One of the most important things surrounding a wedding day (for the bride) is the dress. I had always known what type of dress I wanted — antique lace, fitted, slightly off-white, very elegant and classic. The very first day I went wedding dress shopping (with my older sister in her town just outside Nashville, TN) I found the one. I loved it, but tried on other dresses at other shops and then came back a month or two later with my mom, all my sisters and nieces in tow to try it on again and show them and then we bought it!

It really is a nerve-wracking process! All the lovely gowns to choose from, the beautiful lace and fabrics, the details, it makes the choosing process hard! I originally thought I wanted something with small sleeves, but all the lace sleeves on dresses were so itchy on my skin! The prices on wedding dresses are unbelievable! Such expensive garments for one short day. Plus, after choosing a dress, then seeing other ones, you always start to second guess your decision.

I’m so happy with the dress I chose. I think the price was even worth it in the end. It looked stunning, it was extremely well-made, the lace was so pretty and delicate, the sparkle was perfect, and it fit me perfectly (dresses that lace up to fit you exactly really are the way to go!). I love the fabric flower accent, the scalloped lace hem at the bottom, the gentle flow of the train in the back, and I love the color! (Side note — The Mrs. Rowland hanger was a bridal shower gift, but if you are looking for one, you can find tons of them on Etsy)

The designer of the dress is Maggie Sottero and the name is “Harlow.” It comes in several color options and mine is “Ivory & Champagne lace over Light Gold.” The official description of the gown is: “One-piece, strapless, slim A-line gown with corset closure. This gorgeous Chantilly Lace gown highlighted with beaded embellishments inspires true romance. A satin band and handmade flower create a lovely empire accent.” You can view it online here.

Even though my veil was expensive as well (for just a bit of tulle!) I think it complemented the dress so perfectly and I’m so happy I went with it. I think the length and beaded accent were just perfect. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the name of it. The dress shop that I went to simply tried different veils on me to see which I liked and I forgot to ask the name.

I felt so gorgeous in this gown. That is so key for a wedding day. Choose what you love and what makes you happy. I was worried about the dress being too formal for an outdoor wedding, but I think it turned out lovely.

Our first kiss as husband and wife! Doesn’t the dress look lovely?

The other bridal accessories are important too. I choose to wear sparkly gold pumps. I bought these from the same bridal shop that I purchased my gown and veil from. The shop is called The White Room and you should definitely check it out if you are in the Nashville, TN area. Everyone there was so nice.

Sparkly champagne/gold clutch, perfect for holding my lip gloss and other necessities at the bridal table and my earrings. The clutch I actually found at Payless Shoe Source a few days before the wedding while I was there with my sister looking for shoes for my nieces. The earrings are actually one of the first things I bought for the wedding. I bought them way before I even found my dress. They can be found online here and are from Noon Design Shop in California. Drew’s brother’s girlfriend Trang gave me a coin pearl necklace from Noon a few years ago as a gift, so when we were in California, the winter we got engaged, we visited the shop and I bought this simple, pretty crystal necklace that I wear daily. (I have a gold and a silver version!). I love their jewelry designs. These pearl cluster earrings were perfect for my wedding.

Earrings, clutch, garter — everything went together so well!

I really, really loved my garter. The lace, the sparkle, the pearl — it was all so gorgeous and went so well with my gown and other accessories. I bought it from this shop on Etsy. It also came with a beautiful tossing garter as well. This one looks really similar to mine.

Last but not least — rings! One of the most important accessories of the wedding day! You can read all about ours here. I’m so happy with them. I love my handmade champagne diamond engagement ring and I’m happy I had my promise ring redesigned to use as a wedding ring. I love that it is so sentimental. I also love Drew’s ring we had made by the lady that made my engagement ring and I just love the little heart detail I had her add inside it.

This last picture is one of my favorites from our wedding day. We did most of the pictures beforehand, but took a couple of Drew and I after the ceremony as well. This was taken right after we said “I do” and I just love the way it turned out. Our hands, our rings, my bouquet with my grandmother’s handkerchief and my mother’s brooch — just love it all.

I went simple on my nails. I just polished them with a pretty light pinky/ivory polish from OPI. Actually my older sister quickly polished them while I sat on my old bed in my parents house minutes before we needed to leave for the rehearsal dinner the evening before the wedding. Sweet memories. 🙂

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All pictures taken by the wonderful Stephanie Milligan of Stephanie’s Photography. I highly recommend her if you are in need of a wonderful photographer! Check out her website, here.

To read about our wedding flowers, check out this post.

  1. I love that last picture as well. It tells the story. I didn’t know you got the earings from Noon. I’m glad you liked the place 🙂

    1. I love Noon! I seriously wear those little crystal necklaces everyday! I wish there was a shop closer to here! Well said about the picture — it does tell the story. I love images that capture more than just a moment. 🙂

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