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Real Stella York Bride Courtney + Brandon

The wedding vision? An elopement set cliffside with the ocean waves crashing below. And if that alone isn’t enough to hook you, the photos from Jenna Knott Photo that bring the couple’s love story to life certainly will. Courtney and Brandon planned a romantic, earthy elopement on the Oregon coast with a surprise location and scenery out of a movie. 

Once a wedding planner herself, Courtney wanted to feel like a BRIDE in her wedding dress. She was looking for something different that she had never seen on one of her clients and Stella York Style 7388 provided the bridal magic she wanted. Alluring, timeless and a little sexy, this beautiful lace mermaid gown was her dream dress for her Hug Point Beach intimate ceremony in Oregon.  

The groom, Brandon, wore a navy blue suit that not only complemented Courtney’s dress flawlessly but also matched the colors of the ocean while contrasting the sandy beaches. This all resulted in an iconic elopement that was unforgettably theirs. Keep scrolling to see all the oceanside beauty! 

real bride courtney and brandon 1 - Stella York 7388

Tell us about your proposal!  

We went to Miami, Florida for vacation and made a day trip to Key West. We went to the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy to take a photo. The person in line behind us had my phone to take a picture, and the second photo (a different pose) was when my now husband got down on one knee, and the guy who had my phone changed it from camera mode to video! He didn’t know my now husband was going to propose. He was just an awesome human in the right place at the right time! 

real bride courtney and brandon 2 - Stella York 7388

Describe your bridal style. How did you want to look on your wedding day? Tell us about your dress-shopping experience.  

I wanted to feel like a bride. I owned a wedding planning business for years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and was able to dress shop and celebrate handfuls of brides. I didn’t want to feel like I was planning or coordinating someone else’s wedding or modeling in a styled shoot. I figured I would want something more boho, but I didn’t feel like a bride in any of those style dresses. The second gown I tried on Stella York Style 7388 at TWIRL Bride, I started bawling. I just knew it was the one for me! 

real bride courtney and brandon 3 - Stella York 7388

Tell us more about your wedding. What were your theme and colors? How did you make your wedding personal to your love story? 

We didn’t have any theme or specific colors, we just wanted to work ourselves into the natural beauty around us and be adventurous. Our photographer is a good friend from my wedding days, and she picked the location! I told her to pick a place on her bucket list and surprise us… And she did not disappoint! 

real bride courtney and brandon 4 - Stella York 7388

What was the most special memory from that day?  

My now husband and I spent the morning together over coffee and donuts before building our custom floral bouquet, then I helped him get ready before he left for our cliffside ceremony location. When he saw me standing there all dolled up when he turned around for our first look, he had THE biggest smile, and his eyes said everything. I’ll never forget how he looked at me! 

real bride courtney and brandon 5 - Stella York 7388

Cheers to Courtney and Brandon!   
 

Photos: Jenna Knott Photo 

Makeup: Alyssa Underwood Artistry 

Flowers: Soft Rush Weddings 

Bridal Shop: TWIRL Bride 

Did you wear a Stella York gown on your wedding day? Share your photos with us for a chance to be featured.    

Are you still searching for the perfect wedding dress? Take a look at our latest designer gown collections from Stella York, Essense of Australia, Martina Liana and All Who Wander.