From Model to Bride: Tiffany’s Journey to a Custom Celestial Wedding Dress

It’s always exciting to work with brides and be a part of one of the biggest days of their life, even if I’m only “attending” through their dress. Working with HCC Bride Tiffany was even more special, as she’s been an HCC model for years - both on the runway at Omaha Fashion Week and in photo shoots. (You might recognize her from my website!) She also happens to be one of my best friends!

As an HCC model, Tiffany has tried on nearly every HCC dress in existence. When it came to designing her dress, she took her favorite parts of each of my sample gowns and we created her perfect dress.

Tiffany was thankful to know that custom wedding gown design was an option, because the thought of the traditional dress shopping process didn’t appeal to her as a plus-size, non-traditional bride.

“I’m a big-bellied plus size woman with non-traditional tastes. Markets don’t exist for me. I’ve never been anyone’s target audience or ideal client until I met Hannah. I hated that I would walk in somewhere and not see a whisper of ‘my dream’ anywhere on a rack. It led to me feeling defeated and hopeless before I even got the chance to truly start.”

Like most HCC Brides, Tiffany combined elements from several HCC gowns, spanning bridal collections ranging from my very first bridal collection all the way up to the most recent.

Her gown was an ivory satin wrap dress with princess seams, mainly based off of a satin wrap dress from my very first bridal and formalwear collection, which was released before I even knew I was going to focus solely on bridal within the next year. The pleated skirt with slit came from my ultra-popular Nora Gown, and she decided to incorporate her celestial inspirations and elements with shoulder veils, a panel of gathered sequin star material where the skirt slit opened, and a small train that trailed behind her, all made from a unique and colorful star mesh material made from sequins.

For added comfort and relief from the potential irritation of sequins rubbing against her skin, I sewed strips of soft knit fabric between the shoulder and waist seams and her skin.

“I love celestial influences and blues, blacks, and metallics but my spouse really wanted me in an ivory gown. So I combined my favorite things with his favorite things and it just couldn’t have come out any better.

Having a chronic pain disease, comfortability and quality of materials were things I could not be flexible on. HCC went above and beyond to make design adjustments that allowed me to be able to wear the garment for an extended period of time without any negative reactions to seams, fabric, or built-in structure.

I also chose a design that showed off my tattoos and flattered the bits of my body that aren’t my most favorite. I put it on and felt confident, sexy, and it was just ‘right’.”

Tiffany married the love of her life in a beautiful, emotional ceremony on October 10, 2020.

The day was truly a family affair. Our other best friend, Cierra (also an HCC model and recent HCC Bride!) was Tiffany’s day-of coordinator and I also jumped in to assist where needed!

Local photographer Kim Dyer captured the day while Brittany Rife, yet another HCC model and an Omaha officiant with B Mine Events & Services officiated the emotional and heart-felt ceremony. The day took place across the river from Omaha at the Dodge Riverside Golf Club in Council Bluffs, IA. Tiffany appreciated that they were flexible and great to work with, especially given the challenges presented by COVID. The taco bar was one of the highlights of the night, and it’s hard to believe that the wedding was planned in just 3 months!

Tiffany’s advice to other brides:

“The day goes by so fast - make time to connect with your spouse one on one.

Stand firm on your priorities. Other people pitching in with finances does not mean you have to do what they want at the expense of your own desires.

Keep the guest list smaller than you think you’ll want it - feelings won’t get as hurt as you think they will and you will actually be able to spend time with the important people you want there anyway!”

For those who might be hesitant over a custom gown experience versus a traditional bridal salon experience, Tiffany also recommends at least scheduling a consultation.

“I guarantee that you’ll be surprised at how special the experience is and walk away feeling refreshed and excited instead of drained!”

A final word on being an HCC Bride:

“I couldn’t find ‘Tiffany’ in a store. And I knew the more I tried to follow that off-the-rack route, the more disheartened I’d be.

I have a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that no one else in the world has. The biggest compliment I got at my wedding was, ‘I didn’t know what to expect, but this is exactly right. This is Tiffany’s dress.’

Honestly, I felt like I got a higher quality garment that was perfectly tailored to my body for a way better value than I could have ever found in a store for a gown and alterations. And no one else has my dress. Just me. And that is an incredible feeling!”