Weddingbee

My gown arrived last week, in the nick of time for our formal portraits this weekend (!!!), and given my dress track record, I can’t say that I wasn’t slightly apprehensive as I headed over to Debra’s store (Dori Anne Veils) to try it on and then take it home with me.

All I can say is: I shouldn’t have worried. The dress is even more gorgeous now that it’s in my size, and I cannot wait to wear it!! I feel doubly blessed because I get to wear it and get all dressed up twice: once for our portraits, and once more for the wedding. This is truly my dream gown - its crystal and embroidery details are simple but stunning, the silk taffeta is airy and makes delicate swishing noises, and the overall silhouette is exactly what I’ve pictured…

I ordered the dress, a Jasmine Couture, made according to custom measurements for an extra fee, and I’m glad I did - my measurements were pretty far off from any of the standard sizes’ and I think I would have paid more to have it taken in, than I did to have it custom-made. The fit, straight out of the bag, was almost perfect, including the hem! The top was the tiniest bit loose and needed to be taken in, and the bustle put in, but that was the extent of the changes that needed to be made. I took it home last Monday, and the next day, I proceeded to commit what some in the bridal world might consider akin to a crime - I took my dress to a drycleaner’s to get altered.

I don’t normally get clothes dry-cleaned because of the price, but when I do have something too extravagantly-made to stick in the sink with some Woolite, I take it to Nob Hill Cleaners in San Ramon. Upon taking a few pairs of pants with dragging hems over to have shortened once upon a time, I met Janice, the main seamstress there who is experienced with everything from your everyday hemming and darning, to altering bridal gowns. With her excellent work on my everyday items, I didn’t feel any qualms having her work on my dress, and now that it’s all said and done I wouldn’t have done it another way. She expertly took in the top a bit, steamed it out nicely, and put in a bustle — and to top it off, she got my dress back to me within a week.

I had originally favored the popular French underbustle, but ended up choosing a two-point American-style bustle instead, as it mimicked the side drape of my dress a little better. Janice chose some crystal buttons to rig it up that match the details of my dress, and I love the simple but elegant results! I’ll post pictures of me in it later down the line, but here’s the finished product in my empty closet (I moved this past weekend and haven’t had time to unpack yet… haha).

The back, both down and with the bustle in place, and detail of one of the buttons Janice chose to rig up the bustle.

Crystal details on the front and side.

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