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!

Photos:  Jennifer Gilmore // Dress: Lalique // Salon: Claire Pettibone Flagship Salon

I just love the Midsummer’s Garden vision that Jessica Stamen was in her Lalique gown. Chas proposed in a gorgeous 18th century concert hall in Vienna. “The first thing I noticed was his accent – he’s British – and the second thing I noticed is that he is 7 feet tall. I am 5 foot 2, so we look pretty funny together,” says Jessica about the first time she met Charles (Chas) at a Halloween party.

“The minute I returned from Vienna, I began dress shopping,” says Jessica Stamen. “After many days of ogling Claire’s divine dresses on the net, I went into the adorable flagship store, and it was Cynthia who pulled the Lalique gown for me. She said she thought of it the moment I walked in, and I indeed fell in love with it the instant I put it on.”

“A little whimsical Thisby Midsummer’s Night Dream…very light and airy and with her coloring the Lalique multi was a beautiful choice for her because it brought out her beautiful hair. “I loved that it used color, and that unlike the structured or poufy dresses that crowd the marketplace, it was soft, flowing, delicate, and a bit whimsical. The dress, which features embroidered pink blossoms on green stems, and has an organic feel, became the inspiration for our enchanted garden wedding. We had centerpieces made out of manzanita branches with pink and white blooms, and pink and white lovebirds as the escort cards and atop the cake.

Jessica married Chas on November 7th, 2009 at the magical Tivoli Too in Laguna Beach. Everyone commented that not only was the dress unique and beautiful, but that it was totally “me,” which meant the world to me. Claire, thank you for creating a dress that made me feel like a beautiful bride, but still like myself.

Photos: Harrison Long // Dress: Clara // Salon: Claire Pettibone Flagship

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.”