Wedding at Pasadena Museum of History

Media & Emin

A message from the bride

What was it like when you found "the dress"? The first time I went wedding dress shopping, I went to two stores just so I could make a day out of it with friends and family. Prior to even being engaged I knew I wanted to try on the "Ethel" from Vera Wang so I kept the best for last. I made an appointment and went with two of my girlfriends. It was truly magical from the minute we stepped into the store! I fell in love with the energy of the store, associates, the design and decor, just everything! (I even ended up buying my champagne glasses from there) I asked for the "Ethel" dress and the sales associate looked at me and chuckled, then said "It is going to look amazing on you!". She asked my girlfriends and I if I’d like to try anymore dresses on as well, I quickly responded "not really”, but my friends picked out a couple just for fun anyway (which I recommend doing!). I put the dress on, walked out the fitting room to show my friends and we just all felt SO happy together. I knew I wanted this dress many years before I was even engaged. It was so perfect! Importantly, I felt like myself. Clean, crisp, simple, but just enough to feel like a bride. And who can ever go wrong with a classic Vera Wang dress? I always dreamed this dress would be to my liking and I’m glad it was everything (and more) that I had envisioned for myself. After I left my appointment, I came back that same weekend with my mom and mother-in- law to purchase the dress! It was such a perfect day. It was truly an amazing feeling and couldn’t wait for my husband to be to see me in the dress, because I knew he was going to love how I would look in it.

Were you inspired by any style icons for your bridal look? No, but i knew I wanted to look effortless and the best version of myself. My wedding dress is as extravagant as I could possibly be, all while staying there true to who I am considering my style and personally is pretty easy going and subtle.

I loved my wedding bouquet, thanks to Designs by Christine. It was so me. Loved how it was so simple, clean, crisp. Of course, my Chanel wedding shoes went along with my entire bridal look as well.

Any recommendations for brides looking for their glam squad? Be true to who you are. Don’t go with fads, trends, and what’s popular. You don’t want to look back many years later and have something "so popular back then" to be outrageous in the present. Stick with what you know that looks best on you. Keep it simple and classic.

I’ve been getting my hair done by Lala since 2007. She’s a hair god. Her hands are magic. I’m fortunate to have someone I trust and call a friend do my hair on my wedding day

What is your favorite part of your bridal look? Really looking like the best version of myself and keeping it simple. My hair being down is my comfort zone. I love my hair down just effortless, and again, true to who I am.

I wore diamond stud earrings and diamond stud necklace that I got as gifts from my husband’s family. My engagement ring and a gold ring (that I literally never take off!) that I received as a gift a couple years before we got married, that says 05.25.2006 which is when we started dating.