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BRIDAL
FLORIDA KEYS
2016
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The DestinationWedding Magazine
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BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN
FUN AND FAIRYTALE
At Islamorada Resort Company, we believe weddings
should be fun. But they should also be wrapped in a
fairytale Florida Keys setting that delights you, your
family and friends. From sun-kissed beaches and
turquoise blue waters to fishing charters and barefoot
dinners on the beach, our stylish oceanfront Islamorada
resorts are breathtaking backdrops for your special day.
PLAN A DREAM BEACH WEDDING AND ENJOY THE EXCLUSIVE
PERKS OF OUR “ISLAND I DO” PACKAGE, INCLUDING:
A toast to the happy couple
Our package includes a complimentary Champagne toast
for the bride, groom and guests.
Wake up in paradise
Your first night as husband and wife is on us! Enjoy a
complimentary wedding night stay in a suite.
25%
OFF
Save without sacrificing
When you book your wedding with us, we’ll take 25% off
the price of your ceremony venue fee.
Thanks to our partners
We’re delighted to treat wedding vendors who recommend
IRC to a complimentary night’s stay.
To begin planning your dream wedding day at one of our beautiful beach resorts,
contact our destination wedding specialists at (305) 433-9936 or [email protected].
islamoradaresortcompany.com
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2016
A COOKE COMMUNICATIONS
FLORIDA LLC PUBLICATION
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
PUBLISHER
Paul Clarin
ADVERTISING
DIRECTOR
Tommy Todd
GRAPHIC ARTIST
Dannielle Larrabee
WRITERS
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Noelle Itrato
ADVERTISE
305.292.7777 Ext. 204
[email protected]
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WHO NEEDS A WEDDING PLANNER?
A P P LY I N G F O R A
MARRIAGE LICENSE
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T W E LV E U N I Q U E G I F T
TRENDS FOR YOUR GROOM
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T E C H S AV Y W E D D I N G S
D R O N E S : TA K E Y O U R
WEDDING TO NEW HEIGHTS
WEDDINGS REPLACE
COMMITMENT CEREMONIES
IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
WEDDING CAKE TRENDS
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&
RING BEARER TIPS
TOP WEDDING DRESS
TRENDS FOR 2016
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M U S I C : W E D D I N G D AY
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I S L A N D I N S P I R AT I O N S :
WEDDING TRENDS OF THE KEYS
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FLOWER GIRL
BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
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P R E PA R I N G F O R T H E B I G D AY
FLORIDA KEYS
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who needs a
WEDDING PLANNER?
by Noelle Itrato
With any given wedding comes hundreds
of decisions to be made by the bride and
groom. At times, the task of planning your
perfect wedding can be overwhelming.
Some couples opt to attend to all the
planning themselves while other couples
are frazzled just thinking about the first
steps. Wedding planners, consultants and
coordinators can make a world of difference
for certain couples. Remember, the
engagement and planning should be fun
and enjoyable, not a nail biting experience.
Here are several questions to ask yourself
and your fiancé when determining if some
wedding assistance is needed.
How big is the wedding? If the wedding is
smaller in size, there will be less to manage
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and choreograph. When the guest list
climbs into triple digits, there will be more
logistics involved. A wedding planner can
help with this and easily offer options and
ideas to accommodate a larger crowd. It’s
not a planner’s first wedding and he or she
knows the complications that arise with a big
guest list.
Is it a destination wedding? If the plan is to
be married in another country, state, or city,
a professional wedding planner will prove
to be invaluable. Arranging a ceremony in a
location other than where you live, leaves so
many unknown variables to chance. Brides
may find themselves worried if that florist
they selected is dependable. A wedding
planner has established connections
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P R E PA R I N G F O R T H E B I G D AY c o n t i n u e d
throughout the wedding community. He or she will
know which florist is reliable and delivers the goods.
Knowing that a planner is using reputable service
providers puts the bride’s mind at ease and helps her to
focus on what is really important on her wedding day.
Christy Transier Photography ©
What is your budget? Full service wedding planners will
encompass all of your wedding preparations, including
orchestrating the actual wedding day. This service
doesn’t come without a hefty price tag. The luxury
of having a designated person organizing the details
of your event will cost about 10-20% of your total
wedding cost. The national average for the cost of a full
service wedding planner is about $3200. Ouch. Brides
must weigh if this price tag is worth it.
How involved do you want to be? One of the benefits
of hiring a wedding planner is that he or she can make
your special day much easier for you. Planners do the
footwork for you, including consulting with vendors,
making executive decisions without your consent and
taking care of any problems that may arise. Some
brides may not be comfortable with this level of
oversight. If you are known to be a bit ‘controlling’, a
planner may not be for you. A better option maybe
a day-of coordinator. These planners makes sure
everything runs like clock work on the day of your
wedding, leaving all the preparation and planning to
you. These planners typically ask a flat fee between
$500-$2000 for the help on your wedding day.
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ph y©
sie r Ph ot og ra
Ch ris ty Tr an
Do your have helping hands? The attitude of the
people around you while planning will directly affect the
smoothness of your event. If you have twelve very close
bridesmaids bursting at the seams to help you with
your wedding errands, a wedding planner may not be
needed. If your friends and family are spread out over
the country and unavailable to help with the details, an
extra set of hands might be helpful to accomplish all
that needs to be done to get you to the alter.
P R E PA R I N G F O R T H E B I G D AY
Christy Transier Photography©
Do you have the time? When planning a wedding,
time is a factor. Phone calls, visiting venues, comparing
prices, checking availability or references all take time.
If your schedule is full with a demanding job, you may
opt for getting some help. A wedding planner can take
these duties off your plate and leave you to savor your
engagement.
Are you unorganized? Some brides are filled with creative
ideas and know just what they want but lack organization
and follow-through. Another option for brides is a
wedding consultant. Consultants won’t be as handson as a full service wedding planner but will be there to
keep the bride on track with timelines, budgets, advice
and schedules. Wedding consultants will still leave you
with your fair share of footwork but will help to keep the
creative bride on track. A bride and groom can expect
to pay between 5%-15% of their wedding budget for a
consultant to get them organized to the alter.
Most wedding planners, coordinators and consultants will
require a contract before their work begins. It is important
to meet with your prospective planner and discuss what
services are and are not included in the agreement. Be
sure you feel comfortable with the coordinator you select.
If you have any reservations about their personality, their
contract, or work ethic, meet with another potential
planner. Your wedding day is about you and your loved
one. A good wedding planner will make sure the big day
accurately reflects your personalities and your story.
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BEFORE THE WEDDING
e
s
n
e
c
i
L
e
g
a
i
r
ar
M
YING
APPLR A
FO
E
LAIR
BY CHURD
A
marriage license is required
in order for your marriage
to be legally recognized. In
Monroe County, the Clerk of Circuit
Court is the issuing agent of marriage
licenses for the State of Florida. You
can register for a marriage license
during regular business hours at the
courthouse in Key West, Marathon or
in Plantation Key.
Regulations vary from state-tostate. In Florida, applicants must be
eighteen (18) years old to obtain a
marriage license. Younger applicants
require parental consent, and in
certain instances, the consent of a
County Judge. No matter what your
age, both applicants must appear
in person at the time of applying
for a marriage license. A picturetype ID, including date of birth, is
required. If either party has been
previously married, the exact date of
the last death, divorce or annulment
must be provided. Bring a copy of
your divorce decree with you at the
time of application. The State of
Florida began to recognize samesex marriages early last year, and in
June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court
assured Federal recognition of same
sex marriage throughout the country.
The process of completing marriage
license paperwork takes about
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15 minutes. There is no waiting
period for out-of-state residents, or
for Florida residents who provide
proof of completing an approved
premarital class. A marriage
license costs $93.50 – and there
is a discount for Florida residents,
who provide proof of completing a
premarital class ($61.00). A marriage
license must be used within 60 days.
Authorized staff in the Clerk’s
office are happy to solemnize your
marriage (perform a brief wedding
ceremony) on the spot – for an
additional $30.00. There is a small
‘counseling room’ in Key West,
where marriages can be performed
if the celebrants prefer privacy to
the hustle and bustle of the Clerk’s
front counter.
There is often a surge in marriage
license applications during festival
weeks in the Florida Keys. You may
encounter and bride and groom
in biker leather in the Clerk’s office
during Poker Run. During Fantasy
Fest, costumed weddings become
more common.
In Florida, regularly ordained
clergy, judges, the Clerk, and
Deputy Clerks of the Circuit Court,
and State of Florida notaries may
perform marriages. The person who
performs a marriage ceremony must
complete and return the marriage
license to the Clerk of Court within
ten days, where it will be recorded in
the Official Records. A certified copy is
returned to the newlyweds by mail, and
the original license is maintained in the
Office of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville,
FL. The process usually takes around
three weeks.
Your wedding may be a gala event, or
a small gathering of friends – but the
memories (and the tax benefits) of
legally committing to your true love in
the Florida Keys will last a lifetime.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Website: www.clerk-of-the-court.com
MARRIAGE LICENSES MAY BE
OBTAINED AT:
Key West Courthouse (Annex)
500 Whitehead Street, (305) 292-3458
Marathon Branch Courthouse
3117 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-6027
Upper Keys Govt Ctr
88820 Overseas Hwy
Plantation Key, (305) 852-7145
The
Studio
Weddings
Key West
Exceptional UPDOS
Stylish BLOWOUTS
• AIRBRUSH MAKEUP
• COMPLETE Bridal Hair & Makeup
•
•
We are located in the center of Key West. As the largest hair
and makeup facility in the Florida Keys, we offer in salon artistry
or we can pamper your bridal party on location.
The Studio Weddings
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1106 Key Plaza, Key West, FL 33040
305.292.6080 • WeddingsKW.com
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407207
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WEDDING GIFTS
twelve
groom
UNIQUE GIFT TRENDS
FOR YOUR
Contrary to popular belief (and the majority of bridal magazines) a lot of guys get
into wedding stuff. On a day focused primarily on the bride, it’s important to make
your groom feel equally as special. After all, it’s his big day too!
So how do you celebrate your man and thank him for getting into this whole wedding thing. There is an endless number of possibilities when it comes to wedding
day gifts for your groom. Whatever you choose should be a personal and thoughtful present, no matter how expensive or extravagant it is. He’ll love your thoughtfulness and the excitement of receiving a present on this special day. Remember that
it’s not a requirement to give a wedding day present to your partner, but it’s a nice
touch and sweet reminder of why it is he loves you so much in the first place.
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WEDDING GIFTS
1. A "Proper" Shave
Treat him to a little
grooming. if he's never
had a warm lather, straight
razor, real barbershop shave
experience, this is a great
time to introduce him to the
idea of pampering
3
2. "His Day" On Your
Honeymoon
Surprise him with a special
event while on your
honeymoon that he's super
into; a special snorkeling
trip, tickets to a game, or
the best BBQ place in
Southeast Asia. Celebrate
him with his very own day
right after the wedding.
2
3. First Edition
Is he an avid reader?
Memorializing his favorite
book be finding a real deal
first edition would mean a
lot. Even better if you can
get the author signature!
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4. Man Appliances
While surprising you with
a vacuum or dishwasher
doesn't cut it for any
bride post-"Leave it to
Beaver" era, getting him
an awesome powertool or
ridiculous kitchen appliance,
like a meat smoker, might
be perfect.
5. Plant A Tree
For the eco-logically
minded, the symbol of
a tree, a new growth, a
new beginning could be
the right gift your home
together. Help him sharpen
his pruning skills and give
him something that'll last for
decades to come.
6. His Favorite Liquor,
All Year Long
Did your guy get super
excited that he'd finally get
to splurge on Armagnac?
Did he get a special
bottle to celebrate with
his groomsmen? Make
a monthly gift of the
good stuff for your first
year, and celebrate your
Monthiversarys all year long.
→
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WEDDING GIFTS continued
7. The Unexpected Guest
This is a tricky one to get right,
but if he has a friend who
wasn't going to be able to
attend, see if you can sneak
him in. Pay for a buddy's plane
ticket or get his old college
roommate in for the wedding.
Remember, make sure he'll
be 100% glad to see him,
but not so glad he'll be more
excited about that than getting
married.
style that you feel confident
that he’ll like. Or, double check
the return and exchange policy
just in case so that he can
choose one of his own liking.
11. Hip Flask
One of the most popular
wedding day gifts for grooms
is a hip flask. You can have
these engraved with special
messages, dates or his initials
so that it becomes truly his.
There are a lot of different
kinds of flasks, from metal to
leather-bound. Choose a color
and style that suits him. Bonus
points if you fill it with his
favorite liquor before you give
it to him!
8. Cufflinks
Cufflinks are to a groom’s
wedding day attire as the
shoes are to the bridal gown;
they may not be seen by many,
but they’re an important part
of the overall outfit. Give the
gift of a special pair of cufflinks
that he can wear either on the
big day or to formal events
afterwards. You can have them
monogrammed with his initials,
or find a pair that showcase his
personality or hobbies.
12. Personalized Engraving
On His Wedding Band
It can be a verse, your wedding
dates or something that is sure
to make him laugh.
9. Boudoir Album
Many brides are starting
to love the idea of a bridal
boudoir photo shoot. These
sensual and exciting images
are taken by a professional
photographer, and then
combined in a beautiful album
to create a seductive and
exclusive wedding day gift. If
you’re comfortable with the
idea of a boudoir shoot, then
a boudoir album is the perfect
present for your groom-to-be.
10. Watch
Every man needs a nice watch,
and what better occasion
than your wedding day to
unwrap a beautiful watch from
your bride-to-be? Watches
can range greatly in terms
of price, so you’ll have a lot
of options depending on
how extravagant you’d like
your gift to be. Because you’ll
be surprising him with an
important accessory that he’ll
most likely wear every day,
make sure that you choose a
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Imagine Your Wedding Here...
Declare your love in a romantic seaside garden with stunning ocean views.
The lush gardens at the historic West Martello Tower
are the perfect setting for your Key West wedding.
Key West Garden Club
At the West Martello Tower on Higgs Beach
where White Street meets the Atlantic Ocean
397710 BT
KeyWestGardenClub.com
Call 294-3210 for a Private Tour
397804 BT
Every Bride Deserves a Great Smile!
“I want to look my
best on my wedding
day and in my
wedding photos. I
now feel confident
knowing my
smile looks fantastic!”
Lazy Days Restaurant
Choose From Our 3 Restaurants:
Islamorada, Marathon & Key Largo
Please visit our website at
www.lazydaysrestaurant.com
Islamorada at
79867 Overseas Hwy
MM 79.9
305-664-5256
Marathon at
725 11th Street
Oceanside
MM 47.3
305-289-0839
412462 BT
Beautiful Ocean Views
Extensive Menus for Your Catering Needs
Call us today for a complimentary consultation, so you can avoid thinking
“I wish I had done this BEFORE my wedding.”
Key Largo
102770 Overseas Hwy
MM 102 Bayside
Key Largo, FL
305-451-0565
Welcomes new patients for general
and cosmetic dentistry.
Call us for your consultation.
Dr. Kendall Jones
A different kind of dentist
1460 Kennedy Dr. at Flagler Ave. 305.293.9876
www.ParadiseDentalCare.com
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MODERN TOUCHES
Tech
Savy
WEDDINGS
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MODERN TOUCHES
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As
we increasingly
turn to mobile
technology for
news, weather and informationgathering, the wedding industry has
also jumped on board
A simple search of the Google
Play or Apple App Store reveals
hundreds of mobile applications on
the market designed to help you
plan and execute the wedding of
your dreams.
Need a way to collect all of your
wedding photos from Instagram?
Create a custom wedding hashtag.
Want to keep guests' phones juiced
up so they're taking photos and
video all night long? Transform one
of your cocktail hour tables into a
cute cellphone charging station. The
Internet makes it easy to research
gowns, vendors and wedding
locations, and smartphones make it
that much easier.
Technology tools such as spreadsheets and finance trackers also
help you control your budget and
stay focused on the various tasks at
2016
hand. These digital gems are free
in many cases, giving you a costeffective way of organizing and
maintaining important information.
Using some of the most popular
trends in technology is just plain
practical. Here's how.
organizational
purposes
SPREADSHEETS, are one of the
best uses of technology to help
organize your wedding. Fully
customizable and editable as you
go along, spreadsheets help you
input and update information
related to budgets, vendor quotes,
invitation lists and much more.
Consider building one master
spreadsheet with multiple smaller
files for optimal organization. If you
are sharing planning responsibilities
with a wedding planner or family
member, consider using a cloudbased spreadsheet that allows all
involved parties to upload, edit and
and analyze information.
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MODERN TOUCHES continued
in-wedding
technology
WEARABLES that track your every
move. What if you could look back
on your wedding day and actually
be able to see your exact heart rate
at the moment you walked down
the aisle? You can.
Think about it -- from the pricey
$17,000, 18-karat gold Apple
Watch to a simple $150 FitBit
bracelet, it's just a matter of which
color to choose.
Wear them the entire day and
you can see the exact moment that
it clicked for you -- you're getting
married! -- or see your stats later
and say, "That spike there was our
first-look pictures -- you were so
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beautiful!" And even though this
isn't a thing quite yet, imagine
taking your ups and downs to an
artist who could create a complete
heartbeat timeline of your day, via
your fitness tracker, in a signature
painting that could live above your
couch in your new home.
WEDDING DRONES for impossibly
cool photos and video. Some
photographers and videographers
are using drone technology to
capture never-before-possible
shots. Whether you're getting
married at your alma mater, a
destination in the tropics, an
estate in the mountains or in your
hometown, that location means
a lot to you, if for no other reason
than you were married there!
MODERN TOUCHES
A GO-PRO BRIDAL BOUQUET to
capture hidden moments the walk
down the aisle is one of the more
special and memorable moments
of the wedding day. Capture it
all on camera from your vantage
point by asking your florist to save
a spot in your bridal bouquet for a
small camera.
Any mini camera similar to a
GoPro will work to record your
entrance. This way you'll get to
see everything, from the look on
your guests' faces to the parental
handoff (if that's what you're doing)
and your vows in an up-close and
personal way.
must-have if you're expecting lots
of hashtagging at your wedding.
It's super-easy to pull off too: Just
gather a bunch of different types of
cords (for iPhones and Androids) in
a cutesy way and prop them up on
a cocktail table at your reception.
SELFIE STICKS AND CHARGING
STATIONS to keep the party going.
Cellphone charging stations are a
LIVESTREAMING THE WEDDING
Designate a guest to live-stream
the entire wedding straight from
INTERACTIVE RECEPTION. You
could wait until after the wedding
to see all the cool photos and
funny Instagrams from the day. Or,
you could have them projected
live over your dance floor! A lot of
lighting and production companies
are now offering the service, and it
makes for a fun activity too.
their phone or tablet. That way,
friends and followers who couldn't
make it to the wedding can see
everything from their own devices.
To make it super-easy for friends
to tune in, have your designated
guest divide the streams: one
stream for the ceremony, another
for the toasts and cake cutting, and
another for the first dance. Ikea
recently revealed an entirely virtual
wedding program. It allows guests
to log on and watch their friend or
family member get married from
their own laptop at home.
You can set your background
image to a ceremony setting for
guests to watch, or to your reception
on the beach for guests to tune in
and toast to the special couple from
anywhere in the world.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
take your wedding
TO NEW HEIGHTS
by Noelle Itrato
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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Drones. Sounds like something from
a covert spy operation. But these high-tech flying
objects are making more and more appearances on the
wedding scene. These devices are taking photography
and videography to new heights and are quickly
becoming a new item on the wedding ceremony and
reception wish-list. Across the country, photographers
are finding drones very helpful in wedding videography
and are quickly being added to a photographer’s
arsenal of tools. Imagine the beautiful sights and
surroundings of your destination wedding being
captured with aerial perspectives. TheKnot.com listed
drone wedding photos and GoPro videos as one of the
top 10 hottest wedding trends for 2015. It’s your big
day. Capture it all.
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So, what exactly is a drone? A drone is a small
motorized machine which can hover, fly and move
through the air while being controlled remotely by a
person on the ground. Since the device is controlled
remotely, this video source is able to reach heights and
perspectives photographers haven’t been able to reach
in the past. This means videos and pictures can give
brides and grooms a shot of the wedding from above,
coasting the landscape around the wedding site and
a bird’s eye view of any wedding venue. Many video
drones are able to travel two to three miles out from
the remote photographer. The videos can be edited
afterward and added to video taken on the ground
to give a beautiful keepsake montage of a wedding.
The perspectives offered by drones are dramatic and
even more so when set to music. They allow video
and pictures to be taken from a great distance away
while flying up close to the bride and groom. Filming
with a drone definitely gives wedding videos a more
encompassing sense of where and what the event
looked and felt like. These devices are perfect to capture
the sights and landscape of destination weddings.
With drone videography and photography, there
are two options: hire a professional or do-it yourself.
Photographers that offer drone filming will have the
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experience and the training involved to control a drone
fluidly to give a couple a professional result. Some
photographers add drones to their wedding package
for an additional $200. Some photographers will charge
hourly and the cost can be as high as $1000 an hour
for flying time. When selecting a photographer, be
sure your photographer is drone-qualified and trained.
Always view samples of their work to see if that is the
style and feel you are looking for when deciding on a
photographer.
Doing it yourself is quite a project but can be done.
A drone can be purchased for around $1500. Most
drones come equipped with a built in camera and
will provide instructions on how to get the best video
from your drone. You’ll want to practice prior to the
big day to get the movements and usage down pat
before the wedding. There are various online courses
that are available and will give you the knowledge and
confidence you need to undertake this task.
There are a few downsides to keep in mind when using
drones. These devices are noisy. Scenery shots can be
filmed any time during the day other than during the
actual wedding ceremony it self. You may not want a
noisy drone hovering by your heads when you say those

PHOTOGRAPHY
Deb Sheilds P
hy
©
The internet is filled with breathtaking wedding videos
filmed by drones. Take the time to research the style
and perspective these devices can add to your wedding
video. Discuss with your partner the look and shots you
agree on. Then make the decision to hire a professional
or do-it-yourself. Either way, your wedding photography
will really take off once you you’ve made the decision to
utilize a drone.
ap
Before moving forward on adding drone photography
to your wedding ‘must have’ list, be sure to check with
your venue to get permission and clearance to use the
technology. There are still some gray areas in using
drones. Because they are flying objects, they are subject
to certain FAA regulation. Some areas have restricted
flight zones so it’s better to ask before busting out the
new drone.
hoto
gr
two very important little words. These devices can also
be distracting. A bride and groom may be slightly
upstaged by the cool hovering aircraft at the wedding
so it is important to select the right time and places
for the drone to be in flight. Letting guest know what
the object is may help put them at ease when they do
see it flying around the event. Another considerations
is drones can have accidents. When in the hands of a
professional, the chances are very slim. However, if it’s
a amateur friend or family member making his or her’s
maiden drone flight, an accident could be a possibility.
Keep in mind, human error can be a factor.
wedding drone
PHOTOGRAPH IDEAS
1. Coast the drone over the crystal blue waters and
shoreline to zoom right up to your beach
wedding alter in the Keys
2. Get high and bring home an overhead image of
the venue to give an encompassing sense of
place and surroundings of the wedding
3.
Don’t forget to get overhead shots of the bridal
party and guests
4.
Try a 360 degree view of the couple in a beautiful
scenic shot with no equipment or people in the way
5. If the wedding is in a high vaulted cathedral or
church, take advantage of that space to get a
bird’s eye view of the ceremony
6. Don’t forget to get an elevated view of guests
dancing it up at the reception
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412458 BT
weddings
REPLACE COMMITMENT
CEREMONIES IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
by gena parsons
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SAME SEX WEDDINGS
For decades, Key West
had been the place for
gay couples to come for
commitment ceremonies.
With same-sex marriage
now legal, those rituals
take on a more profound
meaning. Although there
is no official tracking,
Equality Florida estimated
that 1,400 same-sex
couples got married in the
two days after the January
2015 rulingthat found
unconstitutional the state’s
ban on gay unions.
The LGBT sector is
beginning to influence
the wider wedding
industry. Couples of all
genders forego set-instone rituals when they
marry in the islands.
There may be a Best Girl
and a Man of Honor with
both male and female
attendants on each
side. Couples may walk
themselves down the
aisle or ask a non-parent
family member or a
friend to escort them.
Florida Keys wedding
planners and officiants
are booked well into
2017 and even 2018. Yet,
the expected wedding
boom with the law change
did not materialize in
Key West. The Key West
Business Guild expects
continuous growth in
LGBT weddings, but
notes that the novelty of
same-sex marriage had
diminished by the time
Florida began allowing it.
“I tell people ‘This is your
day, not your parents’ or
your grandparents’ day. It
isn’t as complicated as it
appears to be if you just
plan and do what you
think you want to have
done,’” Torrence advised.
Simply You specializes
in destination weddings
and reports a steady
increase in same-sex
couples hiring the
upscale company.
SIMPLY YOU WEDDINGS OWNER,
JULIE SHRECK.
In 2015, Simply You
arranged a three-day
Rev. Steve Torrence of
gay wedding event that
Metropolitan Community
included exclusive use of Little Palm Island, one of the
Church conducted commitment ceremonies
country’s top luxury resorts.
for 30 years and found he need only tweak the
pronouncement to acknowledge the legality of
“We’ve started changing the way we do things like
the proceedings.
simple, small changes on our website. You go in to
inquire and you can choose bride-bride, groom-groom
“I tend to say, unless they have a real preference, ‘I
or bride-groom because we want the people inquiring
hereby proclaim that you are legally married…’ and,
about our services to know that it is something that
if it’s a religious ceremony, ‘in the name of almighty
we support and it is something that we offer,” Shreck
God. You may now seal your covenant with a kiss.’ Or
explained.
something like that,” he shared.
“It still has the same elements.
They want to have a
meaningful ceremony,”
“We find that their ceremonies are extremely serious
and extremely emotional. It seems like the same-sex
weddings that we’ve done have been very meaningful,
very deep,” observed Ray Jensen, owner of Weddings
To Go Key West.
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In the 2015 LGBT weddings study conducted by The
Knot, a multi-platform wedding source, 96 percent of
couples referred to the occasion as a wedding rather
than a same-sex wedding. Men were nearly three
times more likely to walk down the aisle together, while
women preferred a friend or family member to escort
SAME SEX WEDDINGS
FLORIDA KEYS
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them. Same-sex weddings tend to
be small, intimate affairs with men
spending an average of $15,992
on their weddings, compared
with $13,055 for women and the
majority paid for the wedding
themselves, according to the survey.
Local wedding planners agree that
women tend to be more frugal
and conservative while more men
expect extravagance. Also, the
longer a couple has been together,
the more intimate the ceremony.
Regardless of budget, couples seek
nuptials as unique as they are.
The newness of same-sex marriage
comes with a word of caution from
Rev. Torrence. He urges couples to
comprehend the legal agreement.
While an understandably emotional
time, they must recognize the effect
of marriage on their taxes, pensions,
insurance and debts. What was his
and his or hers and hers, becomes
theirs together the minute the ink
is dry.
“People don’t understand what the
ramifications of getting married are.
This follows you forever,” Torrence
advised. “Gays and lesbians
haven’t had that knowledge or that
upbringing or understanding. I
want them to know that they’re not
committing to a simple situation.
You’re entering into a contract with
the government. It hasn’t been the
mindset, but, of course, they’re
learning quickly.”
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2016 C A K E T R E N D S
W edding
cake trends
A sumptuous cake is the focal point of any wedding banquet. In recent years,
some couples have decided to downsize from towering white-iced cakes, to creative
designs that offer a variety of appealing flavors and textures for guests. Professional
bakeries throughout the Florida Keys can create the wedding cake
of your dreams.
BY CLAIRE HURD
CLASSIC CAKE WITH BROOCH
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2016 C A K E T R E N D S
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For 2016, metallic accents are a trend
anticipated on wedding planning sites,
such as theknot.com and weddingwire.
com. Shimmering effects can be achieved
with edible glittery frosting, which is subtle,
and catches the light in the ballroom at an
evening soiree. Placement of an elegant
(non-edible!) brooch at the center of one
tier draws the eye, or a light sprinkling of
gold flakes can provide luxe contrast on a
smooth and classic cake.
Naked cakes have been trending for a few
years, and are expected to remain popular
for couples who aspire to rustic elegance.
At an historic venue, such as the West
Martello/Key West Garden Club, a naked
cake would echo the breathtaking ruins
within the fort. Absent an outside layer of
frosting, the tiers and fillings inside the cake
are on full display. The flavor of a gourmet
cake really shines when the creation is not
encased in sweet fondant. Adorned with
a few locally-grown orchids, a naked cake
adds an artisanal presence to the banquet,
and inspires guests to anticipate their
favorite flavor, long before the cake is cut.
GLITTER FROSTING CAKE
Another popular trend is to forego a traditional
cake entirely, and opt for individual sweets,
such as cupcakes or creampuffs. Lori Schubert
of ‘Cupcake Sushi’ says that when a couple
hosts a Key West destination wedding, “they
want something different.” When planning their
event, including dessert, they want to provide a
one-of-a-kind experience for guests who have
never visited the island before. In the age of
social media, brides too, are looking to create a
photogenic, blog-worthy event.
KEY WEST'S CUPCAKE SUSHI
Schubert operates a popular bakery which
provides hand-rolled cake treats, served with
chopsticks. Bite-sized morsels of “cupcake sushi”
can be stacked in traditional tiers, or displayed
on a bamboo boat or palm tree. At larger
events, artisans can create custom cupcake sushi
servings on-demand, akin to a carving station or
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2016 C A K E T R E N D S c o n t i n u e d
CARROT MINI CAKE
CREAMPUFFS
L AV E N D E R F L AV O R E D C A K E
an omelet bar. On the beach at Cheeca Lodge
in Islamorada, or on a boat such as the USCGC
Ingham in Key West, cupcake sushi would
accentuate the seaside atmosphere of an event.
Flavor combinations are limited only by the
imagination, and the non-traditional presentation
lends an exotic, island style to any event.
Foodie flavors are also a trend that will carry
through 2016. Key-lime flavored cakes will
always hold appeal in the Florida Keys – but local
bakeries offer plenty of other unique flavors,
such as lavender, apple or carrot cake with
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buttercream frosting. At an elegant venue, such
as the Audubon House or Hawk’s Cay, a dramatic
display of multiple smaller wedding cakes,
encompassing the tropical palette of your event
will delight guests.
The tradition of a white wedding cake (along with
the white wedding gown, to represent purity) is
attributed to Queen Victoria, back in 1840. Times
marches on, and 2016 just happens to be a
perfect year for brides and grooms to begin their
own traditions – by choosing the wedding cake
(or cupcake!) of their own sweet dreams.
2016 C A K E T R E N D S
NAKED CAKE ADORNED WITH FLOWERS
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B R I D A L PA RT Y
tips
FLOWER GIRL &
RING BEARER
Your wedding day will be all about
the big venue, big crowd and big
kiss. Don’t forget about the littlest
wedding guests along the way.
When it comes to sharing the
wedding day spotlight, there
are few people a bride might
welcome. Unless, of course, they’re
part of her party and spreading
cuteness all around. The flower
girl and ring bearer draw as much
attention as the bride. Is there
anything cuter than a little lady
and lad all dressed up and tossing
flowers down the aisle?
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HOW TO CHOOSE
If your family is full of young nieces,
nephews or cousins, choosing the
perfect fit for your wedding can be
a difficult task. You don’t want to
hurt anyone’s feelings by choosing
only one, but you probably don’t
need more than one. Your choice
may come down to age. Choosing
too young, say 2 or 3 years old, may
not work well for your wedding.
Younger children are more likely
to be scared by larger crowds
compared to those who are a bit
more mature.
flower girl
THE PERFECT DRESS
Make sure your flower girl is ready
to steal the show with the perfect
dress. Consider the designer, color
and obviously the price if you’re the
one footing the bill for the flower
girl gown. Many times the flower
girl dress will mimic the bride’s
ensemble.
If you have trouble finding one
to match what you’ll be wearing,
try finding a colored dress that
matches the overall theme of your
wedding. The key is to make sure
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your flower girl is comfortable
wearing her dress and can walk in
her matching shoes.
PREPARING YOUR FLOWER GIRL
If your flower girl is nervous about
the big day, reassure her that her
feelings are normal. You can take
away some of these nerves by
working with her well in advance of
the wedding. Practice walking in a
straight line with her while you’re
playing outside at the park or even
shopping for new clothes. There
are plenty of books about being a
flower girl. Purchase one and gift it
to her in a way that makes her feel
special about her new role. By the
time your wedding day rolls around,
she’ll be ready to shine in her oncein-a-lifetime opportunity.
ring bearer
So you’ve enlisted a little lad to
tromp toward the altar as your ring
bearer -- now what? Dress him up,
of course. Whether you go the tiny
tux route or the path less traveled,
scan these snazzy tips for the little
dude’s duds.
CUSTOMARY COSTUMES
Opinions on ring bearers’ attire vary.
There’s the “Please, no mini-tuxes,”
school, but others find little boys in
grown-up formalwear endearing.
More traditional choices are satin
and velvet suits, often in dark colors
like navy or hunter green. You can
also consider dark blue jackets,
white shorts, and blue or white knee
socks, or for summer, a seersucker or
linen suit - you could even put the
tiny guy in a sailor suit.
Whatever you choose, make
sure the boys are comfortable,
while still remaining faithful to
the overall tone of your wedding.
Christy Transier Photography©
B R I D A L PA RT Y
Also, encourage ring bearers to try out their clothes before
the wedding so they won’t pull at the neck or the crotch in an
unseemly way on the big day.
DUTIES
The ring bearer, traditionally a small boy aged four to eight,
walks down the aisle just before the flower girl (if there is one),
carrying a pillow with two rings tied to it. Since it’s not the
greatest idea to entrust gold rings to a rambunctious 6-yearold, the rings are usually fakes.
Are you the trusting sort? Well, if you trust the little tyke with
your jewelry, at least have someone hand him the pillow
replete with real rings just before he begins trekking down the
aisle. If he gets hold of them too far in advance, it’s more likely
he’ll lose them.
Whatever you choose to have the ring bearer carry, be sure
he’s told about his duties ahead of time. It’s probably best to
include him in the rehearsal dinner, so the full implications of
his duties (walking down an aisle all by himself with a hundred
people watching) don’t come as a big shock.
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wedding dress
THE TOP
Most wedding styles do not change all that
drastically from season to season, however there still
are noteworthy trends, details and fun updates to
peek at and get a jump on, especially if you're in the
midst of planning your own big day. Every bride-tobe needs to know about these breathtaking styles!
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TRENDS FROM 2016
BRIDAL FASHION WEEK
Christy Transier Photography©
FA S H I O N T R E N D S

FA S H I O N T R E N D S
A Basic Bateau
Neckline
A dress doesn't need lots of embellishments to truly stand out when
a classic style can complement the
bride in the best way possible.
The "Dipped" V
Neckline
Not as innocent as a sweetheart
neckline but not as sexy as a plunging
one, the subtle deep-V that adds just
the right touch of drama.
Blush-Colored
Dresses
A barely there pop of color is perfect
for your spring nuptials. Shades of pink
and rose were seen all over the runways.
T O P W E D D I N G D R E S S T R E N D S O F 2 0 1 6 C O U RT E S Y O F T H E K N O T. C O M
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FA S H I O N T R E N D S c o n t i n u e d
Cropped Tops
A combination of casual and chic,
there's something uniquely elegant
about a bride showing off just a sliver of
skin on her wedding day.
Feather Finishes
Whether they were big, black and
dramatic, or soft, fluttery and delicate, the
feather details at Bridal Fashion Week
were stunning. We also loved the ostrich
feather skirts, and the cascading bodice.
Floral Prints
While florals for spring may not be
groundbreaking, floral-print wedding
dresses are very fashion forward.
Whether done as intricate embroidery,
or painted onto fabric, bridal blooms
are definitely trending.
T O P W E D D I N G D R E S S T R E N D S O F 2 0 1 6 C O U RT E S Y O F T H E K N O T. C O M
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FA S H I O N T R E N D S
Layers of Lace
Because one type of lace is never
enough, this spring, designers layered
Chantilly lace on top of embroidered
tulle and Swiss dot lace for mindblowing texture and detail.
Stone Washed Shades Victorian Touches
Subtle tones of taupe, nude and silver
were scattered among the spring
runways. A sweetheart, tulle ball gown
with a nude underlay for a warm effect,
while a strapless gown with cool tones
of silver that gave the gown an almostbluish glow were among some of this
years collections.
Whether it was the high necklines, flare
sleeves, pearl-stranded sleeves or silk
ball gowns, it was pretty clear that designers were drawing inspiration from
old-world opulence.
T O P W E D D I N G D R E S S T R E N D S O F 2 0 1 6 C O U RT E S Y O F T H E K N O T. C O M
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THE PERFECT SETTING FOR
YOUR KEY WEST WEDDING…
Key West’s Oldest House Garden offers
a magical place for your memorable event,
whether it is a grand, lavish affair or an
intimate ceremony. This secluded paradise
is ideal for weddings, vow renewals and
commitment ceremonies. Our lush green
lawn and overhanging tropical foliage make
a perfect backdrop – charming for events
ranging from an elegant Old South garden
party to an island luau. We are located in
the heart of Old Town on Duval Street.
For rates, reservations and more information
please call 305-294-9501
or visit www.oldislandweddings.com
322 Duval Street
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
S TAT I O N E RY
The
Florida Keys hold the same allure for weddings as they do for
tourists. With warm weather year-round, the wedding business
never takes a break. And that tropical feel is apparent in wedding
stationery from save-the-date cards to thank you notes.
Wedding stationery:
Courtesy Stacey Ambrosio, Simply You Weddings
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
S TAT I O N E RY
"Save the dates are great to let people know to put it on
their calendar and start saving money so they can come
to Key West,” said Julie Shreck, owner of Simply You, a
full-service wedding planner.
“Since we’re such a destination area, a lot of our clients
do save-the-date announcements - a lot of postcardtype save the dates, message in the bottle save the
dates, anything to set the tone for what you’re about
to experience,” Invites by Danette owner and designer
Danette Baso Silvers said.
As with most wedding elements, brides and grooms
turn to the Internet for stationery ideas with Pinterest
becoming the biggest driver of creativity.
paper
PRETTY
S I M P L E A N D R E A S O NA B L E
O R E L A B O R AT E A N D P R I C EY
by Gena Parsons
“It’s opened people’s minds to the variety of stationery
they can have. So I get all kinds of crazy requests. I just got
a request for an invitation in a treasure chest,” Baso Silvers
said.
Illustrating the island theme, an invitation may come in a
glass bottle wrapped in raffia. Place cards at the rehearsal
dinner might be propped up with seashells. And tiny
tequila bottles with name tags could be guest gifts.
“If they’re looking for something that’s going to illustrate a
vintage garden wedding with a tropical feel, you’re going
to go one way versus somebody who has a beautiful
ballroom with gorgeous centerpieces,” Shreck added.
“People have definitely gotten far more savvy. They want
to stand out from the other events that they’ve been to.
It’s one of those things where we’re always striving for
something new and different.”
Save-the-date notices can be mailed as early as a year
in advance to allow guests to make cost-efficient travel
arrangements. Invitations typically go out three months
ahead of time with an RSVP deadline of two months prior
to the wedding day.
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S TAT I O N E RY c o n t i n u e d
WEDDING PLACE CARD
DA KEYS
AL
BRI2D
016
FLORI
Calligraphy tops invitation trends along
with other free-flowing fonts that mimic
handwritten notes, although traditional
fonts are often mixed in for readability.
Thermographic raised print, gold foil
and letter press remain common.
Engraving, the most expensive option,
requires thicker paper. Paper texture
is a consideration. Baso Silvers sees
simple card stock along with watercolor
invitations on canvas and more organic
stationery using thin slivers of wood. A
personal stationer can provide clients
with examples to see and feel.
“People are taking more pride in the
personal invitation,” Baso Silvers added.
“I like to tell them to send me an
example of the things they like and I can
go from there to personalize it for them.”
W E D D I N G E S C O RT
WEDDIN
42
Stationery goes well beyond invitations and thank
you notes. There are wedding day programs
along with escort cards, place cards and menus
for the rehearsal and reception dinners. Some
couples give arriving guests welcome bags at their
hotels that include wedding weekend itineraries,
customized maps, and water bottles and cookies
with personalized labels keeping with the desired
theme.
In addition to printed materials, Simply You also
creates wedding websites to assist communications
with guests. “It allows us to go ahead and plug in
accommodations and travel information, wedding
itinerary information. It allows them to go back into that
and use it as a tool and a resource,” said Shreck.
With varying budgets come different demands
for customization. A save-the-date notice may be
as simple as a refrigerator magnet sent through
the mail, or as elaborate as a message in a bottle
delivered to their door. Invitations vary from the
traditional two-envelope card with RSVP return to a
wine bottle with custom label and engraved name
tags. Whether turning to the Internet for ideas, or
for complete stationery orders, only budget limits a
couple’s ability to express their uniqueness.
G MENU
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China • Glassware • Flatware • Linens • Keepsakes • Monogrammed or Personalized Napkins
Key Largo, FL
“It’s Your Day”
By Jill
Wedding Planner
305-394-2045
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transportation option for your needs. We offer our clientele the most
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We are based in Key Largo but we service all of the Keys and South
Florida. In most cases we offer simple flat no hassle rates and also
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Our Services Include:
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Formal Wear
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MUSIC
W E DDI NG DAY D OW N L OA D S
“Rarely are we using recorded music in a
ceremony. I would say 98 percent of our
events use some form of live music in
the ceremony,” Shreck said.
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Wedding music has
crossed the digital divide.
Technology provides
couples the chance to
select songs to suit their
style. Matrimonial mainstays
like Etta James’ “At Last” are
joined by modern day romantic
tributes such Ed Sheeran’s
“Thinking Out Loud” and John
Legend’s “All of Me.”
“Music has become embroiled so much
with the electronic options that allow people
to build their own playlists. It’s a huge tool with
our DJs and clients,” said Julie Shreck, owner of
Simply You, a full-service wedding planner in Key
West. “It’s really opened up the opportunities for
people to have a far wider variety of music than
ever before.”
“I’ve had young couples opt for
the full orchestration of “Here
Comes the Bride” and I’ve had
people who are more mature
come in to something a tad
bit more contemporary,”
added Rev. Steve Torrence of
the Metropolitan Community
Church. “The more pronounced
difference in taste is the music at
the reception.”
Live options range from acoustic guitar
or classical violin to a tropical steel drum and
bongo combo, or even a ukulele. Cocktail hour
may feature the subdued stylings of a harpist
while the pace picks up at the reception
with a full band or a DJ. Thanks to digital
technology, wedding and reception music
can be as simple as popping a smart phone
into a sound system.
“It’s all a matter of style and affordability,”
Torrence said.
Online resources offer such a wide variety
of music that couples find they can create
a playlist to suit everyone at a reception. A
little bit of Elvis and The Carpenters blended
with Adele and Jay-Z. That is not to say that
live musical performances have gone by the
wayside. With so many talented musicians in
the Florida Keys, options abound.
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BY GENA PARSONS
Courtesy Simply You Weddings
MUSIC
“The trend is that everybody is doing something that
is specific to what and who they are. It’s their time,”
Shreck concurred.
First dance choreography, so popular in Internet
videos, may feature newlyweds performing to
a medley of their favorite country, rock and rap
tunes, groomsmen mimicking a hip boy band or
the groom and his mother cutting a rug to songs
spanning the generations.
“Oh yes, that happens here. And it’s really neat.
I’ve seen them in the ballroom practicing and it is
really, really nice. People today are trying to carve
out something a bit unique for their wedding and
it’s getting harder and harder to do. So people are
getting more and more creative,” said Torrence.
Spotify
most popular wedding songs of 2015
1.
All of Me, John Legend
2.
Marry Me, Bruno Mars
3.
Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
4.
A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
5.
Ho Hey, The Lumineers
6.
Marry Me, Train
7.
Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
8.
You Are The Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
9.
I’m Yours, Jason Mraz
10.
Home, Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros
Spotify
“I once had a bride change her
dress just for her first dance,”
SHRECK ADDED.
most popular first dance songs of 2015
1.
Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
2.
At Last, Etta James
3.
Can’t Help Falling In Love, Elvis
4.
Marry Me, Train
5.
Tenerife Sea, Ed Sheeran
6.
You Are The Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
7.
First Day Of My Life, Bright Eyes
8.
Make You Feel My Love, Adele
9.
Everything, Michael Bublé
10.
Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
FLORIDA KEYS
B R I DA L
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
RING TRENDS
with this
FLORIDA KEYS
RING
BRIDAL
2016
by catherine bosworth
Halo style engagement rings have been a consistently popular trend
that will continue in 2016, according to gemologist William DePaula
of DePaula’s jewelers in Tavernier. Another continuing trend is the
return of yellow gold settings in place of white gold. “We’ve seen a
resurgence of yellow gold in the last five years, from five percent in
the past to 30 to 40 percent today.”
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FLORIDA KEYS
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•
2016
the
halo ring, in
either a white or yellow gold setting,
features a center gemstone encircled
by round pave, or smaller, diamonds,
according to the website jewelrywise.
The center stone can be round or
princess cut, but a halo engagement
ring can also have an oval, emerald,
pear, or marquise diamond. The rings
of smaller stones that encircle it can be
double or triple, and may even continue
around the shank of the ring, although
entirely encircling the ring makes it
difficult to resize.
Another trend is to have the center
diamond flanked by slightly smaller
diamonds. And those diamonds aren’t
always the traditional, transparent
variety today.
Diamonds in many colors, from blue
to pink to green, yellow, red, purple
and other colors have become very
popular. Some of these colors occur
naturally. The most famous diamonds
in the world are colored diamonds.
The Hope Diamond is blue and the
Tiffany Diamond is yellow. However,
gemologists have developed a way to
enhance a less valuable stone through
a radiation process that turns it into a
colored stone.
RING TRENDS
A trend for 2016 for men’s wedding
bands is the use of alternative metals,
such as titanium and tungsten,
especially for sports fishermen and
others who work with their hands often.
While some of these metals can’t be
readily resized, they can be designed
in ways that capture the unique lifestyle
of the area.
“We’re more creative in the Keys”
DePaula says. Custom rings featuring
dolphins, marlins, anchors, or ship’s
wheels can be incorporated into the
design of a ring. “We carry a couple of
these designs, but if we don’t, we can
draw it and put it on the band. Local
artist Luis Reyes does custom designed
rings for us.”
Another popular ring design
DePaula sees is the hook wedding
band that looks like a hook wrapped
around the finger.
DePaula, who is part of a family
business owned by his father, Joseph,
says that choosing stones other than
diamonds for a ring that is meant to
be worn every day could cause some
problems “Sapphires became popular
when Princess Diana chose one, but
soft stones other than diamonds won’t
take the abuse that diamonds will.
Emeralds are beautiful, too, but they
can chip.”
“Naturally colored stones are not vivid,
and they’re hard to find” DePaula
says. “The radiation process creates
beautifully colored stones, and the
radiation is safer than a microwave.”
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FLOWERS
FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
2016
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
FLOWERS
2016
WEDDING
Flower Trends
The trend and style report, Flower
Trends Forecast 2016, details
emerging flower types, colors,
themes and styles for events and
weddings. Flower Trends Forecast
2016 provides insight into how the
worlds of fashion and lifestyles,
are shaping emerging flower
decorating trends.
PROVID ED B Y PRWEB.CO M
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FLOWERS
Floral designers use various types of flowers, colors of flowers, and design styles and techniques to make each
wedding beautiful for each bride in a way that is unique and special to that bride. The flowers at this special
occasion need to reflect her personality, her style, her aspirations and her dreams. The floral designer combines
the worlds of fashion and lifestyle that reflect the style of the bride. The Flower Trends Forecast 2016 report
details the emerging flower decorating themes emerging for weddings and events.
Heather Bliss Photography©
WHAT’S IN!
50
Lavish, gathered from the garden is in! It is sensual and
tactile. It features garden flowers grouped in loose gatherings with berries and drapey foliages. Rich in textures
and filled with pinks, blushes contrasted with rich plums
and crimson.
The Sorbet event is modern and lively. This color palette
features lemon-yellow and adds to it rich blue, coral,
spring green and powder blue. Sorbet is bright and
sassy and uses geometric accents to contrast with peonies, dahlias, ranunculus and tulips.
The Lustre look is rich in metallics. It features a rich combination of sheen and sparkle, infused with white and
ivory flowers providing a stark contrast to the luxe alloys.
Gold, silver, copper, platinum bronze and rose gold can
be mixed to finished this trendy luxe look.
Festival is born of hot, intense colors inspired by global
hand-crafts. The Festival bride plans her event as an
extension of her quirky and casual personality. Flower
choices for Festival include bright yellow sunflowers,
dark blue delphinium, orange gerbera daisies and
bright red roses. Accents are hand-crafted and feature
natural textural elements.
FLORIDA KEYS
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FLOWERS
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
WEDDING TRENDS OF THE KEYS
With our reputation as a destination wedding spot, the Florida Keys sets wedding
trends rather than follows them. However, according to wedding industry
professionals, as well as local newlyweds and soon-to-weds, a few fun wedding
trends have been making their way up and down the Keys.
island
INSPIRATIONS
by sarah goodwin
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FLORIDA KEYS
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e
Po
rt
Ph
er
oto
grap
hy ©
Ka
rr
i
WEDDING TRENDS OF THE KEYS
less is more:
In 1981, the wedding of Prince
Charles of Wales to Lady Diana
Spencer ushered in an age of
spectacularly opulent weddings.
Nowadays, such gross commercialism
is out. Karen Leonard of Aaron’s Key
West Weddings notes: “Smaller, more
casual weddings definitely seem to be
on the rise. People aren’t looking to
spend to tens of thousands, especially
if they’re on a second or third
marriage. Plus, with people waiting
until they’re older to marry, they’ve
often lived together a while and have
already set up their homes. They don’t
need lots of gifts or an expensive
honeymoon. They’re happy to come
here and have a simple, stress-free
wedding, surrounded by a few loved
ones in a beautiful, natural setting.
Big, extravagant, and expensive
weddings with gala receptions have
gone the way of the dodo.”
outdoor weddings:
Whether on the beach, on a boat, in a botanical garden, or on the
grounds of a historic home or lighthouse, outdoor weddings are the way
to go in the Keys, and of course, sunset is the most popular time of day
for weddings. Must-haves include breeze caressing palm trees, and water
lapping against the shore. Decorations like conch shells, starfish, tropical
flowers, tiki torches and bamboo arbors add to the Caribbean vibe. Some
couples choose to have their rings carried in on half-shells. In the resorts,
getting married by the sea beats getting married poolside.
keep it casual:
Our islands are known having a laidback dress code, and our relaxed style
extends to our weddings. Richard
Knowles of Florida Keys Weddings
has noticed lots of barefoot brides
wearing cocktail gowns, and grooms
in white Tommy Bahama shirts.
“Recently, we’ve seen a lot of brides
and bridesmaids in plum, or carrying
bouquets of plum-colored Calla lilies.
Otherwise, we see colors that match
our ocean, turquoise and coral.” Other
wedding professionals noted lots of
natural colors paired with greenery,
and looks that are soft, elegant, and
light. However, one bride-to-be
interviewed couldn’t resist putting her
bridesmaids in gold sequin dresses!
tunes we love:
Brides and grooms are no longer
limited to the “Here Comes the Bride”
or Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” for the walk
FLORIDA KEYS
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WEDDING TRENDS OF THE KEYS continued
down the aisle. Non-denominational songs with meaning to the couple
to be wed often replace traditional music. Ukuleles and steel drums usurp
more traditional string ensembles.
After the wedding, of course, it’s time to dance! “Top” Jimmy Cooper of
Soundwave, notes “Many wedding parties today lose their minds when I
play N'Sync's ‘Bye Bye Bye’ or Backstreet Boys’ ‘I Want It That Way.’ And yes,
those Macarena and Chicken Dance requests are getting fewer and farther
between, but the Cha Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle are alive and well!”
Images on this page by Julia Timmons
non-traditional vows:
personal touches:
The Sand Ceremony is another popular
ritual in the Keys, where each partner
takes turn pouring different colored
sands into a clear vessel, forming
a layered effect. If the couple has
children, they may participate, adding
to the layers of color, symbolizing the
unifying of two families as one.
Says Doll, “Having the wedding
after sunset and using glowing LED
elements helped to make the mood
comfortable and way different from
any wedding I have been to. Plus
our 3' high lit-up DOLL marquis sign
was pretty awesome! And nearly
everybody dressed up, or down, in
tutus and other fun stuff, to make it a
truly Key West affair!”
Julia Timmons of Blue Water
Weddings witnesses new rituals
replacing the old, stale promises to
Love, Honor, and Obey. “A Lobster
Release Ceremony is something very
unique to the keys. The story is that
lobsters mate for life. The bride throws
the female and the groom throws the
male lobster back into the sea as a
symbol of eternal love. On a side note,
the male follows the female around
for life. Guests throwing beach balls
at the bride and groom instead of rice
have become a popular trend as well.”
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More than ever, couples on the verge
of lifelong commitment want to
make room in their ceremonies for
their own tastes, personalities, and
experiences together. When local
photographer Nick Doll recently
married bartender Jenn Stefanacci,
their wedding at the Key West Garden
Club, plus an “everyone’s invited
afterparty” at Bagatelle, typified the
Keys’ unconventional approach to
love and marriage.
FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
2016
In the midst of planning her upcoming
wedding to Zia Charters owner Jeremy
Hackworth, Circuit Court Case Manager
Laura Richardson is choosing plenty of
personal touches. “We’re having the
ceremony at Saint Mary Star of the Sea
and reception at Casa Marina. We're
really trying hard to get as much of
our silly personalities into the entire
wedding. There will be tons of bright
colors and glitter at the reception.
Instead of typical wedding favors,
we're going to donate to a number of
charities that mean a lot to us, like the
FKSPCA, Marc House, and Smile Train.
And we're having an after party at the
Porch, which is where we met!”
For some couples, a big spectacle
fits their personality, and in the Keys,
it’s okay to go for it! Take the muchpublicized New Year’s Eve wedding
of Jeff Kucin and Gary Marion, better
known as the drag queen “Sushi.” They
married on the stage of 801 Bourbon
Bar, then Sushi climbed into a giant
red high-heeled shoe suspended over
the sidewalk on Duval Street to be
lowered at midnight.
fun favors:
One recent wedding featured a bar
made out of an old boat. Another
ended with a smores party around
a fire pit. One couple opted for a
pineapple wedding cake. Whatever
couples decide to do when getting
married in the Keys, it’s all about fun
and creating a night they and their
guests will remember joyously for the
rest of their lives. FLORIDA KEYS
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397808 BT
56
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407196 BT
For more information on planning your
wedding or event, please call...305-453-9066
412460 BT
MM 104 Bayside, Key Largo
Specializing in
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Ice Cream Cart Available
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www.keylargochocolates.com • 305-453-6613 • [email protected]
SUMMERLAND
DENTAL
PARTY & EVENT RENTALS
William L. Tycoliz, Jr., DDS
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[email protected]
5216 US Hwy One (on Stock Island)
Key West, FL • (305) 294-7171
MM 82 • 664-4335
The HOTTEST Dancers
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FLORIDA KEYS
B R I DA L
•
412461 BT
(305) 745-1522
(305) 745-1753 (fax)
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PO Box 212
24986 Overseas Hwy.
2016 57
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BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
WEDDING TIMELINE
Here's what to do on the way to the alter.
8to10
first
things first
• Set wedding date.
• Invitations should be mailed 6
weeks before the wedding.
• Wedding dress should be ordered at
least 6 months before wedding date.
• Bridesmaids’ dresses should be
ordered at least 6 months prior to
wedding.
• Bride’s hair should be cut and
colored about 2 weeks before
wedding.
• Groom’s hair should be cut 2 weeks
before wedding.
12+
• Pick a date! Look at your calendar
with your fiancé (don’t forget to
confer with parents on both sides)
and set the date. Be sure to have an
alternate dates in case the venue is
already booked.
• Start now thinking about whether you
will plan a formal or informal wedding.
• Creating a preliminary guest list
now will really help out down the
road when it’s time to create a
budget.
FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
10to12
months
months
58
months
•
2016
• Select wedding date and time
• Send out save the date cards/
emails.
• Announce your engagement and
have engagement photos taken.
• Discuss and create a preliminary
wedding budget with all involved.
• Determine how expenses will be
shared.
• Determine your wedding theme or
style.
• Reserve your ceremony location.
• Determine who will officiate the
ceremony.
• If you choose to use a professional
planner you should begin
interviewing now.
• Reserve your reception location.
• If your reception or wedding is
planned for outdoors have an
alternate plan in place.
• Decide on your wedding colors.
• Determine the size of your guest list.
• Begin compiling list of names and
numbers and addresses.
• Send out a “Save the Date” cards
or emails.
• Select bridal attendants.
• Ask attendants for their
measurements and sizes.
• Select Groomsmen.
• Ask Groomsmen for their
measurements and shoe size.
• Plan reception.
• Select a Caterer.
• Select Photographer.
• Select Videographer.
• Select Florist.
• Select Band or DJ.
• Select Soloists, organists, musicians
for ceremony.
• Select your dress and order if
necessary.
• Select your headpiece and shoes.
• Select petticoat and jewelry.
• Select bridesmaids’ dresses and
order if necessary.
• Select and order invitations, matches,
napkins, thank-you notes and
programs.
• Start planning honeymoon.
• Start addressing invitations and
announcements when they arrive.
• Pre-address thank-you note
envelopes while addressing
invitations and announcements.
• Prepare maps and directions to
include in your invitations for
ceremony and reception.
• Check with the post office for the
amount of postage needed to mail
the invitations when all the pieces are
in the envelope.
• Register with Bridal registries.
• Reserve the rehearsal dinner location.
• Select a baker for the cake.

BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
6to 4
months
• Check with your local newspaper
for the form and timing of
your wedding announcement
submission.
• Reserve block accommodations for
out-of-town guests.
• Have mothers select their dresses.
• Choose songs that you would like
for the band or DJ to play at your
wedding.
• Keep gift checklist up to date and
write thank-you notes DAILY.
• Arrange accommodations for out
of-town guests.
• Hire limousines and/or other
transportation.
• Make appointments for physicals
and update your immunizations
shots and records.
• Shop for wedding rings.
• Start planning your honeymoon.
• Get your passport and other
important documents.
• Begin shopping for your trousseau.
• Begin addressing invitations and
announcements (These should be
sent out 4 to 6 weeks before the
wedding.).
• Order favors for guests.
2
• Finalize the ceremony details with
the officiant.
• Purchase guest book
• Purchase or make place cards.
• Purchase cake and knife server.
• Purchase garter.
• Make rehearsal and rehearsa
dinner arrangements.
• Plan the Bridesmaids luncheon.
• Make appointments with your
hairdresser and make-up artist.
• Finalize your honeymoon plans.
1
month
• Have a final fitting of the wedding
and bridesmaids’ dresses.
• Have a formal portrait done.
• Complete all physical and dental
appointments.
• Get blood test and marriage
license.
• Make transportation arrangements
for the wedding day.
• Purchase gifts for all of your
attendants.
• Purchase gift for your fiancé.
• Keep careful records of the gifts you
receive and write thank-you notes as
you receive them.
• Select responsible person to handle
your guest book
• Make sure that all of the men’s
attire has been ordered.
• Pick up wedding rings and make
sure they fit.
• Take care of legal affairs such as
changing the names on insurance
policies, bank accounts, credit
cards, etc…
• Reconfirm the accommodations for
out-of-town guests.
• Prepare wedding announcements
to be sent to the newspaper.
months
• Finish addressing invitations.
• Prepare wedding vows and
speeches to be made.
• Begin dance lessons or purchase
dance lesson video.
• Finalize all details with the caterer,
photographer, florist, reception
coordinator, musicians, etc…
• Order the wedding cake.
• Order candies for reception.
• Purchase gifts for out-of-town
guests to be left in hotel rooms.
All images by Christy Transier Photography©
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BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
2
weeks
• Plan bachelor and bachelorette
parties.
• Have bridal consultant give you a
copy of the time schedule for your
wedding day. Make any adjustments
or changes immediately.
• Have maid or matron of honor
contact attendants about final
fittings for all participants.
• Arrange to have wedding gifts
moved to your new home.
• Turn in change of address card to
post office if necessary.
• Finish addressing announcements
to be mailed on the wedding day.
• The groom should have his hair cut.
• The bride should have her hair cut
and colored if necessary.
the caterer to put together a food
basket (don’t forget some wedding
cake!) and have it delivered to your
getaway car 30 minutes before you
leave.
• Give the photographer a list of
pictures you would like.
• Give the videographer a list of shots
you would like included in the video.
• Give all musicians the lists of music
for the ceremony and reception.
• Plan the seating arrangements.
• Continue to write Thank-you notes
• Pack your suitcase for the
honeymoon
• Make sure you have your marriage
license
• Make sure that you have your
wedding rings and that they fit.
• Make sure that all wedding attire is
picked up and it fits.
• Reconfirm all honeymoon reservations.
• Make sure that you have your plane
tickets.
1
the day of
week
the wedding
• Contact guests who have not
responded.
• Give the final count to the caterer and
review the details.
• Go over any final details with all
wedding professionals you have hired.
• Give wedding consultant favors and
place cards for reception.
• Give seating chart to wedding
consultant.
• Give seating chart and time schedule
to reception manager.
• Give wedding consultant envelopes
for any payments/tips for vendors
to be handed out on the day of the
wedding.
• Check with wedding consultant to
make sure she will carry a “wedding
day emergency kit” with her at all times.
• Make sure that wedding consultant is
prepared with cell phone, schedules,
and important phone numbers and
vendor contracts.
• Have your wedding consultant tell
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FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
• Give any instructions about the
wedding such as what time
everyone should arrive at the church
for pictures, transportation plan,
reception locations etc…
•
2016
the day
before
• Don’t plan a wild late night party!
• Have the bridesmaids’ luncheon if
you are not having it the day of the
wedding and you haven’t already
had it.
• The bride should have her nails
done.
• Have rehearsal with all participants,
reviewing their duties at least twice.
• Go over special seating or pew
cards with ushers.
• Eat Breakfast!
• Have bridesmaids’ luncheon if you
have not already had it.
• Have wedding consultant carry
fruits veggies and crackers with her
at all times.
• If at all possible, make sure
someone else is driving you to your
morning appointments.
• The bride should have her hair and
make up done.
• Make sure that each of you has the
rings.
• Make sure that you have the
marriage license.
• Place the officiant’s fee in an
envelope and give it to the best
man so he may present it after the
ceremony.
• Relax and enjoy this magical day!

BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
2016
WEDDING DAY INFORMATION
Ceremony site name and address:
Contact name:Contact Phone:
Contact email:Time facility opens:
CEREMONY SCHEDULE
Service
Contact Person
Phone
Arrival
Time
NOTES
Time
NOTES
Florist
Decoration Consultant
Gift Table Attendant
Guest Book Attendant
Musicians
Officiant
Photographer
Rentals Equip & Supplies
Transportation Provider
Videographer
Vocalist
Wedding Consultant
Reception site name and address:
Contact name: Contact Phone:
Contact email:
Time facility opens:
RECEPTION SCHEDULE
Service
Contact Person
Phone
Arrival
Baker
Bartender
Caterer
Florist
Gift Table Attendant
Guest Book Attendant
Musicians
Rental Equip & Supplies
Transportation
Provider
Videographer
Wedding Consultant
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BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
ITEMS & SERVICES
Vendor
Name
Amount
Budgeted
CEREMONY
Site Fee
Marriage License
Officiant’s Fee
Ceremony Fee
Soloist
Aisle Runner, pew décor
Other
STATIONERY
Invitations
Reception Cards
Response Cards
Pew Cards
Announcements
Thank-You Notes
Programs
Postage
Napkins
Personal Stationery
Matches
Guest Book and Pen
Marriage License Holder
Other
WEDDING ATTIRE
Bridal Gown
Press Package
Headpiece & Veil
Shoes & Accessories
Alterations
HAIR & MAKE-UP
Gown Preservation
Grooms Formalwear
Formal Wear Accessories
Other
RINGS
Engagement Ring
Bride’s Ring
Groom’s Ring
GIFTS
Bride’s Gift
Groom’s Gift
Bride’s Attendant Gifts
Groom’s Attendant Gifts
Flowergirl Gift
Ringbearer gift
Officiant
Ceremony Site Coordinator
DÉCOR & FLOWERS
Ceremony Site
Reception Site
Bride’s Flowers
Bridesmaids Bouquets
Groomsmans Boutonnieres
Mother’s and Grandmother’s Corsages
Reception
Site fee
Catering
Liquor/Beverages
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To be
Paid by
Total
Cost
Budgeted
Variance
Deposit
Paid
Balance
Due
Date
Due
✓

BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
ITEMS & SERVICES
Vendor
Name
Amount
Budgeted
To be
Paid by
Total
Cost
Budgeted
Variance
Deposit
Paid
Balance
Due
Date
Due
✓
DÉCOR & FLOWERS
Servers & Bartenders
Site Equipment Rentals
Wedding Cake
Cake Top
Cake Cutting Fee
Groom’s Cake
Band or DJ
Other
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographers Fee
Engagement Photo
Formal Portrait
Package
Album
Extra Pictures
Other
VIDEOGRAPHY
Fee
Extra Copies
Other
ACCOMMODATIONS &
TRANSPORTATION
Attendants Rooms
Bridal Limo
Parents Limo
Parking/Gas
Parking Attendants
Other
BRIDESMAIDS’ LUNCHEON
Site Fee
Catering
Other
REHEARSAL DINNER
Site Fee
Catering
Music
Other
HONEYMOON
Airfare
Accommodations
Spending Money
Passports
Wardrobe
Other
OTHER
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BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
BRIDE’S
GROOM’S
to do checklist
to do checklist
❏ Prepare personal guest list
❏
❏ Add guests from both sets of parents
❏ Ask the father for his blessing
❏ Choose Maid of Honor
❏ Arrange meeting of parents
❏ Choose other attendants
❏ Help bride choose the date
❏ Make travel and honeymoon
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
❏ Shop for gown
Buy the ring!!
reservations
❏ Register for gifts with bride
❏ Schedule haircut 2 weeks before
❏ Plan wedding Ceremony & Reception
(see other detailed list)
wedding
❏ Purchase and wrap bride’s wedding gift
❏ Practice hair and make-up
❏ Purchase and wrap groomsman’s gifts
❏ Register for gifts with groom
❏ Schedule time to obtain marriage
❏ Schedule manicure, pedicure and facial/
massage
license
❏ Look for place to live after the wedding
❏ Purchase groom’s ring
❏ _____________________________________
❏ Purchase and wrap groom’s gift
❏ _____________________________________
❏ Purchase and wrap attendant’s gifts
❏ _____________________________________
❏ Make name and address changes
❏ _____________________________________
❏ Hold bridal luncheon
❏ Thank everyone
❏ Relax and enjoy this magical celebration
❏ _____________________________________
❏ _____________________________________
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2016
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BRIDAL WORKSHEETS
MAID OF
HONOR'S
to do checklist
❏ Assist bride with vendor selection as
needed
❏ Organize bridal shower and
bachelorette party
❏ Confirm delivery date and fittings for
attendant’s dresses
❏ Help address wedding invitations
❏ Help the bride into her gown at fittings
and day of wedding
❏ Straighten and maintain the veil and
train
❏ Hold the bride’s bouquet during the
ceremony
❏ Keep the groom’s wedding band until
the bride calls for it during ceremony
BEST MAN’S
to do checklist
❏ Organize bachelor party (not the night
before the wedding)
❏ Pick up tuxedos
❏ Pay for own tuxedo
❏ Escort maid of honor during ceremony
❏ Hold wedding ring
❏ Act as official witness at marriage license
signing
❏ Distribute fees to clergyman, organist
after ceremony
❏ Act as master of ceremonies at the
reception
❏ Join the receiving line or greet guests
❏ Organize ushers
❏ Join the receiving line or greet guests
❏ Make sure groom is on time
❏ Prepare a toast for the couple
❏ Deliver couple’s luggage to the hotel
❏ Tell parents when the couple is ready to
leave the reception
❏ Help the bride change out of her gown
❏ Take care of the bridal gown and
accessories once the bride has changed.
Give them to the mother of the bride or
deliver them to the bride’s home.
and give room key to groom
❏ Prepare and offer first toast
❏ Return rented formal wear
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FLORIDA KEYS
B R I DA L
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2016 65
Christy Transier Photography©
66
FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
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2016
FLORIDA KEYS
B R I DA L
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2016 67
412456 BT
68
FLORIDA KEYS
BRIDAL
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2016
397731 BT