Featured Bride Claire On Her Striking Pnina Tornai Dress

 

“Non-traditional best describes my bridal style. I originally wanted to wear a black or red, but not everyone shared my same enthusiasm,” recalls featured bride Claire. She continues, “That was fine though, because I fell in love with my dress the moment I put it on.” Here, Claire talks about her striking Pnina Tornai gown and personal touches that she incorporate into the big day.

Part 2: Wedding Dress & Personals

Wedding dress shopping is often met with mixed emotions. Searching through rack after rack of gorgeous frocks is fun and exciting… up to a point. Then the pressure and anxiety starts to set in. Claire escaped this scenario. Her “say yes to the dress” story is the kind we all wish for. “After trying on about six dresses at Kleinfeld, I tried on my dress and knew immediately it was the one. Even the sample size fit like a glove. It was the perfect combination of classy and sexy.” The showstopper by Israeli designer Pnina Tornai featured a fitted silhouette with an exquisite lace top, which descended down into a silk, floor-length skirt. A sweeping lace panel train brought elegance and drama to the look.

 

 

 

Claire’s choice of accessories expressed her personal style as well. “I knew that I was not going to wear a long veil. The birdcage was something that I had been thinking about and it just happened to fit the dress perfectly.” Designed by Justine M Couture, the beautiful headpiece combined delicate French net with Swarovski rhinestones. She walked down the aisle in shimmery gold Christian Louboutin heels.

We love when a bride has a story behind her wedding day jewelry and Claire had something meaningful to say about every piece she wore. “For my ‘something blue,’ I wore a ring James gave me on our five-year anniversary with his birthstone, aquamarine. My diamond, flower-shaped earrings by Kwiat, the jeweler that made my engagement ring and our wedding bands, were also a present from James. My bridesmaids’ gifts were initialed gold bracelets from Vrai & Oro. I got a bracelet for myself as well so we could all wear them together.”

 

 

There were two pieces in particular that bared special importance to the bride. “I wore a gold band that my grandfather game my mother when she was sixteen. He passed away when I was young. I also had a strand of pearls that my grandmother gave to my mother, who then gifted them to me at my college graduation, wrapped around my bouquet. She passed away when my mother was young. I am tearing up just thinking about it, because even though my grandfather and grandmother weren’t there in person, they were definitely there in spirit.”

 

 

 

Claire complemented her bridal ensemble with a gorgeous bouquet of white hydrangeas and cascading Phalaenopsis orchids. Her bridesmaids looked ever so chic in black sequin dresses paired with bouquets of white playa blanca roses.

 

 

 

The men put on a dapper show too. James looked handsome in a black Brooks Brothers suit while Buddy accessorized with a stylish, wine colored bowtie. Claire says with a laugh, “Yes, Buddy was suppose to have a little tux, but it didn’t arrive in time. My sister-in-law gave him the bowtie for Christmas and it ended up being the perfect shade for our wedding.”

Stay tuned next week for Part: 3 Ceremony when Claire talks about saying “I do” amidst the timeless setting of Capitale.

Couple’s Vendor List

Venue: Capitale
Photographer: Susan Shek Photography
Video: KLassey Productions
Bride’s Dress: Pnina Tornai
Bride’s Veil: Justine M Couture
Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Groom’s Tux: Brooks Brothers
Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds
Hair & Makeup: Beautini
Invitations: Minted
Favors: Gracious Bridal + StuffforEverything
Music: Jenna Wynne Band (Hank Lane Music)
Vintage Taxi: NY Film Cars