Photos: Elle Wildhagen and Zachary Domes, Kindred Weddings

HI Real Bride Gabriella had a wedding weekend that sounded so fun - we’re jealous we weren’t there! Animals to pet, a Good Humor truck, and, best of all, a parade of five fabulous Happy Isles looks for the occasion. Read more about Gabriella's loving and light-hearted approach to her bridal festivities below… 💛

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?

I can honestly say there was no part of my wedding I dreamed of or anticipated as a young girl besides the location. I have always wanted to get married at my parents' house in Greenwich, CT, the very home I grew up in! I have two sisters and a particularly close family, and we are all homebodies by every inch of the definition.

We had a small rehearsal dinner on Thursday night at my family’s favorite restaurant in Greenwich, Le Penguin. The night was filled with the most loving, thoughtful, and heartfelt speeches that I will replay in my mind for the rest of my life. I also just want to take a moment to appreciate the restaurant staff who took this event to a level of fun I had not anticipated. On their own accord, the music started absolutely popping off around dessert.

The dinner then turned into a party, and our guests enjoyed their chocolate mousse and tarte tatin during dance breaks. I could not stop uncontrollably laughing the entire time; we were throwing up the Penguin décor at the restaurant surrounded by some of our parents’ oldest friends, I did not have partying at the rehearsal dinner on my wedding bingo card, but it was truly one of my favorite moments of the whole weekend. Friday was the Welcome Party, which was Kansas City-themed as an homage to Charlie’s childhood. It was at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center Farmhouse, and I highly recommend having an event here that is kid-friendly. The farm was open to the guests, and the kids absolutely loved visiting the animals. We kept this night super casual with food trucks and a Good Humor truck for dessert!

"I wish I could be one of those girls who was so surprised, with no idea it was coming, but sadly, I’m in everybody’s business, and the investigating is in my nature."

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

We met in college during a group project on Santander Bank in our International Relations class. He had a fresh tan from a water polo tournament, and I have texts to my friends stating that Charlie in row 3 would make a very hot dad one day, and now it’s funny to think I get to see if that comes true!!!!! He woke me up on Friday, September 15th, and told me I wasn’t going to be going to work that day, and instantly, I knew.

I wish I could be one of those girls who was so surprised, with no idea it was coming, but sadly, I’m in everybody’s business, and the investigating is in my nature. We then boarded a ferry to Governor’s Island, and I was like, what the heck are we doing over here??? In very Charlie fashion, he had seen the spot flying into New York one day and just decided it was where he wanted to propose; he liked the trees and the view. What followed was by far one of the most fun days ever; my family and his “surprised” us after, and that kicked off our weekend of celebrating. He then had a dinner booked with our closest friends and immediate family, and that was actually a surprise. The thing about Charlie, which is a blessing and a curse for him, is that I just know he knows me better than anyone, and in any moment I’m supposed to feel special, I know I will. He makes everything special; I’m spoiled rotten. 

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

After a long day of shopping with my mom and dad, my sister, and my cousin Anna, we arrived at Happy Isles with depleted snack baggies and no idea what to expect. I have always been an avid vintage lover; there was actually a phase in 2023 when a different package from Depop would arrive at my apartment every day, and I was rarely not in a vintage JPG mesh top. But anyway, I digress; my dad actually picked out my wedding dress. He is the fashionista of my family, but that’s a story for another time, and I was like, that’s WAY too girly. I came out of the dressing room, and he obviously shed tears and kept telling me how “I just sparkled in it.” There was something about the dress that just felt fun. It felt like an homage to the little girl in me who lived for sequins, and I just felt so comfortable in it.

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

He wore a fabulous medium blue Canali suit with an old Hermes tie I found on the RealReal. It was a green tie with trees all over it, and it was called “Tree me Good” on TheRealReal. I was like, oh, this couldn’t be more perfect. My parents have a bunch of apple trees in our backyard, and I was gearing up to promise to "Tree" Charlie good for the rest of his life! I was also dying to show Charlie all my looks before our big day, but he wanted them to remain a surprise. 

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

I think the greatest reaction of all was my brother-in-law’s on the Wedding Day. I saw my brother-in-law by accident before even seeing Charlie, and he just looked at me and said, “You look like a fucking angel,” and nothing makes you feel better than that!

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

I had an idea of how I wanted each night to feel, and that kind of guided the way I accessorized. I wanted the rehearsal to just feel like a chic, classic night out, and the Welcome was western-themed, so cowboy boots were a must. I found the coolest pair on Etsy, which were vintage Burns boots. As for the rest of my jewelry, there is no place like Mom’s closet... ✨

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?

The most memorable aspect of my dress shopping experience was most definitely when I bought all 5 looks within an hour at Happy Isles. It was one after the next; the incredible inventory at the store was unparalleled. Also, not to mention the quality. A lot of times with vintage, you compromise on the condition of the dress, but there is truly no store I have ever shopped with vintage in the quality of Happy Isles. My recommendation would be to let go of an all-white weekend!!!! There are sooo many great looks out there that are not white, and that makes them even more reusable. Going vintage is also just the best way to see your money registered in the quality and design of the dress. I swear, no one makes dresses the way they did 20 years ago. It is something about the fit, the colors, the design, and every aspect. I live for it!

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

She would totally be named Carrie because she was larger than life, and something about the flower detail on the butt was so 90s coded. Her perfect date night would be Pastis because wasn’t that the “it” spot in the 90s?! French fries would be ordered for the table, and we would sit inside by the window in one of those cute chairs that make your butt hurt after a few hours.

"Truly, my greatest goal throughout the entire process was for the weekend to feel like an extension of the people Charlie and I are, casual, light, mildly inappropriate, authentic, and filled with love."

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?

My mother is a therapist, so being authentic to who I am is a household rule. I also got very lucky when I met Kait, my wedding planner because she truly let me do my thing while keeping all the details and organization in line. A lot of her work existed behind the scenes and was instrumental in my peace of mind and bringing all my ideas together on the actual day. But I’d say that the fewer opinions outside of your planner, the better. I never wanted any detail or superficial aspect of the day to become more important than the reason we were having the wedding in the first place.

Truly, my greatest goal throughout the entire process was for the weekend to feel like an extension of the people Charlie and I are, casual, light, mildly inappropriate, authentic, and filled with love. That sounds so cliché, but when each event feels like a comfortable, familiar atmosphere, it makes you and your guests feel at home, which is the formula for the most fun to be had.

Find your vendors, and then TRUST them! Let them do their goddamn job; you picked them for a reason. I picked my vendors very early on after severe Instagram stalking. And then I just kind of let go; you meet these incredibly talented people along the way who have made a career out of pursuing their passions, and I think you lose the magic of so much talent when you micromanage or control. I know for myself that in my own passion projects or work, it gets muddy when there are too many cooks in the kitchen. At the end of the day, you hire people to execute your vision, but you also must realize part of your vision includes theirs, which exists without you.

"My advice would be to give yourself the utmost grace and compassion, that this is your first wedding too, and that everything will go just right if you get married at the end of it!"

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

I wish I could say no to this question, and I tried absolutely everything in my power to minimize surprises or unexpected events! I think weddings are emotional for many reasons, so be kind to everyone throughout the process because you really can’t anticipate the feelings that arise for those around you. My advice would be to give yourself the utmost grace and compassion, that this is your first wedding too, and that everything will go just right if you get married at the end of it! 

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

At one of my dress appointments, my bridal consultant said, “You are perceiving yourself too much in this dress,” and I was like oh, that makes so much sense in a way I have never thought about a wedding dress. I didn’t want to perceive myself on a day that was supposed to be about feeling and emotion; I just wanted something I didn’t have to worry about feeling like myself in. So naturally, a sequined bodice and full skirt vintage 1990 Vera Wang felt like a second skin! We can’t help who we are, and I know 6-year-old me would have freaked for the sequins. I used to wear butterfly clips over my entire head, sequin tube tops, and those ruched shirts on rotation. My dress was really for no one else’s joy but my own, and I had so much fun in it.

And buy your linens! If you have a favorite linen brand or see anything you like while home shopping, reach out to them on Instagram or their wholesale email, likely on their website. A wedding is usually the size of a large wholesale order, and you end up paying less to buy than to rent! I then packaged up a good set of 20 napkins for all my bridesmaids and my mother-in-law and mom! Such a fun gift and a way to keep a special memento from the day.

"This whole process has made me realize that I want to pursue my creative passions more seriously. I loved having my hand in every aspect, and it’s really made me realize that I’m capable of taking on a lot more."

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

Charlie came over to my house after spending the night apart at 7am before all the wedding day craze started. Seeing him in that moment was more special than any first look or moment down the aisle because that’s when it all really felt real. We got to just have our moment quietly and alone, something that is very rare in a big family. I also was the makeup artist for myself, my bridesmaids, my mother-in-law, and my mom. Everyone was up in arms at the idea, but it was so special having one-on-one time with each person on the day of, and it also gave me a purpose other than being the bride. I was busy from 8am-1pm, and I loved every minute of it; I had absolutely no idea what was going on downstairs (the venue) and lost track of the fact that I’d soon be walking down the aisle.

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?

This whole process has made me realize that I want to pursue my creative passions more seriously. I loved having my hand in every aspect, and it’s really made me realize that I’m capable of taking on a lot more. Whether it’s styling, makeup, or just helping people create a vision or being part of the execution, I just want to be able to find more outlets for the creative process that brings me so much joy. Charlie is also dying to be a father, so I have been trying to keep the rein on him there. We both are very excited at the idea of starting our family together; just one of us is a little more ready than the other!

And finally - shout out your vendors!

Photography: Kindred Weddings

Planning: Weddings by Kait

Catering: Promises Kept Events

Floral: blxxm

Hair: Anjolie Clark at Julien Farel

Makeup: Me!

Music: DJ Nate Slate

Stationary: My sister, Francesca Giammalva