Real LWD Bride: Mary's Beautiful Botanic Wedding
We can't get enough of Mary's wedding here at Little White Dress. There are just so many details to gush over. The venue (one of our favorites, the Chatfield Botanic Gardens), that bouquet, that perfectly-messy braid... (and don't even get us started on the adorable puppy!) We may be a little biased, but we think that Mary's dress - 'Madeleine' by Claire Pettibone - ties every gorgeous detail together.
Mary chatted with us about finding her dress and about her wedding day, which was photographed so beautifully by the incredibly talented Laura Murray. Don't miss Mary's great advice to brides about finding the perfect gown....
How did you choose your wedding gown? Tell us about the process of finding your dress and about your experience at Little White Dress.
I had my eye on Claire Pettibone dresses for a while. So, as soon as I saw that she was doing a trunk show at LWD, I called for an appointment. I originally went into LWD with my eye on dresses other than the Madeleine; I liked a few of the Claire Pettibone gowns with intricate backs and I really wanted my dress to be unique. My bridal consultant was a huge help. Within minutes of talking to her, I felt like she knew me and understood my wedding vision. I tried on the dresses I had come in for, and while they were beautiful on, none of them seemed perfect for me. I started trying on other Claire Pettibone dresses that hadn't caught my eye the first time around. I began realizing, with the guidance of my consultant, that intricate backs were too much on my 5' 3" frame. The simpler Claire Pettibone dresses looked better on me, and when I stepped into the Madeleine, I knew it was perfect. I felt comfortable and completely myself. I didn't want to take it off!
How did your gown fit in with other aspects of the wedding: the venue, the decor, the overall look?
As soon as I had an idea of the “feel” of the wedding, the Madeleine dress just seemed to complete my vision. I wanted the wedding to have a somewhat vintage farm-like feel, with romantic details and a light, airy color palette. A very structured full gown would have looked totally out of place. While I loved some of the beautifully beaded gowns at LWD, I knew the beautiful lace and cut of my dress would complement our style and theme. In the end, I know I picked the perfect dress.
How did you feel in your dress on your wedding day?
I couldn't have been happier with the dress I picked. I felt absolutely beautiful and self confident. It was one of the easier decisions I made regarding the wedding because it felt so perfect the second I put it on.
Do you have any advice for brides in the process of looking for their wedding gown?
I think having a vision of the entire wedding, how you want it to feel, what emotions you want it to evoke, should be your starting point. Starting there will give you more guidance than starting with guidelines like "strapless" or "A-line". Maybe once you have an idea of your overall look, you may look at gowns you didn't picture right away, but which may be exactly perfect. Having an open mind for what complements your body type is essential and having good (and honest) friends there for guidance helps too!
Thank you, Mary, for sharing your wedding with us!
- Photography: Laura Murray Photography
- Venue: Chatfield Botanic Gardens
- Dress: Madeleine by Claire Pettibone from Little White Dress
- Planning, Styling, and Decor: A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals
- Floral: Bare Root Flora
P.S. Did you know that Little White Dress is the only bridal shop on the recommended vendors list for the Denver Botanic Gardens (including its Chatfield location)?