Tell us about your experience at Ladies of Lineage!

Finding my dress at Ladies of Lineage was one of the most special parts of the entire wedding planning process. From the moment I walked through the door, I felt genuinely cared for and understood. The experience was personal, relaxed, and incredibly thoughtful—never rushed or overwhelming. I walked in with a very specific vision of what I thought my wedding dress would look like. Then I saw the dress hanging on the rack, and I couldn’t stop looking at it. It was completely different from anything I had planned, but something about it immediately captured me. The intricate floral appliqués were unlike anything I had ever seen, and I found myself returning to it again and again. The moment I put it on, everything changed. What started as a dress that wasn’t part of the plan ended up being the dress that felt the most like me. Elizabeth was incredible throughout the process, helping me explore my options while never losing sight of what felt authentic to me as a bride.

Designed by the incomparable Mira Zwillinger, the gown exceeded every expectation I had for my wedding dress. Her work is true artistry. The craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail woven into every inch of that gown were extraordinary. To this day, it is the most beautiful piece of art I have ever put on my body. The experience didn’t end when I found the dress. Beth, their in-house seamstress, was absolutely phenomenal. Her talent, attention to detail, and dedication ensured that the gown fit perfectly while preserving everything that made it so special. I felt completely confident in her hands throughout the alterations process. Beth also deserves special recognition for creating the most perfect bustle. It was functional, flawless, and somehow maintained all of the magic of the gown. It was one of those details guests may never notice, but every bride understands how important it is—and she executed it perfectly.

Not only did I find my dream dress, but I found a team of women who were just as invested in making the experience unforgettable. Their expertise, warmth, and genuine care made every appointment something I looked forward to. Looking back at our wedding photos, I still can’t believe I got to wear that dress, and I will always be grateful to Elizabeth, Beth, Mira Zwillinger, and the entire Ladies of Lineage team for helping make that dream a reality.

Tell us about your wedding!

Our wedding aesthetic was inspired by the timeless coastal elegance of the Inn at Perry Cabin, but it was also deeply personal. Long before we became husband and wife, the Chesapeake Bay was woven into our story. We met in Norfolk, Virginia, where my husband lives, and throughout our early years of dating, the Bay became the backdrop for many of our favorite memories together.

An avid boater and captain, he spent countless weekends on the Chesapeake Bay, and many of our early dates centered around boating adventures throughout the region. Choosing a waterfront venue on the Chesapeake Bay felt like a tribute to that chapter of our relationship and to a place that has always held special meaning for us.

We wanted the wedding design to reflect the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, while my bridal look reflected my love of vintage glamour. Blue hydrangeas became the floral focal point of the weekend, creating a palette that felt quintessentially East Coast while still remaining fresh and elegant. Combined with lush greenery, chandeliers, twinkling string lights, and thoughtful design details, the overall atmosphere felt timeless, joyful, and distinctly coastal. Our ceremony and cocktail hour took place along the waterfront, allowing guests to experience the beauty of the Bay, before transitioning to a sailcloth tent for dinner and dancing. We wanted every part of the day to feel connected to the setting while still maintaining the warmth and energy of a great party.

While the wedding design was inspired by the venue and its surroundings, my bridal aesthetic was rooted in vintage glamour. My look drew inspiration from a modern interpretation of Priscilla Presley’s iconic wedding style, blended with elements of Brigitte Bardot’s effortless beauty and old-Hollywood romance. For makeup, I was heavily inspired by Sofia Tilbury’s signature aesthetic—soft pink tones, glowing skin, flushed cheeks, and timeless femininity. Think Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk eyes, luminous complexion, rosy Sabrina Carpenter-inspired blush, and soft pink lips. I wanted to feel unapologetically feminine and glamorous while still looking elegant, timeless, and authentically myself. Bringing that vision to life would not have been possible without my hair and makeup artist, Caitlyn Meyer. She immediately understood exactly what I was trying to achieve and somehow elevated every idea I brought to her. From the soft, romantic bridal glam to my reception hairstyle inspired by Pamela Anderson’s iconic 1990s updo, she executed every detail flawlessly and made me feel like the most elevated version of myself.

My Mira Zwillinger gown and custom veil became the centerpiece of that vision, combining extraordinary artistry with intricate floral appliqués that inspired countless details throughout the celebration. In many ways, the dress influenced the wedding design itself.

One of my favorite details was our wedding cake, which featured blue and white florals inspired by the appliqués on the gown. It was actually a surprise for my husband, as I had carefully avoided revealing any details of my wedding dress before the wedding. Finding a way to subtly connect the cake design to the gown felt like the perfect hidden detail. The most meaningful details, however, were the personal ones.

My husband and I met through vascular surgery—he was once my teacher and mentor before becoming my closest friend, greatest supporter, and ultimately my husband. That journey shaped much of the emotion behind the day and was woven throughout our vows and celebration.

Custom artwork played a major role in bringing our vision to life. Caitlyn of Wouldn’t It Be Lovely created a custom toile pattern and an illustration of our beloved dog, Theo, which we incorporated throughout the wedding weekend on our stationery, signage, bar decals, cocktail napkins, matchboxes, and even our guest book. Theo was also able to be part of the celebration itself, making the day feel even more personal.

We wanted our guests to feel immersed in the experience from the moment they arrived. We served signature cocktails, danced the night away to a live band, and even had a special surprise performance from my father, a professional guitarist. One of the most memorable moments of the evening came when he joined the band to perform Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy” as our reception entrance song. The song carried special meaning for us.

During my fellowship, my husband would start every operating room playlist with “Pride and Joy,” and over time it became a song I closely associated with him. As his trainee, I admired him immensely and wanted to learn everything I could from him. I wanted to become the best surgeon possible and make him proud. Years later, after our relationship evolved from mentor and mentee to friends, partners, and eventually husband and wife, walking into our wedding reception to that same song felt incredibly meaningful. Having my father perform it live made the moment even more unforgettable.

Another favorite moment of the evening was our choreographed first dance—a combination of foxtrot and salsa performed to a medley of “The Way You Look Tonight” and “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).” As the evening progressed, I transformed my bridal look for the reception. I incorporated floral elements from my Mira Zwillinger gown that I hand-sewed onto custom hairpins, creating a subtle connection between my ceremony and reception looks. Later, I changed into Josie, a Mira Zwillinger mini dress, paired with custom pearl- and rhinestone-embellished Converse sneakers embroidered with “Mrs. Panneton” and our wedding date.

We also incorporated interactive elements that encouraged guests to create memories alongside us. Baby blue Instax cameras were placed throughout the celebration, allowing guests to add photographs and notes directly into our custom toile guest book. One of our favorite keepsakes from the wedding has been flipping through those candid snapshots and seeing the weekend through the eyes of our guests.

We also invited watercolor artist Cheri Miller to create live guest portraits throughout the reception, giving our family and friends a one-of-a-kind keepsake to take home. To honor the years I spent living in Pittsburgh, we included a traditional Pittsburgh cookie table at the after-party. I spent months thrifting and visiting antique shops to curate an eclectic collection of vintage platters, dishes, and tiered cake stands to display the cookies. It became a meaningful nod to a city that helped shape me and a fun late-night surprise for our guests. Music was another deeply personal part of the celebration. I curated and mixed the entire after-party playlist myself, carefully blending songs to keep the energy high all night long. It ended up being one of the most fun projects of the planning process and the perfect soundtrack to close out an unforgettable weekend.

Above all, we wanted the wedding to feel like us: elegant without being stuffy, meaningful without being overly formal, fashion-forward without chasing trends, and filled with laughter, love, music, and connection. Looking back, it exceeded anything we could have imagined. It was the most beautiful weekend of our lives, and we will forever be grateful to everyone who helped bring that vision to life.