Behind-the-scenes With Nicole Trunfio at Our August/September 2016 Cover Shoot

Have you spotted the cover of our new August/September 2016 issue yet? Get ready to “awwww” at the adorable snap of model — and newlywed — Nicole Trunfio (clad in one of our favorite Amsale wedding dresses) and her too cute son Zion. (Faille de soie ball gown, price upon request, Amsale; Earrings and bracelet, De Beers; Ring worn throughout, Nicole’s own)

We caught up with the model, and new mom, for a day of wedding dress trials in Calabasas, California, just ahead of her epic desert wedding to rock star Gary Clark Jr. — and she brought along a super cute visitor to set — her one-year-old son Zion! Trunfio got down to the business of looking amazing while test-driving some breezy bridal looks, while Zion got down to being a sweet toddler gushing at his beautiful mama. (Silk-Mikado gown with side pockets and plunging V-back, $4,990, Carolina Herrera; Earrings and bracelet, Tiffany & Co.)

Even though she had already found her dress, Trunfio of course loved slipping on these fresh-from-the-runway wedding gowns (J. Mendel, Mark Zunino, Oscar de la Renta, oh my!). “Some of the gowns I saw on set I never saw when i was shopping,” she told us. “My reception dress might have been different if I had done this first!” But according to Trunfio her ceremony dress was a no-brainer — she walked down the aisle in a figure-hugging beaded ball gown from Steven Khalil, complete with a plunging neckline and lengthy train. “This moment everyone talks about when they find the dress? As skeptical as I was about it, it happened to me. It was so epic. I couldn’t take it off for two hours!” Now THAT’s how you know you’ve found the one! For the poolside reception Trunfio slipped into a boho Yolan Cris gown. (Embroidered lace dress with illusion neckline, $4,300, Yolan Cris available at Kelinfeld; Bracelets, Karma El Khalil available at roseark.com; Silk-faille two-piece dress with cutours and open bow back, price upon request, Austin Scarlett; Earrings and bracelet, Tiffany & Co.)

The natural mountain setting couldn’t have been more perfect for the natural beauty, who shined in a barely-there makeup look and loosely-waved or easily-braided tresses for the shoot. Looking to recreate Trunfio’s glowing bridal beauty look created by makeup artist Vanessa Scali? Try this makeup by Maybelline New York: Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector, Fit Me! Bronzer, Eye Studio Color Tattoo Concentrated Crayon in Bronze Truffle, Master Precise Skinny Gel Pencil, the Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara, and Color Sensational the Buffs Lip Color in Nude Lust. (Strapless silk-faille ball gown with pleated skirt and corded pansy lace, $7,899, and silk-organza halter-neck tie-back blouse, $1,3900, Oscar de la Renta available at Mark Ingram Atelier; Earrings and bracelet, Tiffany & Co.)

The jewelry was also kept simple on Trunfio — after all that much new-mom glow doesn’t need any extra sparkle! A couple of statement earrings added a dash of style, but for the most part a timeless tennis bracelet, and diamond studs was all it took to get Trunfio — who wore only her engagement ring for her own big day jewelry — wedding-ready.