Real Brides: Candice

Alyster and I met in high school. We had study hall together and several mutual friends. During my senior year we began dating. Over the next ten years we grew up together, and became a part of each other's family. Last year we bought a fixer upper. We spent five months completely renovating the entire house. It was there in the house that Alyster asked me to marry him and start our lives together in a house that we had made a home. Alyster and I chose to have a very small wedding with just our immediate family and bridal party. I had always wanted a destination wedding, and Rodanthe, NC was the perfect location. Neither one of us likes a lot of attention, so a small ceremony felt true to who we are. I had gone to 5 or 6 different bridal shops, and I had probably tried on 50+ dresses. My mom and sister had gotten tired of tagging along to watch me try on dress after dress. I had felt defeated, and decided to try one more time at Blush Bridal on a Friday afternoon with my mom. I tried on several gowns that day, but it was obvious to my mom and consultant that the first dress I had tried on was the one. After weeks of searching I had a hard time committing that day, so I left empty handed. I went home that weekend, and I could not stop thinking about that dress. So, I decided to go back on a Tuesday afternoon with my sister. It was then that I decided to "say yes to the dress." I knew the dress was the one because it was the only one that I continued to think about, and it was the perfect fit for the location we had chosen to get married at. Photo by Sarah D'Ambra Photgraphy

Bride Candice wore a custom Simply Val Stefani style.