Abby and Kristofer’s March 9th wedding at Vail Cascade Resort looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale, thanks in part to the beautiful snowfall that graced their big day. There’s just something so romantic about a wedding in freshly fallen snow.
Abby embraced the setting with perfect style on her wedding day. She looked gorgeous in a blush-colored ball gown adorned with sparkling embroidered flowers, by Liancarlo. Luxe and heirloom accessories topped off her personalized look. We chatted with Abby about how she chose such a unique gown and about how all the details came together to create the perfect winter wonderland wedding.
How did you choose your wedding gown? Tell us about the process of finding your gown and about your experience at Little White Dress.
In the beginning of my search it seemed like I would never have that “Say Yes to the Dress” moment. I had a style in mind, but I was open to trying anything and everything on. The first time I had tried on dresses was in Los Angeles with my sister, Maggie, at a sample boutique. My mother had recently passed away and Maggie wanted me to get the overwhelming emotions out while she was with me. I couldn’t commit to anything that early and started my serious gown search in Denver. I visited a few boutiques looking for something without much detail and maybe one shouldered with a dropped waist. Through the many gowns I had tried on I had only really found what I did NOT want: strapless, tulle, flowers, and sparkle.
It was only then that I had received a postcard in the mail from LWD and made an appointment. I grabbed a couple of my bridesmaids and hit the Highlands for brunch and more gown hunting. The moment we walked in we all ran over to this gorgeous Liancarlo dress in the window and demanded it be stripped from the mannequin so I could try it on. Of course it was strapless with a big tulle skirt, covered in lace flowers and crystals. I tried it on first of the 10 or 12 dresses I liked and fell in love. No other dresses I tried on compared to the Liancarlo masterpiece. I spent the next 30 minutes twirling around the store like a school girl in love! My consultant was terrific, playing along with us and commenting on how happy I looked in that dress. She couldn’t have been more right!
Your Liancarlo gown looks absolutely magical in your wedding day’s snowy setting. Did you choose your gown with the mountain weather and setting in mind?
I did! I loved that the color was so different than any other gown I had seen before and thought it would pop against Vail’s snowy backdrop. It felt so romantic and I thought it would be perfect for our black tie theme. The decadent tulle and crinoline skirt was weighted perfectly so it walked beautifully and moved like a dream for photos. I could not believe how lucky I was that I found such a perfect gown for the setting.
Your accessories – from the hairpiece to the veil, the fur, and those amazing shoes – complement the dress without being overwhelming. How did you decide what would look best with such a unique gown?
When I originally tried on the dress my consultant placed a thin, infinity symbol crystal belt around the seam at the waist. That was the tipping point on knowing that this was MY dress. It was ordered that day! When my dress arrived at LWD I tried it on with a simple fingertip length veil. The veil completed the look and made it decidedly bridal.
The gown with the belt was quite a statement on its own so I decided to keep everything else simple and classic: from the vintage-style, velvet pump that had all the romance and drama fitting of the big day, to the hairpiece, which I found on Etsy.com with the help of my hairdresser, Annette (who was also a bridesmaid). My sisters gave my Swarovski drop crystal earrings to me as a wedding gift and they accented the gown perfectly.
The fur was actually a gift from my father to my mother around the time I was born. I figured there would be no more perfect of an opportunity to rock it than at my wedding. I was right!
How did you feel in your dress on your wedding day?
I was with my three sisters when I was putting the gown on and it took all three of their support to make it happen. When I finally looked in the mirror I was overjoyed with the way the gown fit and impressed with how the whole look came together. It hit me just then that I was a bride! It was then that my sister Emily handed me my mother’s floor length fur coat and the look was totally complete: Romantic, black tie, Vail wedding. Perfect! I felt like an ice princess twirling around in the falling snow behind the chapel before the ceremony. I have never felt more beautiful than I did on that day.
What is your advice for brides looking for their wedding gown?
Don’t be caught up in one style! You have probably been dreaming of your gown your whole life but you never know where the perfect dress is hiding and what it might look like. I can guarantee you that Little White Dress has something hiding in the wings that will surprise you :)
Thank you, Abby, for sharing your gorgeous wedding with us! Many thanks to Devo Photography for sharing photos of Abby and Kristofer’s beautiful day!
We recently had the pleasure of participating in an absolutely gorgeous Gatsby-inspired photo shoot at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Two of our most stunning Jenny Packham gowns, Esme and Eden, are featured in the shoot. We can’t help gushing over how amazing these gowns look with super luxe details – diamonds and fur and Rolls Royce, oh my! Not to mention it all takes place at one of the most spectacular venues in the country, The Broadmoor.
Many thanks to RebeccaMarie Photography for the beyond beautiful images. We loved working with all the incredible vendors on this shoot!
Join us at Little White Dress Bridal Shop on Saturday, May 18th for our Love Veils & Accessories trunk show! Meet designer Cori Middlebrooks-Stahl and enjoy selecting the perfect finishing touches for your wedding day. Cori’s beautiful sashes, veils, and hair accessories offer a large selection for any bride’s style, from fun and flirty pieces to more traditional looks, and they come with custom one-of-a-kind options. Even more to love: Love Veils and Accessories are made right here in Colorado. Call us at 303-814-8972 for your appointment!
We can’t get enough of Mary’s wedding here at Little White Dress. There are just so many details to gush over. The venue (one of our favorites, the Chatfield Botanic Gardens), that bouquet, that perfectly-messy braid… (and don’t even get us started on the adorable puppy!) We may be a little biased, but we think that Mary’s dress – ‘Madeleine’ by Claire Pettibone – ties every gorgeous detail together.
Mary chatted with us about finding her dress and about her wedding day, which was photographed so beautifully by the incredibly talented Laura Murray. Don’t miss Mary’s great advice to brides about finding the perfect gown….
How did you choose your wedding gown? Tell us about the process of finding your dress and about your experience at Little White Dress.
I had my eye on Claire Pettibone dresses for a while. So, as soon as I saw that she was doing a trunk show at LWD, I called for an appointment. I originally went into LWD with my eye on dresses other than the Madeleine; I liked a few of the Claire Pettibone gowns with intricate backs and I really wanted my dress to be unique. My bridal consultant was a huge help. Within minutes of talking to her, I felt like she knew me and understood my wedding vision. I tried on the dresses I had come in for, and while they were beautiful on, none of them seemed perfect for me. I started trying on other Claire Pettibone dresses that hadn’t caught my eye the first time around. I began realizing, with the guidance of my consultant, that intricate backs were too much on my 5′ 3″ frame. The simpler Claire Pettibone dresses looked better on me, and when I stepped into the Madeleine, I knew it was perfect. I felt comfortable and completely myself. I didn’t want to take it off!
How did your gown fit in with other aspects of the wedding: the venue, the decor, the overall look?
As soon as I had an idea of the “feel” of the wedding, the Madeleine dress just seemed to complete my vision. I wanted the wedding to have a somewhat vintage farm-like feel, with romantic details and a light, airy color palette. A very structured full gown would have looked totally out of place. While I loved some of the beautifully beaded gowns at LWD, I knew the beautiful lace and cut of my dress would complement our style and theme. In the end, I know I picked the perfect dress.
How did you feel in your dress on your wedding day?
I couldn’t have been happier with the dress I picked. I felt absolutely beautiful and self confident. It was one of the easier decisions I made regarding the wedding because it felt so perfect the second I put it on.
Do you have any advice for brides in the process of looking for their wedding gown?
I think having a vision of the entire wedding, how you want it to feel, what emotions you want it to evoke, should be your starting point. Starting there will give you more guidance than starting with guidelines like “strapless” or “A-line”. Maybe once you have an idea of your overall look, you may look at gowns you didn’t picture right away, but which may be exactly perfect. Having an open mind for what complements your body type is essential and having good (and honest) friends there for guidance helps too!
Thank you, Mary, for sharing your wedding with us!
April’s New York International Bridal Week (known amongst us in the industry simply as Bridal Market) wrapped up recently, and we are excited to share with you all the newest fashions and trends straight from the runways and showrooms of the best bridal designers. While these gowns won’t be available in stores until this fall and winter, we always have our eyes peeled for the latest and greatest looks to bring to our very stylish brides!
We noticed the continuation of several trends from recent seasons – the use of color, peplums, and intricate necklines; looks that are still fresh with each designer’s own signature style. But there are certainly some BIG new styles this season – Great Gatsby, anyone? – that are buzzing around the runways. The designers we carry at LWD are leading the pack (as usual – if we do say so ourselves!) and are right on point for the most up-to-date fashions.
Plunging Necklines
The “Deep-V” is a great way to add drama to an otherwise understated gown. Both Anne Barge and Jenny Packham showed new plunging neckline styles paired with soft and sophisticated draped gowns. We love how both designers added just a touch of sparkle to the shoulder or waist to accentuate the bold neckline.
‘Osmonde’ by Anne Barge
‘Molly’ by Jenny Packham
Backs that Make a Statement
The bold back is still going strong in bridal fashion, which makes us happy – it’s one of our favorite looks. The styles we are seeing from April Market are all about the intricacy. Rivini‘s sheer, metallic embroidery tastefully shows some skin and would leave an absolutely unforgettable impression while walking down the aisle. Claire Pettibone‘s gown frames the back like a piece of art in a halo of Swiss dots and delicate flowers. Gorgeous!
‘Avina’ by Rivini
‘Gladys’ by Claire Pettibone
Unique Laces
Lace gowns have been oh-so-popular in the past few years, but you haven’t seen lace quite like this. The classic strapless fit-and-flare style gets an update by Liancarlo with lace in a beautiful, Moroccan-esque Damask pattern. Unexpected takes on the classic material are a wonderful way to bring the wow factor to your gown while maintaining a timeless look.
Style 5852 by Liancarlo
Beaded Columns
As predicted, the Great Gatsby trend is showing no signs of slowing this season. The neck-to-toe beading reminiscent of the 1920s calls for a shape that doesn’t compete. Enter the Column gown. Jenny Packham and Rivini showed two different takes on this look, with a higher neckline and delicate belt by Jenny Packham and the all-out glamour of a thigh-high slit by Rivini.
‘Jean’ by Jenny Packham
‘Venice’ by Rivini
Textured Materials
It’s not just about how the gown looks, but also how the gown moves on your wedding day. After all, you won’t just be standing still on your big day (at least we hope not!). Gowns with textured fabrics and 3-D details are guaranteed to move beautifully, and they create a look that is certainly not for the meek. Both Anne Barge and Liancarlo showed textured gowns with materials that we just want to reach out and touch!
‘Acacia’ by Anne Barge
Style 5859 by Liancarlo
Sheer Straps and Sleeves
Barely-there straps and sleeves graced many runways and showrooms at April Market. Perfect for a spring wedding, it’s also style that works well for brides who want something between strapless and covered up. Claire Pettibone presented a full-sleeved yet unstuffy style. (And who needs bracelets when you have those cuffs?) Jenny Packham showed a version that combines a flattering sweetheart neckline with the delicate V-neck of the straps.
‘Delaney’ by Claire Pettibone
‘Kitty’ by Jenny Packham
Follow us on Facebook for more straight-from-the-runway looks from April Bridal Fashion Week! (Photos courtesy of Style Unveiled, and the designers.)
Brides and industry taste-makers are abuzz this season about the resurgence of glam vintage looks from the 1920s and 1930s, a style we absolutely adore here at Little White Dress. From the hit British-import show Downton Abbey to the Hollywood remake of The Great Gatsby, these Art Deco influences are playing a major role in bridal fashion trends. The New York Times recently featured this bridal style – highlighting one of our favorite designers, Jenny Packham – and we’ve been noticing lately that many brides are coming to Little White Dress specifically seeking out gowns with the Gatsby-era look. We think this is one instance of a trend that is absolutely timeless – after all, it’s been around for almost a century!
Luckily for brides who love that glamorous, romantic style, we just welcomed two of the most stunning gowns EVER at Little White Dress Bridal Shop. The “Esme” gown by Jenny Packham gracefully captures Art Deco sophistication and charm. Esme’s sleeved sister is “Tuberose,” a delicately beaded and incredibly romantic gown, also by Jenny Packham. We think both new arrivals are perfect for brides looking for an alluring and enchanting wedding dress.
Esme by Jenny Packham
Tuberose by Jenny Packham
Close-up of Esme by Jenny Packham
Close-up of Tuberose by Jenny Packham
Several other gowns and designers available at Little White Dress beautifully embody the essence of old-world glamour and grace. Elizabeth Fillmore’s sleek and silky dresses would be stunning on a bride looking for a modern incarnation of Prohibition-era elegance, and Claire Pettibone’s delicate details would wonderfully complement a wedding with a touch of antique style.
Kara by Elizabeth Fillmore
Eloquence gown by Claire Pettibone
Miriam Haskell accessories, also available at Little White Dress, provide the perfect finishing touches for this look. The jewelry and accessories company, which opened its first boutique in 1926 during the heyday of Art Deco influence, today still hand-makes many of the same designs from the 1920s and 1930s.
Little White Dress Bridal Shop wants to help you find your own perfect vintage glam wedding style! Call us at 303-814-8972 to make an appointment.
For more Gatsby Glam wedding inspiration, take a look at our new Pinterest board!
Few brides know the special story behind Claire Pettibone’s “Kristene” gown. Kristene is one of Claire Pettibone’s most beloved wedding dresses because of its delicate details and timeless beauty. However, few brides know that Kristene is the FIRST wedding gown Claire ever designed and was the gem that kicked off her entire bridal gown design career.
The truth is that for many years, Claire Pettibone was well-known for her exquisite lingerie, available in Colorado at Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie near Park Meadows mall. However, about 9 years ago, Claire’s good friend, Kristene, asked Claire to design her a custom wedding gown. Claire of course said, “Yes!” , and the rest is history!
Claire says on her website, “This gown holds a special place in my heart as does my wonderful friend. Who knew that this was the start of my career as a wedding dress designer, and that years later, she would still inspire such devotion?!”
Little White Dress Bridal Shop has been proud to carry Kristene in the Pearl/Ivory color since the first day Claire’s gowns adorned our shop. This year we have added a second Kristene gown to our shop - in the color Platinum, to create an especially “vintage” feel to the gown. Colorado brides can now see first hand which color choice they prefer in this amazing and timeless Claire Pettibone gown.
A little bit about the dress... The Victorian inspired “Kristene” is comprised of layers of English lace embroidery that offers the perfect blend of vintage romance and playful celebration. Notice the heart-shaped train and marvel in the stunning details on the back of this gown.
Here’s a snapshot of Kristene with its silk charmeuse Platinum color lining , which is exclusively available in Colorado only at Little White Dress Bridal Shop!
Claire Pettibone “Kristene” in Platinum (front)
Claire Pettibone “Kristene” in Platinum (back)
Did you know that Claire Pettibone is coming to Denver in February? Book your appointment today! 303-8148972.
PS: Just to give you a sense of how Kristene moves people, check out this Kristene-inspired wedding cake we found online (Cake designed by Crissy Jeffcoate as pictured on OneFabDay blog).
