Is this too obviously a wedding dress?

[cinnamonandnutmeg]

DH and I have been invited to a ball in the summer. I don't want to spend a lot on a gown that I'll probably only wear once, so I was wondering if I could get away with reusing my wedding dress. Before I got married a few friends commented that it didn't look typically bridal to them, but I'm not sure if what they really meant was "not bridal in comparison to other wedding dresses." Is it too obvious?

The lace continues over the bodice so she would retain that. But I certainly think removing the rest would make it look less bridal.

The skirt isn’t necessarily bridal but the top half is. It’s gorgeous, and I think dyeing it would risk ruining it, you often end up with the main fabric taking the new colour but the stitching and zip staying white. I agree with trying a dress hire place instead, it wouldn’t cost nearly as much as a new dress and is environmentally friendly!