8 Trends for 2025 Long Island Weddings

These fun trends for 2025 will make your wedding spectacular.

A new year brings some new and fun wedding ideas to incorporate into your big day! Here are eight trends for 2025 Long Island weddings.

Bright Colors

Choosing bold and bright colors will allow you to stand out from your bridal party. If bright bridesmaids dresses aren’t really your thing, remember that you can incorporate those pops of color with your floral arrangements or bouquets.

Elaborate Cakes

Elaborate cakes are in for 2025! Whether you want a multi-tiered look or a super specialized design, you can include parts of your personality that will make your cake pop –  think bold colored icing, superheroes, sports teams, your favorite movie, or favorite hobbies. The possibilities are endless!

Wedding Content Creators

Wedding content creators were definitely in for 2024, and they are only getting more popular. Wedding content creators allow you to share your big day with the whole world instantly. Just give them ideas of what you want and they’ll do the rest.

MORE: The Best Long Island Wedding Content Creators

Even Shorter Ceremonies or Private Vows

While the ceremony is the most important part of your big day, many couples are shortening them to allow for longer cocktail hours and receptions. Shorter ceremonies are great for those who don’t necessarily like being the center of attention. In fact, many 2025 couples are choosing to say their vows privately. This could mean simply turning off that microphone in front of guests, or even saying them before the ceremony, perhaps at your first look.

MORE: I’m a Shy Bride – How Do I Handle Being the Center of Attention?

Hair Down

Let your hair down! In for 2025 weddings are long locks. Start saving some wavy, beachy hairstyle photos! Pro tip – ask your stylist about adding extensions to make your hair fuller on your wedding day.

Multi-Day Events

You may have already planned your rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding brunch the next day with your bridal party. But why not include more guests and make it a multi-day wedding celebration? This fun 2025 wedding trend keeps the party going for a few days, and allows you to spend time with loved ones in a more relaxed setting.

Audio Guestbooks

An audiobook can keep things interesting. It can be as simple as setting up a laptop or an iPad for people to record a message for you, or hiring a wedding pro that offers this service. Either way, it’s a great keepsake that you can listen to for years to come.

MORE: The Best Fun Extras for Your Wedding

Interactive Food Stations

These fun food stations are a great way to make the dining experience engaging and memorable for guests.  Look into a sushi station where guests can watch a sushi chef hand roll the sushi rolls, or get your guests in on the action with a build-your-own taco bar or a cheese fondue bar. Keep the interactivity going during the reception with a drink mixer bar – like margaritas or Bellini’s – where guests can add tasty flavored mixers to their cocktails.

What wedding trends are you looking forward to in 2025? Remember – even if you don’t incorporate any of these ideas, that’s okay. The best trends are the ones that reflect your personal style. And that’s timeless. 

BOLI Preferred Venue The Vineyards at Aquebogue is nestled in Long Island’s picturesque North Fork region

Deciding on a venue is one of the first and most important choices you’ll make as a newly-engaged bride.  Whether you’re looking for something chic and sophisticated or cozy and intimate, there’s no shortage of venues that can offer the exact vibe you’re after. 

However, there aren’t too many venues that have the capacity to create nearly any wedding style you could imagine – all within the same four walls. BOLI Preferred Venue The Vineyards at Aquebogue can do just that, while treating your guests to delicious local fare and providing the backdrop to breathtaking photos.

• MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue

“It’s so gorgeous, most brides don’t have to do anything extra to it.” – The Vineyards at Aquebogue

“We’re located out here on the beginning of the North Fork, with all of the farmstands and beautiful vineyards around the area,” said Kate Wiggins, sales director for The Vineyards at Aquebogue. “A lot of our couples’ guests take advantage of that on the weekend of the wedding. It’s a true ‘destination,’ but you’re not so far away that you can’t go home.” 

The two main reception spaces at The Vineyards are versatile and comfortable year-round. “Cocktail hour is on our beautiful covered deck area,” Kate described. “There’s greenery and string lights on the ceiling. It’s so gorgeous, most brides don’t have to do anything extra to it. In the summertime it’s open air, so guests can walk in and out. During the off-season months, it’s fully enclosed and heated.”

“The ballroom is connected to the cocktail space, so you’re able to open up the sliding glass doors and guests can mingle in and out throughout your wedding,” she added. “What’s great is that if you want to do a cigar bar, extra dessert station, or any of those add-on options, you can use the cocktail patio as a continuation of your party throughout the night.” 

Your guests won’t be the only ones that can enjoy the serene surroundings. “We’re one wedding at a time, and couples are always impressed because everything they need is here,” Kate continued. “Brides have access to the bridal suite two hours before the wedding, which has a beautiful balcony that overlooks all of the vineyards. Couples love taking pictures up there.” 

“There are just so many spots for pictures.” –The Vineyards at Aquebogue

Speaking of pictures, The Vineyard’s abundant beauty leaves brides with a wealth of photo opportunities. “The property itself is absolutely stunning,” Kate described. “The gardens here are very well manicured, we have two different gazebos, a waterfall with a pond, a wooden dock, the vineyards and a trail in the woods that we carved out with bistro lights in the trees; there are just so many spots for pictures.”

There are also a few other locations – and props – on the grounds that can lend themselves to truly unique wedding day photos. “There’s a Christmas tree farm on the back of our property that a lot of our winter couples take pictures near,” she detailed. “We offer a golf cart that says ‘just married’ on the back, and a lot of times the sunset will happen in the middle of the wedding. So we’ll use the golf cart since our property is so big, do a five-minute photo shoot with the sunset over the vineyards, then take the couple back in. The golf cart itself is a really fun photo op.” 

“We try to keep things local, so you feel like you’re getting the North Fork experience.” – The Vineyards at Aquebogue

Because the area is rich with local flavor and flare, The Vineyards at Aquebogue likes to keep their menu offerings close to home. “We try to keep things local, so you feel like you’re getting a true North Fork experience,” Kate explained. 

“As a standard part of our wedding menu, we offer a vineyard farm-to-table station which features bites and sliders, oyster chowder, and chicken salad,” she continued. “In the fall we’ll change the oyster chowder to butternut squash. We also include Backyard Brine pickles, North Fork chips, and horseradish from the local Schmidt’s farms.”

Of course, presentation is also important to The Vineyards at Aquebogue’s staff. “We have a chalkboard right above the station with a map of all the farms that we get everything from, next to artistic black and white photos of tractors and chickens. A lot of guests that come from out of town don’t know the area, so they can enjoy the local cuisine while at the venue, and grab a bag of North Fork chips to take home or enjoy during the night.”

The delectable offerings don’t end at cocktail hour. “We have awesome short ribs, that’s one of our most popular entrees, and it comes over mushroom risotto. We also do a pesto shrimp with lobster risotto. Our chefs are really good at risotto!”

For brides that want something extra, The Vineyards at Aquebogue has several distinctive options. “Our Briermere Farms pie station has three different choices of pie with ice cream, fresh whipped cream, and berries on the side. We also offer a North Fork farmstand dessert bar with hot apple cider, local apple strudel, and ‘potato candy’ from 1760 Homestead Farm – it’s a coconut candy coated with dark chocolate.” 

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

“I like when people do something different.” –The Vineyards at Aquebogue

When asked about a recent memorable wedding, it was hard for Kate to pinpoint a specific event. “We obviously see so many weddings every year,” she explained. “I like when people do something different. Changing out the linens to their personalized color scheme or choosing extravagant floral arrangements both make a huge impact in the space. ”

She further detailed a trend that developed after the COVID pandemic. “One of the most popular things that couples started doing is decorating the ceiling in the ballroom. They’ll do heavy greenery which gives things a very romantic feel. I’ve also seen chiffon drapes hung from the ceiling, and those big installations always make such an impact in photos – the marquee letters, the sparkler towers, those over-the-top details that people remember.”

“Think about yourself in that moment.” – The Vineyards at Aquebogue

Kate had some valuable words of advice for brides of Long Island. “There are so many beautiful venues on Long Island and it’s hard to choose sometimes. If there are certain details that are important to you and you’re stumped, think about yourself in that moment. The dress you’re wearing, the flowers you’re holding, the colors that your girls are in, on the center of the dance floor at your first dance. Are you a fairy tale princess in a ball gown at Bourne Mansion, or do you see yourself embracing your own beautiful style, surrounded by nature and the charm of a vineyard? Visualizing it this way can often help you decide.” 

When you’re shopping for anything big, you want to make sure you’ve made the right decision,” she followed. “It’s one of the biggest days of your life and you don’t want any regrets. You want to see all the options to make sure you’ve made the right decision.”

Whether you’re looking for something chic and sophisticated or cozy and intimate, The Vineyards at Aquebogue could be the perfect venue for your dream wedding.

• MORE: Ring Leader makes wedding planning easier!

These tips will help ease your stress as you celebrate your first winter holidays with your in-laws.

The winter holidays are fast approaching. You probably started making your shopping list, buying holiday decorations, and basking in that newlywed glow of spending your first holiday as an engaged or married couple. But all of that holiday cheer can also bring a lot of stress. If this is the first year you’re celebrating with your in-laws, we have you covered with some tips for your first winter holidays with your in-laws.

Know what topics to avoid

You probably know what topics you should avoid at the dinner table by now, but it’s always a good idea to check with your spouse ahead of time. This year could be a tense year to talk politics, so it may be best to steer clear of that subject. 

As you’re getting the lowdown from your spouse about their family, definitely ask if there are any chatty family members that may chew your ear off all night! By planning ahead of time with your spouse, you’ll be able to ease any tension and start building a good relationship with your in-laws.

While you’re hitting your spouse up for the cheat sheet on their family, come up with a code word or signal if you need help in an awkward conversation. Or even if it’s just time to go.

MORE: How to handle political differences with your in-laws

Be mindful of religious beliefs

Find out what sort of religious traditions their family observes. If you grew up Catholic and their family is Jewish, learn some of the traditions ahead of time. Find out if there are any foods they may not be able to eat during the holidays. If you’ll be celebrating at their home, find out what is appropriate to bring. And take the opportunity to learn more about their religion. Ask questions, and really listen to what they have to say. You’ll learn new traditions, which will make the following year’s celebrations easier. 

In addition to religious traditions, find out if there are any other holiday traditions they may have. Perhaps they have a Secret Santa every year. Find out how you can take part, and seek help from your spouse on gift-giving advice

Know their body language.

Follow your spouse’s lead! Are they huggers? Kiss on the cheek? Or maybe just a polite handshake? Let your spouse say hello or good-bye first to see how everyone is greeted. If you follow their lead, you can avoid any awkward moments with relatives you might be meeting for the first time.

Have some good topics planned ahead of time

Learn some good conversation starters. As mentioned above, find out some hot-button topics to avoid, such as politics or even a particular sports team that might get people riled up. See what you have in common with your in-laws and focus on those things to talk about.

MORE: How to Split the Holidays Between Your Family and Your In-Laws 

Bring a gift

If you’ll be a guest at your in-laws, offer to bring something. A dessert? An appetizer? Fruit? Perhaps just a holiday decoration they can use around their home. If you can cook or bake, consider something from scratch for extra brownie points. This blogger won over her in-laws by bringing her now-famous snickerdoodles to their first holiday celebration together. They are now a staple at every get-together.

Offer to help

And just as you would at any winter holiday celebration you attend, offer to help in some way. Either with set-up or clean-up. Offer your compliments up to the chef. And always say thank you for hosting!

If you’re hosting…

If you’re the host of your first winter holiday with your in-laws, find out ahead of time if there are any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Be sure to include dishes that all of their relatives will enjoy. And speaking of food, be sure to have enough! The worst thing during a big holiday would be to run out of food. Remember, you can always have your guests take home leftovers (especially if there are delicious homemade treats)!

Is this the first time your spouse’s mother isn’t hosting a winter holiday? Make her feel special. Include her in the planning. Ask her to bring her special dish that everyone raves about. And if you feel comfortable, ask her for the recipe so you can carry on the tradition.

And remember, with all the added stress, you and your spouse might be on edge. It’s important to keep any disagreements away from the guests.

MORE: How to Best Use the Winter Holidays for Wedding Planning

In the end, remember to relax and enjoy yourself. Be present during the winter holidays. Since it’s your first as an engaged or married couple, take the time to reflect on the year, and what your future holds. The winter holidays are a great time to honor and learn the traditions of each other’s families. And as the years go by, you can look back and incorporate those special moments into your new winter holiday traditions.

Even when you don’t see eye to eye, there is a way to handle political differences with your in-laws.

It goes without saying that this year’s presidential election was heated (to put it lightly). You may have gotten into arguments or even decided to end relationships over it. As always, you get to decide how best to navigate these very sensitive and multi-faceted issues, and you get to determine what’s best for you and your own mental or physical health. 

One area where this navigation can get incredibly tricky is with your in-laws. There’s a reason why the “don’t discuss politics” social guideline exists — if you and your in-laws don’t agree politically, it can lead to some very tense discussions that can get very ugly, very quickly. 

But there is a way to handle political differences with your in-laws that can keep the waters relatively calm and your relationship in tact (if that’s what both you and your spouse want). 

• MORE: How to Split the Holidays Between Your Family and Your In-Laws 

Remain calm and respectful

Remember when we said this election was heated? Political discussions have a way of bringing out heightened emotions. This makes sense — we care deeply about our country and about our loved ones, and of course we want things to run in ways that make sense to us. 

If a certain political topics come up and you have a dissenting opinion, do your best to remain calm and respectful. Take a few deep breaths before responding. Pause and think about what you want to say, and how you want to say it. Avoid inflammatory and aggressive language, and keep your tone and volume measured.

You can also ask your in-laws questions: “Why do you feel that way?” “What has contributed to your opinion?” “What are your sources on that statistic?” “Where did you hear that information?” Depending on their answers, you may find ways to challenge or refute their answers with your own knowledge.

Again though, it’s important to stay calm and respectful. So instead of responding with something like “that’s not true and I can’t believe you fell for it,” try saying “actually, according to evidence from…” or “surprisingly, the data proves that…”

Communicate your needs

All those heightened emotions can make it hard to stay respectful, especially if we feel we’re being disrespected in turn. If that’s the case, you have every right to remove yourself from the conversation and return when tempers have cooled. Communicate that need with your in-laws: “I feel I’m being disrespected right now, so I’m going to leave this conversation. I’ll come back when we’ve moved on from this topic.”

Remember, the same “calm and respectful” rules apply to your in-laws. If you find their emotions are getting a bit out-of-control, you have a right to state that and communicate your needs. “This topic is causing some heightened emotions, so I’d like to talk about something else/I’m going to leave for a few minutes until we’ve all calmed down.” 

You can also request that the conversation end. “It seems we’re not going to agree on this topic right now, so it’s best we end this conversation.” 

Enforce boundaries

There are some topics that simply can’t be discussed reasonably or rationally. Sometimes, that encompasses politics as a whole. The best thing you can do is enforce boundaries with your in-laws: “I do not feel comfortable discussing this with you, so I need to ask that we avoid the topic from now on. If that request isn’t respected, I will leave/hang up/remove myself from the conversation.” 

Be prepared to enforce this boundary when needed (again, doing so calmly and respectfully). Following through on your boundaries not only protects your wellbeing, but also sends a very clear message to your in-laws. 

• MORE: Tips for Your First Thanksgiving with Your In-Laws

Examine the relationship

If you feel consistently disrespected after discussions with your in-laws, or if they’re constantly ignoring boundaries you’ve put in place, it may be time to examine your relationship. 

You may ultimately decide that you want to limit the time you spend with them, or decide to not spend time with them at all. There’s no right or wrong answer here — you are the one in the relationship, and only you can determine the best course of action for you. Before you make any decisions, sit down with your spouse and express your concerns. They may want to talk to their parents, they may suggest other ways the two of you can communicate in the future, or they may want to examine their own relationships. 

If you are strongly considering going “no contact” with your in-laws, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you feel disrespected during other topics of conversation, or is it usually just when the conversation is political?
• Have your in-laws acted in ways that have supported you and your spouse in the past? What are some examples?
• How did your in-laws act during your engagement? How did they act when you and your spouse were dating? How did they act on the day you got married?
• Have your in-laws always been politically motivated, or is this a new trait? How often do they discuss politics or political topics when there are no upcoming elections?
• Do your in-laws’ opinions on political matters directly oppose your moral or ethical values?
• Can you remember at least five good or happy conversations with your in-laws?
• Do you ever leave after visiting your in-laws feeling good (or at least neutral)?
• Do you agree or disagree with your in-laws on other topics besides politics?
• Have your in-laws respected your wishes in the past?

Again, there’s no right or wrong answer — only what’s best for you, your spouse, and your family. 

 

Whether you are looking for unique floral arrangements or just beautiful flowers to compliment your day, each of these BOLI preferred vendors are sure to make your day special.

When it’s time to start looking at florists, look no further than our BOLI preferred vendors. We have eleven of the best florists on Long Island ready to work with you to make your day beautiful. They specialize in everything from bouquets and centerpieces to archways and floral décor to adorn your entire ceremony and reception. Take a look at the 11 best florists on Long Island below. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

Lauren Taylor Floral Elegance
For decades, Lauren Taylor Floral Elegance in Lindenhurst has been fulfilling wedding floral and décor dreams for brides. They specialize in working with only one bride a day. Lauren will oversee all aspects of your floral planning – from the first meeting to picking out the arrangements and the delivery.

Glitzed Events
Glitzed Events in Mineola is female and family owned. Owner Nicole says they are a seasoned team, some with over 30 years experience, and they’re ready to decorate and plan your wedding.

MORE: 19 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Wedding Florist

Tom’s Towers Flowers
Tom’s Towers Flowers in West Islip has specialized in wedding and event floral designs for over 45 years! Their in-house specialist, Jan, can make any floral arrangement dream come true.

James Cress Florist and Events
This family-owned floral business is ready to create all of your floral wedding design visions. They work hard to make every wedding a magical and memorable experience. The day of your wedding, they make sure one of their owners is always on site to ensure a smooth delivery and set up.

MORE: 7 Ways to Save For Your Wedding

Beautiful Beginnings Flowers
Beautiful Beginnings Flowers in Bethpage prides itself on cutting edge design and top-notch service. One of the three wedding specialists, Lori, Deanna and Jenn, will meet with you to design the perfect wedding flowers and be on site the day of your wedding.

With All My Heart Floral Design & Invitation Studio
The designers at With All My Heart in Wading River and Bohemia create the most exquisite and beautiful floral arrangements for your big day. Not only will they fulfill all of your floral needs, but they also specialize in invitation design.

Elegant Designs by Joy
Elegant Designs by Joy specializes in bespoke floral designs. They hear your ideas and then run with them to create the perfect designs for your wedding day.

Platinum Events @ Family Florist
The team at Platinum Events @ Family Florist has over 30 years experience. They strive not only to make every couple’s floral vision a reality, they also specialize in working within all budgets. From beautiful centerpieces, bouquets and archways to ceiling décor, dance floor backdrops and so much more, this team is ready to bring your floral dreams to life.

MORE: 6 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner 

Perry’s Florist & Event Rentals
For almost 70 years, Perry’s Florist, a family owned floral shop, has been renowned for creating exquisite wedding floral arrangements and event designs. The team is committed to creating your vision with fresh flowers and stunning décor.

Flowers by Manny
Manny Montes has over 15 years experience in the floral industry. He devotes his talents to helping couples bring their wedding floral ideas to life. Manny and his team specialize in romantic and classic themes, and make sure to handpick every bloom, leaf and spray for your special day.

Gifts from the Heart Florist

With nearly 30 years experience in the floral industry, Martha from Gifts from the Heart Florist says she loves working with brides and grooms to create their wedding florals. From understated to outrageous, Martha works with all budgets to enhance every part of your day with gorgeous flowers. 

If you have no idea what sort of flowers you want for your wedding, don’t fret! You will be in good hands with whichever of the eleven best florists on Long Island that you choose. They’ll work hard to guide you every step of the way.

Your groom and his boys will look their best, thanks to the best Long Island menswear shops!

All eyes will be on you for your walk down the aisle, but shouldn’t YOU have something nice to look at too? 😉 

Get your groom and his groomsmen suited up! These 4 best Long Island menswear shops have something for everyone, no matter your style or budget.

• MORE: 7 Groomsmen Photos That Will Make You Laugh

Esquire Tuxedos

Esquire Tuxedos, a family owned and operated full service tuxedo store, features the latest colors, and styles, and popular fits your guys will love. They won the BOLI Diamond Award in 2023, so you know your groomsmen will be in good hands!

 

Raymond St. James Formal Wear

Raymond St. James Formal Wear has been in formal attire business for over two decades. They can’t wait to meet your family, and provide you tuxes, groomsmen’s gifts, honeymoon wear and more!

 

Rico’s Clothing

Founded in 1954 when owner Americo Eaderesto sold suits from door to door, Rico’s Clothing is now in its 70th year in business. They offer a huge selection of rental suits and tuxedos, as well as a groomsmen package that includes custom alterations.

 

Bell Formal Wear

Established in 1964, Bell Formal Wear is known for their personalized service, attention to detail, and extensive selection of styles. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, they’ll ensures that your groom and groomsmen will feel confident and looks their best for your wedding!

• MORE: Plan Your Wedding With Ring Leader!

For this month’s Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we switched it up and spoke with Tiana about the things she did to help herself heal after her engagement ended – including a self-love photoshoot.

The last thing on any bride’s mind is the possibility of her engagement ending. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened to Tiana – two weeks before her wedding day. And while it felt like her world was ending, Tiana took something negative and learned to love herself again. Here’s how she did it.

The Unimaginable

Tiana and her ex-partner of nine years were supposed to be married in June 2024. He ended things two weeks before they were supposed to say ‘I Do.’  “It was the worst moment of my life,” said Tiana. “But it ended up being the best moment of my life.” At the time, she said she honestly didn’t know how she would move on. “How was I supposed to tell people? How was I supposed to live my life? How am I going to do this?” said Tiana. “All of these things were running through my mind.”

Because it was such short notice, Tiana had to go through the painful task of calling her vendors to tell them the wedding was called off the day after their break-up. “I didn’t really have time to wait and process what was happening,” she said. Her photographer, Sam, of Sam Lesser Photography, is also a good friend. “When I called her, she immediately asked what she could do to help me,” said Tiana. “I told her, ‘I don’t know,’ and that’s when she suggested a self-love photoshoot. She said, ‘You need to feel loved and appreciated.’” Sam told her she wanted to give her the photos she deserved, and even suggested they add video to the day with her videographer, Darya from Sea Films LLC.

An Empowering Day

Tiana said she immediately took Sam up on her offer. “I worked with her for my engagement photos, and I just love her work,” she said. “I also wanted photos of myself – after nine years, the majority of my photos were with my ex-partner.” However, she waited a few months so she could get her head in a good place. Tiana said she went on her honeymoon with her sister – a cruise to Bermuda. “We had such an amazing time, and when I came back, I felt empowered,” she said. “I felt refreshed and ready to take those photos. And it was awesome.”

So on an August day, Tiana met with Sam and Darya at Captree State Park in Bay Shore for her three-hour self-love photo shoot. “It was in the early afternoon into sunset, and it was just beautiful,” said Tiana. She put together a playlist of all her favorite songs, and even started singing as both Sam and Darya gave her direction for some poses, all while saying words of affirmation to make Tiana feel amazing. “As I was taking these photos and listening to their words – things I hadn’t heard in a long time, and I didn’t see myself in that light because I was broken – I remember thinking it was such a beautiful healing experience for me,” she said.

Tiana said she did an outfit change, and took photos and video in different areas of the park. “They gave me poses, but the whole shoot felt very candid,” she said. “They made me laugh, made me smile and made me whole again.” At the end of the day, she started crying because she couldn’t believe she could feel that way again. “I actually felt worthy of being loved again,” she said. “It was one of the most defining moments of my life. I felt so empowered and confident. When I look back at these photos, I’ll say, ‘I got through this awful time and was okay.’”

MORE: Self-Care Ideas

The Healing Process

Now that four months have passed since her broken engagement, Tiana can say she’s in a much better place. In addition to the self-love photoshoot, she started doing things to help her healing. “I had a great support system with my friends and family,” Tiana said. “I started therapy, I continued to go to church, I started going to the gym – I could finally do things for me, things I hadn’t done for me in a really long time.” She also started reading more, something she never really had time for in the past.

Tiana also turned to Brides of Long Island. She posted something about how she could save her dress for a wedding in the future. “I connected with someone who was going through the same thing as me,” she said. “We actually met up in person. It was to find someone who understood what I was going through. Knowing I wasn’t alone allowed my healing process to really take flight.”

MORE: Cold Feet? Here Are the Questions to Ask Yourself Before the Big Day

A Negative Into a Positive

Throughout the healing process, Tiana knew she didn’t want to allow a negative moment in her life to define her. She’s sharing her story now to help empower other women who may be going through something similar. “Though it seems like your world is crashing down – because I know I felt that way – know that things happen for a reason,” she said. “And it’s important to know that what you’re walking away from will lead you to walk into a situation that is far beyond what you could have expected.”

Tiana understands that not everyone heals in the same way, but says it’s important to realize that there’s no right or wrong way to heal. “When this happened, I never thought I’d get to this place where I am now,” she said. “But I look at myself in the mirror and I see a woman that I never would have become if this didn’t happen to me. I’ve literally transformed into someone that I don’t even recognize in the best way possible.”

Tiana hopes that all women dealing with broken relationships or engagements will be able to get to a place of healing and peace like she did. “It’s different for everyone, but know that it will happen,” she said. “There is no timeline, and everyone has to do things at their own pace. But know that I’m living my life the way I want to live it, and eventually you will too.”

MORE: I’m Getting Married for the Second Time – How Should I Celebrate?

Vendors:
Photographer: Sam Lesser Photography, @samlesserphoto
Videography: Darya Bradshaw at Sea Films LLC

View Tiana’s video below

(Video courtesy of Sea Films LLC, @daryaseafilms)

Paper Doll Vintage Boutique, owned by BOLI member Dominique Maciejka, was destroyed.

Sayville’s Main Street experienced a devastating fire on Friday, October 25. Many businesses were severely damaged or destroyed, including Paper Doll Vintage Boutique — a business owned by Bride of Long Island Dominique Maciejka. 

“I’m okay physically, but the store is gone,” Maciejka said in a live reel posted shortly after she evacuated. “I was in there with two customers, and then I smelled smoke, and then I heard the fire alarm, and before I could even turn around to go back to get the Halloween costume I was working on…it seemed too dangerous, it was too dark, so I just left.”

Paper Doll Vintage Boutique is “Long Island’s premiere shop for vintage, retro gifts, and more,” according to their website. A GoFundMe has been established to help rebuild the store.

While the shop was insured, Maciejka is running into lofty issues as she rebuilds. “After looking at my policy and having a few people look over it, it’s looking quite bleak and like I’m really on my own to raise the funds to rebuild,” she said in a public Facebook post on her personal account. “I am beyond appreciative and floored to see the donations and amount of donors we have received so quickly. Thank you so much for all of your support. If you know anything about opening a business, the fundraiser is going well, but that amount of money is not near a realistic goal yet to rebuild. We will need to spread out events and fundraisers for months to come.”

Donate to BOLI Dominique Maciejka’s efforts to rebuild Paper Doll Vintage Boutique here.

Trying to decide? BOLI Preferred Vendor By Brittany Branson discusses live wedding painting vs. guest illustrations, and why you might choose one over the other.

There’s no doubt that your wedding day will be all about you and your fiancé, but let’s be honest – you’ll also want to throw an unforgettable party for your guests.

Many brides search for that reception “wow” factor, a distinctive and memorable experience that friends and family will cherish for a lifetime. Live wedding painting and live guest illustrations are two options that are both entertaining and unique, leaving either the couple or their guests with a beautiful and creative keepsake.  

But when it comes to live wedding painting vs. guest illustrations, which is a better choice for your wedding? Live artist Brittany Branson, of BOLI Preferred Vendor By Brittany Branson, breaks down the differences and benefits of both, and how to decide between them.

MORE: By Brittany Branson captures your day with creativity and passion

The benefits of live wedding painting

For Brittany, there are two big reasons why you’d want to choose a live wedding painting. “One, the artist provides an amazing non-musical form of entertainment to wow friends and family, and two, the experience provides couples with a tangible item that they can keep forever and was created live on their wedding day,” she explained. “There aren’t too many physical things that survive long after the big day, but a live wedding painting is truly an heirloom that can be passed down.”

Brittany also pointed out that while your photographer may be limited in certain aspects, your live painter can create whatever you envision. “Many of my couples request unique compositions,” she said. “For example, capturing their first dance pose but within their ceremony space or location. Or, using the painting as an opportunity to honor pets – our family members who are not always able to physically attend the big day – as well as loved ones who have passed on. The rules of ‘capturing reality’ don’t apply to a painting.” 

Why you might skip a live wedding painting

With all the benefits of a live wedding painting, why would you decide against it? “A live wedding painting experience may simply not be right for every couple, or their friends and family,” Brittany described. 

“I personally take great pride in the entertainment aspect of the experience,” she continued. “However, a couple knows their friends and families best. If they have a feeling their people may simply not ‘get’ or find much interest in the experience, it may be best to go in a different direction.”

She also stressed the importance of confirming your live wedding painting details with your entire wedding day team. “In very rare cases, some venues may not permit paint.”

MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue

The benefits of guest illustrations

If you’ve been on the hunt for a wedding favor that your guests won’t leave behind, guest illustrations could be your answer. 

“The primary benefit of a guest illustration experience is that it provides your VIP friends and family with custom works of art they can keep forever,” Brittany detailed. “It’s the ultimate party favor, and one that won’t be thrown in the trash just as soon as they depart.”

Why you might want to skip live guest illustrations

Unless you hire multiple artists (or have a smaller guest list), some of your guests may have to go home empty handed. “Illustrations can take anywhere between 5-15 minutes per guest or couple, depending on the artist’s style,” Brittany explained. “So, there often simply isn’t enough time to provide every interested guest with [a drawing] by the end of the evening.”

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to miss out on the experience altogether. “Personally, I offer a service option that affords me the opportunity to finish as many guest illustrations at home and mail them back to the happy couple for redistribution,” Brittany mentioned. “But, this still means that many guests will have to wait.” 

Live wedding painting vs. guest illustrations – which should you choose?

When making your decision, Brittany suggested thinking about what you and your partner really want. “It’s important to determine what would mean the most to you,” she advised. “Is it providing yourself with a much larger, more traditional heirloom painting that YOU get to keep forever? Or is it more important to know that your GUESTS are walking away with smaller heirloom favors?” 

Besides, who’s to say you have to choose at all? “It’s always possible to commission BOTH experiences, either via the same artist or two individuals,” Brittany added.

“It was amazing to watch the entire vendor team come together in the face of such obstacles.”

Whether you decide on live painting, guest illustrations or both, By Brittany Branson can create works of art – under any circumstances.

She recounted a wedding where a tropical storm upended almost all of the couple’s plans.  “Of course, the weather ended up forcing the wedding into an indoor space,” she remembered. “The couple originally asked me to capture an outdoor ceremony scene, so the situation forced me to get creative with my composition. I ended up capturing the Bride walking down the makeshift aisle on her Dad’s arm from behind the Groom’s back. Since he was standing under a beautiful floral arch, I used that arch to ‘frame’ the entire composition. It’s now one of my FAVORITE paintings, and a day I’ll certainly never forget!”

MORE: Plan your wedding with Ring Leader

According to People, David Jones traveled by car and then foot through Hurricane Helene storm debris.

Nothing would stop David Jones from walking his daughter, Elizabeth, down the aisle – not even a hurricane.

Jones told People that after he weathered Hurricane Helene at home in South Carolina, he was determined to get to his daughter’s wedding in Tennessee. He got his generator going on Friday, Sept. 27 and started what would normally be a two-hour trip by car.

Once he made it across the state line into Tennessee – seven hours later – he saw the interstate was completely shut down. Law enforcement officers reported that the road was closed, the back roads were washed away and the one bridge left standing was unstable. Jones told People that he parked his SUV by an exit ramp and started walking to Johnson City – at 2 a.m. “I’m going to be there to walk her down the aisle,” he said to the officers.

The devastation he saw along the way was unimaginable. He explained to any state troopers he passed along the way that he had to make it to Elizabeth’s wedding at 11 a.m. At one point, he got stuck in mud and had to dig his shoe out. “Hollywood could not have done a better description,” he told People. “The devastation is beyond description.”

When he got south of Erwin, the roads were better. At one point, an officer stopped to ask if he was the man going to his daughter’s wedding and gave him a ride downtown, according to People. As cars passed him, he walked with a red reflector he found on the side of the road so that passersby could see him in the dark. A truck stopped and drove him the last eight miles to his other home in Johnson City. While the home had no power or water, Jones changed into a spare suit and made it to St. Mary’s Church in time. “It meant the world,” Jones told People. “Every dad wants to walk his daughters down the aisle.”

After a candlelight ceremony at the church, Jones presented the newlyweds with the reflector he carried on his 27-mile journey. “I told them to keep the reflector as a reminder to always protect each other, even in your darkest hours,” Jones said.