Just like my previous recap post covering wedding day hair and makeup, through today’s post I will attempt to recap, in as much detail as possible, my dress, shoes and jewelry. Again, this is another HUGE post. I hope you’ll take the time to read through and enjoy our photos by Daniel Meigs.

First off, let me start by saying that this woman was an ABSOLUTE lifesaver:

Her name is Sarah Mallory and she runs SLM Designs & Something Old Designs. If you can dream it, Sarah can create it.

I was fortunate to meet Sarah at Bridesmaid Melissa’s birthday in May of 2009. Perfect timing…because just a few months later, I knew she would be JUST the person to help me create my dream wedding dress.

After several sessions of brainstorming and hours of looking through wedding magazines and blogs for inspiration, Sarah had sketched the final design for my dress. The starting point for the design was the handmade gown my mother wore on her wedding day in 1974.

Perfectly preserved in it’s baby blue box, Sarah lovingly took my mother’s wedding dress, with its high neck, sheer sleeves and A-line cut, and brought it into 2010 with a jewel neckline, cinched waist and mermaid-style cut.

Here is a picture of my mother in this gown on my parent’s wedding day:

And here is the very same gown, with updates and modifications, which I wore on our wedding day:

Note the lovely ruffle at the bottom of the gown. This was the same ruffle that made the v-shaped bust lining on the original rendition of the dress. The belt and the gussets (the “openings” along the bottom of the dress that make it flowy and mermaid-like) are both made of a raw, beaded silk that Sarah and I found at Textiles in Nashville. Sarah found a GORGEOUS feather rhinestone brooch at Francesca’s in Green Hills and it made a stunningly perfect addition to the belt. She also added a touch of French netting to the hem and the belt.

Sarah was instrumental in making me look and feel amazing and glamorous on our wedding day. She was one of the first to arrive that morning, helped all the ladies and gents get ready and even brought her steamer to keep everyones’ attire wrinkle-free. Sarah steamed, pinned, cinched, hooked, zipped, etc., until the time came for us to walk down the aisle, then she grabbed her seat for the ceremony and celebrated with us all the way through our departure that evening.

Here is Sarah strapping me into the dress before we head outside to meet with Philip for our “first look”. Philip and I decided we wanted to do photos before the ceremony. This is a big decision for many couples. Traditionally, the bride and groom don’t see each other until the father and bride march down the aisle, although many couples choose to break that tradition these days. We were one such couple.  (More on that decision for a later post!)

Once I was strapped in and belted up, MOH Jill fastened my beautiful vintage AB (aurora borealis) rhinestone bracelet. This was another find that came to me through the watchful, creative eye of Sarah Mallory.

Sarah found this stunning vintage bracelet at the Gaslamp Antique Mall in Nashville. Notice the feather shape on the bracelet too?! I just LOVE the feather theme that Sarah wove together with my accessories.

She said the feather theme was inspired by my headpiece which I purchased from Kathleen’s Bridal in my hometown – Harrisburg, IL.

My dress was JUST long enough that you could hardly see my shoes, so here is a closer look at my amazing Steve Madden purple satin, peep-toe pumps.

And guess what? These little beauties only cost me $15!! I purchased them as “gently worn” from Marti & Liz in Cool Springs! They looked brand new. Such a find.

I still have many more wedding day details to cover, so stay tuned for the next post! Until then, read up on The Thirty-Something Bride’s 40th birthday post and check out Little Spoon’s latest DIY project. I just love these gals.