Kleinfeld Love Stories

Engaged:

Brian and I met in 10th grade; he sat in front of me in AP World History class. We became friends through a mutual love of sports and AIM, and 4 years later, our friendship blossomed into something more. We dated through college – Brian at the University of Florida and I at Auburn University – but knew we would wait to take the next step until we had both graduated and found jobs. The moment I knew I wanted to marry Brian was the moment I saw him, but we were both sure after a disastrous 5-year anniversary trip to Europe that left us more in love than ever.

Six months and one diamond ring later we were in the small town of Auburn, Alabama. The town that represents much more than just my home after high school; it represents the scary time in life when you leave home, friends, and family behind. It represents overcoming challenges and learning to love and appreciate where life takes you no matter where it takes you. Brian said it always felt like the right place to ask me to spend the rest of my life with him. So in front of the beautiful Samford Hall, while I thought I was taking my fake football recruits on an official visit tour, Brian did just that. I said “Yes.”

Kleinfeld Consultant:

I made an appointment at Kleinfeld in January 2017 for a random Friday in February. I called my mom and told her I had made a dress appointment and that I had booked flights to New York for the weekend, a move she thankfully received with excitement – and a girls’ trip with my mom and my sister was planned!

When we arrived for our appointment, Paula took down all of the necessary information – including my desire to try on a Hayley Paige dress. As she walked me around the showroom (I was so nervous), my mom pointed at a dress on display. “It’s a Hayley Paige, we got it this week,” said Paula, and she checked to make sure it was within our budget (bonus points!) before taking it to the room.

As soon as I tried on the Chandon Gown, I knew it was my dress. It is flirty, flowy, and has just the right amount of sparkle to make me feel like a princess. My mom and I cried, and even though I tried on a few more after that one, none compared. We got it that day and I can happily say that I purchased the first dress I ever tried on!

I didn’t see the dress again for a year, and to my surprise, it was scheduled during a Hayley Paige trunk show. With shaking hands, I met her and told her I’d purchased my dress the year prior and couldn’t wait to see it again. She met me in alterations and even helped me choose the earrings I wore on my wedding day. It was an experience I’ll never forget and made my dress that much more special.

Married:

Location:

Venue:

We were married on April 14, 2018 at the Cruz Building in Miami, FL. It was a beautifully sunny South Florida day without a cloud in the sky. One of our best friends, Carl, married us – a move inspired by Friends but one which we now hold very dear to our hearts.

180 people from around the world celebrated our day with us. Brian cried as I walked down the aisle to Butterfly Waltz, a detail I kept a secret. My mom and I cried happy tears more times than I can count. My dad surprised us with dancers during hora loca (“crazy hour”, a Latin tradition) who performed dances from my Colombian culture. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

As Brian and I look back on our wedding day, we feel grateful to have been surrounded by so many wonderful people who showered us with more love than we could have imagined.