There’s a certain romance to formal military suiting. It requires a level of distinction and sartorial respect. And so when bride Libby Wangard became engaged, she knew that she needed to find a dress to complement her fiancé’s formal military mess dress. After much searching she settled upon Arielle from the Carolina Herrera Spring 2017 Collection, available in Carolina Herrera boutiques.
How they met: I was visiting one of my nursing school friends who lived in San Francisco. She suggested that we visit her family’s house in Tahoe for a ski weekend. Little did I know that her younger brother and nine of his closest Air Force Academy friends were also staying there. That’s when I met Jake; we hit it off that weekend. A month later he asked me to be his date at a formal ceremony called the “Ring Dance,” at the Air Force Academy. It was quite the first date!
About the wedding: I wanted the day to reflect a traditional, romantic feeling. We were married at my family church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, with our closest friends and family present. Following, there was champagne and photos at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, then reception at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin, located in downtown Milwaukee. All three venues had a timeless feel to them that I know I will love looking back upon over the years.
About the dress: The dress came before anything else. When Jake decided that he wanted to wear his military mess dress (for our wedding day), I knew that I needed something regal and classic to complement the formality and structure of his uniform. I wanted something clean and modern but still maintaining a “wow” factor. I had visited nearly every bridal shop in San Francisco and had multiple “this is the dress” moments, but I still couldn’t decide! Nothing felt quite right. So my mom visited for a full day of dress shopping. Our last stop was Jin Wang. Jin Wang and her staff were absolutely incredible. They made the entire experience extremely personal and unforgettable. The moment that I put on the Carolina Herrera Arielle gown I immediately felt comfortable and knew that nothing I tried on prior was even comparable. I felt instantly elegant and beautiful; I knew that this was the dress.
Happiest wedding memory: Walking down the aisle, hand in hand, as husband and wife for the very first time. That was my favorite wedding memory. As we made our way down the aisle, Jake’s groomsmen created an arch of sabers (an Air Force tradition), which we had to kiss under in order to pass through. I also got a lovely bum tap as a welcome into the Air Force family.
You know you’re a Carolina Herrera bride when… you put on a Carolina Herrera gown and feel completely yourself.
Libby and Jake now are stationed in Del Rio, Texas at Laughlin Air Force Base.
Photos kindly provided by Anna Page Photography
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