Fashion

#ÉLYSÉERealBride: Olivia + Jesse

17 August 2022 | Romantic and Classic Wedding

How did you and Jesse fall in love?

"We met a few days after Valentine's Day at a Youth Group Relationship Weekend at church. An event neither of us went to with the intention of finding that someone.

It was an all-day event, but I remember leaving in the evening to attend a friend's birthday dinner. After the meal, my friend invited us back to the house, however, I decided to go back to church to be part of the evening social (an evening of games, socialising and food).

That evening, I ended up sitting next to a friend, and the next moment I knew... Jesse was there. We talked until they were turning the lights off and ushering us out of the hall. Later on that evening, he asked me for my number.

A week later, he messaged me and the rest was history. Messages turned into calls, calls into dates and dates into love."

>> Gown featured above & left // ORLEANE | 2022 ÉLYSÉE Collection <<

Why did you choose our beautiful ORLEANE as your wedding gown?

"On a random weekday, my mum, sister and I attended an evening appointment at TDR Bridal Birmingham where we tried on a few dresses. Mostly fit-and-flare dresses. A few that we all liked, but were still undecided. My mum was insistent that I should give the ballgown shape a chance.

Our bridal stylist advised us that there was a dress upstairs, a little above our price range, that had just come into the store, that she thought I would love. Thus, we agreed.

I tried the dress on, and what a wow moment. The ORLEANE dress was simply incredible: the most beautiful satin skirt underlined with tulle, the most incredible lace corset, the perfectly placed sparkles that gave royal instead of tacky elements. And she had pockets! I simply did not want to take the ORLEANE dress off. That's the moment we knew that she was the one. She was simply perfect."

>> Gown featured above & right // ORLEANE | 2022 ÉLYSÉE Collection <<

Most memorable moment on your wedding day?

"There were so many perfect moments to our wedding day, but walking down the aisle has to be my number one memory. I think it's simply a moment so many of us envision at some point in our lives.

I just remember beaming. Smiling because there were so many people I was walking past in the pews that I love. My biological family, my church family, my university and school friends. Loved ones Jesse had spoken about, that I'd only seen in photos, but knew the impact they had made on his life.

But the minute I locked eyes with Jesse, that was my focus. I was still beaming and taking him in, just as he was taking me in."

>> Gown featured left // ORLEANE | 2022 ÉLYSÉE Collection <<