Yvette Nicole Brown and Anthony Davis Say ‘I Do’ in Beverly Hills Wedding

Two hundred guests attended the elegant affair on Dec. 14, 2024.

Yvette Nicole Brown and Anthony Davis said ‘I Do’ in an elegant wedding at The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles last month, according to People.

The day was full of special moments, including a live performance from Grammy and Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. There was also a surprise guest – Brown’s father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, was able to attend thanks to Davis.

MORE: My Dad Didn’t Walk Me Down The Aisle

Since her father couldn’t walk her down the aisle, Brown’s brother filled the important role. During the ceremony, Davis managed to pull off the emotional surprise as he arrived with Brown’s father. He explained he arranged for the surprise through her father’s care facility.

According to People, Brown wore a mermaid-style gown designed by Ines Di Santo, featuring sheer sleeves and lace accents. Brown says she spotted the dress as she was leaving her fitting at the bridal salon. “I saw it peeking out of the rack, and it was absolutely the dress,” Brown says.

MORE: What you feel when you find THE dress

Following a cocktail hour with signature drinks, the newlyweds, and their 200 guests – including many of Brown’s Community co-stars, enjoyed a dinner menu featuring sea bass and short rib. Later in the reception, Davis and Brown did a quick change for more relaxed looks. Davis wore a white suit and sneakers, while Brown wore a white Arlinda McIntosh dress and jacket with embellished sneakers. Much easier to dance in.

The pair are now focusing on their future. “I want to be with this man for 30 years … continuing to love him and to put him first and be his best friend,” says Brown.

In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with Amanda about her romantic wedding at the Old Field Club.

Amanda and Luke had their first date on a beach, so it seemed only fitting for the pair to get married at a venue overlooking the water. And three years after their first date, they celebrated their wedding at Old Field Club, a BOLI Preferred Venue, as they danced the night away with their friends and family.

Bonding on the Beach

Amanda and Luke met on a dating app. While that’s common for many brides, Amanda says it was unlike her. “It was totally out of character to meet someone on a dating app,” she explains. “But it turned out to be our story.” Their first date was on the beach during sunset in the summer of 2021. They both love the beach, and would often take walks on the beach while they were dating.

Fast forward to April of 2023, and Luke wanted to take a walk on the beach one foggy morning. “I thought it was a little weird with the poor weather, but we went out anyway,” she says. “And that’s when he proposed.”

MORE: Getting Married Before the Wedding? Here’s Why it Can Make Sense.

Love at First Venue

Amanda and Luke legally married shortly after their engagement, then started planning their reception for Nov. 9, 2024. “Getting married first took some of the pressure off of us throughout the planning,” she says.

After they confirmed their date with their pastor, Roger Blackmore, they set out to find the perfect venue. It didn’t take long, as once they toured Old Field Club, they fell in love. “We actually canceled all other venue tours,” Amanda says. “We just fell in love with the outside ceremony space overlooking the water and the beautiful ballroom. Since we love the beach, the water view spoke to us.”

With the venue and pastor in place, Amanda and Luke wanted to make sure their DJ would keep the dance floor full the whole night. Absolute Entertainment, a BOLI preferred vendor, did just that. “When we met with Terrence, we were there for a long time – but in a good way,” Amanda explains. “He was so amazing and listened to all of our requests. We wanted music from the 90s and early 2000s, and he and Vincenzo delivered. There were people who danced that I didn’t think would!”

While they didn’t have any trouble booking their vendors, Amanda says two weeks before their wedding, Carlos, who they had been working with at Old Field Club, left. “We had developed such a great rapport with him, he knew everything we wanted for our wedding day, so we were so nervous working with someone new so close to our date,” Amanda says. “At the end of the day, everything was flawless, and Carlos’ replacement, Russ, was wonderful to work with.”

MORE: 6 Things to Consider When Making Your Wedding Day Timeline

A Timeless and Romantic Day

Amanda wanted their wedding day to feel timeless and romantic. However, she didn’t want to order real flowers. Instead she ordered fake bouquets, which were so beautiful that some people thought they were real. For their centerpieces, Amanda ordered candles and some greenery. To execute her vision, Amanda worked with Lavender Events, and she was thrilled with how everything turned out. “When I walked into the ballroom, it was better than I ever could have imagined,” says Amanda. “From the long-tapered candles to the seeded eucalyptus, it was whimsical and magical.”

Though they were legally married, Amanda says Pastor Roger did a great job centering their ceremony around their faith in a beautiful way. “Our ceremony was so special to me,” Amanda says. “He put his own personal touches on it because it knows us so well.”

Besides the ceremony, another special moment for Luke and Amanda was their first dance. “Luke’s sister choreographed our first dance for us,” she says. “It was nice to have the dance choreographed, but it was even more special because she taught it to us.”

While all of their vendors were fantastic, Amanda says their photographer, Courtney Hotis, went above and beyond. “We used her for our engagement photos, and we couldn’t wait to work with her on our wedding day,” Amanda says. “She created the perfect timeline that day and even helped with my mom’s dress malfunction. She was truly a rockstar that day.”

MORE: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff and Other Wedding Mishaps

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Amanda credits her diligent research on the Brides of Long Island Facebook page for her ability to secure the wonderful vendors who made her day fantastic. “I would keep one tab open on the Facebook page, and another tab to research the vendors I’d read about,” she says. “It was such a great resource to get people’s real experiences working with these vendors. Without it, I would have been lost.”

Now that the day is behind them and they can focus on beginning this next chapter together, Amanda admits that everything she stressed about during the planning process wasn’t such a big deal. “Everything is not a crisis – though it feels like that in the moment, for sure,” she says. “But looking back, I laugh as I think about how I stressed out about the stamps on my invitations. So, don’t sweat the small stuff!”

Vendors:
Venue: The Old Field Club, a BOLI preferred vendor
Photographer: Courtney Hotis
Videography: White Diamond
DJ: Absolute Entertainment, a BOLI preferred vendor
Florist: Lings Moments (artificial)
Hair: Hair by Vickk
Makeup: Makeup by Maria
Officiant: Genesis Church – Roger Blackmore
Dress: Blu Rayne Bridal Boutique, a BOLI preferred vendor
Cake: Frank and Son’s Bakery
Tuxedos: Rico’s Clothing, a BOLI preferred vendor

Don’t let these bachelorette party mistakes ruin your fun!

Wedding planning isn’t always about venues, flower choices, and playlists — you’ll definitely want to save time for your bachelorette party!

Some brides look forward to their bachelorette parties even more than their actual wedding days. What’s more fun than getting together with your best gals and celebrating in style?

But before you book those Nashville tickets, keep in mind a few common bachelorette party mistakes that can throw off your entire vibe.

• MORE: 24 Bachelorette Party Ideas on Long Island 

1. Not communicating your ideas

You love your maid-of-honor, but let’s be real — sometimes your versions of “fun” don’t exactly match. If you’re more inclined to enjoy a spa day over a “Thunder from Down Under” night, make sure you let your planning committee know! As a bride, communicating your ideas is vital in every aspect of wedding planning — bachelorette party included.

If you’re planning a bachelorette party for your bride-to-be bestie, remember — SHE is the focus! You’ll want her bachelorette to reflect her personality, and include things that she’ll enjoy. 

2. Unrealistic budgets

Would every bride love to spend their bachelorette on a Caribbean beach, in a luxury ski lodge, or an epic week-long adventure at Disney World? Of course! But if your bridal party consists of a mom with 3 kids under 3, or a grad student that eats ramen for dinner every night, or a newlywed that just dumped her savings into a new home purchase, the likelihood that they’ll be able to afford something extravagant is slim. Consider a realistic budget that still suits your vision — maybe instead of a week at Disney, it’s a weekend!

If you’re a bridal party member, communicate your budget constraints during the planning discussions. You’ll also want to be realistic — don’t say you can afford something when you know you can’t. 

This is why Ring Leader was invented! Brides, you can anonymously poll your bridal party about ANYTHING, bachelorette budgets included. Save yourselves the awkward money talk. 

3. Unrealistic time commitments

This goes along with budget. The more money you’re spending, the more time you’re probably taking for the bachelorette experience. Let’s go back to our example of a week at Disney — can your new mom, grad student, or newlywed bridesmaids realistically ask for that much time away from their commitments? And even if they could, would that cause them lots of stress, or would it mean they have to sacrifice another vacation they have planned later in the year? You’ll want EVERYONE to have a good time on your bachelorette trip. Stress over time away can definitely hamper the fun.

4. Waiting until the last minute

This one’s for the planning committee. If you fail to plan, plan to fail! Waiting until the very last second to settle the details may mean that you pay way more, have to compromise when first choices are sold out, and exclude bridal party members that can’t make it on short notice. Depending on the wedding date, start discussing the bachelorette party 3-6 months in advance — especially if you’re traveling anywhere.

5. Packing the itinerary

If you’re traveling to a fun location for the bachelorette, you’ll definitely want to see all the hot spots. But be wary of planning TOO much in a short time frame. Not only will this wear everyone out, but it’ll also increase the dollar amount your girls have to spend. Schedule in some pool time or a leisurely afternoon window shopping!

6. A bad attitude 

Once you’re in the car or on the plane, it will be time to have fun. Even if the location or the activities wouldn’t be YOUR first choice, that’s okay! This is the bride’s celebration, and the most important thing is that you’re there to support her. Find the enjoyment in your friendship and spending time together! Now is not the time to pout, complain about the itinerary, or fret about all the money you’ve spent. 

If you’re the bride, remember that your girls put a lot of effort into your bachelorette party. Even if things don’t go EXACTLY as planned, you’ll still be together having a great time. 

There is a sweet spot in between your engagement date and your wedding day.

Congratulations! You’re engaged!. We’re sure that you’re getting a hundred questions from family and friends – when will the wedding be? Where will you have it? What about the shower? Who will be in your bridal party? Are you having an engagement party?

First of all – relax! Take a step back and enjoy this time together. Once you have a moment to breathe, sit down with your future spouse and figure out what you want. Do you even want an engagement party? If you do, when should you have an engagement party?

There is a sweet spot in between when you said ‘yes’ and your wedding day. Some couples have an engagement party a few months after they get engaged. Others may wait a bit, depending on their wedding date. For example, if you want a longer engagement (say two years or more), you could wait a few more months to celebrate your engagement with family and friends. If you’re having a shorter engagement, you might want to have the party within a month of the proposal – or consider not having one and focusing on wedding planning.

MORE: 5 Reasons to Have a Long Engagement

Whenever you choose to have your engagement party, there are a few things to consider.

Who will be hosting?

Decide early on who will be hosting your engagement party. Once this is solidified, you’ll be able to figure out what is best for your and your future spouse. You’ll also be able to budget accordingly – and answer the rest of the questions below!

Venue size

Will this be a small, intimate gathering with close friends and family? Or will it be larger? Will it be a backyard barbecue or catered at a restaurant or venue? Once you figure out the venue, you can focus on the guest list.

MORE: 5 Reasons to Have a Short Engagement

Guest list

Even if you’re hosting a small gathering with family and friends, you might need to draw the line on your second cousins when it comes to the engagement party. Save extended family members – or family members you’re not close with – for your actual wedding date. And as far as friends, if you know your bridal party, you might just want to stick to having them to keep it small.

Location of the party

We’re not talking about the actual venue of the party, but more the location. For example, if you live on Long Island but all of your family and friends live out of state, you should think about whether they will travel for the engagement party.

Time of year

As you start to plan your engagement party, consider the time of year. The holidays can be tough for people, as they might be busy with holiday parties or commitments. In the summer months, people might be traveling.

MORE: 7 Long Island Engagement Party Ideas That Will Wow Your Guests

Remember, just like with your wedding day, you’re not going to please everyone when it comes to your engagement party, so do what makes you and your future spouse happy. If you want to have a large engagement party to celebrate what’s to come, then do it. If you just want a small dinner party, that’s OK too. And last but not least, make sure whoever you invite to your engagement party is definitely on your wedding invite list!

And when you’re ready to start planning, make sure to download our app – Ring Leader!

Formerly known as the Brentwood Country Club, Essex Club can create your dream day on nearly any budget.

It goes without saying that Long Island weddings can get very expensive, very quickly. While that may not be such an issue for some, for others it can mean choosing their dream day or settling for something in their budget.

Essex Club, a BOLI Preferred Venue, merges beauty, affordability, and professionalism in a perfect union. After completing floor-to-ceiling renovations and a name change shortly before the COVID pandemic, this Lessing’s property quickly became a popular and much-loved choice for many Brides of Long Island.  

• MORE: 5 Reasons to have a short engagement

“We just wanted a fresh start.” – Essex Club

In 2019, the Lessing’s-owned Brentwood Country Club underwent major renovations and a name change in order to honor the town’s namesake – a suburban enclave called Brentwood, Essex in England. “We just wanted a fresh start,” said Jessica Dobbins, Essex Club’s general manager. “We completely renovated the whole building.” 

They unveiled the updated Essex Club in January 2020. Two months later, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the local wedding industry.

“With Covid, so many people had to postpone their weddings and needed a new place to go. When things opened up again, couples wanted small, intimate weddings and we were able to give that to them.”

“You can customize as much as you want.” – Essex Club

The updates have transformed Essex Club into a totally versatile and customizable space. “You get the whole building to yourself, so you can customize as much as you want,” Jessica detailed.

“Our cocktail hour space has an enclosed tent with retractable walls,” she continued. “It’s year round no matter what the climate, so if it’s raining, snowing, or freezing cold, your cocktail hour won’t have to be moved inside.”

That cocktail hour space is adjacent to a picturesque gazebo that can be used for your ceremony. “We do seasonal flowers from April until December. And even when the flowers aren’t in bloom, the trees are still all green. It’s a really nice view, and if there’s inclement weather, your ceremony can take place inside in front of our fireplace.”

When it comes time for the party, Essex Club will open their stunning ballroom that holds up to 215 people. “It overlooks the patio where the tent is, so it could be used as one continuous space. If your guests don’t want to be inside with the music, they’re more than welcome to hang out outside in the tent area. A lot of our couples will do after parties there, or add a cigar roller that can work outside.”

“Everyone wants to do something different, and we can definitely do that for them here.” – Essex Club

Essex Club sets itself apart from a host of gorgeous Long Island venues for two reasons: affordability and customizability. “A lot of couples that come here may be paying for everything themselves or they’re already supporting a family, so they want to have a nice, affordable wedding,” Jessica said.

“We also do one event a day, so we can personalize your event ,” she added. “Everyone wants to do something different, and we can definitely do that for them here. We can customize everything from the time your ceremony starts to packages and decorations. Working directly with a couple, our team will tailor to your style and needs, because no two weddings are the same. It’s nice that we have that flexibility.”  

• MORE: 8 Trends for 2025 Long Island Weddings

“If they get a piece of pizza or hot pretzel when they’re on the way out, they’ll remember that the most.” – Essex Club

Of course, Essex Club offers the delectable cuisine that Long Islanders have always associated with the Lessing’s brand. 

“Our most popular menu option for cocktail hour is our Mulberry Street station, which includes eggplant rollatini, sausage and peppers, penne alla vodka, and garlic breadsticks,” Jessica described. “For dinner, it’s our braised short rib and the teriyaki glazed salmon.”

She also offered an alternative idea for wedding favors: a to-go station. “Unfortunately, half the guests always end up leaving the physical items here. But if they get a piece of pizza, a hot pretzel or White Castle when they’re on the way out, they’ll remember that the most.”

“I like when people bring those customizations here to show their love story.” – Essex Club

Personally, Jessica enjoys when couples incorporate their ideas and inspirations into their wedding days. “I like when people bring those customizations here to show their love story,” she explained.

She went on to remember a special wedding from this past summer. “When you walked into the lobby, they had pictures of them when they were first dating. When you moved to the cocktail hour, it was the next chapter of their lives. Then in the ceremony space it was a timeline with pictures and memories of their relationship together, which was really unique. Each room had a different table explaining that chapter of their life, and I’ve never seen that done before.”

“Make it about yourself.” – Essex Club

Jessica had a few words of advice for brides of Long Island. “Make it about yourself,” she suggested. “It’s not about what your family wants. This is your special day so you should do what you want to do. Add those personal touches or go crazy with decorations, get everything you want. Couples can really do that here.”

Plan every moment of your ideal day at Essex Club, a Brides of Long Island Preferred Venue!

• MORE: Plan your wedding with Ring Leader!

You want to show off your ring to everyone you know, near and far. But should you travel with your engagement ring?

It might be one of the most special (and most expensive) things you own — your engagement ring. You’ve been staring at it non-stop ever since it was slipped on your finger, so of course you’ll want to show it off to everyone you know!

Well, not so fast. You don’t want it to leave your finger, but you also don’t want anything to happen to it.

There are lots of mishaps that can happen while traveling, both in transit and at your destination. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide whether traveling with your engagement ring is worth it.

• MORE: How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Damage

Damage is something to keep in mind not only if you’re planning on an active vacation, but also for the journey itself. If you’re recently engaged, you may not be used to wearing your ring yet. That can mean you unintentionally bump it against something or snag it somewhere.

You’ll also want to think about what you’ll be doing on your trip. If your itinerary includes scuba diving, parasailing, and rock climbing, you may not want your engagement ring along for the ride. If you have a super low-key vacation planned, you may not need to leave it behind. 

 

Loss

Remember that time you took your ring off to wash your hands, then couldn’t find it for 20 minutes? Yeah, you don’t EVER want to repeat that again.

If you’re at home, chances are your ring will reappear at some point. But if you’re out of town…well, we don’t even like to think about it. 

You know yourself. If you tend to lose track of things, it may be a good idea to leave your ring at home. If your ring stays on 24/7,  you won’t really have to worry about loss.

• MORE: 7 Long Island Engagement Party Ideas That Will Wow Your Guests

Theft

Unfortunately there are some not-so-nice people in the world, and in certain tourist destinations, a big shiny ring can make you a target for theft.

That’s not to say that theft can’t happen anywhere — it definitely can, even in your own neighborhood. Think about where you’re traveling and the general safety level there. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable walking around at night, leave your ring at home. If you’ve been to your destination a million times and it feels like a second home, you may choose to keep it on. 

Tips for traveling with your engagement ring

If you decide to jet off with your ring in tow, there are a few ways you can ensure it stays safe.

• Wear it discreetly and strategically. Never wear your ring while swimming, hiking, surfing, or doing any activity where it could get damaged. If you’re in an area where you feel unsafe, turn your ring around so the stone doesn’t show or tuck it into your pocket. You can also choose to store your ring in a hotel safe.
• Get your ring insured and inspected before your trip. If a prong is loose or a stone is missing you’ll want to address that before you take off. Insurance will cover you if the unthinkable happens!
•  Purchase a fake engagement ring or a silicone band. Trust us — a lost $15 Amazon purchase won’t cause nearly as many tears as a lost engagement ring.

Traveling with your engagement ring is a personal decision. Weigh the pros and cons of both options, and do what feels right for you!

• MORE: Plan your wedding with Ring Leader

The BOLI preferred venues are great for any of your wedding celebrations.

There are so many restaurants and venues on Long Island that could host any of your wedding celebrations. But how can you tell which one will be the best for you? Well, look no further than some of the best shower, rehearsal and bachelorette locations for Long Island weddings. These Brides of Long Island Preferred Vendors will treat you with extra special care and make sure you have the best celebrations for your big day.

ITA Kitchen
Bay Shore, East Moriches, Patchogue and Garden City
What does ITA stand for? Italian American! At any ITA location, they work with you to create a catering menu that is exactly what you’re looking for. They take pride in not just incredible food, but a wonderful experience.

Post Office Café
Babylon
As part of the Lessing’s Hospitality Group, you know your event will be in good hands at Post Office Café. Thanks to their delicious fare and fun cocktails, this downtown Babylon venue could be the perfect place for your shower, rehearsal dinner or engagement party.

Library Café
Farmingdale
Located in the heart of downtown Farmingdale, Library Café has a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere. Also part of the Lessing’s Hospitality Group, brides and grooms are treated with unique and personalized experiences.

Sandbar
Cold Spring Harbor
Craving seafood? Head to Sandbar in the heart of Cold Spring Harbor. It features a “polished coastal-casual” ambiance that creates a sleek backdrop for elaborate American cuisine. Seasonal ingredients are featured alongside year-round edibles that are perfect for any wedding event.

Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern
Stony Brook
Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern is located in the heart of Stony Brook, and is part of the Three Village Inn. Enjoy your shower or engagement party overlooking Stony Brook Harbor, tasting their French bistro cuisine and American comfort food.

View
Oakdale
View offers a refined yet relaxing setting with beautiful waterfront views and award-winning food. Host your intimate wedding event with a customized menu and breathtaking landscapes.

Insignia
Smithtown
This steakhouse-turned-wedding venue can accommodate up to 300 guests. It offers indoor and outdoor spaces for any type of event, from rehearsal dinners to showers and more. Insignia combines the feel of a Hamptons-style mansion with an upscale Manhattan restaurant for a unique wedding vibe. Menus range from prime-aged steaks to fresh seafood and sushi.

Opus Steakhouse
Jericho
This re-imagined North Shore mansion can be yours for your wedding event! It offers dramatic spaces offering lush gardens, a suspended wine loft and an open kitchen. To say Opus is unique is an understatement, and it’s sure to wow your guests with its delicious menu and breathtaking views.

Camp No Counselors
Go back to summer camp – but add some adult activities. Think DJ, live bands, foam parties and so much more! And it’s all inclusive – including the adult beverages. This is one weekend with your besties that you won’t forget.

MORE: Learn about Camp No Counselors

Goldy’s Gems
Bay Shore
This timeless Bay Shore bar offers a cozy bar atmosphere with a killer house cocktail list. Goldy’s Gems brings people together to celebrate anything and everything – it’s the perfect space for intimate celebrations, showers, bachelorette parties or an after party you’ll never forget.

AR Workshop Patchogue
Patchogue
Why not get creative for your shower or bachelorette party? At AR Workshop in Patchogue, there is a broad selection of projects and designs to fit your décor style. Its relaxed atmosphere is the perfect place to celebrate your upcoming nuptials.

MORE: Unique Bridal Shower or YOUR Long Island Bachelorette Party? Both – at AR Workshop Patchogue!

Heather Jean Photography
Heather is a full-time photographer, mom and caffeine enthusiast. And she can’t wait to capture your wedding events. Her experience shooting smaller weddings makes her the perfect photographer to capture all of your celebrations – showers, rehearsal dinners and more.

One10
Melville
This restaurant space is designed in a modern, chic style, with plenty of natural light and warm wooden flooring. In addition to hosting wedding celebrations, it also operates as an Italian steakhouse that can host your wedding events.

Rare650
Syosset
Rare, indeed. This modern restaurant offers a unique dining experience with several event spaces to choose from for your wedding festivities. From the main dining room with a floor-to-ceiling wine room to a conservatory offering a bright and airy space for guests, Rare650 is the perfect venue to customize your perfect shower or rehearsal dinner.

The Halston
Melville
The Halston features exciting cuisine, delicious wines and signature cocktails that are perfect for your shower, rehearsal dinner or any other wedding event. It features indoor and outdoor spaces for any time of year, with unique spots for photo opportunities.

Blackstone Steakhouse
Melville
The restaurant space offers a modern, chic style, with plenty of natural light and warm wooden flooring. Blackstone’s incredible décor sets the scene and mood for an unforgettable event, featuring warmly glowing chandeliers and fireplaces, as well as remarkable service.

Coastal Creative Studios
Huntington Bay
Coastal Creative Studios can be yours for wedding day prep, as an inspiring backdrop for your wedding photos or even for other events such as your bridal shower. It features stunning views of Huntington Harbor and is conveniently located across from Harbor Club at Prime.

MORE: Elevate Your Wedding Day Preparations at Coastal Creative Studios

Long Island Chef
Stuart Allan is a private chef who travels all over Long Island bringing delicious food to you. He specializes in intimate dinner parties and works with you to create your own personal menu. Long Island Chef will create the perfect five-star dining experience for your shower, bachelorette party and more.

The Sofo Spoon
Islandia
The Sofo Spoon is a full-service private chef and event production company. Its team of chefs and hospitality professionals are passionate and are waiting to curate your vision for the perfect wedding event. Brides love their bachelorette weekend packages, bridal shower brunches and bridesmaid proposal dinners.

No matter what Long Island wedding event you’re looking to have – from your engagement party to your rehearsal dinner – these locations are sure to leave you smiling and satisfied.

Norman and his wife Jenna got married in Southern California weeks after the Olympics.

Just weeks after the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, sprinter Michael Norman and his college sweetheart, Jenna Adams, tied the knot in Southern California.

According to The Knot, Norman and his new bride met at the University of Southern California. He ran track and field, and Adams played women’s volleyball. Mutual friends introduced the pair, who started dating in between their sophomore and junior years. Five years later, Norman proposed in November 2023 during a trip to Japan. Norman spent weeks planning the proposal, he told The Knot. “I flew to her parents’ house in San Francisco to ask for permission.” And because the Olympics were less than a year away, Adams said her mother started making a list of venues before she even said ‘yes.’

Adams told The Knot that she chose September 28, 2024 because it was after the Paris Olympics, during the one month of the year he takes off. “I knew in order for him to fully enjoy the wedding day, it had to be the month that he takes off right after the season, which in 2024 was September,” she explained.

The couple enlisted the help of Stefanie Muse, owner of Muse Luxury Weddings, to bring their ideas for a minimalist and modern celebration to life. Working closely with the newlyweds, they transformed the Alila Marea Beach Resort into a monochromatic oasis. Guests celebrated the couple throughout the weekend, starting with a kickoff party that Friday.

MORE: XOXO: Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr Marries Former NHL Star Brad Richardson

The church ceremony was Saturday afternoon, where Adams walked down the aisle in a custom one-shoulder wedding dress. Adams told The Knot that before she walked down the aisle, she listened to a message that Norman recorded for her. “As I was listening to it, it was then I realized that I was marrying the person I love more than anything,” she said. “After, I was so excited that I didn’t have any nerves.” The couple skipped a first look, and went the traditional route of seeing each other for the first time at the altar.

As the pair took advantage of the golden hour glow along the coastal bluffs for photos, Adams surprised Norman with a “second” first look, where she transformed her wedding dress by removing the overskirt. For their first dance at their reception, they danced a choreographed routine to Kacy Musgraves’ cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Guests danced the night away to a band, and continued the party into the wee hours of the night with a DJ.

MORE: 5 Reasons Why You Should Choreograph Your First Dance

According to The Knot, the couple is focused on enjoying their newlywed life in California, and gearing up for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Norman/Adams Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Venue: Alila Marea Beach Resort
Photographer: Allie Lindsey Photography
Planner: Muse Luxury Weddings
Videographer: SD Wedding Films
Florist: Organic Elements
Glam: Triplow Beauty
Rentals: Organic Elements, Concepts Event Design
Entertainment: Republic of Music
Transportation: San Diego Charter

In Brides of Long Island’s “Am I a Bridezilla?” the BOLI team weighs in on an anonymous submission asking that dreaded question. What do you think?

Dear BOLI,

My wedding was two weeks ago and it was amazing! It was truly one of the best days of my life and I loved every minute of it.

Well…not every minute of it.

I had a very specific idea in mind for my centerpieces: five white peonies surrounded by baby’s breath and a white candle in the middle. Since peonies aren’t in season now, I had to pay a lot of money to get them.

During cocktail hour I walked into the main dining space to see how everything was set up, and my centerpieces were all wrong. Some had three peonies and a ton of baby’s breath, some had six peonies and barely any baby’s breath, some had no baby’s breath at all. They were a total mess.

I ended up freaking out on the maître d’ for allowing the florist to leave without taking care of their crappy work. He tried his best to arrange them more to my liking, but there weren’t enough flowers. I eventually calmed down and enjoyed the rest of my evening, but looking back on things now I’m even madder about it than I was at the time. I really went over budget to get my exact vision and it wasn’t met. 

I have a call in to the florist to discuss this. I told my now-husband about my reaction when I saw everything, and he said I was a bridezilla for losing my cool with the maître d’. He wants to make sure I don’t do the same when we call the florist. I don’t think I’m a bridezilla because it’s the venue’s job to make sure everything is perfect. Do you agree with him? Or am I a bridezilla?

Signed,

Peony Problem

• MORE: The Best Florists on Long Island

Dear Peony Problem,

Yes, you’re a bridezilla.

No one would fault you for being upset about your centerpieces not coming out right, especially if you paid a lot of money for out-of-season flowers. We all want to get what we pay for, ESPECIALLY if we’re emptying our pockets to get it.

But your reaction towards the venue staff definitely pushed you into bridezilla territory. You said it’s “the venue’s job to make sure everything is perfect,” and that’s true up to a point. The venue can only control what’s in their territory (and their contract with you) — the food, the space, their staff, etc. The florist is the one that dropped the ball here, and your venue staff has absolutely no control over the florist’s work or the items they drop off. 

My guess is that the maître d’ was focused on his job, which was making sure the set up of the room was right and the rest of his staff was ready for your wedding. If you had a wedding planner or day-of coordinator, they would be the ones in charge of making sure all of your other vendors were performing their jobs appropriately. 

Most venue staff will also pay attention to other vendors as much as they can because they obviously want you to be happy. But at the end of the day, that’s not really their responsibility. And besides that, what options do you think the maître d’ had in this scenario? He worked with you to get the centerpieces as close to your liking as possible, but the fact remained that there weren’t enough flowers. He could have asked the florist to go back and bring more flowers, however since they were out of season it’s unlikely they had more to bring. He could have demanded that they take the centerpieces back and continue to work on them until they were right, but then you run the risk of having no centerpieces at all (or having them roll in mid-dinner). And again — since the flowers were out-of-season, it’s unlikely that they had more on hand to fill out their work. 

Do you have a right to be mad at the florist? Yes, absolutely. Before you talk to them, I would sit down with your husband and make notes about exactly what you want to say. If you have pictures to provide in comparison to your inspiration images or the florist’s mockups, that would be great. Try to keep heightened emotions out of the conversation as much as possible and stick to the facts: you didn’t get what you paid for.

I would also apologize to your maître d’. You can write an email or call, but take the time to express remorse. I’m sure this isn’t the first time he’s dealt with a situation like this, and I’m sure he’s understanding of the fact that tensions can run high on wedding days. Still, it’s worth it to reach out and apologize to him. 

Wondering if you’re a bridezilla? Email your anonymous questions to jennifer@bridesofli.com

• MORE: Ring Leader is totally bridezilla-proof

 

In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Tiana talks about planning her wedding in six months – and being the second bride ever at The Lannin.

When Tiana went out with a friend on a cold February night, she didn’t think she’d meet her future husband. Almost two years later, she and Anthony walked down the aisle in the winter wedding of her dreams.

A Chance Meeting

Like something out of a movie, Tiana and her friend were sitting at the bar at The Irish Poet in Wantagh. Anthony went to pay his tab, and they got to talking. “He ended the conversation with, ‘Can I take you out sometime?’” she recalled. “I figured if he had the nerve to put himself out there, I could at least go on one date.”

They started dating that February of 2022, and in May 2023, Anthony proposed during her father’s birthday dinner. “We were taking a group photo at the end of dinner, and I turned around and he was down on one knee,” she said.

Just Six Months to Plan

Tiana knew she wanted to get married the same year, so she started planning right after they got engaged. The first vendor she booked? Hair and makeup. “I was obsessed with makeup artist Glam by Gee,” she explained. “As soon as we got engaged, I contacted her right away to check her availability for December. And I also booked her partner for hair.” She chose December because it was the off season, and she figured she’d have luck with vendors being available – which they all were. “I was very lucky in that I was able to book all of the vendors I wanted.”

In fact, Tiana also knew right away she wanted to get married at The Lannin, a BOLI Preferred Venue. Its central location and recent renovations made it the perfect choice for her wedding. And, it turns out, she was only the second bride to have her reception there. “They had all their dates available, since they were just opening,” Tiana said.

Once her venue, and hair and makeup were booked, she made sure to reach out to Bravo Sound. “It’s a Greek band and Greek DJ that I grew up with,” Tiana said. “They played at my Sweet 16, as well as my brother’s wedding and sister’s wedding. They are like family to us, and they kept everyone on the dance floor all night.”

MORE: 5 Reasons to Have a Short Engagement

Standing Out On Her Wedding Day

Tiana wowed her guests with the unique offerings during cocktail hour, including hanging Tomahawk steaks and sushi that was hand rolled in front of them. “The Lannin was so accommodating with anything I asked for,” she said. “They truly went above and beyond to make our night special and unique.”

In addition to the amazing food, The Lannin was decorated for the holidays complete with garlands, baby’s breath, lights and a holiday tree. “I wasn’t sure if they would be decorated yet, but they were and it was just breathtaking and fit with my winter theme,” she said.

MORE: Customize the Luxury Wedding of Your Dreams at The Lannin

Adding to the winter theme, Tiana made sure the ballroom was transformed into an enchanted forest. Her centerpieces were natural, old brown birch branches in tall vases that almost hit the ceiling, with lights wrapped around them and hanging crystals. She also included a beautiful backdrop behind where she and Anthony sat. “This backdrop was so extravagant, it was the first thing people saw as they walked in,” she said. “It was gold-colored flowers etched on glass, with a white-flowered arch – it really felt like we were in that enchanted forest.”

Wanting to get her guests in on the fun, Tiana had an interactive seating chart. “It was a photo of us, and when people found their names, they’d peel off a sticker that revealed their table number on the back,” Tiana explained. “Once all of the names were peeled off, another photo of us was underneath. It was so unique and fun!” And as favors, guests got to take home personalized bottles of Pinot Noir that included Tiana and Anthony’s name and wedding date.

MORE: 9 Signature Drinks to Warm Up Your Guests

Booking Early Is Key

Tiana said she is proud to be part of the BOLI community. “I found it so helpful during planning – from reading reviews to hearing what other brides were going through,” Tiana said.

Now that she’s graduated, she’s happy to impart her knowledge to other brides. “Book everything early,” she said. “If you know what vendors you want, book them right away.”

And while it may seem hard, Tiana said it’s important to focus on what you and your future spouse want. “Everyone will have their opinion. But it’s your day.” Tiana says she was able to stay calm throughout the planning process, which she believes made her day go smoothly. “Everything that I had planned came to life, and it blew me out of the water. The day went so fast, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything was perfect.”

Vendors:
Venue: The Lannin, a BOLI preferred vendor
Photographer and Videographer: Miralli Photography, a BOLI preferred vendor
DJ and Band: Bravo Sound
Florist: A Floral Celebration
Hair: Themanewave
Makeup: Glambygee
Dresses: Blu Rayne Bridal Boutique, a BOLI preferred vendor
MOB and MOH Dresses: Bridal Reflections, a BOLI preferred vendor
Tuxedos: Esquire Tuxedos, a BOLI preferred vendor