#realchicbride Devin in Yolan Cris at her Key West Wedding
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
Nick and I met in high school. I had just moved to a new town, and was living with my cousin. Nick was my cousin's best friend, and naturally we started hanging out every day and eventually dating. We have endured all the trials and tribulations that your teenage years and early/mid twenties offer. We have been together for 12 years! Nick finally proposed in June of 2022 on the island of Kauai!
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
Being together for so long, Nick and I went back and forth between an elopement, a small, intimate wedding, or a larger gathering with all of our loved ones. As far as vision goes, we wanted to lean into the Old Florida/Tropical/Vintage aesthetic. We decided on limiting our ceremony and exchanging of vows to ourselves and our immediate family and bridal parties, and then having all of our loved ones share in the joy at our reception. We are so fortunate to have had our ceremony at the incredible Little Palm Island, and our reception on the beautiful Pier at Ocean Key Resort.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
Our top three most important things at our wedding were: 1. Having a moment to ourselves at some point in the day; 2. Having an amazing band; 3. Amazing photos to have for the rest of our lives. Other than that, I think we were a pretty relaxed couple - some might say too relaxed! We are so thankful for our amazing "type A" wedding planner!
How did you decide on the location?
I was born and raised in Key West, and that is our happy place and where we officially fell in love. It was always Key West!
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
I have THE BEST dress story.
Let me preface this by saying I can never find anything to wear. I am late to everything because I never have anything to wear. I knew that choosing a wedding dress was going to be the most difficult decision of the entire wedding planning process.
I only had a few inspo photos and not very many leads. I liked gowns that were traditional, unique, funky and textured. I leaned towards Spanish and South American designers.
I live in Nashville, TN now, but my family and friends live in Florida - my mom in Key West, my Maid of Honor in Miami, and best friend just 3 hours north. I flew into Miami on a weekend in October that fit everyone's schedules. Before booking my appointments, I was on the phone with my mom asking her about her dress and where she got it. She only remembered, "Oh, somewhere in Miami." I had three appointments that day, Chic Parisien being the first.
That morning, a series of wild omens happened. First, my mom called to ask where to meet us. I told her "Chic Parisien," and she said, "wait a minute, that's where I got my dress back in the '80's!" Then, as we were driving to the appointment, a car pulled in front of us with Hawaii tags - where we got engaged! You don't see too many cars that traveled close to 5,000 miles from Hawaii on the roads in Miami. Before we got to Coral Gables, my dad called to remind me that it was his 34th wedding anniversary. I had no idea when I booked the appointment!
Once we get to Chic Parisien, Kendall assists me in trying to pin-point my style. Somehow, she absolutely nailed it with what little information I was able to give her. The first dress I tried on was a gorgeous lacy, beaded two-piece gown with long "Stevie Nicks" style sleeves and a high neck designed by Yolan Cris. Somehow, the sample size fit me perfectly. We all cried, my mom especially hard.
I thought we were emotional because it was the first wedding dress I had ever tried on, so I insisted we try on more. There was no way I found the dress on my first try. Twelve no’s later, we circled back to the first dress and again, tears from everyone. It was the one, there was no denying it.
We threw on a gorgeous lace-trimmed cathedral veil and that was it. It was mine!
After I said yes, my mom said, through tears, that she bought the first dress she tried on here at Chic Parisien 35 years ago.
As soon as we get into my Maid of Honor's car, her parent's wedding song comes on the radio. Nothing more magical or kismet than the day I got my wedding dress!
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
-I couldn't have done it without my mom, dad, my maid of honor and each and every friend and family member who stuck by me on the wild ride of planning a wedding. Each person played a specific part in making our day absolutely perfect. Everyone was willing to lend a hand when needed. One of our best friends wrote and performed a song for us, about us, on stage at the reception. I couldn't ask for a better support group!
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
Nothing compares to walking down the aisle and seeing your husband, and your future all right before your eyes. It feels as if the Earth stops spinning. It is the single most magical moment I have ever experienced. A close second is partying and dancing at the reception with my best friends and family to our amazing and talented friends while they played our favorite songs. Nick and my dad got onstage and performed too.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
I don't typically wear a lot of make-up or do my hair, so I made sure to choose someone that specialized in a natural look.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
My wedding photographer - Gypsy Lemon by Kayla Elizabeth Czarniecki!! Hands down. Also have to give a huge shoutout to Julie at Simply You Weddings in Key West. She made it happen!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We did a mini-moon at The Bungalows in Key Largo and had a perfectly beautiful, relaxing two days. We plan on going on a bigger adventure next summer!
Vendors and credits:
Venues: Little Palm Island @LittlePalmIsland and @LittlePalmIslandWeddings
Sunset Pier @SunsetPierKeyWest
Wedding Planner: Julie at Simply You Weddings @SimplyYouKw
Florals & Decor: Milan Events @Milan_Event
Entertainment: Loose Lips band from Nashville @LooseLipsOfficial
Photographer: Gypsy Lemon @Gypsy.Lemon
Dress: Yolan Cris @YolanCris and @YolanCrisRealBrides and of course @ChicParisien!