The dress (with photos)

[rubybeth]

Well, I ordered the J.Crew Goddess Dress before we got engaged, and I think it looks great. It feels so, so good, and just makes me feel pretty. I know it''s not the typical structured wedding dress, but more of a gown and I really like that. And I LOVE that it''s a natural fabric.

I have vague plans to also check out the local bridal consignment shop, as I think the guiding principle for our wedding will be to have it be as economical and ecologically friendly as possible. The latest Martha Stewart Weddings has an article about green weddings, and FH and I both loved the suggestions, plus saying we''re having a green wedding gives us a good excuse for a lot of the things we don''t want or are NOT doing, like inviting every family member.

FH''s aunt is an excellent seamstress and can help me with a mini-bustle and also with probably connecting the front panels (they drape across the bust, but I plan to use some hollywood tape for more modesty).

 

[rubybeth]

I think the goal is to have a more laid-back gathering of close family and friends, so this dress makes me feell like I can walk around and mingle while my guests have appetizers and dessert, vs. being the princess of the ball.

 

[VintageBride]

Rubybeth - That is such a pretty dress! I saw it in the JCrew catelogue and thought that it was gorgeous. Congrats.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Perfect!

How do you plan on wearing your hair? Sorry if you''ve already said. Are you going to do an updo or down with some pretty waves/curls or something else?

 

[FrekeChild]

Ooo...it''s perfect rubybeth! Now you have to tell us what you''re going to do for accessories and how you''ll wear your hair, etc. And if you don''t know yet, you definitely have us here to bounce ideas off of!

 

[sera]

It''s a very pretty dress, and it looks very beautiful on you! Congrats on finding a dress you love!

 

[bensbride]

I love how its flowy! It looks like you''ll be able to move around in your dress easily, and not many brides can say that.

 

[Maisie]

I love that dress!! It looks lovely on you!

 

[Mediterranean]

Oh, you are an absolute doll!!!!!!!

Very pretty gown! I''m partial to the softer, ethereal "Earth-Angel" kind of styles, since I''m going that route (beach wedding).

This one was made with you in mind, though... what shoes are you thinking of?

 

[bee*]

Very pretty dress!! Congrats!!

 

[partyjewels]

It''s beautiful! And you know, if you and your FI ever happen to go to some formal ball/party in the future, you could totally wear it again

 

[Sparkalicious]

Rubybeth! You''ll look lovely on your wedding day!
I really applaud you for attempting to be ecologically friendly ... Not the easiest thing to do, especially with all the other challenges thrown at you during wedding planning. I love the way that you have an "angle" as well ... nice idea. I might have to remember this when it comes my time for exactly the same reasons as you.

 

[rubybeth]

Ah, more replies! I''ll try answer some of the questions asked!

First of all, I''m not exactly sure how I want my hair. I''d been growing it out for a while, but then got it cut about a month before the proposal. Silly me!

Now the shortest layers are a bit short for my liking, but I figure I have time to grow it a bit more. I actually have a haircut scheduled for the end of the month, so I think I''m going to ask my stylist for ideas. I would really love to have a flower or something in my hair, maybe a pin with pearls/crystals.

We''ll more than likely be having an evening church ceremony/appetizer reception, so I want something kind of formal but also fun.

As for the shoes, well, I''ve already ordered them. I really wanted the red version of them, but they were gone by the time I ordered, so I went with the ''vintage'' color of the Caparros Val style, silk to match the silk of the dress: http://www.zappos.com/gs/caparros-val-vintage-silk-pump-bridal-shoes.shtml

If they happen to get the red before the wedding date, I''ll probably jump for those, too.

All in all, I''m feeling much better about the planning aspect. We''ve only been engaged a little more than a week, but were talking about details for months before the official proposal.

This week, we need to call the church to save our date, set up our pre-marital counseling, and then I can book our reception venue (we have one in mind that serves the dessert I want instead of cake: tiramisu!). I have a couple of friends who do great photography and who I''m trying to finagle into taking our formal shots, perhaps even the day before the wedding to keep the stress levels down on the ''big day.''

Also, we came up with an even shorter guest list than our original short list of 50, so that makes me feel more relaxed, knowing that we could just invite the minimum of 30 local family/friends and have it planned. And, my dear FH will more than likely design our invites since he''s a great artist, and then all we need are flowers and candles and favors, oh my! Yipee!!

Oh, and rings.

I hope to be a very low-maintenance, relaxed bride.

 

[ByGoneEraBride]

Gorgeous gown!

(I''m new...hi! )


That dress was actually the one I looked at prior to the one I finally picked. I not only loved J Crew''s dresses, but the prices (mostly) were very very good.

Congrats!

From one mostly diy bride to another - Best of luck!