Fourteenth: A Bride With A Different View
Alyssa’s mom, Janet, called and made an appointment at Headpiece.com just three weeks before her wedding. Alyssa was looking for a headpiece and veil. Her love story is one I will never forget.
Alyssa met Jimmy, on a dating site. She was nervous about meeting him for their first date, but their first date turned into a second date. Jimmy was “kind, sweet, caring, and loving” and changed her life forever. Today, she has wedding day dreams and pictures in her mind tears on his face as she goes down the aisle to become his wife.
You see, Alyssa has always looked at life with a different view. When Alyssa was born, she suffered fractures of her C1 and C2 vertebrae during a forceps delivery. It is a miracle that she survived, and doctors didn’t give much hope that she would have any chance for a normal life if she did.
At age 28, Alyssa is a champion of overcoming obstacles and living life to its fullest.
After dating for four years, Jimmy proposed. Alyssa inspires thousands daily through her Instagram, Wheel.life.in.the.wheel.world. She shares real life struggles and triumphs while having a disability. And believe me, she is “wheel” about it all! Her Instagram following is approaching 12K. She gets “wheel” with her followers about everything from putting makeup on with one functioning hand to sharing intimacies of her relationship with Jimmy. Followers watched as she approached her wedding day, and all wanted to share in her joy with Jimmy as they became husband and wife.
Alyssa has a great sense of beauty and style. She fears little, and tackles life with spunk and adventure!
When Alyssa came to Headpiece.com, she knew exactly the style of headpiece she wanted. She was following us on Instagram and loved our Hair Necklace designs.
“We found Headpiece.com by searching for the best veil place around us, and they had the best reviews. Marie knew everything and anything about her veils and headpieces. She was so helpful, especially with me being in a wheelchair and on a breathing machine. She even suggested the veil to be long, and to the floor!”
Wedding photography by The Ramsdens
Choosing her veil wasn’t so easy, though. I thought our newest veil style, Bregine, would be perfect for her in the 72” length. This veil would be beautifully dramatic as she approached Jimmy along the water’s edge at The Surf Club in her Martina Liana gown. Alyssa loved it but was nervous about it getting caught in her wheels. She opted for the safer length of 54”.
Alyssa has had an incredible support system throughout her life. Her sister, Francesca, was her maid of honor. Her bridesmaids are all long-time friends. Deanna and Lexi are her best friends from Long Island and met twelve years ago while on vacation. Jessica is her best friend since second grade. Her sister-in-law’s, Coleen and Christine, were also a part of her bridal party.
“Alyssa’s beauty isn’t just outward. She is a beautiful soul. The story of her flower girl, Lily, will touch your heart.”
By chance, Alyssa heard about a little girl who had a similar spinal cord injury story. She began following Lily’s dad on Instagram, and they connected. A month later, Lily’s dad invited Alyssa, Janet (Alyssa’s mom), and Jimmy to John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. Lily was being treated for spinal cord rehabilitation. They stayed the entire day at the hospital, and trust and friendship grew from their visit.
“I saw so much of Alyssa in Lily.”
On the day I was about to cut Alyssa’s veil, I received a call from her mom. She said Alyssa couldn’t stop thinking about the 72” long veil she tried on during her consultation. If it was possible, she wanted to change to the longer length. I was so happy! I knew this veil would be perfect for a waterside ceremony.
Down the aisle
Wedding Photography by The Ramsdens
Biltmore Tuxedos | Suffern Florist | Michael Livsey Hair | Makeup by Jessica-Lee
“It felt amazing and surreal that it was our wedding day. I was most excited about being married to Alyssa. The fact that all of our friends and family were there was a great feeling. It was the first time that I had a few of my closest friends together at the same time, and it meant the world to me that they were supporting us on our special day.”
“Wheeling down the aisle, I tried not to look at anyone because I didn’t want to get nervous. I heard my mom say, “love you” at the end of the aisle.”
Alyssa and Jimmy said their vows in front of 220 guests.
Alyssa and Jimmy’s love story has caught on a bit on social media. Country Living Magazine posted their pics on Instagram and received a fantastic response with 31.5k likes, and WeddingWire captured 14.2k likes.
When Alyssa told me she had to cut the beautiful train off of her gown, it made me kind of sad. I didn’t feel she should have to sacrifice the dramatic effect of her wedding gown train because she was in a wheelchair. Alyssa sensed my creative thoughts stirring in my head and asked me what I was thinking. I suggested she change her wedding gown train into a pretty bridal chair cover.
“I was obsessed again! Marie came up with the idea of changing my train into a decorative chair cover. It was perfect because it turned the ugly black chair into something gorgeous!”
The day had come to an end, but Alyssa and Jimmy’s life together was only beginning. I began this blog writing about a bride who sees life from a different view. Her view may sometimes be different seated in a wheelchair, but the view from her heart may be clearer than anything you or I could ever imagine.
Their short four minute wedding video will bring you to tears!
“I asked Alyssa and Jimmy what their wishes are for the future.”
“A long healthy life, maybe a kid, and success in our careers.”
Next month on the Fourteenth:
Vintage re-designs that will make you think twice about wearing mom’s headpiece and veil!