Rachel + Eli’s wedding in Milan, Italy was a a grand event with an abundance of guests, a ballroom reception and a Monique Lhuillier gown called ‘Bell Flower’. I love the bride’s vintage 60’s look, channeling the iconic style and beauty of actor Katharine Ross, in The Graduate…stunning smokey eyes, sexy up-do and pale pink lips, so good! Don’t miss the look on Rachel’s face as her groom takes the traditional ‘first look under the veil’ of his beautiful bride. Enjoy!
Rachel + Eli | November 27, 2011 | ATA Hotel Quark, Milan, Italy
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place in one of the halls on the lower level of the ATA Hotel Quark. The room was packed with our guests. I was shaking and nervous as I waited to walk down the aisle, and kept walking back and forth in the lower level lobby. My parents walked me down the aisle, which was decorated with white flowers and tulle, and at about half way, they left me, and Eli came and got me. He looked under my veil, to see if it really was me, as the tradition goes, and whispered some beautiful and romantic words to me before we started walking our path together. It was a beautiful ceremony and more than anything, emotional.
The Reception
We had an abundant buffet of a variety of foods including Persian, Italian and sushi before entering the ballroom for a sit down dinner and dancing. In the ballroom, we had blue lighting reflecting on all the white tables. We had a video slide show of our photos playing continuously on a big screen. We had a great band of 12 people who warmed up the night with their amazing rhythm and songs, and kept our guests dancing all night.
Rachel’s Dress Search
I didn’t really start my search with any particular dress in mind, but I knew I wanted a ball gown, because your wedding is the only time in your life when you can wear a big ball gown and feel like a princess. Mermaid and a-line gowns looked like ordinary evening dresses on me. I first started getting ideas of dresses when I went wedding dress shopping for my sister, who got married just a few months before me. When we went to see the dresses at the Wedding Salon of Manhasset, I saw another bride trying on the Bell Flower by Monique Lhuillier. I saw it and fell in love. It was so me! So when I started my search, I knew I had to try it on! And in the end, the Bell Flower became my wedding dress!
How Rachel Felt in Her Wedding Dress
I felt sophisticated, refined and just beautiful!
Why Rachel Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I decided to sell my dress because it’s a true beauty and it would be a shame or waste, if it just sits in my closet, and isn’t enjoyed by someone else. Its simple fresh elegance transmits such a particular positive feeling. No one should miss out!
