Casablanca Brides

girliegirlral

I had my dress ordered in a custom length and it was the best decision ever!  The length was perfect and this way I don't need to take it to a seamstress to chop off the bottom and have the dress look unbalanced.  Just want to give you guys a heads up that Casablanca will custom length your dress!

cvl105

I didn't order mine custom length, but the length it came in was perfect for me so I didn't need it hemmed either.  I'm sure you paid extra for the custom length though...so it wasn't free. I wonder how much it cost compared to just having it hemmed.

MrsCross2B

I ordered the 1827 custom length as well.  My understanding was that it was the best thing to do to avoid ever having to alter the lace detail at the bottom.  I also ordered it with a corset back and added 3 feet to the train.  It won't be in until June, but I'm really excited that I was able to customize the dress so that everything was exactly as I wanted it to be.  And even with all the changes, the total of the dress was only 1088, which is well under my original 1500 budget.  What color did you order?  I ordered Ivory.  I've heard that it's beautiful with a champagne underlay. 

jessNlane52804

I'm Casablanca 1945!!! I also have lace detail and it would be impossible to hem. Also, I'm 5'0" so I only looked at dresses that could be ordered in custom length because the shape does start changing when you chop 8-10 inches off the dress! I was not charged for the custom length. I also ordered my dress in petite for no extra charge. The shop told me Casablanca does not charge for custom length or petite sizes, so if someone is charged for those items, they are getting ripped off!

I did pay $150 to have the neckline changed to sweetheart and it came out perfect. Like pp, even with my custom changes my total was just under $1000 for a lace dress with a lot of beading. The only alterations I will have are the bustle and taking the bust in just a bit. I was told that I saved several hundred dollars in alterations by ordering custom. I absolutely love my dress and can't imagine getting married in anything else.

amtroyer

This makes me really excited!! I ordered my dress, but it won't be here until May, and it is being made custom length due to the beading around the bottom.  I was worried that what if it was a little too short and i would end up looking like i had a weird calf-length dress, but it makes me feel so much better to hear yours was perfect!!   One shop I went to said it was "free" but the shop I ended up getting the dress from said the designer charged $75 ( I think) and the total of my dress was only $900.

Sunny0710

I got 1827 in ivory as well- I am a bit disappointed to hear that I could have gotten the custom length- my salon told me that because the lace wasn't scalloped on the bottom it was designed to be hemmed! Oh well...
What are you girls (1827s) doing in terms of jewelery, hair, etc? I would love to compare It is such a beautiful gown!!
ps. Sorry for the italics... I have no clue why it did that!!

MrsCross2B

I paid $100 dollars for my 'custom' length and now I think I am going to have to call and have a firm discussion with the salon.  Granted, it's not a ton of money, but I don't like being cheated out of 5 cents, let alone $100 bucks.  Perhaps that is thier way of making money on the front end that they think won't get on the back end in alterations, but I feel this is dishonest and cheapens the reputation I believed the salon to have.  I had a very lovely experience at thier salon and was entrusting my consultant, their daughter, to steer me in the right direction in purchasing all my bridal and bridal party attire needs (shoes, jewelry, veil, bridesmaids gowns & shoes, mob gown and shoes, flower girl attire, tuxes, ect.).  If it turns out that I've been cheated out of that $100 bucks, I will be sure to make all those other purchases somewhere else.  Charging me that bogus $100 dollars may end up losing them over a $1000 or more in the end.  (I am normally a very mild mannered gal, but I don't like dishonesty) 

MrsCross2B

Sunny- After reading your post I am starting to wonder about the integrity of some bridal salons.  It seems I was encouraged to order my gown in a custom length for the salon to make bogus money off of me (although at 5'2 I've never had a gown in my life that didn't need hemmed so they could have charged me to hem it in the end) and you were told not to order yours custom so that they could make money in the alterations of your gown.  Or perhaps I am just seeing sinister intentions where none were meant. 

After saying all of that, you are right, it is a beautiful gown.  I haven't gotten so far as to picking jewelry yet other than to think I will probably go with something with a vintage feel.  My E Ring is very vintage looking, and I feel the dress has a vintage vibe so I think that will all work nicely. 

Sunny0710

Mrs.Cross- I know, it's hard to know if you are being taken advantage of. I know I will need a lot off the bottom (I am 5"1) and I really hope that my consultant was right about it being an easy hem because I don't want them to botch up the lace!!

Also, I wanted to ask you- what colour is your groom wearing? This ivory is still pretty "white" but I am worried that if FI wears white it might look off in the pics.

As for me, I got a veil that hits just below my bum with gorgeous beading around the edges. I am a really traditional/classic girl so I think I am going to wear pearls. I was also thinking that blush colour pearls would be pretty.
When is your wedding?

MrsCross2B

Sunny- Other than a black suit I hadn't gotten very far on other colors for him,  I have heard that if the bride wears an ivory dress than the groom must wear an ivory shirt.  But you are right, the ivory of this dress is more soft white than it is a true creamy ivory.  I've been told by a few brides that they had the groom and groomsmen wear white shirts and it really didn't make a huge difference since they are mostly covered by thier jackets/vests/ties anyways. 

I think pearls would be SO pretty with this gown.  And blush colored pearls would be a lovely complement, especially if you have some pink in your bouquet.  Your veil sounds really pretty, I bet the sparkle on the edge will complement the sparkle on the bodice nicely. 

My wedding is 11/13/10.  When is yours?  What are your bridesmaids wearing?  Mine are wearing black. 

Also, did you check the gown out on the Casablanca website?  Oh my gosh that picture is horrible.  When I first saw the pic I thought, this can't possibley be the same gown!  It looks like an old ugly curtain on the website.  I was worried that it would look that way in my pics as well until I saw some pics of another bride wearing it, and it photographed well even in dim lighting. 

Sunny0710

Mrs Cross-
Thanks! I think pearls will be lovely too. I think I will probably stick with traditional pearls vs the blush ones, because that way I can wear my Mom's strand and I'd like to wear some of her jewlery. Also, I didn't think about the bouquet! That is something to consider. Mine actually doesn't have any pink at all, it is all soft whites/purples/blues (there is a pic in my bio). I think the traditional pearls would go better with that.
Thanks for the shirt tip. Maybe I will try to get a swatch of the dress colour to take when we go to get FI his outfit. Did your salon provide you with a swatch?
My wedding is August 7th. My girls are wearing Victorian Lilac by Alfred Angelo (you can see the dress in my bio if you want to have a look). Black will be great, and it's great for the BMs to wear again!

Sunny0710

MrsCross-
I forgot to mention- YES, I did the see the website pic and it definately looks a lot different. In fact, after I got the dress I had to call back the salon to get the style number because I couldn't find in on the site!

MrsCross2B

Sunny- Lilac purple is perfect for a late summer wedding.  You will have to keep me posted with how things are coming along for you, it looks like everything is going to be just beautiful.  I love the soft colors you are using and I think they will complement the soft tone of the dress really well.  If your mom has pearls for you to wear that will be really special and can count as your 'something borrowed'.  I didn't even to think to get a color swatch from the salon, that is a really good idea! 

girliegirlral

Yes I did have to pay for the custom length, but they said the same thing that because it was lace detail, it was best to have the designer do it for me then an alteration place.

For the 1827 brides.....I had my dress ordered custom beaded so that it was all clear/white beads (no silver).  I love how it turned out!!!  As for jewelry/hair...I think I am going to do a low bun/messy chignon.  My veil goes right above the veil and it has subtle beading around it.  I don't really want to wear a necklace.  I think I will do long earrings and forego a necklace because the neckline of the dress is already so pretty!  I might do a bracelet.  I was thinking either crystals or pearls (even though there aren't pearls in the dress).  This dress is great!

girliegirlral

oh and I got it in ivory.  I will post pics as soon as some friends send me them!

MrsCross2B

GirlyGirl- the look you are going for sounds really pretty and sophisticated!!  I don't think there has to be pearls on the dress to wear pearl jewelry.  I think pearls are really classic and can be worn with just about anything.  You've got to post some pics when you can, I would love to see what the dress looks like with clear instead of silver.  I love hearing how girls take a dress and 'make it thier own'.  Let's face it, most of us are going to have a dress that other brides have (unless we're rich enough to have a one of a kind custom gown) so it's nice to know we can all still be unique.  

jessNlane52804

I'm a 1945, but my dress has a similar feel as 1827 with the lace and beading. I'm not wearing a necklace- just a pair of pear drop earrings that I found at Macy's. (Sorry no pics in bio) My veil is shimmery tulle with no added details and I will wear it over my hairl. I am also thinking of a chignon.

I'm having the same white/ivory shirt debate. The ivory at Men's Warehouse is much darker than the ivory of my dress. There was a post a few down about this issue and some people posted pics of their ivory dress against the grooms white shirt and you would never know. Besides, he will have on his jacket for most of the pics.

MrsCross2B

On the white shirt vs. ivory shirt subject I am starting to think that if we select our gowns color based on our skin tone, maybe the grooms should do the same.  My guy looks really great in a white shirt, so I think he will want to go with that.  I'm sure it will all 'go' just fine.  Everyone says you can never really notice if they're not quite 'matching' anyways.  Maybe that 'rule' applies more if he's wanting to wear a white or ivoy tux.  

cvl105

Just jumping in on the shirt color.  My dress was ivory. My husband wore a white shirt with ivory vest/tie.  The contrast between the shirt and vest was nice.  The ivory shirts looked very yellow in the store which is why we didn't want to use that color.

MrsCross2B

CVL- You're right!  Looks great!!!!  Love it!

amtroyer

I didn't realize all of the custom things that could be done! I've already ordered my dress (1966) and would have loved the top to be more sweetheart, which I said to the consultant when I was wearing the dress, and she never mentioned the dress being able to be ordered that way.  Is this impossible to be changed after the dress arrives? Anyone know?

cvl105

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_casablanca-brides-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:c0919c7e-c47f-42ff-9a22-37a1aa137ea1Post:4da448f8-5afa-4b16-8219-81cd8b59b894">Re: Casablanca Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]I didn't realize all of the custom things that could be done! I've already ordered my dress (1966) and would have loved the top to be more sweetheart, which I said to the consultant when I was wearing the dress, and she never mentioned the dress being able to be ordered that way.  Is this impossible to be changed after the dress arrives? Anyone know?
Posted by amtroyer[/QUOTE]

Any seamstress should be able to change it to more of a sweetheart. I had mine changed into more of a sweetheart after it arrived at the shop.

ButtonsPepper

yes you just ask for a hollow to hem, and it is included. With the detail at the bottom of my dress it wouldn't have been able to make shorter. I'm a 1914 bride, and I love the casablanca dresses!

kristinandbill

I custom ordered my Casablanca and it was inexpensive AND fast!  I combined two dresses and had the length custom made. I think I paid an extra $100ish but that was for the combining of the dresses – they said the length is just another Casablanca measurement.  It was a great experience!

kmg611

I also ordered my dress hallow to hem and it came in PERFECT! ALSO, my dress came in a MONTH AND HALF EARLY! I have the 1914 gown.

Sunny0710

No crinoline for me (I'm an 1827). I think the dress sits just fine on its own.

MrsCross2B

My actual dress (1827) hasn't come in yet, so I can't say for sure if I will wear a crinolin or not.  I'm leaning towards not since I am going to have the dress altered to fit good and tight over (and slightly below) the hip area.  And I've had 3 ft added to the train so I don't know if a crinolin will work with that. 

FunKate99

im wearing 1827 on my destination wedding on the beach.... I'm not doing a veil(it gets windy on the beach) I picked out a gorgeous head piece to go around my updo it made of pearl and crystals that match the dress.

I tried on the dress with and without extra crinolin. I want a little more poof but I'm going to see how it falls when I get it in my size. I got my hallow to hem measurement also... I plan on wearing flip flops on the beach! hope you can't see them!!!! I'm already going to sweating my butt off I want my feet to be happy!  

I just order it last week! I can't wait for it to come in!!!!!

Newhopetch15

Would live to see a picture of casablanca 1945 with sweetheart neckline.