Tavia + Walk’s special day is such a treat, it’s hard to string it all together without simply blurting out all the amazing goodies about this gorgeous real wedding! Where to begin? Scallop laced bridesmaid dresses, delightful fairytale inspired color palette in soft pinks and pale green mixed with creams and ivory…succulents in vintage teacups, embellished picture frames with vintage postcard table numbers, milk glass vases…or how about the ballerina flower girls?! But the icing on the cake is Tavia’s Monique Lhuillier blush gown, with its breathtakingly detailed bodice. And speaking of cake, the shell detailing from the gown is perfectly echoed on the icing of the wedding cake. So good!!
Tavia + Walk | July 12th, 2013 | San Rafael, California | Dress Listing: Monique Lhuillier, Candy
The Ceremony
Our wedding ceremony was set in the lush gardens of Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael, California with the rolling hills of Marin County as our backdrop. I always knew that I wanted my friend’s mother, who is a teacher of awareness and gratitude, to be my wedding officiant. She met with my fiancé and I before the big day for a guided meditation to help us visualize the wedding ceremony of our dreams. We wrote our own vows and had nearly the whole crowd laughing and crying. We received more compliments on our vows than anything else.
The Reception
The reception was held at Falkirk Cultural Center, a beautifully restored Queen Anne Victorian mansion. We had looked at dozens of venues, in search of something within our budget yet elegant and picturesque. We live in San Francisco and love Victorian architecture, so when we visited Falkirk, we found our perfect place. We dined and toasted with old-fashioned champagne coupes on the veranda and danced the night away in the main parlor.
Tavia’s Dress Search
I must have tried on over one hundred dresses. At first, my vision was a sheath lace dress with capped sleeves and a low back. I discovered that on my petite frame I looked lost in this type of material and silhouette. I needed a gown with some structure like a corset and realized that I preferred strapless. Above all, I wanted a gown that was unique and absolutely stunning, something that would take my groom’s breath away. When I found the Monique Lhuillier, Candy dress in blush I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I fell in love with the layers of tulle and how they capture the light in photographs. The corset bodice fit the Victorian mansion setting and the blush color was that unique special-something that I was looking for. When I tried on the gown a wave of emotion came over me, I felt like a bride and I knew it was the one.
How Tavia Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Ethereal, Elegant & Stunning
Why Tavia Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I have decided to sell my dress because I believe in reusing and recycling, especially with clothing. A dress as beautiful as this one should be worn by another bride and not just tucked away in my closet. I want another woman to experience the joy of wearing this gown.
