Eric & Julie McConnell  What a treat to create a veil for Julie. Julie is a bride that captured the heart of what we hope all brides will do. She worked hard at creating a wedding with Eric that reflected their Unique styles and personalities (right down to photo's on a golf course) Her story is so sweet, I hope you will enjoy her words as much as I did..... "All my life I've struggled with my vintage and modern loves.  Everything I like either seems to be a completely new idea that I've never seen anyone else do, or else it's a fall back to the twenties or forties that has been done time and time again.  This was the case nowhere more than our wedding! "

Meeting Eric     Eric and I met nine years ago singing in the Chamber Choir together at Oklahoma State University.  Back then we were very good friends, and after college Eric moved to Dallas, and I moved to London.  After I moved back and took a job in Dallas, there was no denying that we were meant to be.  Eric took me completely by surprise by proposing to me in February 2006 in a rose petal strewn gazebo in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Just over a year later, we exchanged our vows in another beautiful gazebo, here in Texas.

Planning the wedding Never once in my life did I dream of my 'wedding day.'  I dreamed of my career, and traveling around the world, but never what my dress would look like, etc.  Once we became engaged I literally had to start from the VERY beginning with everything.

The photographer I was lucky enough to find Lynn Michelle Photography early on, and her modern eye and eclectic sense of detail made me sure I would be able to capture what I wanted to on my wedding day.  The dress  Next, I found my dress.  I had never seen a dress like this Justin Alexander number, and I instantly fell in love with it.  It's SO comfortable, and I really feel that it's style and hundreds of strips of organza are not easily forgettable.  The flowers Next came the colors.  Green cymbidium orchids are my favorite flower, so that put green in the running, and chocolate brown was not far behind.  Its rich, grounded strength gives the perfect support to the lime captured in the green flowers.  And again, I was lucky enough to find a florist who understood my modern, creative needs.  One of my favorite decorations was the streamers of orchids that she hung from the inside of the gazebo, creating a hanging garden effect.

The veil One thing that I immediately became distressed by was the search for a veil.  At the bridal shop, they put a normal veil on me telling me to get ready; I was about to really feel like a bride.  Well, I did not - I just felt silly.  It wasn't until I heard the term birdcage veil and found Dorene's site Unveiled Bridal Designs that I really became excited about the details of the big day.  A feathered veil was just the accent I needed to bring my more modern ideas back under the reign of a classic influence.  Soon after came the decision for bright red lips and dark eyes, and then bright green suede sandals with feather accents!  Finally, everything was really starting to represent the full span of my personality!

Side note... Side note here - brides, be sure to let your groom plan as much as possible.  Eric took such pride in the decisions he made for the wedding, and I was so excited when our families commented that they could see both of us in the details of the wedding.  Yes, we had a modern square cake accented with bamboo, but we also had golf ball shaped truffles and tiramisu that Eric picked out!

We were so lucky that everything went great on the big day!  Eric absolutely stole the show, he cried more than I did!

The angle veil is a great veil for the KISS. The groom does not need to pull it over and you can wear it all night. DV

The birdcage veil was the best decision I ever made; I intended to take it off for the reception, but I loved it so much I just could not part with it!

The veil is such a beautiful reminder of the day and the classic modernism that it lent to the entire occasion.  I have already lent it to another bride, and hope to share it with as many fellow brides as possible!    Thank you Julie for sharing your hear with us!     http://www.lynnmichelle.com/ Lynn Michelle photography