Wedding Blog
If you are still following along the DWess saga after that last lengthy, photo-less (but nonetheless riveting 
) installment recounting my shopping adventures, congratulations! Your perseverance will be rewarded, I promise.
I still find it hard to believe that I found two honest-to-blog contenders for THE dress on my second try. Well, first real try, really. I’m in shock, actually, because I’ve been told I can be a very picky person (I prefer to think of it as ‘knowing what I want’, of course). But also because the two contenders were both quite different from each other.
And here is where, if your name is Mr Sea Breeze, and if you know what’s good for you, you will STEP AW-A-A-A-Y from the computer. No peeking allowed!!
If you will recall, I was torn between these two dresses. It was terrible.
I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. And when called upon to make a decision, I flipped out. (I don’t know I don’t know I DON’T KNOW IF I WANT CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA CAN YOU PLEASE JUST PICK THE DAMN ICE CREAM BECAUSE I CAN’T DEAL WITH THIS!)
Just kidding. It wasn’t that bad. But it was bad enough for me to call in reinforcements.
In flew bridesmaid Miss P from Calgary to save the day, and my sanity.
We consulted the bottom of our martini glasses…
… and even asked Santa for advice…
… but until I finally put them on one more time, we would never know.
We went back to Bridal Row and into Sposa Wedding World. It pains me to tell you that I actually *did* take photos (sneakily… in the yellow lights of the fitting room while Miss P distracted the sales girl) but I accidentally deleted them. I know, I’m awful.
Here’s a picture from the Pronovias website:
Mmm… silk… swooshy… decadent… elegant. I could have stood there self-consciously adjusting the skirt so it would fall just so for hours. When I got it just right, it was picture-perfect. As I was doing just that, a group of girls actually came into the store to tell me they were walking by outside and saw me through the window, and had to come in and tell me they loved the dress. How do you argue with that?
Then it was on to see the second contender at Lisa’s Bridal. And just so we’re not comparing apples to oranges, here’s a model-y picture of that one too:
(Though this picture doesn’t do it justice—imagine it sans crinoline, i.e. without the skirt sticking out all awkward-like.)
And rather than stand there adjusting the skirt, I pranced and paraded and spinned around the room with a big loopy grin plastered all over my face. And all the ladies and girls in the room turned to look, and not just because I was being a big, huge dork either. They all loved it too and insisted it did indeed look fabulous.
Miss P just sat there looking at me.
“Well, it’s pretty obvious which one it should be,” she said.
“It is?” I asked, biting my lip. “How can you be so sure? They’re both so beautiful.”
“But in this one,” she said, pointing at me and my loopy grin, “you’re just so… YOU.”
I had found my dress.
And guess what? Turns out one photo that I sneaked in the fitting room that day survived my file purge:
And here it is on my first fitting last week:
What do you think? Love it or hate it?
How did you know that your dress was The One?
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Share this post: The DWess - And Then There Was One
Hey - the other dress is the same one Cherry Pie is wearing!
I LOVE the dress you chose - so totally perfect … but are you sure you need to add the straps and sash? I think the dress is gorgeous on it’s own … just my two pennies!
I love the dress! It looks GREAT! 
You are sooo cute! I think the dress looks great how it is!
yeah i definitely love it without the straps and sash.. beautiful!
About the sash and straps…
I wasn’t planning on doing the sash at all but took the photo just to show the hive.
And, well I was going to do a poll on the straps but hey, if you have feedback here, I’d love to hear it!
I love the dress on it’s own, you look gorgeous!
Um Love it!! Thats basically how I picked mine. I had it narrowed down to 3 dresses and I thought I didn’t know but my mom and sister kept telling me that deep down I must have known since I smiled differently in THE ONE. So I got it and was so happy I did.
I LOVE it! You look so happy! The last photo is so sassy — I’ve recently developed a huge affinity for a black ribbon on a wedding dress (it won’t work on my own dress but I love it in pictures).
P.S., I love your bangs, too. It looks like I have very similar hair to yours, just a few inches shorter. I’m curious if you know yet how you’ll be styling it on your wedding day… I hope there will be a future blog entry!
Oh and I like the sash but am so so about the straps. But then again I am a strapless girl so you should do whatever makes you comfortable.
Lovely, I was wondering when we would see the dress. You sure got us waiting…
It’s gorgeous. Nice line, simple but with details that make it unique.
You definitely don’t need a sash because your dress has enough structure as it is. The sash is too much.
Personnaly I think you can skip the straps too, but that’s up to you. The dress goes high enough on the chest that it doesn’t seem to need anything.
I wanted a strap dress too, but in the end I bought a strapless and I love it and can’t wait for the wedding to wear it.
I think I was like you, when I had the one on, I played with it and walked around and all. I that if you are alive in your dress it’s a good sign.
So pretty! I like it with out the sash and straps. They look more distracting!
LOVE the dress. I myself tend to like the halter strap idea because every bride I’ve seen in strapless is constantly tugging and readjusting and it just doesn’t make for pretty photo ops. I think with the halter it’ll help guarantee your dress to stay put and not have to worry about it. I also love the sash cause it accentuates your already tiny waist. beautiful!
Gorgeous! I like it a little more without the straps but I love the sash..it shows off how tiny you are! I can’t tell if it’s black or chocolate brown-I love chocolate brown oh so much.
I love love love the sneaky picture in the change room!! So cute Lovely dress (though I’m sure the other looked just as fine on ya)! Call me crazy, but I really like the halter strap on the dress. You have a gorgeous back, and beautiful slender shoulders which the halter strap draws attention to (in a good way)!
@jgs: You bet your bangs there’ll be a post about hair option. 
@MissCamera: That was mainly the reason why I am tempted to do straps… I don’t have much to keep that dress up, ifyoucatchmydrift and I don’t want any wardrobe malfunctions. I also think it’s a bit different. We’ll see though…
@Heidz: The sash is brown. If I did do one, it would be purple to match my shoes.
I love the sash. I myself am a two sash bride as I have one for the ceremony that is the same color as my dress (dress in ivory taffeta, sash in ivory velvet) so it isn’t distracting from the moment, and another sash the exact same as the first but in chocolate brown velvet. Both looks work for me but I do like the sash on you.
In regards to the straps/halter, with the right alterations and undergarments the straps won’t be necessary and you won’t be tugging at it. I’m not a huge fan of the halter straps with that dress but maybe spaghetti straps? Just a thought.
Love the dress with the sash it adds a little umph is you know what i mean, but keep it strapless.
Maybe I’m the only one, but I actually really like the sash and the straps. I think the dress is lovely as is, but the add-ons make it just that much nicer.
oooh, pretty! I vote no sash- you have such a lovely long line and it cuts you visually in two (esp with the structure of your dress w/ the tiers). but anything you do will look fab, i’m sure!
I love it! The bustle is really nice.
I think I like it better strapless, too. The sash is a take-it-or-leave-it for me. It doesn’t detract from the dress, but it doesn’t really add much.
I love your dress and its looks terrific on you! I also have a sash that I thought maybe I would just wear for the reception and leave it out for the ceremony.
I totally don’t think you need the straps unless they would make you more comfortable. You have really nice shoulders and I think going strapless is much more delicate. Either way it is a beautiful dress, congratulations!
no straps or sash please…plain is just lovely!
It is GREAT! And much, much greater without the straps.
Fabulous choice! I can’t even imagine how much bigger and loopier your grin will be when you wear it on the actual day.
I love the dress you picked! The picture from the dress maker’s website definitely does NOT do it justice. You wear it so well! I love the layered look, too. I personally think the dress looks better without the straps, but I do think the sash adds something different to the look.
The dress I picked ended up being the very LAST one I tried on. I had even put a deposit down on another dress, but when I tried on “the” dress, my sister/MOH looked at me and we both just knew this dress was so much more “me” than the other one. More so than just matching my personality, the style of the dress fit the style of the wedding my now-husband and I wanted to have. So it was perfect!
love the dress, please don’t add the straps or sash! (especially a chocolate one)
beautiful!!! definitely very “You” because of how your attitude shines in it but i have to agree, no straps and no sash! well, at least no sash… the straps would still be pretty… but the sash breaks up the elegance of those layers!
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!
Gorgeous dress!
(I also love the first one … Diamante by Pronovias aka Miss Cherry Pie’s dress … I’ve loved that dress ever since I first saw it)
Halter and sash is my kind of style, but I agree that the sash isn’t really needed with your dress. If you did really want a sash, then I’d try more of a belt style (i.e. without the long dangly bit).
I like the halter … I just don’t feel comfortable in strapless, however it looks, so if you’re the same then don’t be convinced to go strapless.
I also like the way the halter draws the eye upwards … especially because the top cuts straight across. I think your shoulders look narrower with the halter.
p.s. have I mentioned how gorgeous you are? ‘Cause you are!
OMG I Love it! It looks stunning on you too!
P.S. I personally like the sash
That’s my dress! I didn’t wear the sash or add the halter, but otherwise, same dress! I have never seen it on another bride-yay! I got married in June and got so many compliments… you will too-you look gorgeous! Oh-I didn’t wear a crinoline either. I can send you pics if you’re ever interested! Congrats!
Lovely dress
I knew when I went back to try on the dress for the second time to show my two bridesmaids. I was so nervous and worried they wouldn’t like it as I knew I loved it. I didn’t have that feeling with any of the other 50! I’m going back again tomorrow to try it one last time, and put the deposit down hopefully. I felt like me in it, it’s just perfect.
Beautiful! It really looks fabulous on you just as it is. The straps and sash are too much. I wouldn’t do either one. They distract from how amazing you look in the dress… just as it is.
I think it is a GORGEOUS dress on you and its so exquisite on its on - the sash and the strap takes away from it.
I LOVE THIS!!!!
there aren’t that many dresses lately that i’ve loved, but this is one of them.
i LOVE the sash and halter and LOVE the fact that u are personalizing it to your taste! u’re dress should be “you”. and if thats with the sash and halter ribbon (which i LOVE btw) then rock it girl!
so often we share our ideas and when others dont agree it makes us feel uncertain…..i really hope that u stick to your guns here….i believe it gives the dress sooo much more personality. (and who wants to be a pulling and tugging bride in a strapless dress?)
YAY!
Beautiful!
I just went dress shopping this past week - I KNEW when it was the one for me when I had the same loopy grin. When my mom and I went to another place after we found The One, and tried on some others, I was a bit doubtful. My mom said that I didn’t have that ear-to-ear grin that I had with The One that I tried on.
So definitely: loopy grin plus feeling like jumping up and down like a 5 year old in the Barbie section of FAO Schwarz = The One.
Beautiful! Better sans sash and straps. It seems more elegant without them.
its gorgeous sea breeze! i am not a huge fan of the sash but i love the halter look! you have such petite shoulders so it looks great on you. but either way, you’ll look beautiful
this dress looks aMAzing on you :)!! i also am in the no sash/straps boat. i think it looks so elegant and lovely without the strap…but the strap does make it a little more fun. regardless, you’re a beautiful bride to be
From a fellow small-busted girl, trust me: if you have the dress fitted, the straps will not be necessary. It will stay put.
I vote no sash, either… it just disrupts the pretty tiered pattern of the dress.
Good choice!
I think it feels more free *think tropical breeze and DW* without the sash or strap. I also think that the pop of purple just from the shoes will be more surprising and sassy than with the sash. I could be swayed to get onboard the strap option though.
i would have chosen the first dress at first (which, i believe is miss cherry pie’s dress and i am in LOVE with it), but after seeing the pictures of you wearing your dress, i think you made the right decision.
you look amazing! and, im glad you can really be YOU in it. yaay.
I’m all about the straps! For 3 reasons,
1) You don’t want to look like you have no clothes on in close ups on your big day.
2) You don’t want to unleash the girls in a moment of excitement.
3) No tugging. I personally turned down gorgeous dresses for myself because I could see myself tugging on them.
I’m not sure about the sash….
I knew my dress was the one, when after hours of trying on gowns, all the ladies there were oooohing and awwwing before I even got it on. And when I looked in the mirror, I was speechless!!
Loves it. I did the Bridal Row thing to and though a few dresses looked pretty ok on at Bridal Gallery, I found the one at Lisa’s - had my final fitting there last night - just waiting for me to pick it up =)
I knew it was the one when I got all emotional when I asked my FI’s sister (one of my BM) “Do you think your brother would like this dress?” and it got me, her, my mom and my MOH all teary. And I felt so myself in it. I love my dress. And it looks like you love yours too. Beautiful on you.
Love the dress!! (Also, BIG fan of the straps. Just adds a little something great I can’t put my finger on.)
I was similar to you in my “the dress” decision. But my realization was a little delayed. I put on what is now my dress, my mom cried, my MOH said it was “me”, and I decided I loved it. But I had really liked some other dresses too so I went home to think it over. We got home, I realized it was dinner time - asked my mom where the time went and she looked at me and pointed out that I had bounced and danced around the store for 2.5 hours in my dress. Indeed other brides came in, tried on every dress in the store (except the one i was wearing) and I sat there and gave them my advice or opinion. 2 other girls came in and picked their dresses before I would even acquiesce my dress!
What a beautiful dress! And you look fantastic in it!
I had originally had a sash on my dress and during my last round of alterations, I decided to nix it because I felt like it was drawing attention to all the wrong places.
That photo of you in the fitting room is so adorable! Love the dress.
@Jess: Ha ha, I will definitely look loopy (with joy!) on the actual day.
@Lindsey: I know, isn’t that picture from the manufacturer just terrible??
@lou: Aw, I’m blushing.
@Cassidy: A dress twin!! There aren’t many of us - I’ve found only one other one on a bride forum. She wore a pink sash I believe. I am totally going to message you, I’d love to see pics!
@Christine: It’s true what they say, when you know, you just know.
@GetMarried4Less: Thanks for the words of support, every bride should get to hear exactly that: stick to your guns! I’m not really stuck to any guns at this point so I’m loving the feedback. Thanks everyone!
@melodicsighs: I think you’re right it’s Miss Cherry Pie’s and didn’t she make an awesome choice! I loved that dress, it was gorgeous. If I could wear two, that would be the other one.
@VanGal: That gave me goosebumps.
@mdarrah: Wow, 2.5 hrs! Sounds like a blast! I didn’t want to take mine off either.
I love it! BUT without the sash and the straps! It has such beautiful clean lines otherwise
It took me SEVEN bridal appointments to find my DWess. I knew it was the one because when then put my mom’s mantilla on my head, she started sobbing and I started sobbing and the people next to us started sobbing. Then we laughed and then we signed the check! I love your DWess. I was concerned about keeping mine up too but they alter it to your body so well that you shouldn’t worry about it falling, etc. Good Luck! You look gorgeous and so happy!!
LOVE IT! You look so gorgeous! I like the straps too
Beautiful dress! I adore the layering. And looks fabulous on. I kind of dig the halter, as well. It looks lovely without it but if you think you’ll be pulling at it all night, go with the halter, which is always flattering (you can even at a brooch to jazz it up a bit where the strap meets the bodice like Charlize Theron did years ago at the Oscars and it looked amazing)!
I’m not a fan of the sash because I think the dress makes such a great statement on its own. But, yeah, thumbs up to the halter which gives it a little old school glamour.
You are beautiful and will make such a gorgeous bride. I love your gown choice - so fun! My two cents on the sash/straps thing - no to neither. I am not really sure that a little halter strap is going to make a whole lot of difference in helping hold up the dress and I just don’t think it would look right with your dress. The sash really distracts from the construction and lines of the gown - too busy. I hope that didn’t sound too harsh. Whatever you decide will be the right choice!
I like the sash, however no to straps.
You’re going to be gorgeous!
Smashing!!! You’re right: both are gorgeous, but the one you chose is fun, flirty, and fabulous. Like Seabreeze!
With 60+ posts before me, I guess you’ve already received a lot (enough?) $0.02, but here’s mine anywho…I’m not really a fan of the sash or the halter. There’s something about the lines of the halter that make it look like an obvious add on (and no, it’s not because they’re hanging out of the dress). I totally catch your drift, as I too, don’t have much on top to keep my dress in place. Alterations and proper undergarments should wash away your worries about the dress falling down. After trying my dress on, I have no fear of it going anywhere!
GORGEOUS! This dress is pretty similar to the dress I made myself but mine faded to aqua at the bottom. I like the halter and the sash personally, and after wearing a strapless all night think I might have liked a little strappage myself. You’ll look wonderful either way.
You look STUNNING! Congrats on finding the perfect dress for you.
I say yes straps (I love that look) but no sash — I think it chops you in half too much . . . .
Love love love the dress.. straps would be fine if you feel that you need them - but I really think (as others have said) the sash will take away from the beautiful lines of the dress and ‘cut’ you in half.. this dress screams long, lean, flowing, beautiful! - why distract from that? - but ultimately it’s all about what you love!
I bought the exact same dress!!! I turned the white sash into a halter strap, but it is removable…I was worried that I’d be pulling the dress up all night, so just in case I will have a back up plan. I also had them pinch the middle to make more of a sweetheart neckline and I’m putting a sparkly brooch there. I am opting to leave the brown sash off of mine.
Who is the designer of this dress? I love it!
Wow, thank you all so much for the fantastic suggestions! It is certainly giving me something to think about.
@Jodi: No way, ANOTHER dress twin? Amazing! The halter strap I’m having made is also going to be removable just in case I change my mind; I think removable is a great idea.
@Cassidy: I can’t believe I didn’t mention this. It’s Allure Exclusive Bridal P740.
[...] The Dwess - And Then There Was One by Miss Sea Breeze [...]
Hey I tried on almost the exact same dress! I might have bought it if it didn’t have that sparkly embellishment on it: http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/07/07/first-things-first-a-dress-found/
I love the way your dress looks when it is bustled up.
@Miss Avocado: I know! And it looked beautiful on you. This one doesn’t have sparkles but other than that and the row of buttons that goes all the way down to the end of the train, it looks to be the same.
[...] that I have my dress, I’m seeing similar dresses [...]
Love it sans straps/sash. I saw someone try it on in person w/ the sash and felt so-so about it. BUT - again it’s what you feel comfortable w/ and it does look nice either way. This was such a fun dress to try on and the fabric is really nice, too. After my first fitting I saw someone w/ the sample on and had really bad second thoughts about my own dress
[...] to be as comfortable as possible. At the same time, I’d like a slightly dressier look since my own dress is so [...]
I bought the same dress, and now I am having second thoughts about it, so I am searching online for some pictures of the dress. Any chance those of you who have the same dress would post a picture or two. The main concern I have is that I always pictured my dress in off white/ ivory, and they only make it in diamond white…
@ Jodi–I just put a deposit down on this dress and I am hoping to have it modified to more of a sweetheart neckline too! Do you have any pics you would mind sharing to give me an idea of how it would look? I would be so so greatful!
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Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican Republic
Age in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications Manager
Fiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing Director
Engagement Date: October 6, 2007
Wedding Date: November, 2008
Blogging Since: July 17, 2008
Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta Cana
About Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
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