“What inspires you?” asked Lisa Stoner of E Events Design to a room full of soon-to-be brides and grooms. And indeed, The Unveiled Bridal Show at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver on Thursday night was all about inspiration. Strands of long, white pearls adorned the necks of freshly engaged women (their “bridal-stamp” for the night) as they walked arm-in-arm with their new fiancés, many of who came dressed in full tuxedos. Celebrity couture designer Angel Rivera showcased his gowns from his latest collection with a full-fledged fashion show. (His Gabrielle dress graces this month’s issue of Inside Weddings.) Rivera wants his brides to feel like princesses on their wedding day, and to that end, designs his gowns with a classic, modern but traditional aesthetic in mind. “Every girl wants to look at her dress and love it in 20 years from now,” Rivera says. “So I try to add only small bits of fashion forward [elements]. “From very grand, full skirts and strong detailing, to soft princess-like dresses with gentle beadings and frothy trains, Rivera’s three different bridal collections (the Flores, D’White and Victoria) are sure to offer something for every kind of bride.
A white, wrought iron arbor dripping in white orchids and crystals served as a perfect backdrop against which guests could mingle as they drank champagne, classic cosmos and The World’s Coldest Beer, made in a glass with chilled liquid nitrogen. Waiters served miniature lobster tacos and artichoke and caper mousse wrapped in delicate filo dough shells. Anna bé bridal boutique displayed earrings, bracelets, headpieces and brooches from Haute Bride to show the plethora of choices brides have when it comes to accessorizing for their big day. (Our favorite was a pair of mother of pearl faceted teardrop chandeliers with pave-set white opal rhinestones.)
And if the beautiful people, delicate flowers, sparkling chandeliers and gorgeous gowns didn’t inspire any of the brides-to-be, the four, customize-themed rooms certainly did the trick. Sweet sophistication, urban edge, luxe allure and mountain Zen served as the inspirational ambiance for local vendors to create magnificent vignettes for brides to imagine just how luxurious and beautiful their wedding day could be. “How do you take one idea and turn it into one day?” Stoner asked the crowd. I had no answer to her question, but if the yellow flowers and crystal chandeliers, bold orange tulips and bright turquoise napkins, rich red cloths and deep gold candles, and thin, rustic tree branches that signified the four different vignettes indicated anything, it’s that Stoner and the other vendors certainly know how. They proved that they could turn any bride’s dream into her reality. At least for one day. Inspired? Indeed.