Against the backdrop of the ocean in beautiful Cancun, Mexico at the Nizuc Resort and Spa, Elan & Jenna Ovadia committed their hearts to one another on May 20, 2017. However, this upscale and modern ceremony was anything but typical – from the chic and clean décor to the old-Hollywood style gown that Jenna wore that day.
Jenna was a bride with a vision in mind when she began gown shopping. She was looking for a form-fitting dress with beads and bling all over. Unfortunately, none of the gowns that she tried on at other salons were quite what she was looking for. In fact, it seemed like the consultants weren't really on the same page as Jenna at all.
Originally avoiding the famous bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal, due to it's popularity, but having found nothing anywhere else, Jenna finally agreed it was time to pay the shop a visit. After all, her mother and another family member had found their gowns there so maybe she would too. Jenna walked into the salon with a picture of her front-running gown and told her consultant, Paula, to try her best to top it. Paula looked at the gown and pulled four different gowns she thought might do the trick.
One of the dresses that Paula pulled was a stunning LOVE by Pnina Tornai gown. It was a form-fitting sheath gown with an exquisite, crystal-beaded halter neckline and keyhole back. This gown was a showstopper for sure and once Jenna put it on, there was no going back!
“I tried it on and immediately was like, okay this is the one,” Jenna recalls. “It was the first dress I really saw myself in and started crying!”
It wasn't covered head to toe in beads and bling like she thought she wanted, but what was there made the statement that Jenna was ultimately going for. Its old-Hollywood glamour captured Jenna's heart with just the right amount of bling and sexiness. The boning and silhouette of the gown framed Jenna's silhouette perfectly. Lastly, it wasn't too heavy for her tropical wedding setting. This gown had it all, and Jenna was completely smitten.
From there on out, everything was about the gown. For the jewelry, Jenna stuck to a bracelet and custom-made clip on earrings. There was no need for a necklace with a dazzling embellished neckline like the one on her wedding dress. For her hairstyle, Jenna was originally considering having her hair half-up, half-down. However, after choosing her gown, Jenna knew she could not cover up the sexy and dazzling keyhole back so she opted for a very sleek high bun. For the veil, Jenna kept it simple with a very sheer, cathedral length veil that you could still see the gown through.
Even the décor for the ceremony and reception were influenced by the gown. With its upscale and elegant vibes, the décor took on a very modern look with clean lines and crisp whites accented with tropical colors.
For the first look, Jenna did things a little differently. Instead of her walking to Elan, she had Elan walk to her and then she turned around for the big reveal. When Elan reached her, Jenna turned around with the gown flowing behind her and the shock on his face at how stunning his bride looked was all the confirmation Jenna needed that she had made the right choice.
“I felt like a sexy, glamorous goddess,” Jenna gushes.
Anyone who saw her that day would agree that she looked like one too. Stunning like a true Hollywood starlet, Jenna danced off into the sunset with her handsome leading man.
Written by: Jazmine Keels
Photography by: Citlalli Rico Photography
Flowers by: Vanessa Jaimes
Hair and makeup: Backstage H&M