Who doesn’t love a high school crush that turns into forever? For Melissa and Chase, it all started junior year with quick hallway glances and a little courage on Twitter. One DM led to another, and a quirky yogurt mishap sealed the start of their nine-year journey to “I do.”
Fast forward to years later – as a bridal stylist herself, Melissa always dreamed of wearing a Martina Liana gown. When she slipped into Martina Liana Style 1171, with its allover lace and glamorous sheer sides, she knew it was the one for their Italian-themed celebration.
From a heartfelt ring-blessing ceremony to the white and gold décor that brought the couple’s Italian-themed wedding to life – keep reading to uncover all the thoughtful touches that made Melissa and Chase’s wedding a stunning reflection of their journey together!
MELISSA, TELL US ABOUT YOUR PARTNER. HOW DID YOU MEET?
Chase and I met our junior year of high school. We didn’t really know each other but would always pass each other in the hallways and he caught my eye. We didn’t have any classes together, but ate lunch at the same time, so I had to be strategic about how I was going to get to talk to him.
One night on Twitter, I saw Chase tweeting, so I decided to respond to one of his tweets. Seeing a notification on my phone with his name on it somehow gave me the courage to slide into his Twitter messages and nine years later, here we are!
After messaging on Twitter, we talked about how we have the same lunch hour, and Chase would walk to my table and start saying “Hi” to me. One time, while I was waiting for Chase to make his way over, I was opening some yogurt and right when Chase walked up to me, the whole thing splattered all over me and I thought I had ruined my chance with him. Luckily, I didn’t!
Once we were engaged, I would ask Chase what he thought my wedding dress would look like and even showed him other dresses I tried on to see his reactions. He thought I would wear an A-line or a ballgown, so I knew I would throw him off with a fitted dress on our wedding day.
DESCRIBE YOUR BRIDAL STYLE AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR DRESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.
I always knew I wanted to wear a Martina Liana dress! While working at a bridal shop, I loved seeing all the new Martina Liana dresses we would receive. From the beading, beautiful lace pattern and the gorgeous trains, I would fall more in love with these gowns. I had my heart set on a dress with beading, a long train and beautiful detailing. I wanted my dress to fit the Italian wedding theme of our wedding.
Being a bridal stylist, I have seen wedding dresses on all kinds of brides. I would often get asked, “is it hard to pick a dress even though you have seen it on different women?” I really didn’t think it would be hard picking one, despite seeing dresses I liked on other women. Going into my own bridal appointment, I had certain Martina Liana gowns picked out that I’d previously loved on my brides and figured I would like them on me as well.
I felt great knowing exactly which dress was going to be my wedding dress. Once I got to what I thought would be “the dress” it ended up not being it because it didn’t feel like me.
After trying on a few more dresses, I ended up trying on Martina Liana Style 1171, a dress we had in the shop for a while that had never caught my eye. Once I put the dress on, I knew that THIS was it! It checked all my boxes: long train, beading, beautiful lace, open back and side cut-outs that shaped my body perfectly. From the moment I tried on my dress to my wedding day to today, I am so blessed to have worn my dream Martina Liana dress!
IN YOUR OWN WORDS, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR WEDDING.
I really wanted our wedding to have an “Italy feel” without being in Italy. I felt like my venue, The Howey Mansion, really gave you that feeling. Our color scheme was white and gold with greenery and our bridal party was our pop of color. I wanted to do something special for our ceremony – a blessing of the rings. Each person in our bridal party was able to say a blessing over our rings before we exchanged them. This is something I will always hold close to my heart, knowing that our favorite people helped bless our marriage.
Cheers to Melissa and Chase!
Wedding Dress: Nicole Maree Bridal Photo/Video: Kindle and Grain
DJ/Lights: Press Play Entertainment
Planner/Florals: Julie Miner Events
Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse
Catering: Arthur’s Catering
Hair: Beautybyeor
Makeup: Audrey Parker
Tan: Honey Dipped FL
Bridesmaids Dresses: Revelry
Venue: Howey Mansion
Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Did you wear a Martina Liana gown on your wedding day? Share your photos with us for a chance to be featured.
Are you still searching for the perfect wedding dress? Check out our latest designer gown collections from Stella York, Essense of Australia, Martina Liana and All Who Wander.