultural district, the hotel has excellent access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Liberty Bell, the Barnes Foundation, which is especially celebrated for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection, and the Franklin Institute, an unparalleled center of science and technology.
The Library.
PHOTOGRAPHY: THE LOGAN
The hotel itself is a destination thanks to its enormous art collection of 1,800 original works. The chic rooftop lounge, with its views of the city’s museums, and the clubby library bar on the lobby floor that excels at exquisitely crafted cocktails served alongside a memorable small plates menu, are favorites for locals and visitors. Guests at the sleek, glass tower houses repose in one of 391 luxurious rooms, all of which boast local art (room rates start at $299 a night; theloganhotel.com). A sleek guest room.
The spa relaxation room.
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