When Alyssa walked into Dimitra’s Bridal, she had one vision in mind: something unique but still bridal for her fall wedding. After visiting eight different bridal boutiques (and making not one but two visits to ours), she finally found the gown that made her feel exactly the way she hoped — “Beautiful, Classy, Special.”
Alyssa said “yes” to a stunning fitted Lee Petra Grebenau gown adorned with cascading 3D floral appliqués that flowed all the way down her dramatic train. When she walked down the aisle, it was as if she were strolling through a blooming garden — ethereal, romantic, and unforgettable. “To this day, people still tell me they’ve never seen a dress so beautiful and that it truly was made for me,” Alyssa shared.
“Ismini & Alex were wonderful to work with. Both were determined to help me make my dream dress a reality!”
— Alyssa, Real Bride
A Modern Love Story
Like many couples today, Alyssa and Dalton met on the dating app Hinge — though their match almost didn’t happen! Alyssa had set her profile to only show potential matches her age or older, but fate (and the algorithm) had other plans. Dalton, a hockey player originally from Pittsburgh and 19 months younger, slipped in — and the rest was history.
Their first date at Tavern on Rush turned into several bottles of wine and a closed-down restaurant. The second date was planned that same night, and from then on, they never looked back.
During a vacation in Croatia, Dalton got down on one knee and asked Alyssa to spend forever with him — and just like that, the wedding planning began.
A Day Full of Meaning
Alyssa and Dalton chose to honor tradition with a Catholic ceremony at Holy Family Catholic Church in Inverness, IL, where they didn’t see each other until Alyssa walked down the aisle. The bride got ready with her bridesmaids at the historic home she and Dalton now share, setting the tone for a meaningful and elegant day.
Inside the church’s grand sanctuary, the couple exchanged custom vows in front of all their loved ones — a moment that perfectly blended timeless tradition with personal sentiment.
A Reception to Remember
For their reception, Royal Melbourne Country Club provided a breathtaking backdrop to bring Alyssa and Dalton’s vision to life. Every detail felt personal and intentional — from a memorial table with lyrics to “You Should Be Here,” to a tribute display honoring “All of the Love Stories That Came Before Us,” complete with cherished photos of their parents and grandparents.
The couple’s biggest priorities? “Good food and a good party.” And they absolutely delivered.
Guests were welcomed with a festive cocktail hour on the outdoor veranda, twinkling under string lights on a warm September night. Inside, The Blue Water Kings Band kept the energy high — even the priest was dancing! A hand-dipped ice cream cart, photo booth, and a Chicago street food-inspired late night snack (hello, Chicago dogs and Italian beef!) rounded out a night that was as fun as it was heartfelt.
Alyssa’s Dream Dress Moment
Looking back on her journey, Alyssa couldn’t be happier that she found her dress at Dimitra’s Bridal. From the intricate floral detailing to the perfect fit, her Lee Petra Grebenau gown captured everything she imagined for her wedding day — and then some.
“It was important to me to feel like myself, but elevated — and this gown was just that.”
Congratulations, Alyssa and Dalton! Thank you for letting Dimitra’s Bridal be part of your beautiful beginning. Your wedding day was the perfect blend of tradition, love, and joy — and we’ll be dreaming about that gown for years to come.
Vendors:
Photographer: Brittany Bekas (@brittanybekas)
Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church (@holyfamilycci)
Reception Venue: Royal Melbourne Country Club (@royalmelbournecc)
Floral and Decor: Belmonte Florist
Hair & Makeup: Tamara Makeup + Hair Artistry (@tamaramakeup)
