True Bride Rachel & Thomas

True love is always worth celebrating, and Rachel and Thomas’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From a serendipitous match on the dating app Hinge during Covid-19 to a heartfelt proposal on the same beach where generations of Thomas’s family have tied the knot, their story is filled with personal touches and timeless romance.

When Rachel walked down the aisle in her breathtaking wedding gown, Essense of Australia Style D2752, complete with custom sleeves, she embodied the whimsical boho bride she had always envisioned for her big day.

From honoring family traditions to adding playful personal touches—like a crossword puzzle about the couple and signature cocktails named after their beloved cats—Rachel and Thomas curated a day that reflected their special connection.

Keep reading to get inspired by their unforgettable celebration!

RACHEL, TELL US ABOUT YOUR PARTNER.  HOW DID YOU MEET? 

My partner Thomas and I met four years ago. It was Thanksgiving 2020, during Covid-19, when we matched on the dating app Hinge. We were both watching “The Queen’s Gambit” at the time. On our first in-person date, Thomas taught me how to play chess, followed by a home-cooked dinner.  My now husband proposed to me in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware – a quaint beach town on the East Coast.

The proposal was on July 10th, 2023 – it was an intimate moment shared just between us with no photographer or friends and family. What makes this location so special is that Thomas proposed to me standing on the beachfront at the exact wedding venue his parents used 33 years prior. Additionally, it was the same venue where his older brother married his now sister-in-law. It’s a location that shares generational memories.

True bride Rachel posing with husband Thomas beneath archway

true bride Rachel and husband Thomas exchanging private vows

DESCRIBE YOUR BRIDAL STYLE.

My bridal style was inspired by a whimsical boho look. I knew I wanted a wedding dress that was more than meets the eye. Essense of Australia Style D2752 combines multiple layers of unique fabrics to create a breathtaking dress.

I knew I wanted the designer to add sleeves to complete the vision, so I ordered additional appliques that matched the outer layer of the dress, and this brought the vision to life. I truly felt like the most beautiful person in the room on my wedding day.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR DRESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AT TRUE SOCIETY.

I was SO anxious leading up to the bridal appointment as a plus-size bride. 
I was worried that I wouldn’t feel beautiful or that my options would be incredibly limited. My fears could not have been more wrong! The entire experience was made for the movies.

The entire True Crew at True Society by Belle Vogue Bridal in Lenexa was my very own hype squad as I tried on wedding dresses. I had plenty of options! The stylists working that day made sure that I felt comfortable and beautiful. It was a beautiful experience that I got to share alongside my mom.

true bride Rachel holding her wedding dress skirt and smiling in front of pillars

true bride Rachel looking at herself in the mirror before wedding ceremony

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR WEDDING. 

Thomas and I had a first look in a clock tower where we also exchanged our private vows. This was our favorite memory of our wedding day.

We incorporated elements of a traditional Jewish wedding, including my father sharing the blessing over dinner in Hebrew and my partner smashing the glass after our first kiss. The smashed glass was presented to our friends and family alongside a mezuzah, a sacred scroll, which will be hung on our front door that is filled with the smashed glass from our wedding. 

To honor my late grandmother, our florist arranged a bouquet of yellow roses to be placed in a reserved spot. Additionally, I added a charm to my bouquet to honor the love we had for each other. 

We made our wedding day centered on what makes us, “us” – we had a live artist who painted and captured the venue in its full beauty. Additionally, we had a giant crossword available to all our guests to solve during the cocktail hour filled with questions about the two of us. Lastly, our open bar featured cocktails named after our cats, who are our whole world!