An expertly curated, luxuriously produced compendium of all things Palm Beach, Palm Beach Illustrated brings to life personalities and takes you inside the exclusive homes, parties and interests of the world’s most affluent and influential people.
The best piece of marriage advice I’ve heard came from Charlie Brown: “Laugh together, and nothing will seem insurmountable.” Before you think I heed the words of Peanuts characters (which, incidentally, is not such a bad idea), let me say that Charlie Brown was the minister who joined my husband and me in holy matrimony. It was just the three of us at the altar, so he had a captive audience for his tidbits of wisdom, which echoed inside the hallowed cathedral of the American Church in Paris. Aside from Charlie’s words, which will always stay with me, I remember the day not as a cinematic whole but as a series of moments that were uniquely mine: the sunbeams refracted by Tiffany stained glass windows, the delicate stalks of the…
FOODIE CELEBRATION WHO: Palm Beach Illustrated WHAT: April 2019 issue launch and cover unveiling WHERE: Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: PBI unveiled five collectible covers and the “Faces of Food” feature by photographer Libby Volgyes at a party in support of No Kid Hungry. A STELLAR EVENING WHO: Florida Atlantic University Foundation WHAT: President’s Gala 2019 WHERE: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton HIGHLIGHTS: Guests celebrated the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science with a science-themed party that included molecular mixology, fireworks, and a spunky AI dog. EVENING ON ANTIQUE ROW WHO: Young Friends of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County WHAT: Evening on Antique Row WHERE: South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach HIGHLIGHTS: The Antique Row district was transformed with live entertainment, art installations, food stations, and more to…
With nearly four decades dedicated to his craft, Mayors Jewelers design manager Bruno Dunlop views his work as his legacy, especially when it comes to custom engagement and wedding rings. “It’s something very intimate, something you’re going to cherish every day because it has huge emotional and sentimental importance to you,” he explains. “I feel like I’m invited to be part of the story of your life.” Whether incorporating heirloom jewels or starting fresh, Dunlop takes an artistic approach to crafting a ring. He begins with pencil sketches according to his clients’ vision, then colors them; once the final drawing is approved, he produces a 3-D rendering to be brought to life by hand. “I say that my jewelry is like handwritten love letters,” says Dunlop. “People remember the experience…
After a brief hiatus, welcome bags are making a comeback, according to Bettina Benizri, owner and head planner of Boca Raton–based Busy Bee’s Weddings and Events. “Welcome bags for out-of-town guests are especially important for South Florida weddings since the area doubles as a vacation destination,” she explains. “Trust me: Weddings in our area get a higher-than-usual ratio of yes RSVPs.” Here, Benizri offers ideas for how to stock your bag with locally sourced goods for guests to enjoy as they arrive for a weekend of you. (busybeesevents.com) PRO TIP “AVOID INCLUDING ALCOHOL IN A WELCOME BAG. SOME HOTELS WON’T DISTRIBUTE GUEST BAGS THAT CONTAIN ALCOHOL SINCE IT’S A LIABILITY. AND DON’T INCLUDE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE REFRIGERATED BECAUSE WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THE BAGS WILL SIT BEFORE BEING…
West Palm Beach calligrapher Carla Hagan of Carla Hagan Designs is set apart not only by the beauty of her art but by the fact that she’ll write on anything and everything. Hagan thinks beyond paper and is equally at home with mediums as varied as glass, marble, sand dollars, and rose petals. “Pretty much anything I can write on, I’ll try it,” Hagan says with a laugh. “I’ve done 300 splits of Moët as escort cards.” Table centerpieces, wayfinding signs, invitations and stationery, cookies or macarons monogrammed with edible gold ink, agate coasters as place cards—Hagan incorporates calligraphy and engraving into wedding decor in creative and unexpected ways. To elevate cocktail hour at one wedding, Hagan calligraphed Champagne glasses with guest names and table numbers. “No one was going…
First comes love, then comes marriage—but how do you keep the bond strong once the wedding bells have stopped ringing? Gleaned from 30 years of officiating South Florida weddings, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, and interfaith and nondenominational services, Cindy Serano of Ceremonies by Cindy offers a few pieces of sage advice. (ceremoniesbycindy.com) 1 Marriage is a commitment of give and take, a partnership between equal individuals who choose to mold their lives together. Remember every day that love is a choice. 2 Trust and respect through the good times and challenging times alike is essential. 3 Never go to sleep angry at one another.…
