When
#dgbride Michelle told us she was getting married in Savannah, Georgia, we
knew that her wedding was going to be a vision. Michelle is a sophisticated, poised, cool & collected bride who knew exactly what she wanted. She married her partner, Rich, on November 9, 2019 at Whitefield Chapel in Georgia. Every piece of her elegant, romantic, Southern wedding was perfect - check out the beautiful pictures by
Magiepie & Rye!
Michelle knew she wanted a destination wedding for her big day; they kept the ceremony small and intimate with only 38 people attending. "I wanted our wedding weekend to feel like a family reunion," Michelle said. They kept their focus on the subtle details and the truly important pieces of the day. She also highly recommended her wedding planner, Anna Swanson of
Rustic or Ritz Events.
"I would recommend any bride to have a wedding planner," Michelle said. "It kept my mom relaxed and allowed her to enjoy the day instead of running around trying to coordinate things."
Michelle and Rich hosted their intimate gathering of family & friends for almost a whole week in Savannah. When we asked Michelle what her favorite part of her wedding was, she mentioned multiple different times when the group was all together. They threw their guests a "Welcome Party" on the night before the wedding, featuring a casual and down-to-earth atmosphere with a bonfire and ice cream. She also encouraged other brides to have a small moment alone with their spouse right after their ceremony - "That first moment alone with your husband is so special. Make sure you take a few moments to yourself!"
Michelle ended up choosing a stunning Martina Liana A-line gown and customized the look with bespoke straps. Originally a strapless dress, Michelle made this look truly her own by making it specific to her. She gravitated toward the large lace patterning and the honey-colored gown underneath, creating beautiful visual dimension.
"I went to two dress boutiques and tried on about 15 different dresses," Michelle said. "My experience at Dress Gallery was amazing, honestly. I loved the individual rooms and the ability to talk to my mother privately between dresses. My consultant was also AMAZING. She took my comments and came back with new dresses, which is honestly so much better than me having to search through racks myself. The only thing missing would be a mimosa!"
(We totally agree with you there, Michelle. We totally wish we could serve some delicious mimosas, too!)
One of the things we absolutely love about Michelle is how down-to-earth she is. She had a distinct vision of what she wanted her wedding to be, but also understood it's important to roll with the punches and have a great day! She had some of the best advice for upcoming brides:
"Hire a wedding planner," she said first. "They don't have to be expensive, but it's good to take the stress off you and your family on the big day." Her second piece of advice? "Focus on what's important. Something isn't going to be exactly what you wanted - the hair, makeup, flowers, decor, etc. - just embrace the day being surrounded by those you love."
Michelle laying down some serious truths here! She also suggested hosting a a small party for guests instead of a rehearsal dinner. Her ice cream-and-bonfire Welcome Party was the perfect way to get everyone mingling without being in a stuffy, uptight restaurant atmosphere. With her welcoming attitude and desire to have fun, there's no doubt that this wedding was a blast - regardless of how big the guest list is.
Michelle, we can't thank you enough for including us in your special day. Planning a destination wedding and coordinating wedding services in a far away city is hard enough, but you also were willing to place your faith in us for your gown. We absolutely loved working with you and are so proud to call you a Dress Gallery bride. Your wedding is truly one-of-a-kind, the type of affair we'll be referencing for years to come. We're so proud we get to show you off. Congratulations to you, Michelle and Rich!
