Final Dress Decision - Lots of Pics

[FacetFire]

Help me decide, please! It has been forever since I was last looking at dresses. I took a break because I just wasn''t finding the right one. I think I finally found it. However, it is pretty pricey (more than I wanted to spend). But I do love it! I came out of the fitting room and said, "This is it!!!" I''ve never done that before. But the price is giving me pause, so I''m still considering another dress that I also like. Here they are. Please let me know what you think!

They are both a bit snug because they are loaners from the designer, so please disregard that!

First dress: the less expensive one

 

[FacetFire]

Another picof the first one

 

[FacetFire]

And the first one from the side

 

[FacetFire]

This is the best pic I have of the back (it was too snug to close, please ignore my black bra!)

 

[FacetFire]

And here is the more expensive dress, that I love

 

[FacetFire]

Here''s the second one a bit closer

 

[FacetFire]

And the back of the second dress (once again, please ignore the bra sticking out

 

[FacetFire]

Front again (sorry for the poor quality of some of these pics)

 

[FacetFire]

Here''s a close-up of the detail on the second dress. Please ignore the background pattern, I would get the dress in an ivory color.

 

[surfgirl]

facet, I actually think I like the first one better. It''s elegant and sophisticated, yet romantic and looks killer on your bod! The second more pricey one? I dont know, the lines of the dress are pretty but it''s just too much going on for me. Too much texture, shiny bits, and too much with the ruffled edging on top of it all. I vote for #1!

 

[FacetFire]

And in case it helps, here is the first dress on the runway (the skirt is actually detachable and it becomes a short dress)

 

[KimberlyH]

I prefer #1. It looks like it shows you off instead of you showing it off.

 

[FacetFire]

And the second

 

[FacetFire]

Date: 10/5/2007 7:56:24 PM
Author: surfgirl
facet, I actually think I like the first one better. It's elegant and sophisticated, yet romantic and looks killer on your bod! The second more pricey one? I dont know, the lines of the dress are pretty but it's just too much going on for me. Too much texture, shiny bits, and too much with the ruffled edging on top of it all. I vote for #1!

Thanks for the input, surfgirl! I think it looks too busy because of that background fabric, but I would do all ivory, so I think it would look more simple. I'm afraid that the first one might be too simple for my tastes. Since so many pics are taken from the waist up, it would look very plain, don't you think?

 

[portia]

OMG, facetfire... These are both absolutely *gorgeous* dresses! My jaw dropped when I opened this thread. Two different looks, but you can''t go wrong with either. I love them both!!! If I were you I wouldn''t be able to decide. You look sooooo beautiful and stunning in both.

 

[kcoursolle]

First of all both are beautiful so you really can't go wrong here. If you have a gut feeling about one of them, that might be the way to go.

But since you asked for opinions... I really adore the first one better. It's elegant and has rich fabric and you can better see your gorgeous shape without all of the detailing that is on the second one. The detachable skirt would also come in really handy towards the end of the night when you want to do some dancing when the older folks have left for the night.

The second one is beautiful too, but it looks like a bit too much patterning and a bit busy. The general shape and lines are beautiful though and you look great in it. By the way, I think you are *made* for a slim mermaid dress like both of these styles. The shape looks amazing on you!!

 

[karasue91]

I really love the neckline of the second one, and I think I would like it better overall in ivory rather than that crazy pattern.

The first one looks fantastic on you though, I love the simplicity with just that flower embellishment. The first one is more modern and sleek to me, I think it depends on what your wedding is going to be like and what kind of look you want to go for. I agree with Kimberly, that first dress would just show off YOU, with gorgeous hair and gorgeous makeup you would be stunning!!

I also vote for #1!!

 

[Sha]

I also prefer the first one on you, BUT if you really love the second one, and your heart is telling you, "this is the one!", then THAT"s the one for you!

They're both beautiful so either way you'll look stunning!

 

[surfgirl]

I''d love to see the first one without the bottom piece, just for the heck of it! One nice thing about that option is that you could actually wear your wedding dress again, for anniversaries or whatever. Which is sort of cool in a sentimental way.

 

[Gypsy]

My jaw hit the floor when I saw the first one, and I''ll be honest-- the second one didn''t really do it for me in comparison cause the first one is so amazing on you (IMO). But if YOU felt it was right... then it was right! You really can''t go wrong either, and I think that the second one without the weird fabric would be much nicer, and woudl look lovely.

 

[wolftress]

When I saw the pic of the first dress, I was like ''YOWZERS it''s a model with a smokin'' body!''

. I think it really flatters your figure. The second one is nice and very classic, but I don''t think it does much for your figure.

 

[musey]

Number 2, number 2!!!!!!! The first one is lovely, but the second one is more POW! HERE I am, aren't I beautiful?! (and the answer is yes, by the way!!

)

Anyway, of course go with your own instinct, but if I were choosing, that's what I'd choose. Looks like I'm in the minority... but I'm used to that!

ETA: I also wanted to say, the motion and feel of the dress in action is a big selling point. In still photos, something simple and "flat" generally comes across better, but as I'm picturing the dresses in "real life," #2 just has that pizazz factor!

 

[musey]

Date: 10/5/2007 8:05:09 PM
Author: FacetFire

I''m afraid that the first one might be too simple for my tastes. Since so many pics are taken from the waist up, it would look very plain, don''t you think?

I agree!

 

[Efe]

I am in the minority because I don''t care for the 1st dress at all. The 2nd dress with plain ivory backround would be absolutely gorgeous IMHO.

 

[robbie3982]

Tough choice! You look gorgeous in both! I think it really depends on if you'd rather have a simpler dress and wear more jewelry and possibly a fancier veil or a fancier dress w/ simpler accessories. Either way, you're going to look amazing!

ETA: If you got the first one though you could probably dye it black and weart it a bunch after the wedding since you said the skirt is detachable.

 

[VRBeauty]

Hi Facet!

I love the first dress. It's beautiful on you, and a great combination of classical and TODAY. And weren't you looking at a lot of dresses wth that flounced hemline before (for lack of a better term)? As for the simplicity of the bodice... all the better to show off some fantastic jewelry, my dear!

I like the second from the front, but I'm not crazy about the train insert.

I was wondering what had happened in the great dress search! Thanks for letting us in on the final two!

 

[FacetFire]

Thank you for all the input, everyone! It''s really so helpful to hear what you all think. My mom lives four hours away (in good traffic), and I only have one good female friend in the area, so it''s hard to get opinions.

Here are some other factors that I failed to mention:

*It will be an outdoor, garden-style wedding (but pretty formal in feel...FI wants to wear a tux) in May

*I won''t detach the skirt...I actually hate the way the short dress looks (it is too short, IMO -- I don''t like anything above my knee)

*The second dress is much easier to walk in because it isn''t so tight around the knees

*The first dress is made of a very nice (but very thick) material, though I am not actually sure what it is

*The second dress can come in either silk taffeta (which the sample was made of) or a silk duchess satin

*The second dress is almost twice the price of the first dress, though would be substantially less if I got it without the beading

I have to admit that my heart belongs to the second dress somehow, though I''m not sure I can justify the price difference. But I feel that my opinions are also tainted by having looked at WAY too many dresses, so I have a hard time seeing the dresses through the eyes that my guests would have. Ahhhhh, I wish dress shopping were easier!

Thank you again so much for the opinions...please feel free to keep them coming!

 

[qtiekiki]

DEFINITELY #2. It''s gorgeous on you. It''s very romantic and would fit a garden wedding perfectly.

I like the line/shape of #1, but I really don''t like the flowers at the knee. The flowers just look weird and not necessary there for me.

I can understand the price difference between the two. All those beadings, embroidery and details on dress #2 require more labor than dress #1, which is relatively simple. I think #2 is worth it.

 

[neatfreak]

I like the first one. The second one is a bit much, and even in plain ivory it might be TOO much for an outdoor wedding unless it is at night and very formal.

But they are both gorgeous on YOU, so you should pick the one you want.

 

[Class n Sass]

The first one!