We love the idea of a bridal wardrobe filled with pieces that the bride can and will wear again as it is more sustainable and also allows the bride to express her own personal style throughout the celebrations
-Marina Cortbawi,
Founder & Creative Director
When the opportunity came to work with fashion writer Laura Lajiness on a customized Merlette piece for her wedding, we were thrilled. Not only because we admire her style, but because we applaud her approach of selecting dresses she can re-wear post-nuptials. We talked to Laura recently about her sustainable and stylish approach to curating her wedding weekend wardrobe.
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How did you approach curating your wedding weekend wardrobe?
When curating my wedding weekend wardrobe, I wanted dresses that felt true to my aesthetic but with a fanciful twist that felt distinctive for the special occasion. I almost exclusively wear midi-length silhouettes and love shapes that nip-in at the waist and romantic details that are focal points without feeling fussy or overdone. I opted for streamlined accessories and timeless jewlery to complete each look, so each dress appeared as the main event. You can read more about my process on TZR.
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What about the Merlette Ophelia dress appealed to you for your wedding brunch?
After a day spent primarily in my wedding dress, which was a floral lace strapless gown by Oscar de la Renta that I found on a secondhand site, never worn or altered—such a super special find!—I wanted a silhouette that felt effortless and a bit ethereal. The Ophelia fit the bill to a tee, featuring the most beautiful detailing at the shoulders and the label's signature volume through the tiered skirt. I also wanted to have another bridal white moment after choosing a floral brocade dress for my rehearsal dinner and a pleated metallic midi for my after-party—it was absolute perfection.
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How do you plan to re-wear your Ophelia dress?
I already have worn my Ophelia for a second time to dinner on our minimoon in Steamboat Springs, CO. I teamed it with a minimal pair of Neous sandals and a minimal white drawstring pouch by Porto. I plan to wear it repeatedly throughout the summer, rotating through my collection of flat sandals and heels.
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What does it mean to you to have wedding pieces that you can re-wear again post-celebrations?
I think it's the most thoughtful way to go about curating a wedding wardrobe. While I gave into a one-time-wear moment for my wedding gown, I was considered in my approach and made sure that for the rest of my outfits, every piece I chose was something I loved and would own for years to come, if not forever. More practical keepsakes, if you will. Every time I re-wear my Ophelia and the other pieces from my bridal wardrobe, memories from my wedding will surge through me—what could be better?
