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Original poster

Would you wear an oldish and often worn evening dress as your wedding dress?

25 replies

weddingdress · 14/02/2009 19:22

2nd wedding for both of us. Registry office and (probably) pub lunch.

I am rubbish at clothes and shopping, but I have a dress from Monsoon that I love. Floor length bias cut silk that skims my curves (or rather makes it look like I have some) with a bit of ruching around the bust, which again makes it look like I have one. Multiple spagetti straps that cross at the back. Fits beautifully, which dresses often don't for me, as I am a larger size on bottom half. The dress has background colour black with burn out? sprigs/flowers in silver and deep pink(better than that sounds honest! )

I have known future DH for many years, but I was wearing this dress the evening we first realised there might be "something" between us, I was wearing it again the night we became "an item" and I'd worn it the evening we became really close He loves it and it seems to have been an important dress for us. Would it be wrong to wear it to get wed in?

It's not that I don't want to spend the money, although I admit I don't enjoy shopping, but I can't see myself finding anything better. Almost everyone I know will have either seen me in it or seen the photos, so everyone will know I didn't get a new dress. What do you think?

OP posts:

MarlaSinger · 14/02/2009 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wem · 14/02/2009 19:26

That sounds absolutely lovely. I wore a dress I bought for my SIL's wedding the previous year when we got married. Like you I'm no good at clothes shopping and had found this dress, loved it and agonised over how much it was (not loads, but a lot for me at the time) before buying it. A chance to wear it again, and getting married in a dress I loved, and felt gorgeous and comfortable in (not easy to find both at once!) meant it was definitely the right choice for me.

Your dress means so much to both of you it sounds even more perfect!

LaTrucha · 14/02/2009 19:26

If I wanted to, I would.

Why don't you try on a few aswell, just to make sure it's what you want.

Hassled · 14/02/2009 19:27

I was going to say no, on the basis of the thread title. Having read the OP - yes, definately, you HAVE to wear that dress

Winehouse · 14/02/2009 19:29

I think it is lovely that the dress is part of your history as a couple. That's much more romantic than a brand new flouncy one.

AnyFuckerForAShiteSoppyCard · 14/02/2009 19:36

ditto what hassled said

Coldtits · 14/02/2009 19:38

I would wear whatever i wanted to wear at MY wedding!

cmotdibbler · 14/02/2009 19:41

It's such a lovely thing to do with all that history between you associated with it.

OrmIrian · 14/02/2009 19:42

It sounds lovely. No problem with that at all.

But if you do want something 'new' could you take the dress to a dress maker so they could block out the pattern and make the same style in different fabric?

Clary · 14/02/2009 19:47

Yes like Hassled, I was going to say, oh no, when i read title.

But reading yr OP, instead I think oh yes. It sounds so lovely.

Why not get a "new" piece of gorgeous jewellery to wear with it?

Tillyscoutsmum · 14/02/2009 19:48

I think it sounds fantastic and really apt

Blow the money you would have spent on a dress on a really fab pair of shoes or some gorgeous jewellery instead

SniffyHock · 14/02/2009 19:50

I think it sounds perfect and agree that you can then treat yourself to some jewellery or shoes if that is what you would like.

Original poster

weddingdress · 14/02/2009 19:51

Thank you, you lovely people - there's nothing like getting the answer you wanted!

Would you tell him that's what you were planing to do?

OP posts:

LaTrucha · 14/02/2009 19:52

No. If he's anything like my DH he'll be relieved that you looked like yourself.

choosyfloosy · 14/02/2009 19:53

I was going to say yes when I read the thread title, and now say YES having read the OP

nickytwotimes · 14/02/2009 19:55

What a lovely op. Of course you should wear the dress. Veyr romantic.

Tillyscoutsmum · 14/02/2009 19:56

I would tell him - but then I'm rubbish at keeping secrets and dh helped pick my dress for our recent wedding.

LaTrucha · 14/02/2009 20:00

FLash a couple of wedding dress mags under his nose and see how scared he gets. If he's scared, don't tell him; if he looks at them avidly moot the idea of wearing the dress.

Having said that, you know him best so you will know what the right thing is to do anyway.

IamAlsoADreamer · 14/02/2009 20:05

I would't tell him directly-I would just tell him that you have in mind the perfect dress but that you know he will love it.
And then I would get either some lovely accessories and some beautiful undies.
It sounds to me like it is the perfect dress to wear -a dress that makes YOU feel good and a dress that has such lovely happy memories of very special times together.
Have a lovely day whenever it is

Winehouse · 14/02/2009 20:22

As lomg as you are sure he will get the significance of it, then no don't tell him. If his memory is as good at yours, he should be 'very pleased' to see it!

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 14/02/2009 20:28

yes, because of your beautiful description of what it means to you. I teared up

Original poster

weddingdress · 15/02/2009 18:44

I love the idea of spending the dress money on a good piece of jewellery - something that I can wear over and over. Dress needs something simple, which is what I like anyway and I should be able to get something really good quality in silver or white gold for the cost of a good wedding dress. Thanks again

OP posts:

TamTam29 · 22/02/2009 12:04

That sounds really lovely, otherwise I think the suggestion of taking it to a dress maker to have a copy made in another colour or fabric good too. Or look on ebay - you may well find your dress in another colourway.

I am guessing it is a type of velvet devore (sp?) so maybe a lovely velvet wrap or cape to go with the new shoes, jewlery and underware!

Flibbertyjibbet · 22/02/2009 12:15

I would def wear it.
My friend's wedding dress was one of mine that she borrowed! Sounds quite like the one you are describing actually but in green and silver tones.
She'd seen me in it and loved it and asked if she could borrow it. Whats important is not whether its new, or expensive, or bought specially for 'getting married in', whats important is that you love it and it makes you look gorgeous.

I wouldn't see if a dressmaker can get a copy made - unless you have the exact same material it just won't be right. The fabric won't hang or fall or skim you the same. My mother was a dressmaking teacher so I know these things

BonsoirAnna · 22/02/2009 12:17

Or you could ask a dressmaker to copy the dress you love in another fabric?

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