A Custom Arabesque Wedding Dress for a Whimsical Wedding
Some brides give you a glimpse of their wedding dreams before they even try on a dress. Teeny arrived for her first appointment with bows in her hair, wearing vintage lace, and I could already tell we were going to have fun together. A love of romantic details, a favorite color of pink, and a more-is-more spirit? Such a perfect Claire Pettibone bride.
For her wedding at Briar Rose Winery in Temecula, we customized my Arabesque long sleeve gown with a ruffled neckline, ombré pink silk ribbons, and delicate chiffon roses, completing her look with a bow-trimmed Juliet veil. I affectionately thought of her as my Strawberry Shortcake bride, and creating a dress that captured her effervescent personality was such a joy.
Making Arabesque Her Own
Teeny loved the Arabesque gown as soon as she tried it on in our Los Angeles salon, and together we began imagining the details that would make it hers. First came her request for a ruffled neckline, a custom addition I developed to frame her in even more romance. Then we talked ribbons. She asked for pink, and when I told her I had a gorgeous ombré pink silk, her eyes lit up. How about a few more trailing bows? Yes, please! And when I suggested adding little chiffon rose centers to each bow, the idea was met with a delighted squeal. With every detail, her dress became more and more her. A bow-trimmed Boho Juliet veil was the finishing touch.
These conversations are one of my favorite parts of designing for our brides. A color you adore, a detail we dream up together, there are so many ways to make a gown look and feel uniquely your own. With Teeny, the joy was watching her recognize herself in what we were creating. She was over the moon with her finished dress, and seeing her so happy on her utterly charming wedding day makes me so happy too.
A Garden Full of Romance
Every time Teeny came in for a fitting, she would share more details about her wedding plans, and her excitement was contagious. Seeing it all come together at Briar Rose Winery with its gardens, Snow White’s cottage, and chandeliers hanging from the trees, is like stepping into the world she had been dreaming of. Her cascading bouquet by Thistle & Oak Floral Co. was a dream of roses and wild strawberries and raspberries, with soft pink blooms and trailing ribbons that echoed the details of her gown. And that aisle! Garden roses, draped chiffon, and chandeliers overhead made such a romantic setting for her walk with her dad and vows with her partner. Everything was over the top in the most delightful way, and so completely Teeny. I love when a bride lets her personality guide her wedding choices. All those lovingly considered elements become part of a celebration that could only be hers, and the result: a truly unique wedding.
From First Look to a Walk Down the Aisle
First looks, and in this case, an emotional walk down the aisle with dad, get me every time. There’s something so moving about seeing a bride in the dress we spent months creating, now living these moments with the people she loves. The appointments in the salon, all our little conversations and final fittings leading up to this, and then here she is, on her wedding day. Seeing Teeny surrounded by so much love is the sweetest part of it all... and those ribbons floating on the breeze are pretty magical too.
A Whimsical Celebration Full of Personality
Our bride spent months collecting vintage tableware and antique lace, bringing the same love of detail to her celebration that we brought to her dress. There were so many DIY projects she took on, which I wouldn’t always recommend for our brides, but in Teeny’s case, crafting and collecting is something she loves to do, so for her, it was worth it. Everyone who helped bring her vision to life understood the assignment. Bravo to Willow & Bloom Events! From the flowers to the table settings, there was so much to take in, and so much personality in every little nook.
A Literary Touch
And this book-covered wall? Be still my literary heart! Light Academia, Poet-core, or Literary Chic, I don’t care what you call it, it made such a beautiful backdrop for these two, and such a lovely companion to all the lace, roses, and ribbons. I could happily spend hours looking through these photographs, discovering all the details so thoughtfully chosen. And for those who remember Shabby Chic, or even further back, Gunne Sax and Jessica McClintock, it’s fun to see this couple embracing this romantic aesthetic.
A Perfect Getaway
How about a vintage car for the getaway? Of course! Such a fitting final touch for Teeny and Tin’s romantic celebration, and the sweetest way to send these two off into their next chapter.
Teeny, creating your dress was such a joy. Your enthusiasm made every fitting a pleasure, and seeing you embody your dream fairy tale on your wedding day is something I’ll always treasure. Sending you both so much love!
If this custom gown has you dreaming of your own special wedding dress, I’d love to hear what you’re imagining. From a favorite shade of silk to a custom neckline, we can explore the possibilities together. Book an appointment at our Los Angeles atelier to discover Arabesque and the entire Claire Pettibone collection.
Custom Arabesque Gown + Boho Veil: Claire Pettibone
Couple: Teeny + Tin
Suit: Indochino
Photography: Kolby Danielle Photo
Planner: Willow & Bloom Events
Venue: Briar Rose Winery
Florals: Thistle & Oak Floral Co.
Content: BTS by BEEE
DJ: DJ Drew Pierce
Hair: Follicle Fatale
Makeup: Marie Tran Beauty
Car: Byrd Limousine Service
