BRIDALGUIDE.COM
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025
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500+ ALL NEW WEDDING IDEAS
Smart Ways to Slash Spending
glow!
Gowns that Will Steal Your Heart
FACE THE DAY WITH PERFECT SKIN!
Dreamy Destinations For a Perfect Getaway
JUST ENGAGED? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED
FR O M THIS DAY FO RWARD
IDEAL FOR “I DO” South Walton has a way of sweeping you off your feet from the moment you meet. It ’s not one thing–it ’s ever y detail. Natural beauty combined with luxurious amenities, stunning venues infused with extraordinar y hospitality, and breathtaking beaches that inspire both serenity and celebration. Savor your occasion in the paradise that loves you back.
VisitSouthWalton.com/Weddings
Now that you’ve found your forever person, you’ll need a forever place. South Walton’s timeless natural beauty provides a perfect backdrop for your big day and for many memories yet to come. There’s a feeling of familiarity that sets you at ease. Gather friends and family to join in celebrating the start of ever a er.
MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACH
FOR NEAREST AUTHORIZED SALON PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.eveofmiladybridals.com
CONTENTS NOV / DEC 2025
FASHION & BEAUTY 8 COVER STYLE
How to get that beautiful look.
10 MOOD BOARD
The perfect wedding-day purse.
12 BEAUTY FILE
Achieve complexion perfection with these skin polishers.
14 ALL THAT GLITTERS
Charms and medallions that tell your story.
16 OUR FRIENDS ARE YOUR FRIENDS
Meet designer Giovanna Randall of Honor.
42 DRAMA QUEEN Go ahead, steal the spotlight.
58 ON LOCATION
North Fork weddings rule.
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000 BRIDALGUIDE.COM month/month 2010
• The Perfect Dress for Your Body, p. 187 • 10 Gorgeous Hairstyles for Night, p. 202 • 101 Best Budget Tips, p. 166 • Make It Personal: Reception Ideas To Suit Your Theme, p. 68 • Aisle Style: Fabulous Ceremony, p. 207 • Celeb Rings! Get the Look, p. 92 • Cheers! Ways to Trim the Bar Bill, p. 164
CAPTION HERE
DRAMA QUEEN
Mary Clarke
EDITOR IN CHIEF ART DIRECTOR Mary Cate Godfrey
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Bridal Guide magazine (Vol. 41, No.6, November/December 2025 ISSN 0882-7451) is published bimonthly by RFP Corp., 1333A North Avenue #706, New Rochelle, NY 10804; 212-838-7733. Copyright © 2025 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.
CONTENTS NOV/DEC 2025
WEDDING PLANNING 20 PARTY PLANNER A chic Kentucky wedding. 24 PLANNERS WE LOVE We spotlight some of our favorite wedding geniuses. by Carol Straley
get more online at
90
28 YOUR WEEKEND WEDDING PLANNER Our ultimate guide to putting it all together. by Lynne Kendall Lawson
TRAVEL NEWS
36 WEDDING ALBUM An art- and music-filled Texas wedding.
NEWS & FEATURES 7
32 75 BEST BUDGET TIPS A stylish wedding can be yours— without sacrifice. by Kristen Finello
UNFORGETTABLE CENTERPIECES Choose your perfect table decor with the advice at bridalguide.com/centerpiece
68 RESORT ROUNDUP
WEDDING HAIR INSPO Discover the hairstyle of your dreams at bridalguide.com/ hairstyle
70 THE DISH Puerto Rico and the birth of the piña colada.
ENGAGEMENT PHOTO IDEAS Capture your unique love story with the ideas at bridalguide.com/engagement
Luxe global camping, er, glamping.
79 WEDDINGS AWAY Come with us to Panama City and beyond. by Diane Forden
WEDDING Q&A Etiquette questions and answers.
bridalguide.com
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86 DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT A few of the many things we love about The Bahamas. 88 DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT Here’s why the island of Barbados deserves a place in the sun.
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90 REAL DESTINATION WEDDING Michelle & Johnny’s charming Amagansett wedding. 94 FIRST LOOK Costa Rica’s Nayara Gardens.
00 000 BRIDALGUIDE.COM month/month 2010
24
etiquette ADVICE
A Q Wedding
&
Straight talk, smart solutions by Mary Clarke, Editor in Chief
PARTY TIMELINE
Q
We’d like to make sure that the first dances, toasts and cake cutting all proceed in a timely fashion at our reception. Is there a specific guideline to follow for scheduling these activities?
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHANNON SKLOSS PHOTOGRAPHY
A
It really depends on how long your reception will be, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead so everything runs smoothly. With a reception lasting four hours or longer you can schedule things at a more leisurely pace than you would for a shorter event. And once you’ve mapped out exactly what you’d like to do when, let your maître d’, DJ and other wedding pros know. Keep in mind that your reception site manager and wedding planner (if you have one) can assist with planning and pacing as well. To help get you started, here’s a basic timeline of scheduled events for a four-hour reception. Hour one: Bride, groom, attendants and family pose for wedding pictures. The receiving line (if you’re having one) is formed at the cocktail hour as the bridal party arrives, and drinks and hors d’oeuvres are served. Hour two: Guests take their seats for the first course, kicked off by the best man’s champagne toast. The maid of honor and the couple’s parents can also say a few words. During this hour, some couples like to have their first dance, followed by the father-daughter and mother-son dances. Hour three: Other couples prefer having first dance and other dances at this time. The main course is served and guests mingle and dance. Hour four: The cake is cut and served. The bride tosses her bouquet and the party winds down (or an after-party commences). Remember, these are just guidelines. You’re free to schedule your reception in
whatever way you like. Some couples, for example, like to take their formal portraits before the ceremony and not during the cocktail hour. Other couples prefer having a receiving line right after the ceremony instead of at the cocktail hour or to greet guests at the reception. Whatever you decide, plan your party in a way that’s most natural and comfortable for you and your groom.
affordable. If she’s not registered, you could ask her family or bridesmaids if they know of anything the couple needs for their home. Another thought: Consider sending her a gift card for a pre-wedding spa treatment.
PROCESSIONAL POINTERS
DINNER DILEMMA
Q A
On our engagement party invitations, is it appropriate to let guests know where we have registered for gifts?
The groom’s parents precede the bride’s mother during the processional. Here’s a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the graandparents start up the aisle followed by the groom’s parents. Then the bride’s mother takes her turn. She is the last to be seated before the bridal party procession begins.
GIFT REQUIRED?
Q
I’ve been invited to a bridal shower that I won’t be able to attend. Do I still need to send a gift and if so, how much should I spend?
A
Yes, you should send a gift, but as far as how much to spend really depends on your budget and how close you are to the bride. There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to shower gift costs and the brideto-be will surely appreciate whatever you give. Take a look at her registry: Most brides sign up for a variety of items in all price ranges so you’re very likely to find something
Q
My fiancé’s parents are divorced and neither has remarried. Who should host the rehearsal dinner—his mom or his dad?
A
The best scenario is to have both parents host and split the expenses— provided they’re on equal financial footing. If this situation isn’t monetarily practical, then your fiancé can speak with the parent who is in better financial shape to see if he or she might be willing to pick up the tab, or at least a majority of it, while the other parent contributes what they can afford. If your budget allows, you and your fiancé can even throw your own rehearsal dinner and still have his parents “host” if that makes you more comfortable. Keep in mind that the dinner does not have to be held in an expensive venue, and that you can tailor it to fit your budget.
››› Go to bridalguide.com/QA for more etiquette advice. And send your planning questions to us at mail@bridalguide.com. Nov/Dec 2025 BRIDALGUIDE.COM 7
cover style
“
PHOTOGRAPHER KOUROSH SOTOODEH; MAKEUP: CHARLOTTE WILLER @ HOME; HAIR: NIKO WEDDLE @ JUDY CASEY; STYLING ASSISTANT: AVITAL SHIMON
—EVE OF MILADY
easy glamour EVE OF MILADY KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT THE DRAMA OF A DRESS.
“
E
asy glamour sounds like an oxymoron, but is it though? Two words that rarely go together effortlessly encapsulate our cover girl, Aysia in this full-on, glamour gown. Her 100 watt smile, natural beauty, and comfortablein-her-own-skin vibes give us a reason to champion owning the big day, your way. You know who else does the big day, her way? The inimitable Eve of Eve of Milady, that’s who. Big, juicy ballgowns, body-con silhouettes, and a fearless combination of couture laces, embroideries and ultra feminine fabrics all come together for the bride who is sure of herself and of her own easy glamour. Eve’s collection reflects the confident, the self-assured; the bride who knows exactly who she is and what she wants for her wedding day - to slip into the most fabulous dress in the universe that feels like home.
AT THE HEART OF IT ALL? LOVE. I DESIGN FROM PASSION, BLENDING EXQUISITE DETAIL WITH EMOTION— TO CREATE THE ONE GOWN SHE’LL NEVER FORGET.
in full bloom
No wedding day look is complete without a stunning bouquet—and our friends at Élan Flowers never miss the moment. For our cover shoot, Élan Flowers designed a romantic, fall-inspired arrangement with a hint of drama. The bouquet featured a rich mix of quicksand and toffee roses, clematis, scabiosa, cotinus, seeded eucalyptus, white Majolika spray roses, dried floral accents, purple phalaenopsis orchids, and cascading red and green amaranths—all blooms thoughtfully chosen for their yearround availability. “Most brides come to us with a color palette, but it’s their personal point of view that truly brings the bouquet to life. We’re inspired by expressive words—whimsy, drama, classic, ephemeral, vibrant—that help us tell a unique story. From there, we consider the dress and setting to craft a design that’s unforgettable.” — Christine Hall, Co-Owner of Élan Flowers
on the cover Sheer lace bodice gown with layered tulle skirt, price upon request, by EVE OF MILADY BRIDALS. 18K white gold and diamond drop earrings and ring with baguette and round diamonds, both by DENA KEMP.