Pretty Chic Blog – Modern Scandinavian Weddings

Photographed by Anne-Margrethe Malkenes Mathiesen from Studio Vest

The other day, I asked on Facebook and Twitter: Where would you have your wedding, if you could choose any location in the world? You had some really lovely ideas – from the beach in Japan to forest in Ireland…. I have to say, it really got my imagination flowing… I could totally hop on a plane right now!

For now though, I have the sweet, February wedding of Julie and Endre, two (gorgeous!!) Norwegian dancers in Southern Beach, Miami. Oh, the backdrop of the sea and a ceremony under the palm trees… ahhh. I could go there right now! And I love the detail with the bride opting for a loose, beachy hairstyle for the portrait shots, and the formal veil and glittery headband for the ceremony… very lovely and stylish :)

Also, be sure to read Julie’s account of what it took to create the wedding of the couple’s dreams – right after the photos!

“I bought my dress at a little bridal boutique in Coral Gables, Miami called Alegria’s Brides, and the designer is Private Label By G. I was torn between two dresses by the same designer, but when I mentioned for the staff that my ceremony was gonna be held after sun down, and they dimmed the lights in the fitting room, I knew which dress was “the one”. My veil and headpiece that I wore during the ceremony is also from that same store.

I had such a hard time finding shoes! For months I searched all kinds of stores in Oslo, Miami and online. It wasn’t until 3 days before the wedding, when we just decided to check out a little shoestore next to our hotel called Soulier that was open late that I finally found the perfect shoes! The store is located on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, and the shoes are by designer Badgley Mischka.

Endre’s suit is from Tiger Of Sweden (Oslo), his shirt is from Banana Republic (Miami), his shoes are from Aldo (Miami), and his tie is from Prego (Oslo).

We chose to get married in Miami for several reasons. At first we were thinking about the caribbean. I’ve always dreamed of getting married on the beach somewhere warm and exotic, with palm trees swaying in the breeze, and that was what Endre wanted as well. We even went on a cruise of the caribbean to check out different islands, and fell in love with Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. But when we started planning, we realised that Miami just made more sense. First of all, Endre grew up there. He lived there till he was about 6 years old, because his father worked on cruise ships. And ever since we met, we have gone there every summer, because we both love being there, it feels like a second home to us. It would also be an easier and cheaper alternative for our guests, after all, we did want our closest friends and family to be able to attend. And lastly, I have family in West Palm Beach, which is just about an hour away, who would then be able to help me plan.

When we were there last summer, we had a list of hotels that we had looked up on line that we went to to check out for venues. And we fell in love with The National Hotel. It was perfect for what we wanted! And the social catering manager there was also very helpful throughout the planning, getting me in touch with different vendors and such.

Most of my planning was handled online, through e-mails and phone calls. But in November I went back to Miami for a week to have a fitting for my dress, meet with all the vendors to sign contracts and pay deposits, have a cake tasting, and buy the last of the decorations and favors. I also had help from my cousin in WPB, who I had packages delivered to, picked up my favors and stored my decorations.

It was definitely the wedding of our dreams! And we are so grateful to Anne-Margrethe who captured it in such beautiful photos :)”

Thanks so much, Julie for sharing your day – and thanks to Anne-Margrethe, who sent the pictures along!

Vendors:
Photographer: Anne-Margrethe Malkenes Mathiesen, Studio Vest
Wedding dress: Private Label By G (Miami)
Veil and headpiece: Alegria’s Brides (Miami)
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka – Xavier (Miami)
Earrings, hairpin and bracelet: Twinkle, twinkle (Miami)
Bride’s hair and make-up: Marhú Salas (Bride’s friend and bridesmaid)
Bridesmaids dresses: asos.com
Ceremony and reception: The National Hotel, Miami.
Cake: Ana Paz Cakes (Miami)
Flowers: The National Hotel (Miami)
Decor and decorations: Americanbridal.com
Steel Drummer/musician: Master Musicians (Miami)
Dj: Dj En Som Heter Marius (Friend of bride and groom)