{Oscar de la Renta & Amal Alamuddin, in the gown he designed for her wedding to George Clooney – photo via Vogue}

Last week, I had one of the happiest days of my life trying on wedding gowns at Oscar de la Renta. I’ve pored his designs for years, always so sophisticated, elegant, regal and timeless. I’ll never forget the episode of Sex and the City, where Mikhail Baryshinikov’s character gives Carrie an Oscar de la Renta gown as a gift. Getting to actually wear them last week was a thrill and an honor; I felt like a princess.

{Kate Bosworth wearing Oscar de la Renta, in one of the most gorgeous celebrity weddings I’ve ever seen}

Next to the groom, I think the dress is what every bride dreams about the most; choosing your gown, how you want to look and what story you want the dress to tell is so personal. To be a wedding gown designer is so intimate – while I obviously didn’t know him, I think anyone who loves weddings feels the loss of someone who helped so many brides feel like the most beautiful version of themselves on the happiest day of their life.

{Katherine Heigl, in an Oscar de la Renta wedding gown – photo via OK!}

Sarah Jessica Parker wrote a moving tribute to him here, and you can see some of his loveliest gowns on “real” brides here.

{Maggie Rizer’s Oscar de la Renta wedding gown – photo via Vogue}

{My bridesmaid Barbara & me at Oscar de la Renta}

{Barbara, me & my mom, having a post-Oscar de la Renta lunch}