Wedding Dress - Opinions needed!

[Tubegirl]

I am trying to organise a wedding on a tight budget. I have around £200 to play with to get a dress to wear plus accessories and shoes. I was thinking that I rather like the vintage look for the wedding and thought maybe a dress from Vivien of Holloway but could do with some objective opinion here. I tend to lean towards the sarong version here but maybe the circle dress is better?

I am 5'4" so not the tallest with an hourglass shape but a short body. I am concerned that the circle dress might make me look dumpy. Plus I've just had a baby so to my mind the boning in both dresses is a bonus. What do you think?

The circle dress is lovely, I think it will suit your shape.

Hi I love the shape of the first one but not the material so much. The second is very pretty also.

If it's food for thought that you are after then this one is lovely (and shorter lenghth) uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_4,mon_4.1/3531344622

or uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_4,mon_4.1/3532614608 longer length with waistband.

HTH

I love the first link although I would probably wear a different bolero than the one in the picture. You could wear a lovely headpiece/birdcage veil with it too. Im a similar height and shape and often feel dumpy in dresses like the circle.

Hi,
I am the same height as you, And have just decided on a knee length wedding dress.But I tried on LOTS! haha

I don't find the length of the circle style of dress at all flattering for my height. It would need to be knee length I think? Mid/low calf make me feel wide and short iykwim, although if you are slim in the middle and with a hidden platform in your shoes it may look beautiful - The Sarong one is stunning though, and I would imagine would make your legs look longer .

I found people expect a certain sort of dress, and you can feel pressure to wear what is expected rather than what you love - trust your instinct

Ooh thanks for the links. I like the first one very much. I share your reservations on the fabric MummyFirst, I think I might have to trek to the shop and see what it's like up close because it looks a little cheap in the picture. Of course, there's no rule that says you have to have that kind of fabric for a wedding dress.

AKissIsNotAContract, it is lovely isn't it. I think a trying on session is going to be essential because I need to know whether it looks nice. The shop offer a mail order service but I don't think I want to rely on it.

lotsofboats that is it exactly! My mum is actually on board with this idea but my sister not so much. But I just look like I've been buried in fabric in more traditional dresses. I think you might well be right with regard to the fit of the circle. I do have a waist which is small compared to my hips, but you'd never know because my body is so short. It may not be a good idea to have so much fabric flowing from my waist.

BriocheBriocheBrioche, I like the sound of that idea. Don't suppose you can think of a link to one so I can see exactly what you mean?

If you can extend your budget a tiny bit, the dresses from www.whirlingturban.com are far superior quality and fit - the Vivien ones are nice as a party dress, and people do have them as wedding dresses, but the fabric is thin and unforgiving. Their prices took a significant hike in the last couple of years as they are very popular now, but no improvement in quality. If you can stretch to a Whirling Turban, they are beautiful quality and much heavier fabric. I am saving for another one at the moment, they will do custom size and fabric if you want - just email them.

Also check out www.unique-vintage.com - they're in the US so you would get a bill for customs duties on import (of about 30% although they normally declare the dress value as $50 which reduces it - I paid about £25 last time) but their quality and customer service is great.

Also take a look at www.lookdarling.com if you're in the north - I set this business up but sold it last year to a nice lady who is adding to the ranges and expanding.

My dress is simple, but I am enjoying making the whole outfit bridal, with a vintage style headpiece like BriocheBriocheBrioche suggested. I tried on a birdcage veil - They sell them in monsoon at the moment for around £20, so you could try one. I choose the headpiece because I fell in love with it - I am wearing vintage pearl bracelets (Been round the charity shops buying pearl necklaces and winding them around my wrist!) and really focusing on the shoes now! With a simpler dress, you can really choose stunning accessories! Exciting isn't it!!

If you are keen on the 1940-50s look, these sites both have nice things:
www.pinupgirlclothing.com/vintage-style-inspired-clothing/retrodresses.html?color=617

www.unique-vintage.com/wedding-length-wedding-dresses-c-102_167.html

Oh wow thanks everyone, that has given me some new ideas! Next on my list is to find a hairdresser who can do a decent 40s/50s pin up do.

you're not in Brighton by any chance are you? I know a hairdresser if you are.

I'm not a million miles away but the wedding's in Somerset so I think I might draw a blank there! I think best bet is to find a good picture and get them to do a few dry runs.

Most hair & makeup artists will travel - I can recommend www.lipstickandcurls.net and www.misshoneybare.com for vintage style hair & makeup. They will travel. It's not cheap but I have found it impossible to get a non-specialist hairdresser to do a good 50s style . Definitely have a dry run. You could even buy one of these books, which will give step by step instructions to the hairdresser - they're very good:

Hair

makeup

Thank you so much you've all been so helpful!

birdcage veill I got a really simple one from Etsy and added a fresh rose to it on the day. Search pinterest for inspiration too.
Come back and tell us what you go for.

I wouldn't normally mention this on a thread (and may get deleted), but I couldn't PM you so - I have this sat in my wardrobe, tags still attached, in the equivalent of a modern 10-12 (quite generously sized). I bought it for my wedding last summer and didn't wear it as my plans for the day changed, and haven't got round to ebaying it yet. I also have a beautiful circle skirt with a frilly edge to go with it.

If you're interested, let me know how much you'd be happy to pay for it (within reason) and I could list it on the MN For Sale section or something like that :).