Clockwise from top left:1. Cymbeline Paris, "Dolly", I actually tried this dress on. It's so beautiful in person and on the right girl, I can only imagine it would be stunning. It didn't look horrible on me, but it just wasn't right. I'm a small girl but I'm not straight, I have a bit of curve to me. The fringe (which is oh so soft and light weight) made my hips expand in the mirror. I still love this dress. My dress is from Cymbeline and all of the designs are gorgeous, the store in New York is also amazing. They have a great sales staff there and prices range from about $1,500-$5,000. They have a set alteration fee of $500.
2. Monique Lhuillier, "Venice", This dress is just breathtaking to me. It falls under the category of: I think it would devour me if I wore it. I love the ivory lace, very fitted bodice juxtaposed with the tiered pistachio skirt. It's unique and gorgeous at the same time, whenever I see it in ads I can't stop admiring it. Lhuillier's gowns start at $3,000 and end up around $10,000. This one is priced between $7,001-$8,500. (another reason why it is not for moi)
3. Jim Hjelm, JH8063, The beautiful organza flounce that this ball gown must have...wowee, right? What you can't see is that the back is open creating a perfect frame of classic lace. The flower accent on this natural waisted gown is so subtle that you can't even tell the extra fabric is there. My friend Amanda was married in a to-die-for Jim Hjelm gown and before I started trying dresses on, I was sure he was going to be my designer. I tried on about 6 Hjelm dresses and none of them were perfect. I priced out a few that I liked and from what I can gather he ranges from $3,000-$7,000. I'm sure he has some that go beyond that, but I haven't seen any. He also has Jim Hjlem Blush (see linked website) which features lovely, lower price point gowns.
4. Lazaro, LZ30006, I can't even say that this dress is too over the top for me, it really isn't. It has this understated extravagance that I love. It's all in the details. The ruffling is truly delicious. If I were a wedding dress designer, and I am not - I probably would have kept the neckline straight instead of adding the sweetheart. I think this would have kept the lines a little cleaner so that the skirt is the guaranteed wow factor. You don't need much after that! I haven't tried on any Lazaro dresses, nor have I priced any out, but from what I can gather most of his dresses are over $5,000.
That's that. Whose gowns do you love?
well i'm not getting murrrried, but i think all o f those are pretty. I'm gonna go for something old-school though. sorta like grace kelly. that or something really simple because i'm going to elope. win!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to be gettin' hitched to like the dresses. ;)
ReplyDeleteA lot of designers are revamping the Grace Kelly - long sleeves, gorgeous flowing layers of lace, look. C'est tres regal. (I don't speak french)
Sooo many of my friends say that are going to elope because they don't want to deal with a wedding. I think both plans have their plusses and minuses.
Gah!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for me, I'm a VERY curvy girl, with swimmer shoulders (thank you, Mercy High School!), a very "gifted" bosom, and hips OUT TO THERE. So none of these could have worked on me. Because I'm also BEYOND a budget bride, I definitely tried to stay away from even looking at designer gowns.
Although I must say that when I first started browsing online (way before I was engaged, I'm almost ashamed to admit), I fell in love with the designer Tomasina. I don't think the line is even in action anymore. Tomasina (the designer) passed away a few years ago, and the line hasn't had a new season since 2008. But the gowns are TO DIE FOR. Very simple, completely lace, no huge skirts or trains. Loved it. (They're also pretty expensive -- not Lhullier prices by any means, but still not the el cheapo I needed).
Speaking of cheap, I got my dress at DB. And honestly, sometimes I get a little sad that I didn't have the "designer bridal" experience, of going in a really beautiful salon and trying on a bunch of gorgeous gowns. But my dress was the right price, and every. single. time I put it on, I realize how much I love it, and that I can't really imagine getting married in anything else. :)
Meg, I totally hear what you are saying. Haha, since I am just pulling pretty pictures and putting them on a blog, I wasn't even looking at prices. Hahaha. Just a wish list. That's the beauty of blogging and browsing, price tag doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteHowever! Maybe Gowns I Love Pt 2 should examine prices!
The Cymbeline gown isn't my style, but it's gorgeous! I think it would be perfect on a beach somewhere, adding elegance without being a giant cupcake dragging on the sand.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this isn't about dresses, but where did you goooo? My heart is sad without you (too much?).
It's never too much! I miss you and the WP regs. It was a combination of things that made me need to GBCK. I didn't want to tell people because I knew I would change my mind and also make me sad. It bums me out, but I still know it was the right decision. :( Can we KIT anyway? Please?
ReplyDelete