It’s no secret that this year is the year of the influencer bride. For our very first digital cover since our re-launch, we decided to feature one of our favorite influencers and entrepreneur, Lexi Hensler, who you probably recognize from your social feeds. In addition to being a gorgeous bride-to-be, Lexi is also the founder of Hugz, her contribution to normalizing mental wellness. When we suggested the interview, Lexi had another idea—what if we talked while we recreated the iconic bridal editorial from the Sex and the City movie? How could we say no to that?
To bring the vision to life, we knew we were going to need some iconic fashion moments and plenty of priceless jewels. We partnered with one of the most prestigious boutiques in LA, En Blanc Bride. They have an incredible selection of designer wedding gowns that are as unique as they are timeless. And before you ask… Yes, they carry Vivienne Westwood, so it was meant to be! When it came time to style her jewelry, Verstolo was our very first call! We wanted our main character literally dripping in diamonds and pearls—and they delivered! So scroll away and let the nostalgia in these photos by Jeffrey Taylor wash over you and score some tips from Lexi on how to stay grounded during your own brial era.
What was the one thing you were most looking forward to about being engaged?
Justice and I had a pretty wild first date, a four-day road trip to Las Vegas just two days after meeting. We joked that night about getting married right then, and the only thing that stopped us was knowing our moms would’ve been heartbroken to miss it. That’s how sure we were, right from the start. We’ve operated like a married couple almost since day one, so the thing I was most looking forward to about being engaged was actually getting to live in this season together, knowing we’re finally making it official and taking that next step into our future and getting to plan the wedding as a team. Justice wanted to be involved in every part of planning, and there’s nothing better than watching our love story show up in every little detail.
It’s no secret that wedding planning can be a stressful time for couples. Is there anything specific you did to protect and prioritize your mental health during your engagement? What about prioritizing your relationship?
This was the year we both really prioritized hobbies, and it’s been a total game-changer for our mental health. Justice fell in love with running and just finished his first half-marathon, and I got completely obsessed with horseback riding. I make sure to get to the barn at least once a week. I believe it’s so important to do things for you that feed your soul. Every time I hit a wall and feel burnt out, I realize it’s because I’ve been doing everything except the things that make me feel like me. We really believe that taking care of ourselves is how we take care of each other. For us as a couple, staying connected is just as intentional. We both run multiple businesses, so we protect our quality time together. My two favorite parts of every day are the simple ones: making breakfast together and taking a beat before everything starts, and then coming home at night to catch up with him before we fall asleep. He’s my best friend, and just being around him grounds me.
Did you or do you plan on doing couples therapy?
We did premarital counseling, which was such an incredible way to deepen our communication and connection. We had so many honest conversations up front and never shied away from anything, all so we could build the best possible foundation. I strongly believe that any form of therapy or counseling should be something we aspire to and admire, never something to be embarrassed about. The most inspiring relationships are the ones where both people keep choosing to invest in each other.
Was there one wedding planning task that you absolutely dreaded?
The only thing I dreaded was thinking about a budget. We knew early on we wanted to keep things very intimate, just our closest family and friends, but even an “intimate” wedding will give you sticker shock. The day we got our rental quotes, I actually had a nightmare that we showed up on our wedding day and there was no decor anywhere. So we took a step back, identified what things were most important to us, and focused our budget there. I know how easy it is to scroll through dream weddings online and feel overwhelmed. But the truth is, some of the most special parts of your day will be the things you didn’t pay for: the handwritten letters to your guests, exchanging your vows, looking around the room, and feeling how much love is radiating off of everyone you chose to be there. Don’t build the wedding you saw online; build the one that feels like you, and trust that the moments you’ll remember forever are the ones you never could have planned.
Tell us about how you found your dress…
My mom started cancer treatment about six months before I got engaged, and once wedding planning entered the picture, it became one of our favorite things to talk about when we needed a little spark of joy. That and Ted Lasso. The two of us would fantasize about flying to New York to try on dresses together, so the moment she was strong enough, we went. We scheduled appointments at a handful of shops, but it was the very first store on the very first day, Bridal Reflections, where it happened. I was pulling dresses to try on, and one stopped me in my tracks. It was gorgeous, different, and quite heavy, and I actually said out loud, “Wow, this is such a cool dress. I won’t choose it, but I have to try it on just for fun!” And of course, it was the one. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room—my sister, my mom, and even my best friend watching on FaceTime. What I love most is that it didn’t look like anything I’d seen before. It felt completely like me. And the wildest part was that the sample fit perfectly, like it had been made for me.
What does your dream honeymoon look like?
We knew early on that we wanted our honeymoon to be somewhere gorgeous where we could be fully immersed. We literally want to lock our phones in the safe and spend a few days fully disconnected from the world and connected to each other. One of our closest friends, who clearly knows us so well, recommended an incredible hotel in Umbria that ended up being everything we were looking for: horses right on the property, trails for running, and accommodation with food allergies. We couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate getting married and starting our lives together!
If you don’t mind sharing one spoiler, what are you doing for your wedding nails???
Similar to dress shopping, I’m actually completely torn! Part of me wants something simple and elegant, a soft nude or pink, and part of me wants to have fun with a design. I booked the appointment but left the decision open. I might just walk in and see what I’m feeling that day!
Do you have a wedding day fragrance picked out?
We had so much fun with this! The day we picked up our marriage license, we went to get a sweet treat and then made a trip to Le Labo to choose our wedding day fragrances. After the wedding, our plan is to save them for dates and anniversaries so that every time we wear them, we’re transported right back. I love the idea of tying a scent to a memory. It’s like bottling a moment and getting to open it again for the rest of your life.
Will you be wearing any heirloom jewelry on your big day?
I’ll be wearing a couple of pieces of my grandmother’s jewelry. She was my best friend, and I want to feel like she’s with me. We’ve planned a few special ways to honor both her and Justice’s father, who we both lost too soon.
Are there any family wedding traditions that you will be honoring at your wedding?
We’re actually really excited to create our own family traditions and define things for ourselves. Justice and I want to build our own definition of marriage and partnership from the ground up. I think you can honor and appreciate everything that came before you while still deciding what actually makes sense for your relationship. We’re looking forward to creating something that’s truly ours.
Lexi and Justice are set to tie the knot later this month—and yes, we’re just as excited as all of you to see those photos! Lexi, thank you so much for sharing your story with us and for normalizing the conversation about mental health and how important it is to prioritize yourself and your relationship during your bridal era. Now go get married! Congrats, girl 😘
