GOWNS

We all know that opposites often attract. Salty and sweet are a match made in heaven; a small-town girl living in a lonely world falls for a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit. Such contrary pairings inspired the gown selections that we made with Heather DiMasi and Tori Mastropole of White of Dublin. We chose pairs of gowns that were regal, feminine, elegant, romantic and bohemian—but within each pair are two gowns that couldn’t be more different. Find them on the pages that follow; even more photos from this shoot are available at cbuswedmag.com/Gowns.

Attra c t OPPOSITES

STORY BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY PHOTOS BY TIM JOHNSON

QUEEN OF THE CITY

Here and on Page 22, this dramatic ballgown is fit for royalty, thanks to a multilayered skirt and embellished bodice with a dropped waist and sweetheart neckline. Ian Stuart “LaFayette” gown and Thomas Knoell “Monroe” earrings, prices available on request, from White of Dublin; house-designed engagement ring, $4,980 (setting only), from Worthington Jewelers.

FIT(TED) FOR A QUEEN

Far more simple, but no less regal, is this long-sleeve crepe column gown with a plunging neckline and a subtle sweep train. Romona Keveza No. 9506 gown, price available on request; Elle bar earrings, $110, and housedesigned engagement ring, $4,980 (setting only), from Worthington Jewelers.

BELLE OF THE BALLGOWN

A cathedral-length train and subtle blush tone add femininity to this ballgown, which also features a glittery skirt with a lace overlay and geometric embroidery. Rosa Clara “Bandle” gown and Sara Gabriel “Bobbi” earrings and tiara, prices available on request, from White of Dublin; Gottlieb & Sons engagement ring, $2,755 (setting only) and wedding band, $975, from Worthington Jewelers.

TICKLE ME PINK

Sharing a blush shade, neckline and lace motif with the gown on the opposite page, this beauty’s drama comes from the feathers placed strategically along its hem and train. Pronovias “Madeline” gown, Boutique de Voile hair vine and Thomas Knoell “Monroe” earrings, prices available on request, from White of Dublin; Gottlieb & Sons engagement ring, $2,755 (setting only) and wedding band, $975, from Worthington Jewelers.

REFINED STYLE

Butterflies appear to be perched delicately on the one-shoulder tulle strap, bodice and skirt of this fit-and-flare gown. Romona Keveza No. 9508 gown and Sara Gabriel “Rowan” hair comb, prices available on request, from White of Dublin; Gottlieb & Sons engagement ring, $2,755 (setting only) and wedding band, $975, from Worthington Jewelers.

EXUDING ELEGANCE

This column gown features a slight- ly asymmetrical, 3D neckline and a cape-style train that flows from the hip. Romona Keveza No. 9507 gown, price available on request; Headbands of Hope lotus hair clip, $12, from PENZONE Salons + Spas; Gottlieb & Sons engagement ring, $2,755 (setting only) and wed- ding band, $975, from Worthington Jewelers. Shoes are model’s own.

SWEETHEART VIBES

A voluminous A-line ballgown with a pleated, textured skirt and plunging neckline is the perfect marriage of minimalism and detail. Sassi Holford “Verity” gown, price available on request; Diamond Emotions bangle, $75, and Elle bar earrings, $110, from Worthington Jewelers.

MODERN ROMANCE

Featuring a basic trumpet silhouette, this gown’s stunning illusion details, detachable balloon sleeves and cathedral-length train make this gown anything but standard. Galia Lahav “Camilla” gown, price available on request; LaFonn earrings, $175, from Worthington Jewelers.

BOHO BEAUTY

A sequined and beaded column skirt hides coyly under a tulle overlay with lace appliqués in this dreamy gown. Martina Liana No. 1137 gown and Boutique de Voile hair vine, prices available on request, from White of Dublin; Gottlieb & Sons engagement ring, $2,755 (setting only) and wedding band, $975, from Worthington Jewelers.

FREE SPIRIT

Graphic and floral laces adorn this sexy, fit-and-flare gown that also features a sheer train overlay with scalloped edges. Martina Liana No. 1060 gown and Martina Liana No. AVL0028 veil, prices available on request; Elle bar earrings, $110, and necklace, $95, and housedesigned engagement ring, $4,980 (setting only), from Worthington Jewelers.

GOWNS: White of Dublin

ACCESSORIES: Worthington Jewelers and White of Dublin

HAIR: Skye Menninger, PENZONE Salon + Spa Dublin

MAKEUP: Marnie Morley, PENZONE Salon + Spa Short North

MODEL: Rachael Johnson, Sigal Models

VENUE: National Veterans Memorial and Museum

FLOWERS: Ampersand Flowers & Events

Who Are You Wearing?

A guide to gown designers (and where to find them in Central Ohio)

BY BROOKE PRESTON

Any bridal boutique worth its salt will provide a polished, customer-focused experience along with a range of styles and price points. However, all those choices can make it tricky for a bride to narrow down which shops are the best fit for her needs. Even a sartorially savvy shopper might feel like a novice when it comes to bridal-specific silhouettes, sizing and designers.

On Blaique and Michael DeMaria’s wedding day, Blaique wore a Morilee gown from Henri’s Bridal. (614 Wedding Photography)

Even if a bride-to-be has homed in on a particular designer or dress spotted online or in a magazine, it’s important to know that every boutique carries a finite and distinct, if overlapping, set of designers and dresses. Contacting local boutiques in advance to confirm they carry your desired styles can save valuable time. A reputable boutique should be able to provide honest, thorough answers to inquiries about stock, turnaround times, designers, trunk sales and general price points.

To help ease wedding planning stress, we’ve asked some of Central Ohio’s top bridal boutique owners and managers to share a little about the signature style of many of today’s popular wedding gown lines, what types of venues or weddings are (generally speaking) an ideal fit for each, and a few sure bets on where to find each locally. While this list isn’t comprehensive, it’s a good introduction to various design houses and local stockists.

Justin Alexander Signature style: “This line has a very classic, very sleek, timeless feel, while also being pretty modern,” says bridal manager Paige Skillman of Henri’s Bridal. Ashley Gammon, manager at Twirl Bridal, adds, “These are very clean, pretty and traditional fits and styles. A bride will be able to look at photos of herself wearing it 10 years from now with no regrets about the style she chose.” Wedding aesthetic: Sleek, grand and classic, the line is perfect for a ballroom, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Ohio Statehouse or other upscale, modern venues. Find it locally: Henri’s Bridal, Twirl Bridal

LEFT, Semira Ibrahim’s Stella York gown, purchased at Wendy’s Bridal, featured illusion lace details (Hillary Ferguson Photography); RIGHT, Lori Borojevich also went to Wendy’s for her Allure gown (Comfort Photography).

Allure Signature style: Allure gowns offer a range of fresh takes on classic styles. “This line— there are actually several lines within the Allure brand—is pretty traditional, with modern twists. Many have some lace and a little sparkle,” Skillman says. “I will say, it’s probably the best in terms of overall fit of anything we have; Allure gowns offer a really great fit. That might mean less alterations, because they fit every body type very well.” One of Allure’s newest lines is Wilderly, which Gammon describes as “very boho, very on-trend, versus the more traditional Allure line.” Allure Women is the designer’s plus-size line, and Allure Modest features gowns with a little more coverage. The Mix + Match collection offers skirt and top separates for a more customizable look. Wedding aesthetic: Skillman notes that Henri’s Allure customers wear them to everything from rustic to formal weddings. “It’s a pretty versatile line,” she adds. Wilderly’s light, breathable fabrics and delicate details would be perfect for daytime or outdoor weddings, from beach to barn. Bridal collections: Allure Bridals, Allure Couture, Allure Romance, Madison James, Wilderly Bride, Allure Women, Mix + Match, Allure Modest Find it locally: Henri’s Bridal (Bridal, Couture, Romance), Twirl Bridal (Bridal, Couture), Wendy’s Bridal (Bridal, Romance, Madison), Dublin Bridal (Bridal, Romance, Madison)

Essence of Australia Signature style: Gammon sums up Essence of Australia’s namesake line as “your on-trend Pinterest bride through and through; affordable and versatile, but with plenty of ‘wow factor.’” Essence sets and follows trends, without compromising quality and fit, with lightweight, stretchy, comfortable gowns.

Essence’s Stella York collection, the company’s most affordable (boasting designs for every size), shares the ease and comfort of higher-end lines, with pops of trendy details and drama, such as sheer and intricate illusion backs.

The Martina Liana collection is the company’s couture line, designed with intricate beading, exquisite hand detailing and delicate laces. “Martina Liana designs are beautiful, sought-after designs for both the fashion-forward and the more classic, traditional bride,” says Heather DiMasi, owner of White of Dublin. “Brides love Martina Liana’s fit and construction. Martina also customizes dresses to help a bride achieve her own unique and personal style.” Wedding aesthetic: With multiple collections, versatile styles and price points, these collections can be suited for any wedding venue or vibe. Bridal collections: Essense of Australia, Martina Liana, Stella York Find it locally: White of Dublin (Martina), Twirl Bridal (Essence, Stella, Martina), Wendy’s Bridal (Essense, Stella)

Eve of Milady Signature style: “This is a couture line with a really good fit, a really good silhouette to fit any body type,” says Skillman. “They have a lot of very intricate details; they are really beautiful.” The line is known for its intricate embroideries and laces; dramatic skirts and trains also are common. Wedding aesthetic: Think glamorous—from upscale outdoor weddings at a botanical garden to a formal, ballroom-style affair. Bridal collections: Couture, Boutique, Amalia Carrara Find it locally: Henri’s Bridal

Galia Lahav Signature style: “Lahav is a high-end couture designer out of Israel who is known for unique, sleek, sophisticated, sexy elegance,” DiMasi says. “This line is always on the cutting edge of fashion.” You’ll see a lot of sheer details in the Galia collections, which are more sexy than sweet. Many styles push the fashion envelope in the best way. “If a bride wants to know what will be trending in bridal fashion, she need only look to Galia Lahav to see the forecast,” says DiMasi. Wedding aesthetic: Sophisticated and ontrend, such as a chic, Downtown rooftop celebration. Bridal collections: Galia Lahav, GALA by Galia Lahav Find it locally: White of Dublin

Morilee by Madeline Gardner Signature style: Morilee is a recognizable brand known for soft, often traditionally feminine classics. “This line has great name recognition and is very traditional,” says Skillman. “Usually these are very lacy, or have lace detailing, and are precisely what you envision when you think about a classic wedding gown.” Gammon agrees that lace is a Morilee staple, adding, “This line tends to evolve with what brides are asking for each season, so right now that means clean crepe with lace and some styles with sleeves.” Wedding aesthetic: Morilee’s traditional silhouettes and details make it a great fit for religious weddings, rustic barns, and outdoor or daytime events, versus a bold, edgy or overtly sexy vibe. Bridal collections: Morilee, Blu, Voyagé, AF Couture, Julietta Find it locally: Henri’s Bridal (Morilee, AF Couture), Wendy’s Bridal (Morilee, Blu, Voyagé, Julietta)

Pronovias Signature style: Pronovias’ style is sensual and dramatic, as one might expect from a company based in Barcelona, Spain. Despite the glamour of the often deep-plunging necklines and form-fitting cuts, this line still maintains a fresh and elegant look. “An unmistakable aesthetic that is classic and inviting. Clean, crisp crepes, lovely Spanish lace and sometimes a hint of sparkle,” says DiMasi. “Pronovias wedding dresses are sought after all over the world.” Wedding aesthetic: Sleek, sophisticated city or destination weddings are a great fit for Pronovias’ bold feel. Bridal collections: Pronovias, Atelier Pronovias, Pronovias Privée, Mix & Dream Find it locally: White of Dublin (Pronovias, Privée), B. Loved Bridal Boutique (Atelier Pronovias)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP, Julia Gaskill’s Rivini gown from La Jeune Mariee featured a large bow detail (Derk’s Works Photography); Devery Turner found her Morilee gown at Wendy’s Bridal (Hillary Ferguson Photography); Breana Smith opted for a Morilee AF Couture gown from Henri’s Bridal (Comfort Photography).

Maggie Sottero Signature style: Skillman describes Sottero’s style as romantic and even a little boho, with plenty of lace, beading and detailing. Sottero’s vast line and three collections have something for everyone. Wedding aesthetic: Sottero gowns are at home from the altar to forest path to the dancefloor. Daytime, outdoor and trendy rustic weddings are a good match. Bridal collections: Maggie Sottero, Sottero and Midgley, Rebecca Ingram Find it locally: Henri’s Bridal (Maggie), Wendy’s Bridal (Maggie, Rebecca)

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Mariah Burchnell favored a sweet, simple Stella York gown from Wendy’s Bridal. (614 Wedding Photography)

David Tutera Signature style: “Tutera is a celebrity wedding planner and designer, as well as a television personality known best for the show My Fair Wedding,” says DiMasi. “David has created a new, custom, couture collection that will be [locally] available only at White of Dublin in January 2020. Brides have already begun to call to request them. David has used the most luxurious fabrics and paid personal attention to every detail.” Wedding aesthetic: These unique yet approachable couture designs are sure to please discerning customers from Hollywood royalty to upscale “Queen for a Day” brides. Find it locally: White of Dublin

No matter what venue you’ve chosen or which designers’ styles make you swoon, boutique experts urge brides to keep an open mind, even as they begin to narrow the field. “We always try to stress that it’s more about the silhouette than the designer specifically,” says Skillman. “Many designers will likely have a great dress that can fit your criteria.” Adds DiMasi, “We have seen a trend toward independence when it comes to a bride’s wedding dress and her venue. At one point a bride wanted to buy a dress that ‘fit’ her venue. Now, a bride’s dress and her venue exist independently, yet come together in the most unique and wonderful ways. Brides will wear a sexy glamorous dress at a barn wedding, and it’s divine! So, the best advice is to say yes to the dress of your dreams. It will come together beautifully!” œ

Bridal & Prom Boutique 101 N. DETROIT ST. KENTON • 419-674-4878 Schedule Your Appointment Online - twirlbride.com

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A Couture Bridal BoutiqueAC B d l B 23 N. High St. Dublin, OH23 i h S D bli O www.whiteofdublin.com 614-791-2600

Say “Yes” without Stress

TLC star Randy Fenoli discusses bridal trends, his gown collections and tips to find The One (dress, that is).

On Jan. 11-12, 2020, Randy Fenoli—fashion designer, author and co-star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress and the soonto-debut Say Yes to the Dress America—will be the celebrity guest at the Columbus Weddings Show. We sat down with him to talk all things dress-shopping with the man who knows the process best. —Emma Frankart Henterly

Responses have been edited for clarity and length.

What trends can we expect to see on runways and aisles in 2020? That’s a very challenging question to answer. My gowns are carried in about 70 countries, and trends vary. Even in the U.S., the trends from New York are quite different from what’s happening in Ohio, which is quite different from what’s happening in California.

So with that being said, that kind of is the trend: that everything and anything that any bride is looking for is out there today. A bride can have literally any look she wants.

That’s why in the collection I designed, the gowns are really varied. If you look at my dresses, you’ll see boho, you’ll see traditional, you’ll see princess—you’ll see just about every look that I can cover, because there are so many trends. I think brides today want the gown to reflect their personal style and not so much a bridal trend.

With so much variety in the market, how can a bride best prepare to go gown shopping? The very first thing, I think the couple really needs to sit down and create a wedding budget. And within that budget, you need to allocate where the money’s going to go, but also leave room to move that money around. I really believe together to have their finances in check. Number two, I think it’s really important for the couple to really firm up what they want their wedding to look like and make sure that they are one in keeping with that vision.

It’s interesting that you say gown shopping starts not with the bride but with her and her partner together. That’s where a lot of people get lost today. They need to bring it back to, what is this about? And it’s about a couple coming together and who that couple is.

Once all that is decided, what else should a bride do to prepare? Do some research on the salon that you’re going to, to make sure that they carry dresses that are in your budget. You don’t want to go to a couture salon that starts selling gowns at $5,000 if your budget’s $1,500.

What about getting inspiration from Pinterest and magazines? There’s a positive and a negative to that. A lot of girls come in with pictures from Pinterest that can be put up by anyone from all over the world. It could be an editorial shoot or something that a designer made in school or something a company did as a runway piece, and the gown doesn’t even really exist. Then they come in with this expectation of, “I want this gown,” but that gown isn’t in production.

Or maybe they come in with a picture and that’s it—no designer’s name, no price point. Then we look at the picture and it’s like, “OK, that’s a $15,000 gown, and it was one-of-a-kind, and your budget is $1,500.” It can be challenging if they only rely on the picture and don’t do their homework.

So how can brides better use those inspiration photos? Let the consultant know the direction you’re going in. That lets the consultant know that you’re looking for a more fitted dress, or you want to be a princess. A lot of brides don’t have the verbal tools to express that it’s a smart practice for any couple starting a life

what they’re looking for because they’re not “into” fashion. They can’t say, “I want a silk satin gown with lace and Swarovski crystals and a trumpet silhouette.” They may not know a trumpet from an A-line from a fit-and-flare from a mermaid. I think here, a picture can sometimes paint a thousand words, as they say.

And what’s your biggest piece of advice for brides? Raise your left hand in the air and say, “I am beautiful.” Then look at that left hand and look at that ring on that finger—the person who gave you that thinks you’re beautiful, just the way you are. Recognize your own inner beauty and that every bride can look beautiful, no matter what size, shape, age, ethnicity, religion, whatever.

I think brides are so afraid and anxious about whether they’ll find the dress. You’re going to find the dress. I have yet to see a bride walk down the aisle naked. Relax, and choose the dress that makes you feel beautiful. Because when you feel beautiful, it’s not about the dress—it’s about how you’re wearing the dress. You smile brighter, your shoulders go back and you just stand taller. That’s why, on Say Yes to the Dress, my question is always the same: How do you feel? And they start talking about the dress, and I’m like, “No, no, no. How do you feel?” Because if you feel beautiful, then you’re going to wear it differently and you’re going to be gorgeous on your wedding day. That confidence equals beauty. œ