Because it’s a very manly, testosterone- filled day with the Super Bowl and all, I thought I’d add a little estrogen to the mix by talking about one of mens’ favorite topics: weddings, specifically dresses:
Katye asked who made my wedding dress…
My dress was made by Monique Lhuillier out of NYC. I wore it without the sash for the ceremony and then put it on for the reception.
My parents were very generous in throwing me a dream wedding, but even if they hadn’t I would have still bought this dress. It was my one non-negotiable. I might not have had food, drinks, flowers, a minister, or a reception hall, but I would have been dressed!
Once I got engaged I knew I wanted a Monique Lhuillier, and I knew the exact dress style. So my mom and I went to Marcella’s La Boutique in Seattle, the only place around that sold her dresses. I tried on the same dress with 3 different necklines, but I just knew the first one I tried on was it. It was definitely one of those clique “when you try it on, you’ll just know” moments.
My mom thought I would go with the traditional princess-style big gown so she was probably pretty surprised when I walked out in a tight fitting, lace number. But I absolutely loved it and still do. It’s a modern, simple, clean lines, kind of dress.
Interestingly, my mom and I went to the bridal salon, tried on the dress and ordered it the beginning of October. Our wedding was the middle of March. So the store had to call Monique’s husband in New York City who works with her to see if they could make the dress in time. We had to put a rush order on it, but we got it and the rest is history…
Some celebrities who have worn her dresses:
Britney Spears. Not loving this dress, it seems a little plain and boring to me.
Heidi Montag, who said her dress cost $20,000. I don’t know if it’s all the chandelier necklaces or all the organza fabric, but this is all just too much, too busy. This is probably my least favorite.
Christine Baumgartner who wed Kevin Kostner in 2004. This was one of Monique’s first celebrity stylings. I love this dress. How dramatic but still fits in with the rustic setting of their wedding. It’s glamorous without the all jewels, sparkles, pearls, etc.
Ali Landry getting married in Mexico. I think she is gorgeous, but her hair looks like it needs some help. and a stylist.
Pink, who married Carey Hart. They separated for awhile and now are back together. Side note: this is the most feminine I’ve ever seen Pink. I remember when this style was soo popular and I still like it. The billowing effect is so feminine and soft.
Jewel. I love the lace but I don’t like how it looks like she’s wearing a corset and a skirt.
Ashlee Simpson. You can’t really tell too much what her dress looks like, but she does look very pretty and feminine instead of her now black hair, white skin gothic phase she’s going through.
Alicia Silverstone. I don’t like the long layer at the end. It’s just weird.
Tiffany Fallon, who I think was a Playboy Playmate and married one of the Rascal Flatt’s guys. Love the dress.
Niki Cox who married Jay Mohr, I think. Simple yet classic dress.
Shanna Moakler, who married Travis Barker. Ok this picture is just weird, very Sound of Music or something like that. And she scares me. She’s like the girl who would beat you up if you crossed her.
Some others: Charlotte Ross, Natalie Imbruglia, Debbie Matenopoulis, Emilie de Ravin, and Lesley Bibb.
What would your dream dress be like? Would someone specific design it or just a specific look?
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
I love love loved my wedding dress but my DREAM dress would have had a short, tutu bottom!
I used to say I would never get married. I’ve since changed my mind, but I’m going in the completely non-traditional direction: I will be the girl in a red wedding dress. Or navy. I will be “that girl”
SHANNA MOAKLER -YES!!! She does come across as very bullish and has literally beaten and hit people. You put it perfect.
As of late she is HUGE!!! Even her face looks like a watermellon!
You are seriously the most pretty bride. You should be in magazines. I picked up the ‘Racing Weight’ book and gave you a shout out on my blog. It seems interesting, can’t wait to finish it.
CJ
I am trying to get my mom to design my dress (she dabbled in fashion in her 20′s) and have a dress maker make a one of a kind dress for me.
Otherwise, it is to the stores I go because I have no idea what i want!
I loved your dress! And I agree with you about how when you put “the one” on you know right away…well that’s what happened to me.
Since I haven’t worn my dress yet, and I love it, I would have to say Maggie Sottero
I haven’t decided what my dream dress is yet. I watch say yes to the dress while I run on the treadmill and always pick like 20 I like!
I have something for you over on my baking blog
angelaeubanks.blogspot.com
I knew I wanted a little bit of a more “princess-like” dress, but not too poofy, either. I think I did pretty good. Yours looks fab!
I wore an ML as well and also had to have it “rushed”…as in, get the dress in in less than two months. Dannnnnnnng that fee was expensive!
Your dress is stunning!
Before I got engaged I always thought I would wear a Monquie Lhullier dress, but when I tried them on they just did not work on me and were not made to fit my cup size. So they were out of the question. I had such a hard time making a decision, but ended up with Pnina Tornai dress that I absolutely adored. Not a see through one! Some of her dresses can be a little out there – but the fit is like nothing else. I have never felt so good in anything in my life!
My dress was the type I vowed I wouldn’t wear…I fell in love with it after trying it on because I can’t tell pushy sales people “no”…my dress was my one big splurge item and it was totally worth it!
So I have been reading your blog for a couple of months now and love it.
When I was looking through your “about me” section I noticed your wedding dress. It’s my sister’s dress!!! I LOVED it on her and it’s so beautiful on you. My sister’s was an outdoor wedding at our ranch and it fit perfectly into the theme. Such a beautiful dress! Glad you clarified it was a Monique because I was wondering!
I just bought my wedding gown two weeks ago. It isn’t an ML, but ironically looks ALOT like yours! The back, not so much, but the front is cut very similiarly, it’s all lace, and has a satin sash. You looked beautiful in your dress and obviously have very good taste.
Your dress was beautiful and you made a gorgeous bride! Love the sash you added too.
wow your dress is amazing! you look absolutely stunning in it
i have no idea what my dream dress would be except that it would not be all flowy. i’d probably end up on my face going down the aisle with that haha
I LOVE that dress! It’s beautiful and you looked amazing!!
My dress was certainly NOT designer. My whole wedding cost about as much as a $20,000 dress. YIKES!
But, I tried to mimic Jessica Simpsons wedding dress when she married Nick Lachey. Very lacy and detailed. Vera Wang made it especially for her.
For a much cheaper price, I think I accomplished my goal
I have pics posted, tell me what you think!
i absolutely love your dress!! you definitely worked it and i’m impressed you knew EXACTLY what you wanted… if only i was so lucky.
i have SOME idea of what i want, think mermaid/trumpet style to accentuate “some” curves, but the rest is TBD–going dress shopping this summer so we will see!!!
Your dress is by far the most beautiful that you have pictured. I love it!
When I first stumbled across your blog, I seriously made my mom sit down and forced her to look at the pictures of your dress. It’s a stunner, and I could see me falling in love with something similar if i ever manage to get hitched.
Your dress was beautiful and looks perfect on you! Gorgeous wedding pics.
My dress was one I would have never picked out on my own and only tried on a whim. I absolutely adored it and still do!
Your dress is gorgeous! I think the next best one is Heidi Montag’s. For my wedding, I picked out a cheap dress and kind of wished I thought about it a little more, BUT we aren’t planning on having kids, so it’s not like I’m passing it down to anyone, and I really didn’t see the point in spending so much money on one day. But that’s just me.
If I had the funds, I don’t know who I would have gotten to design it, but I would have gotten something simple with a bit of lace and a little colour.
K
Love the dress! I wish I had chosen something different for my wedding dress (I bought it when I was 50 pounds heavier – made quite the difference when I lost the weight!) but I’m glad I didn’t spend a lot of money on it, seeing as we’re not planning on having kids so I won’t be passing it down to anyone.
I think my second favourite is Heidi Montag’s!
K
I’m getting married in October, and I bought my dress a few weeks ago. My dream dress WAS the Pronovias “Rosana”, but it was about twice as much as I could afford.
I went with Maggie Sotero’s “Milana”, and I love it just as much. =) p.s…don’t tell my Fiance that I just told you that info.
well i have been planning my nonexistent wedding for about a year now, and i have fallen in love the the priscilla of boston vineyard line- the strapless ones with pockets. ah-mazing. i know, pockets in a wedding dress seems too casual, but i am having a very small beach wedding…someday. haha
your wedding was gorgeous- every part of it.
I knew exactly what I wanted in a wedding dress, and actually had some issues finding it… I ended up going with an Elizabeth Fillmore dress. It was exactly what I wanted and I LOVED it.
Oh yay! Wedding dress talk!
I had the hardest time with the dresses-one dress never “spoke” to me. There were several that I liked (tops of some, bottoms of another) and a lot that I hated! Vera Wang came out with a dress in the Spring 2010 line (Dawn) and I LOVE the bottm of the dress (waist down). However, guess what! ITS NOT IN THE STORES UNTIL MARCH! I curse everytime I go near her store. I went to try on a ML (Rihianna Fall 2009 maybe) and I LOVE the scoop neck. So I found out the fabrics of the dresses and discussed with a seamstress what would be best, and my dress is being custom made! I will have the ML top and the VW bottom (which I still have not tried this dress on). If you can’t have find it in the store, have it made!
For those who might be wedding dress shopping, it’s overwhelming! I definitely had to limit the number of dresses I tried on. And take those who are most honest with you (usually the Momma) about what looks the best on your body type!
I wore ML’s Millicent, which is lace and barely a-line (like yours). Both of us have excellent taste, obviously.
Wow, your dress is seriously amazing. I love all the pictures of the ML gowns that you posted, and I have to agree that yours in honestly the most beautiful of them all.
I had a quick engagement, and loved my dress at the time. I was only 19, and had a satiny, champagne strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline. As I am girly and still obsessed with wedding dresses, I still wish sometimes that I got to wear another one someday down the road. (I’ve told my husband we’ll have the renew our vows at ten years to fulfill this wish. That’s only five years from now. Yay!)
Pink’s wedding dress was the one that I wanted! But of course, I couldn’t afford it.
So, I opted for the billowy comforter look instead, without lace. I felt like a cake, with a bunch of frosting. But I loved it.
I LOVE your dress and you look amazing in it too. <3
I plan to go with a short dress…not tea length and not hooker short, but right around knee length…non traditional, I know
if I had to pick a wedding dress today (which obvs I’m nowhere near since I’m entirely single), I’d have one made by Sarah Seven: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahseven
And since I plan to have a short dress, I definitely plan to have some phenomenal shoes…preferranly designer
youre wedding dress is unreal; so gorgeous. mine was $130. Good thing, since the marriage only lasted a whopping year. what?!
I think with Alicia Silverstone’s dress, that extra layer is actually a cathedral length veil. It’s just posed infront and it’s probably attached lower on her head.
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