Pnina Tornai

WHEN FRAN MET SAM

When everything comes together for a wedding it can be like a scene straight out of a movie. This is how it was for Fran when she married her true love, Samuel Ross, on November 12, 2016 at the Loeb Boathouse Central Park which is the same venue used in the famous movie When Harry Met Sally. The groom, the venue, and the gown – everything had come together perfectly for Fran's dream wedding.

If you're going to get married at such a wonderful venue then you're going to need a gown to match the amazing ambiance. Therefore Fran and her mom paid a visit to Kleinfeld Bridal in search of the perfect gown for Fran's special day. Fran knew that she wanted a gown with a simplistic top and something different and fun on the bottom. Initially Fran had her eyes set on a gown by another designer that had a gorgeous lace top with a layered skirt. However, upon trying on the gown Fran discovered that the gown was way too heavy for her petite frame.

Luckily, Fran's amazing stylist Jackie knew of a gown that would have everything that Fran wanted in a gown and not overwhelm her small frame. Jackie headed into the Pnina Tornai Boutique and pulled for Fran a dazzling A-line gown with a lace embroidered illusion corset and textured flower skirt.

“I tried it on and it felt amazing. It immediately felt like my gown!” describes Fran.

Fran emerged from her dressing room to show her mom the spectacular gown. Fran's mom instantly agreed with her that this was the one. Coming back to the Pnina Tornai Boutique later with a full entourage in tow, Fran tried her exquisitely unique A-line gown one more time for her family to see. With tears all around there was no doubt that this was indeed the gown.

“You can't ask for a better moment,” Fran remembers of the special moment that she said yes to the dress.

Fran's dream gown really had it all! The lace embroidered illusion corset was full of intricate and mesmerizing details. The beadwork shimmered ever so slightly when the corset caught the light, making the lace on the corset really stand out. The straps were spectacular and unique, coming to a gorgeous point that laid beautifully over her shoulders. Finally the rosette-textured skirt of the gown gave Fran the romantic and whimsical look that she had forever desired for her wedding day. This gown was spectacular in every sense of the word and on Fran it was a true showstopper.

Interesting note: Fran and Sam had a traditional Orthodox Jewish wedding which may surprise you considering she wore an illusion corseted gown. It turns out that Fran was originally planning on having the corset lined but once the rest of the women in her family saw her in the gown, every one of them insisted that she leave the gown unlined. They believed that lining the corset would take away from the wonderful lace detailing and didn't at all think that the tiny part of the corset that was unlined was too sexy for the ceremony. In the end, Fran's family was right because the lace detailing was immaculate and the illusion part of the corset was barely noticeable at all!

With her dream gown picked out and her lilac bridesmaids in tow, Fran was ready to have her picture perfect wedding. With all of the fall colors on the trees in Central Park, Fran's rosette-skirted gown mixed perfectly with her autumn setting. Since her walk down the aisle would be her first time seeing Sam in a while, Fran’s excitement grew as she put on her gown and she couldn't wait to marry the love of her life.

According to Fran, after the bride and groom say their I do's in a traditional Orthodox Jewish wedding, they are locked in a room together since it is technically the first time they are allowed to be alone in a locked room together. Fran and Sam kept this tradition and after saying their I do's they were locked in a tiny closet-like room together where they got to spend a few moments on their special day alone as couple.

“I remember him being there and then the gorgeous poof of white that was my beautiful Pnina Tornai dress and him saying how beautiful I was,” reminisces Fran of one of her favorite wedding day moments.

When everything comes together like it did for Fran and Sam's special day—the gown, the venue, the ceremony — it's no wonder they remember the day as being truly magical.

Photography by: Amy Rizzuto Photography

Written by: Jazmine Keels

NEXT >

< PREVIOUS