The fun part of wedding planning
I never wear dresses. I never really go anywhere where a dress would be appropriate, and well, this is the arctic and I'm always cold so I tend to stay away from them. Despite the fact that the only dresses I own are ones I bought to wear at weddings. But now that I'm having my own wedding, I'm really excited to find the perfect dress. I've been devouring Etsy all week looking at potential wedding dresses and have found 4 that I really like. I want something not too fussy and on the short side since it will be a very casual affair and we'll be standing around in grass the whole time. Let me know what you think!
Reader Comments (32)
I bought a Holly Stadler shrug for my wedding! She was AWESOME to work with and the piece is impeccable. :)
I almost started crying when I read this. YOU"RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!! Oh it's so real now! I need to get more tissues!!!! :):):)
Ohhhh - good to know Tabatha! Her shrugs (and that yellow dress) are to die for.
Jo - Yeah, yeah, I'm getting married but WHICH OF THOSE FREAKING DRESSES DO YOU LIKE?!?! (LOL)
{I had emailed these choices to my mom and she replied saying the first one may make me look to chesty, she doesn't really like the second one, and she loves the 3rd and 4th. (Her liking the 3rd shocked me). Ans with that I'm starting to lean towards the 3rd...or 4th...}
You could always buy #3 AND #4 and then you'll have a choice! As you already know I like all 4 of them...
I like one and four--but whichever one you choose I know you will be beautiful in it.
I LOVE the third one ( upoppy), sooo gorgeous !
The yellow ombre is just so special, it really is breathtaking, and the way the material is layered will add a little flutter to your walk. The way it draws the eye to the waist band is so flattering on every figure and the bust detail is adorable. Also, the strap width means you can wear a good bra. Right bra = best posture, best overall shape and best cleavage.
I've never seen one of those cocktail corset dresses like #3 actually look good in person. Looks great on the rack but ends up looking like a fancy dress costume in photos.
I agree with your mum btw! Skinny straps/no straps almost always makes for a chesty, unflattering look because of the construction of the bust of the dress.
Sorry for the huge comment but I worked in a dress shop all through high school...learned a lot from the super chic ladies who owned it.
Kim, I would go for #1. All the dresses are beautiful, and I don't know if you want a dress you can wear afterwards. But the first one says wedding without screaming it. And the others, as beautiful as they are, can be worn on any number of occasions. Don't be afraid to be a BRIDE :) its only one day, but you will remember it as magical and special. And there's something sweet and sentimental about wearing it only once. I didn't think I would care about the dress myself, but I smile every time my eye catches my wedding dress in the closet :)
N
PS. I do see what others mean about skinny straps, unless the dress allows for some serious built in support, it might not work at all
loving the upoppy dress!!!!
Interesting thoughts folks. MUCH APPRECIATED. I totally see your points Nat and Rebecca. And since I am well endowed, fitting "the girls" into a dress and being comfortable is a MUST. Maybe shopping on Etsy isn't such a smart idea. Who buys a wedding dress before trying it on??? I should at least check out local bridal shops and get an idea if these would even work for my figure.
I have to say that I am still really drawn to the 3rd. It's so quirky and not your everyday bridal "gown". Which is likely why my little sister hates it. But she's boring. Her dress (her wedding in Nov was why I got to go to Vegas for the 1st time) was gorgeous but way too unoriginal for me.
I would be afraid of buying a dress without trying it on. You probably know what style will suit you best, why not just have a good seamstress make one? You can choose a pattern, the fabric, and trimmings, and watch it grow. And, it would be fitted to you, adjusting for "the girls" according to needs.
My two cents from two weddings' experience.
Congratulations!
The yellow dress is nice but not a winner for me. It reminds me of a H&M dress, s.o.r.r.y
I'm with you, I heart the upoppy dress! How about adding a Marabou feather shrug for more warmth and va-va-voom?
priscilla, I unfortunately don't know any seamstress that I would trust to make my wedding dress.
Ingeborg, thanks! And I see your point about the yellow one. Maybe it looks more so that way because it's yellow (I would get white or pale pink or something softer). The wedding is likely going to be in the middle of the summer so a shrug may not be very useful but I love the one you linked to!
My favorite is number #1 but I really like #4 in a cream color. #1 says I'm getting married without being super fancy and #4 is whimsical and casual to me:) Congrats!
# 1. Very feminine. I like it.
#4 only in a very soft colour and perhaps with the addition of a beautiful contrasting ribbon belt (like the one in #1).
#2 is a cleveage killer
#3 is really, really nice but since it's on Etsy I have to say no. You definitely should try a corset dress before buying and then have it adjusted to fit perfectly to your measurements for comfort. Otherwise you will be unable to bend, for instance. Or take a deep breath... :-)
Hmmmmm. I definitively think I better get going on dress shopping here to at least find out what style I should be looking for. Thanks everyone for your opinions!
(Maura, I like the idea of a ribbon sash with #4.)
Congrats on your engagement, your ring is GORG!
I was browsing jcrew.com sale and I came along this, and I think it is absolutely lovey.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Special_Sizes/petite/dresses/PRDOVR~96243/99101583060/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17~90~~~~~~~/96243.jsp
Light pewter or champagne would be stunning.
#1 is gorgeous but says Prom
#2 love the flow at the bottom but - no
#3 speaks to me - so feminine, and original
#4 NO - looks like you could be out back bbqing
there are so many dresses out there to choose from - good luck! you can always find one you like on a site and then have it made for you so the girls fit. Love the placement of the flowers on #3 which help with not letting them hang out. However, the flower down low seems a bit ill placed and I would move that.
Has to definitely be the upoppy dress. Absolutely gorgeous !!!
Congratulations, Kim! And what a stunning ring!
These four are all lovely dresses, but I'd really worry - like the others - about the fit. But that J. Crew dress - yes, in pewter! - that Mallery linked absolutely took my breath away. Silky and slinky and swishy all at once. :-)
:) Thanks!
I really like that J Crew dress but that would mean taking a trip down to the States to be able to try it on. May be worth it though to check it out and all sorts of other stores that aren't located in this city (which are like, NONE).
The first one is sooo beautiful!
The first one. Without a doubt that is stunning!
As a current resident of Ottawa, I totally see why its so hard to find something locally. There are not many options for dresses that are non traditional and in a reasonable price range. I had my dress made for me by my mom's friends. That is AFTER I had hired a seamstress who kept telling me not to worry as it is my FIRST DRESS. Needless to say I didn't even bother explaining that every bride hopes that it is the One and Only(I am traumatized to this day by the experience). Anyway, a trip to the US could be a great way to buy a dress. If you go to Syracuse, it is only a 3.5 hour drive, and they have the Premium Outlet Mall there (just outsides the city, email me if you want directions). You could find something unique, something that you love, something that's not going to break the bank :)) However, I would suggest doing some research ahead of time, and maybe calling some stores to see what they have in stock or to put specific sizes on hold for you.
hope this helps, good luck. dress shopping can get stressful :P
N
Love, love, love the Upoppy dress!!!! Wow, so breathtaking and I can just picture it in a garden setting.