I just love the dreamy and timeless vision that beautiful bride Sharon Lombardi radiates in these sun-swept photos by Harrison Long.  Wearing “Clara,” the Art Deco inspired drop-waisted lace sheath with jewel-encrusted silk belt and neckline, Sharon is a vision that F. Scott Fitzgerald might have conjured.

“Wearing the Clara gown made me feel so sophisticated and chic,” said Sharon, who married Tom Lombardi on October 10, 2009 in the romantic and serene setting of the Falkner vineyard which sits on the crest of a 1500 feet deep valley.

“Our female guests could not stop asking questions about my gown – where I got it and who the designer was – they all said how much they adored my dress!  Even some of the male guests who said they could not normally tell one wedding gown from another commented that my dress was so unique and memorable.  I was told later on that my dress caught the light of the setting sun just perfectly so that I “sparkled” on my entire walk down the aisle….”

Sharon purchased her gown from the Beverly Hills flagship salon with the help of her mother and salon manager Cynthia Pinot.

“Cynthia provided the best advice and excellent service.  I had a great experience and have since recommended another bride to Claire Pettibone and she also purchased a gown there for her upcoming nuptials this August! Thank you, Claire, for making the most beautiful gown I have ever worn. The photos took our breath away. We are beyond thrilled with Harrison’s artistry and how beautifully he captured the magic of our wedding day.”

It is impossible not to see the joy of the day in the photos Jessica Kartalija gave us of her October 10,2009 wedding to Brian Anecharico. Married outside amid orange trees and blossoms at the Rancho Valencia Resort in Del Mar just north of San Diego, the wedding was exactly what Jessica hoped for and shows in her gorgeous smiles.

In a palette of deep orange, red and a splash of hot pink, the Spanish-Mediterranean theme was chosen to celebrate Brian’s Italian heritage and Jessica’s studies abroad in Seville Spain, and culminated in a beautiful ceremony serenaded by a Flamenco guitarist and a reception that had white Sangria flowing.

Jessica, who is a reporter for CBS, met Bryan three years earlier in Baltimore when she interviewed Brian for a story about “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year. A year later they ran into each other at Starbucks and the rest was history.

Of the Claire Pettibone gown (“Kristine”) she bought at Bliss Bride in Del Mar, she said, “I tried it on and bought it the same day – it was unlike any dress I had ever seen. It was important to me that I was comfortable, and able to dance and have fun, and the dress was perfect! After the ceremony, I pinned the train in back – which looked beautiful and made it easy to move! Everyone asked who the designer was, where I found it. It totally went with the Spanish them – all the intricate lace and cap sleeves. I got so many compliments on the dress – the lace and detail is amazing and the back is my favorite. My grandmother suggested I try and find a shorter version in black to wear. My mom wanted me to send the pictures to you because we were so happy with Claire Pettibone and I LOVE your designs. The lingerie is gorgeous too. The girls at Bliss Bride were so helpful. p.s. If you ever DO decide to make dresses in other colors – I am putting in an order for a black Kristine now! Love it!”

Everyone at Claire Pettibone congratulates Jessica and Brian on a beautiful wedding and wishes them all the joy of that day for years to come.

I just love the photos sent in by Kate Jett, a beautiful bride who wore Romantique from my Rock ‘n Roll Bride collection. Isn’t she dreamy? Her sleeve tattoo is absolutely gorgeous and plays so beautifully against the blooming flowers scattered over the cotton embroidered dress – and all this up against a field of green. Now that’s what I love – pairing romance with an edge. I like to say she embodies the collection… but really, she “expresses” herself…and makes Romantique all the more beautiful. Kate, we feel cheated too, that you can only wear it the one time… (so if you want to put it on again, we won’t tell!)

I just wanted to write and thank you so much for the amazing dress you made for me. It was the Romantique in June. The dress was stunning, I feel cheated that I’m only allowed to wear it that one time.

I’m a wedding floral designer and I thought my flowers and decor would be the most important thing to me about my wedding, but that dress turned out to be one of my favorite things about the day. It was the best decision to get your dress. I received sooo many wonderful compliments on it too. Thank you thank you.

Kate Jett

We’ve been happily receiving a lot of Real Brides submissions and it’s about time we get this monthly feature going again! I first discovered Sabrina back in September 2009 when I saw her featured on The Bride’s Café. It was the style of photography and her beautiful wedding that caught my attention, and I couldn’t wait to post about it.

“I knew I was going to get a Claire Pettibone dress. A year before I ever met my husband, I showed friends your website and they instantly agreed that your line was made for me. When I went to the bridal salon to try on the Larissa dress, I also pulled about ten other random dresses just because it was a big trek to go out to the salon and I thought I should try on as many dresses as possible. I put on the Larissa and instantly told the saleslady that I didn’t need to try on any of the other dresses. I bought it on the spot. One of my friends had told me that you would find the right dress when you feel like a princess. The Larissa made me feel like a princess.”

Being half Japanese, Sabrina tried to include little Japanese touches throughout her wedding. “The wedding favors were a set of two little ceramic maneki-nekkos (the lucky cat holding up one paw that you see at a lot of Japanese restaurants). The favors were wrapped with Japanese fabric cord and the place cards were rubber stamped with chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms (both prevalent in Japanese culture).

Throughout the reception they played black and white films on a big screen including Singing in the Rain and Maltese Falcon among others. Setting a romantic mood as they danced, ate, and laughed with their loved ones.

Congratulations Sabrina!

Ashley + Matthew

Boulder, Colorado floral designer Ashley Giles was looking for one special element to inspire the theme of her October 2008 wedding to Matthew Clay McMillan in the mountains of Colorado. “Not being a fussy or girlie bride, there were very few designer’s whose wedding collections could have worked for me.  The dress had to be sophisticated and elegant, but at the same time, edgy.” Ashley started her wedding planning with the Claire Pettibone website, where she looked at gowns from the 2008 Couture Collection. “I immediately fell in love with the Clara gown.  My mother was with me at the time, and we were both in tears looking at the gown online.”

The Clara gown immediately inspired her Autumn 1920’s Art Deco wedding at the Boettcher Mansion, which was built in 1917 as the summer home and seasonal hunting lodge of Denver millionaire Charles Boettcher. “The Arts and Crafts and Art Deco styling of the mansion was perfect with the gown!  To keep with the theme we used a gingko motif, similar to the lace of the gown, on the invitations, paper accessories, and in all the floral arrangements.”

The small and cozy wedding, which was supposed to take place outdoors on the mansion’s patio, had a last minute surprise from Mother Nature! “We were supposed to be married out on the patio, but as luck would have it, the first snow of the season came in the evening of our wedding.  We were married in front of a huge stone fireplace in the sitting room.  It was cozy and magical.”

“Friends and family still comment on my beautiful dress.  Thank you Claire, for your fabulous designs.  Thank God you are making wedding gowns!”

Thank you Ashley for sharing your wonderful wedding with us!  All the best to you and yours.