CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

Here we are standing outside on our balcony prior to seeing our friends and family for the first time! We had just received word that everyone’s Covid tests came back negative. There was so much anticipation and excitement in the days leading up to this week. We couldn’t wait see everyone and begin the celebrations! My dress was by Naeem Khan and from Mark Ingram Atelier. CJ wore a navy floral dinner jacket with a 4" peak lapel fabric, a matching ink blue spread collar shirt, and black wool trousers, all by Antar Levar.

We loved picking our looks for each day. I had originally planned on wearing this double breasted jacket by Danielle Frankel to my bridal shower in June, but it was canceled due to Covid. My sweet mom still wanted me to have a shower and planned one with my bridal party for the day before my wedding. I wore a lace turtleneck by Danielle Frankel underneath the dress, it was perfect for the weather.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

Ironically, every look we initially picked out for our Labor Day weekend wedding in Brooklyn was better suited for a chilly fall day. As it turns out, it was over 80 degrees in NYC on our original wedding date. Imagine the sweating! My gown here is by Elizabeth Fillmore. CJ’s suit was a black velvet jacket with silk facing on the lapel and a black velvet bow tie, paired with ivory handmade trousers. All custom made by Antar Levar.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

Elegant and sophisticated. My chic mother, Kathleen, and soigné father, Michael, at my rehearsal dinner. My parents have set a beautiful example of marriage and family for me to follow. It was very important I reflect the love and support they have given me my entire life and make them feel like the king and queen they are throughout our celebrations. My mother wore an Oscar De La Renta dress and my father wore a custom three-piece suit by Antar Levar.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

My stylist Tara Maietta is the queen of style! The look on my face is how it felt to have the pleasure of working with a professional who is truly grace under fire. Her tenacity to solve any problem and perfect every project is something to admire! Tara styled each of my wedding looks, my mother’s looks, as well as my entire wedding party. She is a superstar.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

My handsome husband-to-be, ready for our ceremony. He wore a three-piece handmade ensemble made from Cacciopoli Italian fabric. The white jacket and waistcoat were a floral print with a four inch peak lapel wrapped in ivory silk grosgrain. The waistcoat was a double-breasted V-cut opening with a pointed bottom. The tuxedo trousers were black super 150s cloth made with double piping braids. Each garment was handmade along with a shirt and matching silk bow tie, all by Antar Levar.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

My mother and grandmother joined me to help put on my jewelry, gown, and veil. My mother and I share a very special relationship. She is my biggest role model and the woman I try to emulate in all facets of my life. The first time I tried on my veil and gown together was on my wedding day. Due to Covid, my mother couldn’t come to my fitting, so I waited to try them on together with her.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

My gals! They are truly as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside! In lieu of traditional bridesmaid uniforms, I wanted each of these beautiful ladies to love what they wore and stand out! A uniform dress would have masked their beautiful spirits and individuality, which is exactly what what makes each of these women so special. Tara Maietta was the mastermind behind this medley of colors and textures.

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country

CJ and I giving our toast! Originally, I planned on giving a speech during the rehearsal dinner, but ended up leaving it in our hotel room. When I looked at my phone to review it the morning of the wedding, everything I had written was deleted. I took it as a sign and just decided to wing it. CJ, on the other hand, is a pro at giving speeches, I don’t think he has ever written one down. His ability to translate his emotions into words is one of the many things I love about him.

Country Living
Give Your Valentine the Intimate Dinner They Deserve with These Easy But Impressive Recipes
Make an indulgent, intimate meal for someone who deserves it.From Country Living
18h ago
Town & Country
How Sarah Flint Designed the Perfect Shoe for Her Intimate Wedding Ceremony
It even includes a hidden "something blue."
3d ago
Refinery29
According To Bridal Experts, These Will Be 2021’s Biggest Wedding Dress Trends
Weddings, like school, work, and restaurant dining, look different than they did a year ago. Celebrations with 300-person guest lists aren’t just unpopular, but, as a result of the pandemic, currently unsafe, too. In their place are “minimonies,” or intimate ceremonies that take place in backyards and on rooftops, and are streamed over Zoom. In turn, the wedding dresses worn for these occasions also look different. “With scaled-down weddings, the dresses have become relaxed and understated, as opposed to the opulence of the past,” Lisa Ruffle, Moda Operandi's buying manager, tells Refinery29.Brides have also become more experimental with their wedding looks. “As much as 2020 sucked, it also gave couples the chance to reevaluate their wedding day priorities and think outside the box, focusing on what's most important to them,” bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz tells Refinery29. Because of that, she says the biggest 2021 wedding dress trend is “anything goes.” Instead of wearing traditional white ballgowns, in 2021, brides are more likely to play with colors and silhouettes and opt for ready-to-wear pieces rather than bridal collections. With the future of big events still uncertain, Hurwitz believes that “brides are also curating a wedding wardrobe with pieces that work even if plans change.”Click ahead to read more about the wedding dress trends that are set to appear on brides everywhere in 2021. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.Wedding Suits & SeparatesAccording to wedding experts, brides in 2021 want their nuptial wardrobes to extend beyond the wedding events. Instead of buying dresses specifically for receptions, ceremonies, bridal parties, and so forth, brides are purchasing items that can be worn for other occasions. (Example: Keira Knightley’s wedding dress, which she wore once before her wedding, to a pre-BAFTAs dinner, and once after, to a London charity event.) By opting for a jumpsuit, pantsuit, or top-and-skirt duo, your opportunities to recycle your wedding look increase tenfold. “Our clients are seeking separates and suits because they want their [wedding] wardrobe to work twice as hard,” Ruffle says. “Wedding attires are no longer one-and-done — [brides] can mix and match [their] wedding pieces into future outfits.”Sleeper Party Pajama Set With Double Feathers, $, available at SleeperEloquii Lace Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, $, available at EloquiiRasario Puff Sleeve Bow Embellished Jacquard Top & Skirt Set, $, available at Moda OperandiMinimalist Wedding DressesWhen your wedding consists of 10 people in a backyard, wearing a gown with a voluminous skirt and a cathedral-length veil could feel a bit, well, much. (Though, if that’s what you want to wear, it’s your day.) That’s why many brides are leaning toward understated and modern dresses that feature clean lines, structured fabrics, and architectural draping, according to Lori Conley, the general merchandise manager at BHLDN. At Moda Operandi, Ruffle says that “simple, elegant slip dresses are among their top sellers” right now.Sachin + Babi Cali Dress, $, available at BHLDNCoyan Made-To-Order Seta Gown in Black & Ivory, $, available at CoyanReformation Prosecco Dress, $, available at ReformationShort Wedding DressesAccording to Conley, the rise in elopements and courthouse-style weddings have caused many brides to ditch long hemlines and opt, instead, for mini- or midi-length dresses that feel “effortless and chic.” As experts pointed out earlier, by deciding to wear a dress closer to a cocktail-length, rather than a maxi one, brides also give themselves the option to wear a dress they already own or purchase a new (and probably more affordable) ready-to-wear dress. Plus, as Conley points out, it also opens up the possibility of wearing a statement shoe that people can actually see. Valentine Avoh Bridal Ava Dress, $, available at Moda OperandiBrandon Maxwell Silk Faille Mini Dress, $, available at Net-A-PorterAmsale Bow Back Shift Dress, $, available at AmsaleRegency Era-Inspired Wedding DressesOne bridal trend not directly tied to the pandemic is the rise of Regency era-inspired wedding dresses. And Bridgerton, and before that Emma, are to blame. Both the TV show and film contained dreamy and romantic wardrobes featuring empire dresses, elbow-length gloves, and corsets that were beautiful and over-the-top. It’s no wonder that wedding dress designers would take inspiration from them. According to Conely, the trend has resulted in “puff sleeves, empire waistlines, sleek corsetry lines, and luxe fabrications like satin and velvet.”Katharine Polk Gwen Gown, $, available at Katharine PolkFame & Partners Gathered Drop Waist Gown, $, available at Fame & PartnersDanielle Frankel Ruby Tulle-Trimmed Wool And Silk-Blend Satin Gown, $, available at Net-A-PorterCottagecore Wedding DressesIf you thought cottagecore would disappear with 2020, you were wrong. Rather, it’s only grown stronger roots, especially in the bridal department. Now that more weddings are taking place outside, brides are dressing for the occasion, wearing ethereal dresses, detailed with lace, flowing ruffles, bows, and micro florals, that match the surroundings. Think: Taylor Swift’s bridal-looking dress from the “Willow” music video. Selkie Collection The Ivory French Puff Dress, $, available at Selkie CollectionMelissa Sweet Lace Plus Size Wedding Dress with Trimmed Capelet, $, available at David's BridalHill House Home The Caroline Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House HomeSleeved Wedding DressesWhereas a winter bride could once wear a strapless dress down the aisle without a second thought, now, with many celebrations taking place in open-air locations during colder months, wearing a weather-appropriate wedding dress is becoming increasingly important. With a stylish selection of long- and three-quarter-length-sleeved bridal dresses on the market right now, you wouldn’t want a strapless gown even if you could wear one. Jenny By Jenny Yoo Karina Gown, $, available at BHLDNAmsale Satin One Sleeved Dress, $, available at AmsaleEmilia Wickstead Sharonella Open-Back Wool Crepe Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter‘20s-Style Wedding DressesLike during the Roaring ‘20s (following the Great Depression), in 2021, we’re all eager to let loose and have some fun once it's safe to do so again. In turn, many bridal experts are predicting a surge in popularity of ‘20s trends, when the “appetite to party was greater than ever,'' as Conley puts it. For brides, that means beaded dresses, fringe, and sparkle. BHLDN Sanders Dress, $, available at AnthropolgieRichard Quinn Crystal And Bead-Embellished Silk-Tulle Midi Dress, $, available at Matches FashionGoddiva Fringe Sequin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOSLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?14 Plus-Size Wedding Dresses To Buy OnlineTaylor Swift's "Willow" Look Is Available To ShopThe Best Celebrity Engagement Rings Of 2020
3d ago
In The Know
Get luxurious and long-lasting intimates, loungewear, leggings and more from Commando
Commando is your go-to brand for all intimates, loungewear, leggings and bodysuits. Its garments are luxurious, long-lasting and well-fitting. Commando thoughtfully sources all of its fabrics in the U.S. and makes them in an ethically and environmentally conscious way. Plus, each of Commando’s garments goes through a rigorous multi-sized fit process to ensure they are perfect for each woman who wears them. You can’t go wrong with Commando! Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
2d ago