Striking a balance between fashion forward and classic is an absolute must for your wedding day. After all, no one wants to look back at their wedding photos and ask themselves, “Why did I wear that?” A bride’s style also plays a key role in setting the tone for the day, says wedding planner Jillian Bobinski of Jillian Nicole Events. “The bride is almost always the centerpiece of every wedding. From the time she walks down the aisle to the last song, her fashion and style dictates the overall mood of the event.” One stylish example: Felice and Eli Jacob’s wedding at Orange County’s Rancho Las Lomas. This international couple— Felice is from Hong Kong, and Eli from Bali—made fashion statements from the start to the finish of their celebration, mixing high fashion with sentimental moments. “I was looking for a wedding dress I had never seen before, a style that was romantic and detailed, dramatic yet elegant,” says Felice. Kim Kassas’ “Callythia” drop-waist corseted gown was the perfect choice for her walk down the aisle, with its delicate jeweled florals, high slit and sweeping silk taffeta train. Classic accessories, including Jimmy Choo heels, sheer gloves and her mother’s pearl necklace, imbued the glamorous gown with an Audrey Hepburn vibe.
After the couple exchanged vows amid an abundance of white roses and blue delphiniums, Felice switched into her second look for the after-party, a whimsical number by Shona Joy, with Valentino Garavani heels. “I was drawn immediately to the pearl patterns and corset shape,” says Bobinski. “I love water, I’m an ocean girl at heart. The seamless and delicate details of the mermaids and tridents were a perfect resemblance to me.” As the party picked up, the couple kicked off their formal shoes in favor of red and white Jordans with their initials etched on the back—the red accent serving as a token of good fortune, according to Chinese culture. For her something borrowed, Felice donned her aunt’s red fur coat— another nod to her culture, as brides in Hong Kong wear red for luck on their wedding day.
