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Real Weddings

All the married ladies: did you find your wedding dress at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite? We love a good wedding story, and we’d be honored to share yours!

If you want to be featured on the blog in our Real Weddings section, email Nordstrom Wedding Stories and we’ll give you the details on what we need from you. It’s easy! And how cool to share your wedding story as an inspiration for other brides?!

P.S.: Photographers and wedding planners: you can submit a wedding too, at the same email address above.

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Bride-to-be Cara catches us up on her wedding planning, sharing details about her venue.

I’ve hit a couple of big milestones lately in wedding planning! First, we have a venue and date! Second, we are halfway through our engagement! I’m feeling a combination of excitement, nervousness, stress, giddiness, and fear—often all in one day (making me super-fun to be around, wink).

Choosing our venue was not easy; I was overwhelmed by choices. Although I did like the idea of a winter wedding at one point, we ultimately decided that we wanted to be outdoors—and warm! A summer wedding felt right. We did a ton of research online and made a couple of weekend visits to locations, looking at farms, wineries, beaches, hotels, parks, campgrounds… you name it. Finally, a friend suggested a bed and breakfast called Treehouse Point. As soon as we saw it, we couldn’t stop thinking about it!


Treehouse Point has—you guessed it—treehouses for us to stay in. So cool! The property is tucked away in the woods on a small river, with a grassy area for the ceremony and a lodge for dinner and dancing. Just imagine how green and lush it will be in the summer (when it’s not covered in fallen leaves and soaking wet from all our winter rain, that is)!


We really wanted to have our family and closest friends stay at the venue to spend extra time together, so we’re making a full weekend out of it. I’m hoping we’ll be able to decorate, arrange flowers, hang out by the river and relax the day before, in addition to having the rehearsal and dinner. Then we’ll just wake up and already be there for the big day!

I’m so excited to start planning the décor! But I’m forcing myself to tackle some of the bigger items first: save-the-dates, catering, photography, invitations—and of course, the dress—are all at the top of the to-do list. Stay tuned for more soon!

– UPDATE! Just saw that Treehouse Point is on Brides list of 50 Romantic Wedding Venues in the U.S.! So cool! Feeling really lucky this place is right in our backyard. Check out the article for some other amazing venue inspiration. –

—Cara

 P.S. Follow me on Instagram @Brideology for more pictures!

Elizabeth and Adam share how they filled their wedding day with the things they love most.

The Scene: October 20th, 2012, in Denver, Colorado

On our wedding day, the most important thing to us was to incorporate as many things and people we love as possible. Among our favorite things on Earth are family, friends, music, beer, food and having a good time with said favorites. We got married on the most beautiful Colorado fall day—October 20th, 2012—at Highlands Lutheran Church, followed by a reception at Space Gallery in the Art District of Denver. It was the most incredible experience in the world to share so many sweet moments with the most important people in our life—all in one space!

We have amazingly talented friends and family, and our wedding day was so lovely because they shared their gifts with us. Some of our favorite personal touches of the wedding day were:

  • our beautiful cake was made by a good friend
  • the bridal processional was arranged by another friend
  • two friends performed the song that I walked down the aisle to (“Somebody Loved” by the Weepies)
  • an original song was composed by a friend for our recessional
  • Reed Grimm and the Shoeless Revolution led an amazing dance party
  • pint glasses were designed by another talented friend of ours as favors

Our beer-themed wedding reception involved some of our local craft beer favorites as well as beer that was home-brewed by our friends. Serendipity Catering did an amazing job with our beer-pairing menu, which suggested craft beers to go with all of our food options. We choose to DIY the majority of our flowers and centerpieces, and I was blessed to have an army of women pull all of that together to make our day beautiful and just right. Our families have preceded us with an incredible legacy of marriage, and we honored them by having their wedding photos placed around the art gallery.

My Wedding Stylist: Stacey Kallenberg at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite in Lone Tree, Colorado

My visit to the Nordstrom Wedding Suite was far and away the best dress-shopping experience I had. It was my last appointment after a marathon day of dress-shopping with my mom, who had come in from out of town along with my cousin and aunt. Aside from the obvious reasons of wanting to get the just-right dress, there was an added desire to find the perfect dress: As a gift when I was in college, my maternal grandparents—who have since passed—gave me money so they could buy my wedding dress one day. It is, to date, one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received.

My stylist Stacey was extremely helpful and professional about listening to what I wanted and putting me in dresses she thought I might like. I found many beautiful dresses, but not The One until the very last dress I tried—a lace gown by James Clifford. It was a bit outside of what I thought I was looking for, but it turned out to be perfect! I never imagined feeling like a princess on my wedding day, as I’m just not that type of dreamer, but I really did feel beautiful.

Stacey made sure she stayed very, very accessible to me whenever I had questions or needed to get in touch. She also helped me with undergarments and gave great advice on both shoes and how to incorporate vintage jewelry that belonged to both of my grandmothers. The tailor I worked with was wonderful and worked within my time constraints to make my dress fit perfectly. The service at Nordstrom was top-notch, and I felt like I was in great hands during every step of the process.

Special Moment: The most romantic part of the day by far was when my groom surprised me by performing “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds. Be still, my heart! We accomplished our goal of throwing a great party to celebrate, and ending the day as the love of my life’s wife made the day perfect in every way.

Photography by Kevin Von Qualen

Did you find your wedding gown at Nordstrom? We love a good wedding story! E-mail Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a Wedding Stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

Ashley shares the details of her big day—and her friendship with Wedding Stylist Christy.

The Scene: October 27, 2012, at Still Waters Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA

From the day Jefferson and I got engaged, we knew we wanted our wedding to be an intimate, fun and nontraditional event for our guests—all about family and our love of wine. By having a destination wedding at a small vineyard in California, we were able to bring that vision to reality. The day was a dream come true for both of us.

We wanted our family and friends to feel as though they were attending an amazing party with great food and wine. To keep the guest count low, we made the decision to invite only those people who were in our life on a regular basis.

We asked my uncle to become “Deputy for the Day” to perform our ceremony. He has been an instrumental person in our lives, and we couldn’t think of anyone else we would want to marry us. Also, because I am an only child and my parents have been my best friends my whole life, it was fitting to have both of them walk me down the aisle. It is a memory I will hold close forever.

We also included our golden retriever, Napa, in the ceremony. She was the “flower dog” and filled her role with great stride!

My Wedding Stylist:
Christy Weidner at The Wedding Suite in Scottsdale, AZ

From the moment I met Christy, I knew I would be working with her for all our wedding needs. We just clicked right away, and I knew she would understand my style and desired look for the wedding, even though I didn’t have an exact dress in mind. We had e-mailed back and forth a few times before meeting, so when I arrived for the first shopping experience she had several dresses picked out for me. Christy was extremely professional, an excellent communicator through the whole process, personable and such a happy person.

My Look: The dress was by Nicole Miller, the Off-the-Shoulder Portrait Techno Metal Gown. It had shades of ivory and metallic gold. I accessorized with the Nina ‘Claire’ veil, kate spade new york ‘gerbera garden’ bracelet, Nadri ‘Princess’ earrings and the Badgley Mischka ‘Madalyn’ pump.

The Nicole Miller was the fourth dress I tried on, and I immediately knew it was THE dress! I had never envisioned wearing a veil, but when Christy had me try on the Nina cathedral veil, it was the perfect pairing to complete the look.

Christy made the entire experience so fun for everyone. We had a few fittings that included family members coming along, and each time we were in the suite we felt so welcome and appreciated! Little did I know that when I went looking for my wedding dress I would find a lifelong friend. We had a large reception in Arizona after the wedding and were delighted that Christy was able to attend. She is an incredible stylist and has become a great friend!

Our Special Moments: During the ceremony we passed around a glass dish that has been in my family for a hundred years. It held our rings, and we asked each guest to say a blessing over them before we recited our vows to each other. The entire day was full of emotion as we saw our dream unfold with the people we loved around us.

We worked endless hours on invitations, programs, menus, games and favors. Jefferson and his father made wine for each person to take home, a special reminder of a memorable day!

Photography by Scott and Breanna Chanson, Radiant Photography by the Chansons

Wedding décor provided by Modern Revival

February 14, 2013

Real Wedding: Scot and Alison

Alison tells us her sweet love story—from a St. Valentine’s Day “date” to her dream wedding!

 

My husband, Scot, and I met through mutual friends. It took us a while to warm up to each other, but one Valentine’s Day, we found ourselves alone at happy hour, where Scot made sure he clarified, “We are not on a date!” I agreeably responded, “Of course not!” Six hours of chatting and countless glasses of wine later—and a couple more un-dates over the next few months—and the rest is now history.

A whirlwind romance and a year later, and we were engaged at the end of winter. True to our relationship timeline, we didn’t want a long engagement, so we decided to plan a wedding for early the next fall.

The Scene: 9.22.12 at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain in Avon, CO

Leading up to the wedding, I was so stressed out over the final details. However, when the day arrived, all of the logistics and material details of the day just faded away. I just look back on the day and remember the amazing amount of love and happiness I felt at marrying my best friend and being able to celebrate with those we love most in the world.

My Wedding Stylist: Stacey Kallenberg at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite at Park Meadows in Littleton, CO

My Look: My gown was by Theia, with a belt by Nina. For the ceremony, I wore a veil by Nina, and for the reception, I wore a flower headpiece by Tasha.

I found my wedding dress much like I found my husband–in a complete whirlwind when I was least expecting it!

I was completely overwhelmed with the idea of wedding-planning, especially when it came to the thought of a dress! So many options! Without an official date set or any idea of venue, my matron of honor convinced me to go wedding dress-shopping on a whim one afternoon.

We dropped in at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite and made an appointment with Stacey. While waiting for our appointment, my friend pulled a gown she thought would be perfect. It was a mermaid style, and I just didn’t see how it’d work for me, but I promised to humor her and try it on. Much to my surprise, when I looked in the mirror, we all couldn’t help but squeal uncontrollably! The first dress I tried on was The One, and there was no turning back!

To finish the look, Stacey helped me pick the perfect accessories for the dress. I never imagined being so excited about my bridal look! It was then that the whole vision of the wedding came together, thanks to the dressa classic, romantic look with a fun, modern twist!

A few months later, I brought my mother-in-law back for a styling appointment with Stacey.

That was the first afternoon I had spent with my mother-in-law, and we bonded while getting her fitted for a sparkly number for the wedding and picking out some fun cocktail dresses I could wear to other wedding events.

What with how incredibly overwhelming the wedding process can be, it’s invaluable to be able to meet with a personal stylist who takes the time to create a true bridal experience and who can help you complete your entire bridal look!

Our Special Moments: Some of my favorite moments of the day include a Breakfast with the Bride that my matron of honor hosted on the morning of the wedding. It allowed me to spend the morning relaxing with all of the women I love most in my life, all in the same room at the same time–it was so special!

Also, Scot and I decided not to do a “first look.” Our friends and photographers spent the day carefully crafting our movements so we didn’t run into each other on the property. It all made the build-up to the ceremony even more special. The moment we first locked eyes as I came down the aisle was priceless.

Photography by Anna Jones

Did you find your wedding gown at Nordstrom? We love a good wedding story! E-mail Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a Wedding Stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

Beautiful dresses, gorgeous weather and secluded country pastures: Caroline and Jason Oh look back on their lovely fall wedding, which took place on the acres of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York State.

Big Day: October 14, 2012
The Scene: Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, NY

Jason and I both wanted to have a small, intimate wedding with close friends and fantastic food. We were engaged in July of 2012. Since neither one of us wanted a long engagement, we decided on a fall 2012 wedding. From the beginning, we had a very clear vision of the type of venue, size and feel of the wedding we wanted, so planning for such a big occasion in a short period of time was manageable.

We wanted our wedding to have a very personal feel. I chose to make my own centerpieces of dark red James Storie orchids, as well as my bouquet and boutonnieres (for Jason and the men in the family), using a mix of white freesia, vendela roses, and dark red hypericum berries. The arch for our ceremony consisted of branches of ilex berry branches (also called winterberry, a type of holly), which I absolutely loved.

Favors: I made three varieties of homemade jam—strawberry rhubarb, wild blueberry lemon, peach mango—using local berries and fruits.

My Wedding Stylist: Michelle Britton at Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ.

Michelle and the team at the Wedding Suite were fantastic. Friendliness, responsiveness, and communication: across the board, everyone was great to work with. The dress came on time, and we had time for two fittings with an in-house seamstress who was also terrific. I can say that the team really made my wedding dress shopping experience fun, and completely pain-free.

My Dress: I came in specifically for a NOUVELLE Amsale gown from the Fall 2012 collection after seeing the dress in a wedding magazine. It was only the second dress I tried on. For the reception, I wore Givenchy‘s multi-strand pearl necklace and matching drop earrings.

Our Special Moment: Before the ceremony, Jason and I had a few minutes to walk through the reception area and outdoor ceremony garden before our guests arrived. Seeing everything beautifully in place, just awaiting the guests, let us have a few quiet moments to really focus on the fact that we were getting married. After months of planning, now all we had to do was say “I do”! It was a fantastic feeling.

Photography © 2012 Steve Worth Photography

Did you find your wedding dress at Nordstrom? Share your aisle style with us! E-mail Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a Wedding Stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

November 21, 2012

Real Wedding: Linda & Timothy

Linda gives us the scoop on tying the knot—and finding bliss—in the city that never sleeps.

The Scene: September 2012: New York City.
Ceremony – Battery Park, Reception – Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe.

More than anything else, we wanted our wedding to represent us—our aesthetic, our values and our experiences. We didn’t want to do things a certain way just because it was expected, and we wanted to include people who were important to us in unique ways. It meant incorporating our own vows, and most importantly it meant a setting that was meaningful to both of us: Battery Park. Tim and I met 16 years ago at Stuyvesant High School, located just adjacent to Battery Park, and though we didn’t date until some years later, it was there that our paths first crossed.

For the dinner reception, two things were most important to us: food and music. By having the reception at Housing Works, we knew that in addition to a quintessential New York vibe, we would also be supporting a great cause. Keeping social and environmental impact in mind, we used a local, woman-owned chocolate artisan for our wedding favors, we chose flowers that were in season, directly from the flower district, and we kept disposable items to a minimum (no menus, escort cards, etc.). None of this would have been possible without our dream team of vendors and helpers!

Special Moments: It’s hard to choose just one special detail of the day—all of it was more than we could have asked for. After 10+ years together, our wedding sent us right back to the honeymoon phase. Only we got to kick it off with everyone we love.

My Wedding Stylist: Heather Bowser, Nordstrom San Francisco Shopping Centre

I pretty much stumbled upon the Wedding Suite, and I’m SO glad I did. The place looks deceptively small, and every time a dress came out it seemed like they were being pulled out of thin air—quite magical. The selection is more like a boutique, with unique dresses and an intimate feeling. They also understood my style right away and respected my budget, which I appreciated tremendously. Every time I visited, the dressing room was ready with the dress and everything else I would need to complete the outfit. Heather was always so willing to run up- or downstairs to get me whatever I needed. I also love that alterations were offered right there, and the seamstress and I bonded right away so I trusted her. For the parts they couldn’t help with—like the sleeves I wanted to add—they even referred me to a local fabric store.

My husband also ended up getting the John Varvatos Trim Fit grey suit at Nordstrom. Heather introduced us to someone in the men’s department, and we walked away with the perfect look.

My Dress & Accessories:
Theia petal gown, with custom-made sleeves
Nadri Pear Drop Earrings in Sapphire & ‘Bezel Station’ Collar Necklace

My Wedding Party: My bridesmaids wore the Donna Morgan Belted Chiffon Dress in midnight and powder blue.

Photography by Peter Zhao

Did you find your wedding dress at Nordstrom? Share your aisle style with us! E-mail Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a Wedding Stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

Courtney tells us how she managed to juggle her time between planning her beautiful wedding and studying for the Bar Exam!

The Scene:
Fall 2012: Rengstorff House Gardens, Mountain View, CA
Yakeen and I dated for about seven years before he proposed in May of 2011 on one of our annual camping trips. Our vision from the beginning was to have a small, intimate wedding, which is exactly what it turned out to be–about 45 guests. I am originally from Mountain View, and I really wanted to get married in my hometown, so the Rengstorff House was the perfect ceremony venue.

We decided to have our reception at Michaels At Shoreline Restaurant, which was so convenient because our guests were able to walk to it following the ceremony.

We did not want to spend a lot of money on the wedding, and we also wanted to keep the stress often associated with wedding planning to a minimum. Most of my planning actually took place while I was in my last year of law school in Los Angeles. I took advantage of my winter and spring breaks while in Mountain View to meet with my venue, flower and cake vendors.

I did most of my planning months in advance, because I knew I could not do it while studying for the Bar Exam, which I took in July of this year. With my mom’s help, I also made the invitations, seed-packet favors, place cards and signs–Yakeen drew our guestbook tree.

My Dress:
I found “The Dress” at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite in San Francisco. As soon as I put on my Nicole Miller dress, my mom said, “That is the one!” It’s a form-fitting, floor-length, off-white silk dress with lace on top. Because I am petite, I originally wanted a knee-length dress, as I thought that hemming a long dress might ruin the look.

I am lucky that both short and long dresses had been pulled for me, because otherwise, I probably would not have even tried on this Nicole Miller!

The Ceremony:
The ceremony was very special for Yakeen and me–in particular because of the people who were part of it. Our officiant was a superior court judge who Yakeen worked with while in law school. We both have the utmost respect for this judge, and we were so honored that he agreed to marry us. Our photographer was one of my best friends of over twenty years; she is not a photographer by trade but took amazing photos because she knows us both so well.

Other special players included another best friend who acted as my “day of” person–ensuring that everything went smoothly–a stylist friend who did a beautiful job on my hair and makeup and my brother-in-law, who played the acoustic guitar while guests arrived for the ceremony. We could not have asked for a more perfect day–celebrating a new step in our lives together with our close friends and family!

My Wedding Stylist:
Heather Bowser at Nordstrom San Francisco Centre
Heather was such a great help from the very beginning. Weeks prior to my appointment, she called and asked about my dress preferences, so that on the day my mom and I met with her, she had several dresses in my size waiting in my dressing room. She even had shoes and undergarments in my size, so I did not have to bring anything with me. Heather made the wedding dress shopping experience fun and stress-free!

Hemming the dress did not pose any problems either. Nordstrom’s seamstress, Lilly, came right up and pinned the dress to show me how it would look once hemmed, and she assured me that it would fit perfectly.

I loved that I could get everything, including the dress, undergarments, shoes and jewelry, all in one place. The personal service I received was exceptional, and I could not have asked for a better experience!

Favorite Accessories:
I also got my wedding accessories from Nordstrom with Heather’s assistance. It was really helpful to try on my Nordstrom undergarments (shorts and body shaper) to see exactly what they would look like under my dress. During the final fitting, I tried on the belt that I originally had purchased at Nordstrom to go with the dress, but Heather suggested a slimmer belt that had since come in; it actually looked a lot better, and I was able to exchange the first one for it.

My mom also asked Heather for jewelry suggestions, and she found the perfect silver necklace, which was simple yet added a little sparkle to my look. It was so convenient that Heather was able to ship my dress and accessories to my house once they were ready, so I did not have to drive back to San Francisco to pick them up.

Special Moments:
I have one funny story about the day, which involves that belt I mentioned. I must have been so flustered while I was getting ready that I forgot to put it on! Luckily the dress looked great without the belt too, because it was not until after the ceremony was over and most of the pictures had been taken that I suddenly realized the belt was missing! I am so happy that I remembered then, so at least I could wear it at the reception.

I tell my friends that this story just shows that as organized as you can be, unexpected things will happen at your wedding. Nevertheless, you will still have a wonderful and memorable day!

Photography by Elisabeth de Kleer

Did you find something for a wedding at Nordstrom? We love a good wedding story! E-mail Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a Wedding Stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

JoAnna recounts her vintage-inspired wedding and everything that helped make it special.

The Scene
:
Fall 2012: Four Mounds Inn, Dubuque, IA
I wanted our wedding outside, close to water, and to have a vintage feel. I wanted old objects and memories to be carried throughout and for it all to feel comfortable for guests. The theme was “Vintage Romance,” purely based on my taste and my love for my fiancé.

I wanted the venue to feel private and secluded, so we chose Four Mounds Inn, which sits atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi in our hometown of Dubuque, IA. It’s an old estate built in the early 1900s with many charming vintage features and a large grass lawn in between the two mansions–perfect for a tent! It’s very wooded, and I knew my vision would be perfect there. It was relaxed, private and easy.

My Wedding Stylist:
Amie Kesler at Nordstrom Michigan Ave., Chicago.

I bought my dress from the Wedding Suite at Nordstrom, and I am so happy I did. Not only do I love my dress, I loved my experience. I never once worried about quality or service; I was well taken care of. My stylist was amazing throughout everything, and we’ve even developed a relationship. I’ll be sending her my photos from the wedding with a thank-you for being so amazing and making me feel so special.

I sent Amie a few ideas of what I like and a link to my Pinterest account; we talked about everything before we even met to try on dresses. When I got there, she had everything pulled for me, and her choices were dead-on. Thank you, Nordstrom—and thank you, Amie!

My Dress:
The dress was called ‘Coco Marie’ made by Heidi Elnora, with a Katie Grace lace vest on top. I also wore a Caroline DeVillo cathedral veil and champagne sash. Luckily, the lace from Caroline was the exact same that Heidi used, so it went together perfectly. I wore Judith Jack earrings and satin wedges from BP. shoes. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

I loved that I had options within the same dress and with the vest, which had buttons going down the front to give it a very classic, traditional look. I could also turn the vest around for a deep-V in the front, which had a very “me” look, and then taking it off gave me the option to cool down and dance!

Our Special Moments:
Two old doors to the entrance of our tent provided a special touch. They were the doors to the home where my mother grew up, and everyone was amazed to hear about them.

We danced all night long and got surprised with fireworks. I also surprised Aaron with a song by The Cure sung by my sister with music played by his nephew and his girlfriend. We did everything ourselves, so it was a complete and true reflection of the two of us—from each song selection for our playlist, right down to the labels for desserts.

No stress that day, just anxiousness and happiness…everyone was glowing, and the event was dubbed Love Fest 2012.

It was the most magical day we’ve ever experienced, and we will cherish it forever.

Photography © 2012 Eric Yerke.

Did you find something for a wedding at Nordstrom? We love a good wedding story! E-mail Nordstrom Wedding Stories for details about getting your wedding featured on our blog. And for more inspiration, make a complimentary appointment with a Wedding Stylist or browse our Wedding Suite.

We first mentioned our love of designer Heidi Elnora back in March when we announced the arrival of her bridal collection at the Wedding Suite. We still adore the carefree, romantic spirit of her dresses—not to mention that signature Southern sparkle.

Here’s something more to love: Heidi will be guest blogging, writing a series of posts for the Wedding Suite Blog on everything from her incredible wedding (and her many dresses) to her daily life as a designer and at home.

Check back soon for her first post, and in the meantime, here’s a glimpse at her gorgeous Alabama wedding. Lavish!