Wedding First dress shopping outing

[katamari]

I went dress shopping for the first time this weekend. I did have a hard time finding dresses that were what I was looking for. I want something for a casual beach quasi-elopement where our parents are the only guests (and will probably re-wear for a backyard bash to celebrate the elopement). Unfortunately, one of the places I went was a "no pictures" salon, so I don''t have a pic of me in the frontrunner. I am going to try to sneak back one weekend because I heard that it is easy to sneak pics when they are busier. I liked four dresses, and was looking for your thoughts.

First, the one I don''t have a pic of. I LOVED it! But, it is expensive and far more bridal than I thought I would want. The Claire Pettibone Larissa:

 

[katamari]

Then there was this Jenny Yoo BM dress. (I don't really have a cat face, but I didn't want FI stumbling across this). ETA: It was too big and pinned, so it would fit better if I really ordered it.

 

[katamari]

The back of the Jenny Yoo:

 

[katamari]

The first Simple Silhouettes. More "bridal"

 

[katamari]

Last one--the second Simple Silhouettes. I think I would probably get it full length. And, maybe in ivory. But, I loved this silver color!

 

[katamari]

I am still going to go shopping a few more times, but should any of these remain frontrunners? I want something fun and sassy (which makes the first dress so unexpected). Thanks for your input, in advance!

 

[PearlDahhhling]

I actually love the first one too! I think it looks like a great beachy wedding dress and it''s fun without being overly bridal and formal. I love it! The others seem a little plain to me if you want something "fun and sassy". I think you can definitely get something informal but fun and with a little bit of sass. But the first would definitely be my pick out of all of them!

 

[misspinky]

I love, love, love the first one.

 

[jstarfireb]

LOL @ the cat! I actually like them all EXCEPT the first! But what do you think of this as a cheaper alternative to the first?

 

[havernell]

I like the shape of the fourth one (the second simple silhouettes dress) the best on you. I think it''s because it defines your waist more than the other gowns. However, I''m not sure the material (what is it- silk dupioni?) would be ideal for a beach wedding...

Have you checked out J Crew''s casual bridal gowns? I have no idea what they have in stock presently, but they used to have a number of options. Good luck!

 

[sunnyd]

Love the first and the third! LOOOVE the first though. Maybe you could get a sash or flower to sass up the third one if it''s a more affordable option?

 

[Octavia]

Date: 11/23/2008 11:45:03 PM
Author: sunnyd
Love the first and the third! LOOOVE the first though. Maybe you could get a sash or flower to sass up the third one if it''s a more affordable option?

Ditto sunnyd -- I think the third one would look great with a little something extra. To me, it actually looks pretty similar to the first one but without the shiny bow, so maybe you could get a length of satin ribbon and hold it up to the dress if you try it on again, to see if that''s true? Dunno, just a suggestion!

 

[lovinsparkles]

I like no. 1 the best (very special looking), but my fiance likes #3. I like the general shape of #3 a lot, just think that particular dress is a little on the plain side.

 

[katamari]

Thanks everyone! The first dress is from CP''s 2006 line. I am hoping I can possibly talk the store into selling me the sample since it fit (minus a foot of length). But, I don''t know how long they keep dresses in stock for. I am also going to look through other designers sites for similar silhouettes.

 

[katamari]

Date: 11/23/2008 11:27:36 PM
Author: jstarfireb
LOL @ the cat! I actually like them all EXCEPT the first! But what do you think of this as a cheaper alternative to the first?

I DO like that. I hadn''t been to David''s yet, so thanks for showing me that one.

 

[katamari]

Date: 11/23/2008 11:34:52 PM
Author: havernell
I like the shape of the fourth one (the second simple silhouettes dress) the best on you. I think it''s because it defines your waist more than the other gowns. However, I''m not sure the material (what is it- silk dupioni?) would be ideal for a beach wedding...


Have you checked out J Crew''s casual bridal gowns? I have no idea what they have in stock presently, but they used to have a number of options. Good luck!

I agree that I like the shape of this one a lot! I tried to find other bridal gowns with the shape, but they were all either cut much lower (showing more cleveage than I was comfortable with) or didn''t have enough room in the bust. I don''t think I look best in strapless, but it might have been an issue of comfort, too.

I have looked at J. Crew. They don''t have any that I love right now, but my two favorite dresses have been from their past lines, so I will keep checking. They seem to update their collection frequently.

 

[katamari]

I hadn''t even thought about "dressing up" the third dress. It is very affordable (about 1/5 the price of the first dress), so I would have a lot of room to play around with alterations and additions.