Happy Anniversary Alex and Ryan!

Anniversaries are always special to us, but this one is particularly special. Our very own stylist Alex and her hubby Ryan are celebrating their first anniversary. Alex is wonderful to work with! Every morning we are greeted with a "HAPPY MONDAY!!!" and a big hug. Her joy and laughter are contagious. She treats every bride with such care and attention from the moment they walk in until she sends them off to their wedding. We are lucky to have her as a part of our IOBC family and Ryan is lucky to have her as his family. 

IOBC: How did you and your husband meet?
Alex: We met in Miami, through mutual friends during our second year in college. We will be celebrating our ten year anniversary this November!

IOBC: What is your favorite memory with him?
Alex: Ryan and I had only been dating for about three months when I was suddenly rushed to the hospital one afternoon after getting back to the apartment from school. After a very long and scary car ride we finally arrived at the emergency room and my last memory before passing out was of Ryan telling me “I’m here… No worries.” After being poked, probed and scanned in every possible way imaginable; I went crazy thinking about staying by myself in the hospital. Before the nurses put me to bed (literally) the last thing I remember is Ryan telling the nurses: “I don’t know about you, but if you don’t want a rough night it would be unwise to send me home… Can I get a pillow and blanket please? “ I will never forget that…. He never left my side for four days…. I fell in love with him right then and there.

IOBC: Describe your experience at Isabel O'Neil Bridal Collection
Alex: After over 7 years in the bridal industry it was finally my very own time to do my bridal shopping and I could not have asked for more.  I absolutely loved my experience from beginning to end. We give great customer service to our brides as stylists so it was really fun to be getting that royal bride treatment. Marysabel made me feel like a Queen all the way up to my wedding day! 

Alyssa: How did you know this was THE dress?
Alex: I know it sounds super corny but, I just knew! I had always thought that it would be extra difficult for me to decide given the fact that I am in the bridal industry, but to my surprise it was not. I always knew I wanted two different looks and as soon as I tried “Nancy” & “Madrid” from Ines Di Santo I knew I needed to have them both for my big day! 

IOBC: As a stylist and a bride do you have any advice for those planning their wedding now?
Alex: I have a couple of recommendations: 
1. Plan ahead! I cannot stress this enough, make timelines and deadlines. Our wedding planning process was effortless because we started planning with so much time. This helped greatly in paying off everything without having to scramble at the last minute.  

2. Hire a wedding planner and a day off planner – If you are in the bridal industry and know wedding planning, by all means plan yourself. I still recommend getting a day of planner though. Everybody needs help especially during those crazy hours prior and during the wedding.

Details
Venue: Oxford Exchange
Accessories: Maria Elena Headpieces; Isabel O'Neil Bridal Collection
Florist: La Vie En Rose Design
Dresses: Ines Di Santo; Isabel O'Neil Bridal Collection
Photographer: Chip Litherland
DJ: DJ Papi
 

Alex wishes to thank Sara of Oxford Exchange for all of her help during the wedding planning process. 

Bride of the Month: Annie Goodwin Pyle

We are beginning a monthly feature on our beautiful brides. We HAD to start this blog series with something amazing and Annie and Greg's wedding provided just that. Annie came to Isabel O’Neil Bridal Collection in the hopes of finding the perfect gown for her dream wedding and that is exactly what she received.

When I first asked Annie for pictures from her wedding day she was so excited to share her special day with us. Her bright personality shines through even over email and was perfectly captured in their wedding photos. They have a stunning 8 year old daughter with whom her husband did a first dance (cue the tears).  The couple got married at Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, Florida.

Alyssa: How did you and your husband meet?
Annie: Greg and I met through mutual friends while I was down in Orlando for an internship the summer going into my senior year of college.  

Alyssa: What is your favorite memory with him?
Annie: My favorite memory I have with Greg is probably the night we met. I was with a group of my friends who knew some of his friends. He was joking around and dancing so I walked up to him with possibly the worst pick-up line ever, something completely sarcastic along the lines of, "nice dance moves." He will never let me live that one down. We talked for a bit, exchanged numbers and the rest is history.  

Alyssa: Describe your experience at Isabel O'Neil.
Annie: Isabel O'Neil Bridal Collection far exceeded my expectations. From the minute I walked in the door MaryIsabel and Alex were there to help me ever step of the way. They were there helping me find the perfect dress and were there on the day of my wedding to answer my frantic phone call when my mom couldn't figure out how to do my bustle, even though Alex had just practiced with her the day before. The ladies at Isabel O'Neil are there for one reason, to make sure the bride leaves happy with the dress of her dreams. 

Alyssa: How did you know this was THE dress?
Annie: I knew as soon as I put on my dress that it was the one. It was fun, different and unlike any other dress I had seen. It was only the second dress I tried on so we went ahead and tried on a few more but all I wanted to do was get back into what I knew was THE dress. We put it back on and added the veil, it was a done deal.

At Isabel O’Neil Bridal Collection we constantly catch ourselves saying that we have the best brides ever. Stories like these just solidify that for us. Every weekend we say hello to new brides in search of their dress. In the same day we send off another bride who over the past year has purchased her dress, went through fittings, searched for bridesmaids dresses, and leaves for their wedding day. Our boutique lends itself to having a personal and welcoming experience. Our brides really do become our family and we are so happy that Annie and Greg found their family in each other.

Wedding date: 04.30.16

Dress Designer: BLISS by Monique Lhuillier

Photography: Black & Hue Photogaphy

Written by: Alyssa Sassor