- This wedding is featured in the 2023 issue of Palm Beach Weddings Magazine.
THE FACTS:
THE BRIDE: Meredith Feig Stern, current age is 32, Executive Assistant to a Hedge Fund Founder
THE GROOM: Tony Stern, current age is 36, Investor
THE DATE: March 7, 2020
THE LOCATION: The Ben, West Palm Beach
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS: 150
Meredith and Tony met on the dating app Hinge. “Tony liked my profile, and we started talking. I had been feeling burned out by the dating apps so when he asked me out, I politely declined. He chased me for a little while, but I did finally give in. Best decision ever!”
Their romance began to bloom and, eventually, the day came for Tony to propose. “Since I picked out my engagement ring, Tony really wanted to surprise me with the proposal. I am almost impossible to catch off guard, and unsurprisingly, I had figured out the weekend that Tony was going to pop the question. I thought I had everything figured out. I was told we were going to go to Cape Cod for the weekend (where Tony grew up), and I assumed he was going to propose there. I was so excited and was planning all of my outfits accordingly. After finishing a half day of work on a Friday, I rushed home to finish packing for our weekend getaway. When I walked in, both Tony and our dog Buddy were dressed up and before I knew what was happening, Tony got down on one knee. I was completely shocked. After he said the most beautiful words and asked me to marry him, he told me that we were actually going to Canyon Ranch Spa in The Berkshires for the weekend to celebrate our engagement. He was so cute and had a whole itinerary of activities planned for us.”
For planning their wedding day, the couple worked with Teresa Fernandez of Simply Couture Events. “I was a very type-A, involved bride, and Teresa was not only okay with it, but encouraged it. Our wedding was really a collaboration between both of us and I am so proud of how it turned out.”
The couple opted to have custom invitations designed by Able Letterpress. “I had some inspiration images, and they were able to make my dream invites a reality. I knew from early on that I wanted to do letterpress. There is something extra special and elegant about the pillowy text that gave a beautiful preview of what was to come. We even incorporated rattan belly bands to bring in a bit of The Ben’s organic modern design.”
Meredith wore a mermaid style Monique Lhuillier Willow gown. The gown had “detachable straps and large format lace appliques. My wedding band was the ‘Undecided Band’ by Stephanie Gottlieb. I knew I wanted a diamond eternity band, and this one was perfect for me because it gives the look of two totally different rings, depending on which side you wear it. I also borrowed a beautiful bracelet and diamond earrings from SG—my something borrowed.”
Meredith and Tony had 5 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen, plus Meredith’s brother as her man of honor. “My bridesmaids wore various styles from Amsale’s crepe bridesmaid line in the color ‘Ice.’ My man of honor wore a rental tux from The Black Tux so that he coordinated with the groomsmen. Our 5 groomsmen rented tuxes from The Black Tux. Tony’s custom velvet tux was made by Enzo Custom in NYC. Tony’s velvet shoes were from Pastori Footwear. His wedding band was also made by Stephanie Gottlieb, in coordinating gold to match my mom’s wedding band, which he gifted to me on our wedding day.”
Before the ceremony, Meredith and Tony did a first look and “private vow reading in the gardens at Tony’s mom’s home on Palm Beach. We also took bridal party and family photos there. We chose our photographer, Jessica Bordner, for her romantic and warm style and are so pleased with how she captured our day.”
The pair were married under a modern, chunky black chuppah that was dressed in white florals and rich greenery. “The chuppah was surrounded by various plants in woven baskets, again tying in the organic modern style of The Ben. Our ceremony took place in The Studio, which is an industrial modern space on the first floor of the hotel.”
Because both Meredith and Tony are Jewish, they chose to observe many of the wedding traditions from their culture, including the chuppah, the ketubah signing, and by having a traditional Jewish ceremony. “We also gave out yarmulkes that said ‘he’s a kippah’ and ‘she’s a kippah’ on the inside—a little cheeky touch I discovered while searching for wedding inspiration.”
They chose to have their cocktail hour out on the pool deck. “Guests had use of the fire pit, the cabanas, and a bar. We gave out pashminas which worked out very well since it was a breezy night.”
For the meal, they served a starter of heirloom tomato carpaccio with burrata and honey. The main was either Florida grouper or port wine braised short rib and butternut squash risotto. “In addition to our wedding cake, we also served mini shooters of different desserts such as cheesecake, crème brulee and chocolate brownie. Our cake was funfetti with cream cheese frosting made by Earth & Sugar. Since Tony is allergic to dairy, we had the top layer made dairy free just for him.”
Meredith loved the special gift from her husband. “He gifted me with the wedding band that my mom got married with. I am very sentimental, so this meant so much to me. My husband also surprised me with a cold sparkler entrance (by Sparktacular) that completely shocked me in the best way possible.”
Their words of advice for other couples planning their big day: “Don’t forget why you are doing this! It is so easy to get caught up in the stress of planning. Try to carve out some quality time with your partner—no wedding talk allowed!”
INGREDIENTS LIST:
CEREMONY SITE: The Studio at The Ben
RECEPTION SITE: Blue Heron Ballroom at The Ben
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jessica Bordner Photography – Jessica, 561.758.5131
VIDEOGRAPHY: Key Moment Films – Mary/Jamie, 954.333.8519
PHOTO LOCATION: Palm Beach Private Residence
CONSULTANT: Teresa Fernandez, Simply Couture Events, 561.310.6756; Daryl Meyer, At Your
Service Bridal Valet, 561.706.3401
OFFICIANT: Rabbi Michael Resnick, 561.246.0787
GOWN: Monique Lhuillier, purchased from the Flagship store in NYC
VEIL: Monique Lhuillier, purchased from the Flagship store in NYC
SHOES: Bella Belle Abigail Heels
HAIR: Ivy & Lace, Cassie Tichenor
MAKEUP: Kate Blake Artistry
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Amsale Bridesmaid Crepe Gowns in “Ice”
GROOM’S CUSTOM VELVET TUX: Enzo Custom
FORMALWEAR RENTALS: The Black Tux in NYC
INVITATIONS: Able Letterpress
FLOWERS: Ever After Floral Design – Helen Rodriguez, 305.989.6937
RENTAL EQUIPMENT: Elements and Accents, Different Look Rentals, Atlas Event Rentals, Celebrations by Kathy
CATERING: The Ben, Autograph Collection
CEREMONY MUSIC: AA Musicians
RECEPTION MUSIC: The Band Method: The Broadway Project (all current and former Broadway performers)
ENTERTAINMENT: Bloom Photo Booth
CAKE: Earth & Sugar
FAVORS: Alibaba for custom light-up personal fans with wedding date and hashtag; rescue flats for tired feet on the dance floor, and matchbooks and stir sticks from For Your Party.
TRANSPORTATION: Executive Limo
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Ben, Autograph Collection
If you are planning a wedding in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or Jupiter Beach, Palm Beach Weddings Magazine is your luxury go to source for your wedding planning.
