A former bridal stylist surprised herself by falling in love with a sparkly wedding dress with custom sleeves

Samantha GrindellJan 31, 2023, 07:45 IST

Elise Walker customized her wedding dress.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise and AnDre Walker married on July 28, 2022, after over a decade together.
Elise wore a mermaid-style wedding dress covered in sparkles to the wedding.

It took AnDre Walker two years to convince his future wife, Elise, to go on a date with him ten years ago.

Elise and AnDre Walker have known each other for over a decade.Parisa Mae Photography

AnDre proposed to his high-school sweetheart in January 2019, and they finally tied the knot on July 28, 2022.

The Walkers got married on July 28, 2022.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise worked as a bridal stylist at Impression Bridal when she got engaged, so she already had her "dream dress" picked out. But when she finally tried it on, she was disappointed. It felt too plain.

Elise Walker used to work as a bridal stylist.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise worked as a bridal stylist at Impression Bridal when she got engaged, so she already had her "dream dress" picked out. But when she finally tried it on, she was disappointed. It felt too plain.

So Elise tried on another gown to get her "dream dress" out of her mind, and she wound up falling in love with its stunning details.

Elise Walker fell in love with a mermaid gown.Parisa Mae Photography

Sparkles and lace covered the fit-and-flare gown.

The dress had sparkle and lace detailing.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise added custom, sheer sleeves to the gown to make it her own.

She added sheer sleeves to the gown.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise also added lace to the back of the gown to close up its original keyhole detail.

The back was customized.Parisa Mae Photography

The sparkle detailing was one of Elise's favorite aspects of the gown.

Elise Walker loved the sparkles on her dress.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise said she also loved the dress because it made her feel "womanly."

She felt beautiful in the dress.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise paired a long veil with her dress.

The veil completed the look.Parisa Mae Photography

She also added a headpiece to her hair to still look bridal throughout the wedding day without her veil.

The bride wore a headpiece too.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise's dress, which sparkled and hugged her curves, was everything AnDre dreamed it would be.

AnDre Walker loved his bride's dress.Parisa Mae Photography

AnDre opted for a non-traditional wedding ensemble that featured a subtly patterned jacket and russet brown pants.

The groom wore a white and brown suit.Parisa Mae Photography

One of Elise's highlights from the wedding day was when her mother saw her in her wedding dress. "She just cried," Elise said.

The bride and her mother.Parisa Mae Photography

Even though he wasn't there, Elise told Insider she still felt her dad all around her at her wedding. She said her most important accessory was an open locket with her dad's photo inside.

Elise Walker wore a locket to honor her father.Parisa Mae Photography

Even though he wasn't there, Elise told Insider she still felt her dad all around her at her wedding. She said her most important accessory was an open locket with her dad's photo inside.

AnDre and Elise jumped the broom at the end of their wedding ceremony because of its significance to AnDre's family.

The couple jumping the broom.Parisa Mae Photography

The Walkers' reception was full of family fun and dancing.

The bride and groom at the reception.Parisa Mae Photography

The reception featured fun pops of color, including the wedding cake's purple, orange, green, and pink decorations.

The bride and groom cutting their cake.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise advises brides to listen to what they want regarding their wedding dress and not anyone else.

Elise Walker in her wedding dress.Parisa Mae Photography

Elise loves how easy her relationship with AnDre is.

The Walkers are "best friends."Parisa Mae Photography

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A former bridal stylist surprised herself by falling in love with a sparkly wedding dress with custom sleeves

It took AnDre Walker two years to convince his future wife, Elise, to go on a date with him ten years ago.

AnDre proposed to his high-school sweetheart in January 2019, and they finally tied the knot on July 28, 2022.

Elise worked as a bridal stylist at Impression Bridal when she got engaged, so she already had her "dream dress" picked out. But when she finally tried it on, she was disappointed. It felt too plain.

So Elise tried on another gown to get her "dream dress" out of her mind, and she wound up falling in love with its stunning details.

Sparkles and lace covered the fit-and-flare gown.

Elise added custom, sheer sleeves to the gown to make it her own.

Elise also added lace to the back of the gown to close up its original keyhole detail.

The sparkle detailing was one of Elise's favorite aspects of the gown.

Elise said she also loved the dress because it made her feel "womanly."

Elise paired a long veil with her dress.

She also added a headpiece to her hair to still look bridal throughout the wedding day without her veil.

Elise's dress, which sparkled and hugged her curves, was everything AnDre dreamed it would be.

AnDre opted for a non-traditional wedding ensemble that featured a subtly patterned jacket and russet brown pants.

One of Elise's highlights from the wedding day was when her mother saw her in her wedding dress. "She just cried," Elise said.

Even though he wasn't there, Elise told Insider she still felt her dad all around her at her wedding. She said her most important accessory was an open locket with her dad's photo inside.

AnDre and Elise jumped the broom at the end of their wedding ceremony because of its significance to AnDre's family.

The Walkers' reception was full of family fun and dancing.

The reception featured fun pops of color, including the wedding cake's purple, orange, green, and pink decorations.

Elise advises brides to listen to what they want regarding their wedding dress and not anyone else.

Elise loves how easy her relationship with AnDre is.