SL: Old/blue, borrowed and new?

What does everyone think of the "old, new, borrowed, blue" tradition? Silly and outdated or necessary for wedding day? I've been thinking about my outfit- I definitely have many new things and plan to borrow a bracelet. Is it ok to have my old and blue in the same item? Behold, a fabulous hanky with my maiden name initial embroidered on it in blue! Was my grandmother's-I plan to hold it with my flowers.
Has everyone else done this tradition? Important or not?

V: Second Day Dress

I am a huge fan of Scarlett O'Hara. Not only because she tromped around my glorious southern town, but also for her incredible feistiness, self-preservation and determination to make it [aka, we may have been separated at birth]. And if she had a fabulous Second Day Dress for a pre-honeymoon going away brunch with the family, by golly, so should I!

Though I may have been banned from hoop skirts by one Mr. B, I found that the Wedding Suit would substitute quite nicely. Its seems brides everywhere are donning it to leave the reception, or for a simple courthouse wedding. I also hear Carrie wore one.

So, this is it, people. Found & purchased from Etsy seller CraftyCrowVintage yesterday for the pittance of $38. 

Yes, $38, for a cream brocade suite from the 1960s. Rock on.

$38!!! I wish numbers could be written in ALL CAPS.

The Dress

I almost completely forgot that my dress was scheduled to arrive in May when I got a call from my girl at the Dallas Priscilla of Boston. The amazing folks there helped get it to Atlanta [free of charge after my terrible experience with the infamous Ellen at PofB ATL] and on Sunday, I tried it on!

I was SERIOUSLY afraid it wouldn't fit. I mean, they measured me right after running a half marathon and let's just say it's been a relaxing 2009. And while the usually say your 'bridal' size is bigger then your street size, they ordered one down from my street size. For real?

But as luck would have it, it zipped up. Let's just say it was SNUG. And my ribs ached a tinge. Oh well, that October 4th half marathon should take care of that.

Wow, wish I was that tall! Clearly the main alterations to be done include making it SHORTER. I'm also considering loping off the train, so we can avoid that whole bustle issue. Not sure yet, but debating the pros and cons. Anyone wish they DID NOT have a train??

Would you do it?

Etsy Seller  TickledPinkKnits via Style Me Pretty

Over a wedding dress? Clearly, I would. The texture! The color! It's incredible. This is a def pos.

More dress ideas for the bridesmaid brigade

Liking the tights idea! I think, however, that I would do the tights in a lighter color than the dress. Perhaps light grey with a charcoal shift dress? Or-- GASP!-- light grey with mimosa short dresses? Could be cool! Your maids would be a walking version of your color scheme! Wouldn't it be pretty if they carried white/ivory flowers? mmmm.
Speaking of bridesmaid dresses, I came across the following book yesterday in the Kailua Public Library-- You Can Wear It Again: A Celebration of Bridesmaid Dresses. Fairly hilarious. It basically features some pretty hein frocks of the past few decades. I would recommend bringing the book along before unveiling your bmaid dress...just for some comic relief. It might also help them to remember that even if they don't love it, it could be A LOT worse.

Have no fear, (cute) bridesmaid dresses are here!

The cartoon above (obtained from http://www.cartoonstock.com/) sums up a bridesmaid's worst fear- a terribly unatrractive or unflattering dress! The movie 27 Dresses really highlights all of the worst possible selections- remember this one?

Of course, I wouldn't want to subject my lovely friends and sister-in-laws to such fashion suicide, so I've chosen a dress that will highlight their beauty and solve world hunger. Or at the very least, won't make them want to vom.

Behold, Alexia designs style #2910 in bourdeaux! It is full length, sweetheart strapless and features a brooch on the hip. In person, the fabric is even more radiant!

Finding this little gem was a process- I found that looking at dresses online was no substitute for seeing and trying on dresses in person. I went to Rosalin's Bridal Boutique in Falls Church to view a number of styles. I personally tried on about 20 dresses before deciding on this one.

It was extremely helpful to see fabrics and look at the construction of the dress. I also took a few pictures of it with my digital camera to see how it looked on film- this was very important to me since this event will be documented up the wazoo and sometimes clothes just don't photograph well!

Before leaving the bridal shop, I had the owner physically measure the sample to see how the size chart measured up-- and found that the measurements were slightly different. I also asked about the possibility of ordering extra length for my taller ladies and the exact process of paying for and receiving the dress (how much is needed at deposit, do they take check, how long does it take, etc). I think that they'll look great in this cranberry red!

The dress who must not be named

Like all things wedding, I really didn't want to get overly worked up about the dress. No naming, no extremes, no sacred 'moment'. Just a really really fabulous dress that is the exact and perfect expression of my personality and communicates instantly my wedding style and perfects all of my inherent flaws and cures cancer!

And like every girl who has dreamed that such a piece of couture existed, I found it.

The first dress I ever tried on. The dress that kept appearing and reappearing in magazines. The dress my mother AND my sister AND I all just love [with that on it's resume, I'm actually a bit surprised it doesn't at least cure something easy, like mono . . .]. And DUDE, IT HAS POCKETS.

But I digress, it's this stunner from Vineyard/Priscilla of Boston:

After trying it on several times, it was clear that this dress simply had all the right stuff [I've always wanted to link to that!]:

1. 1960s styling

2. interesting/different neckline [not strapless]

3. architectural shape and structure [A belt? AWESOME]

4. A-line skirt

Check, check, check, and check. But for everyone's sake, I'll refrain from gross anthropomorphizing and name calling. But just maybe I'll allow myself to peek in to say hi once it's arrived.

Two Piece Dress?

Back from the Left Coast and happy to report that I LOVED San Francisco. The trip consisted of several life-changing food experiences thanks to SF's love of local and organic fare. These experiences included the NICEST restaurant in the city [after each course's first bite, we seriously had to take a break to allow the intense amazement to wash over], the TASTIEST sushi twice over and the BEST cupcakes of your life. This was also compounded by a fabulous weekend of wine and olive oil tasting in Sonoma, regardless of a steady rain.

In short, it was food heaven.

I also got the chance to try on dresses at the famed Glamour Closet, which happened to be around the corner from our hotel! What a fabulous place; I got to try on some great stuff that I normally would snub in the extreme high-end price range [think Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Anne Barge, etc]. However, everything was sample size, and I just didn't find anything that I was positive would work. Highlights included a BEAUTIFUL silk jacquard ballgown and a very simple organza Monique Lhuillier strapless A-line.

I was seriously considering the simple  strapless A-line to use as the base of a multi-piece ensemble, adding a sash & broach and a bolero jacket. But I worry about the gamble of trying to find all the 'dress it up' pieces on my own. I think you could really get a good deal buying all the pieces separately and really get a very personalized look, but I'm afraid of not seeing it all together before making the investment! Here are some images of multi-pieces dresses.

Pros: Unique one-of-a-kind look, pretty details, possibly could get a good deal on the whole package

Cons: Can't see it all together until everything is purchased plus lots more leg work

So what do you think? Should I forge ahead with the DIY Two Piece route if I can't find a single dress that fits the bill?

The Golden Gate to Wedding Dresses?

This weekend is Mr. B's annual work whop-dee-doo in San Francisco, and I get to tag along! I've never been to the Bay Area, and I'm pumped for our amazing plans: city sightseeing, reservations at Gary Denko's, the best restaurant in town, and a weekend in Sonoma wine country for some wine-induced fun and shopping for parental holiday gifts.

But the best part may be the fact that I've got all day on Friday to wander the city on my own. And I'm pretty sure that I want to make Glamour Closet my first stop [it's only 5 blocks from our hotel in the city, AHHHH!!]. Known for seriously discounted designer wedding gowns [we're talking up to 75% off the retail price], I think I'm ready to go solo shopping. I've got an idea of what styles look the best on me and if I can find a deal that happens to be close to my size, I'm going for it. The main issues will be size, unfortunately. Not to be a complete jerk, but I'm concerned that most of the sample size gowns will be the wrong proportion of me since they're a larger size. Anyway, if something happens to work out, I will not hold back!

Also - if I find something totally awesome and expensive, on Saturday, they are having a MAJOR sale. All gowns will be priced at $499, $999 or $1499. Dang, that's a sweeeeeeet deal!

Wish me luck!!

The Great Dress Search Part 1

O, to be a bride. Shiny new bling. Planning a big party in your honor. Life is soooo hard. 

But then, you must choose a dress! 

The decisions are endless and everything beings to look the same. I'm not so sure I am of the ilk who believe that when you put on The One you just know. For every 'good' dress I try on, I can imagine an entirely different wedding around it. 

I started out with some very basic criteria and some images of inspiration. Floor length, white-ish, very couture. Nothing straight across strapless(nothing special on my frame). Well structured, but not over powering this shorty. No beading (overly formal for our style), but with texture.

Most important feature is to find an INTERESTING neckline. Usually that means a v-neck or sweetheart or cap sleeves.

So, without further ado, here are my three favorite dresses to date! My goal is to narrow it down to a specific designer dress than research the heck out of lower cost options including knock-offs and pre-owned. 

Number 1: Madison by Vineyard

This is the first dress I ever ever tried on [except for super friend Laurie's beautiful Rivini dress!]. And I've been thinking about it ever since. It's been featured in at least three bridal magazines I've picked up since trying it on-it's everywhere! And so beautiful. Love the casual vibe, the architectural belt, the 1960s styling. And it was sooo fun to wear (pockets!) and not too far out of budget even brand new. Unfortunately, no one else seemed as jazzed about it as I. I take my sister/MOH's opinion deadly seriously and she seemed lukewarm. Oh well, I think it rocks!

It may not have helped that our consultant, Ellen, at Priscilla of Boston was NOT COOL. Pushy and not understanding of my style. She only perked up when I mentioned a very expensive venue we were considering and though I had a lot of money to spend. Tsk-tsk, Ellen.

Number 2: Spring '08 Lazaro

Wow, super vintage, romantic, AWESOME. This dress really compliments my ring, a replica of a beautiful and unique ring from the 1920s. NOTE: the dress looks complete different on me. Nothing like the photo AT ALL. This dress was very complimentary with a deep v-neck, cap sleeves and killar ruffled back skirt. Natural waist sash, but think I prefer empire now.

This was the first dress that made both my mom and future-mother-in-law tear up. I tried it on with a sweet birdcage veil to complete the ensemble and there I was, a bride. It was so me.

Number 3: unknown style Romona Keveza

GAAHHH! I can't find this exact one online, so I don't know the name. It's close to the one pictured, but I don't think it's entirely the same [look at the left shoulder, NOT the right one falling down]. 

It's simple, classic, pearly white with shoulder straps hitting at just the perfect place. Empire waist to elongate. Lots of room to accessorize to bring in vintage details. We added a sash and brooch with a birdcage veil and it was grand.

This was clearly the mom's favorite. I think that it may make more sense to go in this direction. The super-vintage dresses a la Lazaro and Claire Pettibone (another close runner up is Kristene from the 2006 collection) are BEAUTIFUL and so hot right now. But will that style last? Or will we look back in 10-20 years and bemoan the trends of the day like I imagine many brides of the 80s and 90s do??

Anyway, the process has just begun, so stay tuned for more more more!