I hadn’t really thought a lot about my wedding growing up—other than the dress. I daydreamed about the gown a lot, but I could never quite decide on what I wanted, but I knew I hated lace.
And then I started looking at bridal catalogues….joy! raptures! And I ripped out pages of the dresses I liked and found that they were all lacy.
Honestly, I empathize with Lady Richmond who is the nightmare mother of the bride in A Groom Of One’s Own (and she is NOT based on anyone I know. In fact, I got the idea for her after dinner with a woman who was an outrageous name dropper. But I digress). In the novel, a very bossy Lady Richmond tells the Modiste that her daughter’s bridal gown should be “simple, but with numerous flounces and intricate beadwork. It should be the height of fashion, but also timeless.” It’s a bit conflicting, which is how I feel.
I have slightly more clarity after two days trying on dresses (more details to come!). I very much enjoyed big poofy dresses even though I’m not supposed to wear them as a petite girl–or maybe that’s why I want one!
Mine will also be white (well, maybe eggshell or cream or some other shade of white.), which was not the tradition in the Regency era. That didn’t begin until the Victorian age. The brides would have worn pale blue, white or silver—the grooms, too! Check out some pictures of 1820’s wedding dresses. That’ll have to do, as I won’t be posting a picture of mine before the ceremony 
14 Comments
I agree! I hated lace! It was a challenge to search out very contemporary, clean lines, with beads and sparkle but no lace! I had success with the second dress I tried on after finding a picture in a magazine and just knew it was so me.
Enjoy the dress up fun! Like trying on a closet full of vintage bridesmaid, prom, and honeymoon travel dresses!!!
I’m wearing a very long lace veil, so I think that’s enough lace on one girl
I lucked out. My mom made my gown sewn almost entirely by hand. The lace on my veil was from my mother’s wedding dress. It cathedral length. She added matching lace around the edge of the entire thing. The biggest deal (and always look for the deals)was the headpiece. We found it in a notions shop. We made it from two silk rose stalks inlaid with pearls. Instant crown of roses for $2.00.
It was utterly priceless.
Good luck finding your gown. Kleinfeld’s is fun but can be a little overwhelming. At least it was when it was in Bklyn, lol.
I still say you need a trip across the pond to make sure you are getting your dream dress!
Santa your dress, veil and headpiece sound absolutely gorgeous!
Vanessa, I might have to make the trip!
Yes do come ‘over the pond’ – we would love to see you any time
!
Good luck with the hunt for the perfect wedding dress, Maya! I’m sure it’ll be beautiful, and you’ll look gorgeous.
I’m totally with you on this one-no excessive lace for me either! I’ve never been really girly in that respect-was never a pink frilly lacy girl.
As a fellow petite girl, I get what you’re saying about the poufy dress. I’m sure you can pull if off, but I’d just get completely lost in the pouf-no one would be able to see me! lol
I bought the first dress I tried on. It was the one the lady in the store recommended and much to my horror, it had some lace details. Then I tried on all the dresses that were featured in the pictures my friend and I had torn out of a magazine while drinking a bottle of wine. Much to my surprise, I found that I did not look the same as the 5′8″ models in the pictures. In some cases it looked like the dress ate me. That said, my wedding dress had a big skirt. At least it felt big and formal on me:)
Go with what you love and make sure you can dance in it!
I like your wedding gown and your unique writing style.
Mike and I got married at the Justice of the Peace. We were right out of college and couldn’t afford a big wedding. My one regret is not getting decked out in a gorgeous gown. Maybe one day we’ll renew our vows.
I’m sure you’ll look spectacular! Looking forward to seeing the photos … post-wedding, of course.
Its all about knowing when embellishments/pouf are enough, isn’t it? I’d like to think that your chaperone Eldora (from the sounds of her) would have that down pat. When to hang around, when to skip out. When an ensemble–or gown– needs something more…or not.
I’m sure you have made (or soon shall) a perfectly Eldorian, wonderfully clever and stylishly elegant choice, Maya!
Hi Maya – my Mom’s wedding dress was pale blue. She looked so pretty and happy in her pictures.
I know you’ll be stunning in yours.
Mr. Mark
Dear Maya,
I’m not a regular visitor of your blog, so I discovered this blog post much too late, while checking when your next book was due (I adored the first two). But then I discovered you and I have one thing in common: I’m also getting married this fall, and I also was dress shopping the weekend of Valentine’s day – only in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, not New York (I wish – I’ve never been there). I ended up picking the first dress I tried on (after trying on several others), and it is gorgeous. Check out the Jesus Peiro website for stylish, elegant dresses that won’t drown out the person wearing them – no idea if they are for sale in the US, though. It is funny reading about your experiences, since they are so similar, and yet not. Best of luck with all the preparations, and lots of happiness!
beauty dress. I hope I had one too.