TGIF! By now, I’m sure all of you (or most of you) know that I’m engaged. To be frank, we have a major move coming up shortly, so we probably won’t really get into wedding planning until that’s over and we have more time to visit venues, plan out our budget, etc. But that hasn’t stopped me from looking at wedding dresses to my little heart’s content. You can check out my whole wedding board on Pinterest. In the meantime, here are some of my favorites.
Pictured above are two dresses from the Gossamer Collection by Anna Campbell. I fell in love with this collection as soon as I saw it, and it breaks my heart to say that I will probably never own one! These are from Anna Campbell’s made to measure line, which means it’s a customized dress that you can find in her boutiques–in Australia. Add to that, these dresses are out of my price range anyway. Good bye dreams.
Having relinquished my dreams, I sought out a more affordable designer. After some digging, I found that Maggie Sottero gowns sell for around $2000 (and many sell for less than that). Above are my favorites that have that beautiful, detailed cap sleeve design. I actually have a few hundred more of these I’m drooling over, but I’ll save you scrolling.
As I kept perusing wedding dresses, something totally unexpected happened. I started to fall for long-sleeved dresses. Okay, so maybe that doesn’t sound weird to you. Up until I think the 90s or so, long sleeves were really the norm. But I always found them a little too old fashioned and conservative. I didn’t even really like Kate Middleton’s dress (blasphemy-I know). Yet, I really like the two dresses above. I think the open neckline keeps it from being too conservative and the slimmer silhouette means I’m not going to get overwhelmed by fabric. These two are my favorites right now. I can see myself pairing them with a mantilla lace veil for extra chicness. Butttttt…as of now, it looks like our wedding will be in the late summer or fall so sleeves might be a little umm, warm.
Last surprise of wedding dress browsing? I love this ball gown. I am not a ball gown girl, but this dress is simply gorgeous.
So what do you think? What’s your favorite dress? If you’re married, what dress did you wear to your wedding?
Say Hello to Gorgeous 
Actually I like the last 2 , both full sleeve dresses. They add that elegance to the outfit and the figure hugging silhouette leave quite a lot to the imagination or not 😉
I’m surprised by how much I like them. When I picture myself getting married, it in one of those dresses now
Yes !! And congratulations on the engagement , I didn’t know! When is the Wedding scheduled for
We are still working that out. We’re moving in about two months, so we probably won’t get too serious about planning before then. Right now, we’re looking at late summer or fall of 2016
That’s a good time ..! I wish you my sincerest best 😊
Thank you!
First of all, congratulations! I’m excited for you. The last two are flawless 😍 but which ever you decide will look amazing on you!
https://chocolatyprints.wordpress.com
Thank you! We’ll see. I imagine in the store, they’ll be pulling out other gowns in addition to these/instead of these
What does it say about me being a dude that my thoughts were:
1) Go with the first dress. (Now can we go to lunch?)
2) That Maggie Sottero model is kinda dreamy.
3) Honestly, as a dude, we’re going to think our bride is dreamy, regardless of the dress. And we’re so lucky. We just have to get the tux and plan the honeymoon. It’s still like that, right?
Pahaha. Too funny! You sound like my fiance
You picked a winner, V!
😀
I love Maggie Sottero!! I spent so many hours on that website 🙂
Me too! And the prices seem pretty reasonable compared to other designers I like who are like 2-3 times the price
Yup!! I actually didn’t end up wearing one of her dresses, though I bought one at one point and then resold it 🙂
Nice! I’m thinking of reselling my dress after I wear it, but who knows how emotionally attached I’ll get to it
Well, I bought this one used and then decided not to wear it. Then, the one I did wear, I kept for a few years and ended up donating it.
Love your style! Those top two are just breathtaking 🙂
Trying dresses will be so much fun 😀 Enjoy the process.
xxx Anne – http://www.dovesandroses.com
I know. I can’t wait until we book a venue. Then I’ll actually start to try some on
All of the wedding prep is so exciting!
The ball gown dress….😍
So pretty 😀
I love the second one. It’s like 1920’s-meets-DowntonAbbey. Super glamorous, but still contemporary.
Must be why I like it. I have a thing for the 1920s
Congrats! that beaded dress would be a great choice!
https://thelaststraggler.wordpress.com/
Thank you!
I love number 1 and the second to last, so pretty!
Number 1 is one of my favorites…who am I kidding, they are all my favorites
The 3rd from the bottom Maggie Sottero gown is GORGEOUS….Hair up or hair down…simply GORGEOUS!! 🙂
Agreed!
Maggie’s always been a fave of mine! The best advice I can give is don’t get your heart set on a particular style/silhouette until you go and try on dresses. I’ve always been in love with the princess gown style, but fell in love with something completely different when I was choosing mine.
Thanks for the advice! A similar thing happened to me years ago, thanks to my mom. I had my heart set on a plain, strapless prom dress, preferably in pink or purple. Then my mom got to the sales lady and next thing I know, my dressing room is being flooded with bedazzled green halter dresses. Guess what I ended up with. Yup, mom’s choice
great advice!
All stunning! Love the 2nd one and the last one! 🙂
That one is getting a lot of love. Even if I have a summer wedding, I think I’m going to at least try that one on for sure
Ooooh 2 and 4 are gorgeous!x
Agreed 😀
I’m love the first one! And the second to last. All the other dresses are really exquisite but lack that certain piece of ‘WOW’, or so to speak, I just don’t feel them on you. IMO, those two I mentioned would be a real knock-off for your wedding dress.
Thank you! Hopefully I’ll have that magic moment when I try some on 🙂
Quoting Anthony from SATC, ‘You’ll know the right one when you see it.’ Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look stunning as a bride. 🙂
Haha, thank you!
I’m engaged, too! I am planning on a Dec/Jan New Years Eve Wedding. I am really loving this lime green ball gown that I might have customized to a pale lavender for my wedding dress. There are so many options! I am planning on only having a reception and forgo the Church wedding. I was supposed to have it this year, but since the baby scare of 2014, we are thinking of moving the wedding date back a year or so in order to buy a house in case there is a mini me not far into the future. My comment is getting long now…I’ll stop. Congrats! Is your wedding to be this year?
Haha, I love your long comments. It’s nice to hear what other people are planning. A New Year’s wedding sounds fun 🙂 And no, we have a lot on our plate right now so probably aren’t tying the knot until late summer 2016 or fall of 2016 at the latest
Weddings are always so exciting!
Definitely!
I’m sure you’ll look beautiful whatever you wear!☺️💗
Thanks so much. Not sure why this was sent to my spam folder originally
My favorite has to be the 2nd to last. It has simplicity, but with a fun lace attire (:
Yes, I’m really drawn to lace 🙂
beautiful dresses, you do seem to be leaning towards a style, sometimes the funny thing about wedding dresses is you think you like and want something and end up getting something completely different, that happened to me many moons ago, I still like watching say yes to the dress.
Yes! I don’t watch that show as regularly as I used to, but I still love it
Firstly; congratulations!
Secondly, I love that first dress! That’s the sort of thing I’d love to get married in. Absolutely gorgeous. I’m not even engaged and I’ve got my dress picked out! (; Haha. I just love weddings! I also love gowns by Hayley Paige. X
Haha, I’m the same way. I’ve been watching Say Yes to the Dress and thinking about it for years
Say Yes to the Dress is one of my ultimate guilty pleasures! 😛
I really like the 6th one. I wore a sweetheart ballgown to my first wedding but I am really into the mermaid silhouettes now.
Nominated you for the Creative Blogger Award, have a look here: https://joceysbeautyfiles.wordpress.com
Thanks, I’ll check it out
Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful. It’s your wedding and that’s what’s important.
🙂
Congratulations 😀
I love all the outfits.I would say, no matter what you pick , make sure it suits your body shape.Nothing is more flattering than a dress that compliments your body shape.I love the ball gown the most for you 🙂
Awww thank you! I know what you mean. I love sweetheart necklines right now, but who knows how much I’ll like them on me
oh my god, the fourth from the top! absolute perfection!
somehow, the long sleeved ones scream more elf queen than bride to me, haha.
Pahahaha, I’ll keep that in mind
Hi there.
Congratulations on your engagement. That’s amazing news.
I think all the dresses are beautiful but the two that stand out for me are number 3 and 6. I love the hourglass figure it shows and the designs on the dresses. My favorite part of the dresses though is the shoulder straps.
🙂
Thank you. Mine too actually, I love a detailed cap sleeve
I like the dresses with full sleeves. They are just beautiful!
Yes and classic
Not sure that anyone mentioned number 5, but that’s my pick. Something about it just makes me think that it screams “YOU!” Could be the Art Deco inspired style – classic, yet not ‘what everyone is wearing’ right now. It also appears to be made of a lighter weight fabric, too. I just love styles with less ‘stiffness’… gowns that flow when you move.
You’ll look amazing no matter what, of course, ’cause you’re lovely.
Are you planning on physically trying gowns on somewhere?
I found that trying on gowns was an awful lot like spending a day at the gym. hahaha! Felt like a lot of work! I didn’t realize how heavy fabric, beads and rhinestones could be!
haha, yes, I’ll definitely be trying some on in person before buying anything. I’ve heard other women say they’ve tried on heavy gowns. Maybe that’s something I should think about too
My sister is also engaged and was close to buying that first Anna Campbell dress, but last minute was cut from the list when we were introduced to Pronovias (made in Barcelona). You might want to look into that!
I definitely will 🙂
I can totally see you in a mermaid style dress, but ballgowns are my fave ❤❤❤ you will look like a princess 👰💍💒💐💐💐
Aww thank you, Maria!
Oh my god such gorgeous dresses!!
The first one is my favorite, so Gatsby-like.
I would get married just to wear it haha!
Congratulations on your engagement 🙂 And good luck with all the wedding planning!
http://woodlandhalls.wordpress.com
Thank you, Victoria!
the long sleeved ones will look good on you V…I will surely go for a long sleeved too when it’s my turn
Congratulations on your engagement.
Thank you
Reblogged this on Wambui Muriuki and commented:
When my time comes……
Hi V…Congratulations to you & the lucky guy!!! 🙂
To be honest, all the dresses look lovely and i’m sure no matter which one you choose to wear at the end, all eyes will be on you and you’ll look stunning!
If I had to pick one i’d say the last 2 are my favourites….classy yet edgy 🙂
Thank you!
Even though I am a die-hard Vera Wang girl and wore a Vera gown on my big day, you should check out Mira Zwillinger’s gowns. She is an Israeli designer and I feel like you would love her designs. My sister chose a Mira gown for her wedding- here’s a link to a photo of my baby sister in her wedding dress 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202469594733713&set=t.882075334&type=3&theater
I definitely will 🙂
Congrats! These memories will be so memorable for you and your soon-to-be hubby! I wore a ball gown on my wedding and truly felt like a princess. I posted some pictures on my instagram account at haz_style. From your picks I love the dresses with long sleeves. My wedding dress also had full lace sleeves. Looks extremely elegant!
http://www.hazstyle.co
Thank you! I like the long sleeves pretty unexpectedly
omg! at first congratulations on your engagement!! I fell in love with the first dress! It is so classy and chic! You should wear anything that makes you feel like a princess, like you! It may be stressful searching for the perfect wedding dress, especially when there are so many choices, but I think that once you try the perfect dress on, you will immediately feel that it is the one! xoxo
Thank you!
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I love the ball gown!! but you will look beautiful no matter what dress you are wearing!!
Thank you! I can’t decide what I like haha