Let's Get to Know Ibis, The Creative Force Behind Let's Face It Beauty Studio

A Passion for Beauty

For many, their wedding day is a milestone filled with joy, anticipation, and a touch of nervousness. It is a moment when every detail matters, especially when it comes to putting their best face forward. “I love making women feel their best on such an important day,” says Ibis, a seasoned makeup artist in the wedding industry. Her journey into this vibrant field is rooted in a deep-seated passion for beauty and a desire to empower brides.

“Makeup is my passion,” she continued, “and I want to share that passion with brides to ensure they can look back at pictures and remember how beautiful they felt.” This commitment to enhancing beauty is what drives her to excel in her craft. In a world where every detail is scrutinized and cherished, Ibis understands the profound impact that makeup can have on a bride’s confidence.

An Unexpected Interruption

During one particularly memorable wedding party, Ibis encountered an unexpected challenge when the hotel's fire alarm suddenly went off, forcing all guests to evacuate outdoors. Reflecting on the incident, she remarked, "It was quite alarming at first, but thankfully it turned out to be a false alarm." Despite the disruption, Ibis managed to maintain her composure and successfully completed the event on schedule. She was relieved to get back inside and finish everything on time, highlighting the importance of adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances.

From Corporate America to the Runway

Ibis has always found joy in weddings and fashion shows, viewing them as her favorite types of events. Reflecting on her career, she stated, "Being the lead makeup artist for New York Fashion Week was an amazing experience." This pivotal moment marked a significant transition in her life.

Before embracing her passion for makeup full-time, Ibis spent over 15 years working in corporate America, where makeup remained a side hustle. "To reflect on how my life shifted to my passion and making it to New York was a dream," she remarked, encapsulating the fulfillment she has found in pursuing her artistic ambitions.

Boca Lago's Jen Marden: Crafting Unforgettable Celebrations with Passion and Precision

Jen Marden spent the majority of her life and career in Manhattan before relocating to Florida a decade ago. Event planning has always been a passion for Marden, and over the years, it has evolved into a fulfilling career. Early on, she was particularly drawn to charity events, believing deeply in the importance of not only raising funds for a cause but also raising awareness. "I felt that incorporating the mission of a charity into the event itself was just as vital, creating a lasting impact beyond the financial contribution," she explained.

Jen Marden entered the event industry during her college years, taking on an internship at 20th Century Fox. Driven by a profound passion for creativity and a desire to bring meaningful moments to life, she quickly found her niche. "I've always been fascinated by how people celebrate their milestones—whether it's weddings, anniversaries, or birthdays," Marden reflects, underscoring the personal and unique nature of these occasions that have become central to her journey. Her talent for organizing events became evident, characterized by meticulous attention to detail and an innate ability to bring visions to fruition. "Assisting clients in transforming their ideas into unforgettable experiences is incredibly fulfilling," she explains. Whether it's designing a beautifully crafted event space, managing a seamless schedule, or overseeing all the behind-the-scenes logistics, Marden finds joy in every aspect of the process. What truly attracts her to the industry is the opportunity to participate in the most significant moments of people's lives. "It transcends merely hosting a party; it encompasses creating an atmosphere, telling a story, and ensuring that individuals feel recognized and celebrated," she emphasizes, highlighting the emotional depth of her work. The challenges of coordinating all the moving parts—collaborating with vendors, managing timelines, and keeping everything on track while adding a personal touch—bring excitement with each new event. "Each occasion is unique, serving as a continual source of inspiration and motivation to learn and grow within the field," Marden asserts, capturing the essence of her commitment to excellence in the event industry.

It wasn’t until her move to Florida that Marden began to focus more on weddings and social events. As she became more immersed in the industry, her appreciation for the intricacies of event planning grew, leading her to develop a profound love for the work. "There is something truly special about witnessing a couple say 'I do' or share their first dance," she remarked. The emotions and love in the room, not just from the couple but from their family and friends, make the work incredibly rewarding for Jen. "Knowing that I played a significant role in planning one of the most important days of their lives is something I cherish deeply, and it’s a privilege I will treasure forever," she stated.

A Dream Wedding: Blending Heritage, Emotion, and Modern Elegance

One wedding in particular stands out to Jen. The couple had a unique vision: combining elements of their cultural heritage with modern touches, creating a celebration that felt both personal and timeless. Jen remarked, "From the intricate details in the decor to the carefully curated playlist, everything had a purpose and told a story about who they were as a couple." What made the event especially memorable was the emotional atmosphere throughout the day. At one point, during the ceremony, the couple shared handwritten vows, and Jen noted, "You could feel the raw emotion in the room. The guests were so moved, and there was this beautiful energy that made the entire event feel like something out of a dream." Jen described it as a true honor to witness and be part of such an intimate and meaningful occasion. She added, "What also stood out was the seamlessness of the day, despite all the moving parts." They faced some logistical challenges with the weather, but Jen explained, "We were able to pivot and move everything indoors without compromising the experience." Seeing the couple’s joy at the end of the night, knowing she played a role in making it all happen, was incredibly rewarding for Jen. "It really reinforced why I’m so passionate about what I do,".

Turning Challenges into Cherished Memories

A career highlight for Jen was being recognized by a couple for her work in planning and executing their wedding, which took place at a stunning yet challenging venue with a tight timeline. The venue, an old historic building, featured beautiful but tricky spaces that required careful navigation. Marden faced several moving pieces, including coordinating multiple vendors, managing weather concerns, and ensuring that everything went smoothly on the big day. What made this moment particularly significant was the couple’s reaction when everything came together flawlessly. “After the wedding, they took a moment to personally thank me for my attention to detail and for keeping things calm and organized, especially when things were a bit chaotic behind the scenes,” Marden recalled. “It meant so much to me because it wasn’t just about executing a plan—it was about making sure they had a stress-free experience on one of the most important days of their lives.”

Jen expressed immense pride in her ability to transform a potentially high-pressure situation into a memorable, joy-filled day for the couple. “Having them feel so supported made me incredibly proud,” she stated. “That recognition from the couple reinforced why I do this work—it’s about helping people create lasting memories, and when that comes to life in such a meaningful way, it’s an incredibly fulfilling moment in any career.”

Finding the Silver Lining

When an event didn’t go exactly as planned, it became a great learning experience for Jen. She was coordinating a large outdoor wedding, and just as they were getting ready to start the ceremony, the weather took a dramatic turn for the worse—heavy rain, high winds, and even some lightning. Jen recalled, "It was one of those situations where the forecast had been clear earlier, but suddenly we were facing a full-blown storm." Thankfully, they had a backup plan in place, but the real challenge was moving everything indoors at the last minute without disrupting the flow of the day or compromising the couple’s vision. Jen quickly communicated with the venue, vendors, and the wedding party to adjust, stating, "We worked together to shift the ceremony location inside." There were a lot of moving parts, but she stayed calm and kept everyone informed so they knew exactly what to do. She emphasized, "The key to resolving it was being adaptable and solution-focused." Jen worked closely with the couple to ensure they were comfortable with the changes and kept the guests' experience in mind so no one felt inconvenienced by the shift. Despite the weather chaos, the ceremony turned out beautifully, and in fact, Jen noted, "The rain created a cozy, intimate atmosphere that the couple actually ended up loving." In the end, the couple was so appreciative of how smoothly everything had gone despite the curveball, and Jen reflected, "It turned out to be one of those moments that really reminded me how important it is to stay calm under pressure and be flexible when things don’t go as planned."

From NASA to Florals: The Stellar Journey of Shannon Brown & Fiore D'Amore Florist, LLC

Shannon Brown, the creative force behind Fiore D'Amore Florist, LLC, is a visionary in the world of wedding and event floristry. Her journey into the wedding industry is a fascinating tale of metamorphosis and artistry. Specializing in fresh florals and high-end silk arrangements, Fiore D'Amore offers a plethora of rental options, including trees, arches, flower walls, chandeliers, candles, and more, to elevate any event!

Blooming Visions

Shannon's dedication to transforming moments into everlasting memories is evident in every petal she touches. As Shannon puts it: "I always like to say working with Fiore D'Amore is stress-free and fun. I don't want a bride and groom to worry about anything on their special day. They are in good hands with us. We are also not a company that takes profit over quality. Building relationships is important for me and my business name. I also think having 18 years in the administration field and my fashion design degree has brought me to this amazing space of wedding and event design."

Early Buds

Shannon grew up in a family where owning a business was the norm. From sweeping the floors of her grandmother's beauty shop as a little girl and answering phones at her uncle's glass business in high school, Shannon gained valuable insight into the dedication owning and running a business requires. "I think this foundation played a huge role in my life and how to work and manage a business." Shannon says.

Embracing a New Chapter

Over the past decade, Shannon's life and career shifted remarkably. "About 10 years ago, I was laid off from NASA after the space shuttle program retired. I wanted to change my career into something I would love." Shannon tells us. She decided to move to South Florida to attend the Art Institute of Design in Fort Lauderdale, graduating with a degree in fashion design. Then, true love entered the picture, and Shannon married the love of her life. Planning her wedding and working with talented vendors made Shannon fall in love with the wedding industry itself. "To walk into my own wedding and see my vision come to life left a lasting impression on me." Shannon soon decided to create Fiore D'Amore and was delighted and proud to discover she could put her degree in fashion design to good use in her newfound career as a florist. "The use of color, design, differentiating lines and shapes, and overall design appearance was key to my success in this business."

Celebrating Love

Shannon adores all events, but weddings are a grand production where her skills and originality can truly shine. "We love working with the bride to make a vision that they had, come to life. We also love to go above and beyond and sprinkle in our own little surprises and extras. We love love. So, to see a couple share their love and join in marriage is just truly something special." Shannon stated beautifully.

One standout event for Fiore D'Amore was a destination wedding where the bride's entire family and guests flew in from out of state. Despite the long distance, Shannon was able to form a strong connection and rapport with her client, and the bride-to-be trusted her to create her vision even without physically seeing anything until her big day. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, exceeding the bride's expectations. "If we have extra flowers, we like to use them at your venue. We used the flowers in vases around the bar, entrance way and cake. Going above and beyond is something we pride ourselves in." Added Shannon.

Navigating the Unexpected

Self-dubbed "Miss Organized", Shannon is a meticulous planner, keeping spreadsheets and lists to ensure all bases are covered, and always arriving to an event early, allowing plenty of time for set up. However, during a recent New Smyrna beach engagement for a high profile client, Shannon and her team were met with a surprise: an unplanned 30-minute walk along a boardwalk to the beach where they were to set up! "You can imagine with 8 heavy bins and a large neon sign, that was a large task. We made 3 trips back and forth for our supplies and finished on time before sunset. The proposal turned out stunning. We had to carry everything back down the same boardwalk and it was completely pitch black. The whole family and couple were so amazing and helped us carry everything back to the van. As a business owner, you have to adjust to anything that may come up and keep calm to get everything done." Shannon details.

A Blooming Future

2024 marks Fiore D'Amore's first of many successful wedding seasons. Shannon is optimistic as she embarks on this new journey, and she is proud of her growth and the skills she has accumulated. She adds, "We are currently booked all the way through December, with a few dates open. I'm really proud of that and the trust brides and grooms are putting into us. We also are in the middle of building a new shop that will feature a design showcase room. I couldn't be happier to be here in this industry and at your service for South Florida Brides." The future indeed looks bright as Shannon aims for the stars like never before.