Elise and Ben at Crystal Plaza

How did you meet?
We met in high school but did not actually start dating until college. We were part of the same group of friends so it was easy to stay in touch, even despite going to different colleges. We did long distance for four years, half of our relationship! No distance can break the bond of true love.

How did you get engaged?
We had recently had a house fire causing us to be out of our house for 6 months. During a much needed trip to Florida to visit the Ben’s parents, they surprised us with a room at the Breakers Palm Beach hotel as a special gift for our recent hardship. When we got to the hotel to check in we decided to take a walk on the beach since our room was not yet ready. Walking along the beach was where he popped the question and then told me the hotel stay was actually planned by him! When we walked back into the lobby his family was waiting to congratulate us and they had decorated our hotel room with flower petals, bridal magazines, and lots of champagne! He had even planned a special dinner for that evening at the hotel’s most romantic restaurant. It was an incredible day!

Details of the day!
Fairytale wedding was our main theme, we wanted our guests to feel as though they were at a royal wedding. The colors were navy and blush pink with gold accents. We love bling so there was certainly no lack of sparkle. What better way to celebrate than with mini champagne favors!

Why did you choose your venue?
When you think of fairytale wedding it is hard to think of anywhere else but Crystal Plaza. The moment we walked into the ballroom and saw the ceiling filled with sparkling chandeliers I knew the venue had all the romantic touches we were looking for. We also fell in love with their garden which was the perfect setting for our ceremony

What was on your menu?
Our wedding menu started with a cocktail hour that certainly did not disappoint with 10 stations including martini and whiskey bars. Our main course menu options were chateau briand, chicken francaise, encrusted salmon, and vegetarian lasagna. Our cake was red velvet cake with cream cheese filling. Our big day ended with a shots bar including jello shot syringes and test tube tequila shots.

All about your gown!
My gown was part of the Love collection by Pnina Tornai purchased at Kleinfelds. It was a strapless ballgown with a sweetheart neck line covered in Swarovski crystals. The bottom had ruffled layers of tulle with shimmering horsehair trim on the layers and down the train. As a lover of bling I knew a Pnina Tornai gown would be the perfect fit for my fairytale day. Once I saw my dress with the sparkling top and shimmery bottom, I knew that it was the one for me. I felt like a princess the moment I put it on.

What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment of the big day has to be the first look. We did our first look before our actual ceremony to ensure we could capture all the photos that we wanted. We did the first look in the gardens of the Crystal Plaza. The garden flowers and the sun shining through the trees set the scene for a very romantic and magical experience. Ben turning around to see me for the first time and the way he looked at me is a moment I will never forget.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
I was super detail orientated about all of the ceremony and reception decor and details, but a very small detail was what made my day complete. I was very close to my grandparents and I wanted a way to remember them on my wedding day. I tied both their wedding rings to my bouquet, and it was such a special feeling to have something of theirs which meant so much to them as I walked down the aisle.

Did anything go wrong?
I woke up the morning of my wedding to every brides’ worst nightmare, a forecast of a 100% chance of rain. Considering it was a summer day, it rained all morning like I have never seen before. However, once we got to Crystal Plaza to do the first look and take photos, the rain had stopped and it was a beautiful sunny day. It remained that way throughout the afternoon allowing us to have the garden ceremony we hoped for. Almost as if it were timed, once all the guests were inside enjoying cocktail hour, it started pouring rain again! Our reception was planned to be indoors so the evening rain didn’t bother us. We had the ideal weather during the exact amount of time we needed it. Someone was watching over us indeed.

First dance song?
Can’t Help Falling in Love, Haley Reinhart version

Any advice for future brides?
Don’t lose sight of really what it is all about! With so many small details and lots of big opinions going into the big day, it is so easy to lose sight of the whole point of the wedding which is LOVE! No matter what the weather forecast, or what small details are forgotten, all that matters is the walk down the aisle to the one you love.