Jennie Garth Wedding Dress Exclusive: ‘Jennie Knew She Wanted Something Non-Traditional,’ Designer Says

Like most brides, Jennie Garth had a very specific vision for her wedding dress. And thanks to bridal designer Claire Pettibone, that vision became a reality.

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“Jennie knew she wanted something non-traditional yet utterly romantic for her wedding,” Pettibone tells PEOPLE. “Given it was a garden setting, she was drawn to this elaborate floral embroidery, and we also wanted to incorporate some touches of gold to highlight that gorgeous ring of hers, which is set in yellow gold.”

Garth, 43, married David Abrams, 34, at her 6-acre ranch in Los Olivos, California, surrounded by 120 guests. The couple created a vintage-inspired setting with flowers freshly picked from Garth’s garden, antique doors and lace from her mother’s collection hanging from wires in the open air.

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Garth’s dress, a custom silk tulle gown embroidered with blossoms of pale blush, rose and coral, definitely matched the setting. Pettibone incorporated a second layer of tulle underneath, embellished with gold, champagne and silver threads and thousands of clear sequins, and the dress is lined in double-face silk charmeuse in sky blue.

“There was a blue dress from my recent collection that she was also so excited to try on, even though she hadn’t really thought of blue before,” Pettibone shares. “I suggested we layer this embroidery over the blue silk, which reminded me of a summer garden in bloom, and that was it. From there, I created the silhouette, which feature 3/4-length sleeves, an illusion neckline and sheer embroidered back, with a dramatic long train. The skirt has a fitted silhouette underneath with thousands of tiny sequins and gold thread embroidery to peek through and sparkle under the flowing floral tulle.”

Pettibone adds: “I loved creating this gown for Jennie, and had the chance to get to know her during our fittings together. She is genuine and down to earth, a great mom to her girls, and very hands on in the whole wedding planning. I think she felt really excited about all of the details, and obviously, is very much in love.”

And the gown totally floored the groom. “She was drop-dead gorgeous,” Abrams, 34, tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue. “When I saw Jennie in her dress, nothing else mattered. I just lost it.”

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Go inside Jennie Garth’s Beautiful DIY Wedding

For her glam squad, Garth turned to the people she trusted most — like hairstylist Michael Anton, who she worked with on 90210 and makeup artist Dana Hamel who the actress collaborated with on the set of the film The Eleventh Victim in 2012.

Her romantic updo was inspired by the gown and Grace Kelly.

“We just wanted it soft and beautiful and pretty,” Anton tells PEOPLE.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Behind the Scenes with Jennie Garth’s Bridal Glam Squad

To bring the bride’s whole look together, Hamel created a very soft, feminine beauty moment.

“We did a sort of ethereal, romantic soft makeup with her big blue eyes,” she tells PEOPLE, adding, “No hard lines — everything smudged and dewy and fresh.”

“She made me look younger somehow,” Garth quips. “I don’t know how she did that.”

What do you think of Garth’s bridal look? Sound off below.

–Brittany Talarico, with reporting by Elizabeth Leonard

For more on Garth’s gorgeous ranch wedding, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE on stands everywhere Friday.