When PR executive Jenelle Hamilton began planning her wedding, there was only one person she wanted to dress her: Bob Mackie. After 15 years of working together, their bond transcends business—Mackie is family. Though officially retired, the legendary designer came out of retirement to craft a bespoke bridal gown just for her, an exception he’s made for no one else.
The couple’s love story began with a dating app in Beverly Hills in 2021. Jenelle and attorney Bart Williams bonded over a two-and-a-half-hour phone call that led to an effortless relationship. Two years later, Bart proposed during a casual home-cooked dinner in their kitchen—intimate, honest, and perfectly them.
Their wedding weekend celebrated both their backgrounds. They kicked things off with a speakeasy-style welcome party at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The next day, a romantic garden ceremony at their Beverly Hills home reflected Jenelle’s English roots, followed by an Art Deco-inspired reception at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
For her wedding dress, Jenelle drew inspiration from a vintage two-piece Mackie had designed for The Cher Show. Mackie reimagined it using a bronze fabric and added a thigh-high slit—his signature nod to Jenelle’s favorite features. He topped it off with a dramatic, ruffled cathedral-length veil adorned with face-framing florals.
Mackie worked closely with his design director Joe McFate and longtime dressmaker Dorothy Crutcher to bring the vision to life. Jenelle recalls being overwhelmed with emotion during her fittings. “Every seam, every jewel was exactly how he envisioned it,” she shared.
Mackie didn’t stop at one look—he styled Jenelle for the entire weekend. For the welcome party, she wore a green hand-beaded gown from his Spring 2004 collection. For dancing at the reception, she dazzled in a gold beaded piece from Fall 1997. Mackie later gifted both dresses to her.
Throughout the weekend, Mackie was by her side—zipping her up, fluffing her train, even teaching her how to pose and walk. “You put on that dress, and you transform,” said Jenelle. “You become who you really are.”
In an unforgettable wedding filled with fashion, family, and timeless glamour, Bob Mackie didn’t just dress a bride—he honored a friendship.
