The Search for the Perfect Garden Wedding Dress
For two years, Tommi drove past Bellissima Bridal on her way to work. “I just KNEW I wanted to get my dress there because of the private and personal experience you get when you shop there – doors locked, music on and just me and my family enjoying the process!”
Finally, the time came and Tommi was at Bellissima and in love with two elegant wedding dresses—Monica and Ezra. Whatever gown she chose had to pair beautifully with her self-designed shrug. “I ultimately chose Ezra because we got married in beautiful Reynolda Gardens and Ezra fit it so perfectly with the tulle flowers, floral embroidery and subtle beading and was comfortable.” Plus, when paired with her shrug, the “combo was all I could have ever asked for! It was so different and so me.”
From Yes to the Dress to Yes to Bridal!
Tommi’s experience at Bellissima and planning her wedding turned out not to just be about the next step in her relationship with Dek. The entire experience spoke to her. “I could feel I was being called to do something more meaningful in my life, so I reached out to Monica to see if she had anything open because Bellissima is such a beautiful, peaceful, welcoming and inclusive place.”
Now, Tommi is a part of weddings every day as manager of the upstairs studio, “creating beautiful bridesmaids, MOB and wedding guest looks from Lula Kate. We love our brides so much and want them to have the smoothest, peaceful and blissful wedding experience possible!”
A Bright, Fun Garden Celebration
Tommi’s creativity extended from her lovely, ethereal shrug through the entirety of she and Dek’s joyful day. The most important thing to them both was they wanted a fun party with delicious food. “We wanted it to be different from any other wedding our guests had been to (for attire I told them to wear their most fun outfit!).” So not only was the décor as vivid as a beautiful farmer’s market bouquet, but so were their friends and family! Plus, they incorporated special, personal details “so that when our guests looked at certain details, they knew exactly what it meant to the two of us.” In between exchanging vows and celebrating, Tommi and Dek made a pitstop at home to take pictures with 15-year-old Tyson. “He is the love of our lives, and we chose our venue because it’s about 5 minutes from our house so we could spend time with him since he couldn’t be at the wedding.”
Read on for more about Tommi and Dek’s day, including the scoop on Tommi’s fabulous hot pink reception dress below!
Tell us about finding your gown! What made you realize it was perfect?
I drove past Bellissima everyday on my way to work for about 2 years before getting engaged, I just KNEW I wanted to get my dress there because of the private and personal experience you get when you shop there – doors locked, music on and just me and my family enjoying the process! I was torn between two dresses and Monica was kind enough to let me think on it and come back that afternoon. I ultimately chose Ezra because we got married in beautiful Reynolda Gardens and Ezra fit it so perfectly with the tulle flowers, floral embroidery and subtle beading and was comfortable. The dress I chose also had to work with the shrug that I had already designed and wanted to wear on my wedding day and the combo was all I could have ever asked for! It was so different and so me.
I loved my experience at Bellissima and my entire wedding experience that I knew I wanted to be in the wedding world. I could feel I was being called to do something more meaningful in my life and I reached out to Monica to see if she had anything open because Bellissima is such a beautiful, peaceful, welcoming and inclusive place. I now manage the upstairs studio at Bellissima creating beautiful bridesmaids, MOB and wedding guest looks from Lula Kate. We love our brides so much and want them to have the smoothest, peaceful and blissful wedding possible!
What feeling or atmosphere did you want to create on your day?
What little detail(s) are you especially glad you included?
What part of your wedding celebration felt most meaningful to you both?
Any advice for couples currently planning their wedding?
Tommi + Dek's Garden Wedding Vendors
dress: Lea-Ann Belter Ezra gown via Bellissima Bridal | custom shrug: CassB By Design | photographer: Morgan Long Photography | venue: The Barn at Reynolda Gardens | planning: Katharine Mann Events | invitations: KME Paper Co. | video: Lucky Penny Films | florals: Joneswell Flowers | band: Hot Sauce Band via EastCoast Entertainment | catering + bar: Thirsty Buffalo Beverage Catering, 1618 On Location | hair + makeup: Hip Hip Hair Raye | rentals: Party Reflections | wedding cake: The Humble Bee | ceremony music: Duo Licht | ice cream: Cafe Gelato
Were You a Lea-Ann Belter Bride?
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