Some brides leave an indelible mark on my heart from the moment they enter The Castle. Brianna was one of those brides - her warmth and radiant smile lit up the room instantly. What struck me most was the beautiful way she shared her vision with us, her eyes sparkling as she described her dream wedding of rich, vibrant hues, decadent romance, and celebration. Surrounded by her mother, sisters, and best friend, she brought such joy and authenticity to every moment of her appointment, and we couldn't wait to bring her vision to life with a gorgeous wedding dress and all the finishing touches.
FINDING HER DREAM WEDDING DRESS
The Primavera gown seemed to call to Brianna from the moment she tried it on, even though it wasn't what she initially envisioned. As she considered the long embroidered tulle sleeves with delicate dusty rose peonies blooming across the bodice, I could see her falling in love. Isn't that how the best love stories often unfold? Sometimes what you thought you wanted, wasn't it at all, and the unexpected surprise of love just steals your heart. Since Brianna uses a wheelchair, together, we embarked on a journey of customization to ensure that every detail was perfectly suited to Brianna's needs. Working closely with her to adapt the design while maintaining its ethereal beauty was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Every fitting became a celebration of possibilities and beauty.CUSTOMIZATIONS FOR EACH BRIDE
We loved the plunging neckline accentuating our bride's gorgeous face and décolleté, and in order to ensure that Brianna would be able to move about in her wheelchair without worrying about her dress slipping off the shoulder, we created a custom back with sage green vines and more of those romantic peonies. We also decided on a length for the skirt that would look beautiful while sitting, and ensure that she could surprise her partner with an emotional assisted walk down the aisle. To learn more about this couple's story, take a look at this heartfelt feature in brides.A DRAMATIC VEIL FOR EPIC WEDDING MOMENTS
To complete her bridal look, we chose the Primavera veil in a dramatic Cathedral length. Originally thinking of her wheelchair, Brianna was planning on a short veil, but as she thought about it more, she opted for this long length, and we're so glad she did! This style is one of my favorites as the intricate embroidered bouquet and lace-edged border creates the most romantic frame. It was easy to imagine the scattered organza blossoms catching light in the afternoon sun and these elegant portraits in the garden and on the staircase of the Rosecliff Mansion in Rhode Island are breathtaking! To complete her look, Brianna chose the Antique Leaf and Blossom Hair Vine to add another layer of beauty. The soft rose petals with warm gilded accents amongst glittering crystals and patina green leaves truly complete her botanical bridal look.DRAMATIC FLORAL ACCENTS
For brides inspired by Brianna's romantic vision (I'm obsessed with her flowers!), I've curated pieces that celebrate this beautiful blend of delicate and dramatic. Our Still Life vow books capture this same duality: "To Have and to Hold" with its twilight-touched tulips and "To Love and to Cherish" which features garden roses that prove soft petals can tell bold stories.VIBRANT ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Just as Brianna's weddings used pastels to ground vibrant, moody florals, our collaboration with The North Way Studio offers rings that dance between light and shadow. The Robin ring's pear-cut sapphire brings a mesmerizing blue to its vintage-inspired setting, while the Peony ring's pink spinel center glows brilliantly due to its vibrant diamond petals. The The Hyacinth ring also balances a deep blue sapphire with a delicate diamond halo, and the Odessa ring's gray diamond proves that even the softest colors can make a dramatic statement.JEWEL TONES FOR A BLACK TIE WEDDING
You might think that with this dusty rose sage and warm blush dress, that a spring pastel palette would be required, but look how gorgeous these vibrant, dramatic florals and black-tie formality create a truly stunning wedding! The key to a wedding isn't to follow any rules, or follow trends - it is to embrace who you are, and celebrate it! Brianna is vivacious, loves some drama, and lives life with gratitude and joy - what a beautiful example for us all, and what a gorgeous wedding these two (plus their fur-baby) had!PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS AT THE CASTLE
What made Brianna's experience so special wasn't just finding the perfect dress; it was creating a space where she could truly celebrate this magical moment in her life. As Brianna shared with Brides, “Wedding dress shopping as a wheelchair user can be extremely intimidating. You’re in a salon where there are tons of appointments going on at once. Seeing other brides standing and twirling in dresses up on a podium can be heartbreaking when that is what you dreamed you would be doing yourself one day.” Once she visited us, everything changed. “Claire has only one appointment at a time, so it was just me, my mother, sisters, best friend, and Claire Pettibone herself. Shopping there was hands down one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.”DEDICATED TO OUR BRIDES
Every bride deserves to feel completely seen, heard, and celebrated which is why we dedicate our salon to one bride at a time, ensuring each woman has the freedom to discover her perfect gown in an intimate, supportive setting. There's a certain magic that happens when you have the entire salon to yourself - no other appointments, no distractions - just the intimate joy of discovering your perfect gown - maybe surrounded by those you love most, maybe with just one trusted friend, or even by yourself - whatever feels most comfortable for you, we're here for it!Visit us at our Los Angeles flagship salon, where your dream dress awaits in an atmosphere of undivided attention and care. Let's write your one-of-a-kind love story together.
Dress: Primavera by Claire Pettibone
Photographer: A Sea of Love
Planner: Em Devaud Events
Florals: Semia Dunne
Venue: Rosecliff Mansion
Hair: Cassandra Broccoli
Makeup: @toribeauty