joanna doubled as my photographer's assistant and my fairy godmother. how she made my hair look so luscious and thick, just don't know. it was exactly what i wanted for the dinner party later that evening. fitting these prep photos into the schedule was important to me. not only did i want the pictures that would come from it, but it was really nice to sit with my bridesmaids and chat with my mom and just share some quiet time on such a busy day.
i knew that i'd have to design my dress from the beginning, but i went dress shopping anyway for the experience. when i tried to describe the dress i had in mind i only confused people. i wanted a dress that had weight to it- a full, grab-able skirt- but not like a ball gown because that shape doesn't behave naturally or have flowy movement. i wanted the material to be soft and organic and imperfect. but none of those things coexisted in one dress, so i started looking for a seamstress. i was recommended to nancy who gracefully extracted the feelings i had about my dress and put them onto paper, and then sewed them into my gown. i often didn't know what i wanted until i saw it and would revert back to my dress words (delicate, youthful, feminine, natural) until nancy came up with the perfect thing i had imagined but just didn't know how to describe. if it was a frustrating or annoying process for her i didn't know it! she was always patient, sincerely wanted to make me happy, and answered every request above and beyond.
we achieved the soft, full skirt with creamy raw silk & the flow and movement with chiffon layered over top of it, the delicacy with my grandmother's european organza (that we found in a box in my basement!), and the femininity with the peplum, pearl buttons, and long silk ribbon. truly, my dream dress. nancy also embellished my shoes with scraps of the organza.
MUAH : joanna ballentine | photography : rylee hitchner | flowers : honey of a thousand flowers / madalyn louise | dress : nancy barrus couture
