Photos: Holly Hursley

Carly fell in love with the first gown she put on at HILA - a bit of vintage bridal kismet! The roses on the Scaasi gown paired perfectly with the gazebo of roses at her South Pasadena wedding. Truly meant to be! 💛 

Tell us about your wedding day and surrounding events! Where did it all go down? Did you have any particular inspiration or musts when choosing the location?

My bridesmaids and I got ready at The Langham Hotel in Pasadena, CA, in a charming 1920s cottage. The weeks leading up to the wedding were rainy, but we fortunately had sun all day, so we were able to eat and hang outside all morning.  We headed over to my husband, Greg’s, childhood home in South Pasadena, where our ceremony, dinner, and dancing took place. When it came to choosing a location, Greg and I wanted to feel comfortable in a place that was meaningful to us. Having spent a great deal of time at his childhood home the year prior, it seemed like the perfect location. My in-laws are wonderful, and they’ve thrown a few weddings at the house over the years. We were very fortunate to have their help with the planning process.

Our ceremony took place in the front yard under a canopy of oak trees in front of a gazebo with roses surrounding us and our wedding party. It was magical. We all moved to the backyard for cocktail hour, where our guests mingled under the string lights around the pool, surrounded by roses crawling up the tree trunks and flowers hanging from vases in the trees as you entered the reception area. My mother-in-law surprised us with even more flowers than we had planned, and we were stunned by all the organic beauty. 

Finally, we all moved to the tennis court, which was transformed into a gorgeous dinner and dancing space. The greenery, flowers, and lights created an intimate backyard garden feel that we’ll never forget. As far as inspiration for our wedding goes, with Greg being born and raised in South Pasadena, we quickly came to realize our love for Father of the Bride. I’m a die-hard Diane Keaton fan, and we always say my mom is her twin, so the movie became a point of reference for our aesthetic. I’m Sicilian and grew up where food was the center of most conversations. So, for me, a big Italian dinner party outside in the backyard garden with some Italian traditions was a must. With Greg being a musician, it was a non-negotiable to have a great band singing our favorite songs from the 50s-90s. Thus, our upbringings and passions came to life, and that was the most special. 

How did you and your partner meet? What was the proposal like?

We met on Bumble, a dating app, in November 2022. Both of us had mutual friends, but our paths had never crossed. We went on a walk in the Arroyo in Pasadena on a Friday afternoon, and we’ve been together ever since. We dated for 1 year, and Greg proposed to me after he got back from tour on our 1-year anniversary. We recently got the keys to our home, where we only had a bench and a coffee table in the middle of our living room. That night, we sliced some cake, and Greg put some music on, which was nothing out of the ordinary. All of a sudden, he looked nervous and was staring at me quietly.  He then said, “Let’s dance!” Frankie Valli’s “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” was on, so of course I popped up. He got down on one knee, and we both sort of blacked out. He said some very sweet and heartfelt words and asked me to marry him. It was absolutely perfect. 

Describe your Happy Isles dress and/or dresses! When did you know it was the one? 

Greg proposed in November 2023, and our wedding was in April 2024. I didn’t think about dress shopping until January because my mom was undergoing treatment, and I didn’t want to go until she was feeling strong enough between treatments. We also had it in our minds that we would hopefully walk into a store and then leave with one. We walked in, and I tried on the first dress we saw and left with the same one that day. When I saw the beautiful Scaasi off the shoulder with satin roses wrapping along the middle of the dress, I knew it was the one. My Italian grandmother’s name was Rose, and Rose is my middle name. I felt like she was with us, and I knew she would be with me on my wedding day.

What did your partner wear down the aisle, and did you share outfit pics before the big day?

Greg wore a black tuxedo with black loafers. We didn’t show each other our outfits and did not do a first look. It was the best seeing each other for the first time down the aisle.

"I was in my dress until I went to sleep, and I’m so happy I never changed!"

How did your guests respond to your outfit/s? Were there any standout reactions?

I think the most standout reaction for me was when my mom came up to see me for the first time upstairs when we were waiting to go out for the ceremony. She was immediately in tears, and so was I. My mother-in-law came in shortly after, also in tears. My family and friends knew immediately when they saw the roses how special it was for me to feel a piece of my Nonna, who didn’t get to meet Greg. I was in my dress until I went to sleep, and I’m so happy I never changed!

Where did you shop for accessories and how did you style your look/s?

My mom let me borrow her tennis bracelet my dad had given her, and my mother-in-law let me borrow her pearl necklace. My earrings were from Shashi, and I wore a vintage white beaded clutch that I got from Playclothes in Burbank. 

What was the most memorable aspect of your dress shopping experience? Is there anything you would like to highlight or share with other brides considering an appointment at Happy Isles?

It was so much fun! My mom and I were welcomed and made super comfortable. Lily and Alice helped pick out different dresses, and it was a blast to try them on. I went back to the first dress I tried on pretty quickly, so it was a super easy stop-and-shop! 

Okay. Your HI wedding dress is a person. What is their name, and describe their perfect date!

Her name is Rose. She's probably in Italy. The date starts with a coffee and brioche gelato. A drive through the countryside. Then onto a spritz and aperitivo in the evening. Then, out for a pizza. And a cannoli for dessert.

Getting serious for a second. Did you ever feel like you were breaking the mold or challenging expectations while wedding planning? What were some ways you stayed true to yourself during what can be an emotionally complex experience?

I felt like the entire wedding planning experience was sped up, which Greg and I both wanted. We didn’t want to plan a wedding over the course of a year or two, and we both wanted my mom to be able to attend our wedding. We made decisions quickly and did everything together. We designed our own invitations and hired a planner to help with the logistics for vendors and the wedding weekend. Greg and I, and both sets of our parents, made a great team. The entire process was emotional for me. Despite it being the most challenging year, planning with my mom was unforgettable, and experiencing the joy with Greg, our parents, family, and friends was absolutely worth it. It really was the most special weekend for all of us.

They say every wedding has a “wild card” moment. Did anything unexpected happen or surprise you during planning or day-of?

Everything was beautiful and went smoothly! The biggest surprise was when Greg sang a song that he had written about me early in our relationship called Brand New Life. Also, I crowd-surfed, which was fun! 

"I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude looking around at our wedding party, family, and friends once we officially were married."

HOT TAKES: Do you have any wedding planning or dress shopping advice? Please pay it forward to our future brides!

Go to Happy Isles if you love vintage. The experience and dress options are fantastic! I didn’t have an idea of what I wanted to wear, and I also didn’t find one until a few months before. I think it made it more fun for me to be surprised by the different dresses and to see which dress I immediately felt connected to.

If you had to choose your single best wedding day memory, what would it be?

Walking down the aisle with my parents and locking eyes with Greg. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude looking around at our wedding party, family, and friends once we officially were married. The ceremony was the best part of the day for me!

Now that the wedding chapter has come to a close, what are some dreams you have for your future, both personally and as a couple?

I recently passed a licensing exam in my journey of being a licensed therapist so we will see where I land and where it takes me. Greg is finishing his last year of his Masters in Art History and continuing to make and release his music. We’re both excited to grow and see where our passions take us. We hope to travel more together and continue to spend time with our family and friends. 

And finally - shout out your vendors!

Planning: Sophia Katarina Events

Catering: Amanda Lanza

Photo: Holly Hursley Photography

Cake: Lark Cake Shop

Tiramisu/Cannoli: Giovanni’s Tiramisu 

Florist: Flowers by Leah & Sharon Golden Event Designs 

Rentals: Town and Country

Hair/Makeup: Shea Hardy and Kelly Zhang Studio

Transportation: TTS Charter Bus