Wedding Chicks

Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting Every couple hears it eventually: some version of “Well, that’s just how it’s done…” A relative insists on a receiving line or a friend swears by the bouquet toss. Wedding advice has a funny way of sticking around long after it stops making sense, passed down like tradition rather than habit. And while every wedding is its own day, shaped by the couple’s style, budget, and priorities, some pieces of conventional wisdom no longer hold up.

From the beginning, Lexie and Nick knew they wanted their wedding to feel like more than one special day. Instead, they envisioned a Key West getaway where their closest friends and family could leave everyday life behind, settle into island time, and celebrate with them for an entire weekend. That vision came to life with help from Destination Wedding Studio when 150 guests traveled to the island, and the festivities seemed to begin almost as soon as everyone arrived.

Long before New York City became home, Franca and Anthony were high school students who met through mutual friends. Years later, after more than a decade of building a life in NYC, the city became the setting for both their engagement and the wedding that would bring their story full circle. Anthony proposed on an October evening in Central Park, choosing Bow Bridge surrounded by the colors of fall. Afterward, the two celebrated over dinner at Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel.

Venue: The Venue at Oakdale Wedding Planner: Shingleur Events Catering: Vibrant Occasions Catering DJ: DJ Jelly Bean with Central Arkansas Entertainment Florist: Tanarah Luxe Floral Rentals: Eventology Hair & Makeup: Audrey Moran with The Hair Co Videographer: Nouvel Photo & Film Photographer: Lela and Lyla Wedding Dress Store: Inverness Bridal Cake: Michelle Mayer Vinyl Dance Floor & Photo Booth: Central Arkansas Entertainment

As the world began reopening after COVID, Megan and Owen met for drinks at Anton’s in New York City’s West Village. Megan had a feeling the date was going well when Owen invited her to join a party with all of his friends afterward, and from that night forward, the two were inseparable. Two years later, they moved in together on the Upper West Side. In August 2024, Owen proposed on the beach in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, a place that had become deeply meaningful throughout their relationship.

Living in Dubai and originally from the UK, Nicky and James chose Greece as the meeting point for a destination wedding that would bring together family and friends from around the world. Pyrgos Melissourgou, with its romantic castle architecture and surrounding Greek landscape, offered a setting that could feel elevated without sacrificing the relaxed spirit they wanted for the weekend.

Bri and Dom’s story started in a somewhat unconventional place for a future couple: Nordstrom. They met while working at the retailer in Southern California in the summer of 2017, when Bri was overseeing the men’s division and actually hired Dom to join her team selling men’s clothing. Five years later, Dom proposed on their anniversary at The Montage in Laguna Beach. He suspected Bri would never expect a proposal on such a predictable date, and his strategy worked.

As fun as it should be, planning a bachelorette party can seem overwhelming while you’re already in the middle of planning a wedding, a rehearsal dinner, and everything else in between. So let us plan it for you! We’ve been rewatching our comfort show, Sex And The City, and we couldn’t help but think how cute a SATC bach party in NYC would be. So here is your perfect NYC bachelorette party itinerary… Friday, you all arrive at your hotel, The Manner.

Olivia and Matt’s relationship felt certain almost from the moment it began. The two met on Hinge and planned their first date at a cocktail bar in Chicago, where Olivia found herself texting her friends mid-date about how much she liked Matt. Meanwhile, Matt was attempting to play it cool, privately convinced Olivia was out of his league. Within just a couple of months, conversations about marriage had already begun.

When it came time to choose a wedding destination, Dylan and Ella found much of their inspiration already waiting for them at Casa Hyder. The San Miguel de Allende property was colorful, maximalist, and filled with character, offering the perfect starting point for a destination wedding that would eventually become an all-out fiesta. Their palette actually began with an unexpected detail.