If you expect to have the hottest sex of your life on your honeymoon, join the club. “Couples often have high expectations for sex on their honeymoon,” says Madeleine Castellanos, M.D., sex expert and author of Wanting to Want: What Kills Your Sex Life and How to Keep It Alive. “If they’ve waited until marriage to take this important step, they may have the impression that it will be all magic and no struggle. And even if they already have an active sex life, they may have the expectation that the quality of their sex will somehow be different during the honeymoon.”

So you can imagine what a panic-inducing bummer it could be if you don’t have sex at all on this all-important vacation. But, “couples should keep in mind that honeymoon sex doesn’t always live up to these expectations, and it’s really an attitude of connectedness, focus, and relaxation into arousal that brings heightened pleasure,” Castellanos says.

And if your sexual reality falls short of your honeymoon fantasies, it doesn’t mean your sex life is doomed. Here are a few reasons you might have not had sex during your honeymoon that are nothing to sweat — and a few more than might be cause for concern.

You were exhausted.
You put hours and hours into planning your big day and the vacation days that followed. “And many couples find that they are just too tired to have lots, if any, sex during their honeymoon,” says Castellanos. “This is usually the case for couples traveling long distances for a honeymoon, where they find themselves too jetlagged or on different time tables to really make sex come together smoothly. Others pack in tours and want to use the most of their time really exploring a destination, leaving them pretty sore and exhausted.” Catch up on some much-needed Zs and your sex life should catch back up, too.

See More: 7 Rules for Having the Best Wedding-Night Sex

You got sick.
It’s an unpleasant reality that celebrating your newlywed bliss can mean partying too hard, leading to hangovers or a whittled-down immune system. “Certainly, too much drinking can make sex difficult if not impossible at times, and a honeymoon is no exception,” Castellanos says. “And even if you’re not a heavy partier, traveling to different places with different climates and eating different cuisine increases the chances of getting physically sick, which can put quite a damper on honeymoon sex as well.” It probably goes without saying that as your immune system returns to normal, so too should your sex life.

You got your period.
You thought you timed your pill packs perfectly. But somehow the universe managed to break through even your best laid period plans, “and your menstrual period comes right in time for the honeymoon,” describes Castellanos. “This is not always an issue for couples, but if they prefer not to have sex during her period, or if she has cramps, it just might mess up their plans for their ideal honeymoon sex.” Chalk up your lack of honeymoon sex to bad luck, and make up for lost time (and experiences) when Aunt Flo leaves town.

You were too anxious.
“For men and women, anxiety is the biggest culprit when it comes to difficulty having sex,” Castellanos says. “Anxiety can significantly impact arousal, erection, avoidance, and even pain. And anxiety impacts not just the ability to have sex, but also the amount of sensation that a person feels during sex.” Unfortunately, feeling anxiety about your sex life can follow you home after the honeymoon, and might be cause for concern. “If you find that anxiety is really messing with your sex life, don’t wait to address this with a qualified sex therapist,” says Castellanos. “The earlier you deal with it, the easier it is to resolve.”

You were angry.
Travel can be tough. (Think: Long lines, turbulent flights, and trying to navigate when you don’t speak the native language.) If you fought on your honeymoon and went to bed angry, sans sex, that could be a red flag, Castellanos warns. “Many people want to avoid the conflict of having a discussion or disagreement,” she says. “If left unresolved, anger has a way of turning into resentment, which has long-term negative consequences for your sex life and your relationship overall.”

Getting tapped with the honor of being a best man is one of the most exciting moments of any guy-in-a-bromance’s life. It’s the ultimate chance to be there for your best friend and quite the honor. But, as you’re preparing to take on your best man duties, make sure to take note of these eight things you should avoid doing on the wedding day.

1. Wing your speech.
Even if you think it’s best to give an impromptu speech at the wedding, writing and rehearsing your toast beforehand is always the way to go. When the nerves kick in and you’ve already have a few drinks, you will feel more at ease if you have a pre-written speech.

2. Take too much advantage of the open bar.
Just because the free shots of Patron are eyeing you from the bar doesn’t mean you have to take full advantage of them. As the best man, you’ll be setting an example that the other groomsmen will follow. So avoid the shots — at least until later in the night.

3. Change out of your tuxedo.
Even if you find yourself getting sweaty on the dance floor, leave your tux on for the night. Remember, you’re not at a Vegas pool party, you’re at an elegant affair — and there will be picture taken throughout the night. No one wants to see a shirtless or disheveled groomsman in photos.

4. Hit on the bridesmaids.
You’ll be spending a lot of time with the bridal party, so treat them with respect. Otherwise you *may* earn yourself the title of ‘the creepy best man.’

5. Get the groom drunk before the ceremony.
It may be tempting to feed the groom a few shots before the wedding to help calm his nerves and start the party early, but as the best man, one of your main jobs is to make sure the groom walks down the aisle — sober. Keeping him as sober as possible pre-wedding will make your job a whole lot easier.

See More: What are the Best Man’s Duties?

6. Go MIA.
Be sure to have the groom’s back on his wedding day and try not to leave his side. Even if it seems like you have a lot of downtime before the wedding and you want to search for the nearest bar or spot to eat, make sure you don’t disappear on the groom.

7. Show up late… to anything.
The last thing any groom wants to deal with on his wedding day is a best man that’s an hour late. A good rule of thumb is to be 10 minutes early for every wedding event.

8. Take over the dance floor.
It’s great to be the Best Man who is the life of the party, but try not to steal the show. Remember who the center of attention should be that night (hint: the bride and groom).

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

It’s your bridal shower and you can do what you want to! Although most of the time, you won’t be the one actually planning out the theme or the activities for it. However, if you want your party to go off without a hitch and keep your guests and happy and into it at the same time, we suggest sending this article to your mom, mother-in-law or whoever is hosting your bridal shower. Just as, you know, a subtle little hint, hint!

1. Too many games
A couple of cutesy games are to be expected and are even fun for many of your bridal shower guests. But once it gets past two or three, your friends and family will secretly be thinking, “OMG, no not another one, please!”

2. The endless opening of gifts
Thank goodness more and more brides are opting to skip the whole opening their gifts in front of everyone else tradition. Because, let’s be honest, it’s a huge snooze fest for your guests after about the fifth kitchen accessory gets unwrapped. The only present anyone really cares about seeing you open up is theirs. And even then, a thank you note afterward expressing your excitement is good enough.

3. Money showers
Doing the whole Honeyfund thing is more than acceptable these days, but truth be told, when it comes to your shower (NOT wedding gifts), your guests don’t want to be forced to give you cold hard cash, unless they personally choose to do so themselves. So don’t be surprised if you get some whispers behind your back about how tacky this idea is. People will oblige, they just might not be thrilled about it.

See More: 6 DIY Bridal Shower Favors Your Guests Can Make Themselves

4. Not enough food
Nowadays, modern bridal showers are becoming full on luncheons or brunches with an entire meal and dessert served too. Of course, we’re not saying you have to feed your guests brunch or lunch, but do make sure you have enough food and drink so that everyone isn’t coming up with an excuse to peace out early just so they can grab some grub.

5. Never-ending showers
You’ve totally been to one of those before. The party literally lasts for hours and hours and all the guests keep checking their watches wondering when the next important activity will finally get underway so that they can head home. Our suggestion? Keep your shower to a few hours max. That’s the perfect amount of time for you as the bride and your friends and family as well.

6. Being put on the spot
Your introverted guests will literally cringe at this! Whether it’s during a bridal shower game or everyone being asked to stand up and explain how they know the bride or whatever, putting your guests on the spot can be some peeps’ worst nightmare. So yeah, keep that in mind.

Is it possible that Mr. And Mrs. Smith are no more? Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt this past Monday.

That’s right, one of the highest profile Hollywood marriages is over, TMZ reports. The actress filed legal documents on Monday citing irreconcilable differences, with the terms including Pitt not being allowed physical custody of the couple’s children. Jolie, 41, has requested that Pitt, 52, not have joint physical custody — only joint legal custody. A source close to the couple told TMZ that “Angelina’s decision to file has to do with the way Brad was parenting the children*she was extremely upset with his methods.”

Her lawyer also submitted a statement on the divorce filing to the AP, saying, “Angelina has filed for dissolution of the marriage. This decision was made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time.”

Meanwhile, Page Six is reporting some very interesting information about the split, citing an unnamed source for the juicy details on Pitt and Jolie’s relationship. “He’s in the throes of some insane midlife crisis, and Angie is fed up,” the source said. “She hired a private eye because she felt that he was fooling around with her on the set, and it turns out, he was. And that was the final straw.”

Relationship rumors have been swirling around Pitt and his Allied co-star Marion Cotillard, 40, for months during the actors’ filming of the WW II drama in London. And, reportedly, Jolie had had enough.

“The older she gets, the more serious she becomes, and she is sick of the Hollywood thing,” a second source told Page Six. “He wants to make movies. She doesn’t. It’s a fundamental difference. It’s how you live your life.”

The filing happened on September 15 — just a month after the couple celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary (after becoming public as a couple 10 years earlier in 2004), so it is very surprising. The mother and father of six spent the night at the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate the occasion.

See More: Angelina Jolie’s 3 Weddings in Photos

The couple got legally married in California before their vow exchange in France, which was an intimate celebration that included all of their six children, who had helped write their marital vows (and walk their mama down the aisle!). The bride wore a Luigi Massi for Versace wedding dress, which was a gorgeous composition of white silk-satin material with adorable drawings created by their kids sewn on to the train and veil. For jewelry, the actress wore a locket that belonged to her mother, and the rings were designed by Pitt’s friend Robert Procop. Of course, she donned her 16-carat emerald-cut engagement ring at the ceremony, which took place at the couple’s French chateau. This was her third marriage and his second.

While we wait to hear more about the details unfolding in this developing story, we can only hope that all is well in the Jolie-Pitt household.

Being a bridesmaid can sometimes feel more like a chore than an honor. What with having to shell out major cash for the dress, makeup and hair, and that wild bachelorette party you barely remember, it’s no surprise that when the wedding day actually comes it’s sort of a relief! But not all wedding parties are created equal — and you’re about to see why.

The bride, Sarah Mallouk Crain, works for a non-profit organization in central Pennsylvania called Pitties Love Peace, which was created to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need. And according to Caroline Logan, the photographer who captured all of these adorable pictures, the bride and groom are HUGE animal-lovers, so they figured why not replace bouquets with a litter of super cute pups?!

“Having the puppies involved in the wedding brought so much additional joy to Matt and Sarah’s day,” Logan told BRIDES. “Though they weren’t a part of the ceremony, they were involved in their portrait time. The wedding party was loving all the puppy snuggles.”

Ummm, can we sign up for puppy snuggles please?

The pups the bridesmaids (and groomsmen!) are holding are a litter of Boxer-Coonhound sisters, all named after the original five First Ladies: Martha, Abigail, Dolley, Elizabeth, and Louisa. But the puppy we’re most enamored with is probably Biggie Smalls — a nine-week-old Pitbull rescued from the streets of Brooklyn, and lovingly caressed in the bride’s arms.

See More: 59 Adorable Ways to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding

“Sarah has been with the organization from its inception, so it was only fitting to highlight this extra piece of her heart on her wedding day,” Logan said. “Together, Sarah and her new husband, Matt, have a huge passion for??rescue dogs.”

The best part about these wildly popular wedding photos? These pups are up for adoption! Visit the Pitties Love Peace website for more info.

From the second you get engaged, it seems like everyone has advice to share about planning a wedding. Whether they’re currently engaged, happily married, have walked down the aisle more than once, or are totally single, everyone has something to say! And — fair warning — not all of that advice is very good. The best sources for planning advice are the experts themselves, but even wedding planners get an earful of tips you should really forget. We’ve asked top planners to dish on some of the worst wedding planning advice they’ve ever heard — and to fill us in on what you should do instead.

“I hear bad advice all the time,” says Amy Nichols, owner of Amy Nichols Special Events and cofounder of The Poppy Group. “One piece that brides should totally ignore? Telling guests the ceremony starts earlier than it actually does! Using your timeline to manipulate guests to arrive on time isn’t the way to win friends or make guests happy.” Remember, most guests know that the time on the invitation is the actual start time, and will plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. “Not only does putting a false start time on the invitation cause confusion for your guests, it can also create a scheduling mess for your vendors.” Instead, Nichols says to work with your planner to create a solid timeline that will allow for seamless flow. “A professional will know exactly how much time to allow to make sure guests are seated, get the wedding party in place, and send you down the aisle,” Nichols reminds us.

Here’s advice any planner would cringe at: Anyone telling you you don’t need a day-of coordinator. “Even if you aren’t investing in a full-service planner, a day-of coordinator is the best money you’ll spend when it comes to your wedding,” says Teissia Treynet, founder of Firefly Events. “Without a coordinator, you’re stuck dealing with all the tiny details (including the surprise ones that could ruin your day). Having a pro on-hand to make sure everything is in order and catch those problems before you even find out about them will enable you to fully enjoy your wedding day from start to finish.

Having incredibly talented friends and family can be great, but having them work on your wedding? Less so. “It’s never safe to assume that friends and family are going to help you on the day of your wedding,” says Jackie Martucci, owner of Events by Jackie M. “No matter how talented, even professionals love to simply be guests at a wedding!” And if your friend isn’t a pro? Watch out. “Even the most well-meaning of friends seriously underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks like decorating your venue (which won’t leave them any time to get ready before you walk down the aisle!).” Avoid resentment if your friends or family don’t meet your expectations, and instead leave it to the professionals. “Make sure delegated tasks are outlined in your contracts. And speaking of contracts, if you do end up hiring a pro who is also a friend, don’t skip this step! You should still outline expectations just as you would with any other vendor,” says Martucci. Yup, even if they’re offering their services as a gift!

“Family members and friends love to give advice based on what their wedding cost and what you’re paying,” says Nichols. “They’ll critique how much you’re spending on, say, flowers, but they got married in a different part of the country (or a different decade!) and can’t accurately weigh what is a fair price for goods and services in your area.” She advises remembering that prices will vary greatly from one state to another, so instead get a feel for what things cost in your area — and don’t look any further. Continues Nichols, “Use your wedding planner to determine what your budget will allow for each vendor, and go from there.”

See More: This Is the Most Pinned Wedding Dress on Pinterest

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to money, and if the budget is running out, the first thing to go is often the videographer. “You might think a videographer is a splurge or a luxury, but it’s worth including one in your budget from the very beginning,” Treynet advises. “Consider your videographer just as important as your photographer. You will be so full of emotion and adrenaline on the day of your wedding that it will be hard to remember all of the special moments and beautiful speeches, and a videographer can capture them in a way that even a photographer can’t.” You’ll be surprised to see the little moments you’ve already forgotten by the time your film is delivered, and reliving your vows or your first dance will bring it all back. “These are the memories that will last a lifetime, so preserve them!” says Treynet.

The guest list is MAJOR inspiration for free advice. “I hear so many people tell brides to invite whoever they want, because ‘they probably won’t come anyway,’” Nichols reveals. “But playing a guessing game with your guest list and not being strategic can really cause big budgetary issues when the responses begin to arrive.” Instead, be sure that you account for each guest as you’re inviting them. “And make sure your budget would allow for every single person’s attendance!”

While no bride wants to think about the risk of rain, ignoring the rain plan is bad advice all around. “We all want perfect weather, especially for outdoor events, but denying the fact that inclement weather is a real possibility is simply irresponsible,” says Martucci. “Instead, create a Plan B. The more you go over it and iron out the details, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel should you need to implement it.” A good wedding planner will talk about Plan B constantly, making sure he or she knows exactly how things will play out in the event of bad weather. “And we want you on board!” Martucci continues. “We don’t want to be running into your bridal suite in a panic, not knowing how you’ll react if it’s snowing. We can’t control the weather, and it’s the one thing we cannot change. So have a contingency plan and be prepared to roll with it!”

Looking around Miami, it may seem like everyone spends their days bronzing on the beach. This may be true for some, but the real secret is finding a quality spray tan for just as organic of a glow — minus all those harmful UV rays. Even with all of its natural sunlight, there are as many tanning salons as there are Starbucks on Miami’s streets, but these five have been given a seal of approval by both experts and celebs. Here are our top spots for a quick, streak-free spray tan in Miami before your wedding.

Forever Tan
Tack on a tanning session during the bachelorette party, bringing the airbrush experts straight to you. Forever Tan’s streak-free process starts with European Brushing to remove dead skin cells so your tan looks smooth and stays longer. You’ll be left with that sun-kissed golden glow that’s guaranteed to last up to 10 days. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Solar Intoxication
Calling Solar Intoxication a tanning salon doesn’t do it justice. The boutique is more than the run-of-the-mill variety scattered around South Beach. Equipment is all state-of-the-art, and this includes the full-body Versa Spa spray tanner. Step inside the open-air system and in just a few minutes you’ll come out glowing and moisturized with the tan of your choice.

See More: Accomplish All Of Your Wedding Day Beauty Goals With Our Favorite Local Vendors

Elle Air Blow Dry + Makeup Bar
The chic blow dry bar in Surfside is also home to one of Miami’s best spray tans. Pop in after hitting the shops at Bal Harbour or bring the bar to you. Hair and makeup artists can set up shop in your home or hotel, giving you and your bridesmaids the chance to try out wedding day looks while letting spray tans set in. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Sobe Tan by Fabiola
Spray tanner to the stars, owner Fabiola has airbrushed everyone from Matt Damon to Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. Pop into the original South Beach salon or try the new Coral Gables locale for a five-minute (organic and paraben-free) turbo tan that will have you looking like you’ve been basking on South Beach for the past few months and leave you honeymoon-ready.

Looking for more bronze-y inspiration? Check out the most popular tanning salons in town on our Local Vendors page!

There are a lot of wedding reality shows on TV, and that means there are a good number of real couples choosing to get married on television. Fortunately, the couples who got married on my show, Wedding Island on TLC, seemed to be pleased with the overall results.

I’ve heard from numerous couples who got married on other TV shows and wanted to share their experiences. Most say they would do it again even though it wasn’t exactly what they expected. Everyone I’ve ever talked to got some form of compensation for allowing their wedding to be filmed. The production company either paid for part (or all) of their wedding, or they got something else expensive for free that they wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise, like a designer wedding dress or a live band.

But for some, getting married on TV meant they lost some of the specialness of their wedding day that they can never really get back.

Jason and Cassia Hitch got married on Season 3 of TLC’s 90-Day Fiancé after a whirlwind romance followed by a lot of stress and complications that had more to do with the realities of television production than anything else (such as the technicalities of dealing with a fiancé visa and the paperwork associated with it). In fact, it sounds like bringing Cassia to the United States from Brazil was the least of their problems.

“We missed out on privacy and peace of mind,” Jason says. “The day did not belong to us. It belonged to the production company who had to get certain shots to fit ‘their’ story of us. We missed spending time with our family. We missed out on time together as a couple as well. Our wedding reception was about an hour because that was all the film they needed for their show.”

See More: Reality TV Shows That Mirror Every Stage of a Relationship

Jason also thinks the production company tried to manipulate him and his fiancé to create drama where it didn’t exist. The bride’s family wasn’t able to travel to Vegas from Brazil, so she was naturally emotional and feeling nervous on the big day. Instead of giving her a boost, the couple feels the show’s producers would have been happier if the bride had made a run for it.

“On our Vegas wedding day, Cassia was alone in a room with her wedding dress on before the ceremony, and producers with cameras went in and asked her if she was sure she wanted to marry me,” Jason says. He acknowledges that it’s the production company’s job to make a show interesting, but felt the timing was totally inappropriate and cast a bit of a pall over their TV ceremony.

Fortunately, for Cassia and Jason, they were married for real five days before their botched television wedding. They’re still angry the show shut down their promised Vegas wedding reception after one hour because they didn’t need more film, but despite all the crazy that went with the show, they are happily married and live together in Florida where Cassia is now in school.

Sandy Malone is the owner of Sandy Malone Weddings & Events and author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do-It-Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional. Sandy is the star of TLC’s reality show Wedding Island, about her destination wedding planning company, Weddings in Vieques.

We are suckers for wedding videos over here at BRIDES. Former iCarly star Nathan Kress’ emotional wedding video gave new meaning to the phrase “moved to tears”, and we still watch Christian Siriano’s beautiful wedding footage when we need a little afternoon pick-me-up. Now, we have yet another celebrity montage to obsess over. Filipina Actress Isabelle Daza married her longtime love Adrien Semblat in an Italian wedding earlier this month that can only be described as stunning — and lucky for us, we don’t just have to drool over their Instagrams anymore. Videographer Bob Nicolas just released the couple’s heartfelt wedding video, and we have basically already run out of tissues from all the crying.

Apart from showcasing the newlyweds’ gorgeous wedding day — their ceremony took place in a gilded Gothic-style church in Tuscany — Nicolas also managed to highlight the incredibly emotional and moving wedding vows that this famous pair spoke to one another.

“These past few months were very hard for me,” Daza, 28, told Semblat in her wedding vows, referring to the recent death of her father. “I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders, and everybody kept saying, ‘have faith.’ But it was so difficult when I lost my dad.”

“I knew that God still loved me because He gave me you,” she told her boyfriend of six years.

In his vows, Semblat said he immediately knew that Daza was “the one” the moment he met her. “I knew quite early that you would be the one. The first time I saw you, my heart whispered, ‘she’s the one.'”

The couple’s emotional vow exchange was made even more beautiful by the aesthetics and back drop of their big day. Daza wore a strapless, ivory wedding dress by Vera Wang, which featured an embroidered lace bodice and a silver ribbon belt. The actress wore her hair in a low up-do with wisps of hair framing her beautiful face, diamond studs for earrings as well as a flowing veil, and she carried an organic bouquet of pink roes, dusty miller, and other beautiful blooms. Her attendants wore mismatched floral bridesmaid dresses and carried white posy bouquets.

We love you sooooooo much @isabelledaza ???? Can't wait to see you walk down the aisle towards your forever. Here we go! #BelleAdrien2016 #bridesmaids

A photo posted by Anne Curtis (@annecurtissmith) on Sep 10, 2016 at 6:17am PDT

The groom looked quite handsome in a blue jacket, gray slacks and crisp, white shirt with an orange tie. His groomsmen accompanied him in gray jackets with gray pants.

Through what we can only assume is some killer drone footage, we see the newlyweds racing through the Tuscan vineyards hand-in-hand, with Daza’s gown flowing behind her. We also get a few glimpses of the couple’s reception, which appeared to be just as fun as the ceremony was moving.

Changed my lewk for the party ???????? #belleadrien2016

A photo posted by isabelledaza (@isabelledaza) on Sep 16, 2016 at 9:57am PDT

Just over two years after first meeting at a friend’s birthday party in 2012, Gabriel Lopez told a series of white lies that convinced Sarah Stein-Sapir to take a Friday off work and stay home. “He emailed me that afternoon with a packing list, and told me to be downstairs in an hour,” she remembers. At the front door, a black car picked her up to take her to the Manhattan heliport, where Gabe was waiting. Their destination? The Castle Hotel, a property in Westchester where they had spent a weekend together shortly after they started dating. “We got up to our suite, which was covered in rose petals, and Gabe got down on one knee!” Sarah says. They celebrated with a romantic dinner and massages the next morning, then headed back to New York City for dinner with their families.

They spent the next year planning a wedding for 210 guests on October 24, 2015. “We wanted a beautiful, unique building that could accommodate our large guest list,” says the bride. They fell in love with Weylin B. Seymours, set inside the restored historic Williamsburg Savings Bank in Brooklyn. “We loved that there were several spaces that allowed us to create an experience for our guests that moved through the building as the evening unfolded,” Sarah says. With help from Jung Lee of Fête, they created an enchanted forest feel beneath the venue’s towering vaulted ceilings, incorporating deep autumnal hues, food and wine that represented their cultures, and even a canopy of trees over the dinner tables. Photographed by Rebecca Walker for Ira Lippke Studios, this dramatic Brooklyn wedding was a stunning combination of urban and natural — one we won’t soon forget!

Though she visited what seemed like every bridal boutique in Manhattan, Sarah kept coming back to this satin column wedding dress from Anna Maier – Ulla-Maija, with a draped bodice and a voluminous detachable train. “It was like two dresses in one!” she says. “I had drama walking down the aisle with the train, then it became something I could easily move in for the rest of the evening.”

She paired her gown with a pearl and diamond necklace her late father had given her mother, as well as heart-shaped diamond earrings. “My dad gave my mom heart-shaped diamonds every time she had a baby, so they’re very special to me,” Sarah explains. “They also matched my heart-shaped engagement ring!” Her something blue was a pair of light blue Manolo Blahnik pumps.

Gabe wore a slim-fit Ralph Lauren peak lapel tuxedo, which he paired with a monogrammed pocket square — he also bought pocket squares for each of his groomsmen.

Sarah’s all-white bouquet was a mix of roses and ranunculus, classically tied with white satin ribbon.

The ceremony took place beneath a lush altar of cascading flowers and vines, including a canopy of blooms over the bride and groom’s heads. “Our goal was to create a space that was warm, simple, and elegant,” says Sarah of the soft lighting and the flowers’ romantic vibe.

Two of Sarah’s three brothers walked her down the aisle to her eldest brother, who gave her away. The ceremony was officiated by Gabe’s best friend, who filled the passages with anecdotes about the bride and groom. “My sister-in-law and one of Gabe’s friends read our favorite Pablo Neruda sonnet in the original Spanish and in English,” says Sarah. Then she and Gabe shared vows they’d written together, incorporating promises they’d chosen to make to one another.

Immediately after the ceremony, the couple, their officiant, and their witnesses snuck away to a private room to sign the marriage license. “The caterer brought out our signature cocktails and a tray of passed hors d’oeuvres so we could try everything,” Sarah says.

Guests found their table assignments written on oversized chalkboards, arranged at the entrance to the reception area.

During cocktail hour, guests dined on appetizers with a decidedly Spanish influence. “Gabe’s family owns a Spanish restaurant in New Jersey,” Sarah explains. “We flew in Jamon Iberico, hired a professional to carve it, and served it alongside other Spanish-inspired hors d’oeuvres.” His signature cocktail was a Whiskey Sour, while hers was a Moscow Mule.

Beneath Weylin B. Seymour’s towering dome, long tables were dressed with black linens. “The trees helped make the cavernous room feel more intimate, while the mirrored tables gave guests a peek at the painted dome,” says the bride.

Candelabras and clusters of votives lit each table, with arrangements of white, green, burgundy, and plum-hued flowers were set beneath the trees and under glass bell jars. A mix of roses, dahlias, and ranunculus created contrasting textures. The couple wanted dinner to feel like fine dining instead of a catered event, so they offered a menu that included seafood pasta with lobster, scallops, and mussels and seared tenderloin and beef short ribs with roasted potatoes and shaved black kale. A jazz band played music inspired by Miles Davis during the meal.

In the next room, a lounge-like space was set up for dancing and dessert, with a DJ ready to spin once dinner ended.

The dessert spread was a selection of Gabe and Sarah’s favorites from throughout New York City, including Momofuku cake balls, Magnolia cupcakes, and gelato from L’Arte Del Gelato.

The six-tiered wedding cake was a custom Momofuku Milk Bar creation, with three tiers of birthday cake, one of chocolate malt cake, one of dulce de leche cake, and one of chocolate chip cake.

The couple’s first dance was to “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke. We love when the first dance ends with a good spin!

Gabe is a whiskey lover, so the couple treated their guests to a tasting bar at the after party with all of the groom’s favorites, including Yamazaki, Nikka, Duncan Taylor, and Macallan. If the dessert spread wasn’t enough, there were also containers of KFC, another nod to Sarah’s dad. “He used to own KFC franchises, so we had to have some late-night!” she says.

Everyone formed a huge circle for the last song, dancing until the music finally stopped. “The moment was filled with so much love, it was the perfect way to end the evening,” Sarah says. Her advice is to remember what truly matters. “When it gets stressful, step back and focus on the fact that, at the end of the day, you’ll be married. Don’t lose sight of that, and have as much fun as you can!”

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Weylin B. Seymour’s || Wedding Planner & Flowers: Fête || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Anna Maier – Ulla-Maija || Shoes: Manolo Blahnik || Hair: Donna Gargano of Eva Scrivo || Makeup: Tiffany Patton of White Rose Collective || Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren || Invitations & Paper Goods: Castle Graphics || Music: Element Music; DJ Phresh || Catering: Bite || Cake & Desserts: Momofuku Milk Bar; L’Arte Del Gelato; Magnolia Bakery || Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.; Broadway Party Rentals || Lighting: Bestek || Photographer: Rebecca Walker for Ira Lippke Studios

Searching for more Brooklyn wedding inspiration? Then check out another couple’s flowering celebration in the video below.