Dress Indecision - Which is better?

khaleesibride

Hi ladies,

I'd love opinions on these two dresses.  The ceremony will be on the cliffs overlooking the sea at sunset, The lace dress is Sophia Tolli "Leigh" in an ivory gold which I love and is exactly what I wanted, the second dress is a chiffon Pronovias gown "Lamber", very simple but looks amazing on.  The wedding is small and intimate.  I gave both dresses a ten at the bridal salon but now the task is to choose between them.  I'd love some opinions (wasn't allowed to take pictures at the salon).  Is the lace dress too much for the venue? Is the chiffon one not enough?

Maggie0829

If I had to choose between the two I would pick the lace dress.  The Pronovias is just too plain.

Remember this is your wedding day and your one chance to have a dress that is a "bit too much."

doeydo

OMG definitely the lace Sophia Tolli.  That dress is gorgeous, and a bride can almost never be too overdressed, IMO.

khaleesibride

@maggie0829 you know I was thinking the same thing.  Funny thing though, the pronovias looks better on me than it does on the model...and the lace one looks nothing on me like it does on the very tall very slim very perfect model (sigh).  It is still gorgeous on though (the lace one) and I'm leaning toward it.  Thanks xx

LittleWohlscheid

Definitely the Sophia Tolli. Your wedding is the time to go big, right? A show-stopper like that dress would be perfect!

Dignity100

Most wedding dresses do look better on 'real brides' than on the models that have been Photoshopped in my opinion!!

I like the lace one better.  The other one looks simple - more like an elopement dress for a beach wedding (or maybe even more of a vow renewal dress).  Dye it a different color, take the train off and you could wear it to a black tie affair.

vmj23

I love the lace one.  The other seems too plain

CMGragain

The lace one is gorgeous, but can you handle it on top of a cliff at sunset?  I would look for something a bit easier to move around in, something with less of a train, perhaps?  It sounds like your vision is conflicting with your ceremony site.
I, too was torn between my vision and the realities of my wedding.  I decided on the more practical dress, and was happy that I did.

Knottie1463426215

The lace one, 100%! The other one is too plain, and you only have one chance to look like a bride.

RebeccaFlower

I'm thinking the lace, too, however I think CMGr's concerns are valid.

missdelilah

Personally, I love both of them.  It's a shame you don't have pictures, because it's hard to advise without knowing what you look like in them.  I understand that many boutiques have no photo rules, which are enforced by the designers they carry.  If it's any help, my sister wore a lace dress to her cliff top wedding.  It didn't look too much, or out of place.  Personally, I'd go with whichever dress is the easiest to walk around in.

atlastmrsg

Leigh.  It's more special and expensive looking.  Also, I think one shoulder gowns can look like a "fad" choice.  I don't think they look as timeless in photos.

DanikaMarie0227

Another vote for the lace gown. Can I vote twice for this? It is absolutely stunning! I also agree with @atlastmrsg re: the one shoulder strap. However, I would advise you to go with whatever you feel the best in because at the end of the day it is your opinion that matters the most. 

MandyMost

My dress is similar to the lace gown, so I'm biased! I love it. 

As for how the dress fits the venue, it's not JUST the venue to think of. What's the overall feel of your event? Are you doing wildflowers in mason jars, or red roses and candles? The former I don't think would work with the lace dress, but the latter would be fine! 

Maggie0829

MandyMost said:

My dress is similar to the lace gown, so I'm biased! I love it. 

As for how the dress fits the venue, it's not JUST the venue to think of. What's the overall feel of your event? Are you doing wildflowers in mason jars, or red roses and candles? The former I don't think would work with the lace dress, but the latter would be fine! 

Exactly!  A wedding taking place on a cliff side does not tell me that it is automatically casual.  It could very well be a fairly fancy affair with a four course dinner, a top shelf open bar, an awesome band and other high end items.  And unless this cliff is super rugged with huge boulders to scale and climb down then I doubt walking a few feet down an aisle will be that difficult in the lace dress.

weddingcactus

Without seeing the dresses on you, definitely #1 (Leigh). I'm not a big fan of the one-shoulder look or the details of the second dress. 

I was trying on dresses this weekend and similarly the salon would not let me take pictures. Why do they do that? I've been to other salons that allowed me to take pictures, and it's so much easier for me to consider buying from them because I can look at a picture of myself and say definitively, "yes, I look good in that". 

erinlin25

Both dresses are pretty, but the lace one is BEAUTIFUL.  I would go with the lace-- it's the one day you can get away with being a little over the top

khaleesibride

So I took your advice ladies and went with the lace, unfortunately a day later the salon calls me and tells me the lace dress cannot be altered to my length because of the design. I've been crying ever since. You'd think I'd just say ok well i'll take the Pronovias then. No such luck, it seems I'm now stuck on it and will have to find something equally beautiful. Short legs are a crime against a beautiful gown. Already have my beautiful wedding shoes but maybe those sky high stripper heels? I feel like I shouldn't give up just yet.

Maggie0829

Did you ask if the designer will do hollow to hem measurements?  If so that will solve the problem in regards to length alteration.  If that designer does not do hollow to hem measurements then ask the salon which designers they carry that do.

But no, you shouldn't give up just yet.

khaleesibride

Oh no Maggie, because my wedding is soon these dresses they actually have in stock in my size. It was a last minute decision to change my dress I do have another, I just didn't feel beautiful in it anymore. I'm embarrassed to say I was one of those ppl who bought online from China despite the warnings and then had to end up running back to the bridal salon to try on dresses in the end.

Maggie0829

Oh okay.  Have you looked on preownedweddingdresses.com by any chance?  You may have more luck finding a dress that is similar to the lace one you love but is the correct length since it would have been altered for a person who is of similar height.

MandyMost

khaleesibride said:

So I took your advice ladies and went with the lace, unfortunately a day later the salon calls me and tells me the lace dress cannot be altered to my length because of the design. I've been crying ever since. You'd think I'd just say ok well i'll take the Pronovias then. No such luck, it seems I'm now stuck on it and will have to find something equally beautiful. Short legs are a crime against a beautiful gown. Already have my beautiful wedding shoes but maybe those sky high stripper heels? I feel like I shouldn't give up just yet.

I don't really understand this. Did you try it on an were OK with how it fit aside from the length? Did they explain why they can't hem it? 

missdelilah

MandyMost said:

khaleesibride said:

So I took your advice ladies and went with the lace, unfortunately a day later the salon calls me and tells me the lace dress cannot be altered to my length because of the design. I've been crying ever since. You'd think I'd just say ok well i'll take the Pronovias then. No such luck, it seems I'm now stuck on it and will have to find something equally beautiful. Short legs are a crime against a beautiful gown. Already have my beautiful wedding shoes but maybe those sky high stripper heels? I feel like I shouldn't give up just yet.

I don't really understand this. Did you try it on an were OK with how it fit aside from the length? Did they explain why they can't hem it? 

I imagine the problem is that lace dresses like this usually aren't hemmed by the seamstresses.  They usually get taken up around the waist, but for that to work, there needs to be a seam there.  Unfortunately, this dress doesn't have that feature, so I understand why they can't take it up. 

I'm so sorry for you Khaleesibride.  That dress was stunning.  But you'll find something equally beautiful that you can work with.  I'd avoid the sky high stripper heels.  It sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

khaleesibride

Yup Mandymost Missdeliliah was right on the money, because the dress is one piece of lace it can't be hemmed or altered from top or from bottom without changing the flow of the dress. But no worries, after a long session yesterday I said yes to another dress I was not even considering that silhouette but I tried it on and fell in love. All this time I just told myself I wanted sheath and never looked in any other direction but I just love the way I look in this dress! It's casablanca bridal fall 2013 (don't remember the name if it even has one) and I love it! Pic is below pls note the dress looks much better in person! The beading is glorious and it fits like a dream. Love!

missdelilah

It's gorgeous!  I'm so pleased that you found something that you love and can work with.  Can't wait to see you in it!

theartistformerlyknownas

I think the new dress is perfect!

khaleesibride

Here's the dress ladies

bellefemme12

Beautiful.  I love your veil!  What length is it?