Your Journey To A More Beautiful Beginning

weddings are more than a day — they are a collection of moments, emotions and details that tell a unique love story. In this special section, Palm Beach Brides celebrates the beauty, creativity and heart behind today’s weddings in our community and beyond.

From breathtaking gowns and expert advice to inspiring real weddings, local venues and the talented professionals who bring it all to life, this section is your guide to planning a celebration that is as meaningful as it is memorable.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or putting the final touches on your big day, we hope these pages inspire you, inform you and remind you that every bride deserves to feel confident, beautiful and truly celebrated.

 Because every love story deserves a beautiful beginning.

SAME BEAUTIFUL PLACE. A BRIGHTER TOMORROW, TOGETHER.

Behind The Seams With Bacio Bacio Seamstress Olga Jimenez

By Fiona Slusarev

Amid a jungle of taffeta, tulle, lace and silk, every bride hunts for her perfect gown. But once she finds it, there is a moment when it goes from the dress to her dress. Only the skilled hands of a seamstress can create this transformation with every stitch, gusset and seam she sews.

Olga Jimenez of Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique took us “behind the seams” to the secret world of wedding dress fittings to show us how she creates stunning gowns that match each bride’s unique vision. From the first fitting with meticulous measurements, to the hours spent shaping, pinning and refining, wedding dress alterations require patience and passion in every step.

No bride dreams of an almost-perfect wedding day or dress: Every detail has weight when the end result must be flawless. Each pleat, lace appliqué and gem is laid with precision. Tiny adjustments can completely change how a bride feels when she looks in the mirror. Perfection is not just an ideal, it is a requirement.

Jimenez has spent the last two decades honing her craft at Bacio Bacio, but she was originally drawn to sewing as a young girl who wanted to add something special to the identical dresses her mother handmade for her and her sister. She made her first outfit at 12 years old and went to college to study fashion design in Colombia.

For Jimenez, wedding dress alterations are something that she cherishes. She gets to be a part of the magic of one of the most important days in people’s lives. Every day is different, with each individual bride who walks through the boutique doors bringing her own unique vision and dream for her wedding day.

“I’m always proud to help brides make their dreams come true,” Jimenez said.

The first fitting is usually around six weeks before the wedding. Jimenez checks in with the bride-to-be to discuss what her goals are for the dress and to make sure she is completely happy. The bride puts on her dress, while wearing the shoes that she’ll walk down the aisle in, so the fit can be perfectly tailored from the top of the bodice all the way to the bottom hem.

“You feel more confident because the dress, like if it’s a little tight or loose, or if there are any specific changes that are going to be made, it is going to be more you,” Jimenez explained.

Jimenez starts with the hem and creates the bustle, the series of hooks and snaps that hold the train after the ceremony, so brides can walk and dance with ease; each bustle is different depending on the style of the dress and height of the bride. She estimated that at least 98 percent of brides need alterations to the hem and bustle. With that complete, she works her way up, polishing the fit at each seam.

Sometimes brides want to customize their dress further, by adding or taking away sleeves and straps, changing the neckline or creating boleros. Each bride wants something different. Some want something modest, while others want to highlight their curves. With her experience, Jimenez can accommodate the many changes that brides request.

“I always have in my mind that this is not just a dress. It is her wedding gown. That makes a huge difference,” Jimenez said.

The second fitting is around two weeks before the wedding to ensure that everything is still perfect and the bride loves the changes. Jimenez noted that while most brides only require two fittings, some rare occasions may necessitate three or four. If a bride is not local, Jimenez is even able to work her magic overnight, so brides can fly home with their gorgeous gown as quickly as possible.

“To me, the most important is the bride. Because if you feel pretty, that will reflect on the people around you. You are the star — the brightest star,” Jimenez said.

It takes at least eight hours for the alterations for one dress; a time frame that can increase rapidly with gowns that have more detail or lace. According to Jimenez, all the tiny details of a wedding dress that often go unnoticed are actually what makes it special.

“I do my work with love. When you love what you do, it’s never boring,” Jimenez noted.

For her, the most rewarding part of wedding dress alterations is helping the brides be happy on their wedding days. Jimenez feels like a mother to all the brides and just wants to see them smile when they put on their dresses. This is why she spends hours perfectly mirroring lace on each side of the gown, doing last-minute alterations should a bride’s weight fluctuate, working with family heirloom dresses that have fragile fabric and delicate lace, and going the extra mile for each bride.

“All the dresses are special,” Jimenez said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple dress, a short dress or a long dress. It’s simple: It’s her wedding gown, so that means it’s very special. It’s unique.”

After the pins are removed, joining the needle in the pincushion, a seamstress’s work is carried forward not only in a perfectly fitted gown but also as a piece of the dream wedding that she helped the bride bring to life. Though a seamstress’s efforts happen quietly, after the doors to the showroom are shut and brides-to-be have gone home, the impact of her work will live in the bride’s memories for decades to come.

Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique is located in the Kobosko’s Crossing plaza at 9160 Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 792-6111 or visit www.baciobacio.com.

Jessica’s story is one of those that reminds us how meaningful a wedding gown can truly be. She chose to honor her mother by having her mom’s wedding dress thoughtfully modified, and then wearing it for her reception. It wasn’t simply about wearing a beautiful dress — it was about carrying a piece of her mother’s story into a new chapter of her own. Showcasing Olga’s incredible talent to transform something already filled with so much history and emotion into a gown that felt uniquely Jessica was incredibly touching.

— Amy Panzer, Bridal Stylist

20 Years At Bacio Bacio Bridal Celebrating A Milestone Anniversary

Story By Fiona Slusarev  |  PHOTO BY Palm Beach Creative

Beyond the swaths of silk, plumes of organza and miles of delicate lace, brides-to-be walking into Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique in Wellington are greeted with genuine warmth and exceptional service. For two decades, the boutique has helped brides bring their dream weddings to life.

Owner Lenyce Boyd opened the doors to Bacio Bacio in 2006, determined to create a warm and inviting space for brides to find their perfect dress away from the commercial feel of huge retail stores. For the last 20 years, Bacio Bacio has been each bride’s partner in finding a gown that makes her feel confident, beautiful and ready for one of life’s most unforgettable moments.

As a full-service boutique, Boyd and her team support the bride, beginning with her first appointment, and all the way through to her wedding day. They’re not simply selling a dress and sending a bride on her way; they provide a personalized style consultation, in-house alterations, veil selections, ongoing guidance and support, and an additional concierge option, where a team member goes to the venue on the wedding day to help with all dressing needs and small emergency repairs.

“We’re a one-stop partner for the entire bridal journey, not a single transaction,” Boyd said.

On the day of the bride-to-be’s appointment, she can expect to be welcomed warmly and invited into a private fitting room with space for three to five of her accompanying guests. Service is never one size fits all, and the bride’s personality and culture shapes the consultation. Once inside, she’ll chat with a Bacio Bacio team member about the wedding venue, season, budget and styles of gowns that have caught her eye. Based on this vision, the stylist curates a selection of dresses for the bride to try on.

“The appointment is an unhurried two-hour personal experience focused on helping her feel celebrated, not sold to,” Boyd explained.

Boyd recommends that brides start this selection process between 9 to 12 months before the wedding because designer gowns commonly take four to six months to arrive, and extra time will be needed for the alteration process, which usually commences around four to six weeks before the wedding date.

Over the 20 years of serving brides across Palm Beach County, Bacio Bacio has developed a tried-and-true method for matching brides with their perfect gowns. First, they determine what features will complement a bride’s figure and flatter her features so she will feel her most beautiful. Then the stylist is influenced by the bride’s vision and inspiration. An array of gowns are presented that incorporate the bride’s ideals with styles that enhance her natural elegance.

“Our goal is to translate her dream into the silhouette that flatters her, and she sees her own beauty shine through,” Boyd said.

Throughout the years, Bacio Bacio has stayed at the forefront of bridal design by attending Chicago and Atlanta bridal markets, as well as keeping an eye on European bridal trends. The carefully selected designers that the boutique carries — Justin Alexander, Calla Blanche, Eddy K, Madi Lane and Elissar — offer seasonal previews and incorporate worldwide trends.

Boyd has noticed that with the rise of social media, like Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram, brides now tend to arrive with plenty of inspiration, even before they set foot in the boutique. She has seen a shift toward structured silhouettes, mixed laces, dramatic sleeves and modest necklines. As an industry overall, she has noted a greater emphasis on sustainability and size inclusivity.

“Right now, I’m especially drawn to detachable sleeves, structured bodices, basque waistlines and styles with an old-world look of all-lace ballgowns paired with a delicate mantilla lace veil,” Boyd detailed.

While the styles and silhouettes of wedding gowns have ebbed and flowed across the years, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the personalized service where “brides feel like people, not customers,” Boyd stressed. More than just the right dress, brides remember the atmosphere of where they found their gown and how they felt through the experience.

“Trends come and go, but trust and genuine care never go out of style,” she said. “Brides remember how they were treated. Longevity comes from consistency and honesty.”

This commitment to serving brides as individuals, not as customers, has created a legacy of trust in Bacio Bacio. Each bride that enters the boutique can feel the connection and deep care that the team provides. The stylists, seamstresses and concierge staff are honored to help brides on their journey toward the very personal selection of a wedding gown.

“We want every bride to leave feeling seen, celebrated and confident — like she was truly cared for, not processed. The goal is that she remembers the feeling of finding her dress as much as the dress itself,” Boyd said.

Whether a bride needs some minor alterations at the seams, or she wants to completely create sleeves and an overskirt, Bacio Bacio can bring her fantasies to life. With staff that has been there for years, and an exceptional seamstress who has made brides happy for 20 years, almost every element of a gown — adjusting straps or necklines, adding sleeves or straps, cups and boning — can be customized.

The experienced team even goes the extra mile to help diffuse the possibility of tension with an opinionated entourage by offering two appointments: A bride brings one or two of her most-trusted confidants to select a dress, followed by a “reveal” where the bride shows her complete entourage the dress and celebrates with a champagne toast.

With 20 years of wisdom under her belt, Boyd believes that brides should try to go to fittings with an open mind, since a dress on Pinterest or on the hanger can be completely different once tried on. They should remember to trust the process and the stylists. “Sometimes the gown that is ultimately loved the most is nothing like what they thought they’d love,” Boyd said.

Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique is located in the Kobosko’s Crossing shopping plaza at 9160 Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 792-6111 or visit www.baciobacio.com.

The Wellington National Golf Club Team Helps Create Unforgettable Events

BY PATRICK SHERRY

For every event you may want to plan — weddings, other family celebrations, nonprofit events and more — the staff at the Wellington National Golf Club can provide dining that you and your guests will always remember. At the club, food and beverages are part of the experience itself, giving attendees unforgettable memories with exquisite cuisine.

Food & Beverage Director Briana Jones works behind the scenes in preparing and executing all events that happen at the Wellington National Golf Club. The staff’s full-service approach to planning makes the venue the perfect setting for every occasion. All events, from weddings to quinceañeras, are tailored to the visions of the customers with the goal of making it better than what they imagined.

“At Wellington National, we offer not only beautiful amenities and a beautiful venue, but we also have the staff to provide a memorable experience and to ensure that the event is running smoothly from A to Z,” Jones said.

The club’s kitchen staff helps create a wide variety of event packages that allow clients to step outside the box with dining options. Jones noted that the available live-action stations are popular at weddings because of how it adds an interactive element to the gathering. At these live-action stations, chefs prepare made-to-order dishes in front of guests, serving specialty meals from a personalized stir fry to handmade pasta.

Jones personally works with clients to build menus around preferred entrées and sides. Her team is even able to create accommodations for foods or beverages that are not normally part of standard event packages. Chefs at the club have experience serving menu items that are meaningful to clients’ cultural tastes and curating menus around them.

She explained that executing the vision, combined with providing interactive options, makes the experience especially enjoyable for guests. These efforts have led the club to attract more clients who have attended events there.

“For any event that you do, having something memorable and interactive is something that’s going to stay in the minds of every guest,” Jones said. “Whenever we have a live action station, or we have a food option that is not normally easily accessible, I think that many guests are impressed by that.”

Close to the community’s storied equestrian areas, the club sits on 127 acres of golf course land in western Wellington. Its event spaces are designed for elegance, with indoor venues and outdoor settings that provide a beautiful atmosphere for any celebration or gathering. For weddings, Wellington National provides gorgeous options for both ceremonies and receptions.

“Wellington National is the perfect spot, not only location-wise, but also I think that we are very fair with our pricing compared to many of the other clubs within this area as well,” Jones said.

The planning team is what helps bring these events to life. They work with clients at every step to ensure that the details are perfect. Jones believes that the staff’s meticulous planning is what allows them to deliver excellent service. They meet regularly and keep communication high to make sure things are moving smoothly.

“Everybody here is able to put one foot forward for whatever any client may need,” Jones said.

On the day of an event, her team coordinates almost everything to keep guests happy and to stay on track. Throughout the process, Jones ensures that she is giving clients her undivided attention, which she believes shows that everything will be executed and handled properly.

“The biggest challenge is being unprepared… not having clear, concise directions, and not knowing what’s really going on,” she said. “Whenever a situation like that pops up, I make sure that I go to the person in charge and get clear, concise directions so that we can move forward and fix whatever hiccups are happening — and then ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”

Jones encourages anyone interested in holding an event to come in for a chat. Her team is equipped to make every client’s dream event come true.

“Giving somebody exactly what they want is almost a bare minimum,” she said. “When you go above and beyond, and you give them something unexpected, that’s memorable to them. It shows that you truly care about the client and that you truly want them to have a memorable experience.”

The Wellington National Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive. To learn more about event offerings, e-mail eventsales@wellingtonnationalgolf.com or find them online at www.wellingtonnationalgolfclub.com/events.

Wellington Florist Hosts Second Annual Vendor Open House

Wellington Florist hosted its second annual Vendor Open House in August, bringing together wedding and event professionals from across South Florida for an evening centered around intentional networking, creative collaboration and inspiration.

For the evening, Wellington Florist transformed its flagship store into a curated wedding floral showcase, offering guests an immersive look at the floral trends, color palettes and design aesthetics shaping the 2026-27 wedding season.

The evening was a true collaboration between owner J.P. Varvarigos, Director of Events Heather Arney, Production Manager Shelby Blackmon and Assistant Design Manager Christine LaManna, whose combined vision showcased the depth and creativity of Wellington Florist’s Wedding & Events Department.

One of the evening’s defining themes was clear: Couples are not afraid of color.

From vibrant tropical hues to soft, organic garden-inspired palettes, the showcased designs reflect a growing desire for weddings that feel personal, expressive and anything but ordinary.

Blackmon’s serpentine-style table embraced a playful, monochromatic tropical aesthetic, featuring a vibrant collection of premium blooms arranged with an abundance of color and movement. In contrast, LaManna’s “Vintage Italian Garden” inspired King’s Table captured an effortless, earthy elegance, pairing lush florals with an old-world sensibility and romantic garden charm.

Complementing and elevating both floral designs were luxury tabletop rentals from Different Look Rentals, owned by Monica Festinger. The carefully selected tabletop pieces demonstrated how thoughtfully layered rentals can transform a floral design into a fully realized tablescape.

“Creating strong partnerships with fellow wedding and event professionals is imperative as we continue to expand and elevate the Wellington Florist Wedding & Events Department,” Arney said.

The Vendor Open House was designed to celebrate more than just floral artistry. By bringing together professionals from across the wedding and event industry, Wellington Florist created an evening that demonstrated the value of collaboration across every element of an event.

Guests were welcomed with an artful selection of elevated bites from Lessing’s Events, paired with the Wellington Bloom, a signature cocktail created in partnership with Munyon’s Paw-Paw. The evening continued with live entertainment from modern violinist Tanner Johnson, adding an energetic and sophisticated element to the showcase.

The evening was beautifully captured by Capone & Co., documenting the floral installations, tablescapes, vendors and moments of connection throughout the event.

And, of course, no Wellington Florist event would be complete without a memorable takeaway. Grecia Jacinto Design Studio brought live personalization to the evening, creating custom calligraphy on Wellington Florist-branded notebooks and keychains for guests to take home.

The Vendor Open House served as a reflection of what Wellington Florist believes makes the South Florida wedding and event industry so special: creative professionals coming together, sharing their talents, building meaningful partnerships and inspiring one another to create exceptional experiences for their clients.

If you are looking to partner with Wellington Florist on your next event or wedding, contact events@wellingtonflorist.com or call (561) 333-4441.

Michell & Ruben

OUR LOVE STORY
March 14, 2026

Michell’s gown, designed by Justin Alexander, is a stretch crepe fit-and-flare with a plunging sweetheart neckline detailed with exposed boning and a basque waist. Sequined lace appliqués adorn the bodice, create a cutout hem and continue around to create a cutout cathedral-length illusion train. Seamstress Olga Jimenez created her detachable off-shoulder sleeves.

Gown by Justin Alexander
From Bacio Bacio Bridal

Photos By Cherry Blossom Photography

Sara & Ryan

OUR LOVE STORY
January 17, 2026

Sara’s gown, designed by Justin Alexander, is part of the Signature Collection. It’s a strapless satin A-line with a cat-eye neckline. Sequined embroidered lace appliqués adorn the gown and blend with 3D chiffon flowers inset with pearls. The dress includes pockets, satin-covered buttons down the back bodice and a chapel-length train.

Gown by Justin Alexander
From Bacio Bacio Bridal

Photos By Maggie Alvarez Photography

Summer & Luke

OUR LOVE STORY
April 23, 2026

Summer’s gown, designed by Justin Alexander, is a stretch Mikado fit-and-flare gown with a peek-a-boo sweetheart neckline adorned with beaded and sequined lace appliqués. Her gown features draped stretch Mikado under the sweetheart neckline, leading to ruching in the bodice. A ruched skirt reveals a side slit. Princess seams trail down the back of the skirt. The illusion back is adorned with sparkling lace appliqués. The gown is finished with buttons from the back neckline down to the chapel-length train.

Gown by Justin Alexander
From Bacio Bacio Bridal

Photos By Michelle Lawson Photography

Emily & John

OUR LOVE STORY
February 6, 2026

Emily’s blush-colored gown, designed by Justin Alexander, is a sparkle tulle ball gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline and cuff detail. It is adorned with sequin and beaded lace appliqués throughout, featuring silver sequins, tonal sequins, seed beads, pearls, and buttons at the back waistline. Horsehair trim along the hem of the dress trails into a royal-length train.

Gown by Justin Alexander
From Bacio Bacio Bridal

Photos By Savannah Michelle Photography