‘My experience with finding my dress was magical from the moment I walked into Lovely Rochester. I knew I was on the hunt for a unique dress and it happened to be the first one I tried on. I have struggled with body image and self love and when I had my dress on it was the first time I didn’t say something like ‘if only my hips were a little smaller’ or ‘if only I didn’t look like this.’ Instead I said to myself ‘you’re beautiful. It’s possible to love myself right now without changing anything.’ I shared this with the owner Katie and my mom and we all had a good cry of happy tears together. My dress felt no different on my wedding day. I felt like the most beautiful person on the planet. Not only did I feel beautiful, I felt like myself. Like the dress was actually an expression of who I am. And it was a good wake up call to just love me exactly as I am.’

– Maddie, Real Bride
photographer @leannaaalexis