Romantic Whimsy
Presenting Our #MZBride Spotlight: Our breathtaking #MZBride Ali, said "I do" at the charming Pippin Hill in Charlottesville, VA.
Nestled in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this boutique vineyard offered the perfect backdrop for her autumn wedding. The stunning fall colors, crisp air, and natural beauty set the stage for an unforgettable celebration.
Dressed in her custom couture Lulu gown, she radiated elegance and timeless beauty. By adding perfect matching gloves and veil, Ali took her bridal look to new heights, elevating every detail to perfection!
Get ready to fall in love with her story, her gown, and the breathtaking moments that made this day truly magical!
How did you know your dress was 'the one’?
At the end of an appointment with my mom and a few of my bridesmaids, one of my bridesmaids spotted a stunning dress with unique floral appliqués. It was the MiraZwillinger Karlee. I've always been inspired by flowers, and when I put it on, I immediately felt something special. The design was breathtaking, but the fit was A-line, and as I tried on dresses, I felt most beautiful in a fit-and-flare silhouette. The sales associate mentioned that Mira Zwillinger is a mother-daughter Israeli design team. After October7th, my Jewish identity resonated with me more than ever so, this felt bashert. My mom and I decided to visit Mark Ingram in NYC, a boutique that carries a wide selection of MiraZwillinger dresses.
When I arrived at my appointment, I shared with the sales associate, Tammy, how much I admired Mira Zwillinger's designs, particularly the unique 3D floral appliqués incorporated into their designs. I also mentioned that I preferred a fit-and-flare silhouette. Tammy selected a few dresses and suggested I try on the Lulu first. As soon as I put it on, I knew—this was my dress. Beyond the stunning appliqués, I fell in love with the soft blush color, the impeccable corset design, and the exquisite beading. It was everything I had envisioned and more
In what way did the matching accessories bring your bridal vision to life alongside your gown?
During my dress search, I tried on a veil that was adorned with floral appliqués that beautifully framed the base of the gown—it was absolutely breathtaking. In my opinion, the placement of the appliqués enhanced the gown’s beauty without overwhelming it, unlike other veils where appliqués placed throughout felt distracting to me. Inspired by the design, I shared the concept with the MZ team, and they brought the vision to life with details that perfectly suited the Lulu gown.
Knowing our wedding ceremony would be outdoors and that the weather might be cooler given the time of year, I decided I wanted to wear sleeves. I absolutely love Hailey Bieber’s wedding gown, especially the elegant sleeves. With my gown,I wanted the option to detach the sleeves so that I could transform my look throughout the night. Ultimately, the Mira Zwillinger team also provided the tulle off-the-shoulder sleeves that are part of the original gown design. This allowed me to showcase three stunning looks: long sleeves for the ceremony, off-the-shoulder for cocktail hour, and strapless for the reception.
How did you start planning your wedding? What were the first steps?
Of course, couples have varying priorities as it pertains to planning a wedding. Knowing how far in advance many venues are reserved, securing ours was the top priority. I am aWashington, DC area native, which is where my [now] husband, Jesse, and I currently live. Many from our guest list also live in the Washington, DC area. Jesse and I wanted our wedding to be a memorable experience not only for us but for our guests as well. We chose a drivable destination that would offer a unique setting while still keeping travel convenient.
Our goal was to create an occasion where we could celebrate in a beautiful location, allowing everyone to experience something special together. I had visitedCharlottesville, VA a handful of times, and fell in love with Pippin Hill, a boutique vineyard located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. While stunning year-round, the locale is particularly breathtaking in fall as the foliage changes colors. When we first reached out to the venue, there were no fall dates available. But just a few days later, we got a call that another couple had released a fall date—October 26th. Realizing this date aligned with Charlottesville's stunning autumn peak, we knew it was the perfect choice and wasted no time booking it!
What did you feel when you tried on your custom gown for the first time?
The dress felt even more special than when I first tried it on, especially now that the custom veil and sleeves were integrated—designs that were uniquely mine as a bride. I felt absolutely radiant, and being in the dress again furthered my excitement to marry my husband and witness his reaction as he first lays eyes on me in this stunning gown.
3 tips that you would give to all our future brides
1. Wedding planning can be stressful, and it’s easy to get lost in the details. But at its heart, this journey is about celebrating your union with your partner. Take time for date nights, free of wedding talk, to avoid burnout and stay grounded with each other.
2. Stay true to what matters most to you and your partner. This is your day, so let it reflect your unique vision rather than being influenced by trends or outside expectations.
3. Let go of the need for perfection and embrace the moment. Focus on being fully present with your new partner, and treasuring this rare opportunity to be surrounded by all the people you love in one place
What was your wedding theme?
Descriptors that come to mind are: romantic, whimsical, elegant, organic. A fitting name would be "Romantic Whimsy"!
It was a celebration of elegance with an enchanting, organic spirit. The scenic vineyard at Pippin Hill in the Blue Ridge Mountains set the perfect stage for our autumn wedding. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, we combined whimsical florals, soft textures, and timeless elegance to create a day that was both romantic and effortlessly charming!
Our masterpiece of ethereal beauty, the Lulu gown features a soft, fitted blush silhouette adorned with delicate 3D organza flowers. The draped tulle sleeves add a touch of romance, creating a dreamy, flowing effect that complements the light blush hue. Perfect for the bride who wants to make a statement with elegance and charm, Lulu is a floral fantasy brought to life. Every step you take in this gown will feel like walking through a garden in bloom!
Do you want to elevate your bridal look with unique matching accessories?
Even if you’re getting married very soon, we’ll create the perfect matching accessory to elevate your bridal look to new heights!
