Weddingbee Blog

if you go to a dressmaker/seamstress who has experience with wedding/special occasion dresses they can work with you to find a matching shawl. they can even fix it so that it can be loosely attached to your dress (via hidden loops or basting stitches) so you dont have to worry about it falling off during the ceremony.

my FMIL said the owner of the dress shop where she bought her dress for our wedding (also in april) offered to help her with shawls and attaching them if she needed. fortunately she was able to find a non strapless dress she loves but the dressmaker would have been able to help her if she had decided to go the strapless with shawl route.

I would suggest finding a local dressmaker / seamstress in your area as well.

I found going with a local dressmaker saved me time and money when I had my lace bolero made.

If you’re up for a DIY project, you can try adding small swarvorski crystals, pearls, or lace trimmings to fancy up a plain one…

I had an accident when I was younger and had surgery on my elbow and I have this big scar from it and where I had pins I also dont want it to show. I love this dress and it might be a good idea if you were to add the sheer part on top to your dress. You might not want to walk all day and night holding a shawl/wrap or trying to keep it in place, besides theyre going to end up covering your beautiful dress!

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/karen98/Wedding/dress.jpg[/IMG]

I did a google image search for “lace bolero” and found a website momsnightout.com that has a nice looking lace bolero, although it is $395 - ouch.

Also, Marisa’s bridals has something on their website called “Alencon Lace Bolero”, which is beautiful.

Definitely try ebay, and best of luck!

P.S. Also take a look at http://www.mccall.com and search for “wrap” or “wraps” in each of the three branches (Butterick, McCall’s, Vogue). There are many wrap patterns that might work, and having one made by a local seamstress should not cost you too much. If you’d prefer to look at the patterns in person, go to Walmart and take a look in their fabric section; they have all of the pattern catalogs there, too!

believe it or not, Forever 21 is selling faux wrap that aren’t bad for the price. Should definitely check it out before they’re out.

For Brianna-I have a seamstress who is located in the Norristown/Plymouth Meeting area-I do not know if she re-creates dresses from scratch but she completly changed my gown from sleeveless with a huge train to a 3/4 length sleeved, floor length winter dress. It is beautiful. Plus she was able to take in a heavily beaded bodice without disturbing the pattern of the beading-you couldn’t even tell.
She also made ties for my groom and best man and did some work on my Mom’s dress.
She charged us about $300.00 total!
She actually works part time for Suky Rosan in Ardmore so you know she’s good…
If you want her name and number let me know.

Thanks so much for your responses Molly and Mrs. Snowbride! I got a few other recommendations from others too and found two great vendors online who make replicas of designer dresses–I’m thinking about going with one of them. In case anyone else is looking too, check out http://www.bridaldress4u.com and http://www.dressofalifetime.com. They both appear to do great work–for great prices!

MRS SNOWBRIDE -

I very much want the info on your friend the seamstress at Suky Rosan!!