Hello to new traditions! Olympian Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson married in a second wedding ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, this past weekend — only this time, the bride wore white. For her beachfront nuptials, Johnson enlisted the help of Israeli designer Julie Vino, who shares exclusive details about creating the one-of-a-kind piece with The Knot.
“Nicole had been following my work for a while apparently,” Vino tells The Knot. “Very flattering. And she actually approached me about a year ago to design her dress.”
The designer, who’s based in Tel Aviv-Yafo, says Johnson came prepared with several preferences. “She wasn’t interested in a traditional bridal gown,” says Vino. “[Nicole] wanted something that was going to stand out.”
Johnson, along with her husband, posted stunning photos on Sunday, October 30, from their outdoor ceremony. On Instagram, the former Miss California officially changed her handle to “mrs.nicolephelps,” and wrote: “Truly the happiest day of my life @m_phelps00 thank you @boonestudios for capturing this day.”
Truly the happiest day of my life @m_phelps00 thank you @boonestudios for capturing this day 😘
A photo posted by Nicole Michele Johnson (@mrs.nicolephelps) on
The bride looked resplendent in the piece, which was comprised of French lace and a silk chiffon skirt that included a demure slit. Much of the inspiration behind the gown initially came from Julie Vino’s Fall 2017 Bridal Fashion Week collection.
“From the very beginning, she wanted to have a slit up the side,” says Vino. “So I worked with her to create a gown that was just right. I sent through three different sketches of gowns that I thought would be great for her. [They were] all form fitting and feminine, and she loved this one! So we went from there.”
A photo posted by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on
This was the second wedding for Phelps and Johnson, who shocked everyone last week when TMZ revealed that they had secretly married in June — months ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
“You guys probably already saw the article that was posted [about the wedding],” Phelps subsequently shared via Facebook Live last week. “I’ve been married for a while, been married for a while–a couple months. I had to keep it secret from y’all. I had to keep it hush-hush from you guys.”
Vino, meanwhile, concludes of the couple: “They are a perfect pair and I wish them a lifetime of happiness.”
