How do you feel about a big 2nd wedding?

[jellybean]

Just curious to get everyone''s opinions. If I am way out of line, please let me know - I won''t be offended.

One of my girlfriend''s that I''ve known since grammar school is getting married again. She first got married in 2001 and divorced in 2003. She had a huge wedding the first time -- 6 bridesmaids, big church wedding, reception at a country club, 2 huge bridal showers, etc. Her parents paid for the first wedding. She got everything in the divorce settlement - their townhouse, furniture, etc.

She is now planning another huge wedding for next year. Her fiance has never been married before. His parents (who are pretty wealthy) are paying for the wedding at an exclusive club in downtown Chicago. She decided that she doesn''t want any reminder of her first marriage so she either gave away most of the things they got off the registry or is selling them on e-bay. She said she is going to register for everything new -- china, linens, even kitchen gagets.

Anyway, she has asked the same 6 of us that were BM the first time to be BM again. I said I would since she is a good friend. However, all of us are a little annoyed with how much $$$ she is asking us to spend again. One of the BM jokingly asked if we could wear the same dresses again and the bride went ballistsic. The dresses were over $300 (plus alterations!) then we all had to have matching shoes (another $60). I got her one of her china sets as a shower gift (and that wasn''t cheap) plus a wedding gift. The bride is again looking at very expensive BM dresses. We have tried asking her to try to keep the costs down for us a bit seeing that we spent so much money the first time and she gives us the "why can''t you just be happy for me" line each time. So we usually let it drop.

Her future MIL has already picked shower dates (yes, dates) and has told the BM basically don''t plan anything for those weekends. She is planning two big showers for them, and my girlfriend''s own mom is planning another shower for her!

Now I know that divorce can be emotionally one of the hardest things someone goes through, but I think my girlfriend is going a little overboard with this. I''m not saying she should elope or not even wear a wedding dress, but to me, a second wedding should be a little less extravagant than the first one, if you had a very extravagant wedding the first time. I''m sure I will spend more than $500 once she picks everything out and I buy her another gift.

What do you think? Don''t get me wrong, I am happy for my girlfriend (her first husband was a total jerk) but she is acting as though the first wedding/marriage didn''t even take place.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[JCJD]

Hmmm... tricky. Yes, it is her wedding, she should have her wedding the way she wants to, but I do think she is out of line asking all 6 previous BMs who spent oodles of money 4 years ago on dresses, shoes, gifts (some of which she is now profiting from), etc on the previous expensive wedding to do it all over again.

Yes, you should be (and are) happy for her, but that doesn''t mean Voila! you all now have money to burn on her wedding! It doesn''t happen like that, and she seems to have her head in the sand about how expensive this is for you all.

Perhaps you could get together and figure out a dress budget guideline for her that would make you all happy - if she still insists on an expensive dress, direct her to www.bridesave.com or www.netbride.com - I used netbride and they were great! Or, ask if she can cover X% of the dress and alt expenses with you (provided you all voiced the cost concerns up front). If all else fails, you should tell her that you cannot afford to be a bridesmaid (if in fact you can''t), and openly explain yourself (i.e. we have X monthly expenses and me being in your wedding would put us $X in the red vs. not being a BM we can afford a nicer gift and be in the black). You are incredibly happy for her and you completely support this marriage, but you can''t take part as a BM because of the building costs.

 

[saturn]

I agree with JCJD.
It''s not the size or formality of the wedding that I have a problem with. Rather, it''s the way she is imposing on her family and friends. If she decided to "start fresh" then that''s fine, but she can''t expect everyone else to subsidize it for her. I would suggest that you tell her that you can''t afford to buy another expensive dress, and if she still chooses one, tell her that you can''t be a bridesmaid.
One of the things I can''t stand is when brides get too greedy. I had a friend who got engaged and called off the wedding at the last minute but KEPT all the gifts. Then, when she eloped a few years later, she expected everyone to buy her MORE expensive gifts. Ugh.

 

[sugarmag]

Well, as I read this some of it sounds like me and some of it doesn''t.

I am getting married for the 2nd time. My FH has never been married. I was married for 14 years.
I had a mid size wedding the 1st time. I took very little from the 1st. I started my life over and have a lot of things.

My situation is that my family thinks I should do a very small thing. Not wear a very fromal gown, not make a really big deal about the whole thing. BUT i keep telling them they have to remember this is his 1st. He is the oldest of 4 boys all of them are married but him, his parents also have a lot of money, and his mother has waited a LONG time for him to settle down.

Now this is where my story differs...We are having a fairly small wedding about 80(which is only family)we are having it on the mothers estate..outside...in the barn(a huge barn 200 years old,heated,floor to cieling stone fireplace etc..) His mother wanted it to be at the country club.

It will be fairly informal because of the location.

I also have tried to impress on his family that I HAVE been married before and I want to keep it a little low key.

Trying to please both sides, with such different views has not been easy.

I can understand her wanting to get rid of all her "married stuff"
I can understand you for not wanting to put out all that money again.

I am only having a matron of honor( my youngest sister) and my daugther as a jr BM. He is having his youngest brother as his BM and my 2 sons as ushers.

I have registered at target and home depot for some things that wed like to have or need.

I think that it is really nice that she is still so close to you and asked you again, but if this is going to make you resent her DONT do it.

Talk to her and tell her exactly how you feel.

I think that the important thing to remeber is that this is his 1st...

sorry so long..but it hit home and i thought i could give both sides a clearer look.

 

[rms]

I think it is fine for her to have another big wedding if that is what makes her happy, but asking the BMs to just spend whatever money it takes, with no consideration towards you on the subject, bothers me, whether the first time or 10th time around. And then giving you a guilt trip about it when you try to approach the subject is terrible.

I like the idea of asking her to pay a % of your expenses, or maybe even all of it. Heck, if her future in-laws are paying for the whole wedding, why not throw in BM dresses and shoes as a few extra miscellaneous expenses

 

[heart prongs]

I don''t think you should have to say to anyone that you "cannot" afford something...oftentimes, I feel as though while I can afford something, I choose to spend my money elsewhere. She shouldn''t have to divulge her finances!

I think this bride has her head in the clouds and is being a bit obnoxious. Common sense should tell her that you don''t do something like that to your friends -- let alone twice!

Simply stated, one of you needs to talk to her calmly and honestly and tactfully show her what a jackass she looks like! I''m sorry, but some people need to learn life''s lessons the hard way!

klr

prongs

 

[JCJD]

Date: 7/28/2005 1:46:02 PM
Author: heart prongs
I don''t think you should have to say to anyone that you ''cannot'' afford something...oftentimes, I feel as though while I can afford something, I choose to spend my money elsewhere. She shouldn''t have to divulge her finances!

Good point; JB shouldn''t have to divulge her finances. I only suggested being very frank with the bride on the finance level because it seems like she''d hear it as "I can''t (afford to) be your bridesmaid.... blah blah blah..... JB hates me...... she''s trying to get between me and this guy....... blah blah blah..... why can''t she be happy for me?"

saturn - she called off the wedding and KEPT the gifts??? I''m all for revising Emily Post and all, but that is just gold-digging.

sugarmag - your wedding sounds like it will be beautiful and intimate! Congrats on keeping your head clear and holding to your decisions.

 

[LollyBear]

I agree that your friend is out of line. I don''t think it''s wrong for her to want to have a nice celebration, but to expect her friends to want to fork out that kind of money again is selfish. To think that she needs EVERYTHING new is ridiculous. Does she honestly believe a toaster is going to remind her of her ex?
Perhaps she doesn''t realize what she''s asking because she hasn''t had to pay for any portion of either event. I definitely think it''s time for a reality check! JCJD made a good suggestion in asking her to pay at least some portion of the cost. The proceeds from her sales on Ebay should help to defer the BM expenses (she shouldn''t have a problem with this either since the money is technically part of the first marriage she''s trying to forget).

 

[icekid]

Date: 7/28/2005 5:09:00 PM
Author: LollyBear
The proceeds from her sales on Ebay should help to defer the BM expenses (she shouldn''t have a problem with this either since the money is technically part of the first marriage she''s trying to forget).

I really like that idea, Lolly!! I think you should suggest that, JB.

This girl sounds obnoxious, no offense JB, as I know she is your friend. But I would never expect my friends to waste that kind of money on me, TWICE!! Just rude.

And I do agree that JB should not have to disclose her financial situation- but what about saying something like, 500 dollars, invested for 10 years, for my child''s college education (I think JB has kids, if I remember correctly?) will be a significant amount of money!

 

[OldBride]

It sounds out of line to me and more than a bit self-indulgent. The rule for second marriages and gifts, according to the ettiquite gurus, is that while it is presumptuous to put "no gifts" on your wedding invitation, no gifts should be expected. Registering again? I think I would send her a very nice card and my warm congratulations. The fact that it''s his first marriage seems like an excuse, since weddings are primarily about the bride and most grooms are just going along with the program.

In my situation, I''m getting married for the second time on August 27th. My circumstances are a bit different since I''m 53 and have been a widow for 11 years, and my friends and family, including my in-laws, are delighted that I am remarrying. My fiance is divorced. Because of our ages we are, of course, paying for the wedding ourselves. It will take place at my home and we will each have one attendent and our children (his and mine, NOT ours) will accompany us down the "aisle." There will be a catered dinner, a DJ for dancing, etc. And yes, I''m wearing a white wedding dress, sans vail. And I seriously don''t want or expect any gifts.

 

[Blue824]

If she wants to have a huge wedding, why not? I guess I don''t see anything wrong with the celebration, its how she is treating you and your fellow bridesmaids. Even if it was her first wedding and she was being inconsiderate about how much you''re spending to be a BM, it would be irritating! Not that every bm wants to be fawned over and told thank you a thousand times and have every concern taken care of, but like, perhaps listening to the bms on how much they can deal with spending on the dress or something, I think, is totally reasonable, especially if she isnt chipping in!

Do any of the other bridesmaids feel this way? Can you all sort of say together that a particular dress is too expensive, or something like that? Maybe if it is all instead of just one she''d hear it instead of ignore it?

 

[Tybee]

A bridesmaid intervention! I like it.
I''m with Lollybear and JCJD on asking her to foot some of the bill.
Especially since she''s selling back the gifts that were given to her
at her last wedding.
Honesty is always the best policy. Quiet stewing always leads to
trouble. But you can be honest and kind if you are very very very
careful. Good luck, this is an interesting situation.

 

[MissAva]

I love weddings and all things about them. However I dont think that fact that this is the 2nd wedding is the issue here. She is acting like a spoiled child. I would tell her that she either needs to stay below this number, whatever you and the other BMs feel is appropriate, for all cost incured as a BM, or she can iehter pay for the BM things herself or lose some of those girls. Asking for others to give so much while she is profiting seems selfish to me.

 

[flopkins]

to me it sounds like your friends being very selfish, regardless of it being the 2nd wedding.

I would definitely bring it up to her as a group, or in some way or other. Obviously this is beginning to cause a tad of resentment on your part, and if she doesn''t wake up to the fact that you''re feeling this way, I would simply pull out. That''s just my 2 cents.

 

[sugarmag]

The fact that it''s his first marriage seems like an excuse, since weddings are primarily about the bride and most grooms are just going along with the program.

I disagree!(with that statement not with the rest of your post)

If it was up to me we''d go away and get married. HE WANTS the wedding thing.

 

[JCJD]

Date: 7/29/2005 9:32:33 AM
Author: sugarmag

The fact that it''s his first marriage seems like an excuse, since weddings are primarily about the bride and most grooms are just going along with the program.

I disagree!(with that statement not with the rest of your post)


If it was up to me we''d go away and get married. HE WANTS the wedding thing.

Yup! Us too! I wanted to elope, he wanted a big wedding, so we compromised and had a small one (100 guests). He wanted to "do it right".

 

[JCJD]

Just wanted to make it clear that the big second wedding is not the problem IMO. What is the problem is that the bride is not respecting the fact that her not-billionaire bridesmaids are looking at shelling out lots of money for this and she is essentially ignoring the fact that all 6 of them shelled out lots of money 4 years ago for her previous wedding.

 

[kanne]

If it were my second wedding (which knock on wood it won''t be), I''d feel funny about registering for gifts.

Having bridesmaids is tough enough the first time, I couldn''t imagine a second go-around.

It''s amazing how weddings really do bring out the best and the worst in people.

 

[jellybean]

thanks for the responses!

I guess it''s not necessarily the "big 2nd wedding" that''s bugging me (although I think she is going a little overboard on that) it''s that we''re expect to spend so much $$ again. When she got married the first time, we were trying to save for a house, so even then it put a dent in our wallets. Now that I have 2 kiddies, a house, and a mini-van there are a lot of other things we could spend that kind of cash on.

The matron of honor talked to the bride yesterday. The bride "Stacy" was not really willing to budge on the expensive dress issue. Fortunately, she said it''s OK if we use the same shoes again. The MOH said it sounds like Stacy''s future-MIL is putting some of these big wedding ideas into her head. As I said, she is marrying into a pretty wealthy family (they own several car dealerships around here -- that''s how she met her fiance) and she comes from a blue-collar family herself, so I''m sure she is just up in the clouds on this -- especially since she''s not paying for the wedding (she is however paying for her dress). The FMIL sounds overbearing and very controlling from what the MOH told me. Stacy''s fiance is also the "baby" and only son so I think that''s another reason for all the hoopla.

My mom talked to Stacy''s mom yesterday (as they are good friends) and unfortunately her mom is also buying into the big wedding idea. She doesn''t understand why we are all so upset, even though my mom said she tried to explain it several times. Heck, even my mom isn''t crazy about having to buy another expensive gift. The mom did however said she would ask Stacy about donating some of the proceeds from her e-bay sale to our dresses.

We''re supposed to go out looking at dresses next week although she''s supposed to send me some pics today of ones she likes. She is looking at Vera Wang, Waters and Waters and Jim Hjelm Occassions. The BM have decided to talk to her in person about this too.

I''ll keep you updated!

 

[IrishEyes]

I could be out of line here, but when did brides start becoming spoiled, whiny women who don''t consider the financial needs of their bridesmaids?? Over and over again, I hear tales of bm''s who are being FORCED to shell out major dough for their friends "big day". They become stuck in a bind: if they tell the bride "hey, this is a little more than I wanted to spend, can I get this instead?" they usually face an onslaught of bitchy comments and tears (and sometimes the end of the friendship), but if the bm says nothing, she''s faces with some heavy blows to her credit card. I just don''t understand it....

I feel for you. You are in a bad position, this is precisely why I don''t stand up in weddings. This is her second wedding in five years. Another big wedding. If she wants a big wedding, that is her decision. However, if she wants things to be expensive, she should keep it to the things SHE is paying for (or her parents, whatever

) and not the things her friends have to pay for. For example: the flowers, dinner, reception place, her dress, shoes, invitations, etc. can be expensive - those are the things that are on her. But the bm dresses and shoes and such can LOOK expensive, but actually be a decent and affordable price. I don''t think she understands that this IS possible. You CAN find nice looking dresses for a good price! It''s a win-win situation: she has the "look" she''s going for, the bm''s get the price they are going for, noone has any hard feeling, everyone remains friends, etc.

This is just my opinion. I was supposed to stand up in a wedding (the MOH, of all positions) two years ago. The bride, who I really didn''t get along with to begin with, refused to let me wear the dress that not only flattered my body type more, but also cost a little more in my budget. She absolutely REFUSED. I wanted to hit her, and I was so pissed about agreeing to be in her wedding, she was stressing me out so much. Like I said though, I didn''t like her all that much to begin with, I agreed to be her MOH because she is a family member. Anyway, I got sent to Iraq and didn''t have to be in the wedding. I was pleased. That is how much she was stressing me out! I would rather be IN COMBAT than be in a wedding. LOL, again, this is me, and not many agree with that, that''s ok....

 

[rms]

Date: 7/29/2005 12:28:40 AM
Author: flopkins
to me it sounds like your friends being very selfish, regardless of it being the 2nd wedding.

I would definitely bring it up to her as a group, or in some way or other. Obviously this is beginning to cause a tad of resentment on your part, and if she doesn''t wake up to the fact that you''re feeling this way, I would simply pull out. That''s just my 2 cents.

flopkins,
you definitely deserve some kudos for demonstrating the fact that you can find some beautiful BM dresses like you showed us here and not break the bank doing it.

I am sure your friends appreciate that, whether rich or poor.

 

[aljdewey]

I can understand that this is HIS (groom''s) first wedding.......so I can understand the want of his family for it to be a big affair.

To me, that doesn''t translate to "the BM dresses must be expensive", nor does it justify having a bazillion showers. Showers are mostly for the *bride*, who has been married before.

If I were the one in this situation, I''d likely refuse to consider dresses that were above a reasonable amount of $$. If the bride wouldn''t bend on it, then I''d decline to be in the wedding.

 

[selflove]

Based on what you''ve written about Stacy, it doesn''t sound likely that she''ll use the Ebay proceeds to help you guys out. Reusing the 1st wedding shoes is a nice guesture on her part so maybe she will be agreeable to setting a limit on the budget of the BM dresses. If all the BMs are TOGETHER with their statement that they want a set limit on the dress cost, and some of the other expenses, you''ll probably stand a better chance. SOLIDARITY sisters!

The MIL planning the showers already is also another source of expense, possibly a big one. Too bad you won''t be able to get out of them since the dates are already set. But I suggest you use them to make a symbolic statement together with the rest of the BM if she doesn''t start budging on the costs: all the BMs go in on one gift for each of those showers to save a little money. Maybe that will get your point across to her that there''s a limit to what she can expect from her best girlfriends. I mean, she doesn''t seem to be showing any concern for you guys!

You could always try turning her guilt-trip around on her (the comment "why can''t you just be happy for me?" is totally manipulative, immature, self-absorbed, etc).

Too bad the mother-to-mother connection didn''t work. Does the whole family have their heads up their a$$es, oops, I mean their heads in the sand?

I know it''s easy for all of us to say that you should pull out of being a BM if she doesn''t become more reasonable but in reality that would put a huge wedge between your friendship, if not end it all together from the way you''ve made her sound.

I hope it all works out!

 

[jellybean]

I don''t think any of us are seriously counting on Stacy''s e-bay proceeds to help pay our expenses. It just would be a nice gesture.

Well, the MOH and Stacy (bride) got into a big fight today about the dress issue. Stacy is under the mistaken belief that in order to look expensive it has to be expensive. Stacy is taking cues from her future-SIL who just got married last year. Her BM dresses were expensive Vera Wang ones, therefore Stacy''s BM dresses should be too! The MOH told Stacy if she doesn''t get a handle on the expenses for us then she will back out of standing up. Stacy hung up on her then later called an apologized. I think Stacy is so set on making a good impression for her FMIL that she is completely ignoring our wants/needs/feelings.

The pics that Stacy sent me of the dresses she liked aren''t even worth posting. Pretty fugly, not to mention she likes this weird apricot/orange color. Fortunately, the MOH has talked to her about letting us get our dresses from somewhere like Nordstrom, where at least maybe they aren''t so bridesmaid-y since we already have one of those! Stacy isn''t so sure that will fly by her MIL

but at least now she is considering it. I don''t know why she needs her MIL''s approval, but she''s always a very-eager-to-please-everyone-else person.

The BM have decided to go in on one gift - a nice one, but not one like we got her the first time. If she is pissed, well, TS.

My DH still doesn''t believe we even have to go to this wedding. If Stacy keeps acting like bridezilla, then I don''t want to go either!

 

[sxn675]

I think that all of you should band together and say what your MOH did. Otherwise, things are going to spiral out of control!

 

[heart prongs]

She doesn't seem to be "very eager to please" her lifelong friends though, does she?

I love how she's "letting" you choose your own shoes, how kind! My girls chose their own shoes and I even let them do whatever they wanted with their hair and makeup!

They are adults with good taste and I trusted that whatever they chose would look nice on them and in pictures!

I might be inclined to step down from being in this wedding...sounds like she's only interested in making his family happy and the rest of you are just their to spend your $$ to make her look good! I'd suggest that all the bridesmaids get together and say if she wants Vera Wang or whatever, then she's going to have to pay for it or anything past $150! (Or whatever $ you feel is fair). Vera Wang is not the only nice designer out there, that's for damn sure!

I ordered Belsoie dresses online from RK Bridal -- amazing way to save! (Almost $200 retail, got them for $108!) Although my bridesmaids could afford and probably would have spent whatever I asked them to on their gowns, I just wanted to get the best price for them. They were lovely, but I haven't seen them wear that light blue chiffon 2 piece number since that day, nor do I expect to!!! I just hate seeing people spend that much $$ on something they had on for 10 hours -- it's downright silly!!

If she insists and you decide to stay in the wedding, I say no shower gift, no wedding gift, no bachelorette party. Perhaps you could present it to her in a nice, albeit passive-aggressive manner by saying, "Gee, we were hoping to take you to this great (spa, resort, whatever) and get you that awesome Kitchen Aid mixer, but with the whole Vera Wang dress thing and with the 2 showers, well, we thought that stuff was more important to your mother-in-law, oops, you... so I'm sure you understand!"

This chick needs to learn some manners. On second thought, do get her a gift, the Emily Post etiquette book!!!!

klr

prongs

 

[allycat0303]

Wow, that sounds complicated. I''m not as sure that Stacy is being totally selfish. I think that you have to factor in the overbearing MIL and the inevitable comparisions to the SIL, and some insecurity about marrying into a wealthy family and having to live up to their expectations.

I think she is definitely asking for to much, but it sounds that she''s also under a tremendous amount of pressure from people of ALL sides. I think maybe banding together might make her feel extremely boxed in. So maybe the bridesmaid can look at some dresses that match her color scheme, and find something they like and that is in budget and present the choices to Stacy. Don''t mention prices/stores/ etc. See if she is willing to go with any of these choices, and then present the MIL with them. I don''t know if MIL would be mean enough to ask "how much" and "what designer" and mayeb show MIL that beautiful does not neccessarily translate to expesnive.

If this doesn''t work, then I think bridesmaid should gently sit Stacy down, and explain how happy they are for her, and that they want to help her in any of the planning/ details that need to be done, but just don''t have the financial resources to participate in the wedding.

Good luck with your bridesmaid duties

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 7/31/2005 5:05:24 PM

Stacy is under the mistaken belief that in order to look expensive it has to be expensive. Stacy is taking cues from her future-SIL who just got married last year. Her BM dresses were expensive Vera Wang ones, therefore Stacy''s BM dresses should be too! ........ I think Stacy is so set on making a good impression for her FMIL that she is completely ignoring our wants/needs/feelings.
I''m not as sure that Stacy is being totally selfish. I think that you have to factor in the overbearing MIL and the inevitable comparisions to the SIL, and some insecurity about marrying into a wealthy family and having to live up to their expectations.

It sounds to me like she''s more worried about making impressions than about getting married.

Regarding having to "live up to wealthy family''s expectations"....if Stacy herself wants to do that, fine and dandy. SHE is the one marrying into the wealthy family, *not* her friends. They shouldn''t be expected to play that game at their expense.

Further, I haven''t seen any definitive comment yet that drives me to think the pressure is actually coming from the wealthy family-to-be, but more from what Stacy THINKS they would want or be impressed by. Yes, they may want a big wedding because it is their son''s first wedding, but does that actually mean the family is demanding a certain couture pedigree? Hard to imagine. I believe it is Stacy driving the bus on this one, and that''s what she wants.

If Stacy''s friends'' modest means aren''t sufficient, maybe Stacy will have to find more suitably impressive friends, too.

 

[jellybean]

Yes, I think Stacy is too much into impressions...and it seems like she is putting this kind of pressure onto herself. According to the MOH (who is Stacy''s best friend), neither the MIL nor SIL is asking who the designer of the BM dresses are or anything like that, but Stacy is so hell bent on making a "good" impression and fitting in with this wealthy family that she is asking us to spend a lot of money in order to make her look good.

I do have some good news. The MOH has been absolutely wonderful in this whole scenario. She went to Nordstom herself and found a few nice dresses that will not break the bank. She brought Stacy back on Saturday to look at them, and there is one that Stacy really liked, including the color. I posted a pic from their web site. It is only $138 (which I don''t think is bad) and the shoes from the last wedding are silver so I think it will look great. Incidentally, the SIL, who is also going to be a BM was glad to buy a BM dress that wasn''t a ton of money. Go figure!

According to the MOH, Stacy''s cousin and grandmother kind of set her straight. Her grandmother - a very fiesty Italian woman

said she was going to wear the same dress as she did to the first wedding, unless Stacy was planning on buying her a new one.

As I said, the BM are also going in on one gift and we told Stacy that. She said she was just very happy that we were standing up again and doesn''t even expect us to get her a gift. So fortunately it does look like she''s changing her tune a bit with the BM. She''s still going to register for everything new and still wants to make a good impression for the MIL, but at least now she''s not taking it out on us.

here''s a pic of the dress. I was told it looks better in person.

 

[JCJD]

I''m glad Stacy is turning around. I bet the dress is really flattering with the shirred bodice, and that''s a great price. LOL Re: the fiesty Italian Grandma!