Cathy + Craig | Rivini Wedding from Studio Castillero

Gorgeous flowers and a soft pink and grey color scheme create an ultra romantic atmosphere at today’s Real Wedding. Cathy and Craig said “I Do” under picture perfect California skies, surrounded by family and friends.  A stylish event space and spirited details (love the awesome groom’s cake!) made this celebration a night to remember. At the center of it all, Cathy looked simply stunning in her elegant Rivini gown. It was truly a dream come true for this beautiful bride and her handsome husband!

Cathy + Craig | July 8th, 2012 | Livermore, California

The ceremony

Our wedding ceremony was held on the lush patio at the Palms Event Center. It was a beautiful day in July. Blue skies, breathtaking views of the vineyards and the gently sloping foothills were our backdrop. Our florist had done a fantastic job and created four gorgeous and elegant arrangements of peonies, orchids, and hydrangeas in shades of cream, white, and soft pink that framed the isle. We had all our loved ones in one place and we couldn’t have asked for more.

The reception

For our reception we dined and partied the evening away in the Palms grand estate room which was lined with wine barrels and over 200 tea lights. I wanted to have the room be soft and romantic and exude what I wanted the night to be about: romance and love. Our wedding colors were white, a light and airy grey and soft pinks. We had white draping put behind the head table along with behind our dessert bar. We also had a gorgeous large accent mirror placed behind the dessert bar that had writing on it that read “All you need in life is love and…. a little dessert”. We place a white dance floor in the middle of the room and framed it with some lounge seating. It was important to us that our guest had a great time so what better way to do that then to dance the night away? All in all, from our wedding planner to our amazing florist to the staff at the Palms and our fun loving photographers, our vendors went above and beyond and gave my husband and I a wedding that surpassed what we could have ever dreamed of.

Cathy’s dress search

When I started my wedding dress search I had intended on a lace style gown, but as I started trying on dresses, I realized that they did not flatter me. The longer I searched the more confused I got. I tried on over a 100 dresses but at some point I saw the Lismora on a wedding blog and fell completely in love with the dress (but not the price tag). I tried to put it out of my mind but could not. I thought I could order it in at a local bridal salon to try on so that I would find out that maybe I didn’t love it. Well I was wrong there. I tried it on and I loved it just as much as when I had seen it on the blog if not more. I gave myself another month to try on similar styles but nothing compared so I ended up buying my Lismora, and I couldn’t have been happier.

The way Cathy felt in her wedding dress

Elegant, Beautiful, Glamorous

Why Cathy decided to sell her wedding dress

Wedding gowns are a thing of beauty and it saddens me to think that they are only worn once and then put away somewhere in a dark closet. I want someone else to be able to feel the same way I did on my wedding day in a gorgeous couture wedding dress, but without having to spend all that money.

Cathy’s wedding dress: Rivini, Lismora / Photography: Rachel and Rico from Studio Castillero / Ceremony & Reception Venue: Palms Event Center / Event Planning: Kristen of Sugar Rush Events / Floral Design: Vo Floral Designs / Cake and Cupcake Tower: Beth at Studio Cake / Other Desserts and Grooms Cake: Rachael and Kyle, Sweet Tooth Confections