How did you find your perfect dress?

I never expected to find my dress in Atlanta, so I sat down at the computer one day. I don’t remember what I typed in the search bar, but Galia Lahav came up in the findings. I was not familiar with the brand but I remember going through the website and thinking these were the most elegant and detailed gowns. However, I am short and busty, and I always joke that I’m shaped like a coke can and not a coke bottle so I said these dresses were not made for me. But my alter ego is about 5’9” and can wear anything.

I saw that the only flagship boutique in the US at the time was in LA, and I was going to visit my aunt who lives in PV, so I decided to make an appointment to see if I could actually pull off one of the GL creations. I tried on 3 dresses, the 3rd being GIA. I always imagined I would wear something fit and flare, no lace, very architectural. GIA was none of those things but for some reason, I kept staring at it in the boutique. I tried it on just to prove it was a ridiculous option. There was no mirror in the dressing room.

When I came out to stand on the riser the stylist asked if I would like some water and she went to get it. When I stepped up on the riser and turned around in the mirror I completely involuntarily started crying. I had no idea what was happening, that is not characteristic of me at all. I used to watch say yes to the dress and always thought that would never happen to me. But I can testify it is true. When the stylist came back and saw my ugly cry, she said, “Oh my goodness what happened?” I told her I have no idea but I love this dress.

What moment from your wedding will you never forget?

I hired a choir to sing my husband’s favorite hymn while we took communion during the ceremony. He cried and I had to hold him by the arm to keep him from breaking down. He nor my guests had any idea that there was a choir in the chapel. One of my guests said she thought it sounded like angels and she couldn’t figure out where the sound was coming from until she turned around and saw the choir standing on the balcony behind everyone.