Fabulous designer dress?

Question

My fiance's aunt wants to make my wedding dress. She is a fashion designer and has made wedding dresses before. I want to try to find a fabulous dress and have her knock it off. I have looked at countless pictures of dresses in magazines and online but I still don't know what I want to do. I need ideas. I know I want an all white dress, corset top and big skirt (I know, the stereotypical wedding dress. But that's what I want). Does anyone have any ideas?

Other background info: nothing too intricate, like a bodice with thousands of beads on it (I don't want to take up all of her time because she is not a full time seamstress at the moment), I am paying for the cost of the materials. My wedding isn't until June 6 of next year, so we have plenty of time.

Answer 1

White summer suede. Go for it, it will be awesome.

Answer 2

That sounds beautiful. Why don't you just ask the aunt to maybe do some knock ups for you, I am sure she will have some great ideas. Congrats.

Answer 3

this has alot of beading, but you can tell her you dont want that

http://davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_det...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_det...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

again. beading, but it's pretty!

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

this comes in white

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

also in white

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

white again

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

i don't know if you like pickup skirts, but here are some:

http://davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_det...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_det...

back to normal ones:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

comes in white:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

white also:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

this has alot of details, but again, you can customize:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

i think i'll stop there! as  you can see, you have a lot of choices, so good luck!

Answer 4

i think this dress is a perfect dress for any bride, its absolutely beautiful and even though its got a lot of beads but i think you'll see what i mean its amazing...

http://www.marysbridal.com/bridal/8670.h...

Answer 5

Hmmm here's some that I found that sound pretty that meet most of that criteria:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

The 1st one is my favorite, hope that helps!

Answer 6

Do you have a friend who is a good artist? Maybe you could describe something to them and have them draw it for you? Or, maybe your fiances aunt can come up with some kind of design (although, I don't know if you want to do that because if you don't like the design it will be hard not to hurt her feelings).

Here are a few dresses that you might like. Some of them do have beading, but you can always leave that stuff off.

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?...

http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.a...

http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.a...

http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.a...

http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.a...

http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.a...

You can also try designers like San Patrick, Pronovias, La Sposa, Mary's Bridal, etc. They make some beautiful dresses as well.

Good luck to you!

Answer 7

You should gather pictures of certain parts of dresses that you can put all together with her help.  If she is a designer than her input on what is possible and what will look good will be very important.

My mother used to make wedding gowns and is making my dress for my reception.  My best advice is take a really big bridal magazine and a few different colours of post-it notes.  Go through and look ad bodices only and circle the ones you like and put a certain colour sticky on the page so you can find the pictures again.  Then go through the same magazine again looking only for the skirt/shapes you like and give them a different colour sticky note.

Do this for each detail (bodice, sleeve, silhouette/shape, skirt, fabrics, etc) that you want something specific.  If you don't have an idea about what fabric you like or sleeve, then don't do it for that detail and refer to your designer for help (you lucky girl).

Then the two of you can put the elements you love together to make your dream dress, and anything you aren't sure of you will have designer expertise to help you decide!

Good Luck!

Answer 8

I'm doing a similar thing, and I'm doing it in a four step process.

1.  I looked through bridal magazines to see what I liked.  I scrapbooked things I liked  - i.e. the top of one dress and the bottom of another, a detail that I liked.

2.  I went into bridal shops and tried on dresses to see what suits me - doing this helped me to find out intricacies that I wouldn't have known otherwise - like exactly where the tulle on the skirt should start so that my butt doesn't look huge, or I had anticipated wearing ivory but found out that I need to wear white.  The shops where I went even let me take photos.  There was a fee to pay to try the dresses on (like $30 to $40 a shop) but it was the most worthwhile thing I've done -  even if you just go to one shop.  I don't know how well you know your designer but if you would be able to take her with you that would be perfect.

3.  Go back to the bridal magazines if you saw anything that changed your mind or gave you ideas.

4.  I went back to my designer and showed her the photos of dresses I'd tried on, the ideas that I'd scrapbooked and I also sketched some really lame little sketches !  (I can't draw at all, so if I can do it anyone can do it).  It was perfect, I feel like I can totally relax about getting the dress I want even though I won't see it until it's made.

Answer 9

try maggiesottero.com and amsale.com.

Answer 10

Well, I just got married, so I know exactly what it's like to find a wedding dress! Luckily for you, I have some links:

This designer specializes in corsets, I particularly like this one if you did it in white crepe http://18thcenturycorsets.smugmug.com/ga...

This is a rather nice McCall's bridal pattern http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4713....

And from Simplicity's out-of-print patterns this is my favorite. Since it doesn't have it's own link the one I mean is the pink one number 4479 http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page...

Hope that these links and suggestions help!

Answer 11

If you haven't seen these.  This collection is gorgeous.  Classy, s**y and simple.

http://www.demetriosbride.com/us/index.p...

Answer 12

Why not just design it yourself? Try making a sketch (or have someone draw it as you describe it) and having her make your design. That way it's exactly how you want it.

Also, try going to a dress shop and trying on different things. You can decide what you like and dislike. You can find the right shape, design details, ect.

Answer 13

jus get hitched in vegas!!!!

Answer 14

Zuhair Murad, minus his beading and extravagence and you will find a beautiful cut!

http://www.zuhairmurad.com.lb/

Answer 15

Have you been shopping for a dress?  Even if you don't plan to buy, this might give you a good idea of the best style for you and you and your fi's aunt can go from there.  good luck!

Answer 16

Just get some bridal magazines and go through them, then consult with her as to what is realistic for her to make, along with your body type and likes/dislikes.  She will help you pick out the right fabric for the style you choose.

May I make one suggestion?  Don't totally obsess on this dress.  It is just one day.

Well, a second suggestion, also: try for something sophisticated too, and not too little girlish.  You are a woman now.  Some of the "big skirt" dresses are soooooooo poufy they are almost cartoonish.  Maybe you can have lots of fabric but not too much structure.  Look online for sophisticated wedding dress designs too.  I did and posted one link for you.

Have fun!    :)