Miami - October 21, 2008

Winning Ticket

Fall 2008 Wedding Guide

Getting married is the most important decision of your life. Do you know where you stand on the key issues?

The Environment
The air surrounding the bride shouldn’t be scented with nerves. Sweeten the atmosphere with Parfums de Mariage from Bespoke Perfumes (305-790-8210; jeannick.sebag@bespoke-perfumes.com). Perfumer Dominique Camilli’s French-trained nose can custom-make a wedding day scent, culled from 1,000 different oils.

Social Security
Ensure the security of your social with stationery from The Scarlet Letter (9473 Harding Avenue; 305-867-7366). The South Beach staple has just reopened in a Surfside storefront. The shop designs invites, save-the-dates, and thank-you cards. Create a unique set from the vast collection of high-quality prints.

War on Drugs
Just say no to drugs, but say yes to Adele Wechsler’s organic hemp wedding dresses at RashawnRose Couture. Far from hippie dippie, the ecocouture collection is made of silk blends and recycled lace. The results are socially conscious gowns in classic cuts. The delicate hand-sewn details like ruching, ribbons, and flower buds will give you a natural high.

Energy
Of course, there’s an energy crisis. Who wouldn’t be exhausted after a year of planning? Reboot at Spa Chakra, the newish place to pamper in Brickell. The Ultimate Day at the Spa treats the whole bridal party in adjoining rooms. The deluxe package includes two 60-minute treatments like massages and facials — all of which come with their signature foot bath.

Retirement
You wanted to wear your Nana’s retired baubles, but she hawked them on eBay (tough times). Septimo cofounder Gustavo Rohrscheib has launched Bethesda, a new collection of vintage-inspired jewelry. The silver and pearl collection has a romantic old-world feel.

Education
Teach your friends and family how an affair should taste. Diane Cooks is an upscale catering service specializing in custom menus (305-951-6187; diane_goodman@bellsouth.net). Beach wedding? She’ll make barbecue. Spanish? Tapas. She also does classic stations with signature dishes like chipotle shrimp and crab cakes; goat cheese, pesto, and olive terrine; and grilled steak with chimichurri.

Health Care
Keep guests healthy with a cake from The Sugar Monkey. Jennifer Reed, pastry chef extraordinare, prepares all-natural wedding cakes with local ingredients (whenever possible). The impressive tiers have a classic elegance (flowers, beads, ribbons), but the real draw is the taste. Try the vanilla cream with fresh berries.

Foreign Policy
Improve international relations: travel. Turks and Caicos presents a stunning honeymoon locale — and it’s just an hour and a half away to boot. Stay at The Regent Palms, an uber-luxe resort on Grace Bay beach. The Romance Package includes seven nights of wedded bliss, plus champagne, a couples massage, and dinners a deux.

The wedding’s going to be a landslide victory.

Need more inspiration? We’ve published Wedding Guides in every edition today, so check them all out.