Weddingbee

Oooh baby, gotta get to you girl!

(Author’s Note: I make a number of references to New Kids On The Block in this post in spite of the fact I did not like them in their heyday. I am not sure of the reasons for this, but the second I subtitled my post “Step by Step,” their peppy little song entered my head. So, because I had to hum it until I finished writing, I figured I would inflict my 1980s nostalgia on the lot of you. Sing along and marvel at the raw masculinity of Donny Wahlberg!)

Since I have never had a piece of clothing custom made, the experience of having something made just for me is really exciting. The fact that the thing I am having custom made is my wedding dress makes it even more awesome! Don’t like that bow? It’s gone! Want a different neckline? No problem!

A little while ago, I went for another fitting to continue the work I had started back with my seamstress Allison back in February. This time, I tried on a new broadcloth mockup with the changes implemented from last time to see what work still had to be done. For a lace dress like the one Allison is making for me, these broadcloth stages are very important so that, when the time comes to deal with the fragile lace layer (which costs almost $120 a yard - yowza!), it is simply a question of cutting and sowing.

So, without further ado, on to the photographic journey through my second fitting!

Step One: We can have lots of fun . .

This was taken just after I put on the second mockup for the first time. The biggest change between my first and second fitting was that I went out and got my under garments and shoes that I would be wearing for the wedding. Since my fancy new bra slightly changed my shape under the dress, Allison repinned the bodice to work with that.

Step Two: There’s so much we can do . . .

After seeing the pictures from my last fitting, one of the things I wanted was to make sure my dress had a good shape and that I did not look boxy from the hips down. So, to add a little more curve, we pinned back the lower part of the bodice a little bit while still letting the skirt flare a bit to make it easy to walk in.

Step Three: It’s just you and me . . .

This is me in the finished pinned version of my mock up gown! I loved it, however I realized that with the cut of the neckline and the effectiveness of the bra (that thing is really good!), I still looked rather . . . um . . . well-endowed. As much as I am a fan of the V neck, for the wedding we’re having (which is not of the “Hey grandma, have you seen my areola?” variety), it seemed like a scoop too much of boob. So, to cut back on the “Juggs” factor . . .

Step Four: I can give you more . . .

Or in this case a little less. We took a little piece of fabric and fashioned what I lovingly referred as a “lobster bib” out of it to represent a revised neckline. With the V remaining and the cleavage factor ever so slightly reduced, I could still get the sexy look I wanted without having to worry that strenuous dancing would make one of my fun bags pop out. (Has anyone ever used the phrase “fun bags” on a wedding site? Because if not, I want a prize.)

Step Five: Don’t you know the time has arrived?

And so with all the changes made to my dress, the time had finally arrived . . . to leave. But before I did, my lovely MOH Erin (who had been there for her own dress fitting) snapped a picture of the back of my gown. It needs to be brought up ever so slightly but I absolutely loved the shape of the rounded V. So elegant looking!

So that’s where we are so far. I have another fitting I need to organize in a couple of weeks at which point the silk layer of my dress should be cut and you ladies of the hive will get to see part of the actual dress. So exciting!