Letter From The Editor

It is my personal belief that for most brides, deep down inside lives a little girl who has always dreamed of her wedding day. Perhaps she has long held a vision of the dress she will someday wear (even if the particulars adapt over time). Or maybe she had a celebrity crush stand-in as the groom until she met Mr. Right. When I was a kid, there was even a momentary fad among my group of friends where they thought the concept of a double wedding was a brilliant idea (yikes!).

As for me, I knew pretty early on that I was meant to wear white. The first Halloween that I can remember, I dressed up as Bride Barbie, making sure my look was complete with an updo, pearls, and a veil. I thought being a bride was everything. Although I wouldn’t actually see a wedding firsthand until many years later, I had a clear idea of where I wanted mine to be (spoiler alert: it’s the castle on the cover). As a child growing up on Long Island, some of my fondest memories involved visiting OHEKA CASTLE. Every time I went there, I’d imagine I was a princess bride in my fairy tale castle. I just loved to twirl around in the halls, pretending to welcome invisible guests to my royal wedding. Although I’d always thought of OHEKA as my special secret place in this world, the castle was no stranger to high-profile admirers. One time, when I was eight years old, I’d even had the pleasure of meeting Dolly Parton in the library (one of my favorite rooms in the castle), while she was there shooting a music video with Julio Iglesias. I distinctly remember Dolly telling me that I looked like a princess in a fairy tale castle. Despite having recently entered my “awkward childhood phase” with a regrettable bangs haircut, mismatched denim ensemble, and a book fair Baby-Sitters Club necklace I’d mistaken for luxury jewelry, in

that time and place, I felt seen.

Three decades and 13 editions of Sophisticated Weddings later, it is my greatest joy to feature blushing bride-to-be Olivia Flowers of Bravo’s “Southern Charm” and the exquisite OHEKA CASTLE on the cover for 2025. Inside our cover feature, Gilded Flowers, we find ourselves swooning over Olivia’s engagement story and the details from the shoot that have inspired her wedding vision. That’s the thing about the castle; even though it’s been the site of countless galas and filming sets, there’s something uniquely enchanting in its atmosphere that feels deeply personal and special to every person that’s ever been inside of it.

Back in the city, we reunite with seasoned bride and professional dance wife, Brylee Armstrong, at the InterContinental New York Barclay in The Post-Wedding Glow Up. Last we saw this glowing beauty, she was posing for Sophisticated Weddings with her hubby, “Dancing With The Stars” pro Brandon Armstrong, ahead of their big day. Fitted with the gift of hindsight and wisdom, Brylee shares the takeaways from her days as a bride while reliving the magic inside the inspired midtown hotel which celebrates its centennial milestone next year.

We know that planning a wedding is exciting, but can also feel overwhelming at times. In this issue, we’re anything but gatekeeping the secrets to a breezy and seamless journey. We’re putting it all out there in What No One Tells You When You’re Planning a Wedding in New York City, and we’ve got the scoop on the hottest flowers for every season in Bloom & Behold. Read on to find your perfect venue, whether it’s a historic ballroom in midtown or a swanky urban loft downtown. We’re spilling the deets on our favorite venues beyond the metropolis too in Outside the City, where you’ll find everything from a palatial mansion surrounded by greenery, to a rustic farmhouse with a bucolic touch. But if you’re itching to get away, we’ll sweep you off your feet and transport you worlds away, from Aruba to Copenhagen in the Wanderlust section.

As you turn these pages and immerse yourself in the possibilities, I hope you will remember that your wedding is more than a single day; it’s the beginning of a lifetime of carved memories. Let the wisdom of yesterday’s bride and expert wedding professionals serve as your guide, inspiration, and reassurance that your vision is within reach. No matter where your love story takes you, Sophisticated Weddings is here to celebrate the magic, the moments, and the dreams coming true.

From my inner child to yours,

here’s to living out our dreams,

Samantha Sendor,

Editor-in-Chief