The Bride Wore Color and Sequins at a Florida Welcome Party and Rehearsal Dinner

Michelle and Pearce met at Boston College orientation, where they quickly became best friends. Friendship led to love, and the couple dated for ten years. When the pandemic hit, Michelle and Pierce grabbed their laptops and duffel bags. A two-week trip from New York to Palm Beach turned into 15 months of Florida living. In the Summer of 2021, they headed back to the city, where Pearce surprised Michelle with a proposal at their Chelsea apartment overlooking the Hudson River surrounded by their closest family and friends.

The couple knew they wanted to invite their loved ones to a weekend in Palm Beach, Florida for their wedding events the weekend of April 28, 2022. “After our time spent in Palm Beach, we knew what a special place it was to us and wanted to share it with our family and friends,” Michelle says. They invited 150 guests to join them for their welcome party and 80 guests to attend their rehearsal dinner; both at a private country club in North Palm Beach overlooking the golf course as a nod to one of Pearce’s favorite hobbies. “Since I only had family in my bridal party, it was important to spend some time with my close friends before the big day,” Michelle says, “Most people traveled for our wedding weekend, so we wanted to show them a good time!”

The couple hired wedding planner Kerri Mulhearn from Stella Day Events and trusted her to help them find vendors who would get to know them as a couple and execute their vision of a tropical and colorful beach weekend. Keep reading to see all the fun shots the couple’s photographer, Jacqui Cole captured behind her lens.

Michelle and Pearce kicked off their wedding weekend with a welcome party alongside the beach and the golf course at a private estate in Palm Beach, Florida. “We wanted it to be simple,” Michelle says, “Just a fun spot for people to grab a drink and eat dinner and mingle.” Before everyone arrives, the couple snuck in time for a photo op with their photographer. The bride adds, “It was such a nice time to be together before the craziness of the parties started!"

Michelle’s welcome party look was a two-piece matching Agua Bendita pink floral crop top and full skirt set. “I wanted to be tropical and fun and Agua Bendita was perfect for that,” she says. She accessorized with platform Gucci heels and Christie Nicolaids earrings. For her makeup look, Michelle decided to go for a vibrant pink eyeshadow to match her outfit. “Dasia, who did my make up, said she had never opened the palette she used when doing brides since they were such vibrant colors and loved that I was doing a bold look,” Michelle says. She finished her ensemble with a high pony and a soft pink mani-pedi.

As guests sipped cocktails, enjoyed food, and played lawn games poolside, Michelle and Pearce were sure to snap photos with more of their guests. “We have friends from so many different places and it was so fun to bring everyone together and see our worlds combine,” she says.

One of the couple’s favorite memories from their welcome party was the sunset that night; a perfect photo op. “The incredible sunset brought my outfit to life!” Michelle says. Pearce wore a white linen shirt with white pants, a brown belt, and brown Gucci loafers. He skipped the socks to play up the beachy vibe.

Michele and Pearce had their rehearsal dinner at the same country club as their welcome party. “It has always been a special place for date nights and spending days camped out with a cooler and friends,” Michelle says, “The deck faces the ocean and was the perfect set up for a long head table which had the look we were going for.”

Michelle wore a New Arrivals sequin slip dress purchased via Wolf & Badger. Although she wasn’t sure the sequins would go with her beach theme, she ordered the dress online anyway and crossed her fingers. “I figured I would need to have alterations done but I did not have to touch a thing,” she says. “The contrast of the silver sequin and bare feet on the beach was so fun to see captured in the photos.” She completed her look with Zara block heels, a Rae of Light acrylic clutch, and flower stud statement earrings to tie in the tropical theme. She added extensions to her hair for more volume with the middle part straight hairstyle. The bride adds, “I thought it went perfectly with the dress.” Pearce look beach chic in a blue suit jacket and white pants.

The rehearsal dinner décor included patterned linens, rattan wrapped cylinders with pillar candles, and tropical greenery. Guests found their escort cards on a table decorated with large palms and petite arrangements of pink, orange, and white flowers. A mix of round and rectangular tables were set up on the venue’s deck overlooking the beach. “We wanted it to be bright, fun, and have a tropical touch,” Michelle says. The place settings included ivory napkins to contrast the bold tablecloths.

Not only was the décor exciting at the rehearsal dinner, but the menu was, too. Dinner included a sushi bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, Chicken Milanese (Pearce’s favorite!), and a three-flavor ice cream sundae with all the toppings. They also served two signature cocktails; including a tequila grapefruit cocktail and Pearce’s favorite Triple Eight Nantucket canned drinks. Pearce’s dad selected wine from his friend’s vineyard in France. Michelle adds, “We always have it on holidays!”

The evening also had a few surprises in store. The groom’s parents hired a steel drum band to perform, and their families put together a special video that was played on a projector at the rehearsal dinner. “It combined photos from when we were little and over all the years we have been dating. Each family member on both sides recorded a short video with their favorite memory or advice,” Michelle says, “Of course, we both cried!”

To couples planning their wedding weekend events, Michelle reminds you not to stress about the weather. “It down-poured when we were rehearsing at the chapel which was followed by a beautiful rainbow," shares the bride. "Picture perfect!”