Wedding Planning

Why Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You For Your Miami Matrimony

Maybe it was Spring Break or your 21st birthday, but its more than likely that we’ve all been to South Beach. However, with a budding food and art scene, and beautiful beaches, people, and buildings – you’ve never experienced the Florida hot spot quite like this. 

Black Bride had the pleasure of visiting the Las Vegas of the South for some well deserved surf, sand and seafood. In-between beach cabanas and a few fancy cocktails – we discovered exactly why Miami is the perfect place for your nuptials, honeymoon, and future bae-cations.

Our first stop – satisfying our wanderlust at Circa39, a charming boutique hotel located conveniently across the street from Miami’s white sandy beaches. Perfect for couples, each room is elaborately decked out in bellowing hues of orange and green – giving you sophisticated and vibrant vibes – and the feel that you’re in a friend’s beach house guest room. 

Black Bride Tip: Request a room that overlooks the WunderGarden. The hotel’s hidden courtyard is an ideal location for a wedding up to 40 guests, and the perfect place for selfies.

While on property, couples can enjoy a flight of buttery rums or specialty cocktails at Circa39’s Wunderbar, home to 80+ specialty rums from all around the world. We kicked off the trip poolside at the hotel’s ground floor pool, taking in the rays of South Beach – with a full night of fun ahead, followed by a round of cocktails and lite bites.

Black Bride Tip: Go for the chilled, sweet Caipirinha cocktail to balance out the smoking hot sun. For some lite bites, try the Carne Con Queso Egg Rolls – stuffed with braised beef, pepper jack cheese, house aioli  and cilantro slaw.

Weddings In Wynwood

To woo your wedding guests – schedule a visit to Miami’s up and coming neighborhood, Wynwood. In particular visit The Wynwood Yards (The Yards) and Wynwood’s murals. The Yards is home to the country’s most creative restaurant concepts – picture European town center meets San Francisco food truck park. Wynwood Yard’s House of Mac offers face sized pans of hot and fresh mac and cheese – with toppings from lobster to truffle cheese, while Wynwood Yard’s owner Della Heimann owns a refreshingly delicious vegan food truck with delightful bowls and bites. The Yard’s first and only permanent restaurant Charcoal is owned by Ken Lyon, the restauranteur and icon, responsible for the outdoor seating element that made Lincoln Road so popular. 

The Yard also houses a full garden where the surrounding food trucks can get fresh herbs and spices (talk about farm-to-table.) The Wynwood Yard’s Garden can also house an elegant rehearsal dinner for parties of 20 or less.

Black Bride had a blast at The Yard, and after indulging in decadent cuisine, the evening commenced with live music from local artists and bands, a taste and sound your wedding guests are sure to love. 

Black Bride Tip: Grab a drink at the bar before making your rounds to the food vendors, enjoy each bite in moderation – so you’re not too full to get on the dance floor.

Wynwood is also home to some of the country’s most beautiful graffiti art. Black Bride got a front row seat on the Wynnwood Grafitti Buggy Tour – taking in picturesque views on Wynwood’s coveted buildings. From simple black and white stripes to intricate Michael Jordan meme art – each building was delightfully covered with the inspirations from artists near and far. Thinking of something unique for engagement photos? Hit the streets of Wynwood for hundred of options for the perfect photoshoot backdrop.

Needless to say, we got some pretty Instagram worthy shots ourselves. #Art #Graffiti #StayLit

Black Bride Tip: Bring Water for the Ride and clear some space on your phone for lots of pictures.

Miami has always been a city of beauty and fitness, but in in effort to take both to the next level – hotels are doing an amazing job of keeping guests fit and fabulous. After checking into Circa39’s sister property, The Palms Hotel & Spa, Black Bride enjoyed a sunset seaside Yoga class. The guided instruction was the perfect welcome to the property and had us so relaxed we almost NAMASTED in bed for the rest of the evening. The tropical sanctuary, sits waterfront, offering ocean facing rooms a crisp view of the turquoise waters. Newlyweds will love the modern tropical essence of each guest room, boasting separate shower and toilet stall for extra comfort, and plush robes for bedded bliss. Pairs will love the concierge turn-down service, accented by Godiva chocolates for a romantic midnight snack. P.S. We ate all three in one sitting, and have no regrets.

Newly engaged couples will be delighted to exchange vows near the sounds of a soft roaring ocean as The Palms offers luxurious tropical wedding venues. The property’s Colonial Wedding Gazebo caught our eye, as a wedding was set up for 140 guests with white Chiavari chairs lining the lusciously green lawn. Brides looking for an even more open space wedding venue can get married on the Beach; with a ceremony for up to 200 of her closest family and friends. For the reception – Brides can go cocktail style on the Veranda Terrace, do an elegant brunch or dinner at The Grand Tiki or design her own space using Tiki Huts and Cabanas on the South Lawn.

Pre or post nuptials, couples must be sure to visit The Palm’s Spa Aveda, a luxury on-property spa with services from massage and body treatment to full-service beauty offerings. With make-up services available, brides can experience relaxation and primping all in one. We opted for a full body massage and hydrotherapy scrub which included a hydro-rinse in an egg shaped beauty machine. The treatment left our skin, silky soft and ultra hydrated.

Black Bride Tip: Drink lots of water post massage, and take a few minutes to sit and relax on the spa terrace between services – you’ll thank us later.

Packing your bags to Miami already? Well the icing on the cake will have you booking your flight tomorrow. After amazing meals at MIAM, All Day Cafe, Essenisa, BarMeli69, and Phuc Yea, countless conversations with Miami’s finest entrepreneurs, and beach / pool time relaxation with some journalist friends – Black Bride ended the Miami vacation with a paddle boarding session at Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbor. As the sun began to rise, our guide at Beach Paddle & Co. showed us the ropes. Gliding seamlessly over cool waters, we balanced our toes mid-board, sailing passed million dollar homes and day dreaming – while marking the adventure off our bucket list.

To get play by plays from our trip on Twitter, check out hashtag #BlackBrideMIA. For Instagram – see our slideshow here. For more information about Circa39 or The Palms Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.circa39.com and  www.thepalmshotel.com.

Sources

Virge Simone Images

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