An Unexpected Destination Wedding

Three years later, we took a family vacation, with the kids, to Niagara Falls. Of course, we did all the touristy things on the Canadian side. We rode the Ferris wheel, go-carts, food, Ripley museum, and so much more. At night we decided to ride the Ferris wheel again. I was looking out the window of the enclosed gondola, taking pictures. The Ferris wheel had stopped at the top to let other passengers off and on at the bottom. Chris got my attention from taking photographs, and when I turned around, he was down on one knee. I had no idea what he actually said because I immediately broke down in tears as soon as I realized what was happening. It was the most perfect moment I could have dreamed of, top of a Ferris wheel, overlooking one of the most beautiful places in the world, surrounded by my three kids, and being proposed to by the man I love. It doesn’t get more perfect than that.

We originally planned a big beautiful wedding in Ohio but had to cancel one month before, due to covid restrictions. We then decided to just go to Vegas. The Flamingo was so fabulous in helping plan all the details. Miranda, at the Flamingo, was quick to respond with all the answers I needed to finalize the details from Ohio. I thought that our wedding was ruined when we had to cancel, but after working with the team at the Flamingo, it seemed like everything was falling into place. Then stress hit four days before the wedding! My first alterations person had my wedding dress, the bridesmaid dresses, and both the MOB and MOG dressed for over a month and had done no alterations. In fact, the boning was warped and bent, beading was falling off in several places, and the zipper was stretched as if someone had worn my dress. I was mortified and in tears, thinking that when everything was falling into place, it was all ruined by one lady.
I called Tulay’s alterations in Fairborn, Ohio, and she was the sweetest lady ever. She dropped everything she was doing to make sure that I still had the perfect wedding day. Tulay was a miracle worker! She did the alterations for all six dresses in 24 hours. She made my dress look brand new again and didn’t even charge me after the terrible experience I had with my first alterations.
Wedding day, everything was beautiful! Even though it was a Las Vegas casino/ hotel wedding, you would have thought it was a fancy destination wedding. The gazebo was so elegant with the natural décor. The subtle flower additions added just enough color. The coordinators were terrific, and you would have never known that we had no rehearsal. The minister spoke the most beautiful words as if she had met with us before. She took her time and even paused the ceremony so that Chris and I could gain our composer when we both broke down in tears. Tears of joy, laughter, smiles, and lots of love made this the perfect wedding day, and it all started when I said yes to Chris and then yes to the dress at Bridal and Formal.

I had gone to several bridal stores during my search for the perfect wedding dress. To make it even more complicated, it was during the covid pandemic. Bridal and Formal was the only store to offer peace of mind and safety by giving us private space. They allowed my wedding party to come all at once and provided so much assistance. They were the only bridal store that helped us find dresses to fit our color and style AND helped with trying them on by clipping the dresses to show us what the dress should look like. Other stores just left us to basically fend for ourselves. Scheduling was easy, never had to wait for assistance, and explained the whole process thoroughly. The dresses were beautiful and affordable. I loved that I could make payments on my dress over a year instead of having to pay one big bill. They contacted me for reminders of who had and hadn’t ordered their dresses as it got closer to deadlines. When the dresses arrived, after ordering, the pick-up was just as easy. The staff is always friendly, encouraging, and honest. I never felt like they were just trying to make a sale. They were always so patient and showed us lots of options without making us feel overwhelmed. I wouldn’t recommend any other place for your wedding dress and bridal party!
My sales consultant was genuinely excellent. I told her the style of dress that I wanted and showed her a picture. She quickly pulled many options, and I fell in love with Quincy by Maggie Sottero. It was the most beautiful, elegant, sexy, and just absolutely perfect dress I could even imagine. She sized me for my dress, and it fit perfectly. The only alteration I needed was one bustle to hold the train during my dance. She gave me full detail on everything I needed to know to order my dress, right down to the exact final ordering day, not just an estimated time frame like other places. She was so patient, friendly, and helpful. She did everything to make me feel special!

Wedding Location – Las Vegas, Nevada
Ceremony & Reception Location – Flamingo Garden Gazebo
Bridal Gown – Maggie Sottero, Quincy and in Ivory/Blush
Bridesmaids Gowns – Bill Levkoff, style 7001, 1134, & 116102 and all in the Regency color.
Mother of the Bride Gown – Bill Levkoff, style 7107 and in Purple
Mother of the Groom Gown – Bill Levkoff, style 1605 and in Violet
Photography – Classic Photographers
Groom’s Attire – JoS Bank
Alterations – Tulay’s alterations