Weddingbee Blog

Mr. GP - this is your cue to head out.

Following closely on the heels of our semi-stressful appointment at David’s Bridal, and after a wonderfully restoring lunch, my three lovely compatriots and I trekked to another bridal salon. Of course this was one of those stores that doesn’t tell you the names of the designer, nor lets you take pictures, so I have no evidence of what went on there nor any style names to direct you towards. I swear I went, though.

We walked into the store and looked around in awe. There was no one else there! The saleswoman let me know that they only schedule two brides per time slot, and the other bride had not arrived yet, so we had the place to ourselves! It was muuuch better than the first experience. This time it was actually fun! I even twirled in the dresses!

After having each friend pick out a dress I was still perusing the racks when the saleswoman mentioned I should be sure to check out the dresses on display in the halls and the front window, as well. So I headed up to the front of the store, and - there, in the window, a beautiful dress! - I must have squealed, because the saleswoman high-tailed it up to the front to take it off the mannequin. She smelled a sale, I’m sure. By the end of the appointment, there were two dresses I loved (one especially) but I knew I couldn’t buy a dress yet because I really wanted my mom and sister to come shopping with me before I bought anything. So I made sure the dresses would most likely still be there in a few months (they would, they were both new designs), and sadly left them behind.

With my newfound love of lace dresses and the dress I was hooked on from our second appointment, I started looking at wedding dresses online and in magazines with a new eye. As someone who had never looked at or even thought about wedding dresses before, the only name I knew before getting engaged was Vera Wang, for some reason. I hadn’t even searched for inspiration before going dress shopping!

And then - and then! - I discovered Monique Lhuillier! - Jim Hjelm! - Anne Barge! - oh my, I was done for. Sadly, I just as quickly discovered most of these dresses were miles out of my price range, even if I bought one used. But I couldn’t help drooling over them all the same! So for a little eye candy, here are the dresses I have bookmarked and returned to over and over:

(Nadine, by Monique Lhuillier)

I love this dress so, so, so much. I seriously considered scrapping the whole budget and spending a ridiculous percentage on the dress, even selling my motorcycle just so I could have my dream dress. This dress is perfect. I cannot think of anything I do not love about this dress - it has all the things I ever wanted: beautiful all-over lace, a sweetheart neckline with a little interest, a sash at the waist. It was A-line, and ivory. But the front isn’t even half of the beauty… check out the back:

(the back of the Nadine, by Monique Lhuillier)

The perfect sash, and train length! Look at the scalloping at the top edge! The lace overlay longer than the satin underneath! Every time I look at these pictures I feel a little sad that this isn’t my wedding dress. If only I had a spare $6500 lying around. Or even $4400 for the used ones these photos came from at PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com.

Once I stopped crying in my milk about not being able to afford a Monique Lhuillier, I discovered Jim Hjelm! Now these prices were slightly more reasonable. Enough so, that if I found a great deal on a once-worn dress, it would only be reasonably above my budget instead of like a sledgehammer to my budget. I immediately fell in love with this dress:

(Jim Hjelm 8763)

Are you seeing a trend here? It has all-over lace, a sweetheart neckline, and a sash at the waist. This one isn’t quite as A-line as I thought I wanted, but I definitely love it all the same. I tried for months to find a used one I could buy but unfortunately I am taller than the standard height, and it’s pretty tough to find a used dress that is suited for a 6’1″ bride (I’m 5’11″ and will be wearing almost 2″ heels).

Another fantastic dress I love:

(Anne Barge 502, found at Project Wedding)

I love this neckline, not to mention the lace and sash, so this dress immediately made it into my favorites book.

Just as you were getting used to the lace idea from me, I’ll throw a wrench in things and put this dress out there:

(Designer: Amsale, dress: Tyler)

I found this dress at a fantastic price, in my size from a bride who was also 6’1″. Score! I was thisclose to buying this dress. I don’t even know why I love it so much; it’s completely different from everything else I was seriously considering, but something about this dress just seemed so beautiful.

And now for just pure joy at how pretty wedding dresses are, here are some of the other favorites I have come across (whether or not I would actually wear them).

(Priscilla of Boston, style 4216)

(Watters, style Genova)

(Paloma Blanca, style 3858)

There are so many pretty dresses out there that I’m having trouble narrowing it down!

Who are your favorite designers? Do you have a style that you just can’t seem to get away from (like me with lace+A-line+sash)? Were you able to buy the dress of your dreams, or did you have to find a way around it?