Vocelles The Bridal Book 2015

THE

Bridal Book A vendor directory & planning resource brought to you by the experts at Vocelles Bridal.

THE BRIDAL BOOK

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THE BRIDAL BOOK (850) 841.7663 1240 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303 



info@vocellesbridal.com



vocellesbridal.com

Our

collection

of

bridal

gowns begins in the $800s.

To make sure we are able to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service, appointments are required.

WEDDING GOWNS 

BRIDESMAID DRESSES 

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE 

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES 

FLOWER GIRL 

PLUS SIZE WEDDING GOWNS

welcome letter Six years ago, I was shopping for my wedding dress and planning what was supposed to be our small and simple wedding. Neither small nor simple happened, and I found myself extremely overwhelmed with the entire process. Tears of frustration flowed, many unnecessary miles were driven and way too much money was spent. But I wouldn’t change a single thing about that experience, because it led me to you and the creation of Vocelles | The Bridal Shoppe. I am humbled every day by the wonderful brides our team has the privilege of working with. Over the past years at Vocelles Bridal, so many amazing memories have been made and countless happy tears have flowed. We are the luckiest girls in the world.

After half a decade of bringing joy to thousands of brides and their families, we have created a resource to help brides-to-be streamline the planning process. It is with great excitement that I debut the second edition of The Bridal Book. We collaborated with the best of the best vendors who provide their services to couples in North Florida and South Georgia. In these pages you will find contact information and inspiration from vendors who continuously go above and beyond for their clients and make the planning process a breeze.

Congratulations from all of us at Vocelles Bridal on your engagement.

You have a fun ride ahead of you, and we can’t wait to be there for you every step of the way.

Cheers to you and happy planning!

Kristen The Bridal Book is published annually by Vocelles LLC. All contents copyright 2015 Vocelles LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The opinions and views expressed by our writers and editors are their own and other professionals may express differing views. The information in this publication has been thoroughly researched, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

We reserve the right to refuse advertising. All advertisements are accepted and published with the representation by the advertiser that they are authorized to publish the advertisement’s entire contents. Vocelles LLC is not responsible for any statements, claims or representations made by contributing wedding professionals, advertisers or others, nor is Vocelles LLC responsible for anyone’s reliance on the content herein.

on the cover

Vocelles Bridal Real Bride: Lindsay Wedding Gown: Vocelles Bridal Veil: Vocelles Bridal Photographer: A. Tappen Photography

the book

Editor-in-Chief: Kristen Barstow Layout & Design: Julia Holly (www.jhcreative.co)

Be Inspired

Gown Shopping Tips . . . . 14

Real Vocelles Weddings . . . . 33

Planning Checklist . . . . 60

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JohnGandyEvents.com



850.570.5999

Augusta Jones Blue by Enzoani Blush by Hayley Paige Casablanca Bridal Essense of Australia Love Marley Maggie Sottero Pronovias Watters Wtoo

Gowns start at $800.

Samples range from size 2 - 28. w w w.vo c e l l e s b r i d a l . c o m 1240 Thomasville Road Tallahassee, Florida (850) 841-7663

Photo credit: Blush by Hayley Paige

(850) 559.1095 woodlandfieldsphotography.com WO ODL AND FIELDS PHOTO GRAPHY 

Photo Credit: Woodland Fields Photography Event Planner: John Gandy Events

Old Florida Charm and Grace JoAnn Bixler, Director of Rentals & Special Events  (850) 877.4202 ext. 228 jabixler@goodwoodmuseum.org  goodwoodmuseum.org

Photo Credit: The Black & Hue Project Event Planner: Carol Cartee Creations

VOTED BEST WEDDING VENUE

BY TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE’S READER POLL

BRIDAL BOOK

Photo Credit: Woodland Fields Photography | Event Planner: John Gandy Events

Kay Meyer Photography

Terri Smith Photo

Terri Smith Photo

Terri Smith Photo

1600 MICCOSUKEE ROAD, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32308 Kay Meyer Photography

Saying “Yes” to Your Dress 14

TIPS ON HOW TO BE A SAVVY SHOPPER

By Kristen Barstow, owner of Vocelles | The Bridal Shoppe Shopping for the perfect wedding gown is one of the most fun parts of being a bride. But if you’re like most brides, the whole process of finding “THE ONE” can be a bit overwhelming.

We’ve put together some basic tips that will help take the stress out of shopping and will allow you to relax, have fun and get the most out of your shopping time.

Before you go…

Determine your overall wedding budget

Make sure you take the time to determine your overall wedding budget and how much of that budget you would like to put toward your dress.

Knowing a ballpark of how much you would like to spend will help your bridal stylist pick the best styles for you and will help you make the most of your shopping time.

Location, Location, Location!

Knowing where you are going to get married will be a tremendous help in finding the perfect dress. Are you getting married on the beach?

In a church? In a barn? In a ballroom? Different venues lend themselves to different dress styles so make sure you have an idea of where you’ll be tying the knot.

Do Your Homework

Before stepping foot in a bridal salon, look through magazines to get an idea of what types of dresses you like and don’t like. Tear out photos of styles you like and take them with you to your appointment.

Schedule Appointments in Advance

Most bridal shops prefer that you make an appointment to try on gowns. Make sure you call in advance to set up a time to come shopping.

Do bring the two or three most important people with you.

Even if you are planning on “ just looking ” you very well may

find the dress when you least expect it,

and you can never recreate that moment. You want to make sure you have those special people with you so they can share in the moment.

Shopping Day! So Many Opinions!

Don’t overwhelm yourself by bringing 20 different people with you to your appointment. Too many opinions are overwhelming and can take away from your experience.

Be Open Minded

Trust the experts. While you have gone through magazines and picked out styles that you like, that is only step 1. Trust your bridal consultant when she recommends that you try on a dress that is totally different than anything you’ve ever considered.

More times than not brides surprise themselves and choose a dress that’s totally different than they would have imagined.

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The

hand-off

In the South... the bond between a father and his little girl is felt strongest in the moments before he must let her go. A flood of memories and emotions to be savored, not missed. So‌ pause before you walk down the aisle, before you belong to someone else.

Cherish a few minutes with the first man you ever loved.

Dad.

850.948.9911



honeylake.com



1290 NW Honey Lake Rd Greenville, FL 32331

Exclusively Available at Vo celles Bridal w w w. e s s e n s e d e s i g n s. c o m

Photo Credit: Terri Smith Photo

Award-Winning Floral Design & Consultation Missy Gunnels Flowers | The Knot Hall of Fame 2014 | Featured on Style Me Pretty (850) 228.0354



missygunnelsflowers.com

GENERATIONS OF SOUTHERN STYLE nicstoggery.com

Making Your Day Special Ranked by Esquire Magazine as one of the “Finest Menswear Specialty Stores” in the United States.

Together we will help you find the perfect tuxedo, provide expert fashionable advice and precise measurements for a picture perfect day. Tuxedos available for rent or purchase. Rental packages starting at $95.00 and ask about our FREE tuxedo for the groom.

DOWNTOWN  (850) 222.0687 THE GALLERY  (850) 893.9599 NICS BIG & TALL  (850) 385.6866

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Photo Credit: Woodland Fields Photography

(850) 942.4653

ď Ź

www.southwoodgolf.com

Photo Credit: Anna Cinchen

A PLACE

for Dreamers LIKE YOU 20

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Too pretty to eat ... too delicious not to!

(850) 567.9650

sandyssweets93@gmail.com

facebook.com/sandy.stone1806

Designs By Darin | Unique Floral Creations (850) 228.5040

designsbydarin@yahoo.com

DesignsByDarin.com

Available at Vocelles Bridal For more visit www.watters.com

Available at Vocelles Bridal

For more visit www.watters.com

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Terri Smith Photo FRESH www.terrismithphoto.com



CREATIVE



MODERN

terri@terrismithphoto.com

850.321.5609

Terri Smith Details PREPPY HAMPTON EVENT RENTALS www.terrismithdetails.com

hello@terrismithdetails.com

850.321.5609

Photo Credit: Black & Hue Photography

Winner of 2012, 2013 & 2014 Bride’s Choice Award Book Your Event Today



AmplifyMyEvent.com



book@AmplifyMyEvent.com



(850) 508.8143

This is your day. These are your moments. We are your photographers.

(850) 933.6033



(850) 445.4004

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jandjweddings@gmail.com



jandjweddings.com

Available at Vocelles Bridal

Impeccable Styling. Incomparable Fit.

www.maggiesottero.com THE BRIDAL BOOK

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Your Happily Ever After Begins Here UniversityCenterClub.com

Kaley King, CWP Kristen Datko







Tawp.org

(850) 644.9071

(850) 644.8532





Kaley.King@ClubCorp.com

Kristen.Datko@ClubCorp.com

Available at Vocelles Bridal For more, visit: www.casablancabridal.com

Exclusively Available at Vo celles Bridal w w w. e s s e n s e d e s i g n s. c o m 30

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Money Matters Prioritizing your dollars to create the wedding of your dreams.

In today’s Pinterest obsessed world, it’s easy to plan the specifics of a gorgeous wedding with all sorts of stunning details fit for the pages of a bridal magazine. It’s another thing to pull off your Pinterest wedding within a realistic budget.

WIth a little strategy and an open mind you can make your wedding everything you want without breaking the bank. The key is prioritizing.

When you begin mapping out your wedding budget, give a lot of thought to what two or three aspects matter the most to you and your fiancé. Is it mportant to you to have a really fantastic live band, or are you more concerned with having one of the best photographers to capture the day? Is a gorgeous designer wedding gown on your list of must-haves, or would you rather spend your money on an open bar for guests?

Whatever they are, write out your priorities at the get-go and plan to spend your money on those things that matter most. You can cut back a little in other areas that aren’t as important to you.

TIP: Excel has a great wedding budget spreadsheet template that will help you keep your spending on track.

TIP: Be honest with your vendors about your budget. They’ve done this a million times and can help brainstorm different ways to create the look you want while staying within your budget. It’s very important to be open about your budget up front.

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WTOO CURVE PLUS SIZE BRIDAL DRESSES ARE BEAUTIFULLY PROPORTIONED TO SIZE 32.

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT VOCELLES BRIDAL. 32

THE BRIDAL BOOK

Sparkle.

Shine.

Inspiration from real Vocelles brides.

Vocelles Bridal bride Lindsay is wearing Blue by Enzoani.

Photo by A. Tappen Photography

Your wedding day is a reflection of not only your love, but the very best version of yourself.

Every Vocelles bride has a wedding day look that is completely her own and an individual expression of what will be one of her favorite moments of life.

Enjoy the inspiration within these pages. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Vocelles Bridal family.

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Heather & Matt

Pretty Details: Gown: Blue by Enzoani from Vocelles Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff from Vocelles Bridal Accessories: Haute Bride from Vocelles Ceremony & Reception Venue: Honey Lake Plantation Photographer: Woodland Fields Photography THE BRIDAL BOOK

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Vanessa Michael

Pretty Details:

Gown: Maggie Sottero | Venue: Southwood House at Southwood Plantation | Photographer: Terri Smith Photo

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Christina Mark

Pretty Details: Gown: Watters Brides from Vocelles Bridesmaids: Alfred Sung from Vocelles Veil: Sara Gabriel from Vocelles Photographer: Woodland Fields Photography Event Planner: John Gandy Events Florist: Designs by Darin

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A Magical Ending to Your New Beginning 850.556.5982



info@ashleypyrotechnics.com



ashleypyrotechnics.com

Tallahassee Association of Wedding Professionals www.tawp.org Amplify Entertainment Andrews Catering Ashley Pyrotechnics Beautifully Brushed Airbrushed Makeup, LLC Cheese Me! Photobooth A Country Rose DND Honeymoons DoubleTree by Hilton Elegance Affairs Flowers by Vince Four Points by Sheraton Golden Eagle Country Club Hampton Inn & Suites (I-10/Thom. Rd.) Hilton Garden Inn (TLH Central) Hilton Garden Inn (I-10/Thom. Rd.) Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Cruises & Tours Homewood Suites Hotel Duval Katie’s Cakes & Catering Kay Meyer Photography Klassic Events Klassic Katering Kris Kimel Photography Kylene and Ryan Studios Lisa’s Bartenders, LLC Long’s Photography Missy Gunnels Flowers North Florida Express DJ’s Papaya Planning Party, Party, Party Pebble Hill Plantation

Photo Fun Booth A Piece of Cake Event Planning Posh Stems Pro DJ’s Pro Limo Tallahassee The Retreat at Bradley’s Pond Saramonies with HeART Shiloh Farm Chapel & Barn Steve Christian’s Party Mix Sweet Tea Events Terri Smith Details Terri Smith Photo Top Hat Limo & Sedan Service University Center Club Vocelles | The Bridal Shoppe Woodland Fields Photography

Pretty little details.

The Accessory Shoppe at Vocelles Bridal has the perfect finishing touches for your wedding day look.

Veils, jewelry and accessories galore.

Meet the Event Team Event Assistant: Becky Gula | Owner & Event Planner: Kate Pararo | Event Planner: Marlo Moody (850) 294.5143

O½ciant Sara Michaels

|



apieceofcakeeventplanning.com

Splendid Ceremonies Composed Soul-y For You

A handcrafted ceremony like your love story. . . yours & yours alone.

(850) 562.6563



sara@saramonies.com



saramonies.com

A celebration of love is one that deserves to be everything you wish.

HAWAII

BORA BORA

CARIBBEAN

850.386.7327

PARIS



2522 Capital Circle NE Tallahassee, FL



TUSCANY

EUROPE

funseas.com

Holiday Cruises & Tours

HONEYMOON & DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING EXPERTS Offering custom packages for every bride

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Photo Credit: Terri Smith Photo

Pebble Hill Plantation 1251 US Hwy 319 S



| Your Event. . .Our Backdrop

Thomasville, GA 31792

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(229) 226.2344



www.pebblehill.com

Life happens. I’d love to be there when it does. ashleydaniellphotography.com ashley@ashleydaniellphotography.com (850) 443.1978

Available at Vocelles Bridal (229) 896.5577 yesitscake.com Find us on Facebook: bit.ly/yesitscake yesitscake2@gmail.com

Inspired. Versatile. Personal.

228 South Adams St. Tallahassee, FL 32301

ď Ź

andrewsdowntown.com

Lately,

we have seen a trend taking us back to our roots. Brides are trading in the satin for burlap, champagne flutes for mason jars and filet mignon for cowboy rib-eyes.

Andrew’s Catering uses fresh farm-to-table and local sustainable ingredients. Our new Modern-Southern menu takes traditional down-home fare to the next level, and will have your guests saying “Have Mercy!”

Call Andrew’s Catering and let us handle the hassle.

For a free quote, call (850) 644-2767 or visit us online at www.andrewsdowntown.com.

Available Exclusively at Vocelles Bridal www.enzoani.com

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Available Exclusively at Vocelles Bridal www.pronovias.com

Planning Checklist We’ve made it simple to make sure your wedding day goes off without a hitch. Simply follow the timing guidelines outlined here in our planning checklist to keep your to-do list manageable.

Happy Planning!

Sixteen to Nine Months Before Start a wedding folder or binder Begin looking at magazines, bridal blogs and websites to get inspiration.

Add photos of things you love to your bridal folder.

Determine your budget Talk to your family and fiancé and get everyone on the same page. Determine how much you have to spend based on everyone’s contributions.

Select your bridal party As soon as you are engaged, friends and family will begin to wonder who is in.

Do something special to ask your bridal party to be part of your day.

Begin the guest list Create a head count spreadsheet to use during the planning process. Include columns for contact info, RSVPs, plus ones and anything else you would like to keep track of.

Hire a planner, if desired A good planner will have relationships with—and insights about—vendors. A vendor can also help save you money in the long run and reduce stress.

Select your date and venues Keep in mind that the most popular venues and wedding dates get booked far in advance. As soon as you are engaged, you need to nail down these details.

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Book your officiant Research photographers, bands, florists and caterers. Like venues, these vendors can book up quickly and far in advance. If you have any favorites you know you want to work with, let them know ASAP and get your signed contract and deposits in. For others, start preliminary research and put their contact information in your wedding binder.

Purchase a dress Bridal gowns can take up to eight months to arrive once you place your order, so make sure you start early and plan to schedule time for at least three fittings.

Eight Months Before Hire the photographer and videographer Book entertainment If there is a certain band or DJ you are interested in, attend a gig or two to see how they perform in front of an audience.

Meet caterers If your wedding venue doesn’t offer a food & beverage service, start meeting with potentials this month and hire your favorite now or early next month.

Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests Select three or four different hotels at varying price points and near your reception venue.

Register for gifts Choose a minimum of three retailers to register at. Consider choosing a locally owned retailer along with a retailer that has good online shopping options available.

Six to Seven Months Before Purchase invitations Start planning a honeymoon Select Bridesmaid Dresses Allow at least six months for the dresses to be ordered and sized. Once you have dresses picked out, give your bridesmaids a deadline to have them ordered by so the order is placed on time.

Meet with the officiant Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding based on your county and religion.

Mail out save-the-date cards Reserve structural & electrical necessities Portable toilets, extra chairs, lighting, etc.…

Select a florist Since florists can serve multiple clients on one day, you can wait until now to formally hire one. However, it is never too early to book a florist.

Arrange transportation Think about limos, trolleys, town cars and minibuses for transportation of the bride and groom and the bridal party.

Start compiling a day-of timeline Draft a schedule of the wedding day and include a time for each component (cake cutting, first dance, etc.…)

Five to Four Months Before Book the rehearsal dinner venues

and

rehearsal

Select and order the cake Some bakers require a long lead time, so make sure to attend tastings and hire in advance.

Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings Bring your shoes with you to your fittings so the tailor can determine the appropriate length for your gown.

Schedule hair and makeup artists Make sure you do a trial run of hair and makeup and be completely open about what you like and don’t like about the finished product.

Choose your music Select what music will be playing during each part of the day – when the wedding party is announced, during dinner, etc.… Keep a list of what you want and do not want played.

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Planning checklist continued

Three Months Before Finalize the menu and flowers Wait until now to see what will be available and in season.

Order favors Make a list of people giving toasts Finalize the readings Purchase your undergarments and schedule your second dress fitting Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception Print menu cards, as well as the programs Purchase the wedding bands Send your event schedule to the vendors Giving them a first draft now will give plenty of time for tweaks, feedback and perfecting.

Two Months Before Touch base with all vendors and make sure any questions have been answered Meet with the photographer Talk through specific shots and walk through the locations to determine specific shot locations.

Review the playlist with the band or DJ Make sure to let them know of any songs that are off limits.

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Send out invitations Mail invites six to eight weeks before the ceremony, setting the RSVP cutoff at three weeks after the postmark date.

One Month Before Enter RSVPs spreadsheet

into

your

guest

list

Touch base with anyone who has not responded Get your marriage license Mail the rehearsal dinner invitations Have your final dress fitting You may want to also schedule one last fitting for the week of your wedding to make sure everything still fits perfectly.

Stock the bar once you have a firm headcount Mail out as many final payments to vendors as you can Confirm times for hair, makeup and all vendor arrival times Email and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles Assign seating Purchase bridesmaid & groomsmen gifts Write your vows, if necessary Get your hair cut & colored

Wedding Week notes:

Week of Wedding Reconfirm arrival times with all vendors Delegate small wedding-day tasks Choose someone to help with the many small details, such as bustling your dress, carrying your things, making sure the gifts make it home, etc.‌ Send a timeline to the bridal party Make this thorough and include everyone’s contact information and who to contact should problems arise.

Pick up your dress Set aside checks for the vendors Put checks and tips in labeled envelopes to be handed out at the event.

Book a spa treatment Make an appointment for a manicure and pedicure the day before the wedding.

Send final guest list to caterer and all venues hosting any wedding-related events. Typically, companies close their lists 72 hours in advance.

Assemble and distribute welcome baskets Pack for your honeymoon Take a deep breath and remember to relax, have fun and enjoy your day!

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N ot your average bridesmaid dress!

The Vocelles Bridal collection is fresh, fun and modern.

At Vocelles Bridal, we love styling your bridesmaids! We have hundreds of dress options from the leading designers in the industry.

Call (850) 841-7663 to schedule a personal appointment. We hand-select styles specifically for you, depending on your preferences on price, fabric, style and the overall look you want your maids to convey.

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Photo Credit: Wtoo

Designers: Aªer Six

Alfred Sung

Bill Levko¼

Dessy Group

Dessy Social

Watters

STYLES BEGIN AT $175 AND RANGE IN SIZE FROM 00 TO 30.

Wtoo vocellesbridal.com | (850) 841.7663

Available at Vocelles Bridal

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BRIDAL BOOK

www.watters.com

Vocelles | The Bridal Shoppe creator and owner, Kristen Barstow, o¼ers valuable advice and key tips to keep in mind while gown shopping.

Kristen does all the buying for Vocelles and works directly with the designers to hand-select the most sought-aªer designs right o¼ the runways of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Q: What’s the biggest piece of advice you have for brides as they are shopping for their gown?

A: Go in with an open mind and trust your stylist!

Tips from the Expert

More often than not, brides end up ordering a gown that is completely different than what she thought she would. You simply cannot tell what a gown is going to look like until you try it on. A dress that doesn’t catch your eye on the hanger can look absolutely stunning on! Your stylist is truly your personal expert for this process, she is really your best friend!

Q: How many appointments does it usually take before brides find “THE” dress?

A: One! You get to work one-on-one with an expert

stylist who will not only listen to everything you’re wanting, but offer you the best advice in the industry for what is going to make you look and feel your best.

Q: Who should I bring with me to my appointment?

A: The two or three people who are most important

to you and whose opinion you value. While we love groups of all sizes, some of our favorite memories are the sweet and intimate moments between a bride and her very closest friends and family taking photos and sipping champagne.

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1240 THOMASVILLE ROAD, SUITE 101, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32303

US P O S T A GE

P AI D VOC EL L ES BRIDAL . C OM

Vocelles Bridal is a true bridal experience for the modern bride.

Combining big-city style with small-town southern hospitality, we have been styling fashion-conscious brides since 2009.

Schedule an Appointment or Ask us a Question info@vocellesbridal.com 850.841.7663

Visit us Online

www.vocellesbridal.com

Follow Us

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THE BRIDAL BOOK Š2015 Vocelles Bridal. All rights reserved.