help me pick a wedding dress

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:36 am

OK, for those of you who are newer (or geriatric and forgot), I'm getting married next year. Well, I went dress shopping yesterday. For 99% of you, you've probably never experienced the hell that is a bridal boutique. Let me give you the scene, in terms you'll understand:You're at a car dealership, and you must buy a car, but you know you're only going to drive the car for one day. That day is probably 6 to 14 months away. Then, you'll either put it away, and wish you had the opportunity to drive it again, hope your kids might want to drive it someday, or try to sell it for 1/4 the cost. Your sales person is so incredibly fake-happy that you've come in today, you could punch them in the face and get off the assault charges. Oh, and the place is jam packed with a bunch of other people, all there trying to do the same thing as you. Insane right? Welcome to the world of being a bride.As some background, I'm pretty sure I was a Vulcan in a past life. If it's not logical, don't waste my GD time. I'm pretty black and white, shoot from the hip, non-sugar-coated... you get the drift. I'm not dramatic or hopelessly romantic. Oh, and I don't wear a size 2, so I don't look like any of these anorexic models.Here's the three finalists (in no particular order): http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2801.htm only with ivory embroidery instead of black. Another way to look at this is take the sleeves from this dress and add it to http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2750.htm this one. http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2952.htm except that the one I tried on didn't have roses all the way around, just 5 or so on each shoulder. http://www.moncheribridals.com/c_detail.asp?style=22200 exactly as shown, gold on top and ivory on the bottom.My dear fiance doesn't want to know anything about the dress, so I can't ask him for help, and I am desperate for a male opinion (Salsa, silver, step up now...). Oh, and I don't want to alienate our minority population of women either, I'll take votes from everybody!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:40 am

I like the very first dress - with ivory embroidery of course. The sleeves are gorgeous.

Viberated · Post by **Viberated** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:49 am

My opinion:1st place is a not a hard choice: http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2952.htmSecond and third place are both close:2nd place = http://www.moncheribridals.com/c_detail ... e=222003rd place = http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2750.htmLast place was also easy = http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2801.htm

18stars · Post by **18stars** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:49 am

pmh013....first don't worry, all of the dresses are beautiful just like you'll be on your wedding day!......not to cop out though....I'd go with the first one as long as like you said the piping was in cream to match the dress color and not black.....only problem might be to find a veil that goes along nicely with this style unless you plan to forgo a headpiece....or go with a small crown of flowers or such....in fact a crown of small white flowers could look quite nice....please don't forget to post when you need advice on honeymoon evening attire as well....there are some beautiful things in the Frederick's Catalog....(just kidding)

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:53 am

ok, so here are my questions to you: (pmh)1. do you like to dance? if so then don't go for the second dress because you won't be able to move your arms up or down.2. do you want to buy the dress or are you opposed to renting? I rented my dress for 1/4 the cost of buying it and was rather happy i did. you only wear it one day, right? besides, now that i'm divorced, i'd have burned that in the fireplace too. 3. will it be indoors or outdoors? your train, even after putting it up, will still drag on the ground and people step on it. do you like the longer or shorter train? all in all, my fave is the top one, but the second link, not the first. but i like the sleeves on the third. i'm not a fan of the overly floral and fluffy 2nd dress, but that's just MHO. oh ya, congrats!!!! the stress just begins now!

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 12:24 pm

2801 is nice, would look better with the ivory embroidery. Looks sort of fairy tale princessyHard to tell about 22000. Maybe because it's a smaller picture, there's nothing that stands out, looks sort of generic from the photo.2952 is also nice, but I would worry about a strapless gown. Some weddings/receptions can be faily active. How much do you have to worry about a strapless gown falling down? That would be a memorable wedding event. You will have enough other things to worry about that day. This is the only one where the model is wearing a veil. Will you wear a veil with the other dresses too?Preparing for the wedding can be really stressful, so much to pull together. Don't lose track of what it is really all about, which is you and him, and all the rest of the planning, wedding and reception is really not important compared to the commitment you two are going to make to each other. No matter which dress you choose, when he looks at you in it, he will see the most beautiful girl in the world. So how much do these things cost anyway? Are they all about the same price?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:32 pm

Personally, I like the last one, only because I"m a man of simplicity. I don't like overly busy designs, and I feel all the prior ones are too busy.Just my thoughts.

dsegundo · Post by **dsegundo** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:01 pm

I like the last one too...it's simple yet elegant and that's all you really want right? the others are ok but too....over the top for a wedding.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:44 pm

The thing about strapless dresses is they can be very uncomfortable. I saw one girl constantly tugging at the top of hers because she was worried something would "pop" out. Also I find you need to be very... perky (if you know what I mean), for it to really look good. So it will depend on your body type to make a strapless really look good. If you like them all equally, you should choose whichever one you will be more comfortable and will help you have as worry-free day as possible.

Reynoma · Post by **Reynoma** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:33 pm

My vote:quote: http://www.sinceritybridal.com/2003/2952.htm except that the one I tried on didn't have roses all the way around, just 5 or so on each shoulder.

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:41 pm

OK, I thought I posted this once, but it ate my post!Thanks for all your suggestions thus far! There was so much to say I actually typed this up in Word so I got everything before I tried to post! Iâ€™ll just clear up a few pointsâ€¦All these dresses are what is called â€œtip of the shoulderâ€ so it is my shoulders that the dress hangs off of. Although the one dress is shown on the model off the shoulder, I would wear it on the shoulder. Luckily for me, Iâ€™m rather broad-shouldered. I also have this irrational paranoia about showing the fat that creases at your armpits, which all 3 of these dresses covers up. That fat is gross, and no one ought to be subjected to its disgustingness.My fiance is not much of a dancer, and I am guessing that other than a few obligatory dances with those who drag me out there, I wonâ€™t spend the entire evening on the dance floor. Somebody said Iâ€™m actually supposed to talk to my guests ((removed)?) There is nowhere to rent a dress around here. I looked at the consignment shop, hoping to save some cash, but I really didnâ€™t find anything there that was as nice as these three.Everything is indoors, although Iâ€™m sure weâ€™ll have some outdoors pictures. Oh, that reminds me, I should show what the ceremony venue looks like â€¦ itâ€™s awesome! The dress with the roses (Sincerity 2952) has a removable train, so all that extra fabric just goes awayâ€¦ no train to muss with (and no bustle to make my (removed) look as wide as Canada). FYI a bustle is taking all the fabric that makes up the train of the dress, and bunching it up right at your (removed). Think Victorian. I donâ€™t know who thought this was ever attractive; they need to be kicked in the bustle!In all of the links, there are different views, so you just need to do some navigation. Especially on the Mon Cheri dress, you can get a â€œmore close upâ€ view.I will most likely wear a veil. I think itâ€™s the part that makes you feel â€œbrideyâ€ because I really didnâ€™t feel that bridey when I was at the stores.And for joatmon, who was asking about pricesâ€¦ reasonable, unbelievably. I was expecting sticker shock, but was surprised that I had to really look for a dress that was more than $800 CDN, plus tax & alterations. This is in Saskatchewan, though, not Toronto, where the average bride is spending $1200, plus tax & alterations!The bridesmaids are wearing a royal/sapphire blue. Think of the new Dodge trucks. Iâ€™m not all that concerned about them. The guys will wear black tuxes (Iâ€™m told), and their vests & ties will be blue. There are three attendants on each side, by the way.Keep your thoughts coming!

russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:16 am

i like number 2

Charlievibe · Post by **Charlievibe** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:24 am

quote:Personally, I like the last one, only because I"m a man of simplicity. I don't like overly busy designs, and I feel all the prior ones are too busy.Just my thoughts.First, congrats on the upcoming marriage.Second, I am with raging, I like the third one. Some people have said it looks plain...if you go to the bottom of the window, you can open other views of the dress. It has a beautiful train and buttons down the back. I think it is pretty.

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 1:45 am

quote:what you want your husband to see is your beauty, you don't want the dress to take #1 spot, or to draw all the attention...That's what I'm looking for. I think I'll go try them all on again. I really wish I could take him with me...

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:02 am

Salsa! is right!!!Besides that you should dazzle him in that dress ( #2 ) let him see it for the first time!!!I got to see my wifes' dress only when she came down the aisle....she looked great! And of course still does Congrats to you and your hubby!!!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:22 am

i dunno, i'm not much for the whole fancy wedding thing. i don't understand shelling out all the bucks when you are just as married if you go to a courthouse (which i wouldn't do). i would prefer one hell of a honeymoon or money to get started on the drunken empire to a whole sh*tload of cash blown on ceremony that will never be as perfect as it was planned to be. go with simplicity, hell, if for no better reason, it's harder to get puke from the reception on a dress that is less fluffy!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:36 am

yeah really. "oooh, honey, but me that ring that costs more than the car we'll drive home in!"

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:55 am

money = stress. nice dress = oh crap, i can't get anything on this dress!

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:07 am

Don't worry, Salsa, he won't see the dress before hand. I even tried to get his opinion on similar dresses, and he wasn't any help. "I like them all." GRRR.I have a budget, and I'm going to do my best to stick to it. All three of these dresses are under-budget (yay!).

slbpsi63 · Post by **slbpsi63** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:36 am

quote: I really wish I could take him with me...No the best part of my wedding day was seeing my bride walk down the isle for the first time. It made me shed a few tears and put a lump in my throat. Keep it special don't let him see it before hand. The third dresss look beautiful. He will definately choke up if you wore that one. Congrats and Best wishes.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:32 am

I'm glad I don't have to decide. The girl in 2952 looks like she got left at the altar, probably because she's the most anorexic.It looks like the groom in 2801 is getting naked with the girl in 2750, so I don't think you want that kind of stuff going on at your wedding. The girl in 22000 is the only one who actually looks happy.Since all the dresses look great, and having no other basis for the decision, I say go with the 22000 and be happy!

slbpsi63 · Post by **slbpsi63** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:59 am

quote:Her best friend told her: "buy something more expensive, it's your wedding day!" Now that's what I call acting stupid!!! (removed). You got off good Salsa! My gf's promise ring was about $700 from Jareds and that was 2 years ago. Engagement ring will cost about $5-7 grand. Typical Wedding for my gf's background will cost about $30-40,000 American. That does not include the wedding dress/rings/honeymoon. That is for the church and reception. No kidding.My gf's friend got married 2 years ago, 900 showed up. Thet bride and groom recieved over a lot of money.I am so scared. That is one big wedding and expensive one. Holly ISH!!! 900 people at a wedding. I spent @$17,000 including honeymoon dress and rings!!!! I know I got of on the low end but 40G's just on the wedding and receptions scares me and I'm not the groom. If you want some advice on how to keep the cost down drop me an e-mail I'll give you some hints

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:38 am

silver, here's a hint ... don't send out 900 invites. That's insane. Especially out east, where the # of reception halls is less than the # that there ought to be, so they charge insane rates. Or, elope, and have the big party afterward (which probably won't work b/c great aunt (insert name here) just must attend the ceremony), right?Holy, I'm glad I'm not in that situation. If my parents were expecting that kind of shin-dig from me, I'd be expecting them to foot the bill.

russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 9:28 am

speaking on simplicty of rings i know a guy who is a construction worker and he got his ring at walmart for like a 100 that way he can wear it all the time but if it gets scratched up while he's doing stuff no biggie he gets a new one

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 10:27 pm

OK, I went shopping again on the weekend, and we now have a new favourite... http://www.alexhansonbridal.co...7.htm Survey says?

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:03 am

not bad! simple, yet elegant. how much???

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 4:35 am

Not quite sure on the price... less than $650 CDN (which is less than $500 US).

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 4:45 am

that makes it even better!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:43 am

i give it ! looks great! very simple yet elegant and beautiful!

Reynoma · Post by **Reynoma** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:47 am

I agree with the others. Very nice. Simple (not too flashy) - which is just what you want on THE BIG DAY.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:11 pm

so, what's the word? any final decisions yet?

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 2:00 am

I ordered my dress yesterday. It'll arrive by the end of February (then I still have to wait 6 months to wear the darn thing!) http://www.alexhansonbridal.co...7.htm

pmh013 · Post by **pmh013** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:32 am

AtWork, I'm laughing at your misery (sorry!) ... all the things you've described, I knew from the get-go that it wasn't for me. If I didn't live in Butthole, SK, I'd rent a dress. I'm not the emotional, sentimental type, and even though this dress is awesome, it too will probably live in the crawl space below our living room.Three grand? That is the difference between here & TO. I didn't even see a dress worth over $1000. They just don't stock 'em out here. Don't even ask a bridal store consultant what "couture" means, they'll tell ya, "expensive & not in stock."This dress is actually about $150 below my budget, which will just might come in handy for the honeymoon (which is not in the budget, but who cares?)!OK, enough ramblings for now... I'm just so excited that I found the thing, and that it is on it's way!!!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 12:18 pm

i rented my dress for $200. sure as hell glad i did.

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 2:05 pm

Oh well the joys of being a guy.....I rented my tux for 100$CAN

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