Styling in Mom's Wedding Gown

Tracey Attlee (left) photographs Zoya and bride Kristin at Zoya's Atelier, Falls Church, VA--Photo by Todd A. Smith

Talk about a bride to be with a heart full of love.  Family is so sentimentally important to our bride Kristin that she recently announced her decision to wear her mother's wedding gown at her upcoming summer wedding.  In our 30 years behind the lens this is only the second of our brides ever to do this!

What Kristin wisely chose is to have Zoya's Atelier in Falls Church, VA update the gown with modern touches.

Yesterday as we photographed the dress fitting we and Kristin's mother watched spellbound as Zoya transformed the sleeves and skirt and trim of the original gown into a lovely modern version.  

Zoya was formally trained at the Fashion Institute in New York City and has had wedding gown boutiques in London and New York.  It was a privilege to watch her in action.  

Not only did Zoya quickly show and tell how to modernize the dress but she also helped Kristin select a veil, hairpiece and earrings that complemented the proportions of the updated gown.  Then she demonstrated how best Kristin could wear her hair on the wedding day to set off the veil and accessories stylishly.  

What a pleasure to watch an artist transform a rushed young woman from a delayed plane flight into a beautiful, glowing bride to be!

Zoya's Atelier

260 West Broad Street

Falls Church, VA 22046

Tel:  571-775-0469

Tracey Attlee has photographed brides from Virginia to New York for 30 years from her Alexandria, VA headquarters.  She is formerly White House cleared and since 1996 has also served as a private photographer for the Rockefellers.