Wellington Table - Signature Dish

The Trophy Room Pairs Sophisticated Dining With A Dynamic Nightlife Experience

The Trophy Room Pairs Sophisticated Dining With A Dynamic Nightlife Experience

The Trophy Room, opening this fall on South Shore Blvd. in Wellington, is in for the win. It promises a sophisticated dining experience that combines a wide variety of New American cuisine, a lux atmosphere and dynamic nightlife, all in one.

“We want to create something that isn’t just a good meal — it’s an experience,” Trophy Room co-owner Rob Gray explained.

Gray and his team hope to score big, taking over the location that formerly housed the Grille Fashion Cuisine, a hotspot popular with locals and visiting equestrians alike.

Gray, who grew up in a family of equestrian riders, has teamed up with his friend and business partner, Teddy Vlock. The two formed T&R Development — first focusing on real estate, and now, a newly formed hospitality division. The duo hopes to win over the hearts and appetites of both the Wellington community, and those who visit the winter equestrian capital of the world, by offering a global menu.

“The menu is a great mix of what you would call New American,” Gray said. “It’s a broad term, giving you the freedom to touch on so many different areas. It has the steak house side to it, then Asian, mixed with some Italian flair. So, it’s a great combination of cuisines.”

Gray wants the entire experience to be desirable to people of all ages.

“Something that appeals to a younger crowd that wants to come in and have a meal that they’re sharing, and maybe later dinner,” he explained. “But also be able to cater to an older crowd that wants to have the traditional appetizer, entrée and dessert.”

Designing the menu is Executive Chef Joseph Bonavita Jr., a New York native who brings to the kitchen more than 12 years of experience. Bonavita studied at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago under world-renowned chefs. He was most recently executive chef of the Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, as well as executive chef of 50 Ocean in Delray Beach.

“He has a lot of experience, and he’s very versatile,” Gray said. “He has a passion for food. He loves cooking with all fresh ingredients.”

On the menu are a variety of sharable options.

“We have an extensive sharable menu, like steak tartare with octopus. We have a snacks menu with items like onion dip, as well as shaved Brussels sprouts,” Gray said. “Also, a sweet corn bisque, as well as everything from steak and seafood, a raw bar, to homemade pastas. We’re really going to utilize the brick oven for pizza and a few other dishes. It’s a great asset.”

Gray and his team are also trying to source products locally. “We’re trying to work with as many local people as possible,” he said. “We’re also bringing in oysters from Island Creek Oyster Farm in Massachusetts, which is one of the best oyster providers in the country.”

This isn’t Gray’s first experience with the hospitality business. The 27-year-old entrepreneur began working in the equestrian business at age 18. He developed the Gallery nightlife venue at the Winter Equestrian Festival back in 2015. After much brainstorming, he and his team came up with the name Trophy Room.

“There’s no escaping the equestrian culture in Wellington. I didn’t want to play directly off of it. It seemed a good balance of embodying what we wanted to achieve, which was a lux rich interior with high-quality finishings. A great experience, classic food, but keeping with what you imagine to be in Wellington without being so direct about it,” Gray explained.

The restaurant space has undergone a complete transformation. It seats 175, which includes outdoor seating and the bar, along with a private dining room for 35, with the goal of streamlining it all together to give it a feeling of synergy.

A color scheme of black, white, navy and gold fills the restaurant. To give it a lounge feel, banquette seating fills the space with tufted navy leather and white Carrera tables with brushed gold bases. The private dining room is designed with navy velvet chairs. The tables in the room are an ebony-stained wood with white director’s chairs.

A fully custom back bar has also been built with black-and-white marble.

“The bar is now directly in front of the kitchen with mahogany shelves, an antique mirror, gold accents and an LED-lit back bar. It’s going to be really beautiful,” Gray said.

The full bar includes an extensive and diverse wine list.

“We’re at 110 bottles. It’s a lot of American vineyards, but because of Wellington being so international in the winter months, we have a great international selection of Spanish, French and Italian wines, among other countries,” he said.

An upscale cocktail list to suit all tastes was also created. “We really would love to bring an elevated cocktail culture with specialty cocktails ranging from your traditional margaritas to your classics like your gin fizz,” Gray explained.

The team plans to offer a regular happy hour to keep the Wellington community engaged and close to home.

“I think it’s something that will be a great addition to the community,” Gray said of the new restaurant. “Our goal is to bring something that isn’t currently in Wellington and wasn’t in Wellington before, which is a fine-dining restaurant with a lounge-type atmosphere and an upscale dining experience. There’s so much more to a great experience, a great meal, than the quality of the food. It’s the overall atmosphere, and so much of that comes from a great staff, from the moment you walk in the door to when you leave — it’s so important.”

The Trophy Room is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-2110 or visit www.trophyroomrestaurant.com.

 

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Wellington Health

New Beginnings Medical Spa Offers Well-Known Diet And Treatments To Reverse Aging

New Beginnings Medical Spa Offers Well-Known Diet And Treatments To Reverse Aging

More than 20,000 clients from across the nation and around the world have visited New Beginnings Medical Spa at one of its six locations in South Florida.

With a facility in Wellington, area residents don’t have to travel far to lose weight and look younger.

Physician Assistant Alison Roloff works under the direction of a highly qualified doctor to administer services and treatments to combat the effects of aging.

“I am qualified to do all the procedures for the hCG diet, administering the cosmetic services and the IV treatments,” said Roloff, who has been a physician assistant for five years and worked in the cosmetic medicine field on the west coast of Florida before joining New Beginnings.

The family-owned New Beginnings Medical Spa began in 2007, providing the doctor-supervised hCG diet, and it has grown to half a dozen spa locations and expanded the service offerings to include cosmetic treatments.

“The hCG diet is the primary focus of the business with more than 20,000 clients having used it,” Roloff said. “With more than a decade and that many clients, you know it is something that works.”

The hCG diet is an advanced medical solution designed to achieve the greatest weight loss, effectively and safely. Heralded in medical journals for generations and first developed more than six decades ago, the program includes a very low-calorie diet, sometimes as low as 500 calories per day. This is combined with the hormone human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), which is a naturally occurring compound that is found in pregnant women.

The hormone regulates progesterone production and interacts with testosterone to promote weight loss in both women and men. The plan was extensively studied first in the 1950s when Dr. Albert T.W. Simeons developed the protocol, and a version of the plan is still being utilized effectively today. Called the number one diet in the country, some patients lose up to a pound a day.

Whether an individual is seeking weight loss or personal enhancement goals achieved through the most up-to-date cosmetic treatments, New Beginnings specializes in providing advanced, medically administered injectable solutions. These include Botox, Juvéderm, glycolic skin peels and more.

Roloff explained that while the natural elements of sun and wind, life’s worries and stress, and the effects of aging all take a toll on the body, faces are the most noticeable. With Botox, a person doesn’t have to live with this toll of looking older than they need to.

Roloff said that permanent creases and wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes can often be softened and smoothed for up to six months. Each person is different, but one treatment can yield results that show within days and last for months — and that’s just one of the various treatments offered.

“The thing that sets New Beginnings Medical Spa apart from other facilities is the many options available from a single medical spa,” Roloff said. “We offer a highly experienced staff with a high level of expertise in the treatments, and we have years and thousands of satisfied clients to prove our credentials.”

Patients who are interested in staying healthy and vibrant, gaining more spark and energy, increasing productive years and expanding lifespan, may choose the facility’s offerings of IV nutrient therapies.

Each patient receives a custom treatment formulated to fit their individual needs and to achieve their specific health goals. IV nutrient therapy is designed to rehydrate the body, revitalize the patient’s mind and replenish energy stores. “Anyone interested in losing weight, feeling their best, reversing wrinkles and slowing down aging, and treating the aging process, should arrange for a consultation by giving us a call,” Roloff said.

New Beginnings offers periodic “party pricing” with $100 off the fee for services. For details, and to be invited to the next party pricing event, call the office.

The Wellington office of New Beginnings Medical Spa is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 220. To learn more, visit www.newbeginningsmedical.com or call (561) 210-9250.

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Wellington Home

Grand Prix Farms Facility Features Abundant Equestrian Amenities

Grand Prix Farms Facility Features Abundant Equestrian Amenities

This world-class, 60-stable, 14-paddock equestrian facility is located on one of the largest parcels of land in Grand Prix Farms, just a short hack from the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds. The property was remodeled last year to include abundant amenities — a hot walker, a treadmill, a lunging area, a hunter arena and an oversized jumping arena with the finest footing available. The staff quarters feature five apartments for grooms and trainers, with 13 bedrooms and six baths between them. This includes an owner’s apartment, a manager’s apartment, a rider’s apartment and two grooms’ apartments.

Jumping Arena: There are two extra-large arenas, one of which is sand and the other features a privacy hedge. The U-shaped barn has been expanded to both the left and the right, taking best advantage of all nine acres of the property.

Manager’s Apartment: The manager’s apartment, located over the stalls, features two bedrooms and a balcony.

Storage Lockers: The oak-paneled cabinets to the left offer plenty of storage, while rubber mats are easy on horses’ hoofs.

Tack Room Area: Equipment trunks are located in front of the tack room, offering easy access to those on the go.

Walkway: Gracing the barn ceiling are light fixtures that would make any homeowner proud. The door to a groom’s apartment is to the left of the console.

Courtyard View: The courtyard view from the manager’s upstairs apartment is quite striking.

Pathways: This image, taken from the balcony, shows how the manager can survey almost the entire property from his or her apartment.

Equipment Lockers: Equipment lockers are strategically placed throughout the expansive barn area.

Breezeway: The stables have been situated with the ability to capture a breeze.

 

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Community Service Is Important To Financial Planners Ben And Joanna Boynton

Community Service Is Important To Financial Planners Ben And Joanna Boynton

Ben and Joanna Boynton have been financial professionals in Wellington for more than 20 years. Ben is a fourth-generation native of Palm Beach County who grew up in Wellington, while Joanna hails from Gainesville. They met while studying finance at the University of Florida in the early 1990s.

Ben’s great-grandparents were pioneers in Palm Beach County who became active in the agricultural industry in the Glades in the 1930s. His parents came to the Wellington area because it was uniquely situated between the Glades and the coastal Palm Beach area. Ben remains active on the board of the family’s agricultural company, Wedgworth Farms.

Wellington was a vastly different community back when Ben was growing up in the 1980s. “I still remember when a fast food restaurant came to Wellington,” he recalled. “It was a Checkers, and we were all very excited to check it out.”

When the couple first met, Joanna had never heard of Wellington, but she still recalls her initial impression. “It’s very flat,” she said. “North Florida has a lot of hills.”

Both Boyntons graduated from the University of Florida with bachelor’s degrees in business administration with majors in finance. After graduating, they became certified financial planners (CFPs) and decided to settle in the Wellington area with the intention of starting their own financial firm. At the time, there were few financial services available locally.

“Our goal was to bring the first full-service financial brokerage to Wellington,” Ben said. “We achieved that in 1997.”

The offices of the Boynton Financial Group are located within the Mizner Place plaza on South Shore Blvd. They are currently in the process of renovating the interior of their building, which they recently bought, to make it feel more like a home. One of the rooms toward the center will designed to resemble a living room. Among the features is a vintage Coca-Cola machine, as Ben is a noted collector of antiques.

The Boyntons have two children: a son, William, and a daughter, Catherine. They attend the Oxbridge Academy, where they engage in a number of sports and activities. William is pursuing his pilot’s license, while Catherine is interested in the performing arts and recently appeared on stage in Wellington as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde for the Dance Arts Conservatory Broadway Stars program. Neither child has yet shown interest in a career in finance and following in their parents’ footsteps, which is fine with Ben and Joanna.

“We try to maintain a balance,” Joanna explained. “We encourage and support them, but we remind them that not everyone is as fortunate as they are.”

Ben and Joanna remain as active as their children. In addition to antiques, Ben enjoys hunting, water skiing and scuba diving. Joanna also enjoys outdoor activities and marathoning, and she has recently embraced her artistic side through oil painting.

The Boynton family currently resides on an estate in Loxahatchee’s Fox Trail neighborhood, which is zoned for livestock.

“We have a herd of Herefords,” Ben explained. “We take them up to Ocala.”

Herefords are a breed of beef cattle that originated in the United Kingdom in the county of Herefordshire and were first imported to the United States in 1817 by Sen. Henry Clay of Kentucky.

Over the years, both Ben and Joanna have been very active in the community with service on numerous boards. Ben is a trustee of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and chair of the Wellington Regional Medical Center Board of Governors. Joanna is on the board of the Wellington Community Foundation.

In this capacity, they have been involved in many community events and charitable functions, with the goal of enhancing the Wellington community and Palm Beach County as a whole.

While modest about their contributions, others in the community have taken note and recognized them for their combined efforts.

In 2009, the Boyntons received the Frank T. Gladney Award from the Wellington Rotary Club. The award is presented each year to Wellington locals who devote time, energy and resources to the betterment of the community. In receiving the award, the Boyntons became the first couple to be given the honor.

The Boynton Financial Group, which is affiliated with Raymond James, offers a number of financial services for a select clientele. Among these services are financial planning, including business and retirement, portfolio and investment management, and estate planning, including charitable giving and trusts.

Their relationship with Raymond James allows the Boyntons the freedom to run their business, but also provides their clients with additional resources. The Boynton Financial Group is in the top five percent of independent Raymond James offices in terms of managed assets.

Having been established for more than 20 years, Ben and Joanna agree that it is extremely important to maintain a quality of service for their customers.

The clients they serve come from a number of different roles, including corporate executives and business owners, but also families and retirees. A number of clients are healthcare professionals, and there has been an emphasis on women investors.

The Boyntons employ a select team of relationship managers and associates to assist their clients and have seen promising results from their internship program.

Ben explained that many of the lessons he learned at the University of Florida are still relevant in their business, and both are eager to assist in the education of the next generation of financial professionals. For their part, interns have reported back that the hands-on knowledge they gained working with the Boyntons has not just improved their academic work, but also their early job prospects as they graduate and enter the workforce.

The Boynton Financial Group is located at 12400-B South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 795-9156 or visit www.boyntonfinancialgroup.com.

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Wellington Real Estate

Chris Heine Jr. Of Chris Allen Realty Brings Unique Expertise To Clients

Chris Heine Jr. Of Chris Allen Realty Brings Unique Expertise To Clients

South Florida native Chris Heine Jr. of Chris Allen Realty comes to real estate quite naturally. After all, the profession runs in the family.

“My father was a builder while I was growing up, and construction and housing always caught my interest,” he said. “The industry is constantly evolving, and that is what intrigues me. Being a spec builder means I have to maintain up-to-date information about the market and watch trends as they shift in this area.”

Heine was born at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, attended Cardinal Newman High School and received his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2006.

“I have always loved the area here, which is why I decided to stay local for my college education,” he said. “Wellington and the western communities have evolved along with the entire market in the past 20 years, and I have been here to watch.”

Heine’s unique skill set gives him a leg up on the competition.

“I specialize in construction and valuations because I am a real estate investor myself,” he said. “This helps my clients because I can decipher inspection reports and cosmetic items and put a real budget value on items, where a normal broker would not be able to give accurate estimates without referring out to third party vendors for every small detail.”

This make Heine a unique resource for his clients. “Knowing the construction lingo and dealing with the items first-hand is a valuable resource,” he explained. “I also study the market in the surrounding area daily to see what is happening for my own investments, so I can help when clients are preparing offers as buyers or coming up with an accurate listing price as a seller.”

Heine is also a licensed mortgage loan originator. He added this to his resume out of a desire to fully understand the workings of the lending industry.

“Lending is the largest factor in buying and selling real estate when a client does not have liquid cash to purchase a property,” he said. “I am also in the process of getting a trainee designation in appraisals. These extra courses help me be the best in the industry when it comes to real estate, and I pass on my knowledge to all my agents in our weekly sales meetings. We maintain a boutique size so each of my agents can strive to be the best agent for their clients and represent them well.”

As someone who has grown up in the area, Heine said the decision to settle down here was easy.

“Our area is special because you can drive from a multi-million-dollar horse farm with 20 acres to a multi-million-dollar waterfront mansion on a half-acre in less than 30 minutes,” he said. “South Florida is the perfect geographical location to have all types of people residing here. People come from all over the world to vacation here or move here from other states because of the weather, atmosphere, culture, etc.”

When Heine surveys the shape of the current real estate market, he’s pleased with what he sees.

“I feel that the market is exactly where it should be for the strength in the economy and the jobs that are being filled,” he said. “We had some catching up to do after the stall in the market… We have seen year over year returns and equity growth in the double digits; 10 to 20 percent each year. I think this will plateau, and we will start seeing the average return of 4 to 5 percent a year for real estate. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it is actually a good thing. It shows a stable economy and means that real estate remains one of the best investments an individual can make.”

To contact Chris Heine, call (561) 507-5448 or visit www.chrisallenrealestate.com.

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Feature Stories

A Lifelong Love Of Horses Has Always Guided Ruth Menor Of Vinceremos

A Lifelong Love Of Horses Has Always Guided Ruth Menor Of Vinceremos

Who knew that a little girl’s love for horses would one day turn into a passion that would positively affect the lives of hundreds of people in South Florida?

Ruth Menor, known today as the founder of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, probably didn’t contemplate the future with much seriousness back then. She was just a happy girl with a deep respect for the equine friends she played with every day.

Growing up on a 500-acre dairy farm in Michigan was ideal for Menor, the youngest of four children. As the baby in the family, she often found herself paired with horses for playtime, rather than older siblings with other interests. She loved everything about the three horses that lived on the farm, riding them every chance that she had. She learned their ways, and they formed a close bond.

“My dad bought me a pony before I could walk,” Menor recalled. “Actually, he bought my brothers and sister a pony before I could walk, and none of them were so inclined. It ended up being my passion.”

Menor has trouble pinpointing why she had such an affinity for horses, but attributes it to several reasons, including the remoteness of farm life and the lack of playmates her age living nearby.

“In our therapy world, we call it authenticity. They [the horses] sense who you are. They sense your intent. They just have an innate sense about who you are, and when they have that confidence of you being authentic; you know, kind and loving, those are the things that they respond to,” she explained.

Menor never had riding lessons, but figured it out on her own, with the help of a naughty Shetland pony named Prince. She learned quickly to avoid the area of the yard where an apple tree grew, to prevent Prince bucking her off in favor of the apples. It is an amusing story, but also one that provides insight into a learning curve about horses that Menor mastered over the years on the farm. “I had a wonderful time of being out in nature and having that connection with my animals,” she said.

Life changed dramatically for Menor and her family when she was 12 years old. Her father passed away following a tragic farming accident. It was perhaps at this sad time that Menor began to experience the therapeutic aspect of horse life.

Her family moved from the farm and away from Michigan. Her mother, understanding the important role that horses played in her daughter’s life, arranged that she would always have a horse friend. They were unable to take the farm horses with her when the family relocated, but Menor’s mother knew that purchasing a new horse for young Ruth would help after losing her father and moving away from the farm.

“She knew that it was the thing that would help me to make those transitions to another kind of life, which was in a suburb, you know with sidewalks and neighbors within 15 feet of us,” Menor said. “I always had my horse friends.”

But life was very different. “It was quite a shift from having your horse in the backyard, to moving some place where it had to be stabled, and I had to go visit it,” she said.

Following the loss of her father, Menor remembers her mother making very wise decisions. Although there were changes, they didn’t come too rapidly.

“When you’re 12, you don’t think of all these things. It’s just how life is. But when I was 40 and had kids, I thought about what that would be like,” she said. “It was good to have that perspective and to know that it was a lot to manage.”

Menor’s attachment to horses was further influenced at a therapeutic riding center near Battle Creek, Mich. The Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center was a place where Menor’s mother felt her daughter would have fun, but Menor went far beyond what her mother intended. The facility ended up having a profound influence on Menor, who later graduated from Florida State University with a degree in therapeutic recreation. She returned to the Cheff Center following graduation, where she received her certification as a therapeutic riding instructor.

The year 1982 was a big year for Menor, who married her husband Michael, the brother of a good friend. Though she is credited with founding the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, Menor is quick to explain that she considers herself the co-founder, since her husband greatly supported the idea in its early days. When Menor began Vinceremos, there were just a handful of therapeutic riding centers in the state, and none near the Wellington area. The concept was completely foreign to the community at large. She and her husband had taken a huge leap of faith.

“I think I never considered it not working.” Menor said. “We just were going to make it work. It was going to happen.”

She believes it to be the grace of God regarding the success of the center and its current location.

“When we started in 1982, there was not the significant horse community that it is now, but if I had been really strategic about planning it, this would have been about where I landed, right here,” Menor said.

It was also well-timed due to the coming growth of the therapeutic riding concept.

“In 1982, children were just beginning to be diagnosed with autism, and no one really knew what to do with them,” Menor recalled. “You know, it’s interesting. With a horse, you deal with a non-verbal world, reading their behavior and creating an understanding. With some of our autistic clients, that’s what we do. We’re very conscious of what it is in their environment that is affecting their behavior, because often times they can’t verbalize. I was effective at working with those riders and children, because that was the world that we worked in, and I was accustomed to that.”

In the early years, Menor didn’t receive a paycheck, but eventually began to see the organization take shape and grow. At its origin, Vinceremos — which comes from the Latin for “we shall conquer” — started in a friend’s backyard with three horses and one client rider. Today, the therapeutic riding center has 21 horses available and provides a conquering spirit to approximately 140 clients each week.

Menor, currently the chief program officer, sees the mission of Vinceremos as a simple one: “Just to have everyone who comes here to not feel like they’re being treated as someone with a disability, but as someone who is just coming to ride. To have our clients be proud of their accomplishments. We never focus on the disability, but on the ability.”

The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center is located at 13300 Sixth Court North in Loxahatchee Groves. For more info., call (561) 792-9900 or visit www.vinceremos.org.

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He asked for your hand in marriage; you said yes! And just like that… it is your wedding day.

He asked for your hand in marriage; you said yes! And just like that… it is your wedding day.

You will remember your wedding day for the rest of your life, but it’s often the smallest and unexpected details that will make your day most memorable.  Be present every step of the way and let all of the feelings of love wash over you as two become one.

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Buckle Up And Get Ready, Brides!

Buckle Up And Get Ready, Brides!

Bridal gown fashion is at an all-time high. Every designer was pumped for the recent royal wedding, and the creations they produced hit the runway with a dramatic flair. Top trendsetters predict many brides will choose a similar style to what the new duchess gallantly walked down the aisle in, while others will opt for the dress of their dreams. Each bride wants to feel just as special in that once-in-a-lifetime gown on her big day.

Wellington The Magazine teamed up with industry professionals to bring you some of the most trendy, traditional and elegant bridal gown fashions, highlighted over the next few pages.

A big hit for 2019 will be the “bridal cape” style usually made with illusion tulle to give that flowing effect. Another big hit seen on the runways are detachable pieces, like sleeves, trains and layered skirts. This allows the bride to go from walking down the aisle, perhaps in a religious setting, completely veiled, to being able to remove items for photography, the reception and the dance floor. This makes a second or third dress unneeded throughout the entire day.

Although the majority of brides still lean toward white on their wedding day, many are turning to the traditional off-white, even for first-time brides, and then there are some who are inspired by a hint of color, often making the sash match the wedding décor or blend with the bridal party attire.

Fashion is ever-changing, but your Instagram pics are forever. So, be selective and make it the dress you have always imagined yourself in, and enjoy being the center of attention the whole day though!

 

Soft and flowy meets fine and finished with Jura’s full tulle skirt and lacy sweetheart bodice. Beaded spaghetti straps and attached waistband add sparkle to this fairy-tale gown.

Bridal Gown | Bacio Bacio Bridal

Designer | Willowby by Watters

Venue and Styling | Bellewood Plantation

Photography | Dragonfly Photography

Video | Key Moment Films

Cake | Johnson’s Custom Cakes

Bridal Accessories | Champagne & GRIT

Florals | Vero Beach Florist

Hand Lettering | Ink Letter Love

 

Oversized Dalia-inspired floral motifs cover Galatea’s exquisite A-line silhouette. Two

rows of velvet ribbon wrap around the bodice to secure the waist with a delicate bow in the back.

Bridal Gown | Bacio Bacio Bridal

Designer | Willowby by Watters

Location | Wine Scene West Palm Beach

Rentals | Atlas Event Rentals

Film | Erica J Photography

Bridal Accessories | Champagne & GRIT

Hair & Makeup | Chloe Williams

Models | Laura Williams and Tyler Palmer

Hand Lettering | Ink Letter Love

Behind-the-Scenes Video | Digital Producto Films

Catering | Laura Ashley

 

This Venice lace fit-and-flare gown has a modified sweetheart neckline

and buttons down the back.

Bridal Gown | Bacio Bacio Bridal

Designer | Justin Alexander Bridal

Photography | Captured Photography

Bride | Haley Locke

 

Nova’s beaded bodice continues into elegant beaded straps that feature a stellar, star-like pattern that floats into its cascading tulle skirt.

Bridal Gown | Bacio Bacio Bridal

Designer | Willowby by Watters

Flowers | Maison Francis

Tuxedo | The Tux Shop Palm Beach Gardens

Hair & Makeup | Bridal Beauty South Florida

Paper Goods | Emily Baird Design

Cape & Hair Accessories | Champagne & GRIT

Venue | Miami Beach Woman’s Club

Models | Kylie and Branden

Photography | Erica J Photography

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Traditions & Trends

Traditions & Trends

Are plans in motion for your big day? You are in luck! Although classic, ageless touches will never go out of style, today’s trends are definitely something to consider when planning the wedding of your dreams.

There is so much to look forward to in 2019, from dramatic, over-the-top customized dance floors to personalized embroidered linens. Unique textures will also be a big element this upcoming season. Think outside the box and let your imagination run wild. It’s your day, and everything around you should reflect that.

Instead of the same old thing, consider unique florals like dogwood for that soft bouquet feel. Use natural potted plants in place of traditional colored flowers, or perhaps long fern for your centerpieces.

Muted, but colorful candles and décor will be popular this year, along with splashes of sparkle here and there. Personalized items always make guests feel special, and they are usually very budget friendly.

The venue you choose will dictate many of your event fashion choices. Outdoor rustic has become a very popular choice. Destination weddings create lifetime memories for both you and your guests. Whether you are home or abroad, try to incorporate local customs from both sides of the family. This is sure to be a big hit with grandma, who sees her granddaughter in that beautiful white lace veil from Italy.

Many couples are opting for small, more intimate bridal parties. Even when the night is done, bride and groom keep the party train going with an after party. This is where you can really let your hair down.

We hope you choose a great blend of traditions and trends that help you capture every essence of the wedding you’ve been dreaming of!

Dogwood Bouquets  Bridal bouquet styles have been everything from a one-stem rose, to the rich and colorful norm. In 2019, we’ll see many different varieties. This year, we choose to showcase dogwood blooms, which trends show will make a huge appearance this season.

Local Culture Whether at home or abroad, one way to make a wedding feel entirely new is to embrace the culture of your heritages. Try a unique henna experience, have a Mariachi band or create a Buddha-inspired wedding ceremony. Embracing your culture is sure to create unity for family and friends.

Intimate Bridal Parties Trends are showing that a long line of bridesmaids and groomsmen will not be as popular in 2019. Many couples are leaning toward a more intimate, smaller group that includes a best man, maid of honor and a select family member or close friend.

Creative Place Cards Plain white place cards are being replaced by beautiful and personalized themed ones, which will be popping up at weddings across the nation this upcoming season. From personalized keepsakes that guests can treasure forever, to personalized gourmet cupcakes, plain paper will not be seen for miles at weddings in 2019.

 

Rustic Outdoors Although rustic, outdoor weddings have been popular in recent years, 2019 will see even more of them, as this trend grows with couples across the spectrum from first-time brides to renewing of vows and older couples alike. There is just something about bringing the wedding outdoors with that farm-style, rustic backyard feel that seems so special. We are seeing trends of glammed-up rustic as well. Stay tuned, y’all!

Living Bars The buzz is “living bars” will be the hot item planners will be recommending as a unique focal point of the wedding. Fresh, straight-from-the-garden, cut foliage will adorn many of the high-end, fancy finished bars using industrial metals and the natural foliage to create that unique touch to each venue’s living bar.

Textured Linens Many brides and their wedding planners are getting inspiration from the 2019 fashion runway for their linen selections. You will see that runners, napkins and table cloths will have a more finished, laser-cut style of linen in a variety of white and neutral tones this season.

Entertainment For years, the only two options when considering wedding entertainment was either a live band or a DJ. Well, not anymore! Couples are finding some of the most unique ways to set their party apart, such as a Mariachi band, a singing wait staff, dueling piano players and much more.

Exquisite Dance Floors The days of wood-plank dance floors are a thing of the past. Standard dance floors are quickly being replaced by granite, marble and for outdoor rustic weddings, metals and steel. Most couples never gave the dance floor a second thought. Song selection was usually the big item to concentrate on, but now dance floors are one of the first items of interest when visiting a venue. After all, it is a focal point of the room.

The After Party Not to downplay the reception, but once you move through all of the scheduled, organized events of the wedding day, wouldn’t it be great to let your hair down, throw on your favorite outfit and head out on the town? Yes, the after party is becoming a larger part of the planning process, and couples are ecstatic to get to hang with some of their favorite people, even after the reception is over.

Natural Touch Aisle Décor Candles or bows tied to chairs that line the aisle — pretty for way too long. Many planners are recommending turning your aisles into garden beds in 2019. This will be a big trend. Wrapping the pots in silk fabrics that coordinate with your wedding colors puts that special touch on this unique trend.

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Let’s Ask A Bridal Gown Expert A Q&A With Lenyce Boyd,Wellington’s Own Bridal Expert

Let’s Ask A  Bridal Gown Expert
A Q&A With Lenyce Boyd,Wellington’s Own Bridal Expert

One of the highlights of planning a wedding is when the bride-to-be picks out the perfect dress to complement her big day. It is often an amazing experience that many women have dreamed about for years. However, there is some complexity involved, and we’ve all heard stories about future brides who have tried on hundreds of dresses without finding the one for them. To make the process as easy as possible, we went to Wellington’s own bridal gown expert, Lenyce Boyd of Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon, for advice.

What does a bride gain from shopping at a boutique dress shop rather than a large chain or department store?

From the customer feedback that we’ve received since we opened in 2006, they like the personal attention and the nicer, warmer feeling. We have a relationship that develops with our bride and her family because we are available to work with a bride from the time we meet her until she’s walking down the aisle, often a year later.

What does a boutique dress shop offer that other retailers do not?

In addition to the personalized service, our designers would be different than a chain’s designers. Ours have exclusivity here for us — their dresses are not available all over the place. We also offer a “day-of” concierge service where we go to the wedding, steam the bride’s gown, help her get dressed, help the men tie their bowties and make sure the parents, grandparents and everyone in the bridal party looks good. It’s an extra charge, but Palm Beach County has a lot of destination weddings, so we often get calls from bridal stores in New York, Pennsylvania, all over the place, asking us to help their customers when they come down. Brides don’t need to buy their dress here in order to hire our concierge service.

What is the average cost a bride-to-be should consider for a dress when preparing a budget for their big day?

Our dresses average from $1,300 to $3,000, or about 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the wedding. But whether a bride spends $500 or $10,000, they all get treated the same. The price fluctuates depending on the fabric, lace and beadwork, but mostly because of the designer. Some designers are more expensive than others. It’s the label, like jeans. You can pay $30 or $180 for jeans depending on the designer, but it’s still denim.

What are your recommendations when a bride-to-be begins her wedding dress search?

Try to limit the number of people you bring with you. Bring a small number, two or three of your most trusted friends and family members. Brides get overwhelmed with all the different opinions, and they don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. It can be upsetting for them. My second piece of advice would be to keep an open mind about style. Try on different styles and silhouettes. Often, a bride comes in thinking she wants a certain style, and we pull them for her. However, when she tries them on, none of them seem right. Then we throw in a wild card or two and, often, she falls in love with the dress, even though it wasn’t what she was looking for. What they think they like may be why they haven’t found the perfect dress. Once we know the venue, we can help guide them with styles as well. So, have that in mind.

What should the bride-to-be do to prepare for a day of wedding dress shopping?

In addition to limiting the number of people she brings and knowing her venue, she should know her budget and be honest with us about it. This is helpful for them and us, even if they don’t know exactly. If they say $2,000, does that include alterations, accessories, the veil, jewelry and shoes? Those are all part of the head-to-toe budget. Sometimes, when they realize that, they get nervous about money. But they can focus on the dress and come back later for the other things, when they’re doing their fittings and have decided how they’re going to wear their hair.

Do you recommend a specific day or time that would result in a better experience for their appointment?

Saturdays are busier because of everyone’s work schedules, but we try to space out our appointments. We assign about two hours for an appointment and try not to have more than two brides in at a time. That’s another reason we ask the bride to keep her party smaller — we don’t have enough space for seven people and a baby stroller. We do encourage wine and champagne here. There’s a liquor store next door, we have glasses, and we can turn up the music. We’ve heard over and over that brides have had “their best experience ever” here, and it’s because of that feeling of comfort. They’re allowed to touch the dresses and have fun. Some brides come in so nervous, and we have an inviting, warm and welcoming atmosphere. Regardless of their budget, they all get treated the same. We are just honored that they are allowing us to be a part of this special time. This business never gets old, it’s always changing. The dresses change, the brides change, the family members change.

Walk us through a bridal dress consultation.

Very often, it’s a bride’s first time ever trying dresses on. A lot of ladies don’t know their style, or they’re not used to dressing in dresses, so there’s a lot of learning. We don’t pressure them. We invite them to go home and think about it. Usually, we end up being the first place and the last place they come. They don’t want to shop anymore. They’d rather leave here and celebrate.

How far in advance do you suggest that a bride start the search for her one special dress?

A year to nine months ahead is good. We haven’t had to make too many drastic alterations later on. We have brides who have added a sleeve or wanted to re-make a grandmother’s dress. We may have a bride who went on some crazy diet and lost 30 pounds, but it all works out. Nothing has caught us too off guard.

What else should brides know when planning a dress appointment?

We definitely want to have the bride’s appointment be the only appointment that happens that day, especially if it’s a Saturday — no bridesmaids or flower girls. We don’t want to take away from the bride. If she has found her dress and wants to take a peek at flower girl dresses, that’s fine.

Would you advise a client get hair and makeup done similar to the look they will wear the day of the wedding or focus solely on the full effect of the dress?

Usually, when they visit, they’re not that far into the planning process, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Sometimes the dress will dictate the hairstyle. We do have clips if a bride wants to pin her hair up to see if the dress looks better with her hair up or hair down.

What are some things that you recommend the bride-to-be ask during the consultation?

It is very important to make sure you realize that these sales are final. When we place your order with the factory, those workers do not care if you have changed your mind. They’ve cut your dress in the color and size you ordered, and we still have to pay for it. We had one bride order a dress six years ago, and she came in four years ago to pick it up. If we don’t hear from you for 90 days, your dress is gone — sold or donated. That bride eventually got married at the courthouse.

What are some of the options for preserving a wedding gown, and do brides still carry out this tradition?

Yes, many do. Dry cleaners can preserve a bridal gown, but we offer that service as well.

Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon is located in the –Kobosko’s Crossing shopping plaza at 9160 Forest Hill Blvd. For

info., call (561) 792-6111 or visit www.baciobacio.com.

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