WEDDING BLOG

Wisteria and Moss Frame This Romantic Springtime Florida Garden Wedding

October 1, 2026 | justine

Hanging wisteria stretched above the dance floor, moss cascaded from the oak trees above the ceremony, and lavender, blue, and green flowers filled gold vases throughout Sydonie Mansion. Kylie and Logan built their Florida garden wedding around a venue that already had much of what they were looking for, then spent the better part of a year adding their own details.

That included far more than a few pieces of signage. Kylie embroidered handkerchiefs for Logan and their parents, while the couple made their invitations, menus, temporary tattoos, heart-shaped sunglasses, photo backdrop, and more. Their pets got involved, too, with their golden retriever Baxter joining them for portraits and their fur babies appearing on everything from cocktail stirrers to the signature drink sign. And those weren’t the only details waiting for guests once they arrived.

What We Love About This Florida Garden Wedding:

Hanging wisteria over the reception dance floor
A first look followed by garden portraits with their golden retriever, Baxter
DIY details throughout
A parent-dance song mix-up that ended with all four of them on the dance floor

Featured Vendor:
Jennifer Holly Photography

Building the Color Palette Around Lavender, Green, and Gold

Lavender had been Kylie’s favorite color for years, and Logan had one fashion request: he wanted to wear a green suit. Those two colors became the starting point, with champagne bridesmaid dresses and light blue accents eventually joining the palette. Their mothers wore blue as the couple’s “something blue.”

The larger garden direction developed once they began looking at venues. Kylie had already seen Sydonie Mansion online and was “about 99% sold,” but they still scheduled other tours. Sydonie was only their second stop, but they “knew it was the one immediately,” she says.

They worked with the mansion’s existing romantic garden style, bringing in green, gold, blue, and lavender through the flowers and reception details. Levan’s Catering provided gold dining ware with sage napkins, while gold vases and rented Chiavari chairs continued the look. Over the dance floor, they added hanging wisteria, a unique addition that brought the garden theme to life all night.

Sharing Private Vows Before Baxter Joined Them in the Garden

Kylie and Logan went back and forth over having a first look. They worried that seeing each other beforehand might take something away from the moment Logan saw Kylie walking down the aisle.

Ultimately, they decided to meet in the garden before the ceremony, where they exchanged private vows and had a little time together before guests gathered. Kylie says it helped settle their nerves without diminishing the aisle moment later.

Then Baxter arrived. Their golden retriever joined them for portraits in the garden and, between photos, became particularly interested in watching the koi fish.

Thanking Their Parents During a Traditional Ceremony

Kylie and Logan don’t live near their families, so walking into the ceremony gave Kylie a rare view of everyone gathered in the same place. Her dad walked her down the aisle, where Logan was waiting.

The ceremony remained traditional, with one addition: the couple included a thank-you to their parents for raising them and for the examples of marriage they had given them.

Violinist Jose Rodriguez played during both the ceremony and cocktail hour, including songs Kylie had specifically requested even when they weren’t part of his regular set list.

Turning One Giant To-Do List Into a Year of DIY Projects

Kylie started planning by saving ideas from Instagram and Pinterest before building a large mood board on her iPad. Their day-of coordinator supplied to-do lists, but Kylie, who describes herself as “a very organized planner,” took things considerably further. “I actually ended up making a multi-page to-do list that incorporated every single thing we’d have to do and divided tasks by month,” she says.

That organization came in handy because wedding projects eventually took over their home. Kylie has always loved arts and crafts, and the couple made their invitations, signage, menus, temporary tattoos, L + K heart sunglasses, and a photo backdrop themselves.

Some of the smallest projects were also the most time-consuming. Kylie hand-embroidered handkerchiefs with individual notes for each of their parents as well as Logan. At the bar, their fur babies appeared on the signature drink sign and stir sticks alongside embossed cocktail napkins. A massive mirror with a vinyl welcome message greeted guests as they arrived.

Breaking everything into monthly tasks kept the final weeks surprisingly manageable. By then, they only had a few small things left to finish.

Deciding What Was Actually Worth the Wedding Budget

Kylie’s parents contributed significantly to the wedding, and the couple began by accounting for the major expenses: venue, catering, flowers, photography, cake, and DJ. Flowers were especially important because of how much color they would bring into the garden setting.

Their catering package helped elsewhere in the budget. Tablecloths, chargers, plates, and gold silverware were already included, leaving room for extras such as the gold Chiavari chairs and hanging wisteria.

When another potential expense came up, Kylie and Logan had a question they would ask each other: “Are we gonna look back and feel disappointed we didn’t have this on our wedding day?” Sometimes the answer made the decision easy.

The DIY projects also saved money, although Kylie is quick to acknowledge that the final total still grew. “We definitely ended up 10k over budget, but we had the perfect day and wouldn’t change a thing.”

When the Wrong Parent-Dance Song Started Playing

Most of the wedding ran exactly as planned. Then Kylie and her dad started their father-daughter dance. “As soon as the words started I looked at him and said, ‘Wait…this isn’t our song.’” The DJ had accidentally played the song intended for Logan and his mom. Logan got up to speak to the DJ while Kylie and her dad kept dancing, but the original father-daughter song couldn’t be found.

So Kylie improvised. She motioned for Logan and his mom to come out and join them. The song was extended, and what began as the only real mishap of the day ended with both parent-child pairs dancing together and photos of all four of them on the floor.

Planning Early So the Final Weeks Stay Manageable

Kylie and Logan have little they would change about their Florida garden wedding, other than avoiding that parent-dance mix-up. Their biggest planning takeaway is much less glamorous than flowers or wisteria: make one enormous list.

Dividing their tasks and DIY projects by month meant they could finish smaller jobs early and concentrate on whatever actually needed attention at each stage. “In the last few weeks before our wedding we only had a couple small tasks left to check off,” Kylie says. For a couple who spent roughly a year making everything from embroidered handkerchiefs to temporary tattoos, that might be the strongest endorsement of the spreadsheet.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Jennifer Holly Photography
Event Planning – Kristy Rapp
Venue – Sydonie Mansion
Floral Design – Stephanie Piermont
Catering – Levan’s Catering
Cake – Roberta Haupert
Officiant – Glynn Ferguson
DJ – Elegant Entertainment
Live Music – Jose Rodriguez
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Kristy’s Artistry
Wedding Dress – Theory Bridal House
Bridal Accessories – BridalbyValeria + BrilliantForever + NovaJewelsLA
Groom’s Apparel + Groomsmen’s Apparel – Suit Shop + Jos. A. Bank
Rentals – Premier Events

The Ultimate Wedding Ring Guide

September 30, 2026 | justine

*This wedding ring guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the right ring, from metals and styles to fit, pairing, care, and more. Image by Damaris Melissa Photo*

You’ll make plenty of purchases for your wedding that are meant for one day. Your wedding ring is different: chances are, it’ll become part of what you wear every day. That makes finding something you love important, but so is choosing a ring that actually works with your life.

Before getting caught up in metals, diamonds, widths, and finishes, think about how you’ll actually wear your ring. Will it sit next to an engagement ring or be worn alone? Do you work with your hands? Do you want something you rarely have to think about, or are you comfortable with a ring that needs a little more care?

This wedding ring guide covers what to consider before you buy, starting with your lifestyle and budget before getting into metals, styles, fit, engagement ring pairings, and more.

Start With How You’ll Wear Your Wedding Ring

Before choosing a metal or style, think about what your wedding ring needs to do in everyday life. If you plan to wear it next to an engagement ring, the two rings will need to sit comfortably together. If your wedding band will be worn alone, you might prefer a wider band or a design with more visual detail.

Your routine matters, too. If you work frequently with your hands, a smooth, low-profile band may be easier to wear than raised stones or intricate details that can catch. And if you exercise, work with machinery, or regularly do activities where wearing a ring could be uncomfortable or unsafe, consider whether you’re happy removing it when needed.

Starting with the practical stuff may not be as exciting as looking at rings, but it can quickly narrow down which options make sense for you.

Set Your Wedding Ring Budget

Wedding rings can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the metal, width, stones, craftsmanship, and whether the design is custom. A simple gold band will generally cost less than a platinum ring or one set with diamonds. Wider bands use more metal, while full eternity designs, larger or higher-quality stones, intricate detailing, and custom work can all increase the price.

There’s no amount you’re supposed to spend on wedding rings. Decide what you’re comfortable allocating from your overall wedding budget, then think about which features matter most to you. Having a range in mind before you start shopping can also make it easier to compare your options without getting distracted by rings well outside it.

Choose Your Wedding Ring Metal

Once you know how you’ll wear your ring and what you’re comfortable spending, you can start narrowing down your metal options.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has the warm appearance most associated with traditional gold jewelry. It’s commonly available in 14k and 18k gold. Of the two, 14k contains a lower percentage of pure gold and is generally more resistant to everyday wear, while 18k contains more pure gold and typically has a richer gold color.

White Gold

White gold offers a bright white-metal look and typically costs less than platinum. Most white gold jewelry is rhodium plated to create that bright finish, which means it may need to be replated periodically as the surface wears.

Rose Gold

Rose gold gets its pink or blush tone from the metals alloyed with gold, particularly copper. It’s a good option if you prefer warmer jewelry but want something a little different from traditional yellow gold.

Platinum

Platinum is naturally white, dense, and durable. It generally comes at a higher price than gold and can develop a patina with wear. Some people like that softer, lived-in finish, while others choose to have their rings professionally polished.

Alternative Metals

Titanium, tungsten, tantalum, and other alternative metals are also used for wedding bands and can offer different combinations of weight, durability, appearance, and price. One thing to check before buying is whether the particular metal can be resized, as some alternative-metal rings can’t be resized conventionally.

Find Your Wedding Ring Style

With your metal narrowed down, you can get into the fun part: deciding what you actually want your ring to look like. Wedding bands come in plenty of variations, but these are some of the styles you’ll see most often.

Classic bands are simple metal rings without stones, with the width, profile, and finish defining the look. They can be polished for more shine or given a brushed, matte, hammered, or other textured finish.

Diamond bands add stones across part or all of the ring. The look can vary considerably depending on the setting, from delicate pavé diamonds to channel-set or shared-prong designs.

Eternity bands feature diamonds or gemstones around the band. Full eternity rings have stones around the entire circumference, while partial or half-eternity styles cover only part of it. Full eternity designs can be more difficult to resize because there isn’t a plain section of metal to work with.

Gemstone bands bring in color with sapphires, rubies, or other stones, either on their own or paired with diamonds. If you plan to wear yours every day, consider the durability and care requirements of the particular stone.

Vintage-inspired bands use details such as milgrain, engraving, or distinctive stone shapes to create an antique-influenced look.

Curved or contoured bands have a shaped profile that accommodates an engagement ring’s center setting. They’re an option if you want the two rings to sit closer together rather than leaving the gap a straight band sometimes creates.

Consider Width, Stones, and Fit

Once you know the general style you want, the smaller details can make a surprisingly big difference in how the ring looks and feels on your hand.

Wedding Ring Width

Wedding band widths are measured in millimeters. As a general visual guide, a 2–3mm band tends to look slim and understated, while 3–4mm offers a little more presence. Bands around 5–6mm have a more substantial look, while 7mm and wider create a noticeably bolder profile.

Those aren’t rules for women’s or men’s wedding rings. Anyone can choose any width. Finger proportions, other jewelry, personal style, and what feels comfortable on your hand matter more than the category a ring is marketed under.

Diamonds and Gemstones

If you want stones in your wedding ring, consider their setting as well as how much sparkle you want.

A low-profile setting may be more practical for everyday wear, particularly if you use your hands a lot. If you’ll be stacking your wedding band with another ring, check whether exposed stones or settings could rub against it.

Also think about future sizing. A band with stones only across part of the ring may offer more resizing flexibility than a full eternity band.

Wedding Ring Fit

A wedding ring should feel secure at the base of your finger while still sliding over your knuckle with gentle resistance. It shouldn’t feel as though it could easily slip off, but it shouldn’t pinch either.

Because finger size can fluctuate with temperature and other factors, having your finger professionally measured is worth doing before ordering. Keep the width of your chosen ring in mind, too—a wide band can feel tighter than a narrow one in the same nominal size.

For wider designs in particular, you may also want to try a comfort-fit band, which has a slightly rounded interior rather than a flatter inner surface.

Pair Your Wedding Ring With Your Engagement Ring

If you plan to wear your engagement and wedding rings together, try them as a pair rather than choosing your wedding band entirely on its own. The two rings don’t have to match. Choosing the same metal and similar design details can create a cohesive look, but mixed metals, contrasting textures, and different styles can work beautifully together too. What matters practically is how they sit.

Some engagement ring settings leave enough space underneath the center stone for a straight wedding band to sit flush beside them. Others naturally create a small gap. If you like the gap, there’s no reason to avoid it. If you prefer the rings to sit closely together, a curved or contoured wedding band can follow the shape of your engagement ring.

Check where the two rings touch as well. Exposed stones, prongs, or other details can rub against the neighboring ring over time. If you already know you want a coordinated look, a bridal set is another option. These typically pair an engagement ring with a wedding band specifically designed to fit alongside it.

Choosing Men’s Wedding Rings

Men’s wedding rings involve the same core considerations: how you’ll wear the ring, budget, metal, style, width, and fit. While plain, wider metal bands have traditionally been associated with men’s wedding rings, they’re only one option. Slimmer profiles, diamonds, mixed metals, engraving, and brushed, hammered, or other textured finishes can all work.

If you prefer a wider band, pay particular attention to fit since the extra width can change how a ring feels on your finger. Trying a few different widths and profiles in person is often the easiest way to find what feels natural.

Your rings as a couple don’t need to match, either. If you want a connection between them without choosing identical designs, you could share one detail, such as the metal, finish, or engraving.

Protect Your Wedding Ring

Once you’ve chosen a ring you intend to wear for years, it’s worth considering how you would repair or replace it if it were lost, stolen, or damaged.

Depending on the ring and your policy, jewelry coverage may be available through homeowners or renters insurance, an additional endorsement for valuable jewelry, or a standalone jewelry insurance policy. Coverage and exclusions vary, so keep your receipt and any appraisal documentation and check exactly what a policy includes before choosing one.

If you’re protecting both rings, our guide to engagement ring insurance goes deeper into how jewelry insurance works and what to consider when deciding on coverage.

Wedding Ring FAQs

What Hand Does a Wedding Ring Go On?

In the United States, a wedding ring is traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, commonly called the ring finger. Wedding ring traditions vary around the world, though, and the right hand is customary in some countries and cultures.

What Is the Correct Order for Wedding Rings?

When a wedding ring and engagement ring are worn on the same finger, tradition places the wedding band first, with the engagement ring above it. That’s a tradition rather than a requirement, so you can wear your rings in whichever order feels and looks best to you.

Are Wedding Rings and Wedding Bands the Same Thing?

Generally, yes. “Wedding ring” and “wedding band” are commonly used interchangeably for the ring exchanged during a wedding ceremony. “Wedding band” is sometimes used more specifically for band-style designs, while “wedding ring” can encompass a broader range of styles.

Do You Need Both an Engagement Ring and a Wedding Ring?

No. An engagement ring traditionally marks the intention to marry, while wedding rings are exchanged during the wedding ceremony. You can wear both together, wear only a wedding ring, or choose one ring to serve both purposes.

Do Couples’ Wedding Rings Have to Match?

No. You can choose matching wedding rings, completely different designs, or rings that share a single element, such as the metal, finish, or engraving.

Can Wedding Rings Be Resized?

Many gold and platinum wedding rings can be resized, but it depends on the metal and design. Full eternity bands and some alternative-metal rings can be difficult or impossible to resize conventionally, so ask before purchasing if future resizing is important to you.

When Should You Buy Wedding Rings?

Start shopping for wedding rings a few months before your wedding to leave time to compare styles, confirm sizing, place your order, and make any necessary adjustments. Give yourself additional time for custom designs, engraving, unusual sizes, or a band being made specifically to fit an engagement ring, and always confirm the production timeline with your jeweler.

How Often Should You Have Your Wedding Ring Professionally Cleaned?

Having a wedding ring that’s worn every day professionally cleaned and inspected about once a year is a useful starting point, although your jeweler may recommend more frequent visits depending on the ring and how you wear it. A professional inspection is particularly useful for stone-set bands because a jeweler can check for loose stones, worn prongs, and other signs of wear while cleaning the ring.

Between professional visits, many wedding rings can also be cleaned at home. A jewelry cleaning solution, pen, or soft brush can make regular upkeep easier, but always check that the product is suitable for your ring’s specific metal and stones before using it.

There are plenty of traditions surrounding wedding rings, but very few rules about what yours has to look like. Your rings as a couple don’t have to match, your wedding band doesn’t have to perfectly match your engagement ring, and there’s no particular metal, width, or amount you’re supposed to choose.

Use this wedding ring guide as a starting point, then let your lifestyle, budget, personal style, and what feels comfortable on your hand guide the final decision. After all, the goal isn’t just to find a ring that looks good on your wedding day. It’s to find one you’ll be happy to keep wearing long after it.

*Image by Gabrielle Pellegrino Photography*

A Vibrant Citrus Color Palette at This Etéreo Kanai Riviera Maya Wedding

September 29, 2026 | justine

bright red brown ivory orange sage green yellow

Marisa and Wilson wanted their guests’ trip to Mexico to feel like a vacation. That meant a Friday night taco menu, custom maracas, plenty of margaritas, and a wedding day filled with oranges, reds, yellows, and pinks. At their Etéreo Kanai celebration in Riviera Maya, those colors appeared across the florals, stationery, and bridesmaid dresses.

Mexico made sense for another reason. Marisa and Wilson fell in love partly through traveling, cooking, and exploring together, and their first big trip as a couple was to Mexico.. Years later, they returned with friends and family for a weekend built around many of those same things they enjoy together: good food, time outside, and a really good party.

What We Love About This Etéreo Kanai Riviera Maya Wedding

Citrus tones of orange, red, yellow, and pink across the florals, stationery, and bridesmaid dresses
Tacos and custom maracas to kick off the welcome celebration
Marisa’s sleek wedding dress, found after trying more than 30 others and flying to London to get it
Personal vows, family involvement, and readings from favorite poems during the ceremony

Featured Vendor:
My Perfect Wedding Mexico

Planning the Weekend With Traveling Guests in Mind

With friends and family traveling from several locations, Marisa and Wilson thought about the wedding as more than a single-day event. “Most importantly: we wanted it to be fun!” Marisa says. “Guests were traveling from New York, California, and beyond. It was important for us to feel like a vacation for them.”

That also influenced their budget. Venues, food, and alcohol were areas where they were willing to spend more, while photography also had a protected place in the budget. Their planners, Michelle and Aleza of My Perfect Wedding, kept the financial side organized with a detailed spreadsheet tracking expected and actual costs.

Riviera Maya made logistical sense, too. The couple considered several parts of Mexico before choosing the area because guests traveling from New York could get there on a direct flight. After touring different venues, Etéreo Kanai stood out for its food, team, and outdoor spaces, including a courtyard for the ceremony and beach space for the reception.

Taking Color Cues From Their Trips to Mexico

Years of traveling through Mexico had left Marisa drawn to its bright flowers, Day of the Dead celebrations, and particularly marigolds.

Marigolds weren’t in season for the wedding, so Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design worked with the couple on a color palette of oranges, reds, and yellows instead. Pink joined the mix in the bridesmaid dresses, tying their looks to the flowers without asking everyone to wear the same color.

Those colors continued into the paper goods. Marisa created the invitations and stationery with Sarah Wallack, one of her oldest childhood friends. Nearly 30 years after taking art classes together, the two found themselves comparing fonts and paper samples for Marisa’s wedding. “Like the florals, I wanted the stationery to feel bright and playful,” she says.

My Perfect Wedding helped carry those ideas through the rest of the weekend, from the Friday taco menu and custom maracas to finding DJ Dulce for the reception. The planners also connected Marisa and Wilson with other local vendors. Once My Perfect Wedding planners Michelle and Aleza recommended someone and the vendor seemed genuinely excited about the couple’s ideas, Marisa and Wilson felt comfortable moving forward.

Giving Family and Friends a Role in the Ceremony

At Etéreo Kanai, several of the people closest to Marisa and Wilson had a role in the ceremony. Marisa’s brother-in-law officiated, while their friend Maddy and Wilson’s sister Bailey each read one of the couple’s favorite poems.

They also wrote their own vows, spending months jotting down thoughts and hiding computer screens from each other while they worked. “We wanted the ceremony to feel personal and for guests to leave knowing us as a couple,” Marisa says.

Because the couple had already done a first look and completed most of their portraits before the ceremony, they didn’t have to immediately leave for a long photo session afterward. Instead, they took a few minutes alone before joining cocktail hour. Their planners even had cocktails and hors d’oeuvres ready for them before they headed down. They later slipped away for a few additional portraits as the sun set over the water.

Finding the Dress on Instagram, Then Flying to London for It

Finding Marisa’s dress took considerably more effort. She was looking for something simple and sleek that would also work for walking around on the beach, but more than 30 dresses later, she still hadn’t found it. Then she came across Own Studio on Instagram.

The studio was in London, and Marisa had just missed its New York trunk show. She booked a 36-hour trip anyway and went straight from the airport to the showroom. The dress she ultimately chose was the exact design that had caught her attention on Instagram in the first place: a strapless, fitted gown with a softly sculpted neckline and a long, clean silhouette that extended into a train.

Wilson isn’t usually much of a suit person, but saw the wedding as a chance to have something made that he could keep. After seeing a friend’s wedding tux from La Rukico, he decided to go custom. He chose a light brown suit with an open-collar white shirt and brown loafers, keeping the look relaxed enough for the beach setting.

Making the Most of the Moments They Couldn’t Plan

Before the festivities had even begun, Marisa and Wilson were riding the elevator to their rehearsal when the reality of the weekend hit them at the same time. Guests had arrived. Friends and family were downstairs. Months of planning were suddenly about to become an actual wedding. They stayed in the elevator for a few extra moments before walking out.

Then there was Marisa’s first look with her dad, who hadn’t been briefed on what a first look actually was. He arrived in sweatpants and a T-shirt, visibly confused. “‘I’m supposed to look at something?’ he asked,” Marisa recalls. “Not quite the moment I was going for, but it was special nonetheless. At that point, we had to laugh!”

The first dance required another adjustment. Marisa and Wilson had taken lessons and were ready to show off what they’d learned, only for a strap Marisa had added to her dress to break about 30 seconds into the dance. They laughed and improvised their way through the rest.

Making the Reception About Good Music and a Really Good Party

Speeches from Marisa’s sister and maid of honor, her dad, and Wilson’s best man came before the dancing. There were sentimental stories, jokes, and a little making fun of the newlyweds before DJ Dulce took over the music and MC duties.

Marisa remembers the packed dance floor, but she also remembers stepping away from it. “The dance floor was amazing, but I also loved the times when I took a break (and refilled my margarita),” she says. “It was so cool to see it from afar and take it in with the guests.”

After putting so much of the budget toward the venues, food, drinks, and the time their guests would spend together, those scenes were exactly what Marisa and Wilson had planned the weekend around.

Waiting Six Months to Start Planning Was the Right Call for Them

Marisa and Wilson waited about six months after getting engaged before they started planning. The whole process sounded daunting at first, but choosing the venue gave them somewhere concrete to begin.

“Take your time!” Marisa says. “Eventually, we realized we just needed to take it one step at a time. And after we found our venue, everything started falling into place.” Her advice now is to keep the planning process in perspective. “And remember, in the end: it’s about you two. Enjoy the ride!”