Model for a Day

Yesterday, I cheated — on my wedding gown.

Here’s what happened: The editors at Boston Weddings asked me play model for an article in the Fall 2008 issue, which will showcase and compare the work of four local wedding photographers. Each shooter had the same bride (me), and the same venue (The Algonquin Club).

I am getting married on May 31, so I already have my own dress, an ivory, strapless Carolina Herrera. For these purposes, however, the editors suggested I pick out another from designer Liv Harris’s line at Vows.

I selected a gorgeous A-line, head-to-toe lace number that comes in strapless and v-neck versions. The strapless was simply stunning, and the champagne color made my skin glow, despite the fact that I’m still a pasty winter white. When I picked out my own dress, I thought I had found “the one,” but now I think I’ve found “the two!”

I’ve never played model before, except for those days back in high school when my friends and I would dress up like the Spice Girls (I made a mean Ginger Spice). We started the day in hair and makeup at The Loft Salon + Day Spa. Katie Gaide Mahan configured my long, blond locks into a sleek chignon, and makeup artist Bre Welch applied glamorous lashes to my eyelids. After their work was done, I couldn’t resist putting on the dress so the girls could see the final product. They all said they wanted to get married all over again, “but to the same guy!”

Each of the photographers had 90 minutes to give us their best snaps, and by the second team of photographers, I had morphed from mug shot into true Victoria’s Secret vixen. The ladies from Click Imagery had me splayed against a wall and leaning seductively on a black leather couch. Megan gave me great hints that I’ll be able to use on my own wedding day. “When you’re leaning, don’t put all your weight on your arm, because it will look big and bulky,” she said. “Use your abs to hold yourself up instead.”

I learned so much from all of the shooters that I’ll probably be teaching my own wedding photog (Patrick McNamara out of York, ME), which poses showcase my curves the best. But, ah, what to do about the dress? Maybe I can wear a second one for the reception?

Want to see the photos? Pick up the Fall/Winter 2008 issue of Boston Weddings, which will be on newsstands in July.

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