Ask Belle: Searching for a Wedding Gown
Jan 26, 2016
Hi Belle,
Would you ever do a post/respond to a query about wedding dresses? I’m hoping for one that has lace and visual interest, but isn’t too vintage looking, with a budget around $2,000. (Current first choice is the Janey by Nicole Miller.) I really trust your taste but realize that’s outside what you typically cover.
Thank you!! Nicole
I like the dress you chose, and how it mixes a sophisticated silhouette with lace. Â For something a bit more modern, I like the lace trim on Nicole Miller’s Tonya dress. Â The dress is very fitted, so I would buy a size up and tailor down.
Using your original selection as a jumping off point, I chose five dresses that caught my eye.
I was looking around on BHLDN and I found this fantastic Jolie gown. Â The lace attaches to a mesh underlay, so you get the sleekness of a sheath with a hint of softness. Â I also like the larger flower in the lace, which gives you more texture.
If you’re looking for something less-fitted and more ethereal, I like this under-$1,000 Penelope gown.  Though, I would probably trim the bow in the back to remove bulk, and add a ribbon belt instead.  Additionally, I like their Maeve dress with a lace bodice because you can choose the smooth skirt or add a playful tulle overlay.
Theia is a great brand for dresses in your price range.  This strapless Courtney dress has a flower-petal texture and an ombre of soft pink at the hem.  If you want straps and lace, this low-back Nadia dress is sleek, and utterly sublime.
I had a really hard time finding the right wedding dress with similar criteria. However, someone mentioned to me to look at bridesmaid dresses – they usually always have a white and ivory color option. I found the perfect dress and saved myself a lot of money along the way. Random idea.
I bought a Theia gown for my wedding. The quality for the price is amazing, though be warned that the scaling of the sizes makes it really difficult if you have boobs. I measured at a 2 in their sizing, ordered a 4 which fit almost everywhere well. Except for the boobs. I ended up swapping my 4 for the dress shop’s 10 and had an excellent seamstress reshape the dress. I was also fond of the Allure Bridals line. They have some really lovely lace. https://www.allurebridals.com/products/9302
Second to the floor length white/ivory bridesmaid dress idea. I did this through Weddington Way and loved my dress and the price point. I ordered with extra length and had the front hemmed to leave a short sweep train in the back.
I second the recommendation for Theia. I bought one for my wedding this last September and it was SO comfortable, fit really well and the quality for the price was fantastic.
I would recommend trying dresses on in store even if you think you will purchase online. This is because 1) I ended up buying a dress that was totally different than what I was thinking, 2) the styles I thought I liked did not work the best on my body type, and 3) wedding dress sizing can be totally different than street clothes (often two sizes above your street size). Trying on in the store can help you narrow down what you’re looking for and make it easier to find something online (if you decide to go that route)!
Also, I bought a Nicole Miller and the fabric was really comfortable!
^ This! I went with the exact opposite of what I thought I wanted. It’s best to go and get a professional opinion of what looks good. I went with a Maggie Sottero.
Ditto to Kate & Chloe! I had pinned a ton of Maggie Sottero designs in lace (the popular keyhole back & cap sleeve) but quickly realized they all looked awful on me. I ended up with Sophia Tolli (a former designer for the Soterro line) in the one kind of dress I thought I didn’t want (strapless, taffeta) and couldn’t have been happier.
You may have already checked them out, but J Crew’s bridal line has some really lovely lace dresses at a great price point. I didn’t end up buying one, but I had a great experience making an appointment and trying on their dresses in Georgetown.
The Sara dress is gorgeous: https://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bride/gowns/PRDOVR~94389/94389.jsp
Adding a vote for the BHLDN dresses. Not in the market myself, but I’ve helped a few others shop lately, and a good friend chose the “Marviana” gown, in a gorgeous ivory lace with an open back detail: https://www.bhldn.com/shop-the-bride-wedding-dresses/marivana-lace-gown/productoptionids/fbcaeb8b-b90b-4e9a-9313-32da085940dd.
It flattered her curves, was easily tailored to her petite frame, and was $650 (plus around $200 for alterations), which was a big plus for her overall budget.
OMG check out Claire Pettibone dresses! https://clairepettibone.com/
I got my dress there, it’s $2k range, and it’s SOOOO vintagey, chic, different, soft, feminine, everything I love. I think this would hit all your preferences. I would want to wear these even if I wasn’t getting married 🙂
I wore a Maggie Sottero (the Karena Royale, to be specific) for my wedding–didn’t know the designer name or price when I initially tried it on, fell in love, and was pleasantly surprised at the price! It came to just around $1000 after alterations. I loved it and still get compliments on the timeless look.
Ladies, Tradesy and Once Wed area also great resources. Personal plug, I have a dress for sale (had change of heart on the wedding) – it’s a truly incredible unaltered, pristine Anna Maier lace sample sheath dress for sale very much in the vein of what Nicole and perhaps others are looking for! Have been given permission to post it here 🙂
https://www.tradesy.com/weddings/wedding-dresses/anna-maier-ulla-maija-wedding-dress-11054449/