Real Bride Friday | Malia and NeaL

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Wedding Date: May 1st, 2021

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: Sweeney Barn

Photographer: Chelsa Jay

Florist: JP Wedding Flowers

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Cake: Catering Reserved

Hair and Makeup: Best Face Forward @bestfaceartists, Josh did my makeup @jtreidoffical Leanne did my hair @nhervision

The best part of the venue: “I loved the history and the timeless looks of the venue. It use to be an old dairy barn that was renovated, but the original wood was kept, into the stunning venue it is today. I loved how open it was and it never felt overpacked, as I have a very large family.”

Why did you pick your venue: “I loved the look of the barn, and how the beauty of the venue didn't require to much decorations, it was timeless in its self. Also loved how open it was and also not to mention it was right now the street from one of our favorite breweries 2silos!”

Favorite part of your gown: “The lace! I love how classic the lace looks on a dress. I also loved that I went with a blush and not a full white dress, it made the lace stand out so much more. Also enjoyed how easy it was to move in, allowed me to dance all night long with no restrictions.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I loved how it made my feel, and the classic look of the lace was just perfect. I am a lover for an open back when they showed off my back just perfect. I also loved that it was blush and not just all white.”

Three words to describe your day: “Perfect, Timeless, Laughter”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Simple, timeless and comfortable. I kept telling all my bridesmaids and parents I was everyone to look amazing but I want everyone too be comfortable in what they wear. I also wanted something that they could easily wear again.”

How you met: “Neal and I met in Virginia at a crossfit gym, we hit it off right away.”

How they proposed: “He took me to his parented house in Oklahoma for the first time and asked me on the farm as we were out walking.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “I had always wanted a piece of my moms and grandmas dress in my dress. Living in Alaska while my parents live in VA was a little bit of a challenge, but she was able to make that happen. She took her dress and made it a holder for my flowers, and she stitched in a heart from my grandmas into my dress. I was able to get a picture with all aunts and mom making it a three generation picture in memory of my grandma. We set up a cigar bar, as my husband loves cigars. We had Cubans gifted to us from a close family friend I also tried to bring as much of Alaska with me to Virginia. My girls wore salmon scale earring made here in Palmer from @reelakjewelry, and she even surprised me with a something blue to go on my flowers. I wore my Xtratuf's to get ready in, we flew our photographer from Alaska to Virginia as we loved her so much from our engagement pictures, and lastly our cake had mountains on it.”

Real Bride Friday | Chantal and Benito

Wedding Date: June 27th, 2021

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Gown Designer: Nicole Miller

Venue: Alaska Sunset View Resort

Photographer: WalFlower - Serena Martino

Florist: Flowers by Louise

Cake: Thimble Berry Bakery

Catering: Main Event Grill

Tailor: Yu Tailor

Hair: Kate Yagle @beauty_by_kate_ak

Makeup: My little sister Jordan Kincaid

The best part of the venue: “The part of the venue would be the view of Big Lake. It was absolutely a beautiful warm day with blue skies and the sun shining!”

Why did you pick your venue: “The reason why I picked this venue was that it had a lot of room for my guest. I loved how it had a lawn for guests to play cornhole. We had a pavilion for people to listen to music and dance. At the boathouse, we had a dessert table and food for guests to grab a bite to eat. It was just wonderful!”

Favorite part of your gown: “I LOVE my dress & the lace was absolutely BEAUTIFUL 🥰”

Why did you pick your dress: “I bought it in February 2019 and it was my tenth dress to try on. I knew right away it was the one by the way that it slipped right over my hips and showed my curves. I love the lace and the style! It was just absolutely beautiful the way it fit me. Plus I loved how it didn't have a long train. I wore it all day on my wedding day.”

Three words to describe your day: “Love & absolutely gorgeous”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Gathering family & friends for our special day.”

How you met: “Benny & I met at a softball tournament on September 19, 2015.”

How they proposed: “Benny propose June 23, 2018, at a Family BBQ in La Puente, California. We were taking family photos and as we were taking an all-female cousin photo Benny was on one knee behind me and grab my mom's attention so that I would turn around. Well, I didn't realize what was going on so when I saw him on one knee I asked him if he was okay then realize he had a black box in his hand 🤣. I started to cry as I was standing in front of him and his words to me, "Chantal you know I love you very much and you are my rock. Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes and we kissed. It was awesome & funny. Till this day we laugh about it!”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Everyone had a blast on there boat ride. But the best moment for Benny and I would be the weather. We looked up at the sky and thanked our loved one's in heaven. Benny lost his godmother June 12, 2020 and he lost his dad due to covid December 5 ,2020. 2020 was a rough year for us from family death, postponing our wedding, and ending the year to losing his dad -our son’s papa. 💔 But we enjoyed hearing everyone's laughter and seeing everyone smile on our special day. It was just absolutely beautiful!”

To Veil or Not To Veil?

To Veil or Not To Veil? What an important question for every bride! What is our opinion you ask? If it fits your theme, why not wear one! They are stunning in pictures and a timeless tradition for the ceremony. Once you hit the dance floor you can take it off and safely store it, so that you are free to dance the night away!

Here are a few tips that we have found helpful when picking the perfect veil!

  1. Keep your venue in mind! If you will be walking through the rocks and sticks, a finger tip veil may be a better option for you!

  2. Decide if you would like a tradition veil with a blusher so that you can cover your face or if you would like a more modern single layer veil.

  3. Pick a veil that does not steal the show from your beautiful gown!

  4. Make sure that your hair is teased so that your veil will stay put during your ceremony.

  5. Don’t forget to add a bridal headpiece. This will keep your look complete when it is time to take off your veil.

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Pro Tip!

When you take your veil off for the night, this is a great opportunity to add a hair accessory like a clip or hair vine! Ask your stylist for their recommendations during your accessory appointment!

Real Bride Friday | Kylie and Nick

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Wedding Date: June 12th, 2021

Gown Designer: Stella York

Venue: Cusacks on the Kenai

Photographer: Narrow Road Productions

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Cake: Kristas Cakes

Tailor: Bella and Beyond

Hair and Makeup: Amie Smithwick and Jessica Seymour

The best part of the venue: “The best part of the venue was being right in the Kenai River, having the lodge to ourselves where a lot of our friends and family could stay as well, and it is beautiful!!”

Why did you pick your venue: “The Kenai River has a special place in our hearts as our relationship developed though trips on the river. It’s also in the town we live in and it’s simply beautiful.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The back!!”

Why did you pick your dress: “I loved how there was textured parts of the dress, no tulle on the train, and it has buttons. Plus, the back was beautiful.”

Three words to describe your day: “Fun, stress free, and amazing!”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “We wanted a relaxed vibe and wanted to let the venue and scenery speak for itself.”

How you met: “We rekindled at the Pioneer Bar!”

How they proposed: “Nick proposed during our yearly camping trip. We stopped at a Denali look out point and he proposed at the top of the hill overlooking Denali on June 15th, 2020.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Our dance floor turning into a rave dance party! Spending the day with all of our friends and family so close to us, along with the food and desserts that were amazing! It was the best weekend ever!!”

Real Bride Friday | Emily and Joseph

Wedding Date: May, 15th 2021

Gown Designer: Stella York

Venue: Solstice Creek Ranch

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Photographer: Sarah French Photography

Florist: Cedar’s Wholesale

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Cake: Love and Butter Alaska

The best part of the venue: “The best part of the venue was the rustic feel.”

Why did you pick your venue: “I loved the rustic vibe and that it was a beautiful spot for the ceremony and a loft top barn for reception!”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the way the dress flows down to the train and of course my beautiful veil.”

Why did you pick your dress: “When I put my dress on I just had a feeling that it was the one and made me feel like myself, it was the most beautiful dress on me, and it was me in dress form.”

Three words to describe your day: “Lots of love!”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Rustic Chic”

How you met: “We met at UAA at the semester study nights.”

How they proposed: “Joe proposed by taking me on a sunset hike to a bluff lookout at Mchugh creek back in June 2019.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Our wedding day was an overwhelming day of love and support from our friends and family that we were so thankful to have there, especially after having to postpone our wedding a year due to Covid.”

Real Bride Friday | Kim and Wayne

Wedding Date: July 23rd, 2020

Gown Designer: Martina Liana

Venue: Hope Alaska's Bear Creek Lodge

Photographer: Chelsa J

Florist: The Teal Door

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Cake: Tyanne's Tasty Creations

Tailor: Rose's Custom Tailoring

The best part of the venue: “We were able to have every part of our wedding from rehearsal to reception one area. The property is stunning. From the cabins as our backdrop, being married by the pond and having our reception by the river it offered everything we wanted for our wedding day. The owner, Jeannine, and her staff were exceptional and helped to make our big day everything we imagined.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We wanted a destination wedding without having a destination wedding. We picked the venue because Hope is one of our favorite places to visit in the summer and being able to rent the cabins for our friends and family to stay on the property following the wedding was just what we wanted.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The train! Going into dress shopping I was certain that I didn't want a train because we were planning an outdoor wedding, Then I tried this dress on, that all went out the window. I couldn't picture myself walking down the aisle in any other dress.”

Why did you pick your dress: “The moment I tried my dress on I immediately felt like a bride. It was the perfect combination of classic, sexy, and elegant that I was looking for. It was also incredibly comfortable to wear.”

Three words to describe your day: “Perfect. Joyous. Beautiful.”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Celebration. More than anything, Wayne and I just wanted to have a day where we could just have all of our favorite people in one place and celebrate with them.”

How you met: “We first met in 7th grade gym class. We did date briefly in high school and after we graduated life took us down very different paths. We reconnected in our mid 20's and were just good friends for years. It wasn't until we moved in together as roommates that we realized there was so much more potential to our friendship.”

How they proposed: “We were in Charleston, SC attending a music festival as our baby-moon before the birth of our son. We had walked about 5 miles from downtown to a museum across the Cooper River. Just before the museum we found a path to an outlook and Wayne suggested checking it out. When we got to the outlook Wayne suggested that we take a picture so I took a selfie of us. What I didn't realize is that he was holding the ring up in the photo, so when I went to check the photo I saw the ring and looked back at him. Thats when he got down on one knee and proposed.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Our photographer was PHENOMENAL! Some of our favorite memories from the day are centered around photography moments. Wayne and I got up on a paddle board in the middle of the pond and my bridesmaids and I later ended up walking into the pond in our dresses. Wayne and I took some pictures in the middle of the Hope Highway and at one point there was a lady who stopped to congratulate us and we spent probably 20 mins talking to her and learning about how her and her husband met.”

Real Bride Friday | Georgianna and Benjamin

Wedding Date: December 30th, 2020

Gown Designer: Stella York

Photographer: The Hitched Hiker

Florist: The Teal Door

Makeup: MUATiffee - @muatiffee_visionbeauty

Cake: Arctic Moon Bakery

Tailor: Yu Tailor Alterations

The best part of the venue: “Our elopement took place at Eklutna Trailrace and it was a beautifully crisp winter day with little to no clouds. The sun was shining right behind the mountaintop and the nearby river was so still that it looked like glass.”

Why did you pick your venue: “I love water or being near the water and my husband has a passion for being on or near the mountains- this location captured the both of us perfectly.”

Favorite part of your gown: “All the details from the silver and ivory beading to the lace to the corseted backside.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I tried on 5-7 different dresses and none of them checked all the boxes for me. Then I put on *my* dress and I knew immediately that it was the one as soon as I saw myself in the mirror! It wasn't even altered yet and I still felt amazing wearing it!”

Three words to describe your day: “Moody, serene, gratifying”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “My husband and I are raising our daughter to know and appreciate her different ethnicities, so we wanted to make sure we incorporated that into our elopement as well.”

How you met: “We're high school sweethearts!”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Oh our daughter STOLE the show. She spontaneously joined our ceremony just before we said our vows, which actually ended up creating the perfect moment for beautiful and sentimental pictures. Also, after the elopement, Lex had an idea for us to get the perfect shot near the river but my husband and I took it a step further and hopped on a log. Long story short, we both slipped up a little and ended up getting our feet wet.”

Real Bride Friday | Jayme and Jamey

Wedding Date: July 25th, 2020

Gown: Designer: Stella York

Venue: Cooper Landing Community Hall

Photographer: Chelsa J Photography

Hair: @Fashionique_hairbycara - Cara Gibbons

Makeup: @jseymourmakeup - Jessica Seymour

Best part of the venue: “It is on the Kenai River surrounded by mountains and really showcases Alaska’s beauty. And that there is indoor and outdoor areas for all kinds of weather!”

Why did you pick your venue: “Because I wanted the water in the background of the ceremony! And there was a full kitchen for our caterer!”

Favorite part of your gown: “The sparkles!”

Why did you pick your dress: “It had everything I wanted. Comfort, sparkles, details. I love everything about it!”

Three words to describe your day: “Best. Day. Ever.”

How you met: “At an Easter BBQ!”

How they proposed: “At our favorite spot on Longmere Lake with all our girls there!”

Real Bride Friday | Kaela and Randy

Wedding Date: April 3rd, 2021

Gown Designer: Stella York

Venue: Alyeska Views in Girdwood

Photographer: Chugach Peaks Photography

Tailor: Celestial Designs

The best part of the venue: “The rooftop ceremony spot. (Insert all the heart eye emojis)”

Why did you pick your venue: “I happened to come across this place on VRBO that gave me the “casual yet wedding day vibes” that I was searching for. The big rooftop deck for the ceremony and plenty of space inside to hold a small reception fit our guest list perfectly.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The long train and the intricate details of the lace and beading.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I originally didn’t want a real wedding dress but as soon as I tried this one on I knew I needed to have it!”

How they proposed: “We had planned to hike up Northface in Alyeska and he proposed at the top. It was a beautiful backdrop for some amazing pictures.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “As my dad was giving me away my train got snagged under a bench. The dress was fine and it totally distracted me from pouring out more tears.”

Real Bride Friday | Jennifer and Travis

Wedding Date: July 13th, 2019

Gown Designer: Stella York

Bridesmaid’s Gowns: Sorella Vita

Venue: Bayshore Clubhouse

Photographer: Jamie Taylor Photography

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Kayla Howlett

Catering/Cake: Pepperccinis & Carrs on Huffman (for cake)

The best part of the venue: “The pond where our arch was.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We live in Bayshore!”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the train with the lace at the end.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I liked the look of the dress overall but the thick straps were nice to support my chest and the dress itself was comfortable.”

Three words to describe your day: “Most incredible day!”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Greenery, white & gold”

How you met: “The summer of 2002 before high school started at a mutual friends house.”

How they proposed: “He surprised me at the airport!”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day: “The moment I looked at Travis as I walked down the aisle and saw him tearing up melted my heart.”

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