WHEN PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, wed at Windsor Castle on May 19, the world watched, rapt. Markle looked stunning in a sleek, architectural off-the-shoulder Givenchy gown, every bit the modern princess bride, and Harry was handsome and dashing in his Blues and Royals frockcoat military uniform. When the couple looked at each other, the love they feel for each other was palpable. It was pure magic.
Last summer, Detroit had a royal wedding of its own — well, a Red Wing wedding, which is about as close as we get here in Hockey Town. On July 21, 2017, Justin Abdelkader, left wing and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings, and Julie Leshkevich, this issue’s cover girl, were married on the roof of the Detroit Opera House. While their chic, low-key affair didn’t have the same pomp and pageantry as the Duke and Duchess’s nuptials, their love story has its own special magic, and it is an honor to share it with you in this issue (page 88).
Whether you’re a modern bride like Markle or a bit more bohemian like Leshkevich, this issue is filled with inspiration for your own magical wedding day. Looking for the perfect dress? The season’s must-have gowns soar to new heights in our fashion feature (page 62). From diaphanous layers of tulle to intricately embroidered embellishments, the gowns in this shoot share a lightness that is sure to take your breath away.
Once the dress is selected, it’s time to focus on the details. In this issue, you’ll find everything from on-trend shoes for your walk down the aisle (page 54) to invitations that truly push the envelope (page 36). For the bride looking to keep her big day cohesive down to the last detail, we’ve even curated must-have accessories, beauty essentials, and more in three of-the-moment color palettes (page 42).
While you’re in the midst of planning your big day, don’t forget to take some time to plan for the home you will share with your new partner. In a pre-nuptial loft takeover, blogger Marina Pia Goldi and her fiancé, Kevin Stover, share their must-have home items for creating the perfect registry (page 74). Their picks are full of style, reflecting their love for clean design, shopping local, and, of course, each other.
After all, the love you and your partner share is the most important detail of your wedding day. As long as you have that, your day will be pure magic.
Cheers,
Rebecca Voigt