Went dress shopping yesterday and tried on several dresses at the discount store in town, all lovely A-line styles with structured tops and long trains. There was one I sort of liked but it was going to need alteration to bring the length up and being layered and having big "swoops" it was a bit complicated. I think it would have involved far too much work. Not only that, but even though it was not particularly warm in the shop, I was starting to get VERY warm in it - and our wedding is going to be on 28th August, so I think I would be sweating like a pig!

I decided that neither of our 2 short-listed were really what I was looking for, so we were about to leave (and then have to start looking at the regular full-priced stores) when I came across another section of dresses. I guess we weren't pointed in this direction because I have never gone for less traditional things. This section had all of the non-structured flowy dresses, as well as one that caught my eye.... It had a lovely structured beaded bodice, but was a short dress. I thought it was a very fun idea!

I tried it on and it fit sooo nicely! I could imagine myself flitting around at our wedding reception wearing it, and because it is shorter, I never felt too warm in it. There are TONS of options to go with this - a coloured (black) sash arranged at the mid-section looked great, and it even looks good with the standard red sash they had.

It was a bit pricey considering it's a short dress (only about $100 less than the full-length ones)... but I just liked it too much!

Here it is! One look for the chapel, and a more fun and colourful look for the reception! :)

However, there are two problems.... The first thing is, I might regret not having a "princess dress" as this is probably the last time I will ever need a fancy gown. Would I be completely crazy to give up that vision? Of course, with that vision comes a lot of expense, and hassle, and (let's be honest) it isn't as easy to wear on the day. Is it CRAZY to wear a dress like this for a wedding? Our wedding will be at a chapel, so I could get away with this or a proper all-out princess dress with train...

Perhaps it is just me trying to self-sabotage, but my excitement about the dress waned a little after we took it home and had my dad take photos. Now I am wondering if it looks a little too short or somehow out of proportion?? Perhaps adding a sash onto the waist would alleviate the issue. There isn't enough fabric in the hem to bring it down at all... but doesn't it look a little proportionately short on the front? I'm hoping that if I continue to slim down a little I willl lose an inch or two off the silhouette, and the dress will look a bit longer.

To be honest at first glance I was like i'm not sure about it, it definitely didn't seem to flow right with the veil.... But with the 2nd look I actually like it. The red seemed to make it pop! Ya know what I mean? Maybe keeping this dress as your reception dress and being a 2 dress bride 

In the end is your wedding Casual enough to pull off this look? and if your happy then stick with it.

If you having mixed feelings, I would just use it as a reception dress. How formal is your ceremony?

I agree with the others - I think it depends on how formal your ceremony is going to be.  If it's going to be more casual, then I think you could pull this look off. 

I love the red with the dress for the reception though! 

Thanks for the thoughts and feedback ladies.

Well, it has many different possibilities. It also looks very nice with a black sash across the mid-section, tied in a bow either to the side or at the back. It is definitely crying out for some colour.

The problem is, I can't afford TWO dresses and I only paid as much as I did for this one because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Our wedding is not going to be anything too formal. We're getting married at a chapel and will be having about 50 guests of close family and friends. I suppose if anything I can splurge and keep this dress as a reception dress, but I really don't have the budget to do a 2-dress day. But yes, the more I look at it, the more I think perhaps this one isn't going to do the trick either - all for the sake of a 25 minute ceremony..!! :(

Octobersky: Actually, the veil was bought with the dress because it looked so good with it. I think it needs a photo from the back to show the full effect, although this pic is not very flattering (none of them are as they were all taken in low-light with a standard point & shoot + flash):

Regardless of our feedback, if you love it, you should go for it! 

To be honesdt I wasn't sure what I tought about it at first glance.  But once I started actually looking at it I think that is beautiful.  The dress makes your legs like amazing and is very sweet.  I do agree that this is definately a dress for a more casual wedding but all in all I think you can totally pull this off!  I hope you stick with it because I think yuo look beautiful in it.  Also...  I love the veil with it...  what a great choice :)

Yes I definitely needed that 2nd picture. The Veil flows with the back length and looks great. Like Blushing said if you love it, We love it ;)- And I thought my ceremony was going to be short at around 22-25 I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.

Yeah, I know what you mean Octobersky... it's like, "all this hassle for only 25 minutes??" lol... Funny how when we were young and were forced to go to wedding ceremonies they seemed to last FOREVER. I used to wonder how the people could stand up for all of that time... hehe!

Thanks ladies! I think some of the problem is the pics themselves, plus I am going to have to try and get another shot of it with a sash. At the store the ladies tied a black sash around and it just looked soooo cute - and when it drapes at the back it helps to complete the style and gives the illusion of a longer shape. It will also look much better with my tiara and hair done up, rather than needing a shower after nearly 3 hours of trying on dresses.

It is just so difficult for me to find a flattering dress with my annoying body shape ;P but this was the first and only one so far that I've tried on and felt cute rather than self-conscious in.

I wish I could edit the title of this thread.. :)

I am REALLY starting to love the idea of this dress! Now I need some opinions...

Do you think a coloured crinonline would work? I want to add a couple of inches of length, and over the past few days I have seen a few photos of tea-length dresses with a slightly longer crinoline underneath. This morning there were more photos of dyed crinolines (I am thinking black for mine though).  They are all a different style to mine but do you think the idea could work?