Real Brides: Vanessa

At age 25 and with two boys to look after, I thought the wedding of my dreams was far out of my way. I met Omar soon after my divorce, in 2011. He was still in college out of state. We went out during his Spring Break and our chemistry was out of control. They say opposites attract, and I always wondered how that would work. Well, I found that we are completely opposite from one another, yet, we have so many things in common. He has given me the opportunity to grow stronger, and I have given him the weakness to grow kinder. Together we are perfect. It took him 6 years to propose, shame on him, but that did not stop him from giving us a home to share together, or to bond with my boys. In some sense, we were already emotionally married since 2013. The proposal took place in front of his family, as they all wanted to be there. I had a dress in mind. It was a simple and beautiful A-line style dress by Justin Alexander I believe. That brought me to Mon Amie Bridal in Costa Mesa. I tried it on and it felt simple. Someone once told me, “you’ll know when it’s the one.” The second time I went I brought my sister-in-law. She’s more into the details, sequin, lace, etc. I simply said I wanted a low back. She was the one that picked that dress out of the bunch in that isle. I tried it on and wanted to cry. It was the perfect fit, the perfect amount of details, and the dress I knew I wanted to get married in. I did ask to lower the back, and it made it so much more beautiful. I never imagined a second marriage to be so big and beautiful. Omar made sure I had the wedding I wanted. The dress my father walked me in, the dress my two boys saw me in, and the dress Omar married me in will always be one of my most favorite memories.

Photo by Fun Lovin Camera Weddings

Bride Vanessa wore a custom Val Stefani Bridal style.