WEDDING BLOG

As a bride who dreamed of her wedding dress her whole life, Nicole’s bridal style is utter perfection for the fashion minded bride. From the plunging neckline to the barely there back, this couture gown by Israel-based designer Inbal Dror is the perfect balance of sweet and sexy. Paired with a dramatic eye and a whisper of pink on her lips, Nicole’s bridal look was completed with a classic wave hairstyle by the talented hands of her dear friend Liz Rivas of Sweeter Than Honey Hair Lounge. Without a doubt, her husband Dean couldn’t have been happier to see his bride looking so lovely.

The Couple: Nicole and Dean

The Wedding: 10.19.2013 – Bride’s Family Home in Placentia, California

The Vision: We wanted the atmosphere to be intimate, sophisticated and ethereal. I had a distinct vision for all design details down to the acrylic drink stirs used as escort cards. I, luckily, hired Halleigh Hill of Moment Privé who made every detail possible and the overall concept to come together seamlessly.

The Style: My style for the day organically came together with the help of my dear friend, Liz Rivas, who is also a professional hair and makeup artist with Sweeter Than Honey Hair Lounge. I told Liz that I wanted my hair down with a classic wave and then allowed her to do what she does best.

The Dress: Growing up, I loved to stare at my parents’ wedding pictures displayed around our home and would obsess over my Mother’s long sleeved, lace wedding gown. I knew as soon as Dean and I were engaged that I wanted a long sleeved wedding gown as well. I did a lot of research online to eventually find the designer, Inbal Dror, who creates the most beautiful, sexy and sophisticated long sleeved gowns that fit the aesthetic I had imagined. I saw my dress on her site and knew immediately it would work for my body type. At that time, Inbal’s collection was only sold in one store in New York, but by chance I called Panache Bridal in Beverly Hills and they just so happened to have a trunk show scheduled for her in 6 weeks and the dress I had been dreaming about would be there. The dress was perfect in every way and I said “yes” within 30 minutes of arriving to the salon. Inbal rushed the making of my dress to have it done in time for my wedding date as the dresses are couture and made to order. The dress came in with plenty of time and required zero alternations. Inbal Dror and Panache made the entire wedding gown process so stress-free and enjoyable for me.

The Accessories: All my accessories had great, personal meaning to me. My Nana gifted me a sapphire ring she has been in our family for many years, which I used as my “something old” and “something blue”, my friend and bridesmaid allowed me to borrow a diamond bracelet for my “something borrowed” and I purchased the earrings and hair comb I wore for my “something new”.

The Advice: Stay true to yourself. Think about when you feel most confident and try to incorporate those style elements into your look for your wedding day.

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: Wai Reyes Photography
Event Planner: Halleigh Hill of Moment Privé
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Bride’s Family Home
Officiant: John O’Connor
Invitation Designer: Privé Papier By Moment Privé
Catering: Sundried Tomato Cafe
Florist: Fayaz Chamadia of Bloom Box Designs
Cake: Simply Sweet Cakery
Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror via Panache Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Apparel & Accessories: Jinny’s Bridal
Groom’s Apparel & Accessories: The Suit Fellas
Hair & Makeup: Liz Rivas and Monique Moralez of Sweeter Than Honey Hair Lounge
Live Music: Angelica Strings
Dance Instruction: Amanda Hanson Gates
Rentals: A-1 Event Rentals and Signature Party Rentals
Rings: Traditional Jewelers and The Diamond Outlet

Thank you to Nicole for sharing your bridal story – you looked fabulous!

See more dramatic bridal style with this Fierce Bridal Style Inspiration Shoot!