When Ali Fedotowsky began planning her March 3 wedding to Kevin Manno, she knew just what she wanted in a dress. The Bachelorette alum, 32, gave birth to her daughter, Molly, last July, and she wanted to look and feel amazing on her special day.
Following the couple’s seaside nuptials, bridal designers Valerie and Stephanie Chin of Val Stefani gave The Knot an exclusive peek at the design process for Fedotowsky’s gorgeous gown.
“Ali was specific that she wanted [her dress] to reflect her own personal style, and [she wanted to] have fun in it,” the sister duo told us. “She wanted something classic and elegant that really reflected her sense of style.”
(Photo Courtesy Brandon Kidd Photography)
The Ali Luvs blogger was drawn to the Simply Val Stefani collection, which consists of mix and match separates. “She wanted to have a classic glamour element, which is something we love to incorporate in our designs,” the designers told The Knot. “She also wanted to have fun and be able to dance. We made note of [her wishes] when helping to design the perfect wedding gown for her.”
(Photo Courtesy Brandon Kidd Photography)
The bride was on a mission to get in shape after giving birth, which she shared with the dress makers. “We wanted to create a gown that would highlight her best features while giving her confidence that every bride wants on her wedding day,” they explained.
Fedotowsky opted to combine a soft silhouette with a more fitted bodice. “We created a simple, satin bodice with spaghetti straps and a low, dipped back with a peekaboo cutout to pair with the skirt she loved so much,” the designers shared. “The mixing of fabrics added a chic depth to this gown, while the hint of skin kept it fun and flirty. When she saw the bodice and skirt paired together, she was like, ‘Yes, this is it!’”
(Photo Courtesy Brandon Kidd Photography)
The nuptials took place in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, overlooking the ocean. Throughout the design process, Valerie and Stephanie were careful to consider the location and time of year. “Spring time brides sometimes have to be more conscious of the weather,” they told us. “It can quickly turn from warm during the day to cold at night. The combination of fabrics on her gown are the perfect fit, because they transition nicely from warmer to cooler temperatures. We used lightweight tulle for the skirt and created a flowy silhouette, so she could have movement.”
From start to finish, the design process took about a month. “Similar to any bride [who] is searching for her bridal gown, when you know you know!” the designers concluded to The Knot. “It didn’t take long for us to complete her gown, and she looked beautiful.”
