BRIDE: Morgan Smith, 31, Catering Sales Manager
GROOM: Phil Aneq, 32, Private Business Banker
DATE: November 05, 2022
CEREMONY LOCATION: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Palm Beach, FL
RECEPTION LOCATION: The Addison, Boca Raton, FL
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 136
THE BEGINNING
HOW THE COUPLE MET
Phil and Morgan met in 2007 when Morgan transferred to William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida so that she could join the varsity basketball team. Phil was the first person Morgan met in gym class, and he befriended her. Phil and Morgan quickly realized they shared many common interests and felt undeniable chemistry. The bride said, “We remained friends throughout high school, college and onward. Our spark was officially ignited five years ago after a whirlwind courtship.”
PROPOSAL
On March 12, 2021, Phil proposed to Morgan under the east end of the Worth Avenue Clock Tower in Palm Beach, Florida. What had been planned as Morgan’s birthday dinner with friends and family was a ruse for Phil’s proposal to Morgan. Morgan said, “It was a beautiful evening perfectly curated by the groom and my three sisters. The proposal spot was decorated with rose petals and scattered candles in the shape of a heart. The sunset hues were the perfect backdrop to ring in a celebratory chapter and begin a new one as the future Mr. and Mrs. Aneq.”
PLANNING
Morgan said, “Being in the wedding and catering industry, I knew it was imperative to have an extraordinary wedding team to help us.” The couple selected Your Sparkling Event for full-service planning. The bride said, “Sparking Event helped execute our wedding vision and far exceeded our expectations. We would not change a single thing.”
THE DETAILS
THEME/COLORS
The bride said, “Our theme was romantic, whimsical and elegant. Sparking Event team brought the couple’s wedding vision to life by incorporating formal elegance with chic and shimmering colors like champagne, gold, cinnamon rose, desert rose and rose gold. They also incorporated flowing Lux Charmeuse fabrics.
INVITATIONS/PROGRAM
The couple chose a five-piece invitation set with gold beveled edges. “They were individually melted and hand-pressed wax-sealed invitations with our initials,” said Morgan. “The envelope was shimmery gold embedded with a map of Florida as the inside. This was a destination wedding weekend for most guests, so we wanted to incorporate that aspect for those traveling from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and New Orleans.” The ceremony program was a custom watercolor painting of the bride’s home church to incorporate a more traditional and unique touch.
BRIDE
Morgan wore a Yasmin gown from the collection of Wona Haute Couture. The sparkling mermaid silhouette wedding dress was adorned with fully beaded lace and tulle. The gown was handmade in Europe and purchased from LBR Bridal in Miami, Florida. “It was a delicate and tender wedding gown with a deep v-neckline, creating a truly feminine silhouette,” said the bride.
BRIDESMAIDS
The 14 bridesmaids selected dresses to best suit them. The dresses were from a mix of designers, including Jenny Yoo and After Six & Social Bridesmaids.
GROOM & GUYS
The groom’s ceremony suit was sand-colored. His custom European-cut reception tux was electric blue with a black striped lapel and embroidery. The 12 groomsmen wore Vera Wang navy blue tuxes with rose handkerchiefs.
PICTURES
The couple selected Chris Joriann Photography to capture their wedding day. The couple was drawn to the way she creates an artistic and romantic photographic journey, narrating the day. Before the ceremony, candid photos were captured at Palm Beach Gardens Marriott Beach Resort & Spa on Singer Island. After the ceremony, portraits were taken at the family’s private residence.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Palm Beach, Florida. A traditional Catholic mass was held with a tribute to Mary. “Mary is a wonderful model of how we live our faith and trust in God,” the bride said. “Couples getting married often bring a white rose to the statue of Mary and offer prayers asking for her intercession. This ritual usually occurs at the end of the ceremony, before the final blessing.” For Phil and Morgan’s ceremony, the white rose was brought to the altar by Phil’s mother and the bride’s aunt, who was acting as a stand-in, honoring the late Cynthia Smith, Morgan’s mother.
READINGS
The bride said, “My dad’s identical twin brother read one of the readings, which was special because he is like a second father and special family member.”
MUSIC
The ceremony music included cantor William Stafford and organist Darren Matias. The North Palm Youth Symphony sang. The music played during the grandmother’s and mother’s seating was “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Johann Sebastian Bach. The processional song for the bridal party was “Canon in D Major” by Johann Pachelbel. The entrance music for the bride was the “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner. The recessional music was the “Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn.
FLOWERS
The flowers were an assortment of white and pastel pink roses with eucalyptus.
TRANSPORTATION
The bride rode to the church with her dad. Bus One transported the bridal party.
THE RECEPTION
DÉCOR
Daniel Events provided greenery and garden-inspired installations. Each table had a unique centerpiece with hanging globe candles. The dance floor was decorated with the couple’s last name.
COCKTAIL HOUR
The cocktail hour was held outside amongst two-century-old banyan trees with beautiful bistro lighting. The signature cocktails were a spicy, skinny margarita and a classic old-fashioned.
MENU
The hors d’oeuvres included avocado, plantain, coconut chicken, jumbo lump crab cake, filet mignon garlic crostini, fig & brie crostini, smoked salmon canapes, aged sharp cheddar mini grilled cheese sandwiches, lollipop New Zealand lamb chops, caramelized watermelon, crispy lobster wontons and sushi boats. A Greek salad was served as a starter, and guests enjoyed lemon sorbet as an intermezzo. The entrees included grilled center-cut filet mignon and butter-poached lobster tail, sauteed broccolini and Peruvian purple whipped potato with goat cheese.
TOASTS
All sibling and bridal party toasts were given during the rehearsal dinner, so no one had to limit their elaborations. The father of the bride, maid of honor and best man gave speeches at the reception.
CAKE
The couple selected a five-tier wedding cake with a custom design to replicate details from the bride’s wedding dress along with pink fondant flowers.
MUSIC
The couple’s first dance was to “Lover” by Taylor Swift. Father and daughter danced to “Hero” by Mariah Carey and “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. Mother and son danced to “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men. After the formalities of the first dances, the bride wore her mother’s iconic red cowgirl boots for the remainder of the evening. Arabic music was played during the reception.
FAVORS
Paul’s Poems created the favors, which were typed customized letters for each guest.
HONEYMOON
The bride and groom honeymooned in Croatia and Greece.
FUN FACTS
WEDDING DISASTERS
“The day was perfect,” Morgan said. It began raining as the bridal party was en route from the ceremony to the wedding venue. As the sky cleared, a beautiful double rainbow appeared above the venue with the perfect view from the bridal suite balcony. I knew this was a sign from my mother making her presence known on my wedding day. It was extraordinary and one of the most memorable moments I will remember forever.”
BEST GIFT
The couple said. “Our top two gifts were a Pottery Barn comforter and a gold silverware set.
INGREDIENTS LIST
CEREMONY SITE
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
561-626-8626
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
RECEPTION SITE
The Addison
561-372-0568
Boca Raton, FL
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chris Joriann Photography
561-776-0099
Palm Beach, FL
VIDEOGRAPHY
Visioned Studios
954-616-7167
West Palm Beach, FL
CONSULTANT
Your Sparkling Event
561-667-4448
Palm Beach, FL
GOWN
Wona Haute Couture from LBR Bridal
786-751-3893
Miami, FL
SHOES
Badgley Mischka
HAIR
Mario Osorno
954-864-6323
MAKEUP
Faces by Techniques
Dominique Welch
786-678-8070
Miami, FL
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Bella Bridesmaids
561-345-3463
West Palm Beach, FL
FORMALWEAR
Joseph A. Bank
561-627-1238
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
INVITATIONS
Able Letterpress
561-844-2433
West Palm Beach, FL
FLOWERS
Daniel Events
561-393-1432
Boynton Beach, FL
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
Daniel Events & Different Look
CATERING
The Addison
561-372-0568
Boca Raton, FL
MUSIC
Monty Music
561-578-0660
West Palm Beach, FL
DJ Moose
561-315-8062
ENTERTAINMENT
Tropics Entertainment
305-531-3468
Pembroke Pines, FL
DANCE LESSONS
Vanessa Fuller
Fuller Events Co.
CAKE
Jennifer Johnson
FAVORS
Paul’s Poems
Orlando, FL
TRANSPORTATION
Bus One
561-758-7377
West Palm Beach, FL
Park Limousine
561-832-2222
West Palm Beach, FL
ACCOMMODATIONS
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa
561-340-1700
Riviera Beach, FL
HONEYMOON
Croatia and Greece
