Maggie Bride… Allison’s Elegant Outdoor Wedding

For Allison, choosing a wedding gown to accompany her elegant outdoor wedding was as simple as seeing the gown. In fact, Allison laid eyes on her beautiful ball gown long before the gown was even available in stores. Allison owns an Iowa bridal salon, Chrysalis Bridal Salon, with her mom and sister. “We carry the Maggie Sottero line, and the moment I saw Esme when we ordered wedding dresses at market, I knew that was my dress,” Allison said. “I had the wedding dress picked out before I had even met the groom!” The groom, however, came shortly after, in an even more unlikely scenario. (Here’s a hint… It includes the same bridal salon.) Find out how Allison and her handsome groom met, plus see more photos of her elegant outdoor wedding below, captured beautifully by Aly Carroll Photography.

Which Maggie Sottero Gown did you wear? Esme

Advice for future bride: “My advice for future brides is to stay organized! It will relieve so much stress the day of your wedding by having all the details thought through.  I kept a binder with all the contracts, phone numbers, and paperwork from the wedding.  If I ever needed anything, I knew exactly where it was.”

How did you and your now husband meet? “You don’t meet many single men in a bridal store, which makes the way Mike and I met all the more unique.  Mike’s sister came into our store looking for a wedding dress for her upcoming wedding.  Little did I know that Mike’s sister and her bridesmaids were finding her brother a girlfriend at the same time.  They took my business card without me knowing and told him to give me a call.  Once we met we had an instant connection and it was love at first sight.  I never thought owning a bridal store would lead me to find my husband!”

Describe your wedding in one word. “Classic”

How did you decide what you wanted your wedding to look like? “I knew I wanted a classic, modern feel to our wedding with an ivory, sea foam, and gold color scheme.  Our wedding on May 2, 2015 was perfect! The weather was beautiful and the flowers were blooming.  We had an outdoor wedding where a string quartet serenaded my dad and I as we walked down the aisle.  With our friends and family watching, Mike and I said our vows in front of 150 people.  After the ceremony we celebrated inside with fresh flowers and candles filling the tables and food and drinks for everyone.”