Heather and Michael’s ballroom ceremony and reception at the Ritz was inspired by the warm glow of the venue’s infamous chandeliers. As Heather explains, “It was the perfect mix of romantic, modern and ethereal.” With chandelier-style center-pieces, mirrored boxes, endless flowers and candles and table linens in shades of ivory and white, today’s featured wedding is the perfect dream scape fit for a majestic crystal garden fairytale! Enjoy and don’t miss this couple’s stunning and unique chuppah!
Heather + Michael | February 11, 2012 | Ritz Carlton, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place in one of the ballrooms at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, home of the most beautiful and outrageous chandeliers. To accompany the crystals, we had a gorgeous Chuppah made of branches, flowers, and tiny lanterns, designed to give a garden feel. The aisle was lined on either side with mirrored rectangular boxes. They had a shallow pool of water on top with lit candles. I chose them because they were so different and gave the room an extra warm glow. It was a perfect mix of romantic, modern and ethereal.
The Reception
First, our cocktail hour took place in the area outside of the main ballroom. It is somewhat of a large hallway, lined with candle-lit windows, over-looking the ocean. Then, the party…where do I begin? The room itself, with the chandeliers was so beautiful. I wanted to keep the feeling elegant and clean. I had two different linens on the tables, both sequenced with shades of ivory and white. I chose a combination of three different centerpieces, two high and one low. The two high centerpieces were different chandeliers with floral arrangements on top and the low was a miniature-mirrored box with flowers and candles. My flowers were orchids, hydrangea, peonies, and roses, also in shades of ivory and white. The mirrored boxes from the ceremony lined the border between the band and the dance floor. It was a real bonus to be able to re-use them! We also custom ordered our dance floor. It was white with our monogram in black. It really tied all of the elements of the room together and made the room look like a dream. The evening was truly magical from beginning to end!
Heather’s Dress Search
Although I went dress shopping with an open mind, I have loved Monique Lhuillier’s dresses for years. I loved how romantic and whimsical they were and couldn’t wait to see if one would look good on me. In the end, I just couldn’t find a Monique dress that looked good. In fact, I really couldn’t find any dress that looked good! I was beginning to panic until I went to Vera Wang. I narrowed down my options to the final two dresses to try on for my parents. When I walked out in my dress, they literally both gasped. That was it. I knew I had found my wedding dress!
How Heather Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Beautiful, Romantic and Ethereal
Why Heather Decided To Sell Her Wedding Dress
I love my wedding dress so much and if I could get away with wearing it again, I would! But I know that I won’t ever wear it again. If I keep it, it will sit in a box, tucked away in a closet forever. That just seems like a waste to me. If I can sell it and help a bride buy the dress of her dreams, then I have a real win, win. I will always have the pictures and the memories of the dress.
