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 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!
The love story of Talia and her husband Daniel is seriously sweet – so sweet that it was featured in the New York Times! For their March 10, 2013 wedding at the McNichols Civic Center Building in Denver, Talia chose a beautiful ivory lace gown with a bateau neckline by Justin Alexander. She accessorized with a veil by Love Veils. Doesn’t she look gorgeous? We talked with Talia about her experience finding her gown and about her vintage-inspired wedding. Thanks, Talia, for speaking with us, and thanks to Dox Photo for all the beautiful photos!
How did you choose your wedding gown? Tell us about the process of finding your dress.
As soon as I got engaged, I started looking at pictures online. My style is very vintage and so is the engagement ring Daniel got me. I was all over the board… tea length, satin, lace… but I had found one specific dress that I was in love with. It had a high neckline of lace and was a trumpet or mermaid style. I printed out a ton of photos and brought them in to Little White Dress. I worked with Christine and she was amazing. I was really nervous and she and the staff were so kind to me and my friend, who was there with me. I showed Christine my ‘dream’ dress and she got a glimmer in her eye. She said, “Pick out whatever you want to try and then we’ll try on my pick.” I tried on three or four gowns, and they were all ok. Then she put me in her pick. We walked out of the dressing room and when I saw myself in the mirror, I said, “Holy Sh*t!” Christine said I was the first of her brides to ever say that. I fell in love immediately with the Justin Alexander gown. The work, in my mind, was done. It was, as we say in Hebrew, beshert (meant to be or soul mate).
What was your experience like at Little White Dress?
LWD was the first bridal shop I ever stepped foot in. I am so thankful that LWD was my first stop. I was treated so well and welcomed so kindly. Christine recommended that I come to a veil trunk show the next weekend with LOVE Veils, and that day made my experience complete. To sit and chat with a local veil designer and Christine, it was like I had known them my whole life and we were best friends.
Your gown and your wedding in general are both elegant and understated. Did your dress choice influence any aspects of your wedding, such as the venue or decor (and vice versa)?
I knew I HAD to wear something with a vintage style, or else I wouldn’t look like me. That came first, so when we started planning the wedding details I had that in my head. When it came down to making a decision about a detail for the wedding, I usually ended up going with the more vintage idea. Once we had the dress and the invitations, everything else fell into that line.
How did you feel in your dress on your wedding day?
On my wedding day, we spent all this time getting ready… make-up, hair… I was davening (praying) the whole time, preparing myself for the wedding. Suddenly someone said, “It’s time to get ready!” I stepped into the dress, my dear friend Amy zipped and buttoned and snapped and clipped me in… I slipped on my awesome navy Manolos… and as I raised my head, it was like energy shot right through me! This is me! I’m the bride! I’m marrying my best friend and I look exactly like I wanted to on my wedding day. I felt beautiful.
Do you have any advice for brides in the process of looking for their wedding gown?
Do your research before you shop! Read about what styles look best on your body shape. I just went through Pinterest looking for gowns and saving the ones I liked. Don’t bring too many people to the bridal shop with you the first time. I saw so many girls getting overwhelmed by too many opinions. And LISTEN TO YOUR CONSULTANT! Christine knew every dress in the store and knew what I would look good in! Lastly, you may end up in a dress you never dreamed of. That’s ok! I never thought I would end up in lace but it was so perfect. Oh, one more thing. Try sitting in your dress before you buy it. It would have been the kiss of death if I couldn’t sit in my dress!
Congratulations, Talia and Daniel! Wishing you all the best from Little White Dress!
Oh, and Talia and Daniel’s wedding video is tear-inducing in the best way possible. Click here to see the gorgeous video by Flat Face Films.
For more about Talia and her wedding, see her blogs here and here.
Accessories: I had a hairpin I got from Little White Dress that really finished up my hair perfectly, but I don’t remember who made it. I also wore a gold locket bracelet that belonged to my late grandmother. She passed away just a few weeks before the wedding, and it was a way to have her and my late grandfather with me at the wedding.
LWD: Tell us about how you got engaged and a bit about your fiancé?
Meg: My husband, Dane, proposed after we finished running the Tough Mudder in Truckee, CA. It was actually really funny because we got seperated from the rest of our team and he was running around frantic to find them. When we finally did, he kept rushing them so that we could all go get our dry clothes and change. I told him to calm down and let them enjoy their beers!
The race ended up being almost five hours and the sun was setting so it was getting cold. We got back to the tent and we were all trying to quickly change out of our muddy clothes. I was in the middle of taking off my shoe when Dane said, “Megan, I have something important to talk to you about.” I think I gave a snippy response along the lines of ‘What?!’. I was so cold and I didn’t know what could be so important that it couldn’t wait until we had changed.
Dane persisted, “Megan, I really have something important to talk to you about! I talked to your parents last week, and I was wondering if you would marry me?” OK, so he finally got my attention. I looked up at him for the first time, and he was holding out a ring. My response was so eloquent, “Are you serious?!” He didn’t miss a beat, “Yes, I’m serious, I figure if we can finish something so difficult like we did today, together, I don’t think there’s anything we can’t do. Will you marry me?” I said yes and gave him a big kiss, but honestly those few minutes were kind of a blur. Now I understood why he was being so pushy… the ring, which was his mother’s engagement ring, was in his wallet and he wanted to make sure it was still there. So in the end the real quick version of the story is that my husband proposed while I was soaking wet, dirty, exhausted, only wearing one shoe, but I couldn’t have been happier.
LWD: Why did you decide to come to Little White Dress during your gown search?
Meg: When I started looking at dresses I found that the ones I loved the most were designed by Claire Pettibone. Little White Dress was the only shop I could go [in Colorado] where I could see her dresses.
LWD: When selecting a gown, what “features” were you looking for and/or what was most important to you?
Meg: I knew that I wanted a form fitting lace gown. I didn’t want a lot of sparkle, as I tend to lean towards things that are more simple but elegant, and I wanted something comfortable.
LWD: Who ended up picking out the “one” – you, a friend of family member, your stylist, etc.? Tell me more about it.
Meg: Malea, my stylist, helped me pick some lace dresses to try on that she thought would work best for me, including the dress that I ended up picking. But it was my mother and my sister who helped me decide which dress was the one. Throughout the whole appointment they kept telling me they liked every dress I tried on, which was not a whole lot of help! I am horrible at picking things out, especially when it is something this important, but when I tried on Claire Pettibone’s Renee dress, I think they knew. It was elegant and understated, but the rose pattern of the lace made it unique and beautiful. I knew I was going to wear cowboy boots and the dress was a perfect match!
LWD: What three words describe how you felt on your wedding day?
Meg: Elegant and excited, but mostly loved!!!
Just Married!
LWD: What do you have planned for your dress now that your wedding is over?
Meg: One of my favorite memories was getting to try on my mother’s wedding dress and I hope to have the same memory with my daughter. I plan to keep my dress safe and tucked away for that day.
LWD: What did you do to relax and de-stress prior to the wedding and/or throughout the planning process?
Meg: Honestly, I had a few freak outs and yelled sometimes, but I tried to keep those to a minimum! But really I relied on my family and the gym to relax and de-stress! My family was amazing throughout the whole planning process, and I don’t know where I would have been without my mother, sister, and husband. Anytime that I felt like I was getting too anxious, I made sure I got a good workout in. It really helps me to get out my nervous energy.
LWD: Was there any particular person (family, friends, vendors) that helped put that extra special touch on your wedding day?
Meg: My friend, Jennifer Swift, was my amazing makeup artist. She not only did my makeup , but several of my bridesmaids as well. My photographer, Austyn Elizabeth Photography, took amazing pictures of the whole day, and my florist, Flowers Forever Design, made absolutely stunning arrangments for the whole event. Also having my Godfather, Richard Paczkowski, officiate the wedding was absolutely perfect. But most of all, our wedding was about our family. All of our immediate and extended families were there, as well as many of our close friends. It was having everyone together for our special day that made it absolutely unforgettable!
Little White Dress bride, Darby Mills, showing us how beautiful she looks in her gown by Robert Bullock Bride. Photo by Alison White Photography
Wedding Date? August 4th, 2012
Wedding Location? Crested Butte, CO (Uley’s Cabin)
Dress Designer? Robert Bullock Bride
Sash Designer? Love Veils & Accessories (Breckenridge Sash)
When we first spoke with Darby post-wedding, she told us she had so much fun in her dress. Specifically, she said “In my dress, I took my bike around town, climbed a 6 foot ladder, rode a chair lift, trekked around on a mountaintop through the woods and on a mountain biking trail, walked down a spiral staircase barefoot, danced my heart out, and married my guy at 12,000 ft in the sunshine!”
As you can imagine, we had a lot of questions for her!
LWD: Why was being able to be active in your dress important to you?
Darby: Why get married on a mountaintop if you can’t have fun doing it!?!
LWD: How come you chose the dress you chose?
Darby: My father passed away, but when he met my mom he fell for her wearing a dress that buttoned down. I really wanted something that buttoned all the way down the back to make me think of him. When I put my dress on it fit like a glove and I knew I could be comfortable in it all day while still feeling beautiful. I also wanted something with a classic look that I wouldn’t worry about one day looking back and wondering what was I thinking when I wore that!
LWD: Tell me about the theme or feel for your wedding and how your dress played a part in it?
Darby: Fun and local. We love Crested Butte. It’s such a beautiful place and we didn’t want to get married anywhere else. We knew it would be a big effort for our guests to join us and we wanted to focus on saying “thank you” to each of them by making the day (and entire weekend) about all of us being there together. We used local vendors and products for almost everything and tried to provide amenities and adventure for everyone. My dress allowed me to join in all the fun whether it was riding the ski lift, taking pictures around town and all over the mountaintop, or dancing all night with our guests.
Darby says, “I Do!” at her 12,000 feet wedding in Crested Butte, CO Photo by Alison White Photography
LWD: Use three words to describe your wedding day look?
Darby: Classy, natural, ME.
LWD: What is your best piece of advice for future brides when it comes to planning a wedding, picking a dress or any topic related?
Darby: Just have fun and remember why you are getting married. So much time is spent obsessing over little things that most likey won’t even matter on the big day. We had a few things go wrong or get left out but we were all having too much fun to care!
LWD: What will you do with your dress now?
Darby: Great question. So far it’s still hanging in my basement in the garment bag….beyond that is yet to be determined!
A Little White Dress Bridal Shop bride, Season Hurd, shares her wedding dress story and how Little White Dress Bridal Shop made her feel uniquely special…
Season Hurd bought her wedding gown at Little White Dress Bridal Shop in Denver, CO. She is one happy bride! Photo by Gena McMillan
LWD: Why did you decide to buy your dress at Little White Dress?
Season: My mom wanted to see me try on my first dresses when she was here for Thanksgiving so we went to another bridal store that Saturday. The experience was so underwhelming that I actually almost cried. Nothing about it felt special, I didn’t feel attractive in the dresses and I was so discouraged. As we looked through all the clippings I had in my dress folder, we realized that I pinned Justin Alexander’s 8465 (the champagne party dress with the amazing dimensional lace on top that was EVERYWHERE that year). I was convinced it was the one and wanted my mom there when I tried on the last dress. The problem was that it was Saturday afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend with no advanced warning. I called Little White Dress and they were willing to take me on short notice the next day. Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend? You guys rock!
When I got there we really liked the dress. But we liked the ambiance more. Being in a real boutique with designer dresses made me feel so special. Every girl should have that moment. Then I felt like my dress shopping was over so fast that I figured it couldn’t hurt to try on a few more to keep the fun going. I had been eyeing one out of my price range from another rack the whole time. When I tried on that dress there wasn’t a dry eye in our party. The truly amazing thing is that you guys were the only ones in the state who carried this dress. If I didn’t drive an hour on a holiday weekend to try on another dress, I would have never found mine. It was meant to be!
LWD: Who did you bring with you to help decide on your dress?
Season: My mother and my MOH Aimee.
LWD: What are three words you’d use to describe the way you felt in your dress?
Season: Beautiful. Elegant. Timeless.
LWD: What is the best part about being officially married?
Season: His parents stopped bugging us! But in all seriousness, it was that we began our family that day. I can’t think of a better, more exciting way to start a marriage than a really memorable wedding. Then shortly after we got pregnant and have since had a son, Caleb. Being married was the first step to the completeness we feel with our little family.
LWD: What advice would you give a new bride when it comes to getting the best wedding day look?
Season: I have several bits of advice:
Regardless of where you end up buying, every girl deserves that moment in the boutique when all the ladies coo over you. It will be one of the best memories of your life.
Consider your body shape and know that a really good seamstress can make your dress even better than it was designed!
Try on lots of dresses… do not deprive yourself of the joy of trying on gorgeous wedding gowns!
You really, truly can tell the difference in the way a more expensive dress is made. They are designed to provide support where it’s important so that the dress holds itself up from lower on the torso instead of smooshing you up top (in the case of a strapless). The reason they are pricier is because a lot of love, creativity, and thought went into them.
Featured Bride, Nina B., shows off how stunning she looks in the Elizabeth Fillmore “Cora” wedding gown she purchased at Little White Dress Bridal Shop. Photo by: Kathy and Greg Garton of Picture This Photography in Wheatland, Wyoming
LWD: Why did you decide to buy your dress at Little White Dress?
Nina: I’d driven by several times and was just attracted to the display and the look of the salon. It’s very warm and welcoming!
LWD: Who did you bring with you to help decide on your dress?
Nina: My daughter
LWD: What was the reason you chose the dress you did?
Nina: My daughter has very excellent taste and a great eye! She is the one who picked my dress out and urged me to try it on.
LWD: What are three words you’d use to describe the way you felt in your dress?
Nina: Classy. Amazing. Stylishly Sexy.
LWD: What are you going to do with your dress now that you’re wedding day is over?
Nina: Keep it. I may possibly re-imagine it shorter, and for sure keep it for my daughter.
LWD: What is the best part about being officially married?
Nina: That we, after reconnecting 24 years after high school (we grew up together), couldn’t be happier/more complete/more challenged/excited about our future together.
LWD: What advice would you give a new bride when it comes to getting the best wedding day look?
Nina: Well, my advice is a little different as ours was a second wedding. But in reality I’d wish this for every bride. Make sure your look fits the mood, theme, and dress, but more importantly that your look for the day is one that enhances you rather than changes you. I asked for some make-up advice but that was pretty much it. I worked out in order to just feel fit and comfortable. Your dress, your flowers, the music, all are integral pieces to a very special day – but the most important pieces of all are you and your husband-to-be and THAT is the look that will shine through! I felt amazing that day – the entire day through. The best part of all was the look on my husband’s face the first time he saw me. I will carry that memory forever in my heart.
Just Married! Nina B. and her husband celebrate on their wedding day. Photo by: Kathy and Greg Garton of Picture This Photography in Wheatland Wyoming
