I wanted something with simple and delicate design, but with a dramatic silhouette. The dress I selected combines a tank style boned bodice with a drop waist ballgown skirt, which is accentuated by a full crinoline. The understated sweep train seems fitting for my personality, and our garden wedding. The fabric: flowing diamond white silk organza, with Venice lace ornamentation along the neckline, straps, and hem.
On a whim, I bid on this dress in an online auction. I hoped it would be well suited to me based on the photos - even though I hadn't yet tried on a single wedding dress. It turned out to be worth the risk!
I created the headpiece myself; matching the Venice lace to the dress, and designing the clip to sweep my curls upwards before they cascaded down my back. The two-tiered elbow length veil followed the upsweep, and gently caught the breezes during the ceremony. I was incredibly happy with the final ensemble!
Before going shopping, I decided to browse wedding gowns on websites and in magazines. Then, one day, I saw a dress similar to what I had envisioned - it was being auctioned on ebay. With much angst, as I hadn't even tried on a single wedding dress yet, nor had I ever bid in an auction before, I placed my first bid. From the listing I knew only that: the dress's measurements matched my own; the designer was Jim Hjelm; the fabric was silk organza with venice lace detailing; and the photos of it make it look lovely on a dress form. Many bids were placed on the dress within the span of a few days, but at the end, I had won the auction.
It arrived the following week, and the fit was incredible (only needing hemming, and strap adjustment). To make sure this was really it, I did try on many dresses after that (at places from warehouse type dress retailers to elite NYC designer's shops) but it only confirmed that my favorite one was the dress I already had.
To some extent, I knew what I was looking for in a dress, and this one fit the bill. First, I knew I wanted a tank-style dress. I play outdoor sports and have a tank tan line almost year round, so the dress could not be off the shoulder or strapless, and I didn't want long sleeves. I wanted a ballgown skirt - or "poof" as I called it. Finally, I knew I wanted just a small sweep train. This seemed the best choice for our outdoor garden wedding, for minimal dancing hassle, and it just suits my understated style.
My parents could not believe how I acquired the dress, and were skeptical upon seeing the pictures of it. The week before the wedding, they finally saw the dress on me, and were joyfully amazed. I remember my mom saying "Did you know this was how it was going to look on you just from the pictures?" to which I said "I hoped so!" My dad said I must have inherited my style intuition from my grandmother. I believe my grandparents did have an influence on this dress choice, as they always had magnificent embroidery and laces in their home, and I was instantly drawn to the beautiful Venice lace ornamentation on the dress.
My jewelry consisted of my rings and my grandmother's pearl earrings. These seemed to be the only accents needed as the dress and headpiece were quite decorative themselves.
I made my headpiece by sewing individual Venice lace leaves and flowers over two layers of fabric: organza covering a muted satin fabric. The shape was created using a wire frame, and finally attached to a barrette. I used velcro to attach the veil - putting the soft loop side on the veil for easier removal - the soft side did not pull my hair as it was removed. Making the headpiece (it took 2 tries to get it right) and altering my crinoline was incredibly time consuming, but doing it myself ensured that it turned out exactly as I wanted! And Laura, one of my bridesmaids, was of invaluable assistance as she stood for me in the crinoline for a couple hours, as I pinned the huge hem and trimmed the netting!
As the photos show, the dress was fabulous. It fit me perfectly, was great for dancing, looked good in still shots, and miraculously, I could even sit in a chair with all that crinoline under my tush! And best of all, I was married to my husband in it. *:)