When planning the flowers for her Palm Beach wedding at The Breakers, Anna-Kay Thomas quickly decided she would be the flower instead. She chose a Monique Lhuillier gown decorated with red rose appliqués. “I’m a contrarian Aquarian,” the entertainment executive tells Vogue. “I wanted something bridal that didn’t scream bridal.” Anna-Kay and her fiancé, mental health advocate Ross Szabo, decided to keep the celebration focused on what was most “essential, precious, and sentimental.” That meant their ceremony, set against the stunning ocean backdrop of Palm Beach, would have no flowers at all—except for those on the bride’s dress and a single calla lily in her hand.
Photo: Sunny Lee Photography
Those flower choices held special meaning for the Los Angeles-based couple. “The rose is really special to Ross, because he lost his dad and planted a rose bush in the backyard, which has bloomed beautifully ever since,” shares the bride, who grew up in Palm Beach. “The calla lily has been one of my favorite flowers since I was a kid. They actually grow wild in Ross’s backyard, so when we were dating, he would cut them for me.” She adds, “He still does it to this day.”
Photo: Sunny Lee Photography
Anna-Kay first came across the unique dress while looking through a Monique Lhuillier catalog. “There was something about it,” she says. “It sounded amazing, but I’m not usually a red person.” So, she went to Oscar De La Renta to look for a ceremony gown. She didn’t find her main dress there, but she did find a sparkling, scalloped mini dress for dancing at her wedding reception.
Photo: Sunny Lee Photography
Still needing a ceremony dress, the bride decided to book a solo appointment at Monique Lhuillier to try on her designs, including the one she was originally drawn to. She found some beautiful gowns, but the rose dress wasn’t in the store. “At the end of the appointment, I said, ‘I really think I need to try this gown on.’” At the time, only one sample existed, so the team flew it to California for Anna-Kay to try. “Literally, two days later, I was in the gown and cried,” she shares. “I never thought I’d be that person, but it just felt right.”
“Putting on the gown and the veil, I felt that uniqueness and felt like myself—creative, independent, and all the things that I am,” she reflects. “It was really exciting to feel like this gown represented my future, my marriage, and commitment, but also my individuality and that I’m not going to give up who I am.”
Photo: Sunny Lee Photography
Another thing Anna-Kay wasn’t going to give up was the appointment she had booked at Vera Wang. Even though she knew the Monique Lhuillier dress was the winner, she wanted to try the iconic designer’s selection. There, she found a dress from the spring 2020 collection that was the last one in stock across the entire company. Anna-Kay discovered it was about to be discontinued. “I put it on and I was like, ‘We can’t let her die. We can’t let her be broken down for parts,’” says the bride. She decided to wear that gown at her reception, working with the Vera Wang team to add custom floral elements and extend the train. “I was so happy she got to live on,” says Anna-Kay. “She was such an ethereal statement.”
Photo: Sunny Lee Photography
“The fashion was a really important part for me to express myself, be a little different, and have gowns that didn’t feel so bridal. I plan to separate the Monique gown into a two-piece, and the Vera Wang gown will live on.” She adds, “Maybe she’ll have a third or fourth life.”
And while there were no flowers at their ceremony, Anna-Kay and Ross were showered with rose petals after they said “I do” and began the next chapter of their life together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the bride who chose to wear flowers at her Palm Beach wedding written in a natural and helpful tone
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q Did the bride wear a flower crown or did she have flowers in her hair
A She wore fresh flowers woven into her hair cascading down like a loose natural crown rather than a stiff structured tiara
Q Why did she choose flowers instead of a traditional veil or tiara
A She wanted a look that felt organic romantic and perfectly suited to a beach setting Flowers felt lighter and more Palm Beach than a heavy veil
Q What kind of flowers did she use
A The arrangement featured tropical blooms like orchids and gardenias mixed with soft greenery and delicate white blooms to match the lush coastal vibe
Q Was this just for the ceremony or did she wear them all night
A She wore them for the entire weddingceremony photos and reception They stayed fresh and secure thanks to careful preparation
Advanced Practical Questions
Q How did the hair stylist keep the flowers fresh in the Florida heat and humidity
A The florist kept the stems in water tubes until the last minute and the stylist used a combination of hidden pins and a light humidityresistant hairspray to secure them without wilting
Q Did the flowers clash with her bouquet
A No The florist designed them as a set The hair flowers were a smaller more delicate version of the larger bouquet using the same color palette
Q What was the biggest challenge of wearing fresh flowers in her hair
A The biggest challenge was timing The flowers had to be styled just before the ceremony to look their best leaving no room for delays Also she had to avoid lying down or leaning back in a chair to keep them from getting crushed
Q Did she have to do anything special to prepare her hair beforehand
A Yes Her stylist advised her to wash her hair the night before and to use a texturizing spray This gave the hair enough grip to hold the flowers and pins without slipping