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I am hemming and hawing between three dresses–two very expensive Augusta Jones dresses and one Mon Cheri dress. My wedding is 4 months away (yes…4! January 2008!), but I’ve been told that a rush order would be possible. I want a fabulous dress because neither my FH nor I ever get out and this is my ONE CHANCE to wear something really special. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to be ridiculous or tacky (and honestly, I do not have good judgement–some people just know what is appropriate…I am not one of those people).
Scroll down to see the dresses, then please return to vote. 
I am 5’5, slim hourglass figure, Asian, and all three look great on me. I like the Augusta Jones Sterling dress the best, but my mother thinks that the Swarovski crystals and beading (and sheer weight of the gown) would be inappropriate for the small Korean restaurant where the reception will be held (less than 40 guests expected). Also, the cost would be more than half what my FH and I had discussed for the entire wedding budget (though I have the dough stashed away for it…and he never need know!)
The Mon Cheri Sabrina dress would be the most economical–the only drawback is that it is a little common (standard A-line…imagine it in ivory) and you have to be very careful to slightly lift the skirt up when you sit otherwise you’ll tear the delicate netting.
The Augusta Jones Tia dress is lovely, simple, actually has straps…but shows more cleavage than I’ve ever shown in my life (apparently, I am more well-endowed than the model). As the reception will be all sitting (no dancing), this is a drawback.
The ceremony is in a huge Gothic chapel, so any of the dresses would be ok there. Any opinions? Help!
hey - I was just about to write to you over on the boards… I was just in a similar situation. Have you considered looking a bit more? Your first one is a style that I think might be available at David’s or Alfred Angelo for a lower price.
Here’s one thing I did when trying to decide: imagine yourself about a month after your wedding - which dress will you will look back at and be glad that you chose? GL!
I voted. I say go with dress #1. It’s simply the one you really want and from what you described…sitting down mostly and no dancing, then dress #1 would be beautiful because the beautiful beading and crystals can be seen and you’ll shine. I don’t think it’s inappropriate at all because you really should stand out at your wedding. Whereas with dress #2 (I have tried this dress on and it’s gorgeous), the pattern is mostly on the bottom and if you’re sitting, it won’t be seen as much and it’s a bit cumbersome to walk around or even sit in. It’s quite poofy even with no underskirt too.
Dress #3 - nahh
Blow the $ on your honeymoon or find a bridesmaid dress.
I understand the feeling of wanting the expensive dress but I also want a rocking honeymoon.
if you get a simpler dress get a more fancy veil.
and dont spend the money on a crazy expensive one either, either diy some beading or lace on it (you or a talented friend) or add a really spectacular comb to it.
you can always make a simpler dress pop with really cool accessories.
The first dress looks exactly like one I tried on at David’s Bridal. Look there first before spending that kind of money. I totally appreciate the idea of wanting to look incredible on your wedding day and YOU WILL (regardless of which dress you pick). #3 is my fave by the way, but I doubt I would say that if I saw the price tag!
I voted for the tia because you said one of the reasons that you don’t like the mon cherie is that its too common, a strapless a-line. Which sort of describes the Sterling as well. Plus, if you are sitting, it might be nice to have a little more dress on top.
All three are gorgeous though.
#3 is my favorite too. I love its simplicity. I also love all the detail on #1; it’s not so over-the-top that it would look out of place and, as others have said, it’s your day and you should shine. However, I really worry about having to hide its expense from your fiance. I would definitely look for a similar (but less expensive) gown in other stores before you totally break the bank on this one.
I voted for number 3 too. I agree that number 1 and 2 are pretty common looking, whereas 3 you don’t see very often, so it’s unique. It is formal enough for the big church but informal enough for a small reception. It was one of the dresses I clipped when looking for wedding dresses.
Personally, I couldn’t bring myself to spend much on a wedding dress. However, you said that is something that is important to you, you really want to be special, and that you have the money for. If you don’t forsee any money problems in the recent future, I would definitely pick the first dress. There is so much to look at, especially if you’ll be sitting. the second one is beautiful - on the bottom, but average on top. i like the third one, but you seem to be uncomfortable with the amount of cleavage you’ll be showing.
#3–I’ve also tried it on but since my wedding is informal I couldn’t go with something so dramatic. It’s a gorgeous dress.
I’d also be weary of hiding such a big expensive from your future husband. You don’t want to begin your new life together with a secret. Although it is money you have rightfully earned and saved, you just don’t want it to bother you later. Mori Lee has a gorgeous all-over lace gown as well, comes with an optional bolero and removable sash. You can buy Mori Lee through netbride for a lot less than retail: http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?C=12&D=4164&P=2
this may be the dress the ladies are referring to from David’s Bridal:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=962&prodgroup=10
How much is the first dress?
If you’re sitting most of the time at the reception then you would want as little fabric as possible under your tush (forget #2). I sorta agree that you can get a more dramatic veil to “fill” the ambiance of a large Gothic chapel but you don’t need a dramatic dress to be in a smaller restaurant.
This is a long post, sorry! What it comes down to: will not wearing an expensive Augusta Jones gown make you unhappy on your wedding day, to the point that it will cast a pall on the entire celebration? If not, get the Mon Cheri. They’re all gorgeous.
I love Augusta Jones dresses. I went to London on vacation a few months after I started dating my husband. There was a bridal shop near where we stayed that had an Augusta Jones gown in the window–it was a small shop, and the gown was the entire display. If I put my face next to the glass, I was only inches from the gown. I was obsessed with it, the most beautiful wedding dress I’d ever seen. I “visited” it every chance I got, even taking a few sneaky photos. Deep down I knew already that I wanted to marry my new BF, in *that* gown. When we did get engaged, two years later, I knew our budget wouldn’t stretch to that gown, but I looked it up anyway: it was no longer in production. O woe! But, it was for the best–probably would have been a third of our wedding budget. What did I wear? A gorgeous Casablanca gown only that cost about $750 after some serious shopping & negotiating to get the best price. I loved every minute of wearing that gown, to the point that I nearly got injured while dancing because I didn’t want to bustle it! I received many, many complements about my gown, and now that the wedding is over, I’m very, very happy that I didn’t spend thousands on a gown. The only “need” for a designer gown was in my head. And now that I still have those thousands in my bank account, I’m really happy. If a bride has the budget to cover a designer gown, that’s wonderful. And if that gown is the one splurge that’s important to you and you have the money: go for it. But if there’s another gown that you love also, like that lovely Mon Cheri…save the money. Put it in a high-yield account, and use it for your future life. There’s going to be many wonderful things to spend money on later. A new home, a new car…a baby?
Good luck! (Toldja it was long.)
#3 is so classic! I love it The neckline is very flattering so it’ll look good if you’re sitting down most of the time. However–I’m wary about starting off your marriage spending more than 50% of your wedding budget in secret.
#3! I love the Tia, in fact it’s one of the dresses I’m considering ;o) I’m sure you could have it altered to make it less cleavage-y. I have this problem with another dress that I tried on and the bridal shop assured me that it could be fixed so I wouldn’t be too busty. Good luck!
Thank you all so much for the feedback! It’s so easy to get swept away by the entire bridal process, and your thoughtful comments reminding me that there is actually a groom involved in the wedding have helped put everything into perspective. I will check out the less costly suggestions offered above, too. There is also an Augusta Jones trunk show at Kleinfeld–they didn’t return my call, so I’m not sure if there might be a trunk show discount available. On a sidenote, I am not planning on veiling, or adorning myself very much at all (thought something like Miss Gummi Bear’s Emma Cassi bracelet would be gorgeous!).
I like dress #3. Alterations people might be able to make an insert for you — a “modesty panel” — to place in the deepest part of the neckline.
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