Please Help me Choose a Dress!

[Gwyn]

I may be a little biased since i love the pronovias in general but I really think it is more flattering to your figure. Especially the side view you showed last with the veil.

I think both are slimming. The pronovias makes you look slightly lighter in the chest then the other gown. To my eye the other one with the pick up made you look a little heavier down bottom, then again, most pickups will. That top though, with the bolero is absolutely stunning!

 

[violet02]

Date: 12/29/2007 6:42:48 PM
Author: Gwyn
I may be a little biased since i love the pronovias in general but I really think it is more flattering to your figure. Especially the side view you showed last with the veil.

I think both are slimming. The pronovias makes you look slightly lighter in the chest then the other gown. To my eye the other one with the pick up made you look a little heavier down bottom, then again, most pickups will. That top though, with the bolero is absolutely stunning!

The pronovias looks better ''top-wise'' when it''s brought in tighter with cups in it. It''s just loose and too big in the photos.

The sales woman said the paloma blanca made me look too bottom heavy, when I first tried it, on as well. It was only when we paired it with the jacket that it really made the dress ''pop''. I''m thinking more and more that the pickups are probably not the best way to go. I do love that jacket though.

 

[portia]

Hands down the first one. Looks gorgeous on you!!

 

[violet02]

I''m tempted to try dress shopping at one more store which is a bit more high end, ie they carry Melissa Sweet. I''m not sure it''s worth doing that though. I''d be adding about 1k to my budget.

I could also go to a Pronovias specialty store and see what other dresses they have before I make my final decision. This is the worst part about dress shopping, all the back and forth!

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 12/29/2007 6:27:59 PM
Author: violet02

Date: 12/29/2007 5:30:46 PM

Author: AmberGretchen

I''m going to go against the grain and say that I like dress 2 better (more flattering to your figure in my opinion), with the caveat that I''m not a huge fan of pickups - I think they will look really dated and trendy in a year or two. But I think its really flattering for you to have a simple, elegant line like that on top. Dress #1 for me seems to really distract from you, and it doesn''t look particularly bridal to me. I would keep looking and see if you can find something similar to dress 2 on the top (LOVE the lace jacket, and I actually think you look smashing even with it off) with something more simple on the bottom. Maybe try out that more simple top shape with different skirt shapes - A-line through ballgown. I feel like with your lovely curves, you might end up looking smashing with something that has a more ballgown-ey skirt and/or dropped waist.

There ARE a lot of pickups on that dress true. By dated/trendy in a year or two do you mean that my photos are going to look dated or..? Ballgowney is too big on me. I''m 5'' 3''. Plus with an outdoor wedding ballgown doesn''t work well. Dropped waist is ok though.

I agree with Indy re: the pickups. I just think that they will look really dated and trendy in the pictures in 10 years or so like the puffed sleeve dresses from the ''80''s do. There seem to be a lot of dresses that aren''t true ballgowns but have somewhat full a-line skirts, maybe try on a few of those? I was surprised - I thought I couldn''t do a ballgown because I''m only 5''3" but that''s what I ended up with, although it wasn''t a super-full ballgown so maybe that helped. Do try a dropped waist if you get a chance though - they can really be flattering on ladies who have nice curves, as you do.

 

[sera]

I LOVE the first one... it''s a very flattering style, better for an outdoor wedding, and just looks more you.

The white lace jacket really clashes with the tattoos causing the focus to be there rather than on you and the dress as a whole. The first one is gorgeous... classy with a slight edge.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I love the first one on you. It is classic, the neckline is great for your shape, it doesn''t make you look bottom heavy and it would be much better for an outdoor wedding.
I liked the lace jacket on the second one better than the first but I do feel like it clashed with the tats since it sort of covered them but not really.
I truely think the first one is the way to go for the lovely wedding you described.

 

[VRBeauty]

While I like the vintage feel of the first dress, I think the straps seem to be "fighting" the tatoos -- meaning that I think your chest area looks busy with both tattoos and wider, very distinctive straps. On both of the first two dresses, my eye is drawn to the points where the dress partially covers a tattoo. With the third dress the tattoos are less distracting simply because they''re not covered up at any point. So... by letting the tattoos shine, I think the strapless dress is also letting you shine.

 

[rockzilla]

I really like #1..except not a huge fan of the butt bow...would you be taking it off altogether?

 

[princesss]

Date: 12/29/2007 11:30:38 PM
Author: rockzilla
I really like #1..except not a huge fan of the butt bow...would you be taking it off altogether?

I''ve gotta second Rockzilla...not a fan of the butt bow. Otherwise, I love this dress on you. It''s slimming, and it kind of looks like "Yeah, I''m a bride, but I''m also here for fun, ya know?" kind of dress. The second one is elegant, and very bride-y, but it doesn''t match up to the first dress, IMHO.

 

[violet02]

Date: 12/29/2007 10:59:26 PM
Author: MINIMS
While I like the vintage feel of the first dress, I think the straps seem to be ''fighting'' the tatoos -- meaning that I think your chest area looks busy with both tattoos and wider, very distinctive straps. On both of the first two dresses, my eye is drawn to the points where the dress partially covers a tattoo. With the third dress the tattoos are less distracting simply because they''re not covered up at any point. So... by letting the tattoos shine, I think the strapless dress is also letting you shine.

The only thing I fear is the ''strapless'' dress. I tend to look a bit ''burly'' in a strapless sometimes, god forbid I gain a bunch of weight before the wedding. I just don''t have slim feminine shoulders. I do think that not covering the tattoos at all looks better though... The third dress is just dress two with no jacket.

 

[violet02]

Date: 12/30/2007 12:02:14 AM
Author: princesss

Date: 12/29/2007 11:30:38 PM
Author: rockzilla
I really like #1..except not a huge fan of the butt bow...would you be taking it off altogether?

I''ve gotta second Rockzilla...not a fan of the butt bow. Otherwise, I love this dress on you. It''s slimming, and it kind of looks like ''Yeah, I''m a bride, but I''m also here for fun, ya know?'' kind of dress. The second one is elegant, and very bride-y, but it doesn''t match up to the first dress, IMHO.

Oh the dreaded butt bow!! Hehe. Okay so the bow in the photo looks *awful*. It''s crushed beyond recognition and kind of barely holding on. In the official pronovias photo http://www.buildtv.co.uk/wedding/images/bride/pr_ebano_x.jpg the butt bow looks MUCH better.

Now I''m wondering, is it just the butt bow PERIOD that''s weird?

I know that myself and my stepmom liked it but my mother-in-law to be and my stepbro''s gf both hated it. We had to keep telling them it will probably look better later, hopefully.

 

[violet02]

And also.... thanks for ALL the input everyone! It''s so helpful. I only had a couple of days back east to shop with some family. I live famiily-less here on the west coast and have no mom to take me shopping and not many girlfriends that live in the area so it''s pretty tough. I truly appreciate the help all you ladies have been giving me.

 

[theworldisnotenough]

why don''t you just wear a body paint on your wedding?

is it beyond you? or not you?

 

[violet02]

Date: 12/30/2007 1:32:08 AM
Author: ipbanned theworldisnotenough
why don''t you just wear a body paint on your wedding?

is it beyond you? or not you?

Body Paint? What do you mean?

 

[theworldisnotenough]

a body tatto weedidng dress

 

[violet02]

Date: 12/30/2007 1:39:52 AM
Author: ipbanned theworldisnotenough
a body tatto weedidng dress

Oh I see, that was a joke.

 

[sera]

Date: 12/30/2007 1:00:57 AM
Author: violet02

Date: 12/30/2007 12:02:14 AM

Author: princesss

Date: 12/29/2007 11:30:38 PM

Author: rockzilla

I really like #1..except not a huge fan of the butt bow...would you be taking it off altogether?

I''ve gotta second Rockzilla...not a fan of the butt bow. Otherwise, I love this dress on you. It''s slimming, and it kind of looks like ''Yeah, I''m a bride, but I''m also here for fun, ya know?'' kind of dress. The second one is elegant, and very bride-y, but it doesn''t match up to the first dress, IMHO.

Oh the dreaded butt bow!! Hehe. Okay so the bow in the photo looks *awful*. It''s crushed beyond recognition and kind of barely holding on. In the official pronovias photo http://www.buildtv.co.uk/wedding/images/bride/pr_ebano_x.jpg the butt bow looks MUCH better.


Now I''m wondering, is it just the butt bow PERIOD that''s weird?


I know that myself and my stepmom liked it but my mother-in-law to be and my stepbro''s gf both hated it. We had to keep telling them it will probably look better later, hopefully.

The crumpled butt bow looked a bit

, but I hoped it was just from all the trying on and all that. The model butt bow looks very pretty... more train-like than pin-the-bow-on-the-bride''s-butt-like.

Instead of commenting on theworldisnotenough''s post... *sings and dances to* The Freaks Come Out at Night

 

[violet02]

You know... I''m DEFINITELY going to try that dress on at a couple of local stores to see how that bow looks if I can find it less crumpled. I wonder how sitting on that during the reception is going to work...

 

[blueyes157]

Hi Violet!

Well I have to say the Pronovias screams YOU (without knowing you) and you look happy in it. I have to second the butt bow thing. I think with the flower on the side and the butt bow its a bit much, I like just the flower on the side. And you are right.... how is that going to look after sitting for your reception dinner!

I had a similar dilemma to you, I did not want a strapless dress. I have been a swimmer all my life and have a wider back at the top and shoulders (not saying you do, but you expressed the concern of looking burly in a strapless, you have a wonderful shape!). I tried on a few of the "straight across" strapless, if that makes sense, and that were nothing short of flattering. Well, the girl at the bridal salong brought in a sweetheart neckline and it was SOOOOO beautiful! Very flattering! Some people said they thought the straps on the Pronovias competed with tatoos and the strapless showed off your tattoos a bit better.... may the sweetheart could help that issue. I ended getting that sweetheart neckline (Casablanca 1831), but in all one color.

May when you go to try on more dresses, try a few different necklines. I went to the first bridal salon fell in love with a dress and said this was MY dress, but my mom suggested looking at a few more dresses and places, and I decided I liked something different.

Here is the casablanca on me with the sweetheart neckline.

 

[karasue91]

I LOVE #1, but I''m all about shopping around. I know they just opened a Pronovias store in NYC, I wish it was open when I was shopping! However, I bought a Melissa Sweet and I absolutely adore it.

Plus, the "help me choose a dress" posts are always my favorite, so I just want more pics!! I vote more shopping, not because I don''t like the Pronovias, but because hopefully it might confirm how much you love it.

 

[violet02]

Blueeyes - Thanks for posting that photo, it's nice to see what that actually looks like on a real person not a model. Your dress look very nice! Sweetheart necklines tend to look good on me as well. Maybe I can try more on.

Karasue - There's a store in SF that sells a lot of Pronovias, and one locally as well. I was thinking I should go there on my day off next week and try on a bunch more dresses. Your idea makes sense.

I was looking at the Melissa Sweet website and I have an appt at a salon that sells that next week but it's so pricey. I'm not sure I saw a style I loved on there either. I'm worried about going from $2500k w/alterations to $3500 w/o alterations in price. Kind of breaks into the budget. I'm still not sure if I'll keep that appt. We'll see.

 

[FrekeChild]

I''m just going to throw my opinion out here.
I like dress number 1 for a few different reasons.
a. No pickups. I think it''s already getting dated because couture designers aren''t really making many, and because people are saying they are. When people are already talking about how it''s dated--it is.
b. I like the way the straps almost frame your chest tattoos. I think it looks awesome.
c. I think it''s very classic looking, and won''t look as dated as the other one. Right now, strapless is HUGE, and that will date the gown, and therefore your pictures in ten years.
d. I think this one probably fits your personality better than the other one, and I don''t think that the average girl could pull off this gown.
e. I think it''s plenty wedding-y. You look totally like a bride in it.
f. I think it makes your waist look TINY, and really emphasizes your hourglass shape. I really think that it is more flattering than the other one.
g. (I feel like I''m going a little overboard here, but oh well...) This dress reminds me of something I''d see Miss Dita Von Teese wear-because of how it hugs your waist. Plus I think she knows how to mix sexiness with class, kind of the way Marilyn Monroe did it.

There is a pic of Dita wearing a light purple Dior gown that is kind of what your dress reminded me of. It''s gorgeous!

Dress 2: I don''t like the lace jacket, it looks almost like you''re trying to cover up your tattoos, which I know that you''re not. I do like the neckline because it shows off all of the tats, but those pickups...They make me unhappy.

Go with #1!!!!

Having said all this-I think you should wear some kind of colored shoes-maybe pink, gold or light blue to go with your colors. I think that would help balance out the color of the tats, but of course it wouldn''t be obvious. Plus I think it would fit well with your personality-being that you definitely aren''t afraid of color.

And I really think you should continue to look around a bit more. You never know what you might find that you fall in love with.

 

[HollyS]

Date: 12/29/2007 8:00:05 AM
Author: Perfect Diamond

Yeah your so right about being yourself.

In my case. If ever, I will not get married or wear a wedding dress bcoz I don''t have any religion.

And wedding rings are required for weddings, including engagement rings. So I guess it will be bad for the gem and jewelry industry.

The main consumers of jewelry are related to beliefs. Engagement presents have religious and ethiquette attachments. If people refuse to follow these things as such in a way as such then it''s really bad for the gem, jewelry and wedding industry. And who wants religion to be offended?

Uh . . . Hmmm . . . What?

Exactly what did you just say? In real English. Please.

And if none of these topics on these forums relates to you, why are you here?

 

[HollyS]

Date: 12/29/2007 12:31:40 PM
Author: ellem

I love the first one! It fits you beautifully, and I actually like how it shows off your tattoos

I agree. Number 1. If you love your tatoos, and are planning on showing them off, number one appears to be more flattering. Also the first one completely gives you a beautiful figure; second dress, not so much.

 

[sred2]

The first one!!!!

 

[violet02]

Okay so I''m sold, out of the two I''d go with the first one, thanks everyone!

Now I''m having this internal debate about taking a look around a bit more. I love that first dress but there are a couple of things I don''t quite love about it but it''s still great. I was thinking of trying on some more Amsale dresses. I tired on a couple over the holidays. I love the fabric but then we''re talking about more $$$$ than a Pronovias. Our budget is pretty tight as it is so I''m definitely not trying to add a ton more to the dress cost. It''s just so hard though since it''s a big day for me and I want to look/feel beautiful in the dress that I''m wearing.

Why do dresses have to cost so much? Bleh.

 

[Jas12]

The first one --hands down. I am not a fan of pick-ups on dresses to begin with, but that aside, i still think the first one really flatters your figure!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 12/31/2007 4:43:42 PM
Author: violet02
Okay so I''m sold, out of the two I''d go with the first one, thanks everyone!

Now I''m having this internal debate about taking a look around a bit more. I love that first dress but there are a couple of things I don''t quite love about it but it''s still great. I was thinking of trying on some more Amsale dresses. I tired on a couple over the holidays. I love the fabric but then we''re talking about more $$$$ than a Pronovias. Our budget is pretty tight as it is so I''m definitely not trying to add a ton more to the dress cost. It''s just so hard though since it''s a big day for me and I want to look/feel beautiful in the dress that I''m wearing.

Why do dresses have to cost so much? Bleh.

I have to agree with you here. I don''t know when you''re getting married, but I would try looking around again, but put dress #1 on hold, for sure! It looks lovely on you, but if you have doubts now, I predict you WILL be a 2 or 3 dress bride.

 

[captainobvious]

Coming from a guy:

The pronovias dress looks much better on you IMHO. The "jacket" with the other dress is nice from the front but just ugly from the back in my opinion. The pronovias dress opens up your back (which looks great in this dress by the way), and the dress hugs your figure very well. It just looks "right" on you.