BRIDAL • COVER STORY

BRIDAL

COUTURE ON

A BUDGET

very woman imagines a

I—gorgeous, memorable

) designer wedding gown to

complete her dream wed-

ding. For most of

us, however, the

several thousand-

dollar price tag for

the dress that makes the

fantasy come to life is simply unrealistic.

There is a solution most women still don't

tend to consider if bridal couture is out of

reach due to budget constraints.

In the European tradition of borrowing

couture for only the event where it is need-

ed, brides-to-be can rent their wedding

gown and achieve the same head-turning

look for a tiny fraction of the price of actu-

Down to Earth

Nature lovers eye a wedding steeped in the great outdoors.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN

ally purchasing it. To rent an haute couture

wedding dress with all of the fantastic

beading and embroidery plus a matching

veil and headpiece, you can expect to pay

between $300 and $400 depending on the

style. Moderate alterations are always

allowed to achieve a perfect fit. The catch

is, you do have to give it back!

ur wedding will be the celebration of our
Berkeley, where Keith is working on his doctorate. She
love,". Amy Gottesman, 28, says of her
enjoys participating in the historic profession of baking
upcoming marriage to Keith Slotkin, 27.
bread and working with her hands.
The couple, former Detroiters living in Berkeley,
Always passionate about nature, Amy and Keith will
Calif., have endeavored to create a beautiful and
have an outdoor ceremony at the Links at Pinewood in
meaningful reflection of themselves, both in the wed-
Commerce Township this September. Keith is a
ding and surrounding events.
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood graduate who
Amy, daughter of Beverly and Max Gottesman of
is completing his Ph.D. in plant genetics at the
West Bloomfield and a graduate of
University of California Berkeley.
Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, met
Amy chose a beautiful theme of earth tones for
her fiance while visiting friends seven years
the bridal party dresses and bouquets. The wed-
ago at the University of Arizona in Tucson
ding weekend will include a casual rehearsal dinner
while on spring break from Michigan State
party at the Slotkin family farm in Holly, where
University.
Keith spent much of his childhood. It's a natural
"We were immediately inseparable and
and nurturing place, very dear to Keith's heart.
ANNIE ADEL SON
spent the whole week together," Amy says
An engagement party at a botanical garden
COLUMNIST
of the unexpected beginning of their rela-
in northern California earlier in the summer
tionship.
will highlight Amy and Keith's love of vegetarian food
Amy joined Keith, son of Judith Slotkin of
and the great outdoors.
Birmingham and Curtis and Carole Slotkin of
Organic elements will draw together their nuptials.
Bloomfield Hills, in Tucson the following semester to
Natural details from the beautiful outdoor locations of
finish up her undergraduate degree and complete her
the celebrations to the color scheme of the wedding
graduate studies in wildlife biology. Ultimately, Amy
itself elegantly represent the couple, their life and
started a cooperative bakery called Arizmendi in
their love.

1 6 •

JUNE

2005

• JNPLATINUM

"Men have been afforded this option for
generations with the tuxedo rental busi-

ness," explains Katrina Chestuch, owner

of Just One Night Dress Rental in Redford

Township. Chestuch also offers formal

wear for every occasion in every size.

Bridal gowns are available from size 4

to 28 from dozens of design houses. They

range from almost brand new to vintage.

In the 2,000-square-foot store complete

with a runway and beautifully appointed

dressing rooms, a beaded, ivory sheath

from the 1920s hangs gracefully next to a

Jessica McClintock strapless tulle gown.

Any bride can find her dream for rent

here. The wedding gown can be reserved

up to six months in advance of the wed-

ding, and Chestuch pulls it off the floor so

no one else will rent it during that time.

For the bride-to-be who believes she

can bear to part with a piece of what

made her wedding day beautiful, renting a

wedding gown is a fashionable and
affordable option.