By Tracey Moro / Photography by Mike Ferdinande
Some say the most important thing to consider in planning a wedding is the food. Well, those people know nothing about fashion. If you’re the bride, the most important decision is the wedding dress. All brides are beautiful and for some reason it seems their wedding dress not only fits them – physically – but fits their personality too. This is because wedding dress consultants are great at their jobs, fitting the right dress to each bride almost magically. We worked with three bridal dress stores, each supplying us with one beautiful dress. Our photo shoot took place in downtown Mount Clemens at Olympia Salon & Spa and Emerald Theatre, both loaded with vintage character and charm, giving the perfect backdrop to these dresses.
KATERINA BOCCI BRIDAL
We chose renown designer Katerina Bocci’s dress for the Emerald Theatre backdrop because of all the sparkling Swarovski crystals and intricate hand beading over the entire dress. The lighting and gold wall accents worked perfectly, unveiling the dress details just the way intended. Katerina custom-makes each dress, creating a shopping experience unlike any other. She embraces feminine beauty and easily brings a bride’s most flattering aspects to life. Her expertise is in having the vision and being able to figure out what will look best. At each bride’s consultation she goes through fabrics, colors, and embellishments suiting the bride’s style. She then designs and sketches until a design is approved. Known for their grandeur, dramatic silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and opulent embellishments, Katerina’s dresses are romantic, modern and sophisticated – and will give you goosebumps. Bocci has worked for 20 years designing, with her dresses making regular trips to runways in New York and beyond. Her custom designs, made in her studio in Shelby Township, are sought-after by celebrities from all over the world and locally, including Eminem’s daughter, Alaina Scott, who married in 2023.
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DRESS DESCRIPTION Custom-made by Katerina Bocci this dress is versatile, with a detachable top portion, once taken off a second look of a strapless gown appears. The dress’ dramatic long train, and cinderella ball gown fit for a castle – or theatre – is in demand. “Brides are wanting sleeves and princess ball gowns again,” said Katerina Bocci.
Model – Natalie Kerwin
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OLYMPIA SALON & SPA
Stylist Lois Lombardo, owner of Olympia Salon and Spa, worked on Natalie’s hairstyling for our shoot. “I feel brides are looking for hairstyles that are soft and romantic, with fullness,” said Lombardo, who thinks the neckline of the dress helps to determine whether the style is up or down. “I collaborated with Natalie and she expressed how she liked her hair full at the crown, with a soft romantic vibe. With the high neckline and beaded, glamorous style, we agreed an up-style would look best.” Natalie’s makeup, done by Serena B, has a classic look enhancing her natural beauty. “Her brows were perfectly groomed full and brow hairs separated. Her eyelashes are full and romantic.” The second and third dress models posed for us in the bridal suite at Olympia Salon and Spa. This third floor suite is perfect for a bridal party, complete with massage tables, pedicure chairs, a kitchen and dining room with a large table all with wonderful vintage charm. “There is so much planning, decisions, hard work and time put into a wedding, that the private spa party suite is the perfect place to just let the bride and bridal party unwind and relax together,” said Lombardo.
PIERA’S BRIDAL COUTURE
The family-owned and operated boutiquestyle bridal store in Shelby Township has been dressing brides since 2009 but Piera herself has been in the business for more than 35 years. With three generations now working by her side, she feels lucky and is so proud. At Piera’s, every bride receives an unforgettable dress shopping experience, working one-on-one with a bridal stylist who will style each bride from head to toe. Plus, the rest of the bridal party and the moms can get in the fun.
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DRESS DESCRIPTION Exclusively designed for Alessandra Bridal Salon, this Ysa Makino gown has two looks. The mermaid tight-fitting gown and the detachable overskirt creating a lovely added sophisticated look accenting the bodice. Model – Stephanie VanWagoner |
ALESSANDRA BRIDAL & FORMALWEAR
Alessandra, of Alessandra Bridal & Formalwear in Warren provided the dress for Stephanie. Alessandra has been known to travel all over the country and overseas to select her designer gowns. She also works with each bride to add creative touches to the existing dress, creating a one-of-a-kind gown. She chose the Ysa Makino gown, which is designed exclusively for the Alessandra Bridal Salon. The gown has a mermaid tight-fitting skirt and the detachable overskirt for lovely added charm. Ysa Makino’s exclusive “limited editions” represent the ultimate in fashion design. Alessandra has been seeing a “more understated design with satin fabric,” as a trend this past year. Celebrating her 35th year, Alessandra has dressed more than 30,000 brides and their bridal parties. “Offering personalized services to find the gown most flattering on the body, yet still allowing the bride to feel her best in it, is what we do best,” Alessandra said.
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DRESS DESCRIPTION Exclusively designed for Alessandra Bridal Salon, this Ysa Makino gown has two looks. The mermaid tight-fitting gown and the detachable overskirt creating a lovely added sophisticated look accenting the bodice. Model – Stephanie VanWagoner |
