Hollis channeled her inner Cinderella for a fairy-tale beach wedding on St Croix

How many of you out there spent your childhood dreaming of being a Disney Princess and planning your fairytale wedding to your Prince Charming?  Well now you can make that fantasy a reality with Disney’s new line of princess-inspired wedding gowns by Alfred Angelo. 

• The treasures of the sea inspired Ariel’s gown. The mermaid silhouette features re-embroidered lace, pearl beading, and sequin sparkles.  [add to that the beautiful backdrop of the Caribbean Sea and  you've made our "Little Mermaid" fantasy a reality!]
• Aurora/Sleeping Beauty’s gown is romantic with a dreamy, willowy skirt for this slumbering princess.
• Belle’s wedding dress, with a draped waistline is inspired by the iconic ballroom dance scene from the film and focuses on making a grand entrance.
• Cinderella’s gown radiates with sparkle as its inspiration is the fairy tale’s enchanted glass slipper.
• Jasmine’s wedding dress conveys freedom and individuality and as a result her shimmering soft satin gown is exotic with a bejeweled neckline and low cut back.
• Snow White’s dress is inspired by nature, beauty and grace like the Disney Princess character herself.
• The regal, one-shoulder taffeta gown for our newest princess, Tiana, reflects her independent spirit with an asymmetric bodice and ruched skirt.

I often have brides ask me if its appropriate to wear a full gown for a beach wedding and I say YES, YES, YES!  In fact, the majority of my brides wear long gowns on the beach.  I do, however, have a few tips that go along with that decision:

• When choosing your dress, be mindful of the train.  Long, flowing trains with a lot of lace will tend to pick up “hitch hikers” (bits of flotsam and jetsam) on the beach as you walk down the aisle.  They can also snag on small sticks and bits of coral or rock, so I don’t recommend having a long and lacy train or veil.
• You WILL get hot in the tropics.  Consider having a second, lighter dress on-hand to change into after the formalities are over.  Keep it in the bridal theme and have fun with it.  Think fun and flirty white cocktail dress with sequins or choose a gown with a single-layer of breathable fabric.  This is also a great way to signal a transition in the evening to your guests – from the formal aspects to the full-on “party down” mode!
• Be kind to your groom and bridal party!  While it may be your life-long dream to wear a long formal gown, its probably not theirs.  Choose bridesmaid dresses that are tea or cocktail length with halter, spaghetti strap or strapless necklines.  Choose natural fabrics like linen or cotton and avoid synthetics.  J. Crew has a fantastic line of affordable dresses great for the beach.    Be sure that you and your bridesmaids bring bathing suits that match the neckline of your dress to avoid tell-tale tan lines!
• For your groom and his guys choose short sleeved Guyabera’s (traditional linen embroidered Latin wedding shirts) or light-weight suits.  By taking the time to think about the comfort of your royal subjects, you will truly be a fairy-tale princess to them!

This past summer May bride Hollis made her princess wedding dreams come true with her island destination wedding!  Though she had actually considered a Disney wedding in Florida, she and her now husband’s love of St Croix won out.  Inspired by her love of Disney princesses Belle and Cinderella, we worked together to create a fairy-tale beach wedding fit for royalty.

• The bride channeled her inner Cinderella with an ivory gown with full skirt, beaded bodice and large bow in the back.
• The ceremony aisle was lined with pink bougainvillea in conch shells and bunches of greenery that led up to romantic topiaries giving the beach a royal feel.  Bows of Loden green bichon silk added the final touch.
• The flowers by Antilles Lilies had a whimsical, fantasy feel with purple and green spider mums, large pink stargazer lilies and red roses.
• The reception décor was given a royal flair with rented gold Chiavari chairs and gilded gold chargers.  Dining tables were set with ivory linen and cocktail tables adorned with Loden silk clothes and red ties added the final touch.
• The bride carried the theme into her musical selections, dancing with her father to “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman (an absolutely beautiful choice for a father-daughter dance for any wedding!)
• Since they married on Cinco-de-Mayo we added in a little nod to the holiday serving Margheritas and chips and salsa!

Most every lady has been there – either as a bridesmaid dealing with a bridezilla, or as a bride disappointed by an uninvolved, unenthused bridesmaid. Neither party is necessarily to blame, but when the most important day in a girl’s life is at stake, the pressure is on for everyone to smile and everything to run smoothly. Miscommunication, false expectations, and feelings of burden or obligation, can call lead to shaky situations within bridal parties.

I have heard countless horror stories . . . I had a friend so embarrassed by her bridesmaid dress, that she carried a cocktail dress in her purse to change into the moment professional wedding photos were finished. A friend of a friend who was a graduate student at the time, had to set-up a yearlong payment plan with the bride’s family to repay them for the designer bridesmaid dress chosen for her by the bride. It goes without saying that in both these cases, the bride and bridesmaid were not the best of friends after the wedding.

As a recent bride and event planner turned wedding professional, I thought I would share some ideas on how to keep everyone happy and foster even stronger friendships after the wedding.

How brides can make their bridesmaids happy . . .

For my wedding in St Croix earlier this year, I included bridal party accommodations in my wedding budget. Footing the bill for a bridal suite not only lessened my bridesmaids’ travel expenses, but provided a slumber party-like environment for us to bond. On my wedding day, I offered to pay for a manicure or pedicure for each bridesmaid, so that we could get ready together in the resort spa.

Before the big day, I decided to make the dreaded bridesmaid dress a pleasant experience for all. I chose a fabric and color and let my bridesmaids choose the design of their dress through Aria. The cost of the dresses also came from my wedding budget. I had the dresses shipped directly to my bridesmaids, so that they could have them tailored to their liking. Since our ceremony was barefoot on the beach, I suggested a shoe type and color for the reception, and let my bridesmaids choose a pair from their closet collections. I made my bridesmaid gift their accessory, a hammered silver hook bracelet from Sonya’s Limited, the local company that originally began crafting the traditional island bracelet more than 40 years ago.

But the single most important thing I did as a bride to keep my bridesmaids happy was hire a wedding coordinator. SunCelebrations, the company I now coordinate with, executed my plans and took care of everything on my wedding day so that my bridesmaids and I could just relax and enjoy. In previous experiences as a bridesmaid, I had done everything from bleach outdoor chairs in the heat, to run last-minute beauty errands in the snow. I did not want my bridesmaids setting-up my ceremony or doing any of the dirty work (especially since they were on vacation too). Hiring a wedding coordinator was essential to keeping my wedding party happy.

What it takes to be a bridesmaid that remains friends with the bride after her wedding . . .

First and foremost, only say “yes” to a bride’s request to be a bridesmaid if you truly want to be a part of her big day. Particularly in situations where you’re a cousin or distant relative of the bride, you have the right to say “no thank you” upfront in a tasteful manner. Consider before agreeing if you really have the time and money necessary to devote to the wedding.

To maintain your sanity during stressful or frustrating times, remember that being a bridesmaid is an honor. By asking you to be part of her wedding, the bride is acknowledging that you have made a significant impact on her life. There are likely a handful of her family members and friends that are jealous they were not asked to be bridesmaids.

To not break the bank as a bridesmaid, consider making a gift for the bride. The couple will be overwhelmed with store-bought gifts from their wedding registries, so a handmade gift will stand out in a positive way. The most meaningful gift I received as a bride was a wedding keepsake box from my maid of honor. She simply covered a hat box with magazine cutouts of phrases and photos related to my wedding. The thought and time she put into it meant so much to me.

To keep the bride happy, try to plan ahead for a stress-free wedding day. Plan for the bridal party to get pedicures together at a spa, or participate in a calming activity like a yoga class. Surprise the bride with fruit and champagne to celebrate before the ceremony.

To stay organized, try creating an inbox folder for all wedding-related e-mails the bride and fellow bridesmaids send you. Put mailed invitations on your fridge so that you don’t have to bug the bride for times or directions on days of wedding events, like bridal showers.

Regarding the bridesmaid dress, try to happily wear whatever the bride asks you to. It boils down to a few hours wearing a dress you never have to wear again. Every guest is aware that your dress was the bride’s choice, so they will not judge you if it is a train wreck. Afterward, give your bridesmaid dress to a local Glass Slipper Project that recycles formals for girls to wear at school dances, who could not otherwise afford them. Just in case the bride ever asks, you gave the bridesmaid dress to a good cause.

In the end remember . . .

Brides: Don’t get caught-up in the silly details. Focus your attention on what your wedding is all about – you and your fiancé committing your lives to one another.

Bridesmaids: It is only one day, so just give it to the bride and enjoy.