The Knot Winter 2022

For 40 years, Sandals® Resorts has turned couples’ moments into a lifetime of cherished memories. Magical moments colored by the bluest waters, verdant landscapes, and golden sunsets. They’re felt in luxurious sanctuaries perched at water’s edge or directly over the water. They’re flavored by mouthwatering culinary creations and crafted cocktails. These moments linger in hearts and minds forever, an art that we’ve perfected at Sandals, where Love is All You Need.

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are giving away $25,000 to ONE lucky bride. We are so thankful for all of the Thank you for an amazing 25 years of celebrating love! In honor of this milestone, we To Our Lovely Brides,

the aisle, to partying it up at the reception, Casablanca Bridal hopes to amazing moments Casablanca Bridal has been a part of. From walking down

Celebrate Forever with more amazing brides!

Necessary

FEATURES

28 THE BOOM & BEYOND

Learn about the year of the wedding and what’s to come, with collages by Mindy Byrd.

43 BEAUTY AWARDS

We tested hundreds of products to find the best of the best for your wedding beauty arsenal.

65 THE 101 OF PREWEDDING PARTIES

Get ready to party with our guide to prewedding celebrations.

108 OWN THE NIGHT

Wedding fashion inspired by night-luxe looks full of glam.

120 LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE

We tapped the experts for some relationship wellness guidance.

126 BUCKET-LIST TRIPS

We’ve rounded up six trips worth a splurge for your honeymoon.

ON LOCATION

The iconic St. Regis on New York City’s Fifth Avenue was the location for our Own the Night fashion shoot, inspired by the stylish vibes of the night-luxe aesthetic. Planning your own glamorous nuptials?

Consider this historic five-star hotel, founded by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904. Every detail of the property is carefully considered, from the opulent rooms and designer suites to the stunning public spaces, highlighted by a regal rooftop ballroom with sweeping views of Midtown Manhattan.

Learn more here:

Dream Honeymoon

WHERE EVERYTHING’S INCLUDED!WHERE

What takes a honeymoon from a dream to a spectacular reality? It’s endless stretches of pristine white-sand beaches lined by the bluest waters. It’s savoring every moment together – just the two of you or with loved ones – while enjoying gourmet cuisine and creatively crafted cocktails made with premium liquors. It’s dancing to reggae rhythms around a beach bonfire and retreating to lavish sanctuaries, for families of all sizes, where every amenity is designed for indulgence. Honeymoon dreams come true when everything is included, only at Beaches® Resorts.

Beaches® is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Beaches Resorts.

FASHION + BEAUTY

54 STYLIST ON CALL

Bridal stylist Micaela Erlanger gives us the scoop on finding the right wedding attire for you.

58 THE SHAPE OF YOU

Take our quiz to find the best bling for your style, plus what differentiates one stone shape from another.

60 SUIT YOURSELF

Our guide to custom suiting for the big day.

STYLE + PLANNING

68 PRAIRIE WONDERLAND

A blanket of snow sets the stage for cozy winter ranch nuptials.

74 REGISTER THE RIGHT WAY

Top tips to ensure you get exactly what you want.

LEFT: COURTESY OF

COURTESY OF LONDOLOZI GAME RESERVE; LAURA MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

FASHION & BEAUTY

SENIOR FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR Shelley Brown

ASSISTANT FASHION COMMERCE EDITOR Monica Mercuri

VIDEO, VISUALS & PRODUCTION

EDITORIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Jessica Safavimehr

PLANNING & STYLE

SENIOR EDITOR Kim Forrest

SENIOR EDITOR, WEDDINGS Hannah Nowack EDITOR Samantha Iacia

ASSISTANT EDITOR Chapelle Johnson

DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL VIDEO PROGRAMMING Amanda Miller

VISUALS EDITOR Kelsey Pillischer DESIGNER Ashley Detmering

CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR Rebecca Dalzell

CONTRIBUTING RESEARCH EDITOR Keith Bearden

CONTRIBUTING PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE Sharon Harvey

SOCIAL MEDIA & TALENT

DIRECTOR, SOCIAL MEDIA Whitney Little MANAGERS, SOCIAL MEDIA Mina Garagozlo, Danielle Savoy SPECIALIST, SOCIAL MEDIA Lucy Ferut COORDINATORS, SOCIAL MEDIA Meghan Ho, Kerre Jo Lattanzio

SENIOR INFLUENCER MANAGER, SOCIAL MEDIA Heather Kon INFLUENCER SPECIALIST, SOCIAL MEDIA Kimberly Brown

FEATURES & TRAVEL

DEPUTY EDITOR Esther Lee

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sarah Hanlon

DIRECTOR, DIGITAL CONTENT Morgan Gibson

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DIGITAL CONTENT STRATEGY MaryKate Callahan

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL OPERATIONS Sam Langabeer

SENIOR MANAGER, COMMERCE CONTENT STRATEGY Emily Platt ASSOCIATE COMMERCE EDITOR Naoimh O’Hare ASSISTANT COMMERCE UPDATES EDITOR Emily Rumsey

STRATEGY, OPERATIONS & COMMERCE CREATIVE SERVICES

SENIOR DIRECTOR, CREATIVE MARKETING Jeffra Trumpower

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, VIDEO & PHOTO PRODUCTION Daniela Kelley McInerney MANAGER, BRAND VIDEO PRODUCTION Siobhan Carty

VIDEO EDITOR Malu Frasson Nori

VIDEO PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE Raul Ferrari MANAGER, CREATIVE PHOTO PRODUCTION Jessica Kane

GLOBAL MARKETING

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jenny Lewis, jlewis@theknotww.com

VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL CONSUMER MARKETING Kiara Kempski, kkempski@theknotww.com

SENIOR DIRECTOR, BRAND COMMUNICATIONS Melissa Bach, pr@theknotww.com

DIRECTOR BRAND MEDIA, GLOBAL CONSUMER MARKETING Pamela Solis, psolis@theknotww.com

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS Jennifer Myers

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED BRAND PLANNING & ANALYSIS Jesse Geiger COORDINATOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS Erica Ko MANAGER, INTEGRATED BRAND PLANNING & ANALYSIS Chelsea McArdle

GLOBAL MEDIA SOLUTIONS @ THE KNOT WORLDWIDE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL MEDIA SOLUTIONS Nicole Aste, naste@theknotww.com

SENIOR DIRECTOR, REVENUE OPERATIONS & YIELD Dominique Walker, dwalker@theknotww.com

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, REVENUE OPERATIONS Jenna Bruno, jbruno@theknotww.com

SENIOR ANALYST, REVENUE OPERATIONS Nicholas Saracione, nsaracione@theknotww.com

VICE PRESIDENT, AD SALES Risa Aronson, raronson@theknotww.com

BRIDAL FASHION SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Brett Olsen, bolsen@theknotww.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Tina LoRegio, tloregio@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT DIRECTORS, EAST Cara Goldberg, cgoldberg@theknotww.com Erin Perley, eperley@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES, EAST Debbie Konstadt, dkonstadt@theknotww.com Brooke Morgan, bmorgan@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, PACIFIC Karen Argow, kargow@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, WEST Debbie Lucas, dlucas@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, MIDWEST Laura Adrian, ladrian@theknotww.com

ASSOCIATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Giavanna Cifelli, gcifelli@theknotww.com

SENIOR DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED MARKETING Priya Junnarkar

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, SALES DEVELOPMENT MARKETING Jessica Bendes

MANAGER, SALES DEVELOPMENT MARKETING Zoe Ferranti COORDINATOR, SALES DEVELOPMENT MARKETING Carly Kleinman ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SOLUTIONS Elizabeth Roehrig

SENIOR MANAGER, BRANDED CONTENT Kate Traverson

ASSOCIATE CONTENT EDITOR Sarah Fine

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Amanda Kocis Gallagher

ASSOCIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Anahí Garza-Runfola

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Nicole Fornabaio

ASSOCIATE SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Gabriela Maceira

SENIOR DIRECTOR, ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT Nicole Vogel, nvogel@theknotww.com

SENIOR MANAGER, ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT Courtney Carlesimo, ccarlesimo@theknotww.com

TEAM LEADS, ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT Jessica Van Alphen, jvanalphen@theknotww.com Morgan Fahey, mfahey@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Elena Semenza, esemenza@theknotww.com

Alaina Gosh, agosh@theknotww.com

Melanie Hurley, mhurley@theknotww.com Kaitlin Fitzgerald, kfitzgerald@theknotww.com Anna Aguila, aaguila@theknotww.com Jackie Lash, jlash@theknotww.com

ASSOCIATE ACCOUNT MANAGER Alaina Gosh, agosh@theknotww.com

ACCOUNT COORDINATOR Daniela Lopez, danlopez@theknotww.com

PUBLISHED BY XO GROUP INC. 2 Wisconsin Circle, 3rd Floor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. TheKnot.com

The Knot weddings magazine © 2022 XO Group Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher. The Knot, TheKnot.com and The Knot weddings magazine are trademarks of XO Group Inc. The Knot is not responsible for the return or loss of, or damage to, unsolicited materials. Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, artwork and other materials for consideration should not send originals, unless specifically requested to do so in writing by The Knot. Manuscripts, artwork and other materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren Kay

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sarah Evans

Embrace Your Forever

A lifetime of happiness begins with the enduring strength and beauty of platinum ever&ever® rings.

featured,

Rings featured,

to bottom:

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To locate a jewelerTo locate a in your area, visitin your area, visit everandever.com

This has been a banner year for weddings: 2.6 million “I dos” will take place before we ring in 2023, a number we haven’t seen in nearly 40 years. But I probably don’t have to tell you that. I bet your fridge is covered in save-the-dates, and as a to-bewed, you’ve traded pandemic binge-watching for planning and budget spreadsheets. We feel you and we’re here for you. We’ve dedicated this issue to the (many) weddings of the year—the ones that have already happened

and the ones yet to come, plus the thing that makes them all possible: LOVE!

“The Boom & Beyond” (p. 28) highlights the faces of weddings in 2022, including the pros who work tirelessly to bring these celebrations to life. We tapped our relationship experts for the best lessons on love, rounding out our yearlong wellness crusade (p. 120) And we did some heavy lifting, researching and testing hundreds of beauty products to help you curate a prewedding arsenal (p. 43). The time to celebrate is now and we have the looks that will turn heads (p. 108)

So here’s to you—the to-beweds! And here’s to the people who make this day unforgettable, from the pros to the relatives (even the ones you wish you didn’t have to invite) and the wedding party VIPs. Thank you for making 2022 so very special for all of us.

Cheers, LAUREN KAY, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

MEET OUR COVER PHOTOGRAPHERS

These are the faces behind the cameras that captured our cover couples and many of the weddings taking place this year. They preserve the very moments that become memories.

TOP PHOTO BY ANNA ZAJAC;

A MOMENT IN TIME

A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES

For 40 years, Sandals® Resorts has turned couples’ moments into a lifetime of cherished memories. Magical moments colored by the bluest waters, verdant landscapes, and golden sunsets. They’re felt in luxurious sanctuaries perched at water’s edge or directly over the water. They’re flavored by mouthwatering culinary creations and crafted cocktails. These moments linger in hearts and minds forever, an art that we’ve perfected at Sandals, where Love is All You Need.

ANYTHING FOR THE SHOT

Bryan was totally committed to getting the perfect image, even if it meant laying down on a Manhattan street to create a dramatic angle.

BRYAN DERBALLA PHOTOGRAPHER

OWN THE NIGHT P. 108

WHAT INSPIRED YOU DURING THE FASHION SHOOT? Shooting at the St. Regis was really special. I loved having full access to these decadent and storied spaces. Salvador Dalí, John Lennon and Alfred Hitchcock all stayed there. There’s a lot of creative energy flowing through that building and you find a gorgeous backdrop for photos around every corner. I kept thinking about juxtaposition. I wanted to take all the glamour of the location and contrast it with lighting and compositions that felt raw and intimate. It was fun to take elements that would normally be so formal and shoot them very casually to make the photos fun and relatable.

@LoveBryan

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

AMANDA SLATER EVENT PLANNER

PRAIRIE WONDERLAND P. 68

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR COUPLES WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING A WINTER WEDDING AND DEALING WITH INCLEMENT WEATHER?

Snow doesn’t have to ruin your day. I loved that our shoot happened during a snowstorm. It added challenges, but was so magical. As with a rainy wedding, oversized umbrellas are useful for protecting you between photos; hand warmers are another must for your portrait session. At a snowy wedding, we also recommend renting portable heaters, blankets and serving hot drinks. They keep everyone nice and warm, as guest comfort should come first and foremost. Lastly, it’s key that you communicate with guests ahead of time. Make sure they know what they’re in for so they can pack and dress accordingly.

@Slater_Events

MINDY BYRD COLLAGE ARTIST

COVER + THE BOOM & BEYOND P. 28

WHAT WAS IT LIKE CREATING THE COLLAGE FOR THE MAGAZINE COVER? It was such a fun experience.

I found and pulled so much inspiration from the vibrant colors, beautiful smiles and genuine love shown in each couple’s photo. The emotion feels so tangible! Additionally, I can’t emphasize enough how much representation matters, and I’m so happy to see diversity showcased on the cover of The Knot magazine. I love that the composition of the collage departs from traditional color palettes. It shows a new, bold and vibrant world that seems to be the trend these days both in weddings and beyond.

@MindyByrdLegs

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SARAH EVANS; MATT MUNSON; MINDY BYRD; LAURA MURRAY

We asked some of the pros from this issue for the inside scoop on their areas of expertise.

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PATTERN PLAY Stefano and James had fun with their ceremony tuxes— they donned botanical-patterned Alexander McQueen numbers. The duo kept the bold looks coming by slipping into metallic tuxes for the reception.

C O L O R C O U T U R E

Inspired by a magazine spread she’d seen years prior, Perry wore a yellow ombré Giambattista Valli gown for her wedding ceremony. Adam rocked a navy Dior tux to complement the dress.

Gone are the days when white wedding dresses and black tuxedos were the only way to dress for nuptials. We’re loving how couples are leaning into vibrant fashion choices that showcase their personalities.

BY HANNAH NOWACK

COLOR OF LOVE

“We wanted the wedding to be fun and, since I can be clumsy, I knew I wouldn’t have a good time in a white dress,” says Katie. She chose to wear a custom red organza dress.

AVANT-GARDE ATTIRE

Black is Nakia’s favorite color, so she decided to rock a black Brandon Warren gown with a detachable train for her wedding. Eric wore a Miguel Wilson tuxedo.

A HUE HOW-TO

Take a peek at your closet. What colors do you wear most in your everyday life?

Let your wardrobe inform your wedding day style. Feeling adventurous?

Scan the code below to peruse some of our favorite colorful dresses.

STEFANO + JAMES ITALY

PERRY + ADAM CALIFORNIA

NAKIA + ERIC MARYLAND

TOP LEFT: FRANCESCO SPIGHI PHOTOGRAPHY; NATASHA WILSON; NICK TETTEY FOR JB ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY; HALEIGH

NICOLE

SUNSHINE SKIRT

KATIE + CHRIS FLORIDA

ASK THE KNOT SQUAD

one of our go-to

OUR TAKE

Q:

WHAT ARE SOME ESPECIALLY USEFUL MUST-HAVE ITEMS TO-BEWEDS OFTEN OVERLOOK BUYING ?

EMILY RUMSEY Assistant Commerce Updates Editor

Many people prepare an emergency kit for the wedding day (as they should!), but they often leave out two items: liquid fashion tape and cold under-eye masks. Whether it’s a tobe-wed or wedding party member, someone’s outfit may not fit exactly right when the big day rolls around. Liquid fashion tape is invisible and helps mold garments to your body for better comfort and mobility than regular fashion tape. As for eye masks, weddings can be both very hectic and emotional. If the wedding party has to wake up early to get ready or the guests of honorshed a few happy tears, cold under-eye masks will help soothe puffiness and clear up dark circles.

It’s true that it’s been a tough year for the flower industry because of an ongoing flower shortage. White roses, for instance, have been hard to come by. With that in mind, it’s important for couples to be flexible and understand that there will be some price increases right now. This is also a time to be strategic with budgets. Invest the most money on the parts of the day where guests will spend the most time. We encourage to-be-weds to prioritize the reception first, then the ceremony and then, least importantly, the cocktail hour.

Additionally, make sure that your flower decisions are part of a cohesive look that includes the venue, dresses and rentals. Put together a team of pros whom you trust to bring your vision to life. For example, you hired your floral designers for a reason, so give them the leeway to make adjustments as needed. Your pros know which flowers are in season and will also know how to make substitutions when they can’t procure certain varieties. A strong vendor team, paired with a supportive couple, is a recipe for success.

Q:IS THERE A RECENT CELEBRITY WEDDING THAT YOU REALLY LOVED? WHAT ABOUT THE CELEBRATION FELT MEMORABLE TO YOU?

KIMBERLY BROWN Specialist, Influencers & Partnerships

It’s hard to choose just one with the wedding boom happening right now! But I absolutely loved Ariana Grande’s micro-wedding. Even though it was an intimate ceremony, the attention to detail was breathtaking: her custom Vera Wang dress, the flowers hanging from the ceiling and the romantic candlelit ambiance. Her photographer’s style also felt really on-trend.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: TWAH DOUGHERTY PHOTOGRAPHY; KYLEE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY; MICHELE WITH ONE L; COURTESY OF SUBJECT

planning asks.

QWHAT’S THE SCOOP ON THE FLOWER SHORTAGE? IS IT STILL POSSIBLE FOR COUPLES TO HAVE THEIR DREAM FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS DURING THIS TIME?

VICTORIA AHN

Owner, Designs by Ahn Victoria, a New York City–based floral designer, is influenced by her background in ballet, choreographing colors and textures within arrangements to set the mood.

24 PRO TAKE

Everything for the bride for every moment.

From the bachelorette, to the shower, to the rehearsal, to the big day…your wedding wardrobe is waiting for you on ELOQUII.com

WHY I WON’T LET MY HUSBAND COMMENT ON MY BODY

COMMENT ON MY BODY

WWhen people hear the word “boundary,” they sometimes think of it as a wall. It seems counterintuitive to have one in a solid relationship that’s built on great communication and openness with each other. At its core, though, a boundary is just that: It’s communicating a need to someone. That’s why I set a boundary with my partner, Max: no commenting on my food choices or my body.

I told him what I need, which is an environment where I don’t feel judged about my relationship with food or my appearance. I told him, ‘I need to maintain a healthy relationship with food to feel safe around you so that I can be myself.’

Setting a boundary is essentially communicating a need, and it was important to let my partner know mine. That way, I felt comfortable and most like myself.

When Max and I first met, I didn’t have a great relationship with food or my body image. My path toward healing, which

Victoria Garrick is a content creator and podcast host whose mission in life is to encourage all people to embrace their authentic selves. After struggling with a binge-eating disorder and depressive episode in college, she became a passionate advocate for mental health and body-image issues.

TEDx speaker Victoria Garrick, a 2022 bride, former Division I athlete and the creator of the #RealPost movement, shares why establishing this boundary with her partner was essential.

AS TOLD TO ESTHER LEE

included therapy, has taken place over the six years we have been together. When I first expressed this need to Max, it started with a joke at a gas station. I noticed a row of power bars, which I used to binge-eat when I had an eating disorder, and made a lighthearted comment about how they triggered me. He laughed at my joke, and then a week later, he made the same comment himself. At that point, it wasn’t so funny.

He didn’t intend to hurt me, but that opened up a larger conversation about my sensitivities. I told him, ‘I don’t want to feel as though you’re judging me, watching me or looking at the way that I eat.’ In terms of body image, I shared a little trauma from when I was younger. Someone sat me down and said, ‘You look like you’ve gained weight or you need to lose weight.’ In those moments, your heart sinks, because you’re a kid and someone’s telling you that your appearance isn’t right. I told Max, ‘I never want you to sit me down and comment on my body— whether it’s good or bad.’

Then he asked, ‘What if it’s from a standpoint of helping someone? What are the parameters of a scenario where it’s not even about weight, but related to health, or the doctor says you have an intolerance? Am I allowed to worry about your health?’ I told him that if it’s coming from a place of health and being active—like ‘join me on a hike’ or ‘let’s do yoga together’— then that’s fine. I’m an athlete, I can handle someone pushing me to be active and strong. But we can’t obsess over fitness. He knows that, and I feel confident in our relationship and his intentions.

How does this all relate to our wedding and marriage? More than ever before, I’ve had the most body-image thoughts creep into my mind one month out from our wedding date. At the beginning of our engagement, it was fine. The closer I got to my wedding, the easier it was to think to myself, ‘It’s only 30 days away. Are you sure

you don’t want to diet?’ I’ve had to work through these thoughts and quiet them down. But it’s not that simple. There are years of diet culture conditioning flooding back to me—and there are even people in my life who say they’re trying to lose weight for my wedding. Throughout this, I’ve been honest with Max. I’ve said, ‘I’ve had these thoughts and I’m working through it.’ He just listens and is there for me without saying, ‘Maybe there’s some truth to that, or are you sure you don’t want to diet?’ He didn’t say, ‘That’s silly, your body looks like this or that.’ He’s

very neutral and simply there for me. Separately, as much as I don’t want him to comment on my body in a ‘negative’ way, it applies in the opposite direction. I don’t need him to say, ‘No, your body looks amazing, or you look like this.’ I don’t want him to validate a part of me that I’m trying not to fuel: The idea that thinner is better. Instead of verbal validation, he’s neutral about making remarks about my body, other than a simple, ‘You’re beautiful and I love you.’ This is the boundary we established early on and maintain now as we progress into marriage.

SETTING A BOUNDARY IS ESSENTIALLY COMMUNICATING A NEED AND IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LET MY PARTNER KNOW MINE.

BEYOND

Every couple and every wedding is unique. So how does an industry that’s shaped by personal love stories evolve when there are millions of celebrations taking place?

The wedding boom is about more than sheer numbers: 2022 reinvented the wedding landscape in ways that are here to stay.

HANNAH NOWACK

PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY MINDY BYRD

ount 'em: 2,600,000 weddings—that's 7,123 weddings for every day of 2022. After months of postponements and a veritable wedding drought, the industry rebounded in a booming way. Truth be told, there's a good chance you went to one of those weddings. Over 200 million Americans are set to attend one in 2022—more than 60 percent of the population.

The seismic shift the industry has seen as a result of the wedding boom can’t be overstated. Even couples getting married in 2023 and 2024, of whom there will be plenty, are part of that ongoing change. They are replacing tradition with customization and centering their personalities and love stories. This evolution is enriching the very definition of weddings.

But where exactly did all this demand come from? While some 2022 weddings have been rescheduled from earlier in the pandemic, those aren't the only "I dos" taking place this year. Much of the demand comes from couples who took their relationship to the next level during the pandemic and are absolutely stoked to celebrate their love. That's also creating a snowball e ect—now that all their friends are hosting weddings, other couples are jumping on the bandwagon and running straight to the altar.

While there have been rumbles of a potential recession, the strong demand for weddings is a comfort to the small businesses that comprise the events industry.

In the midst of economic shifts, couples still fall in love and want to begin forever together. The wedding boom has brought business to those who missed out on revenue in 2020 and early 2021. And the wedding boom gives couples permission to finally let loose and have a little fun.

On the other hand, many couples and vendors are also feeling a strain. Inflation and high demand mean that things are more expensive and in short supply, businesses are short-sta ed and ongoing global travel woes are throwing a wrench in everyone’s plans. The thing is that the boom isn't going away anytime soon. And this comforting fact remains: The industry’s new horizon, despite the bumps in the road along the way, is packed with personalization, creativity and a buzz of energy. To get a full picture of the state of a airs, we sat down with 14 couples and pros to get their take on the boom and beyond.

YAY and NAY

The return of weddings after two years of isolation is something to celebrate. But the truth of the matter is that the boom is not all sunshine and roses (in fact, shortages mean it’s harder to make roses part of the big day). It’s more than just doom and gloom, but to-be-weds should be aware of the challenges.

Wedding planner Nora Sheils of contracts platform Rock Paper Coin shares that flower and rental costs especially have increased across the board—and couples can expect to pay at least 20 percent more for many decor items. “Rental companies have increased their pricing significantly for several reasons,” she explains. “They have to pay their employees more than ever before, as they’re short-sta ed and have to keep the team to fulfill their orders. With that comes higher hourly wages, additional benefits and even sign-on bonuses. Also, with higher gas

prices and so many trucks on the road, a price increase

NORA SHEILS

Sheils is a wedding finance expert, event planner and business owner. @RockPaperCoin

BALANCING ACT

We love that... But aren’t wild that...

Weddings are back in full swing!

70% of vendors feel empowered to adjust their pricing to continue to thrive.

Couples are going all-in on personalized weddings packed with meaningful details.

Destination weddings are back! 19% of couples are planning one in 2022.

People can’t wait to say “I do”—2.5 million engagement rings will be exchanged in 2022.

Many couples and pros are frustrated by nationwide shortages.

The Great Resignation means many businesses have lost staff.

9% inflation is stretching budgets.

Airfare is up 40% from last year in many places and couples worry about lost luggage.

29 DEYLA HUSS PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL NUMBERS ARE BASED ON INTERNAL DATA AND RESEARCH FROM THE KNOT WORLDWIDE was necessary.”

Diamond prices have surged an estimated 20% because of sanctions on Russia.

WEDDING PLANNER Lake Oswego, OR

RENEWED REINVIGORATED

As the world began to reopen in 2021 and 2022, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Living in a prolonged state of tension and stress is, well, stressful, and you can only persevere for so long. For one wedding photographer, the challenges of the pandemic forced her to do a hard reset. Jana Williams opens up about how she refocused and entered this new season of business more aligned with what really matters. She’s excited to tackle new adventures while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

erspective—for me, that was the major thing that I took away from the pandemic. With the shutdowns in California, my business was taken away from me overnight. I realized how much of my identity was connected to my business, and I felt lost. To add to that, I then lost my mother and my marriage in quick succession, leaving me at a crossroads. Many other business owners chose to pivot to o er things like online education courses while events were on hold. But I simply couldn't pivot. I was quiet and felt frozen.

As the world started to reopen, I knew I had to make a choice about the kind of life I wanted to have and how I wanted to run my business. I could over-book my calendar to make up for lost income, but would that be fair to my clients? Weddings are such an emotional investment. I find that being in a good condition— mind, body and soul—really is part of the job. After lots of thought, I decided to change my lifestyle. I scaled back in all areas of my life because I knew that making sacrifices now would ensure the quality of my work and the longevity of my business. I also adjusted my pricing.

The beautiful result was that I fell deeper in love with my business and wedding photography. I gained a renewed perspective about how important it is to capture all of the priceless memories of a wedding day. I learned to follow my heart. Had I listened to what was right for everyone else and not given myself time to grieve my losses, then I would be so busy and burned out right now. My work and personal life would su er.

There's a Gabby Bernstein quote that really inspired me during the pandemic: "When an egg is cracked on the outside, it is broken. When an egg cracks from the inside out, it’s a rebirth." My mind had a rebirth, my brand is going through a rebirth, and it is amazing to think that all of this positive energy came out of the trials of the pandemic.

JANA WILLIAMS

Our cover is graced by 27 of the millions of couples in the US and abroad saying “I do” this year. It is a small sampling, but the love they share is anything but.

Are There No More

White Roses?

Despite their incredible popularity, roses are sadly not immune to shortages.

News of shortages can initially be intimidating, but they're actually a chance for innovation and ingenuity. Many flower farms missed an entire growing season during the pandemic, so when the wedding boom rolled around, the supply simply couldn't keep up with the demand.

"During COVID-19, many growers had to stop production as a result of the uncertainty of the industry,” explains flower expert Mignon Scarbrough of Mignon Floral Co. “Product was destroyed, and people were unable to work due to mandates or let go as a consequence of the lack of production. Some flower farms closed indefinitely. While growers are trying to recover, the demand outweighs the supply. One of the major factors a ecting the demand is the current wedding boom."

LISIANTHUS RANUNCULUS CARNATIONS

SILK FLOWERS

Scarbrough advises couples to expect a 15 to 20 percent increase for services compared with the last few years. Price increases are due not only to product shortages, but the scarcity of labor. She says it’s been challenging to hire experienced freelancers for events—and they’re also charging more. "The higher cost of living has led freelancers to raise their prices, which is another factor in the overall increased costs of event services,” Scarbrough explains.

“Flowers I can always get are stock, carnations, tulips, hydrangea and ranunculus —all of which are great because they come in a wide range of colors,”

Scarbrough says.

As a result of the flower shortage, one of the most popular wedding flowers—white spray roses—is the hardest to source. So what do you do when everyone wants a white rose for their wedding, but there are none to be found? Some floral designers are getting creative by swapping in other varieties that look similar.

MIGNON SCARBROUGH

SHANNON

ALLIE

PRO TIP

SWAPS for WHITE ROSES

he N U M B E R S

NEW KIDS on the BLOCK

GRETCHEN CULVER

Gretchen Culver is no stranger to weddings. She’s been planning couples’ dream days in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under her flagship brand Rocket Science Events, since 2010. When the pandemic rolled around, she saw an opportunity: Many couples with limited time and resources wanted a one-stop-shop wedding. Enter: the pop-up wedding model.

Couples who want a small wedding still wish for great photos, epic decor and a stress-free process, but those things can be hard to attain without a full-service planner. Minne Weddings aims to solve this problem. Culver’s company coordinates everything—starting with digital invites and ending with a champagne toast. She designs a stunning ceremony space, and then four or five couples cycle through and get married over the course of a day. Culver’s team focuses on making sure all the essentials are not just present for the “I dos,” but are also thoughtfully curated. Her team believes “you don’t have to sacrifice design when you have a small wedding.” They take care of everything so you and your partner can just enjoy the moment. Couples get 90 minutes and up to 30 guests. “You’re in and out and on your married way!”

It’s not surprising that franchises are so appealing to new business owners. You benefit from the brand awareness, established processes and expertise of a larger company. It works well for restaurants and hotels, so Mavinhouse set out to bring the franchise model into the world of weddings.

Britt Cole and Francie Dorman founded 42 North, a fullservice wedding planning company, in 2014. After it proved successful, the duo opened a sister company, Mavinhouse, that invests in the next generation of wedding pros.

Opening a small business takes a lot of capital and some serious courage. For planners who’ve been working full-time jobs to support their fledgling event careers or people who are ready to dive headfirst into a planning career, Mavinhouse helps them realize their dreams. Cole and Dorman thoroughly vet new planners, then take them under their wings and give them support. The result? The company continues to expand, proof that the brand’s tenets of straightforward communication, transparency and partnership resonate deeply with couples.

The changing wedding landscape has incubated new businesses and led existing ones to pivot. Here are two new wedding planning businesses that are revolutionizing the way couples say “I do.”

MINNE WEDDINGS Minneapolis, MN

PAGE: CADENCE & ELI; STEF LARSEN. THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT: FINCH

WEDDINGS REINVENTED

SHANNON + KEITH

APRIL 2, 2022

TANYA MARIE + ANTHONY

APRIL 8, 2022

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

OPPOSITE

When someone says “backyard wedding,” what comes to mind? Some may think DIY. But at-home weddings don’t need to be plain, as Tommy and Gamo proved. They were popular early in the pandemic due to the simple fact that they o ered more flexibility. The trend has stuck around because couples love the idea of hosting nuptials that feel intimate. But there’s a big di erence between the backyard weddings of 2022 and those of yesteryear. The at-home “I dos” we’re seeing now are deluxe, customized, over-the-top a airs. Tommy and Gamo chose their friend’s Florida backyard, which backs up to a lake, for their wedding, but there was nothing casual about it. Using the home’s architecture as inspiration, the duo planned an epic blackand-green wedding packed with velvet and acrylic accents. While a traditional venue may have limited their creativity in some ways, Tommy and Gamo could bring their dream wedding to life in a backyard.

We believe couples should plan a wedding that’s uniquely their own, but couples haven’t always felt liberated to do that. Until the pandemic. As couples were forced to scale back, reschedule and adjust their nuptials, they also came back to what a wedding should really be: a meaningful celebration that authentically honors your love story. Sure, people will always have advice about what you “should” do, but couples finally feel liberated to cast rules aside.

For Shannon and Keith, bucking tradition meant hosting a retro-inspired wedding at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Vibrant colors and funky patterns set the tone. And while the wedding design was beautiful in its own, the backstory made the day even more special. Shannon and Keith are big fans of the Technicolor style of the 1960s. “We wanted our guests to feel as though we took them in a time machine back to the 1960s,” they say.

Little Elm, Texas

You’re cordially invited to…a Friday wedding. Those words might have once been surprising, but with 2.6 million weddings taking place this year, there was no way that every 2022 event could be held on one of its 53 Saturdays.

When the pandemic hit, Tanya Marie and Anthony were forced to change their wedding location from Mexico to Little Elm, Texas. “Luckily everything worked out and we were able to have our perfect wedding without losing any money or cutting things that we wanted to due to a pandemic,” says Tanya Marie. But the kicker? The dream Texas a air took place on a Friday.

The best part about a wedding on a Friday, Monday or even Tuesday is that the rules of a Saturday wedding don’t apply. You can do whatever you want, however you want. Why not host a dayafter brunch on Saturday or a hike for guests on Sunday? With the main event on Friday, that’s totally doable—and sure to excite guests.

MARCH 3, 2022

Key West, Florida

2022 saw a rise in domestic destination weddings, and Katie and Kaitlin were one of the many couples who found it more appealing to stay within the United States. The uncertainty of border-crossing regulations, paired with unprecedented travel delays, means that many to-be-weds who may have previously looked abroad for a venue are turning their attention to locales accessible by car as well as air. For Katie and Kaitlin, that meant traveling from Ohio down to Florida for a weekend with loved ones.

Even though friends from di erent stages of life all came together to support Katie and Kaitlin at their wedding, the couple shares that “there were truly no sides or groups, and we had so many people walk away with new friends! We think part of that was because we had additional time and events with it being a destination wedding. We have the most incredible people in our lives who showed up to have a good time and share their love for us with everyone around them.”

APRIL 9, 2022

Santa Barbara, California

Hali and Jon met while working the night shift as nurses at the same hospital. While jobs in health care are always taxing, the couple felt the strain significantly in March 2020 as COVID-19 emerged. For Jon, the uncertainties of the future solidified that he needed to hold onto his love for Hali and their son, Caleb. “The future isn’t promised,” Jon said as he proposed to Hali, “and if there’s one thing I want you to know, it’s that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Although Hali and Jon weren’t able to celebrate their wedding until April 2022 because of the pandemic, the past few years made them recognize that there’s no time like the present to proclaim your love and honor it with a wedding.

PHOTO; OPAL & JAYE PHOTOGRAPHY; BRANDI ALLYSE

PHOTO; STARLING STUDIO; MALAYA IMAGES

Orlando, Florida

TOMMY + GAMO

New York City

KATIE +KAITLIN

HALI + JON

These couples are the epitome of the wedding boom—they used this one-of-a-kind season to plan nuptials that were uniquely their own.

Jetset SETBACK

Buy AirTags to track your checked luggage

Book the first flight out in the morning to avoid a domino effect from delays

Fly nonstop when possible

Purchase travel insurance

Put all valuables in carry-on luggage— including your wedding dress

Book with miles when possible

insurance including your to stay updated

Download your airline’s app to stay updated on flight changes

NEHI

AVI

TOP TIPS for TRAVELING

Apollo Fotografie

Kernes

DAVID

Fotografie

ALLIE + RYAN

Kernes

The return of travel came with a bit of turbulence.

B O O M by the NU M B E

Newport Beach, CA

KATIE JACOBSON

Jacobson’s company curates one-ofa-kind honeymoons for newlyweds.

As borders have opened up again, many people have been eager to hit the skies in 2022. With 500,000 destination weddings and a whopping 1.9 million honeymoons, travel is on a definite upswing this year. But the sudden surge comes after many airlines laid o workers during the pandemic. This has led to a soaring number of delays, cancellations and luggage misplacements.

Katie Jacobson, travel expert and owner of Ever After Honeymoons, says that many flights are about 33 percent more expensive in 2022 than they were a year ago. "If you have miles or points, now is a great time to use those! And plan ahead, as last-minute tickets tend to be incredibly expensive," she advises. "It’s a good idea to download the airline’s app and keep an eye on your flight schedules. Airlines are changing and canceling flights often and don’t always notify passengers." She adds that travel insurance is a smart idea too.

Jacobson says that in the current travel climate, she's seen a variety of honeymoon trends emerge. Notably, many couples opt for a mini-moon right after their wedding, spending a few nights near their wedding location and taking a longer honeymoon several months later. More couples are sticking with one destination, or several spots within the same country, rather than visiting multiple countries. “This lessens the chances that there will be a last-minute border closure that impacts your itinerary,” she notes.

“Many couples are also opting for a bit of a slower pace spent in fewer locations. Couples really want to immerse themselves in each destination and take time to relax, rather than rushing from one spot to the next."

Ultimately, Jacobson reminds everyone to be kind. “The travel industry is busy, and a lot of places are operating with a smaller sta than previously. Everyone is working incredibly hard and doing their best. You need a little extra patience and understanding when traveling these days!”

INTO the FUTURE

The changes we’ve seen in the world of weddings this year won’t stay in 2022—they signal a true paradigm shift. We sat down with two experts to get a sense of the changes they are seeing and their take on what’s not going away at year’s end.

Kim-Trang Blair, a wedding photographer in New York City, usually caps her business at 15 weddings a year. But that was before the pandemic shook things up. This year she has 21 weddings on the books—a 40 percent increase. It’s not just that she’s overextended, but she’s noticed a shift in couples’ booking patterns. “Inquiries are coming in hot,” says Blair, who has received two to three times more calls than she did before the boom. She also notes that she no longer has a “booking season.” In the past, most inquiries would come between December and March. “Now it’s all over the calendar. Inquiries are steady throughout the year.”

Many requests are for 2024. In 2021, The Knot found that the average length of an engagement in the United States was 16 months. But shifting demand and booking patterns may impact that statistic moving forward. Blair shares that she had one to-be-wed who reached out within 24 hours of getting engaged and already had booked a venue for 2024. “Couples are seeing all their friends getting married and the moment they get engaged, they want to get the ball rolling,” she says.

Amy Abbott’s event planning company is based in Los Cabos, Mexico. That made it hard to navigate the pandemic, but now the firm, which caters to American couples planning destination weddings, has more business than it knows what to do with.

“This year, we’ve found it incredibly di cult and almost impossible to keep up with new inquiries,” says Abbott. “Leads have increased by about 50 percent, are persistent and come in all avenues imaginable. People do not want to hear no for an answer.” Abbott has had to change the way she runs her business. She has doubled down on maintaining strong vendor relationships and educating couples about price changes. For example, she says, flowers missed an entire growing season, so it’s been a challenge to get beautiful blooms at a reasonable price.

In the midst of it all, Abbott stresses that extending grace and patience to couples and vendors alike is the best way forward. “Just remember that everyone is doing the best they can during this time, while navigating the many changes and challenges taking place in the industry.”

Bring your day to life

Find

Taste-test

Find

Mike Larson Photography;

Photography;

Photography;

NEW

NOW

Looking for a new perspective on wedding photography? It’s time to take flight. Aerial imagery captured by a drone is a rising trend that helps couples remember their big day from a unique vantage point.

DOPL DOLLSDOPL DOLLS

3D printing is having its moment, and Dopl is bringing the fabrication technique to wedding cake toppers. The company is pioneering true-to-life miniatures that capture the essence of couples (and even their pets). To-be-weds can stop into Dopl’s New York City store for a quick camera scan that’s converted into a figurine in just three weeks. For those not in NYC, the company plans to expand to additional cities. If you’re skipping a wedding cake, Dopls make great additions to guestbook tables or could bring a smile to an in-law’s face as a wedding present. From $79, Dopl.com

If they can scan it, they can Dopl it. Bring Fido in to have his doppelgänger created and put it atop your wedding cake with you.

TREASURE TROVE

Fine jewelry brand State Property—known for its contemporary designs and famous fans like Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman—has created stunning new toi et moi (or two-stone) engagement rings. Called Love Architecture, the collection is inspired by a legendary love story of a Mayan king and queen whose tombs were built facing each other so their shadows could touch—a symbol of their everlasting union even after death. Though rooted in ancient history, Love Architecture puts a modern twist on the toi et moi trend, using a variety of unexpected diamond shapes. Not into bling of the two-stone variety? The brand also offers bespoke rings and bands, if you’re looking for something totally one of a kind.

From $8,900, ThisIsStateProperty.com

MOTION BOOKS

Memories are meant to be enjoyed, not to sit on a shelf collecting dust. So don’t let your beloved wedding video live out its days on a lonely USB drive or DVD. Enter: The Motion Books. Founder and wedding videographer Vitaliy Lyubezhanin wanted couples to be able to enjoy their wedding films in the same way they’d flip through a photo album on their coffee table.

He created a book with a built-in video player that automatically starts the video when you open the cover. It has a two-hour video capacity, so you can rewatch all the laughs and tears of your wedding over and over before recharging the book via micro USB.

From $105, TheMotionBooks.com

STYLISH SIPS

Fashion icon Vera Wang has launched a limitededition vodka with premium Polish brand Chopin—and it’s just as chic as you’d expect. Vera Wang x Chopin Vodka is the first-ever vodkafashion collaboration.

Made from the Augusta potato, it’s a mediumbodied, semi-dry vodka with a full floral bouquet. The best part? The sleek black-and-white bottle is a luxe addition to any bar cart and a fabulous gift for the martini lovers in your wedding party. $99, MashandGrape.com

Whether you’re tying the knot in your hometown or a city beloved by you and your partner, chances are the locale is filled with cozy spots you adore. But your wedding guests may have no idea where to find the best cold brew or grab brunch before the wedding. That’s where Proxi comes in. The mapmaking platform allows couples to create custom maps with captions that highlight their fave local haunts and places that are meaningful to their love story. Plus, the collaborative nature of Proxi means that you can crowdsource suggestions (a great task for an eager parent or wedding party member). You can customize icons and colors to ensure the map fits your wedding aesthetic, and share it with loved ones via text, email or on your wedding website. Proxi.co

VERA WANG X CHOPIN VODKA ESPRESSO EVER AFTER MARTINI

Ingredients:

1 oz Vera Wang x Chopin Vodka

1 oz Dorda Sea Salt Caramel Liqueur

1 oz chilled espresso

Instructions: Combine Vera Wang x Chopin Vodka, Dorda Sea Salt Caramel Liqueur and chilled espresso in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir until the glass feels cold to the touch, then pour into a martini glass.

MEGAMOONS

Something big is booming. Imagine extra time off, dollars saved, destinations booked and bucketlist experiences to remember for a lifetime. Fueled by revenge travel and the wedding boom, mega honeymoons, also known as “mega-moons,” are leading the latest travel trends among newlyweds. Perhaps the most notable feature of a mega-moon is having one grand honeymoon with multiple stops. (Think: The Amalfi Coast, Croatia and the Greek islands; Dubai and the Maldives; Patagonia and the Amazon.)

Bringing Sexy Back

Ready-to-wear designer Norma Kamali, whose sexy one-shoulder Diana dress went viral after Carrie Bradshaw wore it in And Just Like That..., is making a foray into the world of weddings. According to Kamali, a friend’s daughter asked her to design a custom wedding dress, inspiring her first-ever bridal designs. “I kept making samples for her to try, and when we got up to 12 looks, she chose one and the others became the collection,” Kamali says. The e-commerce capsule collection includes wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses with Kamali’s signature curve-skimming silhouettes and daring details. Starting at $325, these fashion-forward fits also won’t break the bank. “I wanted to create fun dresses that make you feel wonderful, but still let you have money left over to make a down payment on a house,” she says. Standout looks include a sleek plunge-neck gown, slinky slip dresses and bodycon bridesmaid offerings in a range of bold shades.

From $325, NormaKamali.com

SMART LUGGAGE

Lost luggage? With the rising popularity of techcompatible tracking tools and other devices, the must-have travel accessory during the boom is smart luggage. Not everything goes to plan when traveling, and these sturdy suitcases include compartments for AirTags—so you can keep a watchful eye on your bags via your phone. Travel smarter, not harder. From $355, SamsaraLuggage.com

FASHION+BEAUTY

LOOK OUT! Keep your eyes peeled for our stamp of approval online and in stores.

We tested hundreds of products to find the best of the best for your wedding beauty arsenal. The end result? Everything you need to get gorgeous for your day.

BY

THE BEST MASCARA

This intense black mascara lengthens, thickens and curls all at once, without any clumps or flakes. The smudge-proof formula builds upward and outward for full, fluffy lashes that rival the look of falsies.

Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume mascara, $29, Sephora.com

THE BEST EYE SHADOW

Behold the perfect palette for both everyday wear and special occasions. It has 16

THE BEST LIP COLOR

Pro tip: A solid lip color is the key to not looking washed out by makeup with heavier coverage. Whether you’re opting for a bold or nude lip, this saturated color goes on like velvet. And it stays put through first kisses and champagne toasts.

Retro matte liquid lip color, $24, MACCosmetics.com

THE BEST PRIMER

There’s a reason TikTok loves this affordable, skin-smoothing primer: NYX’s Plump Right Back serum does exactly what it says in the name. Expect glowing, plumped skin that’s ready to keep your foundation in place all day long.

Plump Right Back primer and serum, $17, NYXCosmetics.com

THE BEST FALSE LASHES

The comfy, feathery feel of these falsies means they stay in place without a ton of glue (or patience). They’ll give your eyes a natural-looking boost, but are surprisingly durable.

Ardell Demi Wispies false lashes, $13 for 5 pairs, Ulta.com

THE BEST SETTING SPRAY

Avoid a makeup meltdown with this hydrating spray we’ve deemed “mask proof.” It ensures seamless makeup application and locks in your look for 16 hours—no matter how wild the party gets.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless setting spray, $36, Sephora.com

These must-haves stand up to happy tears and daylong celebrations— all while looking amazing in highdefinition photos.

BUDG E T SCO R E

BUDG E T SCO

R E

THE BEST BRUSHES

The unique shape of these brushes makes sure the super-soft bristles provide even application no matter what makeup you use (cream, powder or liquid).

Elite 5-brush set, $289, ByArtis.com

THE BEST SPONGE

This hardworking beauty blender has three (yes, three!) distinct edges to fit the contours of your face wherever needed. Made with biodegradable ingredients, it will make you feel as good as you look.

EcoTools Bioblender makeup sponge, $7, Ulta.com

THE BEST BLUSH

Move over cream formulas: powder blush is back.

Benefit’s WANDERful World collection comes in a wide range of highly pigmented shades. The silky, soft-focus finish will give you a gorgeous wedding day flush.

Benefit WANDERful World SilkySoft powder blush, $29, Ulta.com

THE BEST FOUNDATION

It’s earned its cult status. The tried-andtrue base makeup offers full coverage with lasting power (up to 24 hours’ worth) and comes in over 55 shades.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation, $48, Sephora.com

THE BEST CONCEALER

A miracle worker that disappears into the skin, this creamy concealer blurs away under-eye circles, blemishes and dark spots without fading or creasing for up to 16 hours.

Clé de Peau Beauté concealer broad spectrum SPF 27, $75, Nordstrom.com

THE BEST HIGHLIGHTER

This dermatologist-tested highlighter also buffs out imperfections. It’s just shimmery enough, creating a dewy complexion that won’t look shiny in photos.

BareMinerals Endless Glow highlighter, $31, Ulta.com

THE BEST MAKEUP REMOVER

Late night? With this micellar water, you won’t need to bother double-cleansing. The no-rinse solution removes even heavy-coverage makeup in just a few swipes—without leaving behind an oily residue.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar water makeup remover, $11, Target.com

THE BEST EYELINER

Cat-eye enthusiasts, rejoice. This eyeliner is purrfect for you. Delivering excellent color pay-off and serious staying power, the felt-tip liquid eyeliner pen is designed with precision and consistency in mind.

Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner, $23, Sephora.com

THE BEST BRONZER

Looking for a warm, sun-kissed glow that looks like you spent all day on the beach?

Bach in Cabo not required—grab this bronzer instead. It’s a buttery powder that goes on more like a cream thanks to its finely milled texture.

Urban Decay Beached bronzer, $32, Ulta.com

DG E T SCO

R E

BUDG E T SCO

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THE BEST SHAMPOO + CONDITIONER

An Instagram darling that really works, this hair brand creates clean, customized shampoo and conditioner (plus other products) based on details like your hair type, location and styling preferences.

Custom shampoo, from $24, custom conditioner, from $24, Prose.com

THE BEST CURLY SHAMPOO + CONDITIONER

This duo is a game changer. The shampoo is gentle, leaving your scalp clean but never dried out, while the conditioner moisturizes and defines curls without making them feel greasy.

Clarifying shampoo, $21, cream conditioner, $21, BounceCurl.com

THE BEST SUPPLEMENT

Real talk: Stress, hormones and poor nutrition can affect the thickness, growth potential and overall strength of your hair. Add this potent vegan blend to your daily routine for a healthier mane in as little as four weeks.

Moon Juice SuperHair daily supplement, $60, Sephora.com

THE BEST SCALP TREATMENT

Apply this rich, oil-based gloss before you shampoo to balance your scalp and repair and deep-condition damaged strands. You’ll see stronger, more lustrous tresses in just an hour or so.

Power Gloss scalp treatment, $34, LiveFreeWell.com

Whether you’re rocking your natural texture or going full glam with an updo, you can trust these finds to lock in the best hair day ever.

BUDG T SCO

R E

THE BEST CURL DEFINER

Calling all curly folks: This is a must-have. It revives lifeless curls and reduces frizz without product buildup or dreaded crunchy hair, so you can continue to use it on day two (or even three) hair and maintain a clean look and feel.

SEEN Curly Creme hair cream, $27, Dermstore.com

THE BEST FRIZZ CONTROL

Humidity and hair types prone to frizz are no match for this smoothing spray. It gets the job done with no flyaways or sticky residue, plus it adds UV and heat protection.

Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield finishing spray, $25, Ulta.com

THE BEST BLOWOUT BRUSH

If your DIY blowout game isn’t totally on point, don’t stress. This new and improved version of Revlon’s fan favorite round brush and hair dryer combo will give you “just left the salon” hair in a matter of minutes.

Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 hair dryer and hot air brush, $75, Ulta.com

THE BEST FLAT IRON

One of the smartest tools we’ve ever tested, this ingenious flat iron uses sensors to gauge your hair’s thickness and the speed at which you’re styling, and adjusts its heat settings accordingly to prevent heat damage or breakage.

Ghd Platinum+ Styler 1” flat iron, $279, Sephora.com

THE BEST CURLING IRON

Bouncy volume your thing? Meet your new bestie. This iron has a smart-touch interface and HeadID technology, which adjusts heat based on your hair texture, color and level of chemical treatment.

Curl ID curling iron, $249, T3Micro.com

THE BEST HAIR MASK

This miracle mask instantly transforms dry, brittle hair with three rich plant butters. It’s deeply hydrating and improves hair manageability and texture after just one use. Plus? It’s free of all the bad stuff.

Amika The Kure Intense Bond repair hair mask, $38, Sephora.com

THE BEST HAIR DRYER

It may be a serious splurge, but we promise it’s a worthwhile investment. This hair dryer is lightweight and works crazy fast—even on the thickest of locks.

Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, $429, Sephora.com

THE BEST HEAT PROTECTANT

Prime your mane for styling with hot tools and protect it from heat exposure with this light, hydrating hair cream that works on all hair types.

Bonus: It leaves behind a sophisticated—but never overpowering—floral scent.

OUAI Finishing Créme hair cream, $24, Sephora.com

THE BEST DRY SHAMPOO

Spray this on your roots and comb it through to absorb oils and sweat and keep your ’do looking fresh—from the first look to up to three days later.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing dry shampoo, $7, Ulta.com

THE BEST HAIR OIL

When it comes to getting silky locks, this hair oil packed full of antioxidants is your secret weapon. Just a few drops will give your strands a gorgeous sheen. Young.Again hair oil, $46, KevinMurphy.com.au

THE BEST VOLUMIZING PRODUCT

Va-va-voom! This aerosolized dry volume spray brings the lasting oomph factor. Its buildable formula lets you control the volume knob and customize your style without powdery buildup.

IGK No Limit dry volume and thickening spray, $31, Sephora.com

THE BEST HAIR SPRAY

Ensure no hair is out of place for your wedding photos with this medium-hold spray that keeps your look in place but brushes out sans knots or frizz.

Outer Space flexible hair spray, $33, RandCo.com

BUDG E T SCO R E

THE BEST DARK SPOT CORRECTOR

There’s no need to stress about discoloration from acne, age or sun damage when you have this supereffective duo of squalane and vitamin C on your side.

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C dark spot serum, $62, Sephora.com

THE BEST

BRIGHTENING SERUM

Believe the hype. This bestselling active serum is packed with vitamins C and E, sinks into skin effortlessly and leaves behind a radiant finish.

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical serum, $195, VioletGrey.com

THE BEST EXFOLIATOR

This scrub brightens and smooths like a microdermabrasion facial, but is also so gentle you can use it more than once a week. And the colorchanging formula leaves out all of the “How long should I be scrubbing, exactly?” guesswork.

Murad Vita-C triple-exfoliating facial, $79, Sephora.com

THE BEST MOISTURIZER

This quick-absorbing moisturizer somehow makes skin feel even cleaner after application. Plus, the gel-cream formula has the perfect texture for layering under makeup.

WLDKAT Mushroom + Moss gel cream, $20, CredoBeauty.com

THE BEST ANTI-AGING SERUM

You can actually feel this serum made with bakuchiol (a natural anti-wrinkle ingredient) firm up your skin in real time. And it’s a gentler alternative to retinol that doesn’t cause irritation.

Neogen Real Firming Bakuchiol serum, $38, SokoGlam.com

THE BEST ACNE TREATMENT

Banish blemishes that pop up at inopportune moments (say, before your walk down the aisle) with these nifty hydrocolloid patches. They work overnight and speed up healing.

PanOxyl PM Overnight spot patches, $9, Target.com

THE BEST TONER

It’s much more than fun pink packaging and a fruity scent. This PHA- and BHA-infused watermelon toner balances skin and minimizes the appearance of pores.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA toner, $34, Sephora.com

THE BEST FACE MIST

Just a spritz or two of this triple threat—infused with aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and squalane—calms irritated skin, refreshes makeup and leaves behind a dewy glow.

Bonus: You can also use it as a makeup setting spray. Daily hydrating & setting mist, $48, BeiaBeauty.com

THE BEST FACE WASH

Washing your face doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Treat yourself to this luxurious cleanser with a silky, serum-like texture. It removes makeup and impurities without stripping away natural oils, works for all skin types and has an overall soothing, plumping effect (we swear).

Shani Darden cleansing serum, $38, Sephora.com

The key to perfect makeup?

A flawless canvas. Give your skin care routine a serious upgrade with our go-tos.

BUDG E T SCO R E

THE BEST EYE CREAM

Look like you got your beauty rest (even if you didn’t) with this heavy-duty eye cream that erases dark circles and puffiness, as well as diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, $105, Dermstore.com

DEODORANT

There are bound to be some stressful moments on your day. Stay dry with a spray that goes on sheer, works for all skin types and lasts up to 48 hours.

Dove Advanced Care Dry Spray antiperspirant deodorant, $8, Target.com

BODY SCRUB

The luxe packaging and pastel hue make it almost too pretty to use. But you’ll be glad you did once you feel how it softly polishes and renews your skin.

Herbivore Coco Rose body polish, $38, Sephora.com

THE BEST CLARIFYING MASK

A facial in a jar, this creamy mask goes on soothing but works hard. The fomula’s niacinamide repairs skin while its BHA purges pores.

Youth to the People Superclay Purify + Clear Power mask, $36, Sephora.com

THE BEST

HYDRATING MASK

Thanks to powerful ingredients like prickly pear and vitamin E, this quick-drying gel works overnight to lock in vital nutrients. You’ll wake up with glowing, rejuvenated skin.

Hydra-Therapy memory gel sleep mask, $120, ErnoLaszlo.com

THE BEST

LIP MASK

Fuller lips without filler, you say? Sign us up. This buttery lip mask with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C plumps and softens parched lips while you snooze.

LANEIGE lip sleeping mask, $24, Sephora.com

THE BEST SELF-TANNER

Streaks, odors and messy applications no more! This tanning oil and lotion hybrid is easily applied with your hands and gradually builds an even, sun-kissed tint.

Tan-Luxe The Gradual Illuminating tanning lotion, $34, Ulta.com

THE BEST RAZOR

Shaving is no one’s favorite activity, but this ergonomically designed razor, with five super-sharp blades surrounded by a water-activated serum, makes for a smooth experience. Razor kit, $9, AthenaClub.com

THE BEST SUNSCREEN

Shield yourself from harmful rays with this convenient spray sunscreen. It goes on clear, offers broad spectrum protection and is reef-safe. More to love: Its clean scent also won’t compete with your wedding day fragrance.

Bare Republic Clearscreen sunscreen spray SPF 100, $15, Target.com

THE BEST BODY WASH

No matter your skin type, this milky body wash brings the moisture. Formulated for sensitive skin, ingredients like glycerin and shea butter defend your moisture barrier and guarantee a full 24 hours of hydration.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Relief body wash, $10, Target.com

If there’s a time to up your bathing game, your wedding is it. Scrub, soak and smooth your way to head-to-toe confidence with these essentials.

BUDG E T SCO R E

THE BEST BASE COAT

A base coat should do more than just make your mani last longer. This one also strengthens your nails, filling in ridges and protecting them from cracking or breaking.

Deborah Lippmann

All About That Base base coat, $20, Nordstrom.com

THE BEST POLISH REMOVER

This 5-free fave dissolves the darkest and most stubborn polish in a matter of seconds, all while conditioning your hands and nails.

Zoya Remove+ nail polish remover, $12, Ulta.com

THE BEST REGULAR POLISH

Not all clean nail polishes are created equal. This nontoxic formula glides on smooth without streaking and the lustrous color lasts for days. (Not your hue? No worries. This line offers lots of other options too.)

Tenoverten nail polish, $15, Target.com

THE BEST HAND SANITIZER

With all the handshaking you’ll be doing on your day, hand sanitizer is a must. We love this non-drying spray, which comes in a zero-waste tube that’s easy to slip into your clutch or pocket.

Malibu hand sanitizer starter set, $22, Evolvetogether.com

THE BEST HAND CREAM

Fact: Your hands can show your age even more than your face. Get into the habit of massaging this thick, decadent cream— with shea butter, avocado oil and sesame seed oil— into your knuckles and cuticles every night before bed.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength hand salve, $24, Ulta.com

All eyes are about to be on your new bling— and your hands. These picks promise pristine digits so you can be #ringselfie ready.

THE BEST CUTICLE OIL

Your cuticles will be ready for their close-up with a little help from this serum.

The handy pen-style applicator with a foam tip means you’ll never be left with dry nail beds.

Olive & June cuticle serum, $16, Target.com

THE BEST GEL POLISH

Gel manicures have major pros: They last longer than traditional polish and have a shinier finish. This polish will give you the same durable, glossy results at a fraction of the cost.

Sally Hansen Miracle gel, $9, Target.com

TOP COAT

Swipe this on to seal polish with a glistening finish that’s immune to smudging or chipping. Pro tip: Make sure to pull the top coat all the way over the tips of your nails for the most effective results.

Top coat, $22, DazzleDry.com

HONEYMOON

WHERE EVERYTHING’S INCLUDED!

MAKE MEMORIES TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

At Beaches® Resorts you can celebrate the most special time of your life with the people who mean the most to you. Best of all, after your magical wedding day, the two of you can slip off to a private honeymoon in some of the most romantic suites in the Caribbean. Enjoy every land and water sport under the sun, including a scuba program* votedTop 5 in theWestern Hemisphere by PADI®. Indulge in 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining at up to 22 exceptional restaurants serving unlimited pours of premium liquors. Even the tips, taxes, and Beaches transfers* are included. So while you celebrate your love, your loved ones will enjoy their own unforgettable celebration, too!

*Visit www.beaches.com/disclaimers/theknotwinter22 or call 1-800-BEACHES for important terms and conditions. Beaches ® is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Beaches Resorts.

Advisor

SDRAWAYT

THE BEST SPICY

This under-the-radar gem is made of a distinct blend of sandalwood (the “it” note of the moment), patchouli and vetiver. It’s just as powerful as pricier perfumes, but is easier on the wallet.

No 3 eau de parfum, $165, LesDeuxFragrances.com

Scent has the ability to evoke memory. Choose a new one to remind you of your “I dos” whenever you wear it.

THE BEST CITRUS

Three words: la dolce vita. This fruitforward—but not too sweet—fragrance transports to you to the lush countryside of Southern Italy with a blend of calamansi fruit, green tea and musk.

Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees eau de toilette, $144, Sephora.com

THE BEST BEACHY

An unexpected vacation in a bottle, you won’t smell notes of coconut here. Instead, mandarin, California lemon, neroli, Arabian jasmine and white musk come together to create a sultry scent as warm as the summer sun.

Byredo Sundazed eau du parfum, $200, Nordstrom.com

THE BEST EARTHY

It’s not for the faint of heart—and that’s why we love it. Herbal top notes of bergamot give way to leather and wood, making this complex perfume a bold sensory experience.

Parfums de Marly Haltane eau de parfum, $395, Nordstrom.com

THE BEST CLASSIC

Sensual tuberose, fresh orange blossom and elegant jasmine make a timeless fragrance that works for any wedding style. This limited-edition bottle is also the perfect “something blue.” Diptque Do Son eau de toilette, $150, NeimanMarcus.com

THE BEST CLEAN

If perfume isn’t typically your thing, consider this barely there fragrance that’s also hypoallergenic. Crisp and airy notes of sea salt, sandalwood and seaweed recreate the laid-back feel of a breezy day on the water.

Skylar Salt Air eau de parfum, $85, Sephora.com

THE BEST FLORAL

An opulent bouquet you can wear again and again, this decadent scent was inspired by the scarlet poppies of England and Asia. Its moody floral notes are undeniably sexy, while hints of barley and tonka bean give just the right amount of sweetness.

Jo Malone Scarlet Poppy cologne, $196, Sephora.com

B U TWAIT...

THERE’S MORE!

See all of our winners plus expert advice online.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera or head to TheKnot.com/beautyawards

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF

moissanite

The world’s most dazzling gemstone with a hardness second only to diamonds.

Shop helzberg.com or visit a Helzberg Diamonds store near you.

StylistOn Call

Micaela Erlanger, a celebrity stylist whose clients include A-listers like Meryl Streep and Lupita Nyong’o, knows a thing or two about serving looks on your day. Here, the newlywed fashion “It” girl talks about finding the right attire for you, the trends she’s loving and must-have accessories.

BY SHELLEY BROWN

:

QWHAT SERVICES DOES A BRIDAL STYLIST PROVIDE?

I launched my bridal styling business almost five years ago, because I really wanted to bring my experience and expertise as a celebrity stylist to the world of weddings. I was newly engaged at the time, so it was also something that I was going through myself.

I realized that there wasn’t anyone owning the space. I wanted to have a personalized approach, which meant thinking outside of the fashion box and thinking beyond traditional bridal—the idea that you have to wear white or a specific wedding dress designer.

For me, wedding fashion is an extension of your personality and your love story. I work as a creative director and I work in tandem with the bride on all things fashion. My services extend beyond the bride, so I can work with the groom and the entire wedding party. I’ve even been asked to create outfit mood boards for guests.

My specialty is the custom design process. Often my clients are fashion-forward women who are looking to create something one of a kind, whether with a couture fashion house or customizing an existing wedding dress. I love applying my background in creating Oscars dresses to wedding attire.

ABOUT THE EXPERT

Micaela Erlanger is a celebrity fashion and special occasion stylist based in New York City. Her work has been seen on red carpets around the globe and in the pages of fashion magazines worldwide. A selfdescribed glamour girl, Micaela draws her inspiration from various mediums, from modern art to classic Hollywood films. She is also the author of the book How to Accessorize: A Perfect Finish to Every Outfit and has written for the websites of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and T Magazine.

:

QWHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING TIP?

Do your research. Now more than ever— due to production delays and the supply chain issues we’re facing post-pandemic— you want to go into your dress shopping appointment focused and ready to make a decision. I recommend consulting with the salon beforehand to make sure the styles you’re interested in are available. A lot of the new collections may be traveling on trunk shows, so you don’t want to have your heart set on a dress you can’t try on. Doing your research will also help you from getting confused. Having too many options is the worst thing that can happen when you’re choosing a dress. You also want to avoid the opinions of the peanut gallery. I do not recommend bringing your entire bridal party to your appointment. Go in focused, know what you like and let the experts guide you. After all, that’s why they’re experts.

PHOTO

DREAMY DRESS Micaela Erlanger wore a custom Prada gown for her wedding at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami.

A first of its kind designer collection of platinum set, colorless lab grown diamonds.

Shop helzberg.com/jennypackham or visit a Helzberg Diamonds store near you.

Q:WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST SUIT SHOPPING TIP?

The process is easier for suits than dresses, since the timelines are much more manageable and you don’t have to shop so far in advance. Make sure you go to a place that specializes in tailoring. Suiting alterations require a certain amount of finesse, and you want to make sure you’re getting the perfect fit.

Q:

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BRIDES GOING CUSTOM?

You have to be a very discerning, competent decision-maker. You’re also committing a great deal of money to a garment that you’ve never seen before, so you have to feel extremely confident in your choices. And you have to use your imagination to envision a sketch as something three-dimensional and real. The custom process is not for everybody, and that’s okay. It’s the gold standard— you’re getting something that is truly one of a kind. It also means that prices can get very, very high. There are different levels of customization with existing bridal collections. If you aren’t totally sure you want to go the bespoke route, you can add customizations to a design rather than starting from scratch.

You also want to give yourself a good amount of lead time. If you’re dealing with custom embroideries, lace, beading or anything else done by hand, it’s going to take at least six months.

Q: YOU WORE SEVERAL VINTAGE DRESSES FOR YOUR WEDDING. WHAT ARE YOUR VINTAGE SHOPPING TIPS?

What I love about vintage is that it’s also pretty much one of a kind, but you have the luxury of trying it on beforehand. It’s a little bit like a treasure hunt, so you have to be patient and give yourself ample time

to find what you’re looking for. The biggest thing is you have to be very accurate and precise about your measurements, because vintage sizing is not like contemporary sizing. And if something is pre-owned, it could have been tailored to fit somebody else. Vintage clothing is often final sale or can only be returned for a restock fee, so if you order something online or on consignment, make sure that what you’re buying will fit. Also don’t be afraid of color and the styles of different time periods. Don’t be afraid to get creative. At the end of the day, you want to choose attire that makes you feel beautiful and tells your story.

Q

:

YOU ALSO HAD A MISMATCHED WEDDING PARTY.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO PULL THIS OFF?

You want to keep the looks in a similar color range or give them an otherwise unifying factor, like a certain silhouette or pattern. For example, I went with shades of green for my wedding party. Originally I had wanted the whole party to be in sage green, but I loved how things came together with shades of mint, seafoam and aqua.

Q

:

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST FASHION LESSON FROM YOUR WEDDING?

I’m so grateful that I had as much time as I did. I was a pandemic bride, so my husband and I replanned our wedding I don’t even know how many times. But it turns out I’m glad I had every minute, because it allowed me to really curate and personalize every detail. I’m also glad I chose comfortable shoes.

Q

:

WHAT WEDDING DRESS TRENDS ARE YOU LOVING?

Patterns and bright colors make me so happy. I had a lot of green in my own dress as well, so I leaned into that trend personally. Your wedding dress should reflect who you are, and the idea that you have to wear white isn’t really relevant anymore. Beautiful things come in all shapes and styles, and I love seeing more couples embrace that.

Q

MICAELA’S Faves

Shop Micaela’s must-have accessories below. The best part? You’ll wear these long after your day.

TWINKLE TOES

Micaela x Margaux Mary Janes,

:

WHAT ABOUT SUITING TRENDS?

I love the idea of a dinner jacket change. For example, if you’re going with a dark tuxedo, you could change into a white dinner jacket for the reception. It’s such an elegant move.

Jennifer Behr x Micaela Flora earrings, $288, JenniferBehr.com

BE DAZZLED

De Beers Forevermark x Micaela emerald eternity band, from $6,796, Forevermark.com

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU WANT TO CHOOSE ATTIRE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL BEAUTIFUL AND TELLS YOUR STORY.

QUIZ!

SHAPE

SHAPE

THE OF

A B C D E

FINDING THE RIGHT ENGAGEMENT RING IS ALL ABOUT PERSONAL PREFERENCE, AND THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF STUNNING SPARKLERS OUT THERE. BUT WHICH DIAMOND SHAPE SUITS YOU BEST? ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO FIND THE BEST BLING FOR YOUR SENSE OF STYLE—PLUS, GET THE DEETS ON WHAT DIFFERENTIATES ONE STONE SHAPE FROM ANOTHER.

BY SHELLEY BROWN

1HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

Classic Trendy Clean Glamorous Edgy

F Vintage

2WHAT KIND OF SPARKLE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A DIAMOND?

A B C D E

WHICH WEDDING DRESS TREND IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Ball gown silhouettes. You can’t go wrong with a time-honored style.

Floral print dresses. They’re unexpected but still totally wedding-worthy.

Slip dresses. I’m sleek and chic all the way.

Feather details. I want to make the most of my fashion moment.

Shorter hemlines. I love the idea of tossing tradition and doing my own thing.

F Puff sleeves. It doesn’t get more romantic than details inspired by Bridgerton . Swoon.

A B C D E

WHICH INTERNET AESTHETIC BEST DESCRIBES YOU?

Pearlcore

Barbiecore Coastal Grandmother Night Luxe

Vaporwave

F Regencycore

6

A B C D E

Megawatt brilliance tops my wish list. Bring on the bling.

I want it all: Sparkle plus a unique stone shape.

A glassy shimmer similar to a mirrored surface is ideal. I'll take subtle over shiny any day.

The flashy look of crushed ice is my vibe. Ice, ice baby.

I want my center stone to stand out, period. Brilliance is a plus, but an unexpected diamond shape is more important.

F Sure, a sparkly stone is great, but it’s really the size that matters. Go big or go home.

4WHICH CELEBRITY DO YOU IDENTIFY MOST WITH?

A B C D E

Princess Beatrice Blake Lively Amal Clooney Meghan Markle

Megan Fox

F Victoria Beckham

A B C D E

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ACCESSORY?

A well-made designer handbag. I will invest in a piece I know will never go out of style.

The latest “it” accessory—whether it’s a bucket hat or a saddlebag, I gravitate toward whatever is now and happening.

Thin, delicately layered necklaces. They’re effortlessly glamorous but not too gaudy.

Bejeweled heels. I want all eyes to be on me—from my head to my toes.

A bespoke clutch. It’s less expected than your typical bag and feels totally personal to me.

F Heirloom jewelry. I’m a sucker for sentimentality.

AMOS TLY

ROUND BRILLIANT

You're a classic—and so is this shape. There’s a reason round brilliant is the most popular shape on the market. Not only is it incredibly versatile, but it’s an enduring bridal standard, with the perfect balance of proportion and symmetry. Most, if not all, jewelers report that solitaire round engagement rings are their most popular sellers year after year. Another plus? Round brilliants are the sparkliest cut, thanks to their 58 facets. Available in a variety of sizes and at multiple price points, they're also easy to source within your budget and customizable. A variety of settings, halos and side stones will complement the simplicity of their shape.

Ring by Tiffany & Co.

MOS TLY

CUSHION

Can you say glamorous? If you’re looking for something undeniably flashy, a cushion-cut diamond may be right for you. This diamond shape is generally square or rectangular, with rounded corners, large facets and an open bottom. It can also offer a unique kind of sparkle, sometimes referred to as “crushed ice,” given its resemblance to the look of shattered ice or glass. And if you’re in the market for a colored diamond or other gemstone, this shape tends to retain and enhance color, so it’s a great option for vibrant center stones.

Ring by Jean Dousset

MOS TLY

Your style is equal parts trendy and timeless, making this diamond the one for you. Recently, ovals have skyrocketed in popularity thanks to A-list wearers like Blake Lively, Hailey Bieber and Kourtney Kardashian. Oval diamonds have a large face, giving them a less expected elongated shape that still evokes the classic feel you'd get from a round stone. This also provides maximum sparkle don't have to sacrifice bling if you're looking for a slightly nontraditional look.

MOS TLY

E MOS TLY

PEAR

Calling all iconoclasts. Nothing about your

rectangular facets that ascend outward and descend downward. What does this mean? This shape boasts clean, straight lines and a chic “Hall of Mirrors” effect, as opposed to the traditional, high-impact sparkle of a round brilliant-cut diamond.

Ring by De Beers

MOS TLY

MARQUISE

Vintage lovers, this one’s for you. The marquise diamond, which was created in the 18th century, has a rich history that makes it a staple of antique style: King Louis XV of France hired a jeweler to craft a diamond in the shape of his mistress’s lips. Oh la la! Over time, the diamond shape has evolved to become what we know today. And if you’re looking for a rock that shows its carat weight well, consider this: Marquise diamonds have 58 facets, with 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion, giving them a large surface area. (Translation: You get more bling for your buck.)

Ring by Erstwhile

WANT MORE? Scan this code for a deep dive on every center stone shape.

BY MONICA MERCURI

f you’re looking to make a fashion statement on your day, consider splurging on a custom suit. While going the bespoke or made-to-measure route might cost you more, a garment designed for you and your measurements has many benefits over off-the-rack styles. Not only can you achieve a better fit, but you can also add unique customizations you won’t find otherwise. And it’s a great option for nonbinary couples looking for gender-neutral attire. From working closely with a master tailor to seeing your ideal suit come to life during fittings, the custom process is a seriously memorable experience. Dreaming of a standout suit but unsure where to start? We’ve got the intel on going custom, including the differences between bespoke and made-to-measure styles, when and where to shop—plus the expert tips tailors want you to know.

Bespoke

The terms “bespoke” and “made-to-measure” are often used interchangeably to describe custom suits, but there are key differences between the two. With a traditional bespoke suit, the tailor works on a unique pattern made from scratch that’s exclusively for you. “There’s a level of craftsmanship that’s associated with the term bespoke. It’s made by an artisan rather than an assembly-line process,” says Jake Mueser, master tailor and founder of J. Mueser in New York City. With the help of a tailor, you select the fabrics, style and patterns of your bespoke suit and can also add customizations, such as your monogram or wedding date.

ALTON LANE

Alton Lane’s Made For You platform uses augmented reality and digital measurement tools to streamline the shopping process for couples, making it easier to buy made-tomeasure suits online. Simply input your height, weight and body type, then select from a selection of fit patterns from Alton Lane’s custom program. With Made For You, the company aims for a two-week guaranteed delivery. “Our tagline is ‘design in two minutes, delivered in two weeks,’” says Peyton Jenkins, cofounder and president of Alton Lane. While the digital platform is especially useful for last-minute buyers, customers can still visit an Alton Lane showroom to work directly with a style expert. This personalized service generally takes up to six to eight weeks from production to delivery.

VS

Made-to-Measure

While not entirely custom, made-to-measure suits are crafted from an existing pattern and adjusted to your exact measurements. “With made-to-measure, you’re adjusting one suit and making small tweaks so that it can be tailored to that person. You’re still making it from scratch and are able to make a lot of different changes, but the idea of it is based off of another suit that already exists,” Mueser says. (Read on for a breakdown of two of the most popular made-to-measure suit brands.)

MEN’S WEARHOUSE

The custom suiting program at Men’s Wearhouse can have your suit ready in three weeks, but the company recommends starting the process at least three months before a wedding. “That extra time ensures that it’s the absolute perfect fit and personalized to the customer’s exact needs, with plenty of time to make adjustments,” says Kelly Adams-Browning, senior vice president, chief merchant of Tailored Brands, the parent company of Men’s Wearhouse. You begin with a 45-minute meeting with a wardrobe consultant who will take your measurements in a Men’s Wearhouse store. Then, using the brand’s Custom Builder tool, you can select from hundreds of fabrics and linings to visualize your outfit.

Complementary custom suits (as opposed to perfectly matching ones) feel fresh.

THE TAILORY NEW YORK

The Tailory New York is an appointment-only shop specializing in genderless fashion. Because its suits are bespoke—designed and tailored from scratch—customers have nearly unlimited style choices. You’ll get a highly personalized shopping experience, thanks to one-on-one customer service. If you’re not able to visit the New York City location, you can have an outfit created through a video call. The team will work with you virtually to determine your ideal sizing after you place your order. Depending on the material and embellishments you choose, the lead time is typically six to eight weeks, while some custom suits can be delivered in under four weeks.

FROM TOP: DEREK BEDWELL; ERIKA DELGADO PHOTOGRAPHY; JESSICA HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SHOP

It’s better to begin the custom suiting process sooner rather than later to account for any potential delays, like supply chain issues. Experts recommend booking your consultation four to six months before your day. “I always tell prospective brides or grooms that I don’t want to be the last thing on your checklist,” Mueser says. Even if you plan to amp up your fitness routine, tailors recommend beginning the process early, selecting your fabrics and having your first fitting. “We often tell individuals we’ll have the suit delivered to you—it might be two months before your wedding—but we recommend that you come back in with it two weeks before the wedding for a final dress rehearsal,” he says.

Ahead of your first appointment, think about how you want your suit to complement the other aspects of your day. Consider your wedding color scheme, the style and climate of your venue, and your partner’s outfit. Come prepared with styles you like and don’t like, and don’t be afraid to bring inspiration with you. “We’ve heard everything: ‘I love how Daniel Craig looks in the last James Bond—he wore a navy blue tuxedo.’ Our stylists are really good at helping you take even a small kernel of inspiration and bring it to life,” Jenkins says. It is helpful to create a Pinterest board and share it with your tailor, according to Mueser, who suggests pinning styles that you’re drawn to, whether that’s a fabric shade or pattern. “The more you bring me, the more I can design and work for you,” he says.

Pricing CustomYour Suit

Made-to-measure suits can range from about $500 to $2,000, while bespoke suits are typically more expensive, starting at around $2,500 or more. The price depends on a few different factors, including the fabric, pattern and type of customizations. To make the process easier, be transparent and up front about your budget in your first consultation.

Tailors are more than happy to work with your budget, talk through your priorities and provide options based on your price range. “Think about what you’re comfortable with, then research companies that fit within that budget,” advises Mueser. “Talk to the tailor about the details that matter most to you.”

About the Custom Shopping Process

So, you booked an appointment with a tailor six months out from your day. What comes next? A typical consultation for a bespoke or made-to-measure suit takes about 45 minutes to an hour. During your session, your tailor will take measurements, walk you through the fabric and customization options, and ask about the details of your event. “It takes about 10 minutes for me to measure you and talk about a few fit preferences,” says Mueser. “I recommend booking a full hour because it takes time to get a sense of what the wedding is, what fabric makes sense and to go through any other pertinent details.” Then, after your garment is ready, you’ll likely need to return for a few fittings before your event—the point is to get the most personalized fit possible, after all. “The tailor will ensure everything looks perfect and will make any final adjustments,” Adams-Browning says.

Enjoying the Experience

Although shopping for wedding attire can sometimes turn into a stressful ordeal, it can also be a special occasion all on its own. Bring your partner, parents and a group of friends to your fitting to make it more enjoyable, Jenkins says. “It’s fun—we live for those moments where we can create an enjoyable experience for the customer and be a part of their big day.” In the end, you’ll receive a one-ofa-kind suit—and maybe create long-lasting relationships along the way. “I have former clients bringing their kids in soon for their bar and bat mitzvahs. You’re building lifelong bonds,” says Mueser.

If you’re in the market for gender-neutral suiting, bespoke and made-tomeasure styles offer a better fit than most off-therack options.

FROM TOP: HANNAH COSTELLO; AMBER GRESS PHOTOGRAPHY; FROM THE HIP PHOTO

Pre-Party

Your wedding is the main event, but what about all the prewedding parties thrown ahead of “I do”? We’ve broken them down by type, with tips on when to hold them and who you should invite. Think of this as your celebration Cli sNotes.

BY LAUREN KAY PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN GREENLEAF PHOTOGRAPHY

Giving guests name tags (bonus if they are on theme) can help break the ice and get friends and family mingling at a welcome party.

1THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

WHAT IS IT? An engagement party is the perfect way to officially announce your betrothal and allows your loved ones to celebrate you immediately (the wedding could be a year off). Keep in mind that anyone invited to toast your engagement will also expect an invitation to the main event.

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? This is generally the first prewedding celebration held and can happen right away, like a surprise bash after the proposal, or within a few months of your engagement.

WHO HOSTS? The party is often hosted by one of the couple’s families, but anyone can host, including the to-be-weds themselves.

WHERE IS IT HELD? It can take place virtually anywhere, from someone’s home to a favorite restaurant or unique locale (think: park, bowling alley or historic house).

2THE SHOWER

WHAT IS IT? Traditionally, a shower was an all-female celebration to honor the bride-to-be. These days, though, there are no rules. Couples’ showers are rising in popularity—guests of allgenders fete both spousesto-be—and the “rules” have been abandoned in favor of more fun.

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? This party is generally held a few months before the wedding, typically during the day as a brunch or lunch. Guests mix and mingle, share a meal, and often play some wedding-themed games.

WHO HOSTS? It’s usually hosted by members of the wedding party or the couple’s friends or family. Occasionally, there will be more than one shower, organized by different loved ones. This is popular when a couple’s family is spread out across the country and everyone wants in on the celebration. The guest list

can include anyone you’d like, but remember that shower attendees, like those at the engagement party, will expect a wedding invitation.

WHERE IS IT HELD? Depending on the size of your guest list, it can take place in someone’s home, a restaurant or an outdoor cafe. If you’re opting for a couple’s shower or have a large guest list, a hotel ballroom, country club or party venue may be a better fit.

3THE BACH PARTY

WHAT IS IT? This party is a fave of couples. It's an

A stunning installation can do double duty: It’s a great place to snap photos with the guest of honor and serves as a backdrop for present opening.

WARM WELCOME

STANDOUT SHOWER

PHOTO BY MACKENZIE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

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opportunity for to-be-weds to really celebrate with their people. It can be a festive night on the town or a weekend getaway for one partner and their closest friends.

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? This celebration is usually held a month or two ahead of the wedding.

WHO HOSTS? It’s often hosted by the wedding party—the maid of honor and best man have traditionally led the planning—and the guest list includes wedding party members and close friends.

WHERE IS IT HELD? The party should reflect the guest of honor’s personality and tastes; a spa weekend, cooking classes or a prime table at the club are all fair game. It can be a local affair or a quick weekend away, depending on schedules, budgets and preferences. It’s a great way to shake off any prewedding stress and bond with friends before saying “I do.”

TERRI BASKIN PHOTOGRAPHY.

4THE PREWEDDING LUNCHEON

PAGE: (TOP) CHRISTINA MCNEILL, (BOTTOM)

OPPOSITE

WHAT IS IT? Often called a bridesmaid luncheon, this prewedding event is an intimate gathering for members of the bridal party. Depending on where you live, bridesmaid luncheons may or may not be commonplace (they’re really popular down south).

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? It’s usually held a day or two before the wedding.

FINDING FAVOR

These parting gifts won’t be left behind.

EATS

You can never go wrong with an edible treat. Chocolates, champagne gummy bears or sugar cookies are all excellent favors.

SWAG BAGS

Every good bach party has a haul of goodies— think matching bucket hats, fanny packs or silk pj’s for the afterparty. The guest of honor’s hobbies and preferences can inform the goodies, but really, anything goes.

TOKENS OF APPRECIATION

Show your gratitude for wedding VIPS with something sentimental, like a bouquet of dried blooms or a framed photo of you two—a hit with older loved ones who may play a pivotal role in your day.

MORNING-AFTER TREAT

Send rehearsal dinner guests home with breakfast—a homemade granola bar or muffin will keep hunger at bay on the wedding day.

WHO HOSTS? This party is generally hosted by the bride and is used as an opportunity to thank the crew for all their help and support during the planning process. It’s also the perfect place to present bridesmaid gifts and to enjoy a low-key meal before the wedding celebration kicks off. Guests generally include bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers of the spouses-to-be and close female relatives who may not be part of the bridal party (like grandmothers or godmothers).

WHERE IS IT HELD? This event is often at a local restaurant or the hotel where the wedding will take place.

Party favors make everything more fun—and look great on the ’gram.

@Bach_Babes in Nashville, TN, and Austin, TX, can hook you up with decor, itineraries and swag!

for guests to meet. It’s also a great time for relatives or close friends to give toasts that you might not have time for at the reception.

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? As the name suggests, this event is held immediately following the ceremony rehearsal, usually the night before the wedding.

5THE REHEARSAL DINNER

WHAT IS IT? This is either an intimate meal with the wedding party and close family members or a larger event for the entire guest list (aka a welcome party). It’s not meant to overshadow the following day but is an opportunity

WHO HOSTS? With a heterosexual couple, the groom’s family traditionally hosts this event. Nowadays, either or both families or the couple throws this party.

WHERE IS IT HELD? A private space at a restaurant or, depending on the size, at a traditional wedding venue or outdoor locale.

FUN SWAG

EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE

Grasses add a whimsical, perfectly imperfect look when paired with a cascading floral bouquet. Dress, @Shop_Cinq; styling, @SilkandStyleBridal

PRAIRIE

WONDER LAND

A BLANKET OF SNOW SETS THE STAGE FOR COZY WINTER RANCH NUPTIALS ANCHORED BY A SOFT BLUE-AND-GREEN COLOR PALETTE.

BY HANNAH NOWACK PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA

MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

EVENT DESIGN BY SLATER EVENTS FLORAL DESIGN BY LALÉ FLORALS VENUE BRUSH CREEK RANCH

DRESS THE PART

Ask the waitstaff to wear cowboy hats and rodeo-ready button-downs to reinforce your elevated Western aesthetic.

Catering, @BrushCreekRanch

FROM THE FIELD

Pillowy ginestra woven through bear grass adds eye-catching texture and movement to a centerpiece.

AGELESS ATTIRE

A rustic setting doesn’t preclude chic and modern fashion. A simple off-theshoulder silhouette is a timeless choice that will wow no matter the venue. Dress, @Markarian_Bride

MODERN MOMENTS In lieu of traditional letterpress, blind embossing adds contemporary flair to invitations. Stationery, @SamanthaMeyerStudio; @LaurenRedmanDesignCo

DIVERSE DESSERTS

Give guests some variety by serving multiple bite-sized desserts, like profiteroles or fruit tarts, instead of just one slice of cake.

SECOND STYLE

For dancing, slip into something sleek—such as a long-sleeved gown made of a soft, breathable fabric like chiffon. Round out the look with a festive cowboy hat.

SURPRISE AND DELIGHT

Create a fun experience at every seat by placing menu cards inside leather envelopes that double as favors.

COZY CANDLELIGHT Add ambiance with towering taper candles that last all evening long. Rentals, @CoPartyRentals

TRENDY TRIO

Don’t fret if you’ve fallen in love with more than two wedding dresses—have fun with three ensembles. Wear one for the ceremony, another for portraits, then a final style for dancing. Hair and makeup, @AshleySmithBeauty

Creating a registry is one of the best parts of wedding planning. It’s the ultimate wish list, which admittedly can be a bit daunting. We’ve rounded up our top tips to ensure you get exactly what you want.

BY SARAH HANLON

TIME IT RIGHT

It’s completely acceptable to create a registry as soon as you get engaged. In fact, we strongly suggest it. This makes it easier for guests who’d like to purchase a gift for any prewedding celebration, like engagement parties or showers, or for those who’d just like to send something your way to say congratulations. Most importantly, having a

a tent instead of a silver gravy boat. But be open to the fact that your tastes and needs may evolve over time. Even though you can’t imagine a need for a gravy boat right now, it may come in handy at Thanksgiving dinners with your in-laws.

TAKE INVENTORY

Before you start making a wish list, take a look around your home. If you’re not living together already, how do you plan to combine your things after “I do”? If you’re already under the

your registry. Also consider your future needs. Maybe formal dinners aren’t the norm in your house now, but having a few extra place settings or serving pieces could allow you to host a holiday down the road. This inventory effort ensures you are making the most of your registry selections.

RESEARCH AND CROWDSOURCE

There’s a good chance you’ve attended a friend’s wedding or know another engaged duo. If you’re not sure what to ask for, check out their registries for ideas. Ask your newly married friends what gift they love most or, better yet, what they wish they had asked for. And research your picks to ensure they make the cut—take stock

PHOTO:

OVER REGISTER

How many gifts should you register for? Here’s the secret math equation we swear by: multiply your guest list by two and add a few extra items. It may seem like you’re asking for the moon or being greedy, but guests prefer choices. And too many choices is always better than too few.

STRIVE FOR VARIETY

A winning registry includes gifts at all price points. Guests have different budgets and may be attending other celebrations in your honor. Stock your wish list with plenty of options ranging in price from $25 to $200 or more (keep in mind that the average wedding guest spends $120 on a gift). Don’t shy away from luxury items, because some guests will want to splurge. Plus, big-ticket products make great group gifts. But do make sure there are budgetfriendly options as well.

UPDATE OFTEN

Since it’s important to have plenty of options at a variety of price points, check your registry often to make sure guests have choices. Selections will dwindle as your loved ones buy items leading up to your wedding day. Fun fact: Most people buy gifts within two weeks before and two weeks after a wedding. Check your registry during this time frame and be sure to keep it active after your wedding day.

GUIDE THE GIFT GIVING

The whole point of a registry is to not-so-subtly tell guests what you want. Keep that in mind as you curate your list. Add products that you really want first—a high-tech vacuum, new bedding or a set of steak knives. As gifts are purchased, you can replace them with items that may fall lower on your wish list, like a picture frame to display your wedding photo or a new set of matching wine glasses. This strategy means you’re more likely to end up with what you really, really want.

ASK FOR CASH

Honestly, it’s perfectly acceptable to register for money—we encourage it. It used to be taboo to ask for cash, but etiquette has evolved and monetary gifts are more common than ever. You can put cash toward anything from a puppy fund to a kitchen remodel or newlywed experiences like a cooking class or concert. Guests want to give you things you’ll use, so if you’d benefit more from money than another set of dinner plates, add cash funds to your registry. Ask for a mix of tangible gifts too. And if you know how you plan to spend the money, let your guests know: “We’re saving for our first house!”

GO BEYOND TRADITION

If you already have what you need for your home, get creative. Wish list a set of pickleball racquets and court time, opt for a subscription service of rare coffee beans or ask for a membership to your local arts center. If you’re hoping to take a bucket-list trip that’s been on hold due to COVID-19, set up a honeymoon fund. Or earmark a charity for guests to make donations on your behalf.

LARGE BIG GREEN BigGreenEgg.com

SPREAD THE WORD

It’s not appropriate to flat-out ask for wedding gifts, so don’t include registry information on your wedding invitations. Word of mouth is one way to relay the details (typically led by your parents and wedding party members). You can list registry info on your engagement party and wedding shower invites, since those don’t come from you, but from the person hosting the shower. The best place to share your registry information, though, is on your wedding website.

BE GRACIOUS

Sending thank-you notes should be the most important task on your postwedding to-do list. Thank your guests adequately—a text message or email won’t suffice here. Handwritten thank-you notes for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of their arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent within two months of your return from the honeymoon or two months after the wedding, if you’re taking your honeymoon later. Our advice: Stay on top of them so you don’t end up with over 50 notes to write after saying “I do.”

PHOTO: GIADA CANU;

YOUR ‘I DO’ HOW-TO

WE GOT YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. HERE ARE THE BIG TO-DOS FROM “YES” TO “I DO.” PLUS, THE 411 ON OUR TOOLS (PERSONALIZED CHECKLIST, WEDDING WEBSITE, CASH REGISTRY) THAT WILL HELP GET YOU

THERE WITH EASE.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JESSICA PETTWAY

GATHER YOUR CREW

Ask your besties to stand by you at the altar and in the months leading up to your day. Celebrate your peeps and your engaged status!

S T ART HERE

NAIL DOWN YOUR BUDGET

Envision your wedding and decide how much you want to spend (and if anyone else will be contributing).

ALL YOURS

Download our app and get a personalized list of to-dos between now and wedding day.

KEEP ORGANIZED

Not sure what to do when?

Enter: our app’s totally customizable checklist. If you’re asking a friend to officiate, you can cross “find an officiant” off your to-do list. There’s also a budgeter to track spending.

EDITOR TIP

It’s okay to go out of order or not tick every item off the list. Ask for help from your wedding VIPs—they want to help, trust us.

FIND YOUR WEDDING STYLE

Not sure where to start (totally normal, btw)? Download The Knot Wedding Planner app and take our Style Quiz. Zero in on your vibe—think industrial with bohemian details—and we’ll generate a personalized Wedding Vision you can share with your pro squad.

FIND A VENUE

Search for the perfect place to celebrate, keeping budget and guest count in mind. Then set the date.

Think about what you love as a couple. Are you homebodies or the types to dress up and hit the dance floor? Your wedding should be a true reflection of who you are, so let your personalities define your style. (FYI: Most couples aren’t just one style.)

HIRE YOUR TEAM

Research and book pros—anyone you have to have should be locked in ASAP. If you share your info with us (budget, location, guest count), we can recommend vendors and help you assemble a stellar pro squad. You can find tons of talent on The Knot Marketplace and check out reviews from newlyweds who hired them.

EDITOR TIP

GO FOR A FITTING

Have final attire fittings and arrange for dress and/or suit pickup.

USING DIOR VERNIS. BRACELET BY KEMI DESIGNS. ALL ICONS NOUN PROJECT, FROM LEFT:

FINALIZE OTHER PARTY DETAILS

Plan your rehearsal dinner and morning-after brunch.

PLAN THE CEREMONY

Meet with your officiant to discuss the details and attend prewedding counseling, if required.

BUY YOUR PAPER

Select invites, thank-you notes and other day-of stationery.

Need help with the design? No problem. You can get free paper samples and customize all the details of your wedding suite at TheKnot.com/paper.

CREATE A WEDDING WEBSITE

Head to TheKnot.com to start your very own website. Share the link so guests are in on the details, like room blocks and your registry. Include any FAQs or changes due to COVID-19. You can even stay on top of your RSVPs with our built-in tool.

MAKE A REGISTRY

People will want to shower you with gifts from “we’re engaged” to your wedding day, so a wish list is a must. Build yours on The Knot and add items from our expansive store filled with your favorites (think: KitchenAid stand mixers, BBQ grills and beyond) or wherever you shop online using our universal registry tool.

Get ready to celebrate! From engagement soirees to couples showers and bach weekends, there are lots of ways to party. Be sure to keep your registry stocked with gifts at various price points. And always show your gratitude for the hosts of these fun occasions.

TOP TOOLS

We meant what we said—we’ve got you. Check out our best planning helpers.

INVITES

SHOP FOR RINGS

Try on and purchase your wedding rings—then get insurance. (Now it’s starting to feel really real, right?)

DO SOME MORE SHOPPING

Find personalized decor, unique party favor ideas and wedding party gifts for all your peeps at TheKnotShop.com

GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE

Head to the county clerk’s office in the state where you’ll wed for this must-have doc.

CHOOSE A POINT PERSON

If you don’t have a wedding planner or day-of coordinator, task an attendant or family member to be the go-to so you can relax and enjoy the day.

PROMPT PHOTOS

Share your personalized wedding hashtag with guests to encourage picture posting. Bonus: It will be easy to collect all those wonderful moments you may miss.

THE KNOT INVITATIONS

We’re here to help with all of your paper needs. Choose from tons of original designs— including those in our Black and Women’s Artist Collectives (bonus: you can coordinate with your wedding website)—and save time with guest addressing.

VIP TEAM

THE KNOT MARKETPLACE

Find the most talented pros to bring your day to life. Read reviews from other couples who have hired them. If you’re looking to support businesses owned by underrepresented groups, filters can help you do just that.

WISH LIST

THE KNOT REGISTRY

DECIDE WHAT TO WEAR

Shop for your attire and schedule necessary fittings—don’t forget accessories. Choose what your wedding party will wear too.

EDITOR TIP

The Knot Registry also lets you ask for cash for things like a down payment on a home or an epic future trip to Bali. Yes, you read that right: It’s okay to ask for $$$.

GET MARRI E !D

The planning and hard work are behind you— time to celebrate your new status.

Build a one-of-a-kind wish list on The Knot with handpicked products for your home, gift cards and epic experiences, like courtside seats to an NBA game or a hot air balloon ride.

EDITOR TIP

REAL LOVE

MARRIAGE AT ITS CORE IS A UNITING OF FAMILIES, A BOND MEANT TO LAST A LIFETIME, A CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND ONE OF THE FEW DAYS WE GET AS ADULTS TO HAVE A BIG PARTY.

Jonathon

PHOTOGRAPH BY APOLLO FOTOGRAFIE

JEWISH CEREMONY Jonathon (left) and Kyle did the seven blessings and breaking of the glass under an iron chuppah during their ceremony.

PERSONAL PROMISES The couple wrote their own vows, which were “equal parts humorous and honest.” In them, “Jonathon vowed to laugh at all my jokes and appreciate my loyalty,” says Kyle. HONORING HERITAGE “While many elements of our wedding were untraditional, we wanted to preserve the traditions that felt most important to us,” explains the duo of their nods to Kyle’s Jewish upbringing.

SWEET ENDINGS For dessert, the couple served doughnuts and a moody dark chocolate and cherry cake decorated in Hunger Games colors.

BOLD LOOKS The couple asked the wedding party to dress in colors of the rainbow, giving them plenty of creative freedom. “Everyone got to express their individuality and dress as boldly as they liked.”

The attire seen in Panem’s Capitol in The Hunger Games inspired Jonathon Dakarai (35 and a UX designer) and Kyle Prosen’s (30 and a medical policy account manager) wedding. “While the people of the Capitol are generally evil, their over-the-top fashion represents a certain delusional optimism, and a moment of joy and beauty for the tributes,” explains the couple. “We wanted to exude some of that exuberance and bring some dark and moody energy to the wedding.” In keeping with that inspiration, Jonathon and Kyle had their officiant dress as the character Effie Trinket. Even the couple’s signature cocktails paid homage to their theme: “The Girl on Fire... Ball” (a Fireball whiskey lemonade) and a “Nightlock Margarita” with lavender.

—HANNAH NOWACK

WEDDING VISION

WEDDING STYLE

A DRAMATIC and ECLECTIC event. The venue could be an abandoned WAREHOUSE or even an ART MUSEUM.

COLOR PALETTE

DARK AND MOODY A dramatic mix of emerald and forest green with bronze, gold and black accents.

OOK

1 Balloon arch kit, $32, MeriMeri. com 2 Invitations, $199 for set of 100, TheKnot.com 3 Mirror, $498, Anthropologie.com 4 Glitter gel, $10, ColourPop.com 5 Pigment palette, $60, AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com

6 Chair, $186, Walmart.com 7 Vest in sizes up to 3X, $128, WildFang.com

MUST-HAVES

ACCESSIBLE MENU “We had plant-based burgers because we wanted our wedding to have a lower carbon footprint. It also gave people an opportunity to try plant-based protein if they otherwise had not or would not.”

FRESH FRUIT The decor included grapes, pomegranates and figs.

HOUSE FUND In addition to registering for physical gifts, the couple had a cash registry to go toward a down payment on a home.

INGREDIENTS

CEREMONY + RECEPTION SITE Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg, CA PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY Apollo Fotografie EVENT PLANNING Simply Elegant by Diana FLORAL DESIGN Daisyhead Florals OFFICIANT Yael Steinberg (friend) SUITS Both: Faden Design Studios; Jonathon: Dolce & Gabbana SHOES Dolce & Gabbana WEDDING RINGS

Abi M Jewelry WIGS The Loma Prietta MAKEUP Bryce Rider; Suliman Nawid; Tajh Jordan; Veronica Marshall Beauty; Veronica Gersalia Makeup Artistry STATIONERY Margo Designs CALLIGRAPHY Woodland Custom Design RENTALS Getting Hitched Design & Rentals; Sound Express Mobile Entertainment DECOR Hip Hooray Co. CATERING Acoustic Events CAKE Aurita’s Cake Artistry DESSERT Stanley’s Donuts ENTERTAINMENT DJ Imani; horse: Kent Dressage DANCE LESSONS London LaMarr

Because of the symbolic nature of black unicorns, Jonathon rode into the wedding ceremony atop a horse dressed like one. Meanwhile, Kyle’s mother escorted him down the aisle as a string quartet played “Hurricane,” by Halsey. After the ceremony, the couple posed for a few pictures with the horse to celebrate the symbolism and sense of healing the animal brought.

UNICORNS ARE SYMBOLS OF MAGIC AND GOOD LUCK. AND BLACK UNICORNS ARE SAID TO BRING HEALING. THE UNICORN WAS A WAY TO HEAL TRAUMAS OF MY PAST AND THE INJUSTICES OF RACIAL INEQUALITY AND LGBTQ+ RIGHTS IN THE WORLD.

Take our style quiz to create your own wedding vision by downloading

THE KNOT WEDDING PLANNER

FORMAL “I DOS” The couple held one of their three wedding ceremonies at a temple to honor their parents.

ODE TO MOM Hoàng-Kim’s white áo dài was “inspired by my mom’s stories of Vietnamese school uniforms.”

RETRO RECORDING Guests could pick up a red phone to record a voice message for the couple. TRIO OF TRADITIONS The couple had three ceremony events. The first (le ruoc dâu), held at home, blessed the marriage. The next (le hang thuân) was at a Buddhist temple during which the couple read a gratitude speech. In the last ceremony, Hoàng-Kim and Johnny exchanged personal vows. FATHER’S LOVE The fact that Hoàng-Kim’s father could walk her down the aisle and give a toast at the reception was a highlight for the couple, because he suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2015. “There were times I didn’t think he’d be able to walk me down the aisle, so for him to do that and make a speech was emotional. He worked on the speech for weeks with his speech therapist,” says Hoàng-Kim.

Hoàng-Kim Cung (31 and a content creator) and Jonathan (Johnny) Huang Van (29 and a tech entrepreneur) wanted a wedding that felt both timeless and modern, so they could “look back at it decades from now and still love every detail without it feeling outdated or trendy,” says Hoàng-Kim. One way they ensured the celebration was timeless was by looking to the past and showing respect for their heritage. Specifically, it was paramount to Hoàng-Kim that the wedding honor her parents, since they never got a big wedding of their own. “I’m very proud of my Vietnamese culture, as my parents are political refugees from communist Vietnam,” she says. “Since they got married in a rush to flee Vietnam, they did not get to have many of the traditional wedding moments.” —HN

SCHOLARLY SEATING “One of the stars of the show was our bookcase seating chart. Each guest had a book with their name and table number on the spine,” says Hoàng-Kim. ON ICE “We both chose a signature drink and had an ice luge, which our guests really loved,” she says. “Johnny’s drink was an old fashioned and mine was a mocktail with blueberries, passion fruit and lemonade. Guests could add alcohol if they wanted, and it was fun to see how creative people got with their concoctions.”

FLORAL FUN The day’s flower arrangements included larkspur, sweet peas, peonies, ranunculus, anemones and garden roses.

FIREWORKS FINALE The evening ended with a surprise fireworks show set to “A Sky Full of Stars,” by Coldplay. “I smiled so much during the show and will remember it forever,” says Hoàng-Kim.

WEDDING VISION

HO ÀNG-KIM + JOHNNY

WEDDING STYLE

A ROMANTIC and TIMELESS celebration of love. Couples could book a HISTORIC ESTATE VINEYARD as an ideal venue.

COLOR PALETTE

CRISP AND CLEAN The palette focused on elegant shades of ivory, gold and black with pops of red and yellow sprinkled in.

MUST-HAVES

LUCKY WEDDING DATE To honor their Vietnamese heritage, the couple selected an auspicious wedding date, April 16, 2022, upon the advice of Hoàng-Kim’s mother.

PLACE SETTING PRESENTS Guests were encouraged to take home the chopsticks and chopstick rests from their dinner.

TRADITIONAL TREATS A menu highlight was the seafood taro bird’s nest, a fresh take on one of Hoàng-Kim’s favorite dishes.

bookworms: Journals or a copy of a fave great favors.

THE L OOK

1 Áo gam in all sizes, $300, EastMeetsDress.com

2 Wedding áo dài in all sizes, $448, EastMeetsDress.com

3 Pumps, $1,125, ManoloBlahnik.com 4 Earrings, $80, KendraScott.com

5 Settee, $844, BedBathandBeyond.com

6 Eau de parfum, $200 for 3.4oz, EsteeLauder.com

7 Notebook, $19, BaronFig.com

8 Flatware, $151 for 6-piece set, 6ixthSenseLA.com

INGREDIENTS

CEREMONY LOCATIONS Compassion Buddhist Temple, Plano, TX; The Hillside Estate, Cross Roads, TX Allen Tsai EVENT PLANNING Keestone Events OFFICIANT The Venerable Thích Pháp Hanh HO À NG-KIM’S ATTIRE Thái Nguyen Atelier, Costa Mesa, CA; Vera Wang JOHNNY’S ATTIRE Thái Nguyen Atelier ACCESSORIES Hoàng-Kim: Kendra Scott; Olive + Piper; Johnny: Brioni SHOES Hoàng-Kim: Manolo Blahnik; Johnny: Christian Louboutin ENGAGEMENT RING James Allen WEDDING RINGS Jared HAIR + MAKEUP Austin Ryde WEDDING PARTY ATTIRE Adrianna Papell; The Black Tux STATIONERY Scribbles and Swirls RENTALS Bella Acento; BBJ La Tavola; Posh CATERING Andy’s Catering; Share Tea Richardson CAKE Fancy Cakes by Lauren Kitchens MUSIC Adante Mayo/LeForce Entertainment; Dallas Asian Strings

ENTERTAINMENT Dancers: Rising Phoenix Lion Dance Association TX; photo booth: Currently Events FAVORS Heart Water; Melange Marche; Odila + Porter; Tarte Cosmetics; Urban Tokyo TRANSPORTATION Igport Limos

A fun lion dance performance kicked off the wedding reception. Hoàng-Kim and Johnny planned the show to help them make a dramatic entrance in new ensembles. “We changed into a bespoke tuxedo for Johnny and a dream Vera Wang mermaid gown for me,” Hoàng-Kim says. “To give these outfits a ‘moment,’ we hired a traditional lion dance troupe.”

LION DANCES REPRESENT GOOD FORTUNE AND HAPPINESS. COMPLETE WITH GONGS, CYMBALS AND DRUMS, IT REALLY MADE OUR ENTRANCE SO FUN AND INJECTED A LOT OF ENERGY INTO THE BEGINNING OF THE RECEPTION.

-Hoàng-Kim

Take our style quiz to create your own wedding vision by downloading

KNOT WEDDING PLANNER

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TERRI

BY ROXANNE BELLAMY

CO.

MOMENT ALONE

Lena and Christopher had their first look on the museum’s fifthfloor terrace with a view of the US Capitol.

On the first day of the year, Lena Tillett (33 and a news anchor) and Christopher Washington (39 and a food tech entrepreneur) said “I do” in the first wedding the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian has ever hosted. The museum is “one of the most remarkable buildings in Washington,” Lena says. “It’s a stunning, sacred space with a breathtaking rotunda and skylight.” The spiritual vibe was a major reason the duo settled on NMAI. “We were inspired by the Black social scene of 1940s Washington, DC,” she says. “I grew up hearing stories of Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday coming to town and their lavish parties. We wanted to recreate that feel.” Given the location, it was also important to honor American Indian history with a land acknowledgment to start the ceremony. —HN

IN THE ROUND “We wanted a semicircle for the ceremony to create a setting that felt incredibly intimate and loving—as if our guests were hugging us. During the ceremony, we felt enveloped in love from our guests,” says Lena.

SPECIAL SHOW Before Lena and Christopher shared their first dance, guests enjoyed a performance. “The dancers’ number was so special. With the jaw-dropping backdrop of the decor and the museum’s expansive space, the whole room was just spellbound. We shed some tears,” recalls Lena.

COMPLEMENTARY CREATIONS

Since the museum is stunning on its own, the couple focused on floral designs with “impact over quantity.”

The centerpieces included lisianthus, sweet peas, ranunculus, Queen Anne’s lace, scabiosa and pampas grass.

WEDDING VISION

LENA + CHRISTOPHER

WEDDING STYLE

An ELEVATED take on a RUSTIC celebration. Book a MUSEUM , ART GALLERY or MOUNTAIN RESORT as an ideal venue.

COLOR PALETTE

AU NATUREL A “soothing yet stunning palette” of terra-cotta, rust orange, toffee and ivory with copper and black accents.

EG T THE L OOK

1 Candleholders, $48 for set of 6, CB2.com 2 Champagne flutes, $10 each, HM.com 3 Charm bracelet, $750, Zales.com 4 Tuxedo, jacket in sizes up to 56, pants in sizes up to 50, $500, BrooksBrothers.com 5 Dress in sizes up to 14, $1,100, DavidsBridal.com $120 for 6-piece set, BurkeDecor.com 7 Napkin, $4, CrateandBarrel.com

MUST-HAVES

GOOD FOOD The menu was a priority for Christopher, a 15-year food industry veteran. For hors d’oeuvres, he chose black-eyed-pea bruschetta, fish ‘n’ chips and lobster tartlets.

WORDS OF LOVE “You have the key to make me calm when I’m anxious, motivated when I am uninspired,” shared Christopher in his vows.

MATRIMONY MUSIC A musician played the West African kora during the ceremony. “It produces such a spiritual sound,” says Lena.

INGREDIENTS

Mixing materials is an easy way to add personality to the tabletop.

CEREMONY + RECEPTION SITE Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC PHOTOGRAPHY Terri Baskin Photography EVENT PLANNING Roxanne Bellamy & Co. FLORAL DESIGN Gardenia Floral Design OFFICIANTS Dr. Pollyanna Barnes; Pastor Baldwin Barnes GOWN Galia Lahav, Bridal Reflections, New York City VEIL David’s Bridal TUXEDO Henry Couture Paris SHOES Lena: Manolo Blahnik; Christopher: Magnanni ACCESSORIES Heirloom ENGAGEMENT & WEDDING RINGS Blue Nile HAIR Dommie Cole MAKEUP Makki Araya STATIONERY Minted RENTALS BBJ La Tavola Linen; Mr. Video; Well Dunn Catering CATERING Well Dunn Catering CAKE Buttercream Bakeshop MUSIC Kora player: John Hughes ENTERTAINMENT Dancer: LeTeisha Melvin/MuveMeants; photo booth: Tickled Photo Booth

#MAKETRADITION

In addition to the bracelet, Lena’s mother gave her earrings that once belonged to Lena’s paternal grandmother. “It was incredibly emotional and special,” recalls Lena. Beyond accessories, her mom also played a big role in helping select a wedding dress: “Never in a million years did I think I would wear a gown with that much sparkle, but my mom knew it was the one as soon as I put it on,” says Lena.

ON THE MORNING OF THE WEDDING, MY MOTHER SURPRISED ME WITH A VINTAGE BRACELET WITH A HEART-SHAPED PENDANT THAT ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.

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COOL KALEIDOSCOPE

A “tunnel of love” with colorful streamers led guests to the backyard.

COVERED IN COLOR

Jenn decided to wear purple. “Everyone who knows me knows that lilac is my version of a neutral,” she says.

IMPACTFUL INVITES “Our invites were quite big,” says Jenn. “I wanted them to feel more like a festival poster than a typical invite. The result was a statement piece that prepared our guests for our colorful wedding.”

CUSTOM CREST The couple wove a personalized logo of two hands holding a moon throughout their design. It nods to a saying Jenn likes: “Love is like holding moonlight. It’s rare, and not everyone gets to touch it.” SURPRISE FLORALS The couple left their flower arrangements in the hands of their floral designer. “I cried happy tears when I saw the installation for the first time. It was lush, layered and filled with surprising elements,” says Jenn. MUSICAL MARCH After the ceremony, a mariachi band led the newlyweds and their guests in a parade around the neighborhood.

Much of Jenn Emerling (37 and a wedding and travel photographer) and Roque Rodriguez’s (42 and a designer and producer) love story centers around their home. “It is where we fell in love, had our first kiss and where we expressed our creativity during the pandemic lockdown,” says Jenn. For their at-home wedding, Jenn, a self-proclaimed maximalist, envisioned “color, lights and music filling up our backyard, our front porch drenched in florals, with our favorite people gathered together all in one place. I could see it. I could feel it.” She calls the vibe “folk art meets pop art.” Specifically, Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain art installation inspired the epic tunnel guests walked through at the colorful whimsical-yeteclectic nuptials. —HN

ALL ABOUT AESTHETICS Jenn designed a 17-page deck to visualize all of the design details and setup. Every detail had sentimental value and much of the decor came from their own home. The couple tapped the wealth of local talent to achieve their vision. “Our colorblocked vases were made by a glassblower who went to Fresno State and our street sign and candleholder were made by our neighbor across the street,” says Jenn. “We even commissioned piñatas to look like us and our dog, as well as a giant ring-pop piñata to represent the one Roque proposed with.” SEA OF COLOR “The fashion reveals from our guests were some of my favorite parts of the day,” says Jenn. “Many folks were inspired to dress in the spirit of us, embracing bold color. At one point my brother said to me, ‘Normally you are the most colorful person in the room, but not today!’ Which I consider a success.”

WEDDING VISION

JENN + ROQUE

WEDDING STYLE

A COLORFUL, VIBRANT and WHIMSICAL party. Gather loved ones AT HOME or even somewhere unique like a FLOWER FARM.

COLOR PALETTE

COLOR, COLOR, EVERYWHERE A festive mix of bright blue, fuchsia, red, metallic lavender, orange, lemon and mint green.

Give guests festive custom papel picado flags to wave during the recessional.

6” piñata, $5, Target.com Suit, jacket in sizes up to 46L, pants in sizes up to 45, $449, Suitsupply.com 4 Dress in sizes up to 14, $1,109, NeedleandThread.com 5 Sunglasses, $175, LeleSadoughi.com 6 Earrings, $198, LorenHope.com 7 Shoes, $275, IsaTapia.com

MUST-HAVES

COCKTAIL STYLE Instead of having a seated dinner, the couple skipped table assignments in favor of mix-and-mingle lounge seating.

UNIFIED PROCESSIONAL To honor their equal partnership, Jenn and Roque processed into the ceremony together.

TACO TRUCKS “I grew up in a farm town where taco trucks were a necessity for the farm worker’s meal, so hiring one felt like a natural decision,” says Roque.

INGREDIENTS

CEREMONY + RECEPTION SITE A private residence, Fresno, CA

PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Zajac VIDEOGRAPHY Karah Shoots Film EVENT PLANNING DIY EVENT COORDINATION Round Town Events FLORAL DESIGN Inessa Nichols Design OFFICIANT Bradley Fitzhenry (friend) GOWN Temperley London HEADPIECE BoutiqueJuJu, Etsy.com SUIT Suitsupply; shirt: Obey EARRINGS Loren Hope SHOES Jenn: Isa Tapia; Roque: Stacy Adams ENGAGEMENT RING Casual Seance WEDDING RINGS Jenn: Casual Seance; Roque: Patrick Adair Designs HAIR Skye Robles; Untamed Instincts MAKEUP Tiffany Simons INVITATIONS Lauren Hunziker DECOR Installation: Erin Elyse Long; mural: Anna Maecie Collard; drink stirrers: Haven Print Co; vases: Little Tomato Glass; rugs: Maggie Jayne RENTALS The Lavatory Fresno; Let’s Party Prettier CATERING Casa de Tamales; Dab Tacos; Margaritas Mobile Bar CAKE Flouring LA DESSERTS Ampersand Ice Cream MUSIC Mariachi band: Mariachi Madera; DJ: The Flash Dance FAVORS Buttons: Scraps

#MAKETRADITION

Roque’s Mexican heritage inspired many wedding details beyond the piñatas. “Roque’s father passed away when he was a teen, so we created an ofrenda to honor his memory—a tradition used during Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos,” Jenn says. “Also, during the reception, we passed out confetti-filled eggs and smashed them on everyone’s heads, which is a fun Easter tradition in Mexican culture.”

WE BOTH LOVE PIÑATAS AND I HAD ONE OF ROQUE MADE FOR HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY. WE DECIDED IT WOULD BE SUPER FUN TO HAVE JENN AND MAX (OUR DOG) PIÑATAS TOO. THEY WERE A HUGE HIT—WE EVEN CROWD-SURFED THEM DURING THE PARTY!

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PERFECT FIT

Despite initial transit delays, Alaa was able to get her dream dress and add some customizations to make it exactly what she wanted.

BACKDROP BEAUTY

Two oversized wall installations doubled as great photo backdrops.

SIGNATURE SCENT The couple displayed their seating chart and wedding favors on an oversized wall decked out with flowers. The favors were bottles of perfume with notes of amber and vanilla that Alaa and Muji created just for the wedding. “Muji found a local perfumer in the Bay Area who specialized in attar. Attar is the Arabic word for a fragrant and potent perfume oil that delivers concentrated natural fragrances derived from botanical sources,” says Alaa. TOGETHER AT LAST A highlight for the couple was the surreal feeling of being with loved ones after prolonged periods of lockdown. From getting ready with friends to a festive zaffeh, in which a band leads the newlyweds to the reception, the couple loved the community focus of the wedding.

Pink ended up anchoring Alaa and Mujahid’s (Muji) (both 25 and data scientists) wedding along the California coast, but initially there wasn’t a single drop of pink in their design plans. At first, the couple imagined a neutral palette with shades of beige, but ultimately pivoted so the day felt less bohemian and more “whimsical, airy and dreamy—those were the adjectives we used about 100 times when describing our vision to our wedding planner,” jokes Alaa. Throughout the planning process, Alaa and Muji, who both have backgrounds in design, were hands-on in bringing their ideas to life. The couple even made their own stationery and “visited the printers to sample how different shades would print, playing around with color and texture to get the perfect look,” says Alaa. —HN

JUST KEEP DANCING Not only was the reception filled with lots of dancing, but the couple kept the energy going with an after-party that lasted until 1 a.m. PERFECT HARMONY “I didn’t want any one element of the table design, from chargers to florals, to stand out too much,” explains Alaa. “I wanted it to all be cohesive and flow together.”

FLORAL FRAME Alaa and Muji didn’t want to obscure the stunning ocean views with a tent, but they still wanted something to add structure to their reception design. A floral arch installation did just that. SWEET

STRAWBERRY Even the couple’s wedding cake, iced in strawberry buttercream, fit their pink vibe. GOING PRO Alaa and Muji invested in a wedding planner so they could “enjoy the process at a higher level” and feel more relaxed.

WEDDING VISION

ALAA + MUJI

WEDDING STYLE

A ROMANTIC, ETHEREAL event. Invite guests to a RESORT, chandelier-lit BALLROOM or picturesque VINEYARD.

COLOR PALETTE

PINK PERFECTION Shades of pink, ranging from blush to peach, anchor the look, which is finished with cream, gold and green accents.

L OOK

1 Candles, $30 for set of 3, Lights4Fun.com

2 Dress in sizes up to 32, price on request, Pronovias.com 3 Love seat, $370, Walmart .com 4 Eau de parfum, $215 for 1.7 oz., Neta-Porter.com 5 Shoes, $1,050, JimmyChoo.com

6 Napkins, $120 for set of 12, PotteryBarn.com

7 Suit, jacket in sizes up to 58, pants in sizes up to 54, $149 to rent, TheBlackTux.com

If you want more coverage, ask your designer to add a lining behind an illusion neckline.

MUST-HAVES

WELLNESS FIRST The couple invests in their relationship by taking regular in-state mini vacations. “We both have busy schedules, but we take time for ourselves,” says Alaa.

STRESS-FREE “We wanted our wedding to be fun for everyone and free of the stressors associated with weddings,” says Alaa.

PURR-FECT PRESENT Alaa and Muji adopted two kittens as a gift to themselves after the wedding.

INGREDIENTS

RECEPTION SITE Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Dana Point, CA PHOTOGRAPHY Connie and Stewart Uy VIDEOGRAPHY Kapsule EVENT PLANNING & DESIGN CCL Weddings & Events FLORAL DESIGN Honeycomb Affair GOWN Atelier Pronovias SUIT Suitsupply SHOES Alaa: Jimmy Choo; Muji: Magnanni ACCESSORIES Jewelry: heirloom; watch: Nomos Glashütte; pocket square: Suitsupply ENGAGEMENT + WEDDING RINGS C.D. Peacock HAIR + MAKEUP Shenise Sheena STATIONERY Design: DIY; printing: Czar Press BACKDROPS Modest Peach RENTALS BBJ La Tavola Linen; Found Rental Co; Premiere Party Rents CATERING Hungry Bear Catering Co.; Raffi’s Place CAKE M Cakes Sweets DESSERTS Knafeh Queens DJ DJ Lady E

#MAKETRADITION

Songwriter Kishi Bashi often tours with the cello-violin duo Takénobu. “When I heard them perform at one of his concerts, I loved their music,” Alaa says. Not only did Takénobu play during the first dance, but they also performed a memorable private concert for the couple and their friends in between the wedding reception and after-party. “It was unreal,” she adds.

MUJI AND I ARE HUGE KISHI BASHI FANS. I LOVED OUR FIRST DANCE TO HIS SONG ‘MANCHESTER.’ THE BEST PART IS THAT MUJI ARRANGED TO HAVE KISHI RECORD IT FOR US AND TAKÉNOBU PLAY INSTRUMENTALS LIVE.

-Alaa

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BRIGHT

$11,695, NaeemKhan.com; earrings, $425, JenniferBehr.com

TOAST OF THE TOWN

Dress, $2,250, ShopLaPointe.com; earrings, $32,000, MindiMondNY.com; engagement ring, $18,900, AnneSisteron.com; shoes, $235, BadgleyMischka.com

upon request, ElieSaab.com;

to

Verstolo.com

BAUBLE BAR

Dress, $525, FleurDuMal.com; engagement ring, price upon request, bracelet, $450 to rent, Verstolo.com; two-stone diamond ring, price upon request, Rahaminov.com; diamond band, $29,200, Picchiotti.it; pearl ring, $31,000, Assael.com

DISCO QUEEN

Dress, $7,295, Markarian-NYC.com; earrings, $24,630, AnneSisteron.com; cocktail ring, $10,800, EffyJewelry.com

WHISKEY BUSINESS

Top and trousers, $5,500, Cucculelli Shaheen, Cu-Sh.com; earrings, $329, Yun-Yun-Sun.com; engagement ring, price upon request, Verstolo.com; shoes, $118, Schutz-Shoes.com

SLEEK

C’EST CHIC

Dress, price upon request, SavannahMiller.com; earrings, $75, CZbyKennethJayLane.com; necklace, $550 to rent, Verstolo.com

FEATHER

FEVER

Dress, $5,890, InesDiSanto.com; earrings, $425, JenniferBehr.com; engagement ring, $7,195, Forevermark.com; cocktail ring, $35,000, GreenwichJewelers.com; shoes, $2,050, RogerVivier.com

DECO REDUX

Dress, $15,000, Cucculleli Shaheen, Cu-Sh.com; earrings, $88,000, MindiMondNY.com; ring, $3,950, YiCollection.com; shoes, $1,095, JimmyChoo.com

DRESSED TO THRILL

Let’s Talk About

BY SARAH HANLON ESTHER LEE HANNAH NOWACK NAOIMH O’HARE

NURTURING YOUR RELATIONSHIP AHEAD OF YOUR WEDDING DAY (AND BEYOND) IS WHAT MARRIAGE IS ALL ABOUT. WE TAPPED THE EXPERTS FOR TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A LASTING LOVE.

DRS. JOHN + JULIE GOTTMAN

This married duo are cofounders of the Gottman Institute, the leading relationship research group and therapist network.

Q+A

QWhat’s your tip for couples who want to maintain a healthy relationship?

A tip for staying together is to turn toward your partner’s bids for connection 86% (or more) of the time.

love last? Why does one couple stay together forever, while another falls apart? And was it even possible to quantify any of this with data—to use the tools of science and mathematical modeling to predict whether a couple would live happily ever after?

The Key to a Lasting Love

In an excerpt from their new book, two clinical psychologists study how to create and maintain a thriving relationship.

Love. It’s a big word—hard to define and pin down. For centuries, the poets have been trying. It’s like a red, red rose (Burns). Or it is an ever-fixed mark, that looks on tempests and is never shaken (Shakespeare). It’s a many-splendored thing (says one classic romantic movie); it’s never having to say you’re sorry (according to another). Can something so huge, so essential, so mysterious, so individual—have a formula? Is there a “prescription” for love?

In a word: Yes.

And the most important thing to know about “the love prescription”

is that it’s a small one. Tiny little doses, every day, is what it takes to make a healthy relationship. Why? Because that’s exactly what a relationship is—not one big thing, but a million tiny things, every day, for a lifetime.

We should know: For the past 50 years, we’ve been putting love under the microscope, starting with John’s earliest research on marital interactions at Indiana University and spanning to today, as we still work closely with couples through the Gottman Institute. When we founded the Love Lab in Seattle in 1986, we wanted to know: What makes

QWhat is the most important shared trait between couples that leads to long-term relationship wellness?

The shared trait among both parties is agreeing that when either partner is upset, the world will stop and both will listen non-defensively.

QHow do you make your relationship successful?

Make the relationship a priority. That means committing to turning toward a partner’s needs in adventure, affection, play, romance and fun.

Since then, we’ve brought all kinds of couples—married and unmarried, gay and straight, couples with kids and those without, newlyweds and married-for-decades seasoned pros—into the lab to drill down to the key factors that make a good relationship good. We’ve looked at every facet of their relationships—their body language, the way they converse, the way they fight, their personal histories and their stories; we’ve watched their heart rates rise and fall and measured the flood of stress hormones in their bodies. We’ve filmed their every movement and reviewed the footage down to the hundredth of a second. Every scrap of data that could be gathered, we collected. We lifted the lid on love and took out all the little parts to determine what, precisely, made it tick. Like the Hadron Collider smashing apart an atom, we wanted to see if we could isolate the building blocks of love.

And what did we learn, when we brought love into the lab? Well, a lot. This has been our life’s work. And this little book will offer you just a slice of it. But we think that in many ways, it’s the most important slice. In this bite-sized, seven-day action plan, we’ll be taking you through our most foundational findings—the first steps toward building a love that lasts. And here’s the preview: love is a practice. More than a feeling, it’s an action. It’s something you do, not something that just happens to you. And you need to give—and get—a daily dose to maintain a healthy, thriving relationship.

THE LOVE PRESCRIPTION $14, Amazon.com

how to MAINTAIN a HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

Love isn’t always black and white, but these tips are crucial for long-lasting happiness.

Love is the foundation for any romantic relationship, but that doesn’t mean it comes without hard work. And although relationships look different for every couple, there are a few universal pillars that are always worth prioritizing.

PRIORITIZE COMMUNICATION

Communication is a key aspect of a healthy relationship—but what you talk about and how you approach those conversations are just as critical. Of course you should frequently talk about bigpicture topics like family planning, core values and long-term goals. But it’s just as important to have the conversations you tend to avoid, like finances, the division of household chores or things that are bothering you.

While it can feel awkward to approach some of these conversations, the ability to do so is one of the top signs of a healthy partnership—even if you don’t always see eye to eye.

Kimberly Panganiban, a Gottman Institute–certified licensed marriage and family therapist, says that couples who are willing to communicate (and work through their disagreements) are more likely

to have a long-lasting, fulfilling relationship. “When you can understand your partner, there’s usually a level of acceptance. You get out of a ‘right vs. wrong’ mentality and can accept that their views may be different, which opens up the opportunity to compromise.”

COMPROMISE ON DIFFERENCES

Conflict is natural for every relationship—and the way you handle it can be a sign of a healthy relationship. “A core piece of understanding a healthy or unhealthy relationship is what happens during disagreements,” says Panganiban. “Even in times of conflict, couples should have a one-in-five ratio: for every negative moment or feeling, you should be able to identify five positive things that outweigh the negative.”

“Having a healthy relationship is all about the willingness to align and defend the relationship above all other intruders,” explains Meaghan Rice, PsyD, a licensed professional counselor.

FIND NEW WAYS TO CONNECT EMOTIONALLY

Experts often encourage couples to continue to date each other—

and for good reason. Finding new ways to get to know one another is important for the health and longevity of your relationship.

“I encourage couples to find rituals of connection, which are different points during the day where they can intentionally connect with one another,” Panganiban suggests.

For some couples, that might mean enjoying coffee in the morning before work or eating dinner together every night. For others, it could be joining a local club or committing to a new hobby you both want to try. By putting in the effort to consistently make time for each other, your connection will only grow stronger over time.

UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR PARTNER EXPRESSES EMOTION

Having a shared level of emotional maturity is one of the top qualities to look for in a romantic partner. This will ensure that you’re aligned on values and goals while helping you express your thoughts and feelings in ways that make sense to the other person. “Ideally, you want a partner who you can be on the same page with when it comes to expression,” Panganiban says.

Rice echoes this sentiment,

EXPERT TIP

“Having a healthy relationship is about the willingness to align and defend the relationship above all other intruders,” says Meaghan Rice, PsyD, LPC.

date night

Stay connected while planning by keeping your weekly date night. These ideas will help you de-stress as a duo.

BOOK A COUPLES MASSAGE

Balancing wedding planning with everyday life can be a lot! Take a welldeserved wellness break with a couples massage at your nearest spa. Or take turns giving each other shoulder rubs at home after tackling a big to-do.

RELIVE YOUR FIRST DATE

When in doubt, go back to basics. When did you fall in love? Reliving your first date (or a milestone anniversary) is a romantic way to spend time together and reflect on how far you’ve come.

GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS

It’s called the great outdoors for a reason. Getting out in nature can work wonders on your stress levels, and there are lots of ways to make it fun or romantic. Try a sunrise hike or take a sunset stroll with a wine-and-cheese picnic.

TAKE INSPIRATION FROM PLANNING

Did you know that you can turn some of your planning tasks into cute dates? Create signature cocktails with a professional mixologist, follow a nice lunch with your cake tasting or go somewhere scenic to take engagement photos.

BY

noting that while your partner doesn’t have to understand all of your emotions, they should be able to empathize with you. “Emotional reciprocity is an important personality trait to look for in a romantic partner,” she explains.

HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF SELF-LOVE

Have you ever been told you need to love yourself before you can love someone else? Although this advice might sound cheesy, experts say it is, indeed, necessary for a

WRITE EACH OTHER LOVE LETTERS

Take some time apart to write meaningful letters to each other, then read them aloud over a glass of wine.

Psst: If you’re writing your own vows, this will be good practice and a tradition you can carry on after “I do.”

healthy relationship. “There’s a big difference in the caliber of relationships with folks that love themselves and folks that have more self-loathing,” says Rice. “Though it may seem surprising, our partners tend to either match the self-love or the self-loathing we have for ourselves.”

Maintaining a healthy relationship requires a sense of interdependence. It’s necessary to foster an individual sense of self-love so that you can fully open yourself to accept love from a partner without developing a sense of dependency on them.

TAKE A VIRTUAL COUPLES CLASS

Want all the fun of attending a class together without actually having to go out? You’re in luck. Nowadays, you can take cooking lessons, painting classes, mixology tutorials and more—all from the comfort of home.

Game On!

Level up your next date night with a relationship-building game. Strengthening your bond has never been more fun.

BESTSELF INTIMACY DECK

Looking for a game that’s simple but effective? The Intimacy deck contains 150 prompts designed to foster deeper connection and conversation.

$25, BestSelf.co

WE’RE NOT REALLY STRANGERS

This game has three different levels of play. The first is focused on perception, the second on connection and the third on reflection.

$30, UrbanOutfitters.com

ESTHER PEREL WHERE SHOULD WE BEGIN?

The aim of this game is to connect with your partner through the art of storytelling. It combines intimacy and playfulness so that you can get to know each other on a deeper level.

$40, Game.EstherPerel.com

THE SCHOOL OF LIFE CONNECT

This clever card game contains questions and prompts that relate to five color-coded categories: Appreciation, Aspiration, Desire, Forgiveness and Growth.

$36, TheSchoolofLife.com

VERTELLIS RELATIONSHIP EDITION

Play three rounds, each focused on a unique category. Each round includes 10 open questions, three questions where you earn points by guessing your other half’s answer and two fun assignments.

$19, Vertellis.com

TAKE A DANCE CLASS

Dancing is a unique way to get intimate with your other half. Let your bodies do the talking during a night of spicy salsa-ing or romantic waltzing. Bonus points if you plan on busting out your new moves during your first dance.

VOLUNTEER TOGETHER

Giving back isn’t just great for your community—your relationship will feel stronger after spending time doing something good together, like walking dogs from a shelter, distributing food to those in need or mentoring at an after-school program.

PLAN A GAMES NIGHT

Wedding planning isn’t always fun and games, but your date nights should be. Take a trip down memory lane by playing your favorite childhood board games or spark an instant connection with a relationship-building card game.

Conversations I Wish I’d Had on My Honeymoon

conversation about dishes, couples from all over the world have reported dates as the best time to discuss matters of the home. There’s heightened openness within this bubble of intimate “us” time. It can dissipate as soon as you return home to dishes in the sink and kids running underfoot. The honeymoon is the ultimate date night.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS…INDIVIDUALLY

y husband and I never took a honeymoon, not really. We escaped from the postwedding hangover for a long weekend in the Bahamas, mainly to postpone addressing a stack of thank-you notes and questions from extended family about the anticipated arrival of their first grandchild. A tropical honeymoon is the icing on the wedding cake for many couples, but after one day of sweating in the hot sun, I was ready to go home. I’m just not the kick-back-with-a-margarita type. I’m too Type A.

Looking back, I realize that by cutting our honeymoon short, we missed out on what would soon become a rare, calm and uninterrupted time where we could focus on each other. Consequently, the topics we should’ve discussed became the subject of two books I wrote nearly a decade later, after

EVE RODSKY

welcoming three kids—all in a desperate attempt to save my own marriage.

DIVIDING DOMESTIC WORKLOADS

How do we intend to fairly share the often invisible domestic workload between us so that it doesn’t default to one person? I would soon become the “she-fault” provider of all of our household needs while juggling a career and becoming a new mother. If I had known then that a relaxed, defenses-down setting was the best time to define expectations and delineate roles within the home, I would’ve turned to my husband and said, “Let’s talk about all it takes to run our home.”

How can we create balance and efficiency in the home so that we each have time to pursue the things we love to do? From my research into the intersection of identity, meaning and happiness, I’ve discovered the happiest and longest-lasting couples are those where both partners had time to engage in active pursuits of selfexpression outside their jobs. They were able to separate from the partnership and traditional family roles. I call this “Unicorn Space,” resulting from uninterrupted and focused time for creative pursuits that infuse our lives with more meaning. Isn’t that what we all want in our partnerships? To share and be honored for the thing that makes us most come alive? Isn’t that thing a big part of why your partner fell in love with you in the first place and vice versa?

MAINTAINING YOUR INDIVIDUALITY IN MARRIAGE

PLAY $16, Amazon.com

While the honeymoon may strike you as the worst time to have a

How can I support you in maintaining this healthy individualism? As you embark on the early days of marriage, invite your partner to the table. When you identify and inhabit your Unicorn Space, and encourage your partner to do the same, you can deepen and positively transform your relationship into one of mutual respect and trust. If you can start having these conversations during the honeymoon, you’ll be well on your way to a better foundation.

ILLUSTRATION BY KRISTINA BALASHOVA; PHOTO: AVIA ROSEN. OPPOSITE PAGE: JAY JAY STUDIOS; CALLAWAY GABLE STUDIO; KELLY BALCH; AMY ANAIZ

Real Relationships

Not even influencers are immune to wedding stress. We connected with a few of our fave content creators to get the scoop on how they prioritize relationship wellness amid wedding planning.

KRISTINE AGABAIAN + JIVAN NAJARIAN

@Krischerie

What tips do you have for finding joy in the midst of planning?

The anticipation leading up to our wedding and knowing that we had found each other brought us joy. If you’re having trouble finding joy amid wedding planning, our advice would be to try to keep your mind in a positive headspace. In the end, everything will fall into place and work out exactly how it was meant to be.

NURYS MARCEL + ZACHARY EITMAN

@NurysMarcel

What advice do you have for to-be-weds who find themselves caught up in the minutiae of wedding planning?

It’s not worth stressing over the smallest of details. You can’t cloud your thoughts with how the napkins will be folded, where guests will be spending the majority of their time at the reception and so on. It’s easy to get lost in the details, but focusing on the bigger picture is more important.

GARRETT CLAYTON + BLAKE KNIGHT

What part of your wedding weekend delighted you the most?

Both of our families arrived a few days early to help set up for the event and put together last-minute details. They’re from all over the country, so being able to be with them all was special. It helped us unwind a bit and took the load off of our shoulders. Those few last days leading up to the big day were some of the happiest moments of our whole wedding.

What helped you decompress the most amid the stress of planning?

Having an amazing, hands-on planner helped a ton. But in the moments that we did stress out, we had to give ourselves breaks. We would set a time and day of the week to focus on the wedding instead of letting it consume us. When one of us got overwhelmed, we would do things like go to the gym or the park to relieve stress.

how to COPE with the POSTWEDDING BLUES

It’s totally normal to feel a little deflated after the wedding. Here are five easy ways you and your spouse can crush the postwedding blues and make the most of your newlywed bliss.

RECOGNIZE YOUR WEDDING ISN’T YOUR MARRIAGE

Maintain the perspective that your wedding was just one day. While it’s important to bask in that excitement, remember that you have plenty more wonderful days ahead of you—your marriage is only just beginning.

MAKE PLANS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

You just spent a considerable amount of time on your wedding day. Now you have the freedom to shift your attention to other activities.

Honeymoon plans, date nights, home renovations and weekend excursions are all great experiences to get excited about.

LEAN ON YOUR SPOUSE FOR SUPPORT

It’s no secret that healthy communication is a pillar of a fulfilling marriage. If the postwedding blues are taking a toll, speak up rather than internalize your thoughts. This will help eliminate the sense of isolation, allowing you to feel understood and supported.

SETTLE INTO YOUR NEWLYWED NEST

You’ve likely accumulated a pile of wedding gifts over the past few months, so start unboxing and settling into your home. Even if you were already living together, refreshing your space will keep you occupied and signify the start of a new life chapter together.

REFLECT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

If you’re really missing your big day, reminisce about your favorite moments with your spouse. Light some candles, pop a bottle of bubbly, pull out those photo albums and queue up your wedding video—these keepsakes will help those memories stay fresh for years to come.

@GarrettClayton1 @HRHBlakeKnight

JASMINE LUV + COREY BARRETT

@Luv_JJP

Due to COVID-19, reopening times and prices are subject to change.

is organized by elevation. CentralRestaurante.com

OF LONDOLOZI

SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE,

SOUTH AFRICA

WHY

This luxe private game reserve is one of the best places to encounter Africa’s fabled Big Five: lions, leopards, rhino, elephants and African buffalo.

WHEN TO GO

South Africa’s dry season, May to October, provides optimal wildlife viewing, as there’s less vegetation and game drives aren’t as hot.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Londolozi excels at honeymoon safaris and can craft romantic moments like full-moon bush dinners for two, morning bush yoga, massages and guided meditation sessions.

DISH TO TRY

Londolozi elevates the safari sundowner ritual. It makes G&Ts with local gins and tonics and pairs them with gourmet twists on traditional snacks like rusk (hard, dry biscuits) and biltong (dried, cured meat).

SIDE TRIP

Arrange a food crawl through Cape Town followed by a private trek up Table Mountain with tour company Escape + Explore. From $367 for two people; EscapeExplore.com

WHERE TO STAY

Family-run luxury safari company Londolozi has five camps on 34,000 acres, including the adultsonly Private Granite Suites. These riverside Relais & Châteaux suites have outdoor soaking tubs, so you can spot elephants while bathing.

From $2,286; Londolozi.com

FROM LEFT:

WHY

This charming, car-free mountain village is home to romantic chalets, cozy fondue restaurants and ski slopes that challenge all experience levels. The views of the region’s striking pyramidical peak, the Matterhorn, never fail to dazzle.

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

on a couple’s massage in the Mongolian yurt, followed by snacks and champagne ($800). From $600; Cervo.Swiss

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Perched at nearly 9,000 feet above sea level, the Iglu-Dorf village offers overnights in fancy igloos. The price includes fondue and a stargazing snowshoe trek. From $550 for two people; Iglu-Dorf.com

DISH TO TRY

sundecks. Zermatt Unplugged, a five-day music festival, takes place each April across the mountain.

WHERE TO STAY

Cervo Mountain Resort is a hip 54-room hotel located at the top of the Sunnegga cable car. It feels like a modern alpine village, with three restaurants, an indoor-outdoor spa and Zermatt’s coolest après bar. After schussing down runs, splurge

Slope-side restaurant Chez Vrony is an institution famed for its artisanal burger (the veggie version is equally delicious) and Matterhorn vista. ChezVrony.ch

SIDE TRIP

Take the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The eighthour train journey promises stunning views of sites like the Rhine Gorge—the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. From $320 for two people; GlacierExpress.ch

WHEN TO GO

The winter months are the least crowded and offer magical sights like steamy geyser basins and snow-dusted bison.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

has 100 simple, cozy rooms and 34 cabins. You can access Nordic ski and snowshoe trails outside your door; an on-site shop rents gear. From $205; YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

WHY

America’s first national park remains a wilderness icon. Spanning more than 2.2 million acres, the park boasts over 10,000 otherworldly hydrothermal features and provides opportunities to view grizzlies, wolves and bison in the wild.

WHERE TO STAY

The park’s newest full-service hotel, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, is less than a 10-minute walk from its namesake geyser. The log-and-timber, Western-style lodge

Once you’ve checked off Old Faithful, venture to Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon on an all-day snowmobile adventure with Scenic Safaris. You’ll cover 130 miles, mostly following the Yellowstone river, en route to spectacular Yellowstone Falls, stopping to snap photos of wildlife along the way. From $550 for two people; Scenic-Safaris.com

SIDE TRIP

Jackson Hole is 75 minutes from the park’s south entrance. Splurge on a night at the newly renovated Four Seasons Resort. Test your mettle on Jackson’s legendary black-diamond runs or relax with a Swedish Alpine couple’s massage in a fireplace-warmed spa suite ($450 for 60 minutes) From $1,200; FourSeasons.com

WHY

Also known as the aurora borealis, Mother Nature’s spectacular light show typically occurs only around the Arctic Circle.

WHEN TO GO

In northern Lapland, the Northern Lights shine nearly every other clear night from late August to early April.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

The resort can coordinate a two-hour reindeer safari at a nearby farm, where you’ll meet a local herder and take a sleigh ride through the snowy forest. $270 for two people

SOUVENIR

Take home a bag of salmiakki. The soft, salty licorice is the signature candy of Finland.

SIDE TRIP

Make a reservation to dine at the Arctic Snowcastle restaurant just outside the town of Rovaniemi. Bundle up for the three-course meal as the room, completely carved from ice and decorated with chandeliers, is kept at 40°F. Fur blankets, warm food and wine will keep you cozy. $300 for two people; NordicTravels.eu

WHERE TO STAY

The new Aurora Queen Resort in the village of Saariselkä has 14 panoramic glass-roofed igloos that soak in the nature and let couples ogle the green-andpurple night sky from bed. Stone bathrooms, heated floors and modern furnishings make these glamping suites feel luxurious. From $595; AuroraQueenResort.fi

FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY OF AURORA QUEEN RESORT; COURTESY OF XANTERRA TRAVEL COLLECTION; COURTESY OF CASTELLO DI VICARELLO (2)

ITALY

WHY

Italy’s most famous wine region is carpeted with rolling vineyards and olive groves. Even simple meals, like bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak) paired with the local Chianti, taste like the best food you’ve ever had.

WHEN TO GO

Fall is the season for white-truffle hunting and also when the olive and grape harvests take place.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Join a team of truffle-hunting dogs on a search for the prized ingredient, then enjoy your bounty shaved over pasta for lunch. $520 for two people

SOUVENIR

Take home Castello di Vicarello’s signature wines, like the namesake blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. From $35 per bottle

SIDE TRIP

Spend a day in Florence. Curious Appetite’s apertivo tour takes you behind the scenes with the city’s top wine experts and mixologists and includes nibbles like truffle panini. $270 for two people; CuriousAppetiteTravel.com

WHERE TO STAY

Castello di Vicarello—a nine-suite, familyrun castle hotel set amid vineyards in the quiet countryside of Maremma—has two pools, an alfresco spa and its own cooking school. Learn to make fresh pasta, papa al pomodoro and other local faves ($480 for two people)

From $1,200; CastellodiVicarello.com

A ntiguA

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 Antigua sits smack-dab in the center of the Caribbean Islands.

2 The island has more than 350 chalky-white public beaches. Some of the best include Dickenson Bay (for restaurant-hopping and people-watching) and Half Moon Bay (for windsurfing).

3 Clothing is optional at one of Five Islands Peninsula’s beaches!

AT A GLANCE

LANGUAGE SPOKEN English CURRENCY East Caribbean dollar (EC), US dollar

BEST MONTHS TO GO December to May

4 The Antiguan climate is one of the most idyllic in all of the Caribbean, thanks to constant sea breezes and trade winds. The hot season runs from May to November.

5 Don’t leave without spending Sunday afternoon at Shirley Heights Lookout, a restaurant perched on a bluff on the south side of the island. You’ll get a stunning panoramic view of English Harbour and the island of Montserrat, not to mention some lip-smacking barbecue.

SANDALS® GRANDE ANTIGUA RESORT & SPA

Voted the “Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort” at the World Travel Awards, Sandals Grande Antigua is located on Antigua’s best beach, Dickenson Bay. The Caribbean Beachfront Village is a garden oasis with quaint island-style cot tages, incomparable RondovalsTM (suites-in-the-round) and a Red Lane® Spa. The Six-Star, all-suite Mediterranean Oceanview Village is a palatial rendition of bold Mediterranean glamour with the island’s laest pool, and villas featur ing private pools and whirlpools. There are 11 restaurants, including the exquisite Barefoot by the Sea.

Want more info on Antigua? Go to

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

The B ahamas

1 About 700 islands make up The Bahamas, tossed across the lower Atlantic between Florida and Cuba. Only 30 of them are inhabited.

2 The water is so clear in The Bahamas that divers experience visibility of up to 200 feet.

3 The biggest eyefuls of coral are off Andros (home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, with 140 miles of coral and cathedral-like caves), Bimini (where you can also find dolphins and sea turtles), Eleuthera/Harbour Island and the Exuma Islands.

4 Nassau, the capital city, is extra-crowded during March and April, when spring-breakers invade. It is also one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.

5 Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first of its kind in the world, pioneering the protection of marine life and its thriving ecosystem. Snorkel or dive in the second-largest coral barrier reef in the Western Hempisphere, swim through the hidden caves or wander through forests of mangroves.

6 Looking for excitement? Don’t miss Junkanoo, a Bahamian costume parade in which people dance to copper cowbells, goombay drums and whistles. The parade goes from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (yeah, you read that right) on December 26 and January 1.

7 The Abaco islands are famous for sailing and bird-watching. Its secluded beaches, picturesque cays and charming colonial towns have a decidedly slower pace than Nassau or Freeport.

8 Popular cuisine includes locally grown guava, mangoes, papaya and plantains with conch, kingfish, wahoo and grouper—all washed down with pineapple wine from Eleuthera.

9 Boats are available for chartering or group tours, including Sail Nassau’s two multimillion-dollar Racers, where you can take the helm or just sit back and feel the wind in your hair.

10 The Bahamas are just a 75-minute plane ride from Florida, making them a quick trip for destination weddings and honeymoons alike.

SANDALS EMERALD BAY GOLF, TENNIS & SPA RESORT

SANDALS ROYAL BAHAMIAN SPA RESORT & OFFSHORE ISLAND

The Luxury Included® Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, The Bahamas, is an oceanfront resort set along a pristine one-mile beach boasting some of the world’s clearest waters and a Greg Norman–designed championship golf course. The resort includes gourmet dining at 11 restaurants, premium liquors, and land and water sports—plus tips, taxes and Sandals airport transfers. The 16,000-square-foot Red Lane® Spa further enhances this 500 acre resort, set on one of The Bahamas’ most beautiful Out Islands.

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Love Comes Easy at the reimagined Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau. Live the easygoing life with 10 specialty restaurants and 3 new food trucks. Enjoy new beachfront swim-up suites with butler service or luxurious accommodations in the new Island Village–many featuring private pools. Venture to the Coconut Grove beach club where you can lounge, dine and play, keeping the easygoing feeling alive. Or you can take a short cruise on the Love Runner to the secluded Sandals Barefoot Cay exclusive island hideaway, nestled between two pristine beaches.

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Arb Ados

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, the weather is almost always sunny and warm, cooled by the constant northeast trade winds. The average daytime temperature is balmy, ranging between 84 and 88 degrees.

2 Shorts, T-shirts, wraps and sundresses are your best bet for daytime wear and elegantly casual wear for evenings. Swimwear should be kept for the beach and suitable attire should be worn when shopping or dining out.

3 The Barbadian capital city of Bridgetown was originally named “Indian Bridge” for the crude bridge that was constructed over the river by early Indian settlers.

4 First made more than 370 years ago from the sugar cane that populated the island, Barbados rum soon found the favor of many English sailors.

5 Bajans (as Barbados residents are called) are crazy about cricket and golf.

6 The rocky, wind-whipped Atlantic coast is one of the world’s best windsurfing spots, while the tranquil west coast that faces the Caribbean Sea, called the Platinum Coast, is lined with posh resorts.

7 Indulge your taste buds with spicy FrenchCaribbean cuisine at the patios of Brown Sugar, or grab a seat on the intimate, torch-lit terrace overlooking the Caribbean at The Cliff.

8 Hike along an inland trail or down a coastal pathway, laugh at a mischievous green monkey in the wildlife preserve or unwind in one of the numerous parks.

9 If you want to take to the water, board a catamaran in Bridgetown for lunchtime snorkeling, or set sail for a sunset dinner cruise.

10 Dance the night away in “irie” oblivion to live soca, reggae or calypso at Harbour Lights or hot spot Red Door Lounge.

SANDALS BARBADOS

SANDALS ROYAL BARBADOS

Surrender to endless sunshine and calypso rhythms. The first resort in Barbados exclusively for couples, this paradise is an idyllic refuge to reconnect and recharge. Find inner peace at the serene yoga and fitness center. Embrace cool Caribbean waters at three sparkling pools, or for certified divers, by diving into the vibrant coral reefs. With 11 gourmet dining venues and 280 luxurious rooms—all overlooking the exotic gardens and ocean, many featuring private Tranquility Soaking TubsTM for two—there’s a magical story just waiting to be told.

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Experience the opulance and unrivaled services of Sandals all-suite resort, the most exclusive, all-inclusive ever. From SkyPool Suites and magnificent Swimup Suites, to lavish Millionaire Suites—all with outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tubs for two, extravagance is elevated to new heights. Indulge in 5-Star Global GourmetTM dining at nine world-class restaurants, innovative bars and pools, a bowling alley and a 15,000-square-foot spa. Ocean views, every land and water sport imaginable, and Butler Elite service complete your Luxury Included® experience.

st. LuciA

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 Visit Sulphur Springs, a “drive-in” volcano, which last erupted two centuries ago.

6 The best place to start a scuba dive along the coral walls is the beach at Anse Chastanet, a hotel on the southwest coast.

AT A GLANCE

LANGUAGE SPOKEN English

CURRENCY

East Caribbean dollar (EC), US dollar

BEST MONTHS TO GO December to April

2 Make sure you check out Gros Piton and Petit Piton, rugged mountains located on the island’s southwest coast; they’re among the Caribbean’s most recognizable landmarks.

3 You’ll need a guide to enter the island’s restricted rainforest region, so sign up for a tour to walk through the dense foliage and swim in one of the tropical waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you may see the rare St. Lucian parrot.

4 If you rent a car, make sure you keep to the left side of the road (like you would in the UK). You can also make your way around via ferry, bus or cab.

5 Visit the hopping Saturday market in Castries, the island’s capital. The vendors sell everything from fruits and local spices to crafts.

7 Some of the coral walls plunge 200 feet deep! Keep your eyes peeled for barrel sponges, angel fish, sea horses, spotted eels, stingrays, nurse sharks and sea turtles.

8 Try local favorites like saltfish and green fig and Creole barbecue. While you’re in Castries, try Pink Plantation House, a can’tmiss Creole restaurant.

9 Gros Islet, a small island on the northwest shore of St. Lucia, is known throughout the Caribbean for its Friday night jump-up. Streetside music blares as locals jam to the sounds of reggae, soca and calypso.

136 Want more info on St. Lucia? Go to THEKNOT.COM/HONEYMOONS YADID LEVY/GETTY IMAGES 10 If you or your partner loves jazz music, plan your trip around the three-day St. Lucia Jazz Festival, held every May.

SANDALS GRANDE ST. LUCIAN SPA & BEACH RESORT

SANDALS HALCYON BEACH

Awaken your desires for romantic temptation in this true Garden of Eden. Quintessentially Caribbean with classic island architecture and charm, this intimate seaside oasis is blissfully serene. Enjoy six gourmet restaurants, including Kelly’s Dockside Over-the-Water Restaurant, which extends out over the ocean and offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Laid back and casual, this is Saint Lucia’s ultimate beach resort, with Stay at 1, Play at 3 exchange privileges offered among all three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia.

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Panoramic views add to this resort’s grandeur, set on its own spectacular peninsula with the ocean on both sides. Indulgences such as 12 gourmet restaurants, including the signature Barefoot by the Sea and Gordon’s on the Pier Restaurant, will impress the most discerning guests. Five magnificent pools and the Red Lane® Spa invite total relaxation. Accommodations include circular Rondoval Suites with private plunge pools, lagoon Swimup Suites and Over-the-Water Bungalows. Weddings are magical at the Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel.

SANDALS REGENCY LA TOC GOLF RESORT & SPA

877- SANDALS Sandals.com

High glamour rises to new heights of luxury on the legendary La Toc estate, which includes a half-mile cove beach, a nine-hole golf course, nine impressive gourmet restaurants and a stunning Red Lane® Spa. Dramatic two-story villas atop Sunset Bluff Village, with private pools and butler service, are the pinnacle of indulgence. Exclusive Millionaire Suites with private pools are the summit of prestige at the cliff’s peak with 180-degree ocean views, while elevated privileges include personal butler service.

877- SANDALS Sandals.com

AT A GLANCE

138 LANGUAGE SPOKEN JAmAic A

English, Patois

Jamaican dollar (J$), US dollar

BEST

GO December to April

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 The best way to get around is in Jamaican Union of Travelers Association (JUTA)–licensed taxis.

2 Montego Bay is definitely a must-see. Located near the airport on the northwest side of the island, “MoBay” is perfect for golf getaways and short honeymoon trips. Ever since Sandals opened the first all-inclusive resort there, it’s been the top destination for young newlyweds.

3 Kingston, is perfect for honeymooners seeking their reggae roots or even just a starting point for spa trips and hikes in the beautiful Blue Mountains.

4 Many popular Jamaican destinations are between one and two hours from the Montego Bay airport by car. Make sure you bring Dramamine if you’re at risk for motion sickness, as taxi drivers take the curvy roads at quite a clip.

5 The Blue Lagoon was filmed in Port Antonio, called the “most exquisite port on Earth.” It’s a less-developed gem on the northeast side of the island.

6 To see Jamaica at its best, go during Carnival, the highlight of the Jamaican year, in Kingston, Ocho Rios and MoBay each April and in Negril each May.

7 Reggae lovers should wait until July for the Reggae Sumfest, held in MoBay.

8 While shopping in Montego Bay, be polite and don’t hesitate to haggle. Sellers are insistent.

9 Coconut water—sold as “ice cold jelly” at roadside stands—and conch soup are said to heighten amour.

10 Take our word that in Negril, dirty dancing is the norm, so don’t be afraid to whip out some moves that have never seen the light of day!

BEACHES NEGRIL RESORT & SPA

BEACHES OCHO RIOS

A SPA, GOLF & WATERPARK RESORT

Let go and let loose because Negril invented “chill.” Located on the widest and best stretch of Jamaica’s famous Seven Mile Beach, Beaches Negril is an upbeat, family-friendly all-inclusive resort where three shimmering pools, nine gourmet restaurants and an exclusive Red Lane ® Spa are a few of the heavenly temptations. Here you’ll sway to the beat of Bob Marley played by an authentic Mento band and stroll through lush tropical gardens—a paradise where no building is higher than the tallest palm tree.

SANDALS MONTEGO BAY

877-BEACHES Beaches.com

Cascading down from the lush St. Ann Mountains to the romantic beach of Ocho Rios, this family golf and beach resort offers something for everyone. Unwind at one of five pools, or get revved up at the Pirates Island Waterpark and the chic 18-and-over Club Liquid. From beach bonfire parties and a Red Lane® Spa to 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining at eight worldclass restaurants—plus the lavishly appointed rooms and suites—Beaches Ocho Rios is for lovers of luxury and sun-kissed fun.

877-BEACHES Beaches.com

SANDALS NEGRIL BEACH RESORT & SPA

The beach goes on and on and the party never stops as the flagship Sandals, set on Jamaica’s best, white-sand beach in Montego Bay. Twelve gourmet restaurants make you think, it doesn’t get any better than this, and a Red Lane® Spa renews you. Wedding bells ring at the Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel. For those who prefer glamorous seclusion, the Beachfront Villa Suites with Butler Service provide privilege and specialized butler service along a beautiful stretch of beach. Best of all, when you stay here you can play at Sandals Royal Caribbean too!

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Kick back on the best and longest stretch of Jamaica’s famous Seven Mile Beach and experience the very chic and slightly playful side of Negril. Unwind poolside or at the Red Lane® Spa. There are seven gourmet restaurants, including our signature dining experience, Barefoot by the Sea. Breathtaking Swim-up Suites are on the edge of a lagoon pool with the beach in view and exquisite Millionaire Suites include private outdoor pools and gardens that wrap you in luxurious seclusion while personal butlers attend to your needs.

877- SANDALS Sandals.com

SANDALS OCHI BEACH RESORT

SANDALS ROYAL CARIBBEAN RESORT & PRIVATE ISLAND

Nestled between the St. Ann Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, this Jamaican paradise features three extraordinary destinations in one: the chic Ochi Beach Club and Riviera Seaside, the lively plantation-style Great House, and the exclusive Butler Village. Enjoy 16 restaurants, 11 bars, including the region’s only speakeasy—The Rabbit Hole—live entertainment, 7 main pools and two Red Lane® Spas. Best of all, your “I do’s” can take center stage at the Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel.

SANDALS ROYAL PLANTATION

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Cl assic Georgian architecture welcomes you to a place reminiscent of the grandest British manor houses. At the main resort, the noblest of British refinement blends with Jamaican charm. Feast at nine tantalizing gourmet restaurants including an authentic British pub. Enjoy Jamaica’s very first Over-the-Water Villas, with water hammocks and private infinity pools. Then discover the resort’s exotic private island with a Thai restaurant, secluded beach and Red Lane® Spa Escape. Guests who stay here can also play at Sandals Montego Bay!

SANDALS SOUTH COAST

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

Built in the glamorous 1950s and luxuriously appointed in the 21st century, this serene sanctuary still maintains its stellar reputation as one of Jamaica’s most exquisite resorts. Sandals Royal Plantation sits on a bluff 25 feet above the Caribbean Sea, granting each of its 74 suites heart-stopping views of the ocean and exclusive butler service. Bask blissfully on the spectacular twin beaches where you can spend hours sunbathing or partake in exciting water sports including daily scuba diving for certified divers or snorkeling.

877- SANDALS Sandals.com

S

877-SANDALS Sandals.com

andals South Coast is inspired by water and surrounded by beauty: lavish Over-the-Water Bungalows with “sea-through” floors; the first Swim-up Rondoval Suites in the world; a spectacular over-the-water bar; and Over-theWater Serenity Wedding Chapel; nine restaurants including Sushi on the Sand at the water’s edge; and redesigned, rooms and suites transformed to bring the outdoors in with luxuirios balconies and patios overlooking stunning beachfront views.

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 Try to catch the “green flash” at sunset. This split-second burst of emerald light can sometimes happen along the horizon on a clear day.

2 Explore historic Cockburn Town on Grand Turk—some say it’s the spot where Columbus first landed in 1492. The quaint Bermudian-style houses will catch your eye, and you may be tempted to take an impromptu walking tour through town.

AT A GLANCE

LANGUAGE SPOKEN English CURRENCY US dollar

BEST MONTHS TO GO December to April

3 Go horseback riding on Grace Bay beach, one of the highest-rated beaches in the Western Hemisphere.

4 Turks & Caicos is less developed and more upscale than other islands in the Caribbean.

5 Only 8 of the 40 islands are inhabited, which gives it an intimate feel.

Turks & Cai C os

BEACHES® TURKS & CAICOS RESORT VILLAGES & SPA

Renowned for its sparkling turquoise waters and the longest, most coveted stretch of Grace Bay’s 12-mile white-sand beach, “the last of the true exotics” is perfect for romantic getaways and family-friendly escapes. This includes underwater adventures at one of the top diving destinations in the world.

Enjoy 5-Star Global Gourmet™ Dining at 22 restaurants, and sip premium liquors at 14 bars. Plus, choose from five spectacular villages: French, Caribbean, Italian, Seaside and the Key West Village—all boasting stellar accommodations.

877-BEACHES

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 Located in the southern Caribbean, Curaçao is the “C” of the ABC islands (along with Aruba and Bonaire)

2 Its sandy shores have 35 beaches, including the popular hot spot Playa Knip and the more secluded cove of Playa Lagun.

3 The colorful capital, Willemstad, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a floating pedestrian bridge, charming restaurants and vibrant architecture.

4 If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, both Christoffel and Shete Boka national parks are popular destinations for hiking and animal spotting—Shete Boka is especially known for nesting sea turtles.

5 The island is outside the hurricane belt, making it a relatively safe choice to visit any time of year.

SANDALS ROYAL CURAÇAO RESORT

Amazing Comes Together at Sandals Royal Curaçao, Sandals newest island destination now open. Discover a perfect backdrop for romance with glowing sunsets and an array of Sandals firsts to explore. Enjoy the first-ever Dos Awa 2-level infinity pool, 8 new dining concepts including 3 new gourmet food trucks.

Stay in a Kurason Island Suite overlooking a heart-shaped pool or an Awa Seaside Bungalow with a private pool, both including a compli mentary stylish MINI Cooper for cruising around paradise. 877-SANDALS Sandals.com

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 The three islands of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique are located in the eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuela.

2 International flights stop at Maurice Bishop International Airport, and visitors who continue have only a short hop by interisland charter to Lauriston Airport in Carriacou.

3 The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day.

AT A GLANCE

LANGUAGE SPOKEN

English, French

CURRENCY

East Caribbean dollar (EC), US dollar

4 If you want to drive in Grenada, you must obtain a local driving permit. Most car rental firms issue local permits. Note that driving is on the left.

SANDALS GRENADA RESORT & SPA

Grenada is a world-class destination with a world-class resort to match.

BEST MONTHS TO GO January to May

5 River Antoine Rum Distillery, the oldest functioning distillery in the Caribbean, is a must-see for visitors. Using only locally sourced sugar cane, the rum is handmade by the same process (and on some of the same equipment!) that was used when the distillery first opened in the late 1700s. You can even sample the rum at the end of your tour.

At Sandals Grenada enjoy an unsurpassed, 5-Star Luxury Included® experience. Exotic elements of the South Seas are infused with bold, contemporary design while the pink gin beachfront boasts a peaceful atmosphere with calm, clear waters. Guests revel in pools that float in the sky, a living room that floats inside a pool and Tranquility

Soaking Tubs for two that offer endless ocean views from magnificent patios and balconies.

Want more info

Grenada?

For our send-off, we wanted to honor Pride Month and the seventh anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. To do that, we dressed in attire that aligned with the colors of the transgender flag. Our wedding party shot off smoke cannons in the colors of the Pride flag, and the rest of our family and friends had bubble shooters. We loved including the people most important to us in our exit!

+ Jamar

SAY “I DO” TO THE EASIEST DESTINATION WEDDING EVER.

Forget the stress, and focus on the fun.When you plan your destination wedding with Apple Vacations, starting your future together is effortless. Lean on our team to help you find the perfect destination and the perfect venue for your big day. You’ll get a Personal Destination Wedding Specialist, a customized booking site for your guests and, oh, so much more.

See how easy it can be at AppleVacations.com/Weddings-Honeymoons.