MOG: Lisa Nauss
Mother of: Callahan
Venue: Ahava Cottage, Mankato, Minn.
Vibe: Outdoor formal
Dress: Rene Ruiz
Callahan and Abby were engaged for nearly two years, which gave mother of the groom Lisa Nauss plenty of time to think about what she wanted to wear for their summer wedding.
Lisa knew she loved the look of Rene Ruiz, a Miami-based brand known for sophisticated, classic gowns with special touches — a floral sleeve, a metallic shimmer — that make them memorable. So on a trip to Boca Raton, she made an appointment at the Rene Ruiz boutique.
Lisa spotted the one she wanted to try immediately: a strapless gold brocade column gown. “Yep. This is it!” she shouted to the sales associates from the fitting room. Could it really be that easy? They encouraged her to try a few more.
“They were all beautiful, but I really still loved the first one,”says Lisa, who knew she wanted a color that would work with the bridesmaids in blue, but give her a regal moment of her own.
With an inner bustier, the strapless gown stayed in place. “It was so comfortable," she said. Lisa kept accessories to a minimum and paired the gown with gold Inez heels. She had gold sneakers on hand for dancing.
The wedding took place outdoors at Ahava Cottage, an hour south of the Twin Cities. The modern venue is situated on lush grounds. It was 97 degrees that July day, but indoor AC breaks helped to keep the crowd cool.
Before the ceremony, mother and groom had their own “first look” moment. “It was very sweet,” Lisa shares. “Super emotional.”
A mother of four, Callahan is Lisa’s first to get married. As he put an elbow out to escort his mom down the aisle, Lisa asked if they could hold hands instead.
“You hold their little hand their whole childhood and don’t remember when it stops,” Lisa mused. “It just felt right.”
