Think Boutique for Your Wedding

By CHRISTINE LYNCH

Think Boutique for Your Wedding

Your wedding is your day to stand out, to celebrate Love in your own unique style. Now is a superb time to be planning a Cape Cod wedding with many local boutiques catering to brides- and grooms-to-be.

Unlike large stores and chain retailers, boutiques are small, independently owned retail shops that offer an exclusive selection of high-quality items, hand selected or made by local artisans. Known for personalized service and attention to detail, boutiques provide an intimate shopping experience, making you feel cared about and pampered. And, supporting local shops helps the community.

Invitations, Save the Dates

Once the couple pick a date, place and time, they are ready to select the invitations for the guests. Jennifer Chagnon’s studio, The Pink Polka Dot on Queen’s BuyWay in Falmouth (www.thepinkpolkadot.net), is a local design and printing boutique. As its moniker implies, the studio is a bright, cheerful space where clients can relax in the comfortable sitting area and look through design ideas.

Having been a wedding planner, Chagnon knows what makes a wedding successful. “The invitations set the tone for the wedding. They introduce your theme and colors, she said. These are one of the most-important mailings, and with a thoughtful design and meaningful words, they provide all the information your guests need to plan for attending your wedding.

Today it’s easy enough to use an online service, but what is hard is not knowing the quality until it’s delivered. In her studio, Chagnon noted, “People can see and touch and feel the paper stock.” She guarantees excellent results. “I like to walk them all through the process,” she said. Chagnon recommends that prospective couples reach out to her a year before their wedding so that guests have the time needed to arrange for travel and accommodations.

Once the invitation is selected, that design theme can be carried throughout the events with The Pink Polka Dot’s collection of Day-of paper goods, including seating charts, signage, napkins, cups, welcome boxes and more.

The Bridal Gown

With all the planning to be done, the most-anticipated detail is shopping for The Dress.

Modern Vintage Bridal is found upstairs above its Modern Vintage clothing/home shop in picturesque Sandwich Village at 157A Main Street. Co-owned by Cara Crupi-Dulmaine and Lisa Buckland, this women-owned boutique also features stylist Alyssa Pennell.

“Each bride-to-be that we meet is different,” Crupi-Dulamine said. “Some come in not knowing at all what they want ahead of time. Some have a vision, but discover something here they like better, while others come in envisioning their perfect gown and walk out with it.”

She mentioned that satin remains a classic fabric choice, but now brides also gravitate to crepes, appliques, even different colors. “We like clients to begin working with us at least nine to 12 months before the wedding date, to ensure time for delivery and alterations,” Crupi-Dulamine said.

When asked if they’ve ever helped a bride choose The Dress on a first visit, she said, “That happens quite a bit.” This may be explained by the store’s philosophy, “We have a relaxed attitude and we also want the bride to feel relaxed and open-minded,” Crupi-Dulamine said. They want clients to take time making selections and getting them fitted.  To recognize the ideal gown, she advised, “You have to feel like yourself. It will make you feel beautiful and confident.”

In addition to a curated selection of wedding gowns, Modern Vintage Bridal has Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids and Flower Girl dresses. There’s a large selection of tuxes and suits to rent or purchase. Modern Vintage Bridal also offers Gown Preservation. Its website, modernvintagebridal.com, offers online shopping for fun wedding-related items, i.e., picture frames, ring dishes, wedding coasters, printed notes, Countdown to the Day blocks, silky robes, fun clothes and more.

Additionally, it has launched Discount Bridal on Route 6A in Sandwich. This shop sells discounted, never-worn wedding and prom gowns and dresses. The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 5 PM, and Sundays from 11 AM until 3 PM.

Bridal Makeup

The saying goes,” The camera doesn’t lie.” So, on your wedding day, when every camera in the room is trained on your face, you’ll want to look your most-polished, lovely self. An expert skincare specialist like Kelsi Savoy will make you shine. Savoy and her team at The Beauty Barracuda on Queen’s Buyway in Falmouth offer a tranquil setting for a customized wedding makeup experience.

Savoy chose her standout business name, The Beauty Barracuda, after settling on the Cape. “I wanted a name that reflected being near the water,” she said. She went through various fish names and felt barracuda clicked with the word beauty. “The barracuda is an apex predator, and my goal is to empower my clients and instill them with confidence,” she said.

With many years working in the industry, Savoy became a licensed aesthetician in 2015, mastering eyelash extension and quality skin care. Continually learning, her website, www.thebeautybarracuda.com, states, “She’s always up-to-date with the newest technologies and cutting-edge ingredients.”  She features the Meadow and Bark nourishing botanical product line. “This is an amazing brand based in Long Beach, New York,” Savoy said. She said a bride will notice the difference: “It improves her skin, making it glow, looking its best for the makeup application.”

She noted that the Cape is popular for seasonal weddings. “There is so much competition,” so she offers special bridal services, including three generous packages that include a bridal makeup trial, wedding day makeup, brow work and options, such as lash work or facials. For a successful wedding day, “The big thing is to work with someone you’re connected with, so you get the results you want and to look as beautiful as possible for your wedding,” Savoy said.

Flowers

Since ancient times brides have carried flowers, herbs or ivy for Love, fidelity and good fortune. Owner JoAnn Sparks of The Salty Florist on Falmouth’s Main Street has cemented her reputation for one-of-a-kind bouquets and innovative wedding arrangements. An experienced florist, she works with the wedding partners so that the couple get exactly what they imagined. She said, “We are so inspired by love and flowers…such a beautiful duo! Flowers tell a story and we love creating couples’ floral stories!”

Sparks acknowledged that Cape Cod is a wedding destination. People want to reflect the Cape, so hydrangeas, notably using white and blue varieties, often are a popular choice. Other striking options are peonies and showy dahlias. To supplement her floral sources, she and her husband maintain a beautiful variety of annuals and perennials on their property so they have a supply of organically grown flowers and herbs.

Ideally, she likes to meet the couple six months to one year prior to their wedding. Sparks will meet with them for a thorough consultation. “Sitting down talking with them and giving them visual examples creates a connection with the flowers, the florist and the customer,” she said.

Cake and Other Goodies

Aundria’s Kitchen’s website photos are gorgeous, tempting and perfect for special occasions. Trained through the Upper Cape Tech (UCT) culinary arts program, Aundria Jones began her business in 2020, a year that tested every type of business. She now has a team of helpers and an assistant, who is a recent graduate of that same UCT culinary arts program.

Together they fashion one-of-a-kind cakes, personalized for the couple’s wedding theme. These baked items are artisanal with an extra helping of imagination. Selecting flavors is tough with so many enticing choices, from standard to unexpected. She said with confidence, “My items taste better than they look,” and they look amazing.

For couples who prefer not to offer wedding cake or cupcakes, Aundria’s Kitchen creates delectable treats that will perfectly reflect the wedding theme. These include cake shooter cups, martini shooter cups, cake-sicles, cake jars and dipped goodies. The website www.aundriaskitchen.com displays these irresistible creations. “The most important thing for us is that we really tailor your choices to you,” she said.

Going a step beyond, Jones said her Mobile Dessert Bar makes a festive impact at weddings. “That definitely leaves guests with their jaws on the floor.” Ultimately, she tells brides or grooms, “It’s your big day, so I want to give you something to remember.”

So, those planning a wedding, Aundria’s Kitchen literally will be the icing on the cake for your big day.