Real Brides: Alexis
My husband Jared & I met at a going away party. The party was held by a mutual friend who was moving, and this friend had been trying to set Jared & I up for a month or two before the party. She just knew we were both single and wanted us to be dating somebody. Both Jared and I hate being set up, and we were very resistant to the idea of someone helping us find a partner. Without even meeting each other, we told the friend "no thanks." However, at the party, I was talking to Jared's brother and his brother's wife, since I knew them. I knew several people at the party, but Jared didn't know anybody there besides his brother and sister-in-law. Eventually, Jared is trying to join the conversation I am having with his brother, and the three of us talked for a while. Thankfully, Jared's brother was smart enough to excuse himself to go "get a drink" but he never came back. Jared and I talked uninterrupted for 2 hours, and I was so sure we hit it off, but we both left the party without exchanging numbers or setting up a time to hangout again. I couldn't stop thinking about it all week, and I tried to drop obvious hints that I liked him onto his sister-in-law, but she wasn't getting my hints at all. I was convinced we wouldn't talk again, but a full week after the party, Jared's sister-in-law texts me asking if it's okay for her to give my phone number to Jared, because he was asking for it. I was thrilled my suspicions were right, and 3 days later we went on our first date at a coffee shop, which was 5 hours long! I was one of those girls who hated when people said things like "I knew right away" "it was love at first sight" or "this could be the one" all in the first few weeks of seeing someone, but that was me after the first date. I drove home feeling like the wind was knocked out of me, because I was sure I had just gone on my last "first" date.
Well, I think it was only the fourth dress I had tried on during my dress shopping experience, and I only went to one shop! I have always had a soft spot for long sleeve, form fitting/mermaid style wedding dresses, because that's what my mom had and I am obsessed with her dress. At the same time, I truly was enamored with all the different styles, and wanted to give them all a chance. So before that dress, I had tried on a fitted strapless dress and then two strapless ball gowns. While I loved how feminine and fairy tale-like the dresses felt, I didn't have that blown away feeling when I looked in the mirror. Something about them didn't feel quite like me, and I found that confusing because I thought the dresses were insanely beautiful. Then I put on Harmony, which, oddly enough, my bridal consultant told me she almost didn't pick out for me because she wasn't super confident I would like it. But, a picture of a long sleeve dress I had shown her on my phone had her considering it, and she decided to grab it. From the moment I put it on in the fitting room, away from my family, I got that "blown away" feeling I was hoping for. I started welling up just looking at myself in it. My breath was taken away by the impeccable DETAILS on this dress. The lace, the floral and leaf patterns, the rhinestone embellished bodice, the glitter that was over the entire dress...I was utterly mesmerized. I loved how complex and intricate it was. It also looked very vintage in appearance, especially in the way it contrasted modern bridal trends of plain, clean fabric with no lace, patterns or sparkle/rhinestones. With that, I was hooked. During my wedding reception and even weeks after, I have gotten numerous compliments on this dress. A handful of people have told me it is the most beautiful wedding dress they have ever seen, so I knew I made the right choice! Thank you Val Stefani for this irreplaceable gown!
Photo Credits: Rebeca Irene Photography
