Former Versace Mansion Wedding

May 13th, 2012

I am always in awe when I have the privilege of working at the former Versace Mansion now named The Villa by Barton G located on Ocean Drive in South Beach.  This is an amazing 19,000 sq ft boutique luxury hotel, restaurant and venue space. The history on this property is interesting;  born as Casa Casurina in 1930, built by architect philanthropist, author and political reformer Alden Freeman as an homage to the oldest existing house in the western hemisphere, the “Alcazar de Colon” in Santo Domingo.  In 1937 Casa Casuarina was bought by Jacques Amsterdam, who renamed it  ”The Amsterdam Place.”  It was in 1992 that Gianni Versace first encountered Casa Casurina. Versace exquisitely restored, expanded and embellished its features by adding the south wing, the pool and garden areas.

 Today we had a gorgeous bride and bridal party from Michigan at Villa by Barton G.  Everything about this venue is unbelievable, from the hand painted walls, mosaic floors to the extravagant embellishments.   I took some pictures today while on set to try and capture all the beauty that was happening in our bridal suite.  I got a sneak peak at some of the fabulous pictures of our bride today by Ray,  I will be posting the pictures from photographer Ray Santana www.raysantanaphotography.com  Can’t wait!!!!!

My Makeup Kit

 

Just beautiful

 

Robes in the suite for the Bride and Groom

 

You might forget you are in Miami

 

My Brides inspiration for her hair

 

Amazing detail to our Brides Dress by Ines di Santo

 

Dress by Ines di Santo

 

Do I need to say more?

 

Can't live without my brush belt

 

FBS Artist in uniform

 

FBS Artist creating beauty

 

Hair was inspired by InStyle Magazine "Hair Issue"

 

Sign on Bridal Suite

 

Fresh Beauty Studio Hair and Makeup Team on location

 

The Villa was getting ready for the big wedding

 

I thought this was wallpaper! It's hand painted.

 

Every detail on the walls in the entire house are hand painted.

 

Signature Versace Mosaic floor in the bathroom

I am doing a little redecorating in the studio for a another big announcement in the next couple of months. I have had this plan in mind for over a year and a half.  I am so excited to share this with you beauties! I stumbled across this picture today and thought that  these chairs would look perfect in the studio.

Sexy Pink Chairs

I will be posting pictures of the before and after so keep checking back.

Be on the look out for a French dinner or two coming to my blog this year.

A sexy cave like atmosphere

Bright and Fresh

“Four Weddings” is a hit show on TLC, but it’s NOT like a “Bridezillas” type of show or anything that is snarky or negative.  It is the exact opposite!   We’re looking to share the good vibes and energy that weddings should bring!  We’re doing a show that actually wants to see their wedding day turn out exactly as they’ve envisioned it.  TLC is giving brides the opportunity to feature their wedding on the show and a chance to win an all expense paid, 5-star vacation that they can use for their Honeymoon, 1st anniversary trip or….whenever they want!   It’s also fun because they get the opportunity to exchange ideas and vent their frustrations with other brides and attend each others weddings. We want to show the viewers that there’s not just one way to do a wedding!  For season 3, we are looking for weddings taking place from October 2010-March 2011.

For Miami Brides:

4WeddingsMiami@gmail.com 

For New York/New Jersey Brides:

TLCBrides@gmail.com

NARS eye shadow primer

MAC concealer NW20

Bobbi Brown shimmer wash eye shadow in Stone, Fawn, Chocolate

MAC Rapid Black liquid liner

NARS Laguna bronzer

NARS Deep Throat blush

MAC half red lip liner

MAC invisiable power (only available at the MAC Pro Store)

Dior Show Blackout mascara

MAC Russian Red Matte lipstick

Eyemimo false lashes NTR14

EyeDuo glue in white/clear

I have downloaded tons of apps that are so helpful on my IPhone but this one is the best for brides. Just picture it, you are drinking a fab glass of red wine at your rehearsal dinner and your hunky husband-to-be gets so excited about his toast that he hits your glass of wine and it’s now all over your Marchesa dress. What’s a chic gal to do? Well, click on your Cloroxmystain app it’s simple and super handy! You just enter the type of stain you need removed, and it will tell you how to get it out two different ways: On-the-go and at home! And the best part is the app is FREE!!!

Now go grab that Amarone and enjoy!

I was delighted when Amy Hill wedding photographer extraordinaire www.amyhill.net came to my studio a couple of weeks ago to capture the pink and girly essence of Fresh Beauty Studio. Amy has a unique eye when it comes to capturing your wedding from the smallest details of your pedicure color just happening to be blue to the emotion on your finance’s face when he has no idea that there is a camera near him. I was so excited to see the final pictures of my studio and share them with you. Amy captured all my “little details” from loving Gerard Butler on my vision board to my pink paris book on my dresser. Thank you Amy for capturing Fresh Beauty Studio in a Fresh and Beautiful way.

My two favorite designers are Diane von Furstenberg www.dvf.com and Carolina Herrera www.carolinaherrera.com they are both classic and fresh. I picked out a couple of looks below from the New York Fall 2010 Fashion week, I think these dresses are perfect for your rehearsal dinner. Don’t follow the rules be unique and wear something that is a statement, fun and girly. The night before your wedding is a night where you can really express yourself and be a little adventurous with your wardrobe and makeup. You want to stay true to yourself but don’t play it safe, it’s a wonderful surprise when you see your pictures and you are glowing, beautiful and you feel completely confident. Your wedding weekend is all about you have fun and take that risk.

Clean and classic with a POP of coral color

Romantic feel with an exotic twist keeping the hair sleek

Rocker Style with a strong smoky eye

Funky and Girly with a relaxed hair and smoky eye