A bride wore 2 custom Pnina Tornai looks on her wedding day, including a reception dress covered in crystals

Samantha GrindellDec 17, 2020, 02:56 IST

Ally McGown wore two custom Pnina Tornai wedding dresses.In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

Ally McGown, the boutique manager for Pnina Tornai at Kleinfeld Bridal, married Jason Fritz in 2017.
Pnina Tornai designed two custom wedding dresses for her friend and colleague.
McGown's ceremony dress featured a ruffled skirt and lace bodice, while her reception dress was sleek and full of bling.
"Dressing Ally for her wedding day was like dressing my daughter," Pnina Tornai told Insider of the experience.

Ally McGown has been working with wedding dress designer Pnina Tornai since 2013.

Pnina Tornai and Ally McGown. Pnina Tornai

McGown met her future husband, Jason Fritz, around the same time she started working at Kleinfeld.

They met in 2011. Ally McGown

McGown and Fritz got engaged in 2016 and married in 2017.

They got married in 2017. Ally McGown

Soon after she got engaged, McGown started designing her dream dress with Tornai.

Tornai designed McGown's wedding dresses. Pnina Tornai

Tornai gifted McGown the two custom-designed dresses.

The sketch of Ally McGown's dress. Pnina Tornai

After the sketches were done, McGown had "muslin fittings" for her dresses.

One of McGown's muslin fittings. Pnina Tornai

Six months after the initial sketch, McGown's dresses were ready for the final fitting.

The veil matched the dress. Pnina Tornai

The ceremony gown was everything McGown wanted.

McGown on her wedding day. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

The back of the dress dipped low.

The dress had a low back. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

The dress also had removable sleeves.

The sleeves could be taken on and off. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

"I loved how romantic it was," McGown said of her ceremony dress.

McGown loved the skirt. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

Tornai couldn't be there on McGown's wedding day, but she FaceTimed her while she got ready.

Tornai FaceTimed McGown on her wedding day. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

Fritz was emotional when he saw McGown at the altar.

The wedding ceremony took place in a Catholic church. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

At her reception, McGown changed into her second custom dress.

The reception dress was full of bling. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

The reception dress was a surprise to everyone at the wedding, including Fritz.

Fritz loved the second wedding dress. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

McGown advises brides not to leave shopping for a wedding dress to the last minute.

Wedding dress shopping shouldn't be done in a rush. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

Both McGown and Tornai said it's best not to bring too many people when you shop for a wedding dress.

McGown said brides should be careful of having too many people present while shopping. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

And if you're buying a completely custom dress, it's important to work with a designer you trust.

Custom gowns require the bride to really trust the designer. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

McGown said her favorite part of her wedding day was the after-party.

She loved partying with her loved ones. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

McGown didn't see her reception dress until two weeks before her wedding.

McGown was on "Say Yes to the Dress." Pnina Tornai

McGown told Insider she and Fritz balance each other out.

They complement each other. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

"He's always there for me," McGown said of her husband.

They support each other. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

They love each other more each day.

McGown and Fritz on their wedding day. In Focus Pro Photography, Inc.

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