Meet our Co-Founder Irene! She has been in the wedding industry for basically all her life and is creatively passionate about design and connecting with people. She takes pleasure in helping brides find a dress that truly make them feel their BEST! Her beautiful twilight inspired California wedding is coming up in just a few weeks, and we had to share what she’s picked from Afarose for her own special day!

How long have you been in the industry?

“I think it will be fair to say my entire 26 years! I basically grew up with textiles, laces, and all-things-bridal around me. My family owns a bridal textile company, where they specialize in sourcing and dyeing fabric for bridal designers. From what I remember, I have been in love with creating art works with laces and ribbons. My interest in the bridal industry only grew bigger as time passed, and I finally decided to open a bridal shop with my brother in 2019.” Que *Afarose*!

Three words to describe your wedding theme?

“Intimate, Simple, Elegant.”

What are the colors of your wedding party and why?

“When it comes to the colors, I didn’t have a second thought. My dream wedding is inspired by the Twilight wedding. A simple green & white theme, surrounded by trees and an intimate grass meadow. So I picked Afarose’s celadon & eucalyptus as the theme colors.”

Why did you choose 2 colors for the bridesmaid dresses?

“Instead of incorporating many colors in the wedding, I love the idea of creating dimension with different shades of one color. I also style my daily outfits using this technique a lot.”

What are the styles you picked?

“I let all of my bridesmaids choose their top 3 dresses, and I did the final pick. They are Fay, Selena, Kay Allure, and Marta Allure.”

Is picking mixed and matched bridesmaid dresses difficult?

“Yes and no! For brides who are not good with colors and styling, I definitely recommend not doing more than 2 variations. If you have all different styles, go with the same color. If you have many different colors, try to limit the styles to 2 groups only. It will be a lot easier if you have all the bridesmaids shop at the same place. That way, you can ensure the colors look cohesive and consistent with each other.”

Do you have any other tips when it comes to planning your wedding colors?

“Pick a dress code color for your guests so your photos look cohesive and complementary. I tested this tip at my bridal shower by asking my guests to wear light pinks, purples and neutrals, and we created this beautiful romantic color palette!”

What about your wedding dress, did you design it yourself?

“Yes, I did! It was definitely a team collaboration. I knew what I wanted from the very beginning, so the conceptualization part was not difficult. I sketched the first draft and picked the laces & fabrics by myself. The team did an incredible job on the construction of the gown. We spent nights and days on details like hand-placed lace and embellishments. When the final piece was presented, it was like a dream come true!”

Could you share a little details about your dress?

“All I can share now is that we are using some laces from 2023 new collection. It doesn’t look like any of the styles we have currently, so we are all very excited!”

What you are passionate about, Irene?

“I’m passionate about art, design, and people! This passion has served me well as the co-founder of Afarose. I’ve connected with many brides through the one-on-one styling appointment, understanding their need, finding the best fit, and sharing my expertises.

One thing I got a lot from the consulting is the amount shame people put on their body. “I am going to order one size smaller to loose weight” or “I can never look good in that mermaid dress.” Brides can put too much stress on themselves during the wedding planning. My job Is to help them gain that confidence back. All shapes are beautiful. As the bride walks down the aisle, she should feel the best version of herself, that’s the mission we are striving for.”

Click here to book your own virtual appointment with Irene.

Thank you Irene for giving us useful insight on your wedding planning! We cannot wait to see photos from your stunning day.

For more wedding planning tips and ideas, follow us on instagram @loveafarose!