Paper & Diamond’s Expert Guide To Luxury Honeymoon Destinations

Maldives – Dinner On The Beach – courtesy Paper & Diamond

The months leading up to your wedding day are filled with major decision-making regarding décor, entertainment, and catering, countless meetings with vendors, and dress fittings. Chances are you and your fiancé haven’t had a moment of quality time together since you started planning for the big day. That’s what makes the honeymoon so special. It’s a chance for just the two of you to escape, relax, discover, and start married life together.

More and more couples want a post-wedding vacation that mixes luxury with new experiences. After years of traveling the world working in fashion, design, and production, Debbi Lee gained intuitive understanding of the tastes of her discerning clients. Combining her passion for travel and consulting skills, she founded Paper & Diamond, a luxury travel company based in Los Angeles. As a luxury travel expert, Debbi has built a global network of partners whose properties and services set the bar for meeting the expectations and desires of jet-setting guests.
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Claire & James Wedding - Bride Groom - Capitale - by Susan Shek

Weddings

Featured Bride Claire On Her Striking Pnina Tornai Dress

by Kate Murphy

Claire & James Wedding – Bride Groom – Capitale – by Susan Shek

“Non-traditional best describes my bridal style. I originally wanted to wear a black or red, but not everyone shared my same enthusiasm,” recalls featured bride Claire. She continues, “That was fine though, because I fell in love with my dress the moment I put it on.” Here, Claire talks about her striking Pnina Tornai gown and personal touches that she incorporate into the big day.

Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals

Wedding dress shopping is often met with mixed emotions. Searching through rack after rack of gorgeous frocks is fun and exciting… up to a point. Then the pressure and anxiety starts to set in. Claire escaped this scenario. Her “say yes to the dress” story is the kind we all wish for. “After trying on about six dresses at Kleinfeld, I tried on my dress and knew immediately it was the one. Even the sample size fit like a glove. It was the perfect combination of classy and sexy.” The showstopper by Israeli designer Pnina Tornai featured a fitted silhouette with an exquisite lace top, which descended down into a silk, floor-length skirt. A sweeping lace panel train brought elegance and drama to the look.
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Weddings

Claire & James: A Timeless New York Love Affair At Capitale

by Kate Murphy

Claire & James Wedding – Bride & Groom – Capitale – by Susan Shek

Claire and James’ love story begins at the start of their freshman year in college. “We were actually introduced by one of my bridesmaids and her boyfriend, who is now her husband. She asked me to come and hang out with their friends one evening and that is when I first met James.” They hit it off immediately, but there was one small problem. Both were seeing other people at the time. Claire looks back and says with a little laugh, “Our relationships didn’t last too much longer. We went back home for Thanksgiving break and told our significant others that we had met someone. That was nine years ago, we’ve been inseparable ever since.”
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Planning & Inspiration

A Look Back at Summer Celebrity Brides 2018

by Kate Murphy

Emily DiDonato Wedding – via vogue.com

When it comes to summer romance, celebrities are just like the rest of us. We’re all feeling the love. And over these last months, we’ve seen a handful of famous couples say “I do” in beautiful, Pinterest-worthy weddings. Once the photos hit the Internet, the bride’s look – her dress, accessories, and florals – is what we’re all most in seeing, right? Without further ado, here are the most talked about celebrity brides of the season.

Hilary Swank

There isn’t a more perfect setting for an enchanted forest wedding than the redwoods of Northern California. The captivating 800-year old trees served as the backdrop for Hilary Swank and social venture entrepreneur Philip Schneider’s summer nuptials at Saint Lucia Preserve. The actress and producer stunned in a custom Elie Saab Couture gown made of Chantilly lace, silk chiffon, and organza silk (which took a team of seven 150 hours to create!) Her ethereal bridal look was completed by floor length-veil, custom design Christian Louboutin shoes, and a simple bouquet of white blooms and greenery. And yes, that is Mariska Hargarity serving as the bride’s maid of honor.
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Carly & Andrew Wedding - Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club - Bride - Bridesmaids - Bouquets - Photography by Katie Kett

Planning & Inspiration

Summer Fitness, Diet, & Wellness Tips For the Busy Bride

by Kate Murphy

Carly & Andrew Wedding – Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club – Bride – Bridesmaids – Bouquets – Photography by Katie Kett

Where did the summer go?! Soaking up these final days of sun and fun is on everybody’s mind right now. But this is also a time to make eating well and being active a priority. With all the farmers’ markets and outdoor activities, we should be taking full advantage of all the healthy options the season offers.

If you are a summer bride or planning a wedding in the next few months, you’ve probably already thought about incorporating an exercise and healthy eating plan. Establishing a set routine is difficult though, when faced with the pressures of work, life, and wedding planning. You may be asking “Is it even possible to make healthy changes and find balance during right now?” We wanted to see what the experts had to say on the subject. Here, Health Coach Colette Lettieri shares summer bride wellness advice that will have you looking and feeling your best on your wedding day.
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Rebecca Schoneveld - Designer & Owner of Schone Bride - Diane Hu Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Interview with Rebecca Schoneveld of Schone Bride

by Kate Murphy

Rebecca Schoneveld – Designer & Owner of Schone Bride – Diane Hu Photography

Imagine launching a bridal collection completely on your own from a tiny Brooklyn studio apartment. Designing, sewing, marketing, handling clients’ orders, shipping – you are doing it all. Oh, and you’re also pregnant with your first child. This is where Rebecca Schoneveld found herself in 2010 when she started selling her handmade wedding gowns on Etsy.

Rebecca is a prime example that if you stay true to yourself and create out of genuine love for the craft, people will take notice. Her simple, timeless designs struck a chord with brides-to-be who wanted something different from the ornate dresses filling the racks of bridal shops. Business quickly grew and she opened up Schone Bride, a beautiful boutique and production studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
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Planning & Inspiration