A Day of Bridal Services with Kardea Brown – From Vision to “I Do”

In the summer of 2024, I received a message that made me pause—a bride-to-be was interested in a wedding gown inspired by none other than Adele’s timeless, statuesque style. That bride was none other than the incredibly talented Kardea Brown of the Food Network. As a designer, you dream of moments like this—not simply because of celebrity status, but because a woman with such grace, creativity, and visibility trusts you to craft one of the most meaningful garments of her life.

I designed three custom options for her, each with its own flair and nod to Adele’s sophisticated silhouettes. Together, we chose the one that spoke most deeply to Kardea’s heart—and by November of 2024, her gown was complete.

Kardea booked her final fitting for January 25, 2025. We made it a full bridal experience, reserving a beautiful suite at the Sophy Hotel in Hyde Park for her stay with her best friend and future mother-in-law. It was a night of laughter, sisterhood, and soaking up the emotions of the moment. When she slipped into the gown, her smile said everything—it fit like a dream, and she loved every detail of its design.

Kardea even shared her Laury Bride journey on social media, letting the world know that she would be walking down the aisle in a custom gown from my studio. The support and love that followed were overwhelming. And with that many eyes on her wedding, the pressure naturally started to build. One day, she texted me: “I’m nervous.”
I laughed and replied, “Nervous? Kardea, you’re on national television—what did you expect?”
We both cracked up. But I followed with honesty: “I’m nervous too. Because now, my name is in the pot.”

That moment of shared vulnerability bonded us even deeper. Shortly after, Kardea asked to make a last-minute change to the bodice design of the gown. Without hesitation, I said, “Let’s do it.” We had just two weeks to make those updates—along with the final fitting edits—but when you’re creating for someone whose story means this much, you find the time.

And then came another message from Kardea: People Magazine would be exclusively covering her wedding. She asked if I could provide day-of bridal services in Cabo San Lucas. I had the availability—and I truly wanted to be there to assist the bride as she walks through her new journey.

On the morning of her wedding, I arrived at 7:00 a.m. to her suite at Solaz Resort. The day began with steaming the gown, which took time and care, especially with such intricate layers. I wanted everything to be perfect. Beyond the gown, my role was to be her stylist, emotional support, and silent anchor. We curated her accessories, shared a heartfelt conversation about the journey she was stepping into, and made sure every angle of her bridal look was picture-perfect.

I listened to beautiful stories from her Gullah Geechee family—her aunt and grandmother filling the suite with legacy and love as Kardea got ready. And in a deeply spiritual moment, I performed an unplanned yet powerful feet washing ceremony. It wasn’t planned, but it was intentional, sacred—something just for her.

As we prepared for the ceremony, her overskirt—grand and gorgeous—needed its own entrance. The hairstylist and I carried it ourselves to the ceremony site before Kardea made her way down the aisle.

There are bridal moments, and then there are moments that become part of your soul. Designing for Kardea was the latter. I’m honored she chose Laury Bride, and even more honored to have been by her side as she stepped into her next chapter—full of love, light, and elegance.

Click here to learn more about our Day of Bridal Styling Services, exclusively for the Laury Bride.