msxtal's biography
I am so thrilled that our wedding was chosen to be Bio of the Week and a Real Wedding feature on Project Wedding's blog One Lovely Day!! See more pictures from our wedding and the blog post.
Thank you again Project Wedding for making our wedding planning experience a phenomenal one!!
XOXO,
Wicksell + Crystal
So PROUD of my honey for getting featured as Project Wedding's Sharp Dressed Man 2/6/12!! He did look sharp that day and always :-)
This is the first pro pic I have just to mail out with my thank you cards. More to come!! Can't wait!!!
Photo credit: http://studiobycarmen.com/
Getting Ready
First Look
Couple Shots
Ceremony
Formals
Reception
Details
We just got back from our 11 night cruise to the Southern Caribbean(so much fun- will recap and post pics later) for our honeymoon and family and friends sent us some of these pics from the wedding. Hope you can make them out okay! Can't wait to get the pro pics...Enjoy! :-)
Hi, my fiance and I have been together since March 2006. We met for the first time when he interviewed for a position with the ad agency that I was working for at the time. He landed the job and the rest is history. Here's alittle more about us!
Age: FH-27, Me-26
Hometowns: FH-Brooklyn, NY; Me-Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Occupation: FH-Interface Designer, Me-Senior Graphic Designer
Education: FH-BA Media Arts and Animation, AA Interface and Web Design from Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale; Me-BA Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Hobbies: FH-Video Games, break dancing, working out, and working!; Me-Drawing, crafting (yes, I will be doing a lot of DIY projects for this wedding!-stay posted), painting, cooking and hanging out with my fam and friends.
Favorite Music: FH-Old school hip-hop, jazz, soul, r&b, and alittle alternative; Me-Everything...the only thing I haven't gotten into yet is country!
Favorite Band: FH-Atmosphere; Me-Coldplay
Favorite Movie: FH-Breakin'; Me-Sixteen Candles!! I love Jake Ryan! lol
Favorite Dish: FH-Shrimp Alfredo; Me-Grilled Chicken with rice and beans
Engagement Shoot:
Fiance and I took these photos in January 2011 before the wedding. Here's a pics from the session. We did it at Viscaya Gardens in Miami.
The day my FH proposed, it was November 17th, 2007...the day before my b-day. He was actually moving from Florida to Kentucky for a job he had taken. Long story, but finances was the driving force behind this major move. I decided to join him on this long road trip. I felt sad the whole time. My baby was leaving, and I didn't know what the future held for us. I was not a fan of long distance relationships at all. So you can imagine what I was thinking and a proposal was far from my mind. After a long trip, we arrived in KY, and had a hotel room booked for the remainder of the weekend. We were really tired from the trip and decided to order in and hang out for the night. I fell asleep for a while and it must of been minutes to midnight when he woke me up. He wanted me to open my bday presents. I was so sleepy and resistant, saying "no its okay, I'll open it first thing tomorrow morning." But he pressed on. So I decided to get up and he presented me with this big box. In it was a box with a candle, a mini art easel picture frame (we're both artists) and a poem that ties in the candle and art easel picture frame. Won't tell the whole thing, but it went something like "You light up my life and I can't picture myself without you!" CORNY...but my heart melted...LOL. And attached to the bottom of the frame was smaller box. Right there I should of known that it was the ring, but I thought it was earrings or something!! So I opened it and BAM!!! the waterworks came on. I think I was saying things like "Oh my god", "what the hell", "are you serious?". So he got on one knee, asked me and I said YES!!! So after a year and a half of our long distance relationship, he finally landed an excellent job back in FL and now we are planning the wedding!
I created the graphic from random photos I found. If they are yours, pls let me know so that I may give you credit. Photos:The bride in the birdcage veil is from www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com.
This is the link:
http://www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com/Unveiled_bride_saran.html
I love organic, flowery, ornate, art nouveau, vintage, romantic modern styles. I know it seems like a mash of many different things, but I'm determined to include all those styles into my overall wedding style. Alphonse Mucha is one of my favorite artist and his "Four Seasons" piece captures essentially the colors and style that I'm going for. The natural side of it ties into my venue, the seasonal colors fit in with the colors I've chosen and the graphic flourishes capture the style that I will use on all my printed pieces (invitation, programs, menu and thank you cards).
I'm really excited about this place. We both wanted something outdoors in nature. We started out thinking the beach, but settled for a garden at the historic Addison in Boca Raton. This place has some deeply rooted history in the Boca area. They also have their own restaurant inside. We will be able to have the ceremony outside and the reception in the ballroom. What drew me to this place was the fabulous courtyard. There are these two large banyan trees in the center that are over 100 years old. The architecture is beautiful and I fell in love with the old, vintage feel of the place. This place is a hot commodity, it was even featured on the Style network's show "Who's Wedding is it Anyway?"Check out the video and pics!
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9O4quy6UBU
Photos Source: http://ec-designstudiosblog.com/2010/07/the-addison-boca-raton-wedding-venue/
Update 04-2010-We've booked the Addison!!! So excited, it's everything we wanted and it fits well into our budget!! I believed we lucked out with this place:0)
Decided on the Watters Lourdes gown in ivory. I am a old fashioned type of girl and went with the lace. Ahhhh something about lace. I know not everyone can pull it off, but once I tried it on I knew that it was the one. I'm very petite...like Jada Pinkett-Smith petite so you can imagine how it form fits me. They didn't let me take photos of it on me though :0(...N E ways check it out!!! It will be here October 15th!!! AHAAHHAHAH
Photos by www.Watters.com
My dress on another bride- Photos by www.preownedweddingdresses.com
Update 09-29-09 - The dress is here!!!!!!! It came in early. I ordered the dress from www.halfbridal.com. Still needs alterations though at the bust area. The train looks alot longer on me than it does on the model...perhaps that is because im only 5 feet tall...lol. I'm thinking of adding a flower/brooch on the hip part where the gown gathers up alittle on the front.
I'm DIYing my bridal belt to go with my dress. Here are my inspirations. I'm trying to track down where I grabbed theses images, if they are yours, please let me know so I may give you credit.
Update 12-20-10: Well here's a mockup of my DIY bridal belt. I used a aubergine/eggplant 3 inch satin ribbon that match my shoes, I bought a fake ivory peony flower and took that apart to make the flower and the jewels around it are a bunch of necklaces and earrings from Forever21, purple thread and needle to sew everything together. Total cost for this project: $35.18. Not bad I think. This is a mock up i did to see how I wanted to position the flower and jewelry...you can see the tape if you look closely behind some of the flowers!! lol. I'll post pics of the completed sash. Have to get this done soon before my first fitting in January.
Why do we stress about them so much...I didn't want a ivory shoe because my dress is ivory. I wanted to go with a color I can wear again with my other clothes. I like peep toe styles and hopefully I can find something in a eggplant, taupe, nude, or bone color....crossing fingers
Update 06-2010:
These are the shoes I got RSVP Vicky (eggplant color) from Zappos.com. They are a pleated aubergine satin covered d'Orsay with a rosette in the front. Second pic: The dream shoe...too pricey though :0(
I decided not to wear a veil. Instead I'll sport a handmade hair flower and a nice hair comb. Here are some cool inspirations I found.
I love this hair piece that this bride wore. Source: http://aaronshintaku.com/blog/?p=611
I definitely want a sweep bang and loose curls. Perhaps I'll do half up and the rest down with the bangs in the front. These are the styles I like.
I want a soft and sexy look. Maybe bold eyes and a neutral lip color. Something very light. Here are the faces I love.
Make-up inspiration board
Here's what I would like for my FH to wear. I think black suits are boring (just my personal opinion). I would really like for him to wear a navy fitted suit.
9-11-10 - We booked Ana Paz Cakes to do our wedding cake. We ordered a 3 tier vanilla fondant cake with a rum glaze. We will have sugar flowers adorned on the top and a ribbon wrapped on the 2nd tier with a brooch in the middle. The best part of the cake - it's DAIRY FREE - Kosher!! I'm lactose intolerant. If you live in South Florida, definitely check out Ana Paz Cakes in Miami. The prices are great, family business with excellent customer service and it tastes like heaven!!
Ana Paz Cakes: http://anapazcakes.com/
My cake will look something like these below:
Photos: http://www.theoldmeetinghouse.com
We decided to do a small wedding cake (for us to take pictures) and boxed up mini cakes or cupcakes to give as favors. It will save us some money at the reception. Did you know they charge to serve the cake!!!! I didn't know that. Look at these boxes though..aren't they cool??!!!
Source: Boxes - http://www.apieceofparis.com.au/
Update 9-11-10: We booked Sweeter Days Bake Shop for our cupcake favors. We are doing some red velvet and carrot cake...it's so delicious - the best red velvet cake I've ever tasted!!! They're even making some sugar free cupcakes for our family members who are diabetic..how sweet was that! So I'm ordering some clear boxes instead of kraft or white, because those cupcakes are too cute to hide and I'll create a label for the boxes and we'll wrap them with brown or green ribbon and give them to our guests at the reception - just a little treat for them to enjoy.
Sweeter Days Bake Shop: http://www.sweeterdaysbakeshop.com/index.php
Here are my inspirations: http://www.pinkcakebox.com/
It just wouldn't be right if we didn't have our haitian culture brought into the wedding some how. I was born in Haiti and my Fiance, although born in New York, has Haitian relatives. So to go along with the bon bon (creole for cup cakes) that we are giving our guests, we will give them (adults only) a mini bottle of Barbancourt. Barbancourt is a Haitian rhum and a staple in every Haitian household.
I went to Haiti in December 2009, a month before the earthquake, and was fortunate enough to buy the mini bottles of rhum at the airport. Unfortunately, since the massive earthquake in January 2010, both the airport and Barbancourt factory in Haiti was damaged. The factory was damaged so badly that it will take years to produce Barbancourt again. All of the cellars that stored Barbancourt that were aging for over 8 years and more were all destroyed. This is our way of giving a piece of our home to our guests. This will be a great keepsake for guests. Barbancourt is sold in limited quantities now.
Plus we're not serving alcohol at our wedding-it's a morning ceremony and early afternoon reception!! They can get tipsy at home lol
We decided not to do a lunch reception and just go heavy on the appetizers and do a dessert bar. Our wedding is too small (about 80 people) and really early (11 am) to do a sit down lunch and this is more our style. People will get up mingle more. Think fruits, cheeses, veggies, finger foods, mimosas, a couple of other signature cocktails, candy, cakes, pies...Here are some of our inspirations.
Update: 05/07/10-We're back to a regular lunch reception, mainly because it comes out to the same money for a cocktail reception...might as well give them a full meal. I still love these ideas and we'll incorporate some into the cocktail hour.
Source: stylemepretty.com
I love the silk folio invite. Since I'm a graphic designer and on a budget I'm going to DIY them. I'm doing heavy research on the materials and will start building them at the end of the year. I want to get everything done except the printing for the invitation card itself. I will probably get those letterpressed as the day gets closer.
Here are my inspirations:
Credits: www.simplyuniqueinvitations.com, www.duvalinvites.com, www.stephaniejdesigns.blogspot.com, www.lelanewyork.com, www.weddingchicks.com
Invite Inspiration:
Source: www.minted.com, www.bellafigura.com
Here it is..blood (from cutting with an x-acto knife), sweat (tirelessly working since march on these folios) and tears (crying because I never thought I would finish) went into these invitations. I am so proud of myself and love how they came out. Still have work to do to complete the whole suite, but here it is so far.
P.S. I knew my degree in graphic design would come in handy one day!
Update 12-13-10: DONE, DONE, and DONE!!!! I am so happy to be finished with these invites. Assembled, boxed and mailed off. I am so happy with the way they came out. All fifty are different, there are no two alike. Some have flowers, some are plain, some gold, some purple, some have bling. I also created some regular square invites mounted on bronze cardstock and mailed them in a square envelope to match for those guests (mainly guys) that probably won't care too much for the folios.
We packaged each folio in a gold wrapped box(the same gold paper I used to line the folios), mounted name tags on the front and wrapped a double faced satin ribbon for decoration. The folios were mailed out in a flat rate postal box, perfect fit, didn't move at all. We had only about 10 to be mailed out so the cost wasn't too bad. The rest are hand delivered. For those guests who've received the folios, they were so impressed. They all said they would keep it and they loved it. After all this I may have to start my own business, that's what all our families were saying when they saw them:-)
Thanks, Crystal
Update: I've opened an online shop making these invitations!! Check out my shop at Etsy and my Website. The shop is launching fall 2012 and there will be lots of handmade goodies for you brides out there.
Thanks Everyone :-)
XOXO, Crystal
Designed by me and built by my Fi. Great team work huh :-) After the big day, we'll use it to post pics and etc.
http://www.crissyandricky.com/
I want lots of greenery in my arrangements. I'm thinking lots of greens, with hints of whites, ivories for me and bouquets of purple or green shades for the girls. I will need arrangements for the arch since the wedding is outdoors, table centerpieces, girls bouquets and the boutonnieres for the guys.
Here are my inspirations:
Source: http://loveandsplendor.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/jennifer-michael-1-23-10/, http://amelialyon.net, http://www.inspiredbythis.com, www.theknot.com
I wanted to carry a locket with my dad's photo inside to commemorate him some how. Since he won't be physically walking me down the aisle, I thought I would carry him with me :-) Here's my inspiration:
Photo by Amy Squires
I'm loving the idea of a single tall glass vase with a floral arrangement on top. Lots of whites, ivories and green flowers. I may add some crystal drops for added bling to the arrangements...of course you guessed it - I will be DIYing the crystal drop blings as well. These florists charge a arm and a leg for these and I am not about to pay them for it - especially when I can make them myself :-)
Here are my inspirations:
Source: http://jldesigns.blogspot.com/2009/12/rachel-and-ryan-shade-hotel-manhattan.html, www.save-on-crafts.com
We decided to go with Satin Aubergine linens to drape the tables, gold chargers to accent and some small votive candles for added drama.
Here are our inspirations:
I decided not to have one maid of honor. Honestly all the women that I want to ask to stand beside me are more than friends they are my sisters so all of them will be maids of honor and my neice will be my flower girl. My FH loved the idea and had the same problem so he decided to call all his guys best men. I want the style to look like cocktail dresses.
Update 11-2009: Found the dresses for my girls!!!! Purple Cocktail Tube dress by www.Forever21.com only $22.80. Perfect for my early morning ceremony and lunch time reception. I decided to get the little skirt part altered out, remove the straps and add a flower sash to it. I will be DIYing the sashes. I'll post pics once they're done.
Accessories to match by www.Forever21.com. Prices for earrings and bracelet ranged between $4 - $8. I will give these as gifts to the ladies.
Here's my inspiration: I love the short dresses with the flower sash. It's fun, cute and young-looking!! love it.
Source: http://aaronshintaku.com/blog/?p=611
Don't you just love these???!!!!!!!! Another DIY task...I'm thinking I can make some for my bridal party to acessorize their dresses.
Source: http://emicibridal.com/brsaandbr.html
Here's what we like. We're thinking a nice fitted suit vest and matching pants in navy blue to match the groom with some colored tie..not sure which color yet, either the antique gold, purple to match the girls or green.
If these are your
photos, please let me know so I can give credit and source.
First Two Photos Source: http://bellagraceclients.com/blog/2009/07/josie-adam---a-new-york-couples-kentucky-wedding.html
I really want Carmen and her hubby from Studio by Carmen to shoot my wedding. I love their work. Hopefully I can book her in time for the wedding. :0)
Update 05-2010-We booked studiobycarmen.com to shoot our wedding!!!!!!!!! eeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!! i'm so happy right now :0)
