Real bride Kelsey involved her now-husband Tyler in (almost) every step of the wedding planning process from the moment they got engaged on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. The one element he didn’t get to see until their big day? Kelsey’s whimsical and romantic Essense of Australia Style D2840 gown. The couple celebrated with 200 of their closest friends and family, and Kelsey’s wedding dress allowed her to comfortably dance the night away. Read on to take in all the beautiful details from Kelsey and Tyler’s wedding!
Tell us about your proposal…
Our proposal was in our favorite place, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. My family and I have been going there for 15+ years for our family vacations every summer, and since I started dating my husband (then boyfriend) 10 years ago, he has come each year with us. It has grown into a beautiful place that truly feels like home where some of the best memories of our lives were created. I’m all about the greenery and weeping willow Southern trees and had hoped that one day I would be proposed to under those trees. Before dinner one night, my husband and I went for a walk down one of our favorite trails and it was under those favorite trees of mine that he grabbed my hands and started telling me all of these beautiful things (that I can’t remember because I was so shocked) and got down on one knee. My mom was around one of the trees and captured pictures and the next morning for the sunrise we had photos taken by a professional photographer. Lucky me, he proposed on the 2nd night of vacation, so the rest of the entire trip we were able to celebrate with my family. It still remains as one of the best days and weeks of my life.
How did you know that Essense of Australia Style D2840 was the one?
I always said I wanted my wedding style to be simplistic, yet very romantic and whimsical. And I think that’s exactly what I accomplished. Going into dress shopping, I had NO idea what I was looking for. I’m very short and petite so I didn’t want a ball gown to feel like it was overpowering me, but I also didn’t want something form-fitting because I’m all about the comfort and being able to break it down on the dance floor! I went to a bridal show hosted by Evaline’s Bridal with my mom in January 2020. There, I made an appointment to go dress shopping at that bridal salon at the end of January. When I walked into Evaline’s Bridal, I was greeted by one of the nicest workers who made me feel special from the moment I stepped foot in the door. She asked me what I was looking for, what my budget was, and if I had any dresses I had in mind that I wanted to try on. I answered “no” to every single one of those questions as I had no idea what I was looking for. I told her to pick out dresses that she thought that I would look pretty in. The first dress I tried on was beautiful, but I just wasn’t ‘me’. She told me that there was this one new dress that just came out a few weeks ago and that she thinks I would look beautiful in, so I tried it on. The moment I tried it on, I literally lost my breath and tears filled my eyes. I never believed in that moment where women say they get emotional when they find the one but that definitely happened with me. I walked out of the fitting room and into the big room on the little stage where my mom, grandma, mother-in-law and future grandma were sitting. They all got tears in their eyes immediately and we’re speechless. My consultant then grabbed a veil and put it around my hair and that is when tears flowed down my face. I knew it was the dress because it was screaming ‘me’ all over it. It was sexy, simple, whimsical and very romantic. It was everything I had dreamed of and MORE.
How did you make your wedding personal to your style and love story?
My theme was whimsical, romantic and sexy. My colors were pale pink with an accent of soft gold. Our wedding was very very personal to us. I was one of the brides who included my husband in everything. The day was just as much about him as it was me which is why I felt that I was more personal to us because he had just as much of a say in things as I did. We picked out everything together and that made it so special. We enjoyed the engagement season of planning what we wanted OUR day to be like. We had 200 of our closest family and friends and danced the night away. I know I keep saying this but it truly was so magical and so perfect in every way.
What was the most memorable part of your wedding?
I honestly feel like the entire day was special. From the moment I woke up, to the moment my husband and I fell asleep, it felt like a dream. It was perfect in every way. But, one of the most beautiful moments was when my mom was helping me put on my dress and when I first saw myself in the mirror; I have never felt or looked so beautiful before. Another special memory was when my dad walked me down the aisle and I saw my husband at the altar with tears in his eyes. It was truly such a powerful, magical moment that I wish I could put into words but each time I try to describe that moment, I’m left speechless.
Photography by Jessica Jolene Photography
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