Real Weddings: Charmel Clough

Every month we feature one of our blushing brides! Today we’re delighted to share Charmel Clough’s story. She and her husband, Dan, are pictured here. Doesn't she look gorgeous in the Diana gown?

Dan and I are from Nebraska. Dan and I first met when we were teenagers at a youth leadership convention. Each year it is tradition to hold a dance at this annual event. I saw a cute guy staring and smiling at me from across the room and the next thing I knew he was asking me for a slow dance. For the next few weeks, we began a friendship that eventually blossomed into a fancy for one another!

I happen to come across SimplyBridal on Facebook. I saw an advertisement for one of their free wedding dress drawings. I checked out SimplyBridal’s online catalog and was amazed at how stunning all of the dresses looked. When I entered my name in the drawing I really didn’t believe I would be winning a wedding dress a month later. I was in pure shock when I received an email stating I had won! I had so many emotions running through me at that time. Excitement, relief…disbelief! I had always dreamed of being married in huge ball gown dress and the prices that came with this particular style of dress were just financially out of my grasp. SimplyBridal gave me a gift I will cherish forever… they gave me my dream dress. Today, I feel grateful! I look back at photos from my wedding day and I am so happy I was able to have this experience.

Finding the right dress was definitely a challenge. The first time I saw “The Diana Dress” I fell in love with it and knew that it could possibly be the one, but there were several others options I loved as well. I sought advice from my closest girlfriends and family members and soon a dress poll was in progress. I was able to narrow my dress search down to four… to two… to ONE beautiful dress… my original love, “The Diana!” As soon as I received and tried on “The Diana”, all my insecurities regarding whether my dress would fit or look good on my body type faded. My dress was gorgeous and I felt gorgeous wearing it!

Dan and I had a two year-long engagement. The ceremony was extremely sentimental to both Dan and I. My parents were wed in the same church nearly 27 years earlier and we were married on Dan’s parents’ 33rd anniversary.

My words of wedded wisdom are to treat your spouse as if they are still your boyfriend/girlfriend. No matter how many years you have been together; never let that spark of excitement in your relationship fade. Our wise officiate made Dan and me aware of the rules to fair fighting. Always know that there will be days that you will argue, that there will be times when you will not see eye to eye. Respect one another and remember that one little fight does not mean you love each other less. And finally, I learned very early in my wedding preparations that you do not have to spend thousands of dollars to have a great wedding! Save that money so you have a sturdy foundation for your marriage… it's in the first year of your marriage that any extra money will come in handy.

Are you a SimplyBridal bride? Please contact us through our Facebook and share your story!