Weddingbee Blog

Greetings, Wedding Bees!

I’m a 36-year old bride-to-be in Portland, OR, in the midst of many a gown shopping adventure. I have some photos to offer, all of which feature gowns that are probably not quite right… I beseech your advice.

My Aunt recently mailed me two family wedding gowns to try on. I was tremendously excited by the prospect of wearing a family dress. One is hers, which I believe is from the early 90’s, and the other is my Grandmother’s, which was custom-made of silk satin on Newbury Street in Boston in 1941. Most of my friends have taken one look at these and know that, while it would be great to wear a family dress, they are both too dated. (The problem with my Grandmother’s is that, because the 80’s so heavily borrowed from the 40’s…it looks totally 80’s!).

Check them out… Please ignore the need for alteration for a moment and focus on the styles. Do either of these work for you?
Here is Auntie’s.

I’m making that face to symbolize the huge, sassy tulle at the bottom. It’s awesome, but maybe in too much of an early Madonna way? My aunt rocked it, to be sure. I just wonder if I walked down the aisle in this, if reactions would generally be, “WHAT is she wearing?!”

Here is my Grandmere’s.

I’m sure the puffy sleeves and the dress overall looked immensely fashionable in 1941. But for me, it would have been more appropriate for my junior prom in 1988 than for my upcoming wedding. But what if I did it up all swing-era? A couple friends have given resounding “no’s”.They don’t like the puffy sleeves, or the conservative neckline, or the waistline and where it hits me (kind of high). Could it get a total makeover somehow?

The next three photos are of a luscious brushed silk satin Watters gown I bought from Brides Against Breast Cancer a few months ago. It’s a simple, elegant A-line with just enough detail and a big enough train to make it sweet and romantic.  Please judge:

Charming, right? Would accept a variety of interesting accessories?

Ok. Now that you’ve seen those… here’s a photo of the type of gown I’m actually still looking for. It’s the flowy goddess thing. This particular one is a bit too Roman-costume (the sample is also too small, so imagine it sitting up a bit higher).(Kudos to La Belle Reve Bridal Salon in Bellevue, WA! My consultant Olga was a doll, and the store is beautiful.)

I think this shape is flattering…I’m an 8, and lots of dresses make me look bigger (unfortunately including the flapper-y lace one behind me). This one is slimming, I think, and I love the flowy fabrics. The wedding will be indoors in the fall, so the trick is to find a flowy yet formal gown. Now, I have sewn a few things, and I might attempt to make something like this myself out of silk charmeuse and chiffon.

Having seen all these, is it a definite no for both family dresses? Which direction do you think is best? Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,
Guest Bee, Portland, OR