Alternative Wedding Dress...ADVICE PLEASE!!!

Knottie57498480 · June 2015

Hi everyone!

My fiance and I are having a whimsical, colorful, casual wedding in April. I absolutely love the idea of tulle because it has that whimsical and it’s lightweight. I do NOT want to be weighed down by some heavy gown (I like to dance!). I really don’t feel comfortable spending a fortune on a gown so I’ve been looking on Etsy and preowned wedding dress sites to see if I can find something affordable yet beautiful. I’m thinking of putting together a dress, so I guess it’s a bit of a DIY project, although I will probably have a skilled seamstress do it. I found this skirt on Etsy and the top on an online boutique site. I feel that my best features are my waist and shoulders. Just some background on body shape…I am pretty curvy and I would say I’m in between pear-shaped and hourglassed shape, around 125lbs and 5’4″. Please, please, please I need some advice! Is this a good idea considering my body frame? Am I crazy for putting together a wedding dress on my own rather than buying a professinally designed gown? Thank you in advance!!

aliwis000 · June 2015

So by definition any dress you wear, or outfit for that matter, and get married in is your wedding dress/outfit.

This could be anything from the Disney-like ball gown to jeans and a t-shirt. It is just a matter of what you want your wedding to be like. (Of course you probably would not pair the jeans and t-shirt with a formal Saturday evening wedding, your attire and level of event should match.)

That said you can do almost anything. There is nothing really alternative about tulle in my opinion. Not that it is not lovely! It really can be stunning! There are millions of tulle gowns out there which is a testament to how romantic and lovely it can be. As for you putting together your own gown this too could be fine given the right pieces.

However, I am not a huge fan of the pics in the post. The skirt might be ok with the right top but the top posted looks like a long bra. One of those types of bras some women wear under their dresses or other gowns but not an actual top to be worn on the outside.

A very fast google search turned up many lovely tulle options, 2 of my favs below. Even Davids Bridal has full tulle dresses. My advice would be to go shopping and look at tulle gowns before you buy anything. As with any gown, shape is so important. Trying on different shapes and different levels of "fullness" of tulle will give you a better idea of what looks best on you.

Cannot wait to see what you pick!

http://www.jlmcouture.com/Lazaro/Bridal/Additional/Style-3108
http://www.jlmcouture.com/Tara-Keely/Bridal/Additional/Style-2161

Knottie57498480 · June 2015

Thank you for your feedback! I agree the top looks too much like lingerie. I'll definitely check out those links. Thanks again!

CMGragain · June 2015

Never buy a wedding dress until you have tried it on in person. Check out David's Bridal. They are very budget friendly.
If you are having a casual wedding, a big fluffy ball gown might not be a good choice.

lachattefatale · June 2015

I *love* the skirt, but I agree with PP that the top looks like lingerie. You could definitely shop pre-owned to get a similar gown, or you could buy that skirt from Etsy and have a local seamstress make you a better top (or the whole thing), or keep shopping for a top that goes better.

What I would do first is go to a David's Bridal or another bridal/formal wear shop and try on some different silhouettes. Your body shape, as you've described it, will probably look great in that skirt and a top, but it depends on what you see in the mirror, not on prescribed style/fit guides.