My Chicago Winter Wedding and the Bridal Dirndl That Made Sense for Me
In October 2014, my now husband asked me to marry him and I said yes. On January 16, 2016, we got married in Chicago, in the middle of winter, and somehow it was warm, meaningful, and very us. I was a truly beautiful day.
When we started planning, I knew one thing for sure. I wanted our wedding to reflect who we are and where we come from. Not in a loud way. Not in a theme way. Just honestly.
Our heritage showed up in the details. Rosemary tucked into every floral arrangement, with a sprig for each guest. Schnitzel and homemade German wurst passed during cocktail hour. Polkas and waltzes mixed in with everything else. Trays of homemade German cookies for dessert. And of course, dirndls.
Was I Always Going to Wear a Dirndl?
This was the question everyone asked as soon as they found out I was engaged.
Are you making your dress?
Is it a dirndl?
The answer was yes, I was making it. And also no, at least not in the way people expected.
When I closed my eyes and pictured myself getting married, I did not see myself walking down the aisle in a full dirndl. That might surprise people, but it’s the truth. I had been thinking about my wedding dress since I was little, and in my head it was a gown. Lace, sleeves, structure, something timeless with classic elements and intricate details.
At the same time, ignoring my heritage completely (and the business I built) didn’t feel right either.
So I didn’t force it into a box. I let it evolve.
I didn’t plan to wear a Dirndl in the typical way you think it about... but I had a plan
Designing My Wedding Dress
I worked with the pattern makers at V. Mora, who still do the majority of the patterns for Rare Dirndl, to create a custom bodice pattern that fit me perfectly. Once the pattern was done, the rest was on me.
In hindsight, I absolutely spent too much time on something I wore for one day. But that’s what happens when you’re a designer and you care.
The bodice was hand sewn white lace with long sleeves and a scalloped neckline. The lace was delicate, but the structure was strong. It felt bridal without feeling fragile.
The skirt was a white satin semi circle, layered with a tulle top skirt. Around the waist, I added a charcoal gray ribbon waistband that tied into a bow in the back. That small detail grounded the whole look and quietly nodded to the darker tones we used throughout the wedding and gave it a modern twist.
It felt like me. That mattered more than anything. It was the perfect choice.
Turning a Gown Into a Party Dirndl
After the ceremony and dinner, it was time to dance. And that’s when the dress changed.
I removed the tulle overskirt and added an apron I had made specifically for the reception. It was a light gray beaded lace apron with charcoal ribbon ties. Suddenly the dress shifted from formal ceremony to something much more relaxed and wearable.
That moment felt symbolic in a way I didn’t expect. The ceremony was over. The pressure was gone. It was time to celebrate.
Having a “party dirndl” for the rest of the night made sense. I could move. I could dance. I could breathe. And we did exactly that.
Dirndl Bridesmaids Who Actually Wore Their Dresses Again
I knew from the beginning that I wanted my bridesmaids in dirndls. Not as a gimmick, but because I wanted them to be comfortable and because I knew they would actually wear them again.
They were all in immediately. Mostly because they said, “These are bridesmaid dresses we’ll actually use.”
Each bridesmaid wore the same base design and styled it her own way.
The details:
- Silk damask bodices with hand pleated neckline trim
- Black ribbon lace up frontsGray satin piping
- Black peach skin skirtsGray chiffon aprons
- Sweetheart blouses with draped sleeves
- Black nylons and shoes of their choice
They looked incredible next to the groomsmen in charcoal tuxes. Clean, classic, and not fussy.
Most importantly, no one felt awkward or uncomfortable. That alone was a win.
How We Included German Heritage Without Making It a Theme
This part mattered to me a lot.
Our wedding wasn’t about recreating something from the past or checking off a list of traditions. It was about acknowledging where we come from in a way that felt natural.
Some of the ways that showed up:
- Rosemary in every floral arrangement because it symbolizes remembrance and connection to our Donauschwaben heritage
- Photos of our ancestors
- German food served during cocktail hour because it’s comforting and familiar
- Swiss "Schnippo" Cart = Schnitzel and Pommes!
- Polkas and waltzes mixed into the music because that’s what people actually dance to at family events. The DJ thought we were kidding when we said "if the dance floor is looking empty... play a polka and watch it fill"
- Homemade German cookies for dessert, made with care, not bought last minute
Nothing felt forced. Everything felt intentional.
Looking Back Ten Years Later
The day itself was beautiful. The weather was mild for January. The sun came through during the ceremony. Everything worked.
But what I appreciate most, ten years later, is that we trusted ourselves. We didn’t follow a template. We didn’t do things just because we were supposed to.
I didn’t wear a dirndl down the aisle. I didn’t reject it either. I found a middle ground that felt honest.
That approach still guides how I design today.
Photos by Robyn Photography. Images may not be used without written consent.
If you’re curious about incorporating dirndls into your own wedding, whether that’s a custom piece or something more understated, you can learn more about bridal and bridesmaid options here.
To see more photos and the the 6 ways we used our heritage to make our wedding day that much more awesome click here!
