Finding the Frock: The Research

Finding the Frock: The Research

April 25th, 2011 @ 3:59 pm by Mrs. Pony
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Since our engagement will be about 18 months long, I knew I had plenty of time to shop for a dress. Unlike some other decisions we’ve made for the wedding, I wanted to take my sweet time with this selection.

Before stepping into a bridal shop, I spent countless hours on the internet researching dresses. The only real requirement for my hypothetical dress was that it have some sort of strap. Strapless dresses just aren’t my thing, so I eliminated them from the realm of possibility in the beginning of my search in order to keep my fickle self a little more focused.

Some of my early favorites included:

Jim Hjelm 8765 via Preowned Wedding Dresses

I still love this dress, but I think it is discontinued now. Sad.

Jim Hjelm 8863

I love Jim Hjelm designs.

Tara Keeley 2954

I loved the unique neckline on this one.

Pronovias Diamante via Moja Svadba

Pronovias’s Diamante is so classic.

Mikaella 1460 via J. Andrews Bridal & Formal

I loved the feminine details on this Mikaella.

Notice a trend? I learned I was drawn to V-necks with minimal embellishment and fitted bodices. I also learned I have pretty expensive taste, but that’s neither here nor there.

Even with a general idea of my preferences, I wanted some input from Mr. Pony (who is surprisingly opinionated about clothing). Although Mr. Pony doesn’t want to see my dress before our wedding day, I wanted to gauge what, if anything, he preferred for my wedding dress. I am not saying I wouldn’t consider buying a dress that didn’t fit his “criteria,” but his opinion would certainly factor into the decision, as it is important to me. And this gave me a great excuse if pushy family or friends tried to finagle me into a dress I hated. So, I had him look through one of my well-loved Martha Stewart Weddings magazines to show me his preferences.

Out of the hundreds of dresses in the magazine, Mr. Pony pointed to one picture and said, “I like that.”

Finding the Frock: The Research : wedding bloomington wedding dress Pobedit

Image via Priscilla of Boston (awesome MS Paint editing to highlight Mr. Pony’s choice by yours truly)

I, of course, had to figure out what he liked about his selection: the shape, the fabric, the appliqués, the top, the bottom, the side, the pleats, the way the model is holding her arm ever so delicately?

Mr. Pony’s response? “I like the lace stuff.” OK…it wasn’t exactly the detailed description I was hoping for, but it was a start. Luckily, I like lace, too, so I set my sights on more cyber shopping with visions of lace and V-necks dancing in my head…

Did you ask your partner what he/she wanted for your wedding-day attire?

Tags: bloomington, wedding-dress |

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19 Responses to “Finding the Frock: The Research”

Guest

ZairaMabel

When I saw your top picks, the first thing I thought was “umm wheres the lace?” I love lace, and since it seems to be so popular here I was wondering “what happened?” I was glad when your husband-to-be wanted that. Silly me, I know.
I wished I had thought of that idea of asking the hubby-to-be, but its a little too late for me now :/ since I already bought the dress. I love pronovias.

4/25/11 @ 4:19 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Snow Cone (message) 1,026 posts, Bumble bee

That dress was definitely in my inspiration binder. I love so many parts of it!!

4/25/11 @ 4:23 pm (reply)

Member

Misslizzy (message) 282 posts, Helper bee

OMG i’m totally drooling over your picks… I was headed in the off the shoulder direction as well and was hopelessly devoted to lace… the only thing I knew was that I DID NOT want a strapless dress… I ended up getting a strapless dress and couldn’t be happier! D’Oh!

4/25/11 @ 4:23 pm (reply)

Member

vaness13181 (message) 687 posts, Busy bee

Yes, I definitely wanted my FI’s opinion on dresses. I showed him photos of the dresses I liked and asked what he thought. Lucky for me, he chose my favorite. When I tried it on, it was perfect and definitely the dress for me. We aren’t superstitious or anything, but I did refrain from showing him pictures of me in the dress to retain that element of surprise on the wedding day!

4/25/11 @ 4:25 pm (reply)

Member

xtatic1 (message) 779 posts, Busy bee

I asked my fiance’s opinion too. I didn’t want to pick something he would hate but like you I wouldn’t not pick a certain style just because he prefers something else. I just wanted a general idea. And luckily he didn’t choose a style or even a material… all he said was he didn’t care for lots of bling.

4/25/11 @ 4:37 pm (reply)

Member

TribecaBride (message) 27 posts, Newbee

Haha. This post made me laugh because when I asked my fiance, he told me he liked “belts” separating the top and bottom, by which I assume he means some sort of sash.

4/25/11 @ 4:51 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Candy Apple (message) 1,465 posts, Bumble bee

Love these! Yeah, Mr. CA was no help in the dress department. Sigh. No help.

4/25/11 @ 5:14 pm (reply)

Member

Jess1483 (message) 67 posts, Worker bee

I asked my FI what he wanted…he said “i don’t know, I guess something white…”

Yep, not helpful…

4/25/11 @ 5:19 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Pain au Chocolat (message) 1,698 posts, Bumble bee

My guy said “no toga dresses” which meant X to goddess gowns.

4/25/11 @ 5:42 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,176 posts, Honey bee

@ZairaMabel: I like that he likes lace, makes that part easier for me!
@Miss Snow Cone: I have so many dresses (I could never afford) in my inspiration folders.
@Misslizzy: As long as you find something you love, that’s what’s important!
@vaness13181: That is LUCKY!! It wasn’t that simple for us, but that is awesome for you!
@xtatic1: I like that he gave you something to work with, but didn’t limit your choices completely!
@TribecaBride: That’s funny b/c Mr. P said he didn’t like stuff on the waist, I was like, wth, that’s so flattering on everyone, but whaever.
@Miss Candy Apple: No help? None? Lame Mr. CA, lame.
@Jess1483: Sounds about right.
@Miss Pain au Chocolat: Luckily you chose a beautiful non-goddess dress! I’m so envious of the texture of your dress!

4/25/11 @ 8:38 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Panther (message) 1,046 posts, Bumble bee

I love those first few V-necks! Those are amazing!
I can’t wait to see what you piiiiiicked!

4/25/11 @ 8:41 pm (reply)

12.

Member

rmrdwedding (message) 3 posts, Wannabee

We have the exact same taste in wedding dresses! I also realized I liked straps and lace. When I started looking for my dress I was open to all options but quickly realized lace was it for me. I finally decided on an Allure Bridals dress that encompasses everything I like. Back to your post…when I asked Rob if he liked lace his first response was “Sure…But I don’t know what lace is”. So I showed him some pictures and he said..”Oh yea like doilie’s, right?” Needless to say I was a little taken aback by his comparison of lace and doilie’s, but I chalked it up to yes he does like lace! He has since reassured me that he loves lace and can’t wait to see “The” dress. Good luck with finding your dress - it’s a great experience!

4/25/11 @ 9:07 pm (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Magic (message) 628 posts, Busy bee

I love Jim Hjelm too. I bought one, because I am a label whore. Can’t wait to see what you chose!

4/25/11 @ 10:58 pm (reply)

14.

Member

licelot13 (message) 94 posts, Worker bee

i asked him too, but he said you look beautiful in anything you were! so it’s up to me!

4/25/11 @ 11:13 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Miss Seal (message) 1,179 posts, Bumble bee

You’ve got great taste, Pony! I love all of your inspiration dresses Mr. S is also pretty opinionated in the clothing department but I didn’t even think to ask him about wedding gown preferences. I am not opposed to it, but it just never crossed my mind! Ah well

4/25/11 @ 11:15 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Miss Tartlet (message) 3,207 posts, Sugar bee

Ooooo–I love the silhouette of the circled dress, especially the v-back! I definitely asked Mr. T’s opinion on dresses when I was looking.

4/25/11 @ 11:58 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Sparkler (message) 423 posts, Helper bee

Looooove that Jim Hjelm with the low back! Gorgeous!!!

Sparks wanted nothing to do with the dress selection. He wants to be totally surprised

4/26/11 @ 11:03 am (reply)

18.

Member

napabridekelsey (message) 3,372 posts, Sugar bee

Ohh that second dress…the back?! Swoon!

FI had a few opinions about my dress, but he knew that we were doing something vintage, so he zipped his lips when he found out. He’d hate for me to feel inadequate. He’ll love it though

He did say that he dislikes ballgowns…he said they’re too ‘froofy’ for me. Good thing I don’t have a ballgown!