Wedding Blog
There are moments that I really regret the dress I chose for my ’maids to wear.
All of our attire (my dress included) was picked out before we headed down the vintage road. Sometimes I really wish I had held off on picking out our dresses. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but I certainly wish they were a little more vintage than they are.
As a reminder, here is my dress:
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Alfred Angelo’s 1136 in champagne. I love this dress. Not vintage, but whatever.
Here’s the gown my ’maids are wearing.
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Also an Alfred Angelo, style 6493, in celadon. Also not vintage… again, whatever.
I picked this dress for several reasons.
In retrospect, I would have let the girls pick their own gowns. But it probably would have been really difficult. None of my girls live anywhere near me, so we would have had to do all the conferencing via email and phone conversations. I think it was easiest this way.
I ended up ordering the same style dress for Mini Crab Cake. I had considered making her dress, as I really didn’t want her to be in a flower girl dress. But I threw that right out the window when I realized how much work it would be.
Does anyone else have any dress regret?
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Oh, Mini Crab Cake is going to be so cute (and probably feel so grown up!) in her mini BM dress!
You can still vintage-ify those dresses. Add a floral sash or a lace bolero! Or get different old brooches for them, to be placed either off to one side of the waist or right in the middle of the top of the dress. Or get long gloves! What jewelry are they wearing? Don’t regret things!! 
I regret not letting my ‘maids choose their own black dresses. They matching dresses looked great but I think it would have been better to let them pick their own so they felt the most comfortable and could choose a dress they would wear again. Oh well…
I have had dress regrest so much so that I purchased a new wedding dress (not entirely motivated by the regret, long story, but the regret had a big influence in the end!) and I have had some doubts regarding the maids’ dresses recently, moreso after I ordered my new dress. It is very easy to get caught up in the moment picking them and trying to get it done early and on time. Had I had the foresight I would have realized my vision would mature as I went along the wedding planning road. However, it is definitely too late to change anything for me but moreso I realize that I did (and still do) like the dresses. I just hope the “look” comes together nicely in the end. Don’t worry, you are definitely NOT alone, and in the end those are beautiful dresses that will look great on everyone and work together nicely!
I think they will all look beautiful together. I agree with Grey56, add some vintage details to pull it together with your theme.
I think the bm dresses with look great with yours and I agree, you can always dress it up a bit with acessories. It’s difficult trying to coordinate the wedding party…you want to select a dress that goes well with yours, fits everyone nicely, isn’t too expensive if budgets are an issue and make sure they are consistent with how formal your wedding will be. I am not in love with my bm dresses either, but my main two musts were that the material is satin and the price is reasonable, so in that sense I succeeded. Sure I would have loved one of those gorgeous Melissa Sweet dresses, but I couldn’t have asked my bm’s to pay that much. Also, 99% of bm appropriate dresses will not be wearable again, so you don’t have to feel bad about that.
I don’t think you should entirely give up hope. Vintage touches can definitely be added with accessories in your shoes & jewelry. And it makes a nice vintage meets modern touch to have some modern elements. The dresses are quite stunning individually and paired together they flatter eachother quite nicely. Ever considered perhaps requesting vintage-style hairdos? They’re quite popular right now and look really flattering on almost all women. Perhaps vintage clutches to accent the dresses could incorporate that element. I seriously think you’re worrying for nothing!!! I promised myself after buying my dress not to even bother considering others. Save yourself the mental anguish! It’s just one day & I am sure you will be relishing the emotions rather than second guessing your dress on your big day.
I’ve seen a couple BM dresses I’ve liked since I picked mine, but I love the dress they are wearing and I’m even more happy that I’m not still looking
I’m raising my hand high! Yup, HUGE regret…I also went down the vintage road after some decisions were already made. I think you’ll be able to pull it all together with hair and accessories, though.
I had dress regret… but really just second thoughts.
I ended up purchasing the same gown you have the AA1136. This was the dress I fell for, and I was considering a different one, a maggie.
But as soon as i tried on the maggie I realized the AA was meant for me.
I might change my mind a bit when my dress arrives. That’s why I did leave it until this year to get my dress, so now it will not arrive until June (wedding in August) so I won’t have much time to try it on and keep second guessing myself.
Make the dress yours by adding things like the other posters said!
Why don’t you just dress the maid dresses up with vintage accessories? Give them all a hairflower and a supercool vintage necklace/ring and or bracelet.
I agree with Grey56, add a vintage pin to all the dresses to add some vintage flair! You can even give them to your girls as BM gifts!
I agree, you can give the dresses a vintage feel with fun vintage accessories!
Love both your dress and your BM dresses!
I love your dress & the BM dresses…they are so elegant looking…and yes you could totally accessorize to give them a more vintage look.
I agree with the previous posters abot using vintage jewelry. The dresses would look really nice with vintage rhinestone brooches too.
i also picked an alfred angelo, in celadon!
but I had major regret about two weeks before the girls ordered. After doinga bunch more searching, I realized that I really didn’t mind the dresses I had picked out…just was feeling guilty about making my girls buy such “bridesmaid-ish” dresses that they couldnt’ wear again.
All the girls assured me they liked the dress and were ok with it (and they weren’t too expensive at $140) so i stuck with my original plan!
I think those dresses look fine and if they’re the right color and flattering, then you made a good choice. I love the idea of vintage jewelry as well! check out etsy…maybe you could purchase something unique for each girl!
(Also, I’m a huge thrift store wanderer….lots of vintage jewelry there!)
Argh! Tell me about it! I’m still tweaking my ‘maids dresses. Yours are really beautiful! The muted color is antique-y, and I think if your ladies wear their hair in soft, wavy updo’s with chandelier earrings, they would read as vintage!
I have minor dress regret about my bridesmaid dresses as well. My girls are going to look great, but seeing all of the pretty dresses that have come out for spring, I’m bummed that I freaked out and made a final decision so far in advance. Looking back, I could have waited to decide closer to the wedding, and still left enough time for everyone to get their dresses, do alterations, etc. But, such is life!
I love both the dresses. I am sure you and your ladies are going to look absolutely fab on the big day!!
Try looking around for vintagey lace boleros? They would look great with that color & give you the vintagey softness that you want, yet still mirroring your dress style.
They are going to look great!
I regret buying my dress.. not because I don’t love it (because I do so so so much but it’s so $ I wish I found a trunk show or somehow was able to find it preowned…) … it’s similar to yours - i think its gorgeous!
as for my ‘maids.. ahhh we’re still in the process of looking!
I think it’s a lovely dress - very classic, and the color reminds me of my BM dresses (so I like it!)
I think it’s normal to have regrets though. However, you can’t go back and forth forever, so consider it a decision made, and something crossed off of your to-do list.
ALSO, many people I know that have been bridesmaids have commented that they wish the bride had just chosen something for them, instead of making them find something on their own. Your girls might appreciate that you took the initiative and found something both pretty and inexpensive
I agree, you can add simple details to the whole attire to make it more vintage-like.
For example, your hair, hair pins, jewellery, make-up.
But I am sure your day will be absolutely beautiful regardless!
I am totally regretting my BM dress choice. I know that they will all still look amazing, but I found this patterned dress the other day that would be absolutely perfect- the 2 colors in it are my wedding colors. I freaked out when I found out that J Crew was not coming out with any more dresses in the color I wanted though (kelly green), so I made my final decision way too early. I even considered buying the new dresses for them, but my FI said that I just have to let it go.
Your BM dresses are gorgeous and I agree that you can still give them a vintage feel with their accessories. I think that’s a really great idea.
I think your choices are great, but I know what you mean. I am worried I’m going to regret our BM dress choice, even though I am excited about it. Can you add some vintage touches with accessories and make-up?
I’m regretting my own wedding dress….. it’s gorgeous and i got it for a steal (it was preworn), but I have to wear flats to get it the proper length and am having trouble convincing my seamstress that being able to lift my arms above my head is an important trait in a dress.
other than that it’s gorgeous… those are pretty huge right now though.
May I ask where you got the bridesmaid dresses from? It’s EXACTLY what i’m looking for for my wedding!
@HelloJina: It’s Alfred Angelo 6493 in Celadon.
Just to let you all know, you’ve inspired me to find brooches for my girls! Thank you!
No, don’t regret - they’re lovely! Honestly, the fact they’re long like that IS sorta vintage. And it’s amazing what impact some vintage-y accessories can make. I think you made a great choice.
I had dress regret…so I bought another one!
I let my MOH choose her own dress, I didn’t want her to hate what she was wearing! I can’t wait to see it on her!!
Like you, I chose my dress (the first one) before I had a feel for the wedding…but I couldn’t stand to wear it when I know it wouldn’t have fit, so I bought the one I TRULY love, and I’m so glad I did!!
We are bridal dress twins - AA1136 rocks!
And I LOVE the maid dresses that you picked out. They compliment your own dress perfectly and I think that everyone else is right and you will be able to add brooches, wraps, hairdos or clutches all in a more vintage theme to tie it all in together!
Good luck and we’ll wait not so patiently for the outcome!
I definitely think that although I wouldn’t classify either of those dresses as vintage, I really think that if all else has that feel, it will blend right in. By no means would I say they are modern, they are timeless and classy, and therefore in my mind have the look of something vintage simply because of that. I actually had my 6 bridesmaids pick any short, black dress…and to tell you the truth, I’ve heard SO many people basically gasp at that! I can’t wait till they walk down the aisle…I wish I could see people’s faces! I love your choices and I think they will be perfect. If there is anything I’ve learned, it’s that even though you might question a decision, it’s always best to go with your gut and your initial choice.
If you’re looking to add a classic / vintage look, try adding the timeless pearl necklace. I believe that’s all you’ll need. Best wishes on your up and coming wedding.
I think it’s common to have regret. I did… but honestly, it doesn’t matter what you wear. I drooled over the most expensive designer gowns and was so sad that I couldn’t have one. I settled and worried all the way up to my wedding day. Everyone said I looked beautiful. I felt beautiful and I had a great wedding. You will too.
I have a huge regret about my wedding dress…. I loved it online and tried it on on the store and there were certain things I didn’t like about it, and my gut was saying it wasn’t the dress, but everyone - including my mother- assured me they could alter the dress into the way i wanted it and it would look great. They talked me into my wedding dress and I gave in…. I settled….weird to say, but it may be the biggest regret of my life. I did not like my dress and never had the heart to say anything since my mom paid for it…. but I did not feel like a beautiful bride on my wedding day, and a month later it still tears me up inside and I lose sleep over it, thinking of what I should’ve done different…..
I see I’m not the only one this has happened to, but my advice is, do not worry about hurting people’s feelings for your wedding day, and follow your gut
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Mrs. Crab Cake, Columbus, GA
Age and Occupation: 25, Registered Nurse
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Director of Education and Living History for a museum
Engagement Date: April 6, 2008
Wedding Date: June, 2009
Blogging Since: November 26, 2008
Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church, reception: National Infantry Museum
About Me: I'm a perfectionist trying to balance two jobs, motherhood, my craft obsession, and wedding planning. I am obsessed with all things wedding, especially creative ideas for saving money and DIY projects. A Southern Belle at heart, I love anything southern, especially sweet tea, grits, afternoon thunder storms, crab cakes, and good old Southern hospitality. Mr. Crab Cake and I are planning a vintage inspired wedding with tons of Southern flare (can y'all say that with a thick Southern drawl?).
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