Here’s a peek at the joyful party (wedding!) of our gorgeous bride Nicole Kramer in New Orleans. How much fun are they having?! Makes me smile just looking at these beautiful photos, and we send the happy couple hugs and kick-up-your-heels dances for years to come.

Photography: Sandra O’Claire // Dress: Kristene // Salon: Kleinfeld

Our wedding was magical. It was the best day of our lives. Pure joy and happiness. We chose New Orleans, not only because it is my groom’s hometown, but because of it’s character and romance. We felt as if we were on a movie set in an old black and white musical comedy.

When I saw my Claire Pettibone dress I knew it was the one. I have never felt so beautiful. Everyone kept saying it was the most gorgeous dress they had ever seen! My husband couldn’t take his eyes off me! We chose to get married in a hidden courtyard and dance through the streets afterwords with a traditional second line.The dress complimented the style and unique romance of New Orleans perfectly!

The love on that day was overflowing. It truly was what dreams are made of! Thank you Claire Pettibone for making my dream dress!!!

Photographer: Scott Myers // Dress: Demetra // Salon: Claire Pettibone Flagship

Being surrounded by nostalgic scenery, loved ones, and the anticipation of a new addition to the family makes this wedding story the epitome of love in all its forms. We have the pleasure of exploring Jessyca’s beautiful wedding day this month. “Casey and I chose to have our destination wedding in New Orleans, in the historic Hermann-Grima House courtyard on October 10, 2009.” Looking at these photos you can instantly see and feel the close connection she and her husband share.

Little did this couple know, there was another marvelous suprise on the horizon. “When we started planning the wedding about eighteen months before, we had no idea we’d also be planning for a baby, and that made the festivities even sweeter.”

With the help of our bridal consultants, Jessyca felt that our Demetra dress would best suite her needs as an expectant mother. “I was surprised at how flattering the gown was – wearing a long white dress isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re pregnant!  The way the Demetra fell on my extra curvy body made me feel statuesque and graceful, exactly the way I wanted to feel on my wedding day..expecting or not!”

This dress features an ivory strapless French cotton lawn with silver and ivory embroidered tulle and cotton lace. Jessyca further elaborates, ”…Demetra not only worked well as a maternity gown, but the simplicity and elegance of the cotton lace made me feel cool, comfortable, and elegant and it also fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the wedding.”

A few months later, Jessyca and Casey were graced with another blessing… “Our daughter Magnolia was born Christmas Day, 2009 -  in the warmth and peace of our home in Baltimore.” To celebrate their one year anniversary, the happily married couple returned with their daughter to New Orleans. Here they are now looking as wonderfully radiant as ever.

Thank you so much Jessyca for sharing your experiences with us. Your story was truly heart-warming. Best wishes to you, your husband Casey, and your adorable daughter Magnolia!

Photographer: Max Wagner // Dress: Larissa // Salon: Claire Pettibone Flagship

This month, we get to take a glimpse into Jeff and Elaine’s elegantly fun-filled wedding day. These photos make me giddy every time I look at them. ”Jeff and I got married at the Smog Shoppe, an eco-friendly and equally chic venue in Los Angeles. We wanted our wedding to reflect us – nothing too stuffy but with a bit of tradition and definitely some fun and whimsy.  The industrial accented green venue was decorated with blue and white China that were filled with clusters of ivory and cream bloom. There were also rustic elements in the decor which were incorporated in the paper goods. I designed the invitations and programs to include vintage skeleton key illustrations and whimsical hand-lettering as well as several other paper components through my design company Papermade Design.”, says Elaine as she describes the overall atmosphere of her special day. They have definitely crafted the perfect balance between tradition and fun.

In every photo Elaine is simply stunning as she frolics in her “Larissa” gown, further complimenting their already beautiful wedding. “You know the ‘ah-ha’ moment that people always say you’ll experience once you try on ‘THE dress’? Well, mine was more like an ‘ah-haaaaaa’ the word sort of lingered on my tongue as I fell in love with Claire’s ethereal creation. I long admired the Larissa gown from afar, and when I finally got to try it on at their flagship boutique it was everything I had hoped for and more.”

“Larissa” is an empire gown that features a strapless ivory French cotton voile with a tulle overlay and a large peach silk rose and ribbon. “I must admit I almost felt cheated to fall in love with my first choice as I loved so many of Claire’s dresses (and trust me, I quite literally tried on almost all of them). But alas, the Larissa was my dress. I had Claire personalize the dress by adding subtle hints of flowers scattered beneath the delicate layers of tulle. My favorite feature on the dress? Of course it would be the oversized pink bloom in the back – nothing could be sweeter than that!”

As the evening commenced, the fun and the romance really began to blossom. “Dinner was bite-sized delectable tray-passed so guests can mingle through the night and sip on our signature drink, “I Effen Love You” made of black cherry Effen Vodka served with retro striped straws. The night ended with mini cupcakes and a late night snack of cookies and milk. From the dreamy dress to the Kraft-covered matchbox favors, every detail of our wedding day was undeniably us. Jeff and I had the time of our lives as we tried to soak up every minute of it!”

Thank you Elaine for sharing your story and photos with us! We enjoyed discovering all the whimsical and creative decorations you put together at your wedding. Congratulations again and may your future together be joyous!

Photographer: Persinger photography // Dress: Kristene

I am utterly ecstatic to share with you these photos from Amanda and Adam’s wedding on September 13th, 2009. Amanda perfectly embodies a fine fusion between glamour and grace in her Kristene gown. “I fell in love with Claire Pettibone’s gowns before I stepped foot in any bridal salon. I wanted something that reflected who I was, and I definitely was not interested in a traditional ball gown. I knew that I wanted to try on the Kristene gown, and after doing so, I was certain it was perfect for me. I tried on many other gorgeous Claire Pettibone dresses during a trunk show in Bethesda, Maryland, but Kristene felt just right.”, says Amanda.

Kristene features a Victorian embroidery lined with an ivory silk charmeuse. To add to the romance, the dress is also accentuated by a sweetheart neckline and a heart shaped train. “My favorite part of the dress is the beautiful detailing on the back, and the exquisite lace. And I of course loved my husband’s expression seeing me for the first time. He knew the dress made me feel truly happy and beautiful.”

“The dress fit my personality perfectly. As I told everyone, the dress is my favorite part of the wedding, besides getting married! I wish I could wear it all the time. Thank you Claire!”

And we thank you, Amanda and Adam, for allowing us to be a part of this joyous occasion. Congratulations!

Photography:  Anthony Scibelli // Dress: Theodora // Salon: Kleinfeld

I am simply in awe of these whimsical and fanciful photos from Jane Elizabeth’s April 26th, 2009 wedding. “We were married in Hepburn Springs, AUSTRALIA on the coldest April day in 57 years. It was a very rare weather weekend for Australia with a high of only 30 degrees.” Says Jane about her destination wedding adventure. “But both having lived in Europe together, my husband and I were well prepared for the very unexpected cold.”

Regardless of the chilly weather, Jane still looks radiant and full of elation as she glides about the illusory garden. “I adored wearing my ‘Theodora’ dress and I could not wait to walk down the aisle so my husband could finally see it. ‘Theodora’ made me feel effortlessly elegant and our guests commented that they had never seen a wedding dress like it.”

‘Theodora’ features silver lace tiers layered over pearl silk with jeweled pearl neckline, fitting marvelously with Jane’s wedding theme. “The theme of our wedding was ‘vintage travel’, a perfect combination of our two loves. The colour palette was very soft and neutral which really set the tone of our vintage wedding.”

Jane also added, “Claire Pettibone clearly understands true feminine beauty and I’m so thrilled to be part of her design legacy.” We here at Claire Pettibone are equally thrilled that we were able to play a role in helping create this very special day. We wish Jane and her husband Shane all the happiness in the world!