Ilana and Ben’s Wedding Day

It’s a couple hours before sunset. The bride is dressed, makeup’s flawless, every strand of hair in its proper place. Her hand is pressed against the glass of the Eden Roc Hotel room’s floor-to-ceiling window. Ocean waves are crashing against the sand below, and the sunlight is falling around her in such a way that the scene becomes surreal. Never mind that it’s Cinco De Mayo… It’s Ilana & Ben’s Wedding Day.

For her special day, Ilana chose a Monique Lhuillier bridal gown with a pearl embellished tulle corset and a pearl princepessa satin hand bustled trumpet skirt. To complete the look, she wore matching pearl and diamond detailed earrings, and diamond embellished Stuart Weitzman shoes. Stunning was the only word to describe her. Makeup artist Natasha Gross agreed, “Ilana was the most beautiful bride I have seen in a very long time.”

Held at the modernly elegant Eden Roc Hotel in South Beach, known for its amazingly designed lobby walls, the wedding ceremony was spiritual and extremely touching. We must give a special shout out to the incredible expertise displayed by Jonathan Buick and his assistant, Rose McArthur, of Xquisite Events. No pun intended, but that’s exactly how the décor was: exquisite. Jonathan created Ilana’s custom-designed bouquet, and by hand, meticulously glued each French rose petal together. He completed the design with three sparkling strands of crystals that hung from the front of the bouquet. The floral centerpieces on the reception tables consisted of tubular glass vases filled with orchids, roses, and hydrangeas, with diamond studded bands wrapping each vase. Rose went out of her way to mention that “the entire family was just lovely. I loved the ceremony, so beautiful and romantic!”

Gloria Sherman and Shannon Cosgrove, both of Eden Roc, were an absolute pleasure to work with, as always. As if the venue’s name couldn’t have been more fitting for the way the party unfolded after the ceremony: everyone ‘roc’ked it out!

Everyone had fun in front of (and behind!) the cameras. Not one photo we captured lacked a smile. Arms were always in the air, and the bride and groom were never still. With entertainment like The Libido Band, it was impossible not to be constantly moving. So much energy was present on that stage that it overflowed onto the dance floor. They shared a mission with everyone on the dance floor that Saturday night: to have fun! Well guys, mission accomplished!

How fortunate Ilana was to have such a close family friend as her wedding planner. Susan Jaffe of Celebrations by Susan Jaffe knew Ilana as a baby, and had some heartfelt feedback after the event. “There’s only one word to describe it: Spectacular. That’s the level of what we were reaching for and we nailed it! On every level, it was perfect. A truly perfect party…and I don’t say that often. Having known Ilana, her mother, and her sister for so long, it was a personal and professional triumph for me to see Ilana become the woman she is today; such an honor to be part of her and Ben’s special day.“

It has to be mentioned that there was a compelling sense of intimacy and love in the air the entire day, one that we had a front row view of, being behind the lens. It was especially present at the head table in the Eden Roc ballroom. While taking photographs during the speeches, we noticed the matching chairs that Ilana and Ben sat in: their back rests were perfect circles, and that couldn’t have been more fitting. Why? Because a circle symbolizes many things, but most importantly, it symbolizes unity, eternity … and wedding bands.

Congratulations to Ilana & Ben! So glad we got partake in your special day!