For Dimitra’s Real Bride Taylor, finding her wedding gown felt like a true fairytale moment—complete with a little girl declaring her a princess.
Taylor wore the breathtaking Josephine gown by Leah Da Gloria, a grand ball gown featuring a structured basque waist and luxurious floral brocade fabric. The timeless silhouette was effortlessly glamorous, making Taylor feel exactly as every bride should: “Like a princess, glamorous and timeless.”
A Princess Moment at Dimitra’s Bridal
From the moment Taylor entered Dimitra’s Bridal, Josephine immediately caught her eye.
“I spotted the Josephine dress on the mannequin, and it was the very first dress I tried on,” Taylor shared. “I instantly fell in love. It felt timeless yet glamorous, and the fabric was unlike anything I had ever seen.”
But it was one unexpected moment that confirmed she had found the one.
“As I walked to the front of the store wearing the dress, a little girl looked at me and said, ‘Look, Mommy, there’s a princess.’ That was the moment I knew—it was my dress!”
Taylor also felt embraced by the warmth and support of the Dimitra’s team throughout her appointment.
“The entire team made me feel so comfortable and supported. They were warm, attentive and genuinely excited for me, making the whole appointment feel so special. The store had such a welcoming, family-like atmosphere, and I truly couldn’t recommend Dimitra’s Bridal enough. It was an unforgettable experience from beginning to end.”
Taylor and James’ Love Story
Taylor and James first met at Clemson University in 2015 through their sorority and fraternity circles. Their paths continued to cross, but it wasn’t until the spring of 2019 that the two truly connected during a night at Loose Change, a Clemson favorite.
James invited Taylor to be his date to his fraternity’s beach formal that spring. Little did they know, that weekend would become the beginning of an annual beach tradition with their friends Maria and Matt Skinner.
When they returned to Clemson in the fall, Taylor and James went on their first official date at a local sushi restaurant. On September 26, 2019, James asked Taylor to be his girlfriend.
After graduating, James moved to Chicago in February 2020. Taylor visited him during her spring break, planning to stay for just a few days before continuing to California. When the COVID lockdown began, those plans quickly changed, leaving the couple together in James’ tiny studio apartment. Thankfully, they had red wine, a deck of cards, HelloFresh—and, most importantly, each other.
In 2023, Taylor and James moved into their own place in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Together, they built a life around their shared love of discovering new restaurants, traveling and finding their next adventure.
James proposed on August 15, 2024, in Seaside, Florida—Taylor’s happy place and the destination where her family vacations each year.
A Heartfelt Chicago Wedding
Taylor and James’ wedding day began quietly at home, where Taylor was surrounded by the women who had loved and supported her through every season of her life.
“One of my favorite moments of the entire day was slipping into my wedding dress in the comfort of my own home, with my closest people by my side,” she shared. “It was intimate, emotional and the perfect way to begin such a meaningful day.”
The couple exchanged vows at Chicago’s iconic Fourth Presbyterian Church. Its breathtaking architecture, soft light and peaceful atmosphere created a dreamlike setting for the ceremony.
After becoming husband and wife, Taylor and James wandered through the city, stopping at several of their favorite places for photographs. Those quiet moments—walking hand in hand and taking in the feeling of being newly married—became some of their most treasured memories.
The celebration continued at The Exchange, where the dance floor remained full from beginning to end. Surrounded by their favorite people, Taylor and James celebrated a night filled with love, laughter and pure joy.
Taylor’s Josephine gown was the perfect choice for every part of the day. Its romantic floral brocade, dramatic skirt and timeless basque-waist silhouette looked beautifully at home inside the historic church, throughout the streets of Chicago and on the dance floor.
“My dress made me feel incredible—it was timeless, effortlessly glamorous and truly unforgettable,” Taylor said. “It was more than just a gown; it became part of the story of a day I’ll treasure forever.”
Looking back, Taylor describes the celebration as heartfelt, joyful and completely reflective of who she and James are as a couple—a wedding that felt less like a fairytale and more like coming home to the life they had always dreamed of building together.
Congratulations, Taylor and James! The entire Dimitra’s Bridal family is honored to have been part of your unforgettable love story.
Ready to discover the gown that makes you feel like a princess? Schedule your bridal appointment at Dimitra’s Bridal Couture and let our team help you find your own unforgettable look.
Vendors:
Photographer:: Teresa Williams
Photog’s Instagram:: @_teresawilliams
Reception Venue @theexchangechicago
Ceremony @fourthchurch
Content Creation @aforevermore.co
Music @elegantmusicgroup
Dress @dimitrasbridalcouture @leahdagloria
Hair & Makeup @anomaliebeautyagency
Flowers @poppyflowersco
Dessert @blackdoggelato and @bittersweetpastryshop
Wedding Coordinator @weddingdaychicago
