Real Brides: Kelsi

Photo by Gina Lee Photography

My husband and I met on Tinder when we were 21 and 23 back in 2016, we were long distance for the first 1.5 years of our relationship, but from the beginning we knew it was going to be something great. We bought a home together in 2017 and since then, we have spent our time building the life we have dreamed of. We have a dog together who we consider our child, my now husband put me through graduate school, and we have endured all of the challenges life throws at you over our time together. He proposed to me in May 2020 on the day I graduated from my Graduate Program. COVID took away the opportunity to walk across the stage with my classmates, but this was a pretty awesome replacement event. We had been together for 4 years then. We then got married in October 2021 on the most gorgeous Minnesota fall day. 

When it came to dress shopping I had my heart set on Affairs by Brittany in Fargo and thought I wanted a lacey or bead detailed, A line, tulle moment. Beaded straps, dramatic drop in the back...the whole she-bang but ABSOLUTELY no satin or material similar was my one "deal breaker". After trying on the style I thought I wanted as well as the detailing I wanted on more fitted silhouettes, I began to feel discouraged that I was not going to find anything for me in this store. But as my appointment was winding down, a voice in the back of my head was telling me to "try the unexpected--what do you have to lose? You might as well try on what you can here in your size". The girls at the shop put me in a large, heavy satin, white/ivory ball gown and it looked on me how I expected...washed out and lost. The FINAL dress they wanted to put me in is one Klaudia (the owner of the shop) wanted me to try on the moment I walked in the shop that morning. As soon as the consultant started to button up this gorgeous champagne, deep V, a line, lace back dress with astounding button detail, I got sweaty and my heart started racing. I could not get out of the changing room quick enough to show my mom and sister. They knew. They instantly gasped and my mom had tears in her eyes. Before the consultant could ask me, I said "yes". I couldn't have been more thrilled with my choice. I felt the most beautiful I had ever felt in my life. Oh, and of course...THE POCKETS!!