Alessandra & David | July 4, 2008

Welcome to the brand new Bliss Weddings blog! We’ve been following the blogs of several of our fellow wedding professionals for a few years now, and we’ve finally decided to join them in the blogosphere. We’ll be posting about a variety of topics – from weddings, to creative ideas, to random musings about the wedding industry, and maybe even a few snippets from our personal lives here and there. And what better way to debut our brand new blog than with Alessandra and David’s spectacular Cinderella-themed wedding?

We originally met with Alessandra and David last summer to discuss their ideas for their July 4, 2008 wedding. We have to give David props – he was one of the most involved grooms we have ever worked with, and his knowledge of the wedding plans was right up there with Alessandra's. When designing their wedding, the couple drew inspiration from Alessandra's favorite movie and childhood heroine: Cinderella. The event promised to be a fairy-tale celebration, and on the big day, it certainly lived up to that promise.

We began our day at Alessandra’s parents’ house, where she and her bridesmaids got ready. Since it was Independence Day, many of their neighbors were hosting cook-outs, and so the quaint neighborhood was already bustling with activity when Alessandra’s horse-drawn coach arrived to take her to the church. She must have felt like a celebrity, with all of the party-goers wandering over to snap pictures of the scene as she posed for formal photos with her bridesmaids around the property.

At the church, with David safely concealed out of view, wedding guests gathered outside while trumpeteers outfitted in full regalia announced the bride’s arrival. Guests applauded as Alessandra and her parents exited the coach onto a red carpet that had been rolled out to welcome them.


After the ceremony, Alessandra and David opted to separate from their bridal party and spend some quality time together while taking their formal photos. The very talented photography team of Jason and Shari Weaver from Dreamscape Studio followed them to a local ice cream shop, and then to a nearby beach to capture their first moments as husband and wife. (Be sure to check out Dreamscape’s blog in a few weeks to see the professional pictures!) Alessandra and David caught up with their bridal party and parents for more photos later at St. Clement’s Castle, where the reception took place.

Following an outdoor cocktail hour, guests gathered in the courtyard at St. Clement’s, where Alessandra and David kicked off their reception by performing a carefully rehearsed waltz.



As you can see, Alessandra had the most beautiful (and enormous!) ball gown, and - professional photographer though I am not - I was able to capture this great action shot as David lifted her and twirled her around during their dance.


When it was time for dinner, guests proceeded inside to a beautifully decorated dining room, anchored by a magnificent wedding cake created in the likeness of Cinderella’s castle.


Other whimsical details included vintage candelabras adorned with cascading floral arrangements (provided by Datura), white pumpkins dotting the place card table, and chocolate mice representing Cinderella’s companions as a reception give-away.


Alessandra and David, thank you so much for allowing us to take part in your amazing day. We hope you had a wonderful honeymoon in Disney World and we wish you all the best in your new life together!