Lauren + Chris

(February 13, 2021 in Coeur d’Alene, ID)

In today’s blog, our real bride Lauren shares her wedding gown shopping and wedding planning experience. Her wedding dress shopping journey started with seeing a gown on Dearly's Instagram just three days after getting engaged and she then tried on eight other dresses before finding "the one." On the day of the wedding, they had to make changes due to COVID and ended up eloping with a small group of loved ones. Despite the changes, the day turned out to be better than they could have ever imagined. Her advice to future brides is to enjoy the process, be laid back, and not stress over small details.

Lauren looked absolutely gorgeous in our Tipper gown from the Honest in Ivory Private Collection. This is a beautiful, classic ballgown with a full tulle skirt and horsehair trim. The satin bodice has a lovely boat neckline and a dramatic low back. This gown is simple, timeless, and yet so stunning.

By our real bride, Lauren:

How was wedding dress shopping and wedding planning for you? What was your vision?

I had seen the dress on Dearly’s Instagram 3 days after I got engaged. I had no intention of shopping that early but I knew I thought that it had everything I wanted. My husband is so big I wanted it to have some size, but not too much. I also liked the idea of a low back and did not want strapless. I’m super simple so a lot of sparkle and lace isn’t my style. I tried on 8 other dresses before this one since I had not shopped anywhere else yet. I wanted to give myself some reference points. As soon as I put my dress on everyone started crying and we knew that it was my dress!!

How did it go the day-of?

We had planned a traditional 200-person wedding and tried for months and months to make it work with COVID. About two months before the wedding we decided there was too much unknown and it would be easiest to elope. So we had our bridal party and some of our immediate family there and it turned out to be a better day than we could have ever imagined. All of the traditional pieces of a wedding were there but we got to spend time with and enjoy the small number of people that were there to celebrate with us!!

What would be your advice to future brides?

Just enjoy the process. I very purposefully went into the planning process being laid back and not wanting to be a “bridezilla”. If the decision was a small detail, I was pretty easygoing about all of it. And if my husband had an opinion or input on something, I took it. Because I knew it was important to him. I just wanted to enjoy the process myself, as well as help everyone else involved enjoy it.

Gown: Tipper from the Honest in Ivory Private Collection

Venue: Coeur d’Alene Resort

Photos: Stu Danford

Florals: Rose and Blossom

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Hair and Makeup: Abby & Molly Bergan