Poll: Is your dress short or long?

SoulMistress

It's been sounding like my BF is about to pop a serious question and so I've been thinking about what kind of dress I would want the second time around. My first wedding was 'picture perfect'... the big dress, the long train, beautiful wedding party. Exactly what I wanted... at the time. But now that I've had that experience, I think maybe I'd do something with more personality the second time around. Maybe a shorter dress that's flirty and less formal that reflects where I am in my life now.

What kind of dress did you choose for your second wedding and why?

Happy Wednesday!

pamila51510

I never had the "Perfect day"  so I am doing the ball gown i always dreamed of its what you want is the way it goes the 2nd time around and we are having fun planning it as such! If you want something fun and short and playful then I say go for it!!!

geordieboysgirl

I'm doing a very simple long, a-line strapless. Mine is very understated, fits my age and personality.

Start looking at short and tea-length. There are some lovely dresses in shorter lengths these days. Good luck, hope that question pops soon!!

CCH

nyrek

All out girly! Big tulle-y ball gown, corset back, the works!  Like Pamela, I never had this the first time...so I'm loving it right now!

handfast4me

 I did a long, grecian inspired dress.  Ours was a private ceremony, just the two of us, on a beach, but we still wanted to have special attire. 

deepcovejackie

Beautiful dress nyrek!  I'm doing shorter dress, partly because I'm having a beach wedding and DW.  If you're looking for ideas, google Dolly Couture.  Great dresses for around $500, but they're short.  I'm ordering the "los cabos" one.  Good luck!

2dBride

My second wedding was my wife's first (and we hope, only!) wedding.  She really wanted a dress that said "wedding."    I felt like she should get the wedding she wanted (subject, of course, to budget), as I had already had one.  We therefore both ended up with long, poufy, ivory wedding dresses:

JnT-4-ever

My first wedding was a great big major deal, moreso to my family than me, because it was all about status to them. So, I had a great big wedding with 400= guests, mostly people I didn't even know. I had a one of a kind gown. It was an Alfred Angelo dress, from the movie "Krull," custom modified with a double train, one train being a chapel length train from the waist and the other a sheer cathedral length train, which cascaded from the back and shoulders of the gown. It was accented by intricate lace, seqines and hand cut rainbow glass buttons and I wore a catherdral length veil with blusher. It was gorgeous and perfect for that moment in time for me. Got it on the sales rack ladies. So be sure and chek out those sales racks at the bridal shops, because that dress at that price was a steal. It was brand new, never worn and I got it for just a little over a hundred dollars! Veil, slip, shoes and accessories not included of corse.

Although, this time around, I am struggling between getting a long wedding dress  or a short one - because I feel like this guy, as great as he is, should have the first and only one in my life. So, although, a short gown would definitely be more practical for our elopement, which is to be a private ceremony in the mountains, I can't help but be pulled back into considering a longer bridal gown. Afterall, we're going to have a lot of pictures and I want it to be everything we ever wanted in a wedding. But of course, I'm opting out of the veil for flowers or hair jewelry instead. So, I guess I'm undecided, as far as the dress goes. What do you think, am I crazy for wanting a long dress? Would tea length or shorter dress be a better or more appropriate choice? He wants to wear a tux. So, is there any protocol for that or is it just whatever you want to do?

JnT


   

SoulMistress

JnT - Why don't you ask your groom what he'd prefer if you're having a hard time deciding? It sounds like he's excited about the wedding, too, if he's getting a tuxedo. If you're only doing a shorter dress because it's more 'socially approriate' but you really want a long dress, get a long one! You may have had a wedding before, but it wasn't with this man... THE man for you. So celebrate in a way that makes the two of YOU feel amazing and don't worry about everone else.

msblumoo

My first marriage (if I can even call it that ) was at the courthouse. No fanfare of any sort. Now 27 years later I am really getting married! I will be wearing a strapless trumpet style dress with lace overlay and a chiffon sash. I was just going to wear a flower or something in my hair but when the consultant put a beautiful fingertip veil with lace edging on me, I was sold! I will definately be a bride on my wedding day and I am so happy and excited. Blessed too!

ktkenyon

Follow your dream (subject to budget) and ignore shoulds and should nots. It's a moment for you and your intended not anyone else's.

I did the huge, expensive status wedding the first time where I didn't even know most of the guests. This time it is just immediate family in a small ceremony on the beach.

My dress is simple because this time I want to look more classic rather than trendy and the dress will be a good foil for bling and flowers instead of competing with them. But, that's just me.

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/Wedding_Bridesmaid/dresses/silktricotine/PRDOVR~62983/62983.jsp

LesPaul

I did the JOP the first time, so we wanted more of a ceremony this time.  I found a nice dress (off the rack) that suited us well.  It was long, champagne colored satin.

Sue-n-Kevin

Go for whatever you decide you both want. That's usually the message here amongst the mature outstanding ladies.

I'm in my 50's, and never been married. I have 2 kids. Shockingly, I'm wearing a long white gown. Emily Post might not agree, but my fiance, family and kids support whatever I want to do.

Good luck.

deepcovejackie

Yep, agreed.   There's no right or wrong answer.  Go with what feels best for you and fits the style of the event.  :  )

2xscharm

The dress I chose for my 2nd wedding is similar to LesPaul's.  I had the big poofy number (and hated it) at my 1st wedding.

nybrown

The first time around, I (like some of the previous posters) a BIG church wedding, with 5 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen, the big ballgown type dress, etc.  This time, I would have been happy going to the JOP but this is my FI's firt marriage and he wanted a wedding.  So, we are getting married in a botanical garden.  Small guests list this time, limited only to family and close friends - those that REALLY matter  to us!!

My dress is long, but it's simple.

Krismlucas

 
I thought I wanted a long dress (but informal) for my second wedding - but when I tried this cute short dress on at David's bridal I fell in love with it. It fit great - no alternations needed (just need to lose 10 pounds and get my arms in shape). It was only $350. I had a very intimate wedding the first time around - with close family and friends (about 50 people). That was 15 years ago. Now that I'm divorced and 42, and my son is 11 - I don't want to make a spectacle of myself. I'm having an extremely small ceremony (haven't decided if I'll do it at the courthouse, vegas, or my back yard) but the only people that will be there is immediate family (about 12 people). These are the people that matter to us the most and we want to share the moment with.

I agree it's hard to figure out how best to do this the 2nd time around. It will be the first time for my FI - but he is very private and also doesn't want to be the center of attention or have people there that are not a big part of our lives.

I think you have to think about what is really important and meaningful to you and your FI and make that be the focus and center of your wedding. Most of all cherish the experience (from engagement, to planning, to getting married and growing old together). Best of luck!
K

mabsy69

Once you start shopping you'll quickly realize what's right for you.  I thought I wanted a shorter, simple dress - maybe even a color, and ended up with a full halter style, A-line gown that will need to be bustled.  

Gown makers seem to all have lines called "Destinations" that I found to be more appropriate for me - not too frilly, poofy, and age appropriate (40yrs), while still be quite stylish and actually sexy! 

Fystybride

My first wedding at 20 was a total bargain basement wonder- rented tux and dress from a thrift store, ring from a pawn shop.  Spent about $1000.00 on all of it, and it was a fortune to us.

FI's first wedding was at 19, shotgun style with a baby on the way fresh out of high school.  They were broke and thought they knew everything, because they were in loooove.

This time around I'm older and wiser and much better off financially.  While I don't want to be a spectacle, I do want to have the special wedding day with my true love that really "counts" this time.  This is my forever mate, this is our time.  After five years together every day is better than the one before.  So yes, I am having a beautiful wedding with a traditional gown to the floor, in champagne which compliments my coloring.  I guess some people might think it's silly- but the fifty people that are coming were carefully selected to hopefully not say so out loud at least, lol.

thealphabride

Congrats ! To answer the poll, I am having my (second marriage) first wedding  reception this time around. Got married in the courthouse first time around in a white suit.

I am wearing a gorgeous long gown, I do not prefer white, but that's just my taste.  
My gown has a light gold underlay with an ivory lace overlay. I love love love it!!!!

Our wedding will be about 100-125 guests at an estate home with full dinner open bar and dancing, the whole nine yards and I am soooo happy to be marrying my wonderful fiance. He is truely my prince. I am more excited about the marriage than the wedding and that's saying a lot, because I am really excited about the "wedding" I'm less than 6 months out.

Les Paul, Pamela, Kris, nyrek I love your gowns!!!! Thanks for showing pics.
Here's mine:

My camera date is wrong, it was Jan of 2010.......

candyr99

I am planning my second wedding and in my 50's. I agree with the others that you should do what you feel works for you. I have been thinking that I will probably wear a short or tea-length dress. Mostly because I don't think I will feel comfortable in most of the dresses that are available today. They seem to be designed for a much younger woman and body. Also, I am planning an outdoor wedding and the thought of dragging a long skirt and/or train through the dirt and weeds does not appeal to me. I think those that want to do it up big the second time around are welcome to it, it's just not for me.

embracejoy

I had the very bridal strapless poufy white dress, with lace bolero jacket and three-layer, 9-foot veil the first time around.

This time... I'm wearing a knee-length halter in ivory.. It's low cut, totally backless, totally sexy, and absolutely perfect for our beach wedding in Maui.

It's amazing how right and exciting everything feels the second time around!