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Mrs. Jaguar, Sydney Age and Occupation: 27, Primary School Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, IT Consultant Engagement Date: August 8, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2011 Venue: Curzon Hall About Me: I'm an Australian girl who is a self-proclaimed nerd, loves all things stationery and would be lost without books, music and the internet. Mr. Jaguar and I have been together for the past eight years and he finally popped the question last August. Hurrah! We currently live in Sydney, Australia with our adorable cat who thinks he's a person. We're a couple who likes to multi-task: we've been planning a wedding abroad, a permanent move from London to Sydney, and preparing to build our own home all at the same time. Travelling makes me giddy...as does Mr. Jaguar, of course!
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Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress

October 26th, 2010 @ 3:17 pm by Mrs. Jaguar

The other night I was up late, randomly thinking about wedding dresses. That statement probably doesn’t come as a surprise to most bees out there, I would think—especially all of you uber-organised ones! I’m a little behind on the planning timeline compared to most people, but hey, it’ll work itself out in the end.

You see, I’ve not really tackled the bridal-dress experience yet—apart from one fairly average experience that I’ll share with you soon. But what I have done in the meantime is spend goodness knows how many hours researching dresses on the Internet and in magazines, and trying to figure out what sort of dress will best suit my larger frame and make me feel comfortable on the wedding day. It’s not as easy as it sounds!

I’ve taken quiz after quiz about body shapes.

I’ve bookmarked dozens of dresses from designers all over the world.

I’ve debated which shade of white or ivory would suit me best.

It’s kind of overwhelming—especially when you’re just not a dress person!

Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress :  wedding sydney wedding dress Jaguar1

{Source}

I seem to keep coming back to just one particular favourite style—one which has a few recurring elements. The first is lace; I have a bit of an obsession with it. Of the dozens and dozens of pages that I’ve added to my favourites, I guarantee that 95% of them involve a lacy overlay or are made from pure lace fabric. I don’t like a huge train, so my ideal train would be fairly minimal—just a nice simple flare at the bottom of the skirt.

But possibly the biggest factor for me is the kind of neckline I’m looking for: I want a V-neck with wider straps. I have a fairly decent-sized chest, so want to use that area as a feature (perhaps to draw away from my less-than-ideal stomach?), and a V-neck will allow me to wear a more supportive bra. Strapless bras on my figure do not work well. They’re also uncomfortable. I’ve always preferred wider straps, so I’d like to incorporate that into my wedding dress.

So there you have it. I’m on the hunt for a lacy, V-neck wedding dress that will flatter my curves and not leave me looking like I’m draped in a tent. Sounds simple enough, but now I have to find it!

There are plenty of styles that match on the web, but the tricky part is hunting one down in Sydney, Australia—which might not be the easiest thing to do. From the stores I visited while I was back home and from my time spent scouring designs online, the majority of styles featured were strapless (which had straight or princess necklines) or halter-necks. When I mentioned the type I was looking for, I was told that they don’t carry it.

I have to look more once I’m back in Sydney, I know. But it worries me that the one style I’ve sort of decided WILL BE MINE is going to be difficult to find and/or very costly to get shipped over to me. I’m quite nervous about the hunt for the perfect dress, so I’m hoping that doing some research before I go back home permanently will make it that little bit easier. At present, I have one contender lined up—the question will be whether that sample will still be around to try on when I am back in Sydney…fingers crossed it will be! It’s hard enough finding the style that I’m seeking; it’s even harder finding stores that carry bigger sizes that will allow me to try them on.

Did you know what sort of dress you wanted? Did your dress match up to the style you expected to love?

Tags: sydney, wedding-dress |
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27 Responses to “Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress”

1 2 

1.
Member Icon
Member
NotYourTypicalBride (message)  1,294 posts, Bumble bee

Well, my best piece of advice is to keep an open mind and try on lots of different styles. Even the ones you think you will hate!

I did the same as you - researched dresses online for weeks, filtered through what I liked and didn’t like, made a list of specific features I was looking for. I postponed dress shopping until I couldn’t wait any longer because I was afraid it would not be a great experience for me.

I’m not small, either (street size 14/16), so I also thought a v-neck would be more flattering on me, and I was thinking flowy chiffon. I had my eye on this one:
http://www.edenbridals.com/1365-p-1488.html

In the end, I fell in love with this strapless, modified a-line in silk dupioni (in white, not champagne) - NOT what I expected at all!:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=vernice&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=15&style=S5083

Also, if Maggie Sottero dresses are available in your area, be sure to try some on. Her corsets ROCK, and I think her dresses look better on curvy women than they do on the skinny models!

 
2.
Miss Elephant
Bee
Miss Elephant (message)  6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

The dress I ended up loving was not the type of dress I thought I would want. It’s very interesting to see different styles on vs. what I thought would look good. Good Luck!

 
3.
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Guest
Julia

The dress I ended up ordering was totally different from the dress I though I wanted. I had this gorgeous fit and flare dress from Pronovias that I was obsessed with. It was very classy and sleek. Then I went to a store and tried it on and thought it was pretty but not great. The dress I ended up with is a Vera Wang ballgown with tons of layers and a big flower at the waist. The only thing is has in common with the dress that I originally dreamed about is the lack of straps. Just be open to other dresses.

 
4.
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Member
MissJay (message)  224 posts, Helper bee

My dress is almost exactly what you described! http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=3&product_id=601
Wider straps with v-neck, no train, with a fit & flare look so the skirt just flares a bit at the bottom. The only thing is it’s not real lace. It has a applique that makes it look like it is lace but it’s not. I saw it online & fell in love & HAD TO HAVE IT! And let me tell you - it’s better in person than on the website!

 
5.
bRooklynRocks
Member
bRooklynRocks (message)  3,767 posts, Honey bee

Good luck with your wedding dress shopping. I hope you don’t have the experience I had. Like you, I had sooooo many pictures of lace dresses. I didn’t even have one non-lace dress. But when I went to try on dresses, I found out that the satin, silk organza etc were the ones that flattered my body shape more. I was really really disappointed. I decided not to buy a dress yet (yeah, I have only 7 months left) because I just couldn’t give up my dream. The attendants at the 3 places I went to told me that most brides come in with one idea and leave with another…..yet :(

 
6.
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Member
TealChocolate (message)  214 posts, Helper bee

I’m with you on the rather large chest! I went into the store and said “no lace, no strapless” and went home with a deposit down on an a-line ball gown with crystal beaded straps. I thought and thought and after a month or two realized I( really didn’t want to wear it. Lo and behold, I fall in love with a gorgeous lace strapless dress (that I ended up purchasing)!

One thing that I was looking for was cap sleeves because, like you, I wanted to wear a bra. However, I tried on a few long-length bras from a good retailer and found that they sucked in my tummy a bit and were supportive enough up top that I could attach thin straps for security and still wear the cap sleeves.

I did see a gorgeous dress while I was looking though and your description made me think of it. It was a plus-sized wedding dress, and I don’t mean to imply that you’re plus-sized, I just happen to have had the picture saved for ideas for my own dress :) Here’s the link:

http://www.idealweddingdresses.com/cheap-lace-sexy-v-neck-with-shoulder-straps-in-empire-a-line-skirt-and-chapel-train-designs-2011-new-bridal-wedding-plus-size-dress-wd45-1870.html

Good luck!!!

 
7.
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Guest
Kassie

First, yes I knew what style i wanted. However I will tell you to try on some styles other than what you have in your head. Many many brides are surprised at what actually looks good on them; sometimes it isn’t what they expected. Also, I am a topy heavy bride about a 30E and you really don’t need to steer away from the strapless. I suggest getting fitted by a good boutique/salon. If you are a size (like me) that isn’t commonly held in stores, you can order a wide range of sizes from http://www.figleaves.com. They may even have free shipping since you are located closer to them than I am, but they may not. Doesn’t matter it’s still worth it. You can get a strapless (if you end up going that route) or another with straps if you don’t.

Just remember to have fun with it. Your dress is out there. And any girl of any size can look goregous :)

 
8.
missbiscuit
Member
missbiscuit (message)  1,050 posts, Bumble bee

What about something like what Mrs. Golden had made? You could maybe PM her about the designer she used to get hers custom done? Happy hunting!

 
9.
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Guest
thefutureKAC

Not sure if you’re looking for more suggestions (and I have no idea if Watters is available in Sydney)- but I had in mind just what you described and ended up going with Watters’ Harmony http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&style=5044B&submit.x=0&submit.y=0#. (not as open at the neck as it looks in the picture). Good luck!!

 
10.
Mrs. Locket
Bee
Mrs. Locket (message)  2,837 posts, Sugar bee

I def second checking out Maggie Sottero! I fell in love with a dress that fits that description I think it was the Lindel, but they didn’t have it when I went to try it on…they did have my dress instead though.

 
11.
Guest Icon
Guest
Carla @ I Run, You Run

These styles fit your bill:

Allure 8764
Allure 8770
Allure 8709
Allure 8634
Allure 8751 (in love with this one!)

Or you can do what I did: buy a corset dress (I got a Maggie Sottero one), and when appropriately closed, your boobs aren’t going anywhere (I’m a DD and can forgo the bra do to the corset back).

 
12.
Member
MsBunting (message)  229 posts, Helper bee

I think it’s also important to find a bridal salon where they know their stuff and can help you find a dress you like and fits your body type. I was overwhelmed like you, but I brought pictures told my consultant I wanted vintagey and classic and to fit my curves. Voila! Perfect dress.

 
13.
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Guest
Teresa M

Why is everyone only getting married in strapless wedding gowns? I don’t want one.

 
14.
Kemi82JP
Member
Kemi82JP (message)  749 posts, Busy bee

I agree with @NotYourTypicalBride you still should try on lots of different styles, not just the one you think you’ll love. more often than not the style that girls think they will love or will flatter them most turns out to be way wrong. so definitely keep an open mind at first, try on all kinds of silhouettes, and then narrow it down from there when you find the ones that seem to be working best. even strapless! you might have big boobs but if you get a dress (or undergarment) with fantastic support you’ll be rockin it! no matter what style dress you go with, i would definitely invest in one of those custom made corsets to wear underneath (unless of course you find a dress with built in support, but it’s something to keep in mind in case the one you love doesn’t have that). my friend has a similar body type to you and she’s gonna do that, it’s well worth it for the most important day of your life! good luck, i can’t wait to see what you find!

 
15.
Guest Icon
Guest
SeptBride

I am with you on this one! Two dresses I love (don’t mind the ‘plus size’ description; they come in any size):

http://www.weddingdressfantasy.com/Plus_Size_Wedding_Dress_p/pswd16.htm

http://www.weddingdressfantasy.com/Plus_Size_Wedding_Dress_p/pswd03.htm

 
16.
Guest Icon
Guest
aggee

I fell in love with one similar to your description & it’s an off-the-rack “special occasion dress.” Love it. :-)
The other day, I saw that Jasmine Couture lets you modify their dresses (e.g., change the neckline, add sleeves, etc.) Might be worth a look…. http://www.jasminebridal.com/

 
17.
Miss Cinnamon Bun
Bee
Miss Cinnamon Bun (message)  1,100 posts, Bumble bee

As you were describing your perfect dress, I kept thinking of this one:
http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=2541
Watters Escalante
The fabric of the straps/bodice is gorgeous! My wedding dress is from the same line, and has that embroidery at the waist. I remember thinking Escalante was gorgeous in the store, but a little overwhelming on someone with almost nothing in the chest area.

 
18.
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Member
katyd1024 (message)  136 posts, Blushing bee

i was convinced i would get either an a-line or at most a modified a-line, satin, with maybe some lace, sweetheart strapless. i ended up with an all-lace trumpet silhouette with straps! my one piece of advice: try things on you wouldn’t normally. i fell in love with the lace and tried the dress on just to see the lace and ended up realizing i could actually pull off a trumpet. best of luck!

 
19.
Guest Icon
Guest
Pastachica

I think both Mrs Taco and Mrs Labrador had that kind of dress - I agree, it’s totally stunning, especially if you’ve got a nice chest! I think it will look amazing on you.

I also have a feeling that Mrs Lab found the style she liked in a shop and then had it made for a much lower price. You could try that - it means you can go wild trying on various styles while in London, and get it delivered to Sydney from wherever in the world it’s made.

 
20.
geer2mrs
Member
geer2mrs (message)  87 posts, Worker bee

I found that once I started trying on dresses my idea of what I thought I wanted started to change. Those corset backs do wonders and I think it is very easy to get away with not wearing a bra. (My SIL is fairly well endowed but thanks to a corset back I believe she went bra-less on the day.) It is amazing what some ruching here or an a-line there will do to give you the most amazing looking figure. Definitely be open to trying different things on. Good luck with your search!

 
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Mrs. Jaguar
Mrs. Jaguar

Mrs. Jaguar, Sydney Age and Occupation: 27, Primary School Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, IT Consultant Engagement Date: August 8, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2011 Venue: Curzon Hall About Me: I'm an Australian girl who is a self-proclaimed nerd, loves all things stationery and would be lost without books, music and the internet. Mr. Jaguar and I have been together for the past eight years and he finally popped the question last August. Hurrah! We currently live in Sydney, Australia with our adorable cat who thinks he's a person. We're a couple who likes to multi-task: we've been planning a wedding abroad, a permanent move from London to Sydney, and preparing to build our own home all at the same time. Travelling makes me giddy...as does Mr. Jaguar, of course!

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