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Miss Poodle, Santiago, Chile/San Bernardino, CA Age and Occupation: 27, Industrial & Web Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Firefighter & Mountain Patrol Engagement Date: February 25, 2009 Wedding Date: January 2010 Venue: Mr. P's Grandparents’ Ranch About Me: I’m a Chilean girl who's crazy about nature and swimming. I enjoy carving, drawing, reading and sewing; I drool over computers, fabric, pretty paper, purple and patterns. To me, chocolate should be one of the seven wonders, right next to lemon pie. I never thought an exchange work experience program was going to change my life forever, but while working in California, I met Mr. Poodle, and ever since my days are better and brighter. We are two goofy souls that, after finding each other, couldn’t help but want to be together forever. It has being a long and sometimes hard road, since we have to deal with such a long distance between us, but we are now facing the last stage of our Fiancé Visa, and soon we will be together. You know the best part? We will be married! So I’ll be blogging from Chile until just a few months before our “green and purple” wedding.
About Miss Poodle

A Dress to Make It Legal

September 1st, 2009 @ 4:40 pm by Miss Poodle

A few months ago, Mr. Poodle an I decided we were going to marry “on paper” months before we say “I do” next January at his grandparents’ ranch.

Even though neither of us wanted to be legally married before our wedding celebration, we had to go this route after finding out that I wont be able to work until 3 to 4 months after we file for my AOS (Adjustment of Status - that’s the step that follows the legal marriage). It takes that long to get a Green Card (job permit) in the mail.

So basically, we had two options:

  • I could move there and work on the wedding planning for about two months, forget the idea of trying to get a job, and we would get married in January and apply for AOS after that. This would give me an extra 3 to 4 months to sit on my butt and try to find something to do after the wedding.
  • OR, I could move to California and we could just sign the papers to “make it legal”, and apply for the AOS as soon as possible. I could use the time waiting for the AOS to process to craft and go crazy over our wedding related tasks! This way, the timing would work out almost perfectly, giving me just a couple of weeks after the wedding to start the search for a job.


We decided the last option was the way we wanted to go and also decided that the “legal date” will not be important to us. We’ll celebrate our anniversary on our wedding ceremony date, not the “legal date”.  Actually, none of our friends know about this (only our families - and now YOU! :P). Plus, I don’t want to be address as a MRS. after that day, because we are not giving that date the symbolism of the “BIG STEP” we will be making. We will call each other husband and wife only after our January event.

So, it’s not a big deal, and I bet Mr. Poodle will wear short pants and a shirt that day. BUT, I’m a girl!!! I can’t help it! I need a cute DRESS!

I know I’ll have some other occasions to wear cute dresses to, like a shower (If I happen to have one) or the rehearsal. But I know we will end up taking at least one picture that day, and I don’t want to be in shorts and a shirt.

I still have a lot of work to do in the sewing department (finishing the top of my dress, table runners, and 3 BM dresses), but I’ll have nothing else to do once I move, since I’ll lose my actual job. (Yay! Oh no, I mean… boo. :P) So, another dress project would be great!

So, here are my inspiration dresses!! I though it would be nice to have a “bridal-looking” dress, with soft colors, a wavy look, and cute flower accessories.

- Rose and Ruby Inspiration

roseand

Maybe I can add little hint of color like the ones on the right?

roseand01

{ Dresses From Rose and Ruby - via Beauty and Lace }

Then I headed over to one of my favorite places where I like to web window shop—Anthropologie! I found these two cute little dresses that I really liked. They’re not totally bridal, but I could easily wear any of these  again!

- Anthropologie Inspiration

anthrop

{ Clustered Petals Dress by Anthropologie }

anthrop01

{ Behind-the-Clouds Dress by Anthropologie }

Then, I stumbled upon Sika Designs. I’ve had these dresses saved on my computer and needed an excuse to make something similar ever since I started the search my wedding dress. I was so blown away by these  cuties!

- Sika Designs Inspiration

vestido02

vestido03

{ Dresses from Sika Designs - Fusion Collection }

vestido04

{ Dresses from Sika Designs - Wonderland and Spellbound Collection}

I have so much inspiration in my head that I need some help choosing an option, because I like everything, and I can’t make 3 dresses!

As far as we know, we’ll be signing the legal papers soon after I move to California. So weather will not be a huge factor, and I could pretty much wear any of the above dresses.

Please help me choose my dress inspiration!


View Results

Which of the dresses do you think I could continue to wear on a daily basis?

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39 Responses to “A Dress to Make It Legal”

1.
Member Icon
Member
KtobeC (message)  65 posts, Worker bee

I LOVE the Sika inspiration, but the middle dress on the top row in the rose and ruby selection is beautiful too!

 
2.
Jessie516
Hostess
Jessie516 (message)  4,030 posts, Honey bee

I love all the groups, but I think the Rose and Ruby ones are my favorite. I love how romantic they are.

 
3.
Guest Icon
Guest
Jenn R

My “husband” and I did the same thing - got “married” six months before our “real” wedding so we could go ahead and file his green card paperwork. (We also said it was just a legal formality, but we actually feel really married now. It’s hard to be sort-of married and sort-of not. It’s kind of like being sort-of pregnant.)

I wore a simple white cotton dress from Anthropologie to our City Hall wedding but I think you should wear whatever strikes your fancy - this is your chance to go crazy before the more traditional wedding!

 
4.
bluebutterfly
Member
bluebutterfly (message)  616 posts, Busy bee

I really like the rose and ruby ones and agree that they are very romantic and have such a great feminine feel to them…it’s always fun to bring out the girly girly in us all.

 
5.
thefuturemrsjewell
Member
thefuturemrsjewell (message)  1,534 posts, Bumble bee

Wow, those are all adorable. i love the anthropologie dresses but the rose & ruby just look like they would be perfect for ‘making it legal.’ we’re considering doing this too, since there is a chance we’ll be getting married in the UK, but the fi is totally against it happening since his parents wouldn’t be able to be there.

 
6.
mcnetn3
Member
mcnetn3 (message)  130 posts, Blushing bee

Second from the left on the top row– love the bow and the lace– but you should do whatever is most ‘you’!

 
7.
Member Icon
Member
backyardwed (message)  62 posts, Worker bee

these are all so beautiful and so different… i can’t decide! i think you’ll look lovely in any of them though!

 
8.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Frozen Yogurt (message)  884 posts, Busy bee

Poodle, all of these are amazing, but I think for this important day something romantic would fit best. So I pick Rose and Ruby. And you could definitely wear one of those again.

 
9.
misscalico
Member
misscalico (message)  116 posts, Blushing bee

I agree with Miss Fro Yo - I like all the dresses (for very different reasons!) but think that for your particular occasion, something romantic and flowy is the way to go! Good luck!

 
10.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  4,097 posts, Honey bee

ooooh I love love love the sika designs. The gray one with the bow and yellow belt is awesome! Totally rewearable.

 
11.
Mrs. DG
Hostess
Mrs. DG (message)  4,229 posts, Honey bee

Can you combine elements of Anthropologie and Rose and Ruby? I like all of the dresses you’ve shown, but sika is a little more structured and formal feeling to me… so I lean towards the others :)

 
12.
Gator
Member
Gator (message)  493 posts, Helper bee

I LOVE the clustered petal dress from Anthropologie! I also admire your ability to sew so many dresses! I could barely make my barbie a purse as a kid.

 
13.
Member Icon
Member
skibobrown (message)  268 posts, Helper bee

My Mr. and I also did the same thing. We got legally married a month ago, and our wedding isn’t until next summer. (We did it b/c we just moved to California for my new job, and the Mr. needs to go on my health care plan while he searches for a job for himself.) I agree about trying to play down the official date so that your actual wedding date is more meaningful. Still, a cute dress is a must! I wore a short white strapless dress from J Crew that I already owned.

 
14.
evelinej
Member
evelinej (message)  364 posts, Helper bee

Rose and Ruby are soooo romantic but Sika designs are super sexy!

 
15.
Member Icon
Member
daniela.borrego (message)  229 posts, Helper bee

I love the ones from rose and ruby, but since you are having other wedding related dress, I thought it could be fun to mix it up, so option 3.

 
16.
Mrs. Penguin
Bee
Mrs. Penguin (message)  2,148 posts, Buzzing bee

I like the Anthro clustered petals! I agree you should look a bit bridaly… even if it isn’t the big day!

 
17.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Meatball (message)  613 posts, Busy bee

You are freaking killing me with those SIKA dresses, yo! Now I am totally obsessed….
Great choices, all - you are a fashionista (as a poodle should be!)

 
18.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Dew Drop (message)  250 posts, Helper bee

The Anthropologie clustered petals dress looks most bridal to me–so I think something like that would be perfect! :)

 
19.
Irishker03
Member
Irishker03 (message)  542 posts, Busy bee

Poodle! I love the light colored Anthropologie dress! It’s so pretty but yet casual and perfect!

 
20.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Moonbeam (message)  1,328 posts, Bumble bee

Those sika dresses are fabulous.

 
21.
stine_white
Member
stine_white (message)  76 posts, Worker bee

I love the Anthropologie dresses. Especially the first one. So cute!

My FI and I did the same thing. He’s Colombian and we wanted to get the green card process started. We actually have our interview next week. Wish us luck!

 
22.
The Future Mrs. Q
Member
The Future Mrs. Q (message)  137 posts, Blushing bee

I love the Retro look…Fab!

 
23.
His Barista
Member
His Barista (message)  1,840 posts, Buzzing bee

I can’t believe how many dresses you have going! I’m so jealous!

 
24.
ladybuglove
Member
ladybuglove (message)  707 posts, Busy bee

wow! you have amazing taste! love ALL of the dresses!!! and, bless you for having the talent to make any dress of your choice. okay, that probably didn’t help you in the choice department. i say, go for the Anthro clustered flowers. whatever you choose, it will be lovely.

 
25.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Espresso (message)  1,064 posts, Bumble bee

I know whatever you decide on is going to come out looking like the most awesome dress ever. Can’t wait to see your next project ;)

 
26.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Mouse (message)  3,332 posts, Sugar bee

I’m totally outvoted here, but I think you should go for the Sika designs type of dresses. So much fun!

 
27.
Member Icon
Member
slicey19 (message)  815 posts, Busy bee

I love the white(ish) Anthro dress. It look pretty bridal and you could totally wear it over and over in a lt. grey or lt. pink or even cream color. Maybe even switch out the roses for a different embellishment or belt for daily wear.
Do you make all of your own clothes? When am I going to see you on Project Runway?

 
28.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss D'orsay (message)  1,293 posts, Bumble bee

AR RAR RAR…We’re starting the AOS now. pain in the buuuuuuuutt. good luck! <3

 
29.
Member Icon
Member
blightygirl (message)  207 posts, Helper bee

I am not looking forward to doing the AOS with my FI. I voted for the Sika designs because they look super fun for a courthouse wedding! I plan to rock purple at mine!

 
30.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Taffy (message)  2,603 posts, Sugar bee

I love all of the dresses, Poodle! I am no help! ;)

 
31.
Catherine
Member
Catherine (message)  82 posts, Worker bee

The Sika dresses are gorgeous, but I love the first Anthro dress… To me it just screams bridal!

They are all nice though… Can’t you pick more than one??

 
32.
Member Icon
Member
Nita (message)  173 posts, Blushing bee

I’m loving both the Sika and the Rose and Ruby dresses, now I want one too! My guy and I are also doing the on-paper wedding first, not for green card purposes but because it’ll be easier for our destination wedding.

 
33.
Miss Poodle
Bee
Miss Poodle (message)  3,020 posts, Sugar bee

@slicey19: Ohhh I wish I could make it to that show someday hehe

@blightygirl,@Miss D’orsay,@stine_white: boooo! to AOS! and GOOD luck to you stine_white!! Let me know how it goes!

 
34.
Guest Icon
Guest
My Girls’ Dresses - Part 2: BM Sister » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog

[...] figure that since I’m asking for your advice on the dress I’ll wear to “make it legal“, I should start on the pending projects I have in the sewing department so I can physically [...]

 
35.
KatieBug3017
Member
KatieBug3017 (message)  1,434 posts, Bumble bee

LOVE the first Anthro dress with the flowers…bridal, yet still wearable after the fact!

 
36.
Guest Icon
Guest
Ashley

I love the Rose&Ruby dresses, but do you know where to find them in the states–I would love to find them!

Best,
Ashley

 
37.
Jenniphyr
Member
Jenniphyr (message)  1,397 posts, Bumble bee

I love love LOVE the Rose & Ruby dresses, especially the second and third ones in the first row! They’re just so beautiful…. =)

My fiance and I will probably end up doing something similar (getting married legally before our actual wedding), because we don’t want a religious ceremony, and all the people legally allowed to perform a ceremony are — erm — VERY expensive. Like, $500 minimum. Urgh. With a $5000 budget, that’s waayyyy too much for someone we don’t even know to officiate. So we’ll probably get hitched in city hall as close to our wedding date as we can, and celebrate our anniversary on our wedding day. =)

 
38.
Miss Poodle
Bee
Miss Poodle (message)  3,020 posts, Sugar bee

@Ashley: I know you can contact them via Email and the’ll send you their catalog and prices, I’ve never bought from them but I’m pretty sure they ship to the US! Good luck! :)

 
39.
Guest Icon
Guest
The Poodles Make It Legal: The Dress | Weddingbee

[...] time ago I asked you all for help to look for inspiration for my dress, but in the end I only made the dress for our e-pics. Things got really crazy with the move, so I [...]

 


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Miss Poodle Miss Poodle, Santiago, Chile/San Bernardino, CA Age and Occupation: 27, Industrial & Web Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Firefighter & Mountain Patrol Engagement Date: February 25, 2009 Wedding Date: January 2010 Venue: Mr. P's Grandparents’ Ranch About Me: I’m a Chilean girl who's crazy about nature and swimming. I enjoy carving, drawing, reading and sewing; I drool over computers, fabric, pretty paper, purple and patterns. To me, chocolate should be one of the seven wonders, right next to lemon pie. I never thought an exchange work experience program was going to change my life forever, but while working in California, I met Mr. Poodle, and ever since my days are better and brighter. We are two goofy souls that, after finding each other, couldn’t help but want to be together forever. It has being a long and sometimes hard road, since we have to deal with such a long distance between us, but we are now facing the last stage of our Fiancé Visa, and soon we will be together. You know the best part? We will be married! So I’ll be blogging from Chile until just a few months before our “green and purple” wedding.
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