Before I stress myself out trying to finalize my wedding attire (I’m very tempted to sport a poncho on the big day), I figured I’d ask the kind readers out there for some fashion advice!
Last week I had my first appointment with the woman who was most recommended by bee readers for my bridal gown alterations, Nilah. She was incredibly kind and very fast, with a lot of helpful, honest advice. I explained to her that I had planned on swapping out the sad, limp ribbon provided with the Max Azria dress I bought, to replace with a brown ribbon identical to the bridesmaids. She suggested that since I’m so short (5’2), the dark ribbon would basically cut my body in half when you look at me (or look at photos of me after the fact), which isn’t the most flattering thing in the world. Of course the poorly Photoshopped mock-up I did with the brown ribbon looks great on the perfect, non-vagina-armed model, but on me it would make me look even shorter and draw everyone’s eyes in at my hips. As soon as I have my first fitting after the initial alteration, I’ll be sure to take photos of me in the dress, I promise!
Before I ask for your fantabulous advice, I’ll give you a wee refresher of the bridal attire thus far…
This was my original idea, with the chocolate brown ribbon matching the bridesmaids.
image source
This is the brooch that I purchased to wear with my sash/ribbon that I have my heart set on wearing.
This is the headband that I had a crafty gal make for an affordable price, so it is replaceable if I end up going with a sash that totally doesn’t match.
This is the necklace I bought from Anthropologie that I looooooove and want to wear fo sheezy.
My bouquet will be just like the one above, but less rushed 
These are our wedding colors (the groomsmen will be in chocolate brown Calvin Klein tuxes).
Sooo, my question is, what should I do about a sash? Any recommendations on a color, length, material, etc? I’m pretty clueless and in need of inspiration Once I tackle the sash situation, I’ll probably have to get a new headband for my hair since I doubt the dark brown ribbon on it will match…any suggestions? My hair is ultra fine and I love anything by Jennifer Behr (if only I could afford it).
Thanks in advance for your tips & advice, you guys are the best!
I agree with your seamstress– I am not fond of the sash trend (especially in a high-contrast color) because it does cut the body in half. If you’re six feet tall and have a very long waist, like most models, it looks fine but on most of us civilians, it makes us look stumpy. I’d look for a sash in a more tonal color, like champagne or even the same color as your dress. You can still do the brooch, or maybe affix the brooch to your bouquet.
hmmm…i can’t see many of the pics either…..but i can remember…vaguely what you head band looked like. no idea on the brooch.
perhaps the ribbon in a color that not as dark as brown…..in a lighter color….whatever the lighter color of your palette is. or if you want to define you waist, then stick with an ivory ribbon but in a different fabric….maybe a damask or brocade. this would give you interest but still be tone on tone which won’t cut you in half.
Maybe a light blue ribbon or maybe a white ribbon in a better fabric like velvet which will work well for the season.
I can’t see a few of the pictures either. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.
I agree with lulubelle & getmarried4less about picking a champagne or ivory ribbon. I forget that wee small folk (including me) have to elongate whenever possible.
Actually I am 5′3 and a ribbon or belt helps me quite often as it creates a waste for me. My suggesstion would instead be to bring the ribbon up a little higher, directly below your chest. If you aren’t heavy chested, this will look good and elongate you a little more while creating a wasteline.
If you are heavy chested, it just may add to pregnancy rumors like me. LOL.
Go get a cheap ribbon and do some experimenting at home.
I’m going to be going to see Nilah as well! I just ordered my dress from Pearl’s Place 2 days ago, and I’m going to be calling Nilah to see about setting up an appointment for October, once it’s in. So I’m glad to hear you’re having a positive experience with her.
On the sash thing: I’m 5′2″ as well, and I tried on a dress with a chocolate brown sash. I noticed that it definitely had the effect of stopping your eye up top. Without the sash, you really saw the whole dress, and it seemed to make me look longer (always the goal!) than with the sash. I didn’t try on dresses with a lighter-colored sash, so they might have less of an impact in that way, but the dark one definitely cut me in half. Good luck!!
I love your bridesmaid dresses, I know I have seen them before but I can’t remember who makes them. Do you mind telling me? Thanks. I also could not see the pictures, sorry.
What about a skinnier version of the brown sash? It might lessen that “cut in half” effect…
Sorry about the photos, I just e-mailed Mrs. Bee to try to work it out so you guys can see them
@ae:
I’m 5′2 and big-chested so I definitely can’t rock the ribbon much higher.
@Jaime:
Have fun, Nilah’s house is gorgeouuuuuuus…I was trying not to drool hehe.
@chibride:
I think I might end up rocking a ivory sash, you kids always have the best advice
@lulubelle:
I love the idea of having the brooch on the bouquet since I don’t think it will really go if I have a lighter colored sash. Sorry again about the photos not showing up, hopefully they will soon!
Thanks for your advice everyone!!
I agree about doing an ivory sash. I’m not a fan of the dark-sash trend. I think it only looks good on willowy types (i.e. not most of us), and also, I think it’s nice for the bride to be all in white. The bride should stand out, kind of like a white elephant, er, I mean, like an elegant calla lily once she’s got on her Spanx and other slimming foundation garments :). Call me old-fashioned.
I love your bouquet. Those plum callas kill me.
I’m 5′1″ and I found that ribbons and sashes *sometimes* made me look shorter. But the ones at the natural waist (like your dress) didn’t - it was the ones at the dropped waist that were bad.
I like your plan for the brown ribbon. Why not just buy some and test it out? Take a few shots with and without, and then you can decide how you feel about it. (Or post for us bee readers!)
Yeah, the pictures didn’t show up in Google Reader, but worked when I opened weddingbee.com.
Anyways… you could match your sash to the champagne color of the pearls on your headband and/or the background beige color on the brooch. The light colors won’t chop you in half the same way.
I’m loving your style by the way. LOVE the BM dresses.
No advice, I just wanted to say that I LOVE that brooch!!!!
Love the brooch, too! And I’d go with an ivory sash — it will show off the brooch that much more because the brooch will rest on the field of ivory and be the only different color.
So . . ivory, or champagne as a distant second choice. (You definitely don’t have to tie in the choc. brown on your gown to coordinate with your bridesmaids — you want to stand out, after all — and besides, you’ll have those gorgeous chocolate calla lilies in the bouquet which will tie everything together perfectly, IMHO!)
My first thought was to go with a lighter sash as many of the girls have suggested, but if you think you will not like that then I would definitely include the adorable brooch on your bouquet! I think it will look fabulous! Good Luck!
PS what is the name of your bridesmaid dresses? I think they are just what I am looking for…
hi, i agree with what the majority is saying, after i read your post and looked at the pics i immediately thought champagne sash would look brilliant! its still in the same color family yet it isnt such a contrasting color that splits you in half! or this may be too crazy but what if you could find skinnier sashes the brown that you originally started with and two other lighter colors and then very neatly and diliberately braid them together to break up the line…? is that crazy? maybe it is…
i would def go with the ivory sash too but keep the brooch. if you don’t like the one it came with, maybe you could find a different one of the same color.
I also vote for an ivory ribbon. I think if you pair that with your broach you’ll still coordinate with your bridesmaids without being matchy-matchy. Also, I think your headband would work no matter the ribbon on your dress.
First, the higher the sash, the longer your legs will look. I agree with the posters who said go with a sash in a light color — maybe the lightest blue in your color scheme — or one matching your gown. That way you can still wear that beautiful brooch, and negate the stump effect.
I like the ivory sash it comes with.
The brown one does not look as good, in my opinion.
Love your dress choice!
And to me, the brown sash on your gown is distracting—especially since you will have an embelished necklace.
Best wishes!
I too think and off-white or champagne ribbon would work better… probably in an interesting texture like velvet
Hello dress twin! As someone pointed out in your first post about your gorgeous dress, I wore the same dress on my wedding day! See http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/12/04/robyns-14000-real-wedding-budget/ (I can also provide more pics of the back of the dress if you’re interested). You have good taste!
I think an ivory sash to match the color of the gown will look lovely. I might also suggest that you at least try a thicker sash to see how it looks. I didn’t like the thin ribbon it came with and played around with sashes of different colors and widths before I settled on the pink. A thicker sash might help define your waist more (it did for me).
I actually have an ivory sash that perfectly matches the gown. I almost wore it instead of the pink. It’s long (plenty of length to play around with) and probably 6-7 inches wide. A very sweet woman from ebay handmade it for me. She did an excellent job. If you’re interested in it, it’s yours. I can ship it to you to try out. If you don’t like it, you can either return it or pass it on. I have no use for it.
Let me know! BTW–I love your color scheme, the BM dresses and your necklace. It’s such a fab dress; you can do so much with it!
Like ae, I was originally going to suggest the empire waist idea (yup, another shortie here), but seeing your reply about being breastilly-blessed, what about a “back-only” sash?
I have a dress that has this feature (but no pics alas). Basically, it works on the same principle as a tie-back shirt. You could have a wide chocolate brown ribbon attached at each side and then tied in a pretty bow or in Mrs CB’s obi-sash style (http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/01/31/what-to-dress-a-bunch-of-sexay-ladies/#comments) with your bunny brooch pinned on top.
And you could have the ties set a little above the natural waist for elongation without worrying about interfering with the ample Candy Cornmuffins in front. 
@design-phan:
You always crack me up! Spanx, on the other hand, make me want to die a little haha.
@bugaboo:
The bridesmaid dress is from Priscilla of Boston and it’s style PB104 for $200 buckaroos.
@CarolineG:
Thanks for the advice, I’ll definitely give it a shot! I want to avoid looking like a stump as much as possible
@Robyn:
Hi dress twin! You are the coolest dress twin EVAH.
@beanchar:
First of all, I love that you referred to my boobies as “ample Candy Cornmuffins.” Secondly, I heart your ideas Third, I owe you a very belated message response!! I’m gonna go get on that…
xoxo
You gals give the best advice, thank you x a million.
Miss Candy Corn, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: Senior Editor/Writer & Freelance Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Student
Engagement Date: September 1, 2004
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: May 6, 2008
Venue: Pennsylvania Museum of Archaelogy and Anthropology
About Me: I enjoy people watching (especially in New Jersey malls), obsessive collecting, drooling over contemporary art, browsing flea markets for vintage finds and eating an absurd amount of cheese. In my Philadelphia abode, I create mixed media artwork and one-of-a-kind home accessories in the company of my farmer-tanned fiancé, our Westiepoo (Betty White), our three rabbits (Cadbury, Willie Nelson and Applesauce) and our two frisky chinchillas (Ethel Funk and Maude).
I can’t see a bunch of the pictures, but I’m hoping once I comment I will be able to…seems like that usually works