#KJBrideoftheWeek - Baylee

Married Brian on April 9th, 2022

Their Love Story…

“They were each other’s first love. It was August 11th, 2008, the first day of freshman year at Chaparral High School. Baylee and Brian met by the auditorium doors just before orientation. They exchanged hugs after recognizing each other from mutual friends. On the first day of school, they discovered they had 3 classes together (math, biology, and P.E.). Baylee arrived early to biology and when Brian walked in he asked if he could sit next to her. Baylee was on the dance team and Brian was on the football team so their paths crossed often during school hours and after school. Baylee was the new girl but quickly became close with Brian’s group of best friends since elementary school. Their friendship grew quickly and on December 18th, while at Baylee’s parents’ house after school, Brian asked her to be his girlfriend. She of course said yes and they continued dating through senior year of high school. They spent many summers in San Diego with both families, spent holidays together, had many bike rides around their neighborhood, bonfires at the Zureks’ home, football games, pep rallies, two proms, four homecomings, one cotillion, birthdays, and more.”

“I do remember getting off the phone with him one day and walking straight into my mom’s bathroom and stating that he was the one. Even though we dated for 4 more years before he proposed, I knew we were going to end up together one day.”

THE ZUREKS!

DRESS: 89 BY KIM KASSAS AT KINSLEY JAMES COUTURE BRIDAL

ALL ABOUT THE DRESS…

“I came across my ‘now’ dress pretty early on in my search - well before I tried any dresses on. I tucked the screenshot away in an album I had on my phone but again, the dress was soooooo gorgeous and in LA so didn’t even picture it’d be mine one day. I originally thought I’d have a clean and classic crepe dress with a low back and buttons all the way down. I knew I wanted form-fitting and a dramatic train with a dress that didn’t take over my chest/shoulders. I gave myself a fair shot of ALL the different styles, and even found a dress that I could’ve bought and been happy, but most of them felt heavy and just not ‘me.’ After visiting 7 bridal shops in AZ, I was craving a visit to Kinsley James. I was giddy about the Kim Kassas dress before we even boarded our flight because I knew I searched high and low in AZ without finding the one I couldn’t live without. Every bride deserves to find the dress that makes them feel the most beautiful they’ve ever felt and we should not give in until we find it. Thankfully, I had the time to do so with a 1.5-year-long engagement. After my Kinsley James appointment, I actually had one other appt set up that I had to go to, but I proactively took the ‘KJ Bride’ picture AND filled out the credit card consent form hahah. I knew… cause the other appt lasted less than 30 minutes. After that, I called Melissa back and shared the good news – had the emotional moment with my mom and was just SO happy! To complete the look, I went with the Toni Federici Spanish tool cathedral-length veil… It was the most insane pairing and I can’t believe it was mine!”

The Inspiration…

“I got my inspiration from all sorts of places! My mom is an amazing home designer and my grandma is an artist, so I really tried to push myself in the creative area for our wedding. I wanted it to be timeless, elegant and elevated, yet very apparent that the details matter. We got married at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, which was perfect for us. We both love animals, the outdoors, the white barn fences that carried through the whole venue, and the space that had the most beautiful views, yet felt like a piece of home. We loved that it was a vineyard yet had ranch vibes. We actually grew up 5 minutes from each other and there was this animal farm that we’d visit all the time. I also have a love for horses and we have two herding dogs – Australian shepherds. The colors of our wedding were lots of white, including the bridesmaid dresses, natural greenery with eucalyptus and dinner and dancing under the oak trees, with just a splash of a dark cabernet red. I wanted it to feel minimalistic so we went with ghost chairs for the ceremony, heavy florals around the arch, and a few floral arrangements by the back of the aisle. All the rentals were light neutral colors or white – even the script on the menu/escort display was neutral. We had a white VW Bus for our photobooth and we tied in our top 20 places we’ve traveled together into our escort display. The venue had lots of natural elements that we wanted to utilize and our wedding planners Laurel & Rose did a fantastic job of creating a ‘homey’ feel in such a large space. To keep it formal, I wanted the bridesmaids in silk white dresses and the groomsmen / groom in tux’s. The rest of the guests added some fun spring colors, but we didn’t require black tie. We did an all-white dance floor, white cake with a beautiful white rose on it, white linens, and neutral sitting areas with small floral details. BUT – I still felt like my dress was the star of the ‘white’ show”

“Some of my most favorite parts had to be the moments with my dad before walking down the aisle, seeing my groom’s reaction walking down the aisle, our music vendor Dart Collective threw the best party, my bridesmaids seeing me in my dress for the first time, pictures with Brian right after the ceremony, and even the entire rehearsal / welcome party the night before was fun! With all that said though, probably my favorite part was after the wedding our guests were getting organized by our getaway car while Brian and I took a full lap around our reception space, got to take everything in just us and look at all the details. We couldn’t believe what had just happened and to have that moment with him was incredible. Driving away in Brian’s uncle’s red vintage convertible mustang through the rolling hills of Malibu, waving to our guests took the cake though.”

VENDORS

Planning & Design - Mariah w/ @laurelandrose 

Venue - @saddlerockranch_events 

Photo - @gregoryross 

Video - @ironandfern 

Rentals - @premiere_rents 

Florals - @uniquefloraldesigns 

Paper Goods - @scarlet.gilia.creative 

Catering - @larootscatering 

Bar Service - @blacklabventures 

Music - @dartcollective 

Hair & Makeup - Chanel w/ @designvisage @chanelmariemakeup 

Dress - @kimkassascouture x @kinsleyjamescouturebridal 

Tux - @artlewinbespokeaz 

Lighting - @bellavistadesigns 

Photobooth - @theboothandbusco

Cake - @thebutterend

Desserts- @wellkneadedbakery

#KJBrideoftheWeek Cristina

Married Enid on October 14th, 2021

The inspiration…

“We all know 2020 was terrible for everyone. All the weeks spent indoors were really draining and not great for my mental health. We decided to spend more time backcountry camping and hiking in areas where we wouldn’t come across many people. On one trip to Utah we stumbled upon Fisher Towers. We hiked out and watched the sun go down, and Enid said that this would have been the perfect moment if only he had a ring with him. We had spent so much time alone together in nature during one of the toughest years and these places will always feel special to us because of that. The concept of our wedding was to share these places we had discovered alone together with the rest of our family. We led a hike out to Horseshoe Canyon to show our family the pictographs we’d seen, and we rented Jeeps to teach everyone how to drive on Fins n’ Things. The ceremony itself was about 10 minutes long, but the week leading up to it was all a part of what we called our wedding.“

about the dress…

“I really went in there just to gather information. I had told my mom (who lives in Florida) that I was going to check it out, that it was no big deal, I could go alone. I had never been in a bridal shop before. I think she knew that I might be finding my dress on that first visit because she ignored me and booked a flight. I’m glad she did - we had a great time! The first dress I tried on was the Gala G-520, the one I went in to see. We both instantly loved it. Everything after that was just us doing our due diligence to make sure I wasn’t being too hasty buying the first dress I saw. I had fun trying (I think) 7 more, but it was clear that the first was the best for me. We even left without ordering it, convinced that we should check out more stores just because. I went back the next week and ordered it.”

They fell in love…

“Enid and I went to the same high school and the same college. We spent years less than 1,000 feet from each other. At one point, he lived next door to my best friend. At another time, we lived in the same building. We never became friends, but for reasons neither of us understand we had added each other on both Facebook and Instagram. If you ask Enid, he’ll say that we were brought together by what he calls “the gravity.” If you ask me, I’ll say that in October of 2016 I posted a cute photo and he slid into my DMs.”

“I knew our ceremony was going to be outside and I had chosen photographers (Forthright Photo) that do gorgeous outdoor wedding photography. The specific concept I was searching for was something where when the light shines through the dress my whole body would look like a statue. With that in mind, I was looking for a dress that would be somewhat translucent. I tried on a lot of lace and tulle, but I chose the Gala G-520 because of the surprisingly light weight. Because of the logistics of our wedding location, I knew that we would be hiking out on a trail and changing into our wedding clothes there, so I wanted something stunning but ultimately not too high maintenance.”

the best moments…

“Because of the orientation of our ceremony, Enid and I were the only ones who could see a huge storm cloud approaching. Our parents were giving heartfelt speeches and we had to cut them off to suggest that we wrap it up and continue them at dinner. At that moment, every one of our fourteen guests, members of both sides of our family, immediately started packing everything up. Enid and I couldn’t help until we changed out of our wedding clothes for the hike back, but by the time we had changed everything was gone. Our guests had worked together and were already hiking. We looked at each other and I said “Wow, this is the family we made.” 

When we got back to the car and everyone else left to drive back to town, we realized a huge rainbow had come out. It was a dream wedding.”

congratulations cristina & enid!!

vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Forthright Photo

DRESS: Galia Lahav at Kinsley James Walnut Creek

#KJBrideoftheWeek Samantha

Married Kyle on September 25th, 2021

The day they said “I Do”

“I actually wasn't sure if the Walnut Creek KJ store carried the Galia style I was looking for. The third dress I tried on felt so amazing and light, I was shocked when I looked in the mirror and realized it was the dress I had asked about. As soon as I walked out in it and saw the look on my mom's face, I knew it was the one.”

“We were friends for a few years before people had been dropping hints to each of us about how we'd be perfect together. It took a long time before we both realized they were right, I'm so glad we finally came to our senses!”

“We recently lost my father, so to honor him we tied his wedding band to my bouquet. My mom walked me down the aisle and it felt like I had both of them with me; it was such a special and and emotional moment for all of us.”

The Dress: GALA 302 by Galia Lahav

Congratulations Samantha & Kyle!

Vendors

Photographer: Alex Mari Photography
Venue: Nella Terra
Coordinator: Simply Lovely Events
Bridal Makeup: Lyndsay Z Makeup
Bridal Hair: Shea Styles
Bridesmaids Hair/Makeup: The Makeup Dolls
Florist: Picture Perfect Petals
Rentals: Picture Perfect Petals & Abbey Party Rentals

#KJBrideoftheWeek Ashley

Married John on October 16th, 2021

“They say when you know you know and it's true. I put it on and immediately loved the shape. I came out of the dressing room so excited, which I hadn't really done with any other dress.”

“I went to over 8 shops! Haha. In California and also in Texas, where I'm from. I had a few that were speaking to me, but I also had a vibe I was going for to somewhat match the aesthetic of the wedding. The dress I ended up finding at KJ was great because it was simple and elegant, but allowed me to alter it into something more form fitting. And Lara, who tailored it, gave me the most amazing sleeves which I was able to remove after the ceremony to give me an alternative look.”

“Once some sparks had been flying, he came out here for a weekend visit and we had the best time. It was so comfortable and we trusted each other as friends, which was really important. When he left we both knew it was the real deal.”

“I DO”

her favorite moments…

“I got to enter the venue just with my mom, so it was amazing to see the vision and sit alone with that for a few minutes.I loved walking down the aisle and really seeing everyone there then looking at John. It was really special and I don't think I will ever forget it.”

THE PARTY

CONGRATULATIONS MRS & MR!

#KJBrideoftheWeek Jessika

Married Adrian on September, 17th, 2021

THE DETAILS

the ceremony

“My husband and I were good friends for many years before we ever became involved romantically. We met in middle school, he asked me to be his girlfriend in the seventh grade by passing a note that said check yes or check no. I checked no and passed it back to him. Haha Needless to say he was upset but we remained friends all throughout high school, college and beyond. We were both always in serious relationships with other people. We ended up reconnecting about five years ago and I decided to give him a chance romantically. Once we became romantically involved I knew he was my soulmate! I’m glad he was patient and persistent. Lol”

“Kinsley James was the very first dress store I went to. I traveled all the way from Las Vegas and had several appointments elsewhere but ended up canceling them the minute I left. I tried on about seven dresses total and ended up going back to the very first one I had tried on. Ironically enough, the dress I ended up choosing was not even my own selection but one that my stylist had chosen for me based off of my body type/wedding aesthetic & vibe. I have no regrets and absolutely loved it. I felt like it was made for me!”

the RECEPTION

“knew that I wanted my wedding to be timeless and elegant with a lot of detail but still simple. I wanted to make sure I stuck with classic colors Which is why we did all black and white. My main thing is I didn’t want to look back 10 years from now and feel like anything I did was a trend. I would describe my overall feel as a cross between old Hollywood glam and Classic elegance.”

CONGRATULATIONS MR & MRS RODRIGUEZ!

Vendors

#KJBrideoftheWeek Kristen

Married Sean on June 26th, 2021.

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The bride

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“To be honest, I adored everything I tried on (yes - I was one of those brides). I decided on my gorgeous Alyne Crawford by Rita Vinieris because I am obsessed with the simple, elegant, timeless but still modern look. When I wore it, I just felt like myself — which I love!”

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The Groom

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“There were so many different micro moments of knowing he was the one - starting with his taking me on our first date to a 2Chainz concert.”

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The Ceremony

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“We wrote our own vows to each other, which I highly recommend. The *second* I finished reading my vows to Sean, tornado sirens started blaring (at our very much outdoor ceremony). I did what anyone would with such serendipitous timing and took a few dramatic bows for the audience. It was an “oh sh*t” moment that made for a fun, memorable moment as we sealed the deal.”

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MR. & MRS.

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The Reception

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“We had a cigar bar on the balcony in honor of Sean’s late father Tom Herlihy. It was important to us to incorporate his memory into our day & the perfect way to celebrate in his honor.”

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Congratulations Kristen & Sean!

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vendors

Venue: Saddle & Cycle Club in Chicago
Band: Rhythm Nation
Floral & Lighting: Steve’s Flower Market
Photography: Katie Kett Photography
Hair & Makeup: Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists
Hotel: Hotel Zachary

#KJBrideoftheWeek Melissa

Married Jordan on June 26th, 2021

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THE BRIDE

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it’s the one!

“The dress fit like a glove and if you know me… you know I live for a high neck, long sleeves and an exposed back. I didn’t know the perfect dress existed until I tried it on at Kinsley James! At the time of purchase, I didn’t even have a venue picked and the dress fit the venue esthetic and design perfectly! I received many compliments on the uniqueness of the gown, and many asked if I had it custom made. Netta made this gown for ME!”

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THE CEREMONY

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MR. & MRS.

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“Jordan brings me so much joy, happiness, and calmness to my life. He makes me a better person. I couldn’t ask for more in a life partner.”

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THE RECEPTION

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the inspiration

“We went on a trip to Europe. First stop was in Amsterdam and he proposed on a boat ride in the canals. The inspiration is from our trip to Europe. Old European elegance, and bright florals.”

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“With Covid we chose to have a smaller and more intimate wedding with our closest family and friends. It was not easy downsizing, but at the end of the day being able to interact with all 80 of my guests and being surrounded by those we know love us and have supported us throughout the years made it so much better. So overall, my favorite part of my wedding was seeing all our loved ones in one place gathered together to to celebrate our special day.”

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KLEINS

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vendors

Photography - Parallel33 Photography
Florist/Coordinator- Creative Floral Director
Venue - Hotel Californian
Makeup - MUA By Lex
Hair - Naomi MUA
Hair Accessories - Maria Elena Headpieces
Veil - Toni Federici

#KJBrideoftheWeek Michele

Married Colin on February 1st, 2020.

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the bride

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All about the dress

“I had been to one too many dress shops, and I was sadly going to most shops alone in New York since my close friends and my family lived on the west coast. Everyone kept saying I would have this feeling when I found the one, but it just never felt so when I was trying dresses on. I booked an appointment for my mom and I to try on dresses in Los Angeles, and my stylist brought in a few dresses for me to try. I started going down the line, and I tried on THE NETTA dress which my stylist had brought in, and I just couldn't stop smiling. It wasn't an instant this is the one - because I am just so indecisive by nature - but man this dress felt special and I had a hard time finally taking it off. It fit sooo beautifully! Then it was time to bring my sister in to give me the nod of approval so I tried on my favorites, and after walking down the Kinsley James "aisle /runway" I looked down to see my sister filming and crying (and she is not typically emotional) so THAT is when I said I knew I was buying this dress.”

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the groom

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how they met

“My husband had run in the same circles as I had in college and I was actually very close friends with many of his friends, but he was often shirtless in college so I was skeptical of him until... my mom met him at the American Apparel downtown (which is no longer there unfortunately). But long story short, we were in line together and he invited me to the "last registered party of the year" and I politely declined since I thought we were a little too old for these parties and about to graduate, but Sra. Munoz thought otherwise. When we got into the car, she looked at me and said " Mija, habre tus ojos" which means "girl open your eyes". I burst out laughing. My mom - who is anti-boys and anti-parties is hinting I go to this party, and so I did it for my mom and we ended up hitting it off that night and the rest is history. So thank you mom, American Apparel and PhiPsiFrost LOL.”

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the ceremony

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the married couple

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He’s “THE ONE”

“Oh man. I think there were so many little moments that just culminated to me seeing someone who would be my best friend and my partner in crime for the rest of our lives, no matter what life threw our way. I mean the man was willing to stay at the small Van Nuys airport hotel just so he could be close to me and my family and celebrate the holidays with us. He was so dedicated and I had never felt so loved. But I think what really sealed the deal was when he surprised me for my 26th birthday with a helicopter ride over New York - man he may as well have proposed there because I knew I was marrying this man - and how do you top a helicopter ride!”

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the reception

“I loved that we got a mariachi which is so traditional to all our Mexican family celebrations, I am so glad we decided to include them in our cocktail hour”

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Advice from the bride

“Do things your way! Someone says you HAVE TO have up-lighting for thousands of dollars but you don't understand why... then don't do it LOL (I mean always consult with your photographer, but most likely than not, they are prepared). Most importantly ask for help - whether from friends & family or hiring a wedding planner even if it's just for the month leading up to it - it is so worth it because then you can just enjoy the time leading up to the big day.”

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“I loved our first dance, which we were able to put together in two weeks thanks to Colin's surprise dance lessons before the big day”

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congratulations michele & colin!

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#KJBrideoftheWeek Karissa

Married Cullen on October 10th, 2020.

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bride

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the dress

“The Lana is a very special dress to me because my older sister (MOH) and best friend picked it out. Once I put it on, I didn’t want to take it off! We added the sleeves to the gown and that’s when I knew it was the one. It was everything I had envisioned wearing on my wedding day. The Lana was the fifth wedding dress I tried on and my last. We were scheduled to go to three more bridal boutiques later that day and we canceled all of them and went to an early lunch to celebrate instead! To top it all off, my younger sister picked out my gorgeous veil that matched the dress perfectly. I received so many compliments on my dress and the additional sleeves that we added to customize it. It is such a classic gown and one I will keep forever.”

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groom

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“I knew Cullen was the one when he met my son. They really hit it off from the moment they met and have grew in love ever since.“

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first look: the bride & her son

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“I did not do a first look with Cullen. Instead I did one with my son, Kayden (8). He was so handsome and we all started crying when we saw him. He has been the main man in my life for many years and our wedding was the day we officially accepted Cullen into our little family. He was one of my husband’s groomsman and did an incredible job.”

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ceremony

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“Cullen and I met on 10.30.2016. We were engaged on 10.10.2018 and set our wedding date for 10.10.2020 shortly after. We had decided on a longer engagement because October 10th was a special date to us and one we were set on keeping. We had no idea we would be planning a wedding during a pandemic! There were quite a few changes due to COVID restriction and regulations and a rain prediction the week of our wedding, but Jenn Robirds and her team were masterful and helped us create the wedding of our dreams!”

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mr. & mrs. herrington

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reception

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“We wanted whimsical, organic looking floral and greenery that complimented the venue. We wanted it to feel like a fancier version of your typical family night dinner. We had Chandos Tacos open fire grill instead of the traditional plated meal, and our dessert table included cookies made by my family members for an extra personal touch.”

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happily ever after!

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vendors

Hair: Noelle Radosevich Hair
Makeup: Makeup by Susie
Catering: Chando’s Tacos
Service Team: Firefly Event Staffing
String Quartet: Camellia String Quartet
Photobooth: SJ’s Disc Jockey
Cake: Freeport Bakery Weddings

Dress: Lana by Anne Barge from Kinsley James Couture Bridal
Ceremony Venue: Field and Pond
Reception Venue: BLOC Venue
Event Planning & Design: Jenn Robirds Events
Photography: Ryan Greenleaf
Videography: Sean Kenney Films
Florals: Jones Flowersmith

#KJBrideoftheWeek Vanessa

Married Lawrence on October 10th, 2020.

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the bride

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The dress shopping experience

“It was exciting times since my MOH was also engaged so we ventured around a few Los Angeles bridal shops together. I tried on about 40 dresses. Since Lawrence and I were together for almost 10-years, we wanted to be involved in each other's wedding attire, so every time I came back after wedding dress shopping, I showed him the photos my amazing MOH took. None of the dresses looked like "Vanessa" so I knew my dress shopping process wasn't over. I honestly didn't think the process would have been as long or as difficult as it was. Kinsley James was always a bridal shop I wanted to visit, so the weekend before I visited, I told Lawrence, "I booked an appointment at Kinsley James and want you to come." While I knew this wasn't traditional, I didn't mind since how Lawrence and I go about life isn't traditional. Prior to our visit, Lawrence and I looked at various wedding dresses available at Kinsley James and marked them down. Ones from Princess to A-Line to Boho, from Angel Rivera to Anne Barge to Rita Vinieris. I knew it'd be a long day of trying on more dresses, but I was excited to enjoy the process with my future husband.”

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This dress is the one!

“The first dress I tried on at Kinsley James was one that Lawrence and I picked out online the week before we visited. It was a beautiful Princess Angel Rivera gown - lacey sleeves, flower patterns, blush color, and a stunning long train. The lacey sleeves were a must since that's what my Mom had and the show-stopper train was a must for me knowing our venue had stairs to walk up for the ceremony. It was very heavy too, but it was gorgeous and I couldn't wait to show Lawrence! Knowing his reaction to the other dresses I tried on and showed him through photos, I was a bit anxious. But I still came out with a smile on my face because the dress felt "right". Once Lawrence saw me, he said, "You look beautiful, like a Princess. I can tell you feel pretty in it too." Right then, I knew the dress was special. And while I tried on at least 15 other dresses, I kept going back to Angel Rivera's Cianna dress. After trying on about 60 dresses, it was finally "the one"! The Kinsley James Team was incredible - The ladies in Los Angeles are genuine and lovely. They helped provide suggestions to elevate all the dresses I tried on, but ultimately, they were able to "just know" when I felt especially content and let me relish the moment. Thank you so much, Team KJ!”

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the groom

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He’s “the One”

“We were together for 7 years before we got engaged, and through those 7 years (and to this day), he was my best friend and helped me grow in all the best ways. Whether professionally or personally, he was always there for me and wanted me happy always. He helped me grow mentally and into the woman I am today! I'll forever be grateful to him for that.”

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the first look

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the ceremony

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the married couple

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the reception

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Wedding Inspo

“Once we visited Colony 29, we immediately fell in love with the vibe! It was perfect and stunning. Lawrence has a keen eye for mid-century modern design and we wanted to highlight those feels, and while you can't go wrong with neutral colors, I love the color pink and our Planner incorporated dusty rose and mauve, along with gold accents to align with my engagement ring. Additionally, we both adore Frank Sinatra (after all, we played it during our first date while making homemade pasta and drinking wine) so we included an old Hollywood, classy mood too.”

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Advice from the bride

“Don't worry if planning your wedding takes more than a year! We took 3-years and were able to have the wedding exactly the way we wanted. Also, take in the whole day with your best friend and future husband. Prior to our wedding day, we were told by so many people that "the day goes by so quickly". But to us, it went the perfect pace. We had a tangible timeline created by our Planner and Photographers which prepared us for what to expect hour-by-hour, and we knew that our vendors were absolutely incredible, so we trusted the day by staying present and enjoying it to its fullest by each other's side.”

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Her favorite moment

“Our first dance because it was to Frank Sinatra's "I've Got a Crush on You" and while we didn't practice our dance once, Lawrence twirled and dipped me perfectly! And saying our most sincere, personalized vows to each other surrounded by family and friends, so much love.”

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congratulations vanessa & lawrence!!

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vendors

#KJBrideoftheWeek Kiely

Married Curtis on September 6th, 2020.

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The Bride

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“Dress shopping was such a fun experience. I came into it with a completely blank slate, ready to find a dress that spoke to me. I wasn’t hyper focused on a specific designer, cut, or style, I just knew it would happen naturally.”

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“I knew my dress was the one because every time I put it on (I think I tried it on like 3 or four times that first day) it seemed most like “me”. I also couldn’t help but smile and also randomly fist-pump multiple times...”

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The Groom

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The Wedding

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“We originally planned a large wedding in Paso Robles, CA but 2020 had other plans. Long Beach has always been important to us, so it was fitting that we get married in a more intimate setting at the historic women’s club, the Ebell. We wanted to be unique, but still look back on pictures in 30 years and they be timeless! I’ve always admired people who had intimate weddings, but thought “that will never be us” because we wanted a big party so badly with all our friends. We’re thankful we didn’t postpone or wait another year. This was our time, we adapted and had a beautiful day.”

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The Bride’s Advice

“Be. Flexible. Have a back up plan and then a plan C, D, and E! Also check in with yourself during the planning process and ask yourselves if you’re staying true to you both as a couple, or simply going with what “everyone else would like”!”

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the reception

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congratulations kiely & curtis!

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Vendors

Photographer: Alexander Thomas Co
Venue: Ebell Long Beach
Cake: Cakes by Lainey
Makeup: Patricia Castro Makeup
Hair: Tiffany Stone

#KJBrideoftheWeek -Sydney

Married Brandin Chemello on October 30th, 2020.

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getting ready

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finding the perfect dress

“I felt absolutely like a princess. I tried on about 20 beautiful gowns and it was so difficult to choose because they were all so gorgeous, no matter the style I knew I couldn't go wrong. My dress that I chose, I was afraid to try on because I just knew it was the one, and when I finally did try it on I burst into tears. I knew it right away, it was everything I dreamed of.”

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first look

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how did you know he was “the one”?

“He wasn't supposed to be, we met on Tinder. We both agreed that it would be a casual relationship. Casual turned into seeing each other every day since our first date and we knew we were in love after about 2 weeks. After 3 weeks he had moved into my apartment and a month later we started looking at rings. We officially got engaged a year after we met and married (April) a year and a half after that. Our wedding redo was on the day before our 3 year anniversary of our first date.”

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the ceremony

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"My husband and I were caught in between laughing and crying the entire day. We were so happy to finally share the magic together. After having an elopement together and a real wedding I was definitely leaning on the side of having an elopement the entire engagement and am so happy we elected to have a wedding. Our elopement was perfect and we were thrilled, until we had our real wedding, it blew that elopement out of the water. If you're on the fence… have the wedding!”

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sunset romantics

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congratulations to mr. & mrs. chemello!

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#KJbrideoftheWeek -Angelique

Married C.T. McIntosh on July 20th, 2019.

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the bride

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The dress - Finlay by Blue Willow | Anne Barge

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The dress shopping process -

“My stylist, Alexia, made the process so comfortable, fun, and easy! Her confidence eased my nervousness for the experience. One of the first dresses I tried on was the Anne Barge dress which Alexia gave me the option of a blush color. I was not sure when I first saw it but when I put on the dress, I fell in love with it immediately! I knew it was the one. I tried on a few others but none felt as great as the one!"
”My grandmother is a major role model in my life and I definitely wanted to include her in my decision. After that day with my first trying on, I just could not stop thinking about that dress, I wanted to come back later with my grandma to try the dress on again. In that moment of trying the dress on with my grandmother present solidified my decision that this dress was perfect for me!”

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the groom

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He’s “The one”

“When we first started dating, it felt like we had known each other for many years. We have been there for eachother through so many hard times and we bring out the best in one another. I knew he was the one for me because we can always be unapologetically ourselves at all times which makes navigating life that much better.”

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the ceremony

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mr & mrs!

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“Enjoy the moments as it goes by EXTREMELY fast. This is about you and your future husband’s day so make sure you do whatever will make you the happiest on that day. Also, make sure to invest in a great photographer and videographer as those will be your memories.”

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the reception

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the inspiration

“I knew we were going to get married at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, however I always wanted a garden wedding with lots of flowers and neutral colors. We had a big blank canvas to work with and had to bring in all decorations. We brought in everything we could to make the space feel like we were in an outdoor garden. Our florist and decorator brought my vision to life with the amazing details. The hanging floral arrangement over the dance floor was stunning.”

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“My husband wanted pie at our wedding as he was not a big cake fan. My Greek mother could not just do ONLY pie so she created the most gorgeous dessert bar with the pie included!”

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congratulations mr. & mrs. Mcintosh

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vendors

#KJbrideoftheWeek -René

Married Daniel on October 20th, 2018.

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her

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The dress - ‘Camila’ by Rita Vinieris at Kinsley James

“Kinsley James was one of the first places I visited and had a fantastic experience and I loved SO many dresses! To be completely honest, I continued my search as I like to make sure I cover all my bases and I visited so many different places in the bay area to dress shop, but something kept drawing me back to Kinsley James and I had one dress in mind that stuck out over the rest! I ended up coming back to Kinsley James to try on the dress again and knew it was the one :) I wanted something simple and classic with a dash of modern, and this dress was exactly it. “

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him

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How she knew he was the one

“When every day became an adventure and I couldn't stop laughing each and every day. (With him, not at him :P)”

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The wedding

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“My sister got married in Maui, and I absolutely fell in love. There is something about Hawaii that makes you at peace. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the constant ocean around you; I knew I wanted to get married on Maui!” 

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“What was super special about my wedding was that since we had a destination wedding we had two days of events for our guests. On the day before our wedding, we did a reception for all of our guests to enjoy at sunset and for everyone to kick off the wedding celebrations. This was special as everyone was able to get acquainted before the wedding the next day. “

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congratulations René & Daniel

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vendors

PHOTO: CHRIS J EVANS PHOTOGRAPHY
MAKEUP: MEILI AUTUMN BEAUTY
PLANNER: MAUI BEACH BRIDES
VENUE: SUGAR BEACH EVENTS

#KJBrideoftheWeek -Chelsea

Married Jayse on September 9th, 2019.

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getting ready

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finding the dress

“When it came to my 'dream' dress, I admit, I had some high expectations... My must-have list read like an impossible checklist of wishes:
I wanted a dress that was modern yet romantic. Fitted, yet had some flow. Sexy, yet refined. Unique, but not 'gaudy'. I loved the idea of a low back but also wanted the front to 'wow'. That's not asking too much is it? ;-)
After trying on dozens of dresses and months of searching, I became convinced that my expectations were just way too high. Likely I'd have to settle.
But, I kept my spirits high, because I knew I was saving the best for last. And, as fate would have it, just moments after walking into Kinsley James, my mom happened to pull a Pallas Couture dress as an option. I soon found myself walking the runway in the shop to see how it flowed from every angle. It was game over. I had found "The One."

After so long looking, it was hard to believe that this dress had been there all along, just waiting for me to find it. The Pallas Couture Cadencia was everything I dreamed of and so much more. I couldn't stop looking in the mirror, and I've never felt more gorgeous. It was hard taking it back off and saying goodbye after each fitting, I loved it so much!
Kinsley's talented alterations designer worked with me to customize it with a removable train for dancing, and she created a custom detachable cape with delicate three-dimensional flowers that perfectly matched the detailing on my dress.
On the day of the wedding it was stunning, and I still beam with happiness when I think about it. Can we get married again?!”

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“I knew dress shopping would be one of my favorite parts of being engaged. As a photographer, I've had the fortune of photographing many editorial styled shoots with really beautiful high end dresses. Along the way, you could say I became slightly fashion-obsessed. I went into the process with an open mind, and wanted to see them all! I planned several trips with both family and friends to various boutiques within both California and Las Vegas. Let's just say, I tried on a LOT of dresses. It was a lot of fun.

But the moment I walked into Kinsley James... it was an entirely different experience. I fell in love. Not only do they have an exquisite selection of skillfully curated, modern, fashion-forward designers that made my heart sing, but everything from the stylish interior design and vibe to the welcoming staff that became instant friends made me feel like I had found the perfect place for me. Becoming a #KJBride was a big highlight of my engagement and wedding experience.”

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How did you hear about kinsley james?

" I'm a wedding photographer and had photographed the owner, Amber Silva's wedding in 2012. Amber has a very elevated fashion-forward style, which I really resonate with, so it's no surprise that she's created one of the top bridal shops in the U.S.”

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first look

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ceremony

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“My favorite part of the wedding was our ceremony, at Rocabella, overlooking the Aegean Sea. It was magical. Just moments before my father walked me down the aisle to my soon-to-be-husband, the wind stopped. It was still and perfect. My brother officiated us, and wrote the most beautiful custom ceremony script. And Jayse's vows... Let's just say, there wasn't one dry eye in the audience. (All the girls needed make-up touch-ups post ceremony!) And, at long last, we got to say "I DO!" It was the happiest moment of my life.”

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He’s “The one”

“Much like my dream dress, Jayse, and I just "fit". Our love story began 16 years ago as inseparable best friends. We would spend our days hiking, traveling, photographing, partying and learning to swing dance with older senior citizens who told us that they “just knew” we would be "lifers". I'm happy to say, they were right!
Jayse is the most kind-hearted, insanely talented yet humble, charismatic and funny person I know. From dreaming big together, to free-spirited adventures, to lazy days and everything in between, I can't possibly imagine doing life without him by my side. We were tailor made for each other, and I'm so thankful that I can now call my favorite person and best friend my husband!”

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Mr. & Mrs.

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the details

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the inspiration

Some of our favorite times together are spent traveling and sharing new adventures, so naturally, we fell in love with the idea of doing a destination wedding someplace incredible. We also share a love for clean, minimalist modern design and architecture with expansive views, so that was a big consideration when it came to the venue. After visiting numerous amazing venues in California and Palm Springs, we decided we wanted to do something more adventurous. We wanted to create a multi-day event! When we started exploring the option of Santorini, Greece, it just felt perfect for us. It gave us that perfect mix of modern, clean and romantic. After asking our loved ones if they would be up for the shared adventure and getting back an enthusiastic "YES", we went all in! And we loved working together with our wonderful planner and designer Tara, at Scheme Events, to put together the vision and execution for our day. It was perfection!”

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congratulations chelsea & jayse!

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post “i do” photoshoot in greece

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vendors

Photographer: Susie and Will
Groom's Suit: Indochino
Live Music: The Chain Duo
Rentals: Rsvp Party RentalsSpicy Bites Catering and Events
DJ & Lighting: Santorini Events

Planning and Design: Scheme Events
Venue: Rocabella Luxury Resort, Santorini, Greece
Videographer: Moon and Back Co
Florals: Betty Flowers Santorini
MUA: Yana German 

#KJbrideoftheWeek -Maral

Married Shahrokh on January 18th, 2020

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the bride

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ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

“I had no idea what kind of dress I wanted, just that KJ would be my first stop. I knew I didn’t want too many opinions around me either, so I decided to just bring my mother along with me. I got engaged on January 3, 2019 (on my birthday), and had my KJ appointment on March 16, 2019. Because I didn’t know what shape or style I wanted, I tried on several shapes until I landed on the strapless A-line, which worked best with my body type. “

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOUR DRESS WAS “THE ONE”?

“My dress was “the one” because it made me feel elegant and beautiful. It was like I didn’t even know what I wanted until it was on my body. It was sexy with the deep V neckline, different because it wasn’t the typical sweetheart strapless, but still so classic with the long train & buttons down the back, and the fabric was perfect for a winter wedding like mine. Plus, my mother loved it. :) We paired it with a cathedral length veil with lace trim from KJ as well, so I was able to incorporate the touch of lace I think is so romantic, too. It hit all the right notes for me overall! So I thought, this is it. We are done looking.” 

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the groom

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the first look

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the ceremony

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Where did your inspiration for your wedding come from?

“My husband and I are both raised in Los Angeles and are both Persian, so we knew we wanted a traditional Persian wedding with a SoCal vibe. Persians love to party and know how to celebrate right, especially at weddings, so we knew we wanted it to feel like a fun party with dancing all night. We did our best to create this type of ambiance.“

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“I knew my husband was the one on our very first date. I wasn’t even going to go on our first date, but it was Friday and I had no plans, and he offered to send me an uber like a gentleman, so I figured “why not” lol! As I walked into the restaurant, I saw him sitting at the bar, and as our eyes met for the first time, his twinkled (or so it seemed to me!) and a feeling of peace and comfort washed over me; I felt I’d already known him from the past even though we’d never met before. Then, I kid you not, and I’ll never forget it, as I was walking up to the bar, I heard a very quiet voice inside me, maybe my intuition, say “you’re going to marry him” before we’d even formally introduced ourselves. Somewhere deep down, I just somehow felt and knew he was the one for me, and it felt as though I’d know him for years on our very first date. And my intuition wasn’t wrong - we were engaged just over a year later!”

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bride & groom

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the details

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VENDORS

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congratulations maral & Shahrokh

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#KJbrideoftheWeek -Chelsea

Married Stefano on July 27th, 2019.

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the bride

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About the dress

“My dress shopping process was SO - MUCH - FUN! I had tried on dresses from a few other places but the second I walked into Kinsley James I just fell in love with the ambience, their selections & the lovely staff members (especially Cassidy) who were so patient, loving & helpful in making sure I found my fairytale dress :). I described kind of what I thought I was looked for and Cassidy, without hesitation knew I was going to be a "Netta Bride" & sure enough, pulled out my dream Netta BenShabu dress. The staff truly made me feel at home and we all unianmously agreed that, THAT Netta BenShabu dress was indeed "the one."

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#kjbride Chelsea wore a custom ‘Gemma’ gown by Netta BenShabu

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“I knew by the way it made me feel! I felt so glamorous & special - and was so excited to wear this beautiful piece on the most important day of my life. I still look back at photos and wouldn't change my dress selection for the world. I loved how it fell off the shoulders, but had a light mesh lining to hold it in place - so I didn't have to worry about adjusting my sleeves, all night - and could simply focus on enjoying the moment.”

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Mr & Mrs

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HE’s the one…

“We met on stage, both doing what we loved - him singing, me dancing so in hindsight I probably shouldve known THEN. Hahaha - but honestly after learning his heart and family values and how they perfectly were in sync with my own, I knew it was a match made in heaven! :)”

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how they met

“We met August 2015 - on STAGE! He was performing at the W Hotel in Hollywood at their Sunday Jazz Night and I was one of the dancers. I didn't know the song he was going to sing, so I decided to just freestyle in the aisle; well Stefano mid-song pulled me onto stage with him and VOILA - the rest was history! “

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her favorite part of the wedding

 “Looking out and seeing all of our family, friends and loved ones combined into one room! Our hearts were bursting at the seams.”

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vendors:

Venue | Vibiana - @vibianaevents
Planner | XOXO Weddings - @xoxowedding
Photographer | Alexandra Wallace - @thelittlealli

 Hair | Francesca Bevens - @frantasticfranny_mkup
 Makeup | Griselda Martinez - @makeupbygriselda 

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congratulations Chelsea & Stefano!

#KJbrideoftheWeek -Christa

Married David on September 12, 2019

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getting ready

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“I half jokingly suggested to my sisters we should plan a trip out to California to go dress shopping and do some bachelorette things.  Well, they totally ran with that idea and planned 100% of the trip and surprised me with everything.  The only piece I contributed was which dress shops I wanted to go to.  They surprised me with Disneyland, a Dodgers game and the beach!  The first shop we went to was good but they all knew I wasn't sold on any of the dresses.  Then a couple days later they had 3 shops planned for me.  Kinsley James was the first.  I didn't first commit to the Netta BenShabu gown that I fell in love with at KJ because I wanted to see all of my options first.  Well after leaving California without buying the Netta dress, I honestly could not stop thinking about it.  I feel like I couldn't relax until I bought it because I knew it would be the perfect gown for the most special day, so I ended up calling a week after leaving LA and purchasing the gown (and the Jupiter veil) over the phone.”

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How did you know your dress was "the one"? 

“For some reason, the back of the dress was so important to me.  I knew I wanted either a really low back or beads down the back and this dress had every thing I was looking for in my wedding dress - the back, the fit, the details, the lace and the beading.  As soon as I walked out in front of my sisters and looked at the intricate details and saw the way it looked on me, I just started beaming from ear to ear (or so my sisters told me).  Every single angle of that dress, I loved.  I just felt so beautiful and it was a crowd favorite too as my sisters definitely approved and after facetiming my mom, I knew it was a winner.  OH and a rep from Toni Federici veils had an amazing veil called, "The Jupiter" and all he had to do was put that thing on me and it was over.  The veil was the icing on the cake.”

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dress: ‘Gemma’ by Netta BenShabu

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Where did your inspiration for your wedding come from? 

“My husband and I both love the mountains.  I love to ski and he loves to snowboard.  He grew up in Park City, Utah and the first time we went skiing together was at the Park City Resort.  We knew we wanted to get married in the mountains and when we saw the venue and learned we could ride the chair lift up to the ceremony and take the alpine slide down, we were sold.”

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the ceremony

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What was your favorite part of your wedding?

“Definitely turning the corner with my dad holding my arm in his to see the most breathtakingly gorgeous backdrop (it seriously didn't look real, it was so beautiful and the pictures don't do it justice) and all of my favorite people standing up staring at me with huge smiles and looks of excitement and awww.  To then see my future husband standing there fighting back tears.... that was the most magical feeling I think I've ever experienced.“

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husband & wife

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How did you know your husband was "the one"? 

“When I realized just how much love he had to give.  I knew a few weeks into dating that he would love me endlessly and without conditions.  He also made me laugh like crazy, a big plus!  And when he first met my family, he never shied away.  Despite my sisters grilling him, he was so engaging, friendly and respectful.  He was also the most thoughtful person I had ever been with.  He was constantly checking to make sure I was comfortable or I was happy - it was almost as if he cared more about my happiness and comfort than he did his own.  Also, when I saw how driven and intelligent yet humble of a person he was.  We connected almost instantly when we started dating and to be honest, I was his after just a few weeks.  I LOVE him so much :)”

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“There were so many amazing moments in the day but one of my favorite moments was riding the chairlift up with my parents and then riding the alpine slide down with my new husband.  To me it symbolized the transition of growing up with the love and care from my parents to then starting a new life with the love and care of husband.”

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the reception

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vendors

Photographer: Perrywinkle Photography 
Videographer: Luke Porter Films
Wedding Dress: Netta BenShabu 
Dress Shop: Kinsley James Couture Bridal 
Wedding Veil: Toni Federici
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff 
Groom and Groomsmen Suits:  The Black Tux
Venue: Park City Ski Resort 
Wedding Ceremony Arch: Harvest Moon Events

Bagpipers: Michael Gibbs 
Cake: Sweet Cravings by Marcia
Cake Topper: Called and Chosen
Flowers: L Floral Studio
Dinner Hosts and Bus Service: 501 on Main
Games: Utah Wedding Games
Hair and Makeup Artist: Shawny Bate
Getting Ready Robes: Pretty Robes
Wedding Invitations: Beautiful Wedding Announcements 

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“Our big day really turned out to be even more perfect and beautiful than we ever could have imagined.  It rained…. No it down-poured the two days right before our wedding and I was very nervous but sure enough the clouds opened up and it was all sunshine on our special day.  We didn’t have a wedding planner, my husband and I both planned and put together everything the year leading up to the wedding and every single detail just came together perfectly the day of.  We couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

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congratulations christa & david!

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#KJbrideoftheWeek -Raksha

Married Nicholas on June 16th, 2019.

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How did you know your dress was "the one"?

“I had a gut feeling - I can often be indecisive, but when I know what is meant for me, I go for it. There was no doubt in my mind that this was my dream dress after I tried it on for the first time.”

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The dress shopping experience

“As most of my close friends and family live on the east coast, I was only able to bring one of my best friends to dress shop with me. I'd always preferred lacier, more romantic dresses, and explored a few stores in the Bay Area. Ultimately, my experience at Kinsley James was one of a kind, as was the selection of dresses I tried on.”

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The Bride’s advice

“A marriage is always more important than a wedding, but if you truly connect with something - whether it's a location, a dress, a particular theme, etc - follow your heart. You will look back and be glad you did.“

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#INSPO

“I am Indian and my husband is Italian, so we ended up having two wedding ceremonies - an Indian ceremony in Pittsburgh, and a destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. As paradoxical as it sounds, I always knew I wanted to get married near the ocean at sunset, and was hoping to find the perfect harmony of romance, adventure, and serenity. “

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“The wedding was a dream come true, but then again, so was marrying my husband. I ended up having two sprained ankles on our wedding day and couldn't wear the shoes I originally intended, but our first dance (which was choreographed) still went off without a hitch.”

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congratulations raksha & nicholas!

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Vendors

Dress: Galia Lahav from Kinsley James
Makeup & Hair: MVP Hair and Makeup