It’s all about the fairy tale….

There is something so quintessentially bridal about a romantic wedding dress.  Layers of tulle, cascading ruffles, soft florals, they are oh so girly and pretty, and exactly what you picture when imagining your wedding dress as a little girl.  It’s no wonder that a quarter of brides want a romantic look on their big day. It is just plain lovely.

We’ve placed our favorite romantic wedding dresses on our Dresses We Love page.  Perfect for daydreaming.  Here are just a few.

Christos Camilla, Melissa Sweet Wallis, Rivini

Badgley Mischka, Elie Saab Laertes, Monique Lhuillier

Priscilla of Boston Morgan, Romona Keveza RK285, Vera Wang Ella

Want to see the rest?  (But be warned, you might spend a while).

 

Caitlin + Paul’s California wedding was youthful, fun, relaxed and sweet as apple pie.  The bride and groom look perfectly smitten and every detail from their day was a subtle, yet thoughtful reflection of their spirit and sense of family…flowers arranged by the bride’s grandmother, handmade bridesmaid dresses tailored by a friend, married in the church that Caitlin and Paul grew up in by their youth pastor, a backyard reception under the stars…and to top it all off, Caitlin and Paul were high school sweethearts. Perfect!

Caitlin + Paul | August 6, 2011 | Davis, California

The Ceremony
I married my high school sweetheart at the church we grew up at.  I still feel completely and overwhelmingly blessed thinking about our ceremony.  We wanted to keep things simple so all of our guests could just come and have a good time, relax and hopefully get a glimpse of true love.  The support and excitement from our family and friends made our day: my grandmother did all of the flower arrangements, our youth pastor married us, our friend played our ceremony music on the piano and another friend made all of our bridesmaid dresses by hand…

The Reception
My backyard was magical; from the barn to the twinkle lights in the trees, the sandbox for the kids, and the abundance of sunflowers, it fit us perfectly.  Our reception began with guests mingling and enjoying lemonade and homemade cookies, followed by a delicious meal, and toasts we will not forget for as long as we live.  Then of course we danced the night away under the stars in my backyard.  I was expecting it to be a pretty good day, but God blessed us, and our wedding far exceeded my expectations.

How Caitlin Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Beautiful, classy and sweet

Why Caitlin Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I searched long and hard for the perfect dress.  I had almost given up on finding “The One” until I tried on this dress.  It was way out of my price range, so I knew when I bought it that I would have to sell it back.  You would not believe how many people complimented me on my dress, and I am excited for someone else to get to wear it.

Caitlin’s Wedding Dress | Melissa Sweet Fern
Photography | Photo So Bello

Lizette and Ryan’s wedding comes to us from Red Bank, New Jersey complete with a Naval salute to the bride as a welcome into the US Navy! This couple’s special day is a beautiful display of tradition and romance that has grown since their early beginnings spent together at summer camp.  I love the details woven into today’s featured wedding: gold fish centerpieces at the reception; a choreographed first dance by the bride and groom; and a beautiful bride rocking it on the drums with her college band.  Congrats to Lizette + Ryan!

Lizette + Ryan | August 6, 2011 | Red Bank, New Jersey

The Ceremony
Ryan and I were united in marriage at St. James Catholic Church in Red Bank, New Jersey with a sacramental mass.  We first met in the summer of 1999 at an outdoor adventure camp in NJ and at the end of a week of hiking, camping, and swimming, Ryan and I shared our first kiss –the first for each of us!  We kept in touch by email and AIM, however we lost touch as we each traveled through our separate high school experiences, I in Long Island and Ryan in New Jersey.  I hadn’t heard from Ryan for over four years, when I received an instant message from Ryan on a new screen name and we instantly reconnected.  Up he came to Boston College for a visit and voila – eight years later, we are married!

Ryan is a Lieutenant in the US Navy and as such we had a military wedding.  After the ceremony, we exited the church to an impressive sword arch formed by Ryan’s fellow Naval officers saluting us and welcoming me to the US Navy.  These young men had come from great distances to honor us on our wedding day and it was a very, very special moment. Traffic stopped, people climbed walls, and stores emptied – all to see us kiss at each pair of raised swords.

The silk organza of my dress, petals fluttering in the breeze, looked stately and serene during the ceremony, to classic and romantic during the sword exit, and ended with a rock n’ rolling reception!

The Reception
The reception was at the Oyster Point Hotel, also in Red Bank.  With a nod to the Jersey Shore setting with salt-water taffy favors, clam shell place cards, and live goldfish in tall flower vases, we had a great evening celebrating with our 200 guests.  Ryan and I are not particularly gifted dancers, so it was a great surprise to all when we danced our first dance to ‘Then’, by Brad Paisley which was choreographed with over six hours of lessons in Columbia, SC, our new home.  Many “Oohs and aahs!”   My father, not to be outdone, danced with me to ‘A Bushel and a Peck’, a song he sang to me as a baby.

The Ricky Sands Band from Hank Lane Music kept the dance floor packed with a collection of Naval Officers, veterinarians, college friends, high school friends, and dancing relatives from start to finish!  The night concluded when I played a set on the drums with my veterinary school band, The Baltimore Avenue Black-Outs!  It was an event to remember!

How Lizette Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Stunning, unique and beautiful

Why Lizette Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I splurged on this very special dress from Priscilla of Boston because the moment I saw it, I knew that this dress was “The One.”  However, as a newly graduated veterinarian I have extensive loans, and I knew when I purchased the dress that it would have to be sold for monetary reasons after the wedding.  It was the only way I could purchase this exquisite dress without trepidation.  

I had a great time in this dress and now someone else will too!   Just recently in the news, I learned that after 65 years in business, Priscilla of Boston will be closing their doors at the end of the year.  The end of an era!  This dress then, is one of the last, in their long line of elegant creations!  

Lizette’s Wedding Dress | Priscilla of Boston – Uma by Melissa Sweet
Photography | Provided by friends and family

You couldn’t order up a more perfect setting, or perfect day, than the one Kara and Derek enjoyed at their wedding. The gorgeous Lake Tahoe shoreline was the dramatic backdrop when they said “I do.” Then, an intimate group of family and friends celebrated with the bride and groom at the historic Thunderbird Lodge. Heartfelt toasts, fabulous food, and kick-up-your-stilettos dancing, made it a night to remember. Congrats!

Kara + Derek | July 7, 2011 | Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe, California

The ceremony

We had a traditional wedding ceremony and our Lutheran pastor married us. The Lake Tahoe location was absolutely beautiful, as you will see from the photos.

The reception

We had a very relaxed reception. We began with a two hours of cocktails and passed appetizers, and Hors d’oeuvre Stations. We also offered tours of the estate and the underground tunnels. Afterwards, we had sunset dancing in the famous light house room. Followed by an after party at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe.

The way Kara felt in her wedding dress

Stunning, Beautiful, like an Absolute Show Stopper

Why Kara decided to sell her wedding dress

 It is very hard to part with the dress, but honest truth is I’m only going to wear it once and I would like it to be a part of someone else’s special day.  Every bride deserves to feel as amazing as I did.

Kara’s dress: Melissa Sweet

Photography: Zinser Photography