The Wedding Gown

Kim’s Dress Story

“It was an amazing experience [finding my wedding gown], and it felt like it was predestined. Ines diSanto has been my favorite wedding dress designer for years. I tried on some older styles in local (Nashville) shops, and while they were gorgeous, they didn't quite speak to me like her new styles did. I saw her Fall 2023 runway show in October 2022 and knew those styles fit the exact vibe I wanted. The only problem was that she did not have a trunk show anywhere near us.

A few weeks later, on Ines's Instagram, she reposted a story about her upcoming trunk shows featuring the Fall 2023 styles. One just happened to be at Ultimate Bride in Chicago, and I already had to fly to a work conference in Chicago the next morning. I thought that surely, their appointments were all booked, but there was a single opening listed an hour after I was scheduled to land.

I rushed from the airport directly to the shop and tried on several of the Fall 2023 styles, along with some other dresses from recent seasons. I became torn between two styles and began doubting whether I wanted to purchase a dress without my friends and family. My wonderful consultant, Amanda, gave me all the details I would need to make a decision before the trunk show ended. However, just looking at photos and facts about the dresses on paper did not make my decision any easier. I continued obsessing over the photos and comparisons to other styles during the rest of the week.

Just when I was doubting whether I wanted to purchase either gown, I saw another story on Ines's Instagram saying that she was going to be in Chicago the next day for her trunk show at Ultimate Bride. However, my flight was scheduled for the next morning! I quickly messaged Amanda asking whether they had any openings for that day, and as fate would have it, there was yet again only one left. I rescheduled my flight so I could make the appointment.

When I showed up, Ines was there and saw me try on an intricate beaded and lace dress from a prior season that felt like the right vintage glamour for our wedding, but something still felt off. Ines said it was beautiful on me, but it still didn't feel like the right fit.

Then, I tried on the Fall 2023 Blaze gown again. It is a classic, sleek silk gown with a low back and structured seaming--the perfect combination of a classic vintage style with a few modern touches. My stylist had the genius idea to pair it with the flowing Robin cape (that had a cowl back that somehow exactly matched the back of the gown) and a beaded belt used as a drop back necklace. I had found my gown.

The next moment, I heard "DARLING!" and saw Ines and her daughter, Veronica, walking around the corner. Ines rushed over to me and said I was the exact bride she envisioned wearing this gown when she designed it. She then said that I reminded her of her best friend from Italy and that I seemed to share a similar spirit with her friend. When I told her it was the gown I was choosing, she then held my hands and said she blessed me and my decision and said it was the perfect dress for me. I believe I was the first (or one of the first) in the world to buy that dress. I then took photos with Ines and Veronica after getting dressed and celebrated finding the gown with a glass of champagne. Truly a magical experience!”