High school sweethearts, Kathryn and Colin tied the knot in West Palm Beach, Florida. The ocean, historic church, the glass centerpiece arrangements that matched the glass reception venue, and cocktails sipped from coconuts all helped to set the mood of the day. We had the pleasure of altering the bride’s glamorous wedding gown. Hear what she has to say about her story along with some of her bridal advice.

• Before the wedding – tell us a little bit of your love story?

  Colin and I started dating and this crazy journey when we were little baby 16 year olds. We went to two different high schools, two different colleges, and lived in two different countries until we finally ended up in the same place. After a year and a half in the same place, I moved away again for 3 more years of Physical Therapy school. Once I was finally done with school, we moved to Chicago to try out the big-city life, and now hoard each other every chance we get to make up for the many years spent loving each other from afar. 

• What was the proposal like? 

  I am cliche, but it was Magic. One of my favorite things to do is to watch the sunrise or sunset over the water, and over the years our go-to date night has become grabbing a bottle of wine to do a "sunset happy hour". Being from FL, our usual spot was at the beach, but after we moved to Chicago we had to find a new sunset spot. My favorite view of the city is from North Avenue beach, but every time we would try to go there for a happy hour, something came up. Finally one Friday, he said he was getting done with work early if we wanted to try to catch the sunset. A friend of mine from FL was flying into town for work that night, and it was also her Birthday the following Monday. We had "plans" to take her to a birthday dinner that night, so I hurried and got ready to finally make a happy hour before dinner. We made it out to North Ave Beach, and I was totally caught off guard when he proposed. We then went to Broken Shaker for a drink where Colin told me my friend was indeed actually in town and that we were going to meet up with her for dinner. Little did I know he had all of my best friends from Florida and all over the US fly to Chicago to surprise me and celebrate with us all weekend long. I walked into Hampton Social to everyone in one area and I ugly cried- it was truly the best day. A few funny things: I thought my friend in town was staying with us so I had our apartment decked out in happy birthday decorations and spent the entire day deep cleaning-Colin just let me do it so I wouldn't catch on. He also forgot the wine opener for happy hour. 

• Tell us a bit about your wedding! Venue, vibe, favorite detail. 

  We got married in West Palm Beach Florida in the church Colin's Parents & Grandparents were married in. Our reception venue was an all glass building overlooking the inter-coastal. I have no idea how to describe our vibe as it was a combo of many styles, but if I could say anything it was "California chill meets chic".  My favorite detail was the fresh coconut stand at our cocktail hour, with the option to make it boozy coconut water. When in FL, Colin and I would get a fresh coconut every Saturday at the farmers market, so was extra special.

• What do you wish someone had told you when you first started planning the wedding?

  Don't write off venues that appear more expensive at first- find out more about what they include. Our venue came empty and appeared to be more affordable initially, but it ended up being much more expensive to bring everything in ourselves than many venues we initially wrote off due to "sticker shock".  

• What were your absolute "must haves" when it came to the wedding?

  A non-stuffy atmosphere, great music, and one big party!  

• What is one moment of your big day that will last with you forever?

  The overwhelming feeling of seeing everyone we love in one room- I wanted to soak it in forever. 

• Tell us about your gown! 

  It was a Calla Blanche gown, and was much more glam than I ever thought I wanted. What they say is true-consider styles you don't think you would like and try them all! It was a beautiful "fit and flare" shape with a plunging neckline. Once I put it on, I didn't want to take it off. 

• What was the biggest surprise to you about the gown purchasing and alterations process?

  I was pretty clueless on the process, and was surprised by the timeline needed for dress shopping, waiting for it to arrive, and for alterations. Ette made the after-purchase process so simple, I am so grateful!  

• What was your favorite change we made to the gown?

  I didn't need too many major changes aside for getting the fit right, which wow, made all the difference in the world. After coming to Ette, I literally felt like it became a custom dress for my body, the fit couldn't have been more perfect! Ariana was also so great to work with and is so talented!

• How did you tame your wedding nerves?

  I somehow was not nervous on my actual wedding day, but I know it was because I had so much trust in my vendors and in my wedding planner (she was our saving grace). I think the key for us was having each detail as complete as it could be so that everyone could relax and enjoy the whole weekend, and to have a team who prioritizes that for you. 

• Any other tips for future brides?

  I am also the girl from 27 dresses and have been bridesmaid in 14 weddings, and the most valuable thing I have learned between their weddings and my own is to keep reminding yourself that none of your guests know about the many details you considered while planning (which color napkins, food choices, this chair vs a different one, timing of cake etc) so if something is missing or goes not as planned, no one knew it was supposed to be a different way in the first place- so don't sweat it. Also, take several moments throughout the day to stop, take mental images, and soak the moments in- it is over in a blink!

• Now that you’re a newlywed, any advice for the transition from Ms. To Mrs.?

  No real advice- just enjoy it!