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Casablanca Customized: Style #2225 + Three Quarter Sleeves
At Casablanca Bridal, we realize that every bride that says 'yes' to our dresses has her own brand of beauty. This is why rather than producing cookie cutter gowns, all of our styles are made to measure and are fully customizable to help each bride achieve the look of her dreams.
This Wedding Wednesday, we are pleased to share a very special #CasablancaCustomized story, featuring our Casablanca Bride, Melanie in Style #2225 Gardenia with custom 3/4 inch beaded illusion sleeves.
"I am a plus size woman so finding my dress wasn't easy. I drove from state to state and came up empty handed each time. I found Koda Bridal in Pittsburgh while searching different wedding items on "The Knot" app. When I walked in, I showed the lady a few dresses I had found online that I liked she automatically said, "Oh, you're a Casablanca girl!" Not knowing what she meant, I smiled and went upstairs to try on dresses," Melanie shared as she re-told her yes-to-the-dress moment.
"The first dress I tried on I fell in love with but wanted 3/4 sleeves. The lady started measuring and told me Casablanca Bridal would custom make my dress however I wanted it. After a few months, MY dress came in. The moment I put it on I forgot about the stress of finding what I wanted, forgot that I was a plus size woman - as I looked in the mirror tears ran down my face as all I could think about was me being a bride! All of my thoughts and dreams about this moment was coming true..."
The night Steven proposed to Melanie, he prepared a home cooked dinner. Melanie could feel him tremble when he greeted her with a hug. When Melanie asked what was wrong, Steven nervously chalked his anxious demeanor down to being afraid of burning dinner.
"We went upstairs and he told me he had a surprise. He blindfolded me and took me to the living room where I could hear sweet music playing... he began to explain how much he loved me and became very emotional. You see, my (now) husband has always been super sweet and romantic so I thought this was just a sweet surprise he planned. However, when he got choked up, I knew something was different."
"When he couldnΓÇÖt get the words out, he giggled and said, 'Oh, screw it' and took my blindfold off. When I could see, he was on one knee and asked if I would marry him. When I calmed down I looked around the room and he had carved several pumpkins (it was fall and my favorite time of the year) that had wedding items on them such as ΓÇÿWill you marry meΓÇÖ, ΓÇÿsay YesΓÇÖ, a man on one knee, etc. It was the most beautiful thing IΓÇÖve ever seen!"
It only seems fitting that Melanie and Steven decided to plan a pumpkin-inspired autumn themed wedding, mixing festively bright hues of orange and purple.
"My favorite thing about my husband is that he is a true gentleman. From the very first time I saw him, heΓÇÖs always made me feel beautiful, opened doors, carried my things, etc. Besides the fact that I believe heΓÇÖs the most handsome man alive, I would have to say how he treats me is my favorite thing."
When it comes to advise for future Casablanca brides, Melanie suggests: "I would tell other brides to REALLY try to make your wedding day personal. ItΓÇÖs easy to get caught up in what is ΓÇ£inΓÇ¥ at the time or want to do what others are doing. My advice would be to make it about you and your future husband. ItΓÇÖs ok to listen to family and friends advice but at the end of the day, do things that will make the day and memories of your day special for the two of you."
Looking for more adorable autumn wedding ideas for your special day? Visit our Pinterest board dedicated to Fall weddings for all of the inspritation you'll need!
Photography: Kelli Carrico Photography // Gown: Style #2225 Gardenia #CasablancaCustomized via Koda Bridal // Decorator + Florist: Bessie's Floral