Are these too informal/Opinions on alternate wedding dresses.

JennyColada · February 2014

So I know 1 thing for sure: my and Fi's wedding will be VERY intimate (we're looking at 8-10 people total right now).

I love the idea of buying a wedding dress because, hey, I get only (theoretically) ONCE in my life to wear one.

But on the other side, I feel so stupid getting a big poufy gown for such an intimate gathering, and the ~$1000 also feel silly considering that I'm only going to wear it once and other than pictures very few people will see it.

Fi is supportive in whatever I want to wear, and he did suggest just buying a nice cocktail dress (that I could then wear again). I like this idea, but I do feel like a lot of the dresses I like are either $25 or $3000 (and at that point I might as well just get the wedding dress).

There are a few "bridesmaid" dresses at Nordstrom.com that I liked, but I'm not sure if they're too...uh...casual?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-morgan-laura-ruched-sweetheart-silk-chiffon-gown/3582778?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Beachglass&resultback=8022&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_21_B

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/aidan-mattox-embellished-lace-silk-chiffon-gown-online-only/3708525?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Twilight&resultback=1384&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_4_D

I do think that they're beautiful dresses (and can't justify the $300 price tag outside of buying it for a special occasion).

I know that the choice is ultimately up to me and so long as I FEEL great in it that no one will really care what I wear. I think I'm just worried that I'll be looking back in a few years and regret my choice and wish that I'd either spent the money and bought a classic wedding dress or realized that it didn't make a difference and I should have just gone for the "everyday" dress. Ugh.

I kind of wish that I could just fast forward 9 months and have the day be here and just know already what happens without having to make the choice.

emmyg65 · February 2014

Those are both really pretty, especially for what you're planning. But I'm biased, because I wore a really simple dress myself (LINK). It was still way fancier that what I normally wear, and I really did feel like a princess.

JennyColada · February 2014

emmyg65 said:

Those are both really pretty, especially for what you're planning. But I'm biased, because I wore a really simple dress myself (LINK). It was still way fancier that what I normally wear, and I really did feel like a princess.

I think that I'm 100% overthinking it and whatever I pick I'll be happy with and won't even second guess my choice.

I've never been a super-fancy princess dress kind-of-girl (even for my high school Prom I wore a pretty simple sheath dress).

Plus, the less I spend on a dress the more I can spend on shoes. ;P

Knottie37373131 · February 2014

I think both of the dresses are beautiful. The first one I think I like the best mostly because of the lighter color. Honestly I think that if I spent more than $200.00 I would probably check out a wedding dress. I am getting married in Jamaica with no guest and plan on spending no more than $400.00 on my gown. I have spent a lot of time on Davids Bridal looking at the lower priced dresses. I think there are quite a few decent selections at affordable prices.

Maggie0829 · February 2014

I am loving the dress with the lace on top.

It is your wedding day. No matter how many people will be there you should wear something that you love and feel gorgeous in. Pictures will be taken so you really don't want to look back on them and wish you had worn something a bit more fancy.

Don't over think it. Just go out there and try some dresses on and see what you love.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

I love the first dress because of the color options, you can get it in white & still be simple but bridal. But on the other hand, the second is beautiful and with that design, if you wanted to get it shortened after your wedding so you could wear it more often say as a guest to a wedding or a night on the town, it would carry over very well for that.

doeydo · February 2014

I like the first dress because you can get it in a lighter hue but I like the style of the second dress. Are you against wearing something that is white/ivory? What is your top budget?
Some other BM dresses that are cheaper:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Sheer-Chiffon-Dress-with-Beaded-Neckline-F14867_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Strapless-Chiffon-Dress-with-Pleated-Bodice-F15555_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Crinkle-Chiffon-Dress-with-Godets-F14865_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

Pepperally · February 2014

There are some similar, more informal gowns at BHLDN (look at the section for wedding guests), that come in various colors and many are pictured with added sashes that dress them up. The thing is, even if you feel they are too informal, by just adding a beaded sash or something can glam it up. Think about accessories that can give it a little bit more uniqueness. I think your idea is perfect for your size wedding.

erinlin25 · February 2014

both dresses are very pretty; although you are having a small wedding I would still say go for something "bridal" looking. Going the bridesmaid dress route will definitely save you some money but still allow you to look fabulous on your wedding day. Have you tried any department stores? You may be able to find a formal white dress in a store that could still have a bridal feel.

winelover123 · February 2014

I love the one with lace on the top. I had my dress custom made - it was informal for a wedding dress, not white and I can rewear it to H's work's galas which I love. I hated the thought of getting an expensive dress that I could only wear once.

Go try them on and see how you feel. You can even put a veil with the, even if they aren't white. I decided last minute to add a veil and felt very much like a bride. I don't regret my decision for a minute. I'd suggest trying a few dresses out and seeing if you like the untraditional dress or a more traditional dress.

afterimage · February 2014

It's your wedding - wear what you want! You don't have to pick a formal wedding gown just because you feel like you're supposed to. Wear something that you feel beautiful, comfortable and happy in. Both of these dresses can be dressed up a bit more with accessories, too.

MobKaz · February 2014

Pepperally said:

There are some similar, more informal gowns at BHLDN (look at the section for wedding guests), that come in various colors and many are pictured with added sashes that dress them up. The thing is, even if you feel they are too informal, by just adding a beaded sash or something can glam it up. Think about accessories that can give it a little bit more uniqueness. I think your idea is perfect for your size wedding.

I was just checking the Anthropologie site and found this.........

http://www.bhldn.com/shop-the-bride-wedding-dresses/annabelle-dress/productoptionids/fbcaeb8b-b90b-4e9a-9313-32da085940dd

JennyColada · February 2014

@doeydo, I'm not against white, but I'm open to non-white as well. Budget is looking like $1500 max. I really love lacy but don't like sparkles (I don't mind crystals or pearl embellishments, but I don't like silver and don't want my dress to be blingy).

doeydo · February 2014

JennyColada · February 2014

Oooo I like the third one.

I really like Maggie Sottero's Amelia and Cosette (I tried them both on and like them).
I'm going shopping on Sunday with my mom so we'll see what we find.

JennyColada · February 2014

Pepperally said:
There are some similar, more informal gowns at BHLDN (look at the section for wedding guests), that come in various colors and many are pictured with added sashes that dress them up. The thing is, even if you feel they are too informal, by just adding a beaded sash or something can glam it up. Think about accessories that can give it a little bit more uniqueness. I think your idea is perfect for your size wedding.

I was looking at that yesterday and my favorites were all the $3000 ones. Ha.

LoveyHowl · February 2014

I absolutely LOVE the navy Aidan Mattox. It is gorgeous and different, and you could shorten it later and it would make a perfect cocktail dress. The first dress is pretty, but it's just that -- pretty. To me, it just looks ordinary. The Aidan Mattox looks special. Don't feel like you're doing something wrong if you don't wear an official, white wedding gown. Given what you're planning, any dress you choose, whether short or long, will work. But I love the navy dress. A lot.

JennyColada · February 2014

@LovelyHowl, those are my EXACT thoughts!

Thank you everyone for your great input. It's really put me at ease. I'm going shopping with my mom today and definitely taking her to Nordstrom as well as "classic" dress shops.

Excited to share my results later!

WildMagelet · February 2014

Come back and let us know how it went!

I really like the design of the second dress but prefer the color selection of the first dress. Even if I wasn't going to wear a bridal gown I still think I'd want to wear a light bridal-y color, you know?

One option I'm considering is after the wedding (and subsequently planned TTD!), shortening my gown to cocktail length and possibly dyeing it a different color to wear for our anniversary.

JennyColada · February 2014

I tried on a bunch of stuff and HATED the first shop we went to (and the $5000 price tags and shitty customer service). We had a BLAST at the second shop we went to. This was my favorite I think and also liked the Maggie Sottero Brandy (which was unexpected as it's much more blingy than I'm looking for!).

Still not really excited about either as a wedding dress though. And after discussions with my mom she also thinks I'll be more excited about a cocktail dress. So I'm going to check out Nordstrom's tomorrow on my day off.

Plus am reminded me "if you spend less on a dress then you can afford nice shoes and a new purse." She sure knows me.

emmyg65 · February 2014

I chose a hot pink dress because it's my favorite color. Another Knottie chose navy blue. To each her own, but white (or light colors) isn't right for everyone.

JennyColada · February 2014

I like the idea of having a lighter color (I think I'd like a light pastel pink though). I was talking to Fi last night and explained that I never had imagined my wedding dress (or wedding), so when I looking the mirror I don't see "me". The dresses are pretty and I think I look good in them and if Fi was REALLY wanting me to wear one then I'd be happy to do that for him. But I will never have that "this is IT" moment because there isn't an "it" to compare too.

With cocktail dresses, I have a lot of experience with how I looking them, so I can try them on and see myself and think "this is the BEST!".

So I'm heavily leaving towards that option.

I would LOVE if the navy dress came in white or pink (I am loving that style), so I think I'll use that as my starting point.

Are these too informal/Opinions on alternate wedding dresses.

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