Living Maintenance - Most fun thing ever - wedding dress shopping!

Hey guys :) So, first...we haven't really made any definitive wedding plans yet, we're kind of waiting to see what happens with the house buying (that saga continues). We want something small and casual (which will make it hard for me to work in a tiara, but who knows!)

But that doesn't mean I can't start looking at DRESSES, right?? I will be on a serious budget (because of the house buying) but I think I have found a serious contender (a little more than I wanted to spend):

http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&catentryId=6097085

I'm also checking Craigslist everyday, I'm not opposed to buying a gently used dress!

Glory - that is gorgeous! And I say you can always work in a tiara with your wedding dress if you want it! :)

The David's Bridal next to my office seems to have a semi-annual sale pretty often, I got my dress for my first wedding there on sale, almost half off. Can't remember when they normally are, will see if I can find out....

I got my dress at David's bridal but it was a bridesmaids dress. It was a very pale yellow and very pretty! It was on clearance and I think I paid $80.

Definitely shop around.

Sooo pretty! And I think a tiara is always appropriate!!!

Glory, want my old wedding dress? I only wore it once! :lol: Just kidding, I also got married on a farm, walked through mud, and never got it cleaned (why spend $300 to clean a dress that cost $400?). And it's not particularly casual -- here's (http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A407) a pic.

Wedding dress shopping is both fun and horrendously stressful at the same time, IMO. I had a lot of fun looking at dresses online, but got so stressed out at the stores I almost cried! :lol:

I love the shape of that neckline, Jessica!! It's a gorgeous dress :) I'm looking for something empire waisted, for some reason, I just love that look on me! I guess I need to quit fooling around and go try some stuff on to see what really looks good.

That dress is GORGEOUS, Glory! :)

I love the dress. If any gal here deserves a "GOYGEOUS" dress and Tiara it is you my dear!

Another thought too is to rent a dress. I bought mine and I took it out the other day to show my daughters. That is the first time I have even unzipped the bag in 16 years! I want to have my girls "blessed" or whatever and am probably going to use my dress to have theirs done.

Glory, I absolutely LOVE the dress. It's gorgeous. I can see you in it. It's spectacular. So classy and fine. I really, really LOVE it.

And it's your wedding. You're the bride. No matter how casual it is - you get to wear a tiara.

I've got my dress from 23 1/2 years ago. I tried it on for my last anniversary and it was swimming on me. I was in the high 130's, maybe low 140's when I got married. Right now, it's taking up too much space and I think I am "this" close to giving it away. Renting is an option.

Glory, I love the dress, and I can see you in it!

Jessica - your dress is lovely as well, and I remember some photos of you in it, but the model it's on - OMG, she looks like a Barbie doll! :lol:

Hmmm, I had the dress for my first wedding made for me. It was ivory satin, with an empire waist and very little ornamentation. It got stored at my mother's/sister's house and moved at least once, but the last time my sister moved it got misplaced. Sigh. That was of course, 40 years ago, and I'd never even put it on again, but every once in awhile it makes me sad that it's gone. :) I still have the more casual outfit I wore at my second wedding - 20 years ago.

I am also on Team Tiara.

David's does have sales often, and their dresses also pop up sometimes on eBay.

LOL Pat, she does, doesn't she? It occurred to me in retrospect that I should have linked to a picture of myself in the dress (which isn't quite the same color as the one on the model). Although my offer stands -- if anyone wants my dress, and doesn't mind that it's a bit dirty at the hemline, I am 100% willing to get rid of it. It's taking up precious closet space!

Glory, that dress does look pretty, and David's has a semiannual sale you should look out for. And I'm with the other ladies, it's your wedding -- if you want a tiara, then wear a tiara! Although it would probably look funny if you wore that dress with a tiara like this: ;)
http://www.missmaud.com.au/write/QueenLge.jpg

1st-- love the dress
2nd-- I soooo tiara'd at my wedding. Then I gave it to my friend and she tiara'd. ya gotta tiara at your own wedding ;)

edited to add:
3rd-- I agree with the statement that dress shopping was very much fun :), that was when I went with a friend. went with mom-- dress lady reminded me that brides were supposed to smile, oops

GLAD YOU ARE HAVING FUN :):):)

That is exactly the style I could imagine you wearing, Glory!

Oh, congratulations, by the way. And I agree with the girls. A tiara is ALWAYS appropriate!

We had a casual outdoor wedding, guests wore shorts and t-shirts, and I had a full-length silk number with a train and a long veil! We were going for impact. It worked. Plus hubby wanted me to look "bride-like", whatever that means.

Good luck with the shopping.

Perfect dress for you! I LOVE it!

Beautiful! Does it not say on the ad you linked "Win this dress"? :p

Dagmar

The gown is gorgeous and would look fabulous on you,. Watch for sales.

I agree that the dress is amazing!
I'm pretty sure my dress cost more than that 23 years ago and I love yours more!!

I sound like a parrot - also wanted to agree that I love that dress, Glory! It is so pretty, and will show of your figure beautifully. I love the beading. Just wait and see - I'll bet it will go on sale. Or haggle. And I'd also like to echo the sentiment that it's your day. Wear the tiara. Wear it for all of us! To echo my dear friend who got married last winter, repeat after her: "No. I'm the bride. We're doing it this way." :queen:

I love it too! It's so elegant! I had to look through all of the dresses on that site, and I have to say the one you linked to is my favorite.

Thanks for all the feedback! I spent some time last night looking at pretty wedding things. I think I'm going for a hydrangea theme (they are my favorite flowers - the light lavender ones). One huge plus with that dress, there is a little girl dress that would be sweet for my 2 year old niece to wear if she wants to be a flower girl.

I guess we need to get serious and set a date!

We had to buy a bridal type dress for my DD her senior year (for the presentation ceremony for National Charity League). We ended up getting a quincinera (sp?) dress from David's Bridal. It seems to me it cost about $125, but then needed the slip and strapless bra. These dresses are a bit less fussy without as much lace or sequins and pearls (but if you've got time, you can always add those yourself afterward for a lot less money). Here is a photo of DD and her other Ticktockers at their presentation:http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/192/76/589641577/n589641577_1271435_3106.jpg My DD is on the back row, farthest to the right.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Not only should you have a tiara if you so desire, but a magic wand as well!

May you wear the dress in health and much happiness :hug:

Mel

Wow, Alinnell, what a pretty bunch of girls in pretty dresses! I know I'm a weirdo, but I just can't do strapless, it's a mental hangup leftover from my heavy days. I can barely wear a tank top in public!

I saw pics from Milla J...(you know that chick from the fifth element) wedding and she had silk flowers scattered throughout her hair. So now I'm torn between the idea of a tiara and flowers!

Great dress selection! On the flowers in the hair thing- that may require so much spray and product that your hair will "crack" if someone touches it. It also tends to make you constantly touch your hair to make sure nothing is falling out. Makes for less than stellar photo moments. My sis went for a fancy french braid done in the salon that morning and ended up crying and going home to wash it out and do her own hair so she could feel comfortable. I vote for tiara- I had one and it just makes such a difference in the look. It literally "lifts" the look. Best of luck. Look forward to seeing the final result.

GLory - I am having a beach wedding and I will definitely be wearing a tiara....sooooo I guess I am on team tiara as well. Beautiful you have chosen...

Glory - Love the dress! I am having a beach wedding and couldn't decide between the tiara and flowers either! It depends on your hairstyle but, what I am doing is wearing a small tiara for the ceremony that can be easily removed after. I am going to wear a flower in my hair for the reception. The flower (or flowers) are attached to a long pin so that it can slip securely into your hair. This way you get the best of both worlds! If you check out the knot website they have some videos of styles that can be easily transformed from ceremony to reception. Either way you will be a beautiful bride!

Loooove the dress! So elegant. I also say to wear the tiara. Check on Ebay for one - I got a gorgeous one for about $10 on ebay, as opposed to the hundred or so david's was charging. You will be a stunning bride. :)

Glory, have you found a dress ? What have you decided ? Did you ever find a house ?

Hey Bargoo - thanks for checking up on me! My mom is coming in to town on Thanksgiving weekend, so we're going to do some dress shopping together. We DID find a house - it's going to be a new house and they won't start building until after the first of the year. It has a great kitchen, so I am very excited! Typical CA house - big house, postage stamp yard. But hey, I hate yardwork anyway!

Have fun shopping for your dress. Did you see a picture of Ivanka Trumps wedding gown, Gorgeous, very romantic and not strapless, it has a little bit of a sleeve. I see strapless gowns that have so much boning they look like they could stand up by themselves. Exciting news about the house!

I love that dress! Yours, too, Jessica! Beautiful!

We went and got it today!!!

Looks PERFECT with spanx on :) Got a gorgeous veil to match!

Ooooh, I got it in the ivory, champagne :)

Picture this with spanx! My stomach looks amazing with the spanx.

The 8 zipped and fit like a glove, but I went up to the 10 so the top could be raised slightly to reduce so much "out there" boobage. Decided NOT to get the tiara ;)

As I told my mom as I zipped effortlessly into every wedding dress we tried on, THIS is why I lost 75 lbs :)

Oh Glory, it and you look absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Exquisite in fact. LOVE the dress.


As I told my mom as I zipped effortlessly into every wedding dress we tried on, THIS is why I lost 75 lbs

This reminds me. My daughter was recently engaged. And I knew that my daughters were approaching marriageable age and that was one of the reasons (like I didn't have enough already) that I HAD TO get the weight off. I could barely make it through someone elses wedding, yet alone one where I was the host. Now we are planning the engagement party, which is in less then 4 weeks. And I keep saying over and over again (mostly to myself), that this is exactly why I lost the weight. Something so joyous would have been a nightmare instead of the absolute joy, blessing and pleasure that it should be.

You are going to make one beautiful bride. :)

Oh and my daughter is also going with champagne/ivory.

You are going to be a gorgeous bride! :)

Glory, you look beautiful in that dress! You will be a beautiful bride!

Like you, I was so happy that I had lost the weight when I went dress shopping and fit perfectly into all the sample dresses (some of them were even too big!). It was stressful enough trying to pick a dress without the added stress of not fitting in them.

It's perfect ! What a beautiful bride you will be ! Have you set the date ?

Smashing!!!!!! Stunning!!!! Breathtaking!!!! :carrot:

As I told my mom as I zipped effortlessly into every wedding dress we tried on, THIS is why I lost 75 lbs :)


That is a gorgeous dress and you look amazing in it, Spanx or no Spanx I'm sure! I followed the link in your original post to look at the dress in more detail--that is so simple and yet so very pretty. When is the date? We will want PICTURES of the event! :)

Hey, I cant help but say that your gorgeous, and that dress is love! Even though I wont get points for originality, I also want a pretty dress and tiara for my wedding!

Late to the party.... Glory you look radiant in that dress even without the tiara! Isn't it still a thrill to zip effortlessly into clothing?

Congratulations :hug:

Mel

Great wedding dress choice.
You are Beautiful. :val1:

You look so beautiful, Glory! Congratulations again, and I'm so glad you got the dress of your dreams! Also, your stomach looks very nice, spanx or no spanx!

Now how did I miss this post with the picture at the end of November? Wow! You look stunning. I love the veil, too. Congratulations!