C A R L A

+

E T H A N

{June 6th, 2025}

Introducing our gorgeous bride, Carla!

For her June wedding, Carla looked AMAZING in a fitted, strapless gown by Allure Couture! The beaded lace on this gown is so intricate and beautiful!

She added straps from Essense Designs and the cutest veil ever from Bel Aire Bridal!

{Photos by: Tresesenta Fotografia}

Carla’s flowers were seriously stunning, thanks to her florist Three Roses Events!

Carla married her husband, Ethan, at Ranch Los Guzman in Joliet, IL!

This venue and the decor you guys!! It’s to die for!

{Photos by: Tresesenta Fotografia}

How did Carla & Ethan first meet??

“We met in college!

My best friend introduced us, we talked for a bit via text, and he invited me out to dinner. The rest is history.”

How did Ethan pop the question?

“He proposed in Positano, Italy, on a private balcony overlooking the entire island—it was absolutely magical.”

Well that’s a dream come true! Was she surprised or did she know it was coming??

“It was a total surprise! He had actually bought me tickets to Rome for my birthday back in 2020, but the trip was canceled due to COVID. We finally rebooked it in 2023. I kind of expected it might happen in Rome, but it didn’t—and I was completely fine with that! Then he surprised me in Positano, and it was perfect.”

How was Carla’s wedding dress shopping experience?

“It was honestly so special. I had seen a photo of a dress I loved on your Instagram page, but I told myself I needed to explore other options. I’m very indecisive when it comes to clothes! I went to two other boutiques. The first was with my mom, sister, godmother, and cousins, but I didn't like any. I then went with my mother, sister, and mother-in-law. I liked one dress, but it didn’t feel like the one. My sister encouraged me to keep looking.

Then we visited Something Blue. I picked out a few dresses to try on, not realizing one of them was the dress from Instagram. The moment I put it on, I knew. It just felt right—I got emotional, my family got emotional—it was beautiful. I usually take forever to make decisions, so finding the dress so quickly was a surprise in itself!”

How did Carla know her dress was “the one”??

“It made me feel so confident. I loved how it hugged my curves, the long train was stunning, and the buttons down the back added the perfect elegant touch.”

What was her fave part of wedding planning??

“I loved having my fiancé, my parents, and my sister involved in all the little details. My fiancé and I DIY’d our wedding invitations—he really took the lead, which was fun to watch since I’m not super artistic. My parents helped with the final touches. I also really loved our engagement photos. My (now) husband is a photographer on the side, and he set everything up—it was such a meaningful experience, and the photos turned out better than I could have dreamed. My sister planned our bridal shower with a Positano theme too, and it was everything I wanted! It felt like we were back on the island.”

What about her LEAST favorite part?

“Honestly, I didn’t have a least favorite part. I’m someone who usually gets overwhelmed easily, and I was planning the wedding while working full-time, house hunting, and finishing my Master’s degree. But I surprised myself. I stayed calm, organized, and truly enjoyed the process.”

What is Carla’s favorite moment from her wedding day??

“Our first dance. Even though the room was full of people, it felt like it was just the two of us. It was such an intimate, romantic moment. Then afterward, we looked around and saw all our loved ones there with us, sharing in our joy—it was incredibly special.”

Does she have any words of wisdom for brides who are currently in the throes of wedding planning?

“Savor every moment. Romanticize everything. It all goes by so quickly—one minute you're engaged, and the next you're walking down the aisle. Celebrate the little things: show off your ring, enjoy the congratulations, and take time not only for yourself, but for your partner. It’s easy to get caught up in the planning, but don’t lose sight of what it’s all about.”

Congratulations, Carla & Ethan!!

Check out more of their beautiful wedding photos by Tresesenta Fotografia in the gallery below!