Handmade Heels
Every bride wants her wedding day to be unique, so why not start from the ground up? Step into a pair of fully customized, handcrafted shoes from Shoenvious for your special day. Simply choose a style and heel height, select from 100+ colors and materials, and add a personalized inscription on the sole to commemorate the occasion for you as well as your mother and bridesmaids. The heels are also designed to endure walking down the aisle, greeting relatives, and dancing the night away, so you’re not only going to have a one-of-a-kind look created from hundreds of thousands of options, but you can rest assured that they’ll be as comfortable as can be so you can focus on getting married and being surrounded by loved ones. Prices starting at $300; shoenvious.com/weddings
Find fabulous fall-inspired invitations to help inspire your fête.
Even if your wedding celebration is not an autumnal one, take a look at these incredibly creative invitation suites that are packed with details. Keep in mind that your invite is the introduction to your event, and you’ll want to wow guests as much as you want to set the tone for what’s to come. Be thoughtful when selecting your stationery – from paper quality and font type
Wedding invitation and save the date engraved on hand-deckled stock paper featuring hand-painted watercolor leaves by elizabethgrace.com to added elements such as a custom monogram or artwork inspired by your venue or theme. Whether you are seeking out understated personalization through an online site or complete customization where you personally work with a professional to bring your vision to life, this group of stationers offers a wide range of techniques and skills that will inspire your own suite.
“Sara and Henry” custom letterpressed invitation with laser-cut elements and foil stamping by atelierisabey.com
Minimal collection semi-custom save-the-date card with foil printing by nicetystudio.com
Invitation featuring a simple typographic design letterpress printed onto biodegradable wildflower seed paper and floral-lined envelope by
lumacapaper.com
Consider great registry advice from one recently married couple.
Flexibility matters. “Nothing is necessarily set in stone, so don’t sweat the big decisions, and let that pressure roll off your back.”
Research retailers. “Be sure the stores provide items you love as well as features and policies that work well for you.”
Think outside the box. “Consider adding romantic honeymoon activities to the list – or even big-ticket items that you completely fall in love with.”
While in the midst of planning their exquisite wedding day in Ojai, California, Brenna (née Bloom) and Alex Cascante also began their wish-list adventure. “Like a lot of couples, Alex and I had a ton of items from our previous, separate lives that came together under one roof when we moved in,” Brenna explains. “We ultimately knew that when we got the chance to register, we would be able to replace some items, as well as register for things we always wanted.”
The couple heeded advice given to them before attending their appointment to register in-store at Gearys Beverly Hills: Take a deep breath. “It will be super overwhelming at first, but the more you dive into the experience, the more fun, exciting, and beneficial it will be!” encourages Brenna. “I love to see the color and the quality of things in person, so being able to physically touch and feel the pieces was huge for me. Not to mention that Salome, our registry consultant, was amazingly knowledgeable, kind, and able to offer all sorts of insight.” Brenna and Alex selected gorgeous fine china and
“It will be super overwhelming at first, but the more you dive into the experience, the more fun, exciting,
and beneficial it will be!”
Raynaud “Tresor Fleuri” coupe
plate flat, $205; Gearys
Towle “Wave” 20-piece flatware set (service for 4), $116; Zola
De’Longhi Nespresso Expert espresso machine, $329; Zola glassware, settling on mixing and matching pieces from different designers and brands to curate the perfect style.
For Zola, registering online was the only option, and the bride was happy to take the lead on this one. “It almost felt like online shopping, which I am particularly good at,” she smiles. “The customer service at Zola was also wonderful.” At this retailer, Brenna focused on choosing everyday items, such as cookware and baking ware, as well as other more casual household items.
Feeling very fortunate for the generosity of their loved ones, Brenna and Alex also share they are extremely happy with their retailer choices. “I feel like both options were able to not only give us the experiences and items that we wanted, but they also allowed our guests to have a very wide selection of gifts at different price points,” adds the bride. “I would tell other couples to really just enjoy the time together selecting pieces for your future… take the pressure off of yourselves and have fun with it!”
Haviland “Plumes” gold bread-and-butter plate, $66; Gearys
FAST FACTS
“Italy has everything we were looking for – great food, good sightseeing, and a romantic atmosphere,” confirms Luri. Access Italy – the travel agency that organized the couple’s itinerary and specializes in highly customized travel plans – recommended Baglioni Relais Santa Croce in Florence for their first three nights. “The service was fantastic, the architecture was beautiful, and we appreciated the quiet nature,” Luri confirms. Their Italian adventure began with a guided walking tour to discover Florence’s history and see Michelangelo’s David sculpture at Galleria dell’Accademia. The highlight, however, was their private cooking class. They met their instructor for cappuccinos before visiting a local market to choose ingredients for the four-course meal. “This was a day we will never forget,” remembers Chris. Cuisine recommendations include gelato at Vivoli and dinner at Golden
View Open Bar, which offers a delicious Florentine steak and a gorgeous view of the Ponte Vecchio.
Their next stop was Borgo Santo Pietro for two nights to experience Tuscany’s wine, food, and scenery. “It was one of the most serene places of our honeymoon,” reminisces Luri. They dined at two of the property’s restaurants, which incorporate ingredients from the adjacent farm: First, Trattoria sull’Albero, designed around an oak tree, with “the best pizza!” Luri notes. Second, Michelin-starred Meo Modo. “Each meal looked like a piece of art – it was too pretty to eat!” she muses. To see more of the region, they took a driving tour of Montepulciano, as well as the Val d’Orcia valley’s Pienza and Montalcino, where they visited Podere Le Ripi for a private wine tasting. “At each town, our guide Fabrizio would drop us off at the top and pick us up at the bottom, as we were left to wander at our own pace,” shares Luri.
As Luri and Chris had never been to Rome, visiting Italy’s capital was a must. Their close friends were also taking their honeymoon at the same time, so they coordinated a “buddymoon.” “We got to spend all three days in Rome together, which was so much fun!” exclaims Luri. Ideally located near all the attractions, The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, Autograph Collection was home base. “It also has an awesome rooftop bar, which was perfect for watching sunsets and having pre-dinner drinks,” adds Chris. They enjoyed espresso at Roscioli Caffè, seafood at Pierluigi, and traditional Roman dishes at Ristorante Tullio and Taverna Trilussa. For gelato, they recommend Giolitti – “There’s usually a line, but it’s worth it!” hints Luri. To make the most of their time in “The Eternal City,” an eight-hour private tour of the major sites – including the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps – arranged by Access Italy gave them a luxurious insider experience. “A big highlight was getting priority entrance to the Colosseum and stepping on the stage where gladiators fought,” Luri admits. Their final day included visits to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, “which were all breathtakingly beautiful,” she marvels.
After nonstop sightseeing, two nights at Capri Palace were appreciated. They relaxed at the pool and frequented Il Riccio Beach Club. “It’s located on a cliff overlooking the water and has such a fun, chic vibe,” recalls Luri. So delicious they dined there twice, Michelin-rated Il Riccio was a top choice for seafood, as well as dessert in the on-site Temptation Room. “For someone with a big sweet tooth like me, it’s a dream come true,” Luri smiles. While on the island, they traveled by rowboat to the famous Blue Grotto sea cave, had gelato at Gelateria Buonocore, took a chairlift up to Monte Solaro, and traversed the Gardens of Augustus overlooking the Faraglioni islands. For their last night, dinner at Da Paolino Restaurant beneath lemon trees was everything they desired. “It was so beautiful and romantic, and the lemon ravioli was delicious!” affirms Luri.
Luri and Chris experienced la bella vita on the Amalfi Coast, starting with one night at Le Sirenuse in Positano. “This hotel is just as magical as it looks,” reveals Luri. Dinner at Michelin-starred La Sponda was a dream come true for the couple. “To paint a picture, the restaurant is illuminated with hundreds of candles and you’re overlooking the Mediterranean while Andrea and Franco serenade you at your table,” illustrates Luri.
Wanting to spend their final two nights somewhere especially romantic, the newlyweds chose Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello. “The hotel itself is a piece of art… the view from our room was absolutely breathtaking!” raves Luri, also noting the impeccable service they received from the moment they arrived. Savoring their final days together in Italy, the newlyweds lounged on their private terrace, explored the town of Ravello by foot, and enjoyed their last day on a private boat excursion. “Our skipper Gian Carlo greeted us with Prosecco and took us all around the Amalfi Coast,” shares Luri of the experience, which included lunch at La Conca del Sogno on Nerano Bay and stops to swim and explore hidden grottos. “It was the perfect place to end our trip,” Chris notes.
Luri and Chris confirm their extraordinary honeymoon experience is owed to the Access Italy team, who arranged all of their hotels, activities, reservations, and transportation, and also acted as a concierge once they arrived. “Everything was seamless, and it really allowed us to enjoy our time in Italy without worrying about a thing,” recommends Luri. “We had the best time of our lives!”