Kennedy Schmidt of The Bisou Bride
Let's chat with bridal stylist Kennedy Schmidt
Before I met Kennedy, I remember seeing how her engagement unfolded on her TikTok. First her picture montage of how she got engaged, which drew over 200k views, and then the story of how she met her beloved Brody, with over 180k views. It’s safe to say their love story went viral…and then came the wedding footage…and it did not disappoint. The couple held their intimate wedding in the French Riviera at the Domaine Rocabella estate, with the bride wearing a gown designed by herself, custom made by Lauren Gabrielson Designs, and Brody wearing a Versace tux he sourced from a vintage store in Paris.
Kennedy Schmidt is redefining bridal fashion with her curated and unique approach. As the founder of The Bisou Bride, she’s become the go-to bridal stylist for modern brides, effortlessly blending elegance with innovation to create unforgettable wedding moments. Let’s get to know her better.
Rodeo: Who is Kennedy Schmidt?
Kennedy: I am a bridal stylist and Luxury Account Manager at The RealReal. Originally from Texas, I now live in my French-inspired apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with my Scottish Fold cat, Cigarette (aka Ciggy), and my husband, Brody Schmidt.
R: What was the inspiration behind your wedding?
K: My husband and I both love fashion and enjoy using our creativity, so we had a lot of fun with the themes and the location. French films and our shared passion for fashion inspired the looks and atmosphere of our wedding.
R: You have such an amazing presence on Instagram and Tik Tok- how did you find your niche and what inspires you?
K: I believe in staying true to who you are and being aware of trends without always following them. Once I discovered my authentic personal style, I focused on sticking to it and consistently creating content that inspires others. I’ve always had a deep admiration for French films—my favorites are Contempt, La Piscine, and And God Created Woman. I also find inspiration from books and traveling to my favorite places in Europe.
R: What led you to create The Bisou Bride?
K: I had a few brides reach out while planning their weddings, asking for styling advice or recommendations on where to find dresses in New York and other places. I realized how much I enjoyed the creative aspect of planning my own wedding and remembered how much effort it takes to find the perfect look. Now, I’m that second pair of eyes for my brides, helping them find the perfect style that makes them feel beautiful in their own skin. As for The Bisou Bride, during our wedding, we had a fun French wedding playlist, and one of the songs we played nonstop over the weekend was "Zou Bisou Bisou" by Gillian Hills. We’d also play it between speeches whenever someone needed a moment to collect themselves, so it became a cute memory for everyone and eventually inspired the name Bisou Bride. Bisou Bride is a bridal styling and wedding creation service offering everything from wedding outfit inspiration, wedding dress vendors, bachelorette outfits, honeymoon recommendations, and honeymoon styling to wedding concepts, vendor recommendations, and more.
R: What makes your bridal styling and wedding creation service unique?
K: I offer not only bridal styling but also out-of-the-box services such as groom styling, a comprehensive honeymoon travel guide, everyday non-bridal styling, and collaborations with brands like Shop Shani and La Floid to create products for purchase, including clothing and phone cases.
R: What are your future aspirations for The Bisou Bride?
K: From the beginning, I wanted to create a service that would be helpful to others during their wedding planning journey and empower them to feel their most beautiful and true selves on their wedding day. I don't feel pressured to make it something specific; I simply want to continue helping others and collaborating with incredible brands and designers.
R: What bridal and wedding trends do you anticipate for 2024 and 2025?
K: Statement accessories, drop waists, and extensive customization and personalization have been on the rise in recent years, which is fantastic to see. These trends allow brides to fully express themselves and create unique, out-of-the-box looks.
R: What are five tips you would give brides as they prepare for their weddings?
K: First, try to slow down, take a moment to look around, and enjoy the planning process. Although it can sometimes feel overwhelming, you'll never experience this much anticipation and excitement for an event again. You might miss parts of this time, so savor it.
Second, always stick to your personal style and make decisions that make you happy. It’s not about pleasing others; it's your special day with your person, and you deserve to make choices that excite you.
Third, remember that it’s not just about the wedding but about the marriage. While this day is incredibly special and once in a lifetime, what truly matters is the commitment you’re making to your partner.
Fourth, always bring backup shoes and items in case you change your mind during the wedding weekend. If your feet start to hurt and you suddenly want a different pair of heels, don’t hesitate to switch.
Fifth, take in every moment! Take a moment to write down or document how you’re feeling so you can look back on it later.
Make sure to check out Kennedy’s Rodeo page where she posts about her phone case collab, wedding dresses, bridal edits of her favorite wedding finds!
