FROM THE EDITOR
Way back in 2000, I was the executive editor of Modern Bride. At the time, I was inundated with real-life wedding stories about things that went kerflooey during the planning phases, bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, ceremonies, receptions, and honeymoons. A year prior, I was pulling up to the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City on a 102-degree afternoon in mid-July, having just heard the news in the limo on a Lite FM station that John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren, had gone missing in a plane off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. I knew that our church had been the site of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ funeral mass and thought it all a strange coincidence. Walking down the aisle, my dad stepped on the side of my dress and caused me to teeter off balance. I regrouped with a smile and zoned in on Michael waiting for me. During the ceremony, I didn’t notice that the flowers I’d ordered to decorate the aisles and the altar were not there. When we arrived at our reception, and as soon as we opened our limo doors, we saw our friend Nick, who said: “Can you guys believe the news about John John?” I replied: “I know. It’s sad. But let’s not talk about it today.” Thankfully, he was the only person who brought it up. Our reception was a blast and so was our honeymoon, even though we occasionally watched the sad news about the Kennedy plane crash. I couldn’t wait to tear through the photos from the disposable cameras we’d left on the tables (totally dating myself, I know) and the professional ones. Our photographer took about 50 of my grandma smoking cigarettes, drinking her scotch on the rocks, and talking with a mouthful of food. I wasn’t so crazy about those pictures back then, but I cherish them now, as well as all of my wedding moments, both the good and the not so good. That’s the point. No matter how detail-oriented you are or how much thought and effort you put into planning a wedding, some things are out of your control. Pandemic brides, like our cover star Contessa Williams and Christa Hartz (whose wedding we highlight on page 76), know this better than anyone. Both women shared their stories with us for this Weddings Issue, which we packed with ideas and inspiration for bridal gowns, ceremonies, and receptions. We also interviewed local wedding planners for their take on the hottest trends (page 64), the creator of a new Naples balloon business to help add some fun to your next big event (page 25), and some of the most talented floral designers in town to dig up what’s blooming for centerpieces and more (page 28). Last summer, when we committed to doing a weddings-themed issue, none of us knew if it would be appropriate or possible to pull one off. But now, with vaccines becoming widely available and in-love couples forging ahead with modified plans, it feels optimistic and right. The show—or weddings—must go on. We do hope you have a lovely May and June.
REMY CUSH
Perfectly Imperfect
Christina Cush ccush@naplesillustrated.com Michael and me in 1999, right after we got hitched in New York City.
18
NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
018_EDLETTER_0521.indd 18
3/30/21 1:51 PM
