hen I was planning our wedding I guess I was a little non-traditional in a way. I wasn’t excited about the dress. Not one bit.
The thought of trekking from Bridal store to Bridal store just seemed like a chore to me, and wasn’t something I looked forward to. I didn’t want a traditional gown, and definitely not white.
We were to get married in October, so when July rolled around I thought I had better at least start looking. My Ma and I headed into the City to look at dresses in ‘normal’ shops to see if I could find anything that I liked.
The first shop we walked into was Lisa Ho. I looked at a few dresses… and then picked one from the rack. It was latte in colour and in a style that I felt would suit me. A girl emerged from the change room in a white version. She was skinny and beautiful. I sighed and entered, undressed and tried my dress on.
I felt awkward. I didn’t want to come out, especially with Miss Perfect next door wearing the same dress. I called Ma in and asked for her opinion. She loved it. There were no tears, magic moment or feelings of it being the dress.
It fit me though, and I felt that was a miracle in itself. I asked the lady behind the counter to keep it aside and we’d have lunch and think about it. We looked around a little longer and eventually stumbled across Alex Perry’s store. Alex Perry makes the most amazing dresses. He was in the store himself, vacuuming the floor as they were about to close for lunch.
I picked up the most beautiful, sparkling blue dress from the rack and eyed it up and down. It most definitely had wow factor.
Do you have this in size 14, maybe even 16? I asked Alex.
He looked up from his vacuuming and quickly replied, No.
I looked at the size 10 dress in my hands and then ambitiously asked, Do you think I could try it on and leave the zip undone?
No, Alex responded.
And that was that. I promptly placed the dress back on the rack and headed out for lunch with my Ma. We’d looked at about 4 stores, and I’d had enough. We contemplated the dress from Lisa Ho. We called my Big Sis and asked what she thought. I can’t even recall what she said, but we went back and got the dress.
Two weeks before the wedding I had a bridezilla moment. I regretted not trying on more gowns. Perhaps I wanted a traditional gown. Perhaps just a full length gown. What was I going to do?
I was going to email Lisa Ho, that’s what. I emailed Lisa Ho and asked if she could alter my dress and make it full length. Back then, that seemed almost logical. I didn’t batter an eyelid at how crazy that sounded. Of course she emailed me back and said that they didn’t offer that service.
And so I wore the Lisa Ho shorter dress, and it was perfect. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It suited our wedding perfectly, and as every bride does, I got the most touching comments all day. I felt more beautiful than ever before. It was meant to be.
What did you wear on your wedding day? If you’re not married, what do you dream of wearing?
I also wore a short dress. A kneee length, strapless multipanelled 40's style frock with boning, corset and 68 real buttons on the back. It was hard work to get out of!
I also had a bridezilla moment when I realised this was my ONE opportunity to wear a real bridal gown with a train and a veil. I also had my heart set on couture.
My girlfriend made my dress and it is couture really. It was make with love, care and a zillion fittings. On the day it was *my* dress* and the traditional gown really wouldn't have suited.
I don't regret it at all and I had my fix of couture with a Richard Nylon headpiece… the part of the outfit that I think I am going to back on and go what was I thinking! It did meet the veil requirement though.
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp289/walthylacine/DSC_0125.jpg?t=1263413910
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp289/walthylacine/017_14Aa.jpg?t=1263413972
I think you look stunning! ^_^ I had a very non-traditional wedding in India so I ended up wearing the traditional dress of my husband's tribe – a long, white wrap-around skirt and an empire line top. I felt very uncomfortable in the whole thing all day and changed into my jeans as soon as I could! Sometimes I wish we had been married in my country instead because I do regret not being able to get a proper wedding dress.
Your dress is gorgeous, Chantelle!
Mine was a traditional white gown. I didn't make a big thing over it and bought it on sale as I didn't want to spend too much (did spend lots on the shoes though!). It wasn't all big and over-the-top, just simple and elegant with a small train.
i love your dress. and oh my gawd. alex sounds like an arse.
not married. yet. but i want a strapless sweetheart neckline. tight bodice. and it long. but not a long train. just more a short one. white too. but then again. when/if i do get married who knows. i may try that style on and hate it!
xx
You looked stunning Chantelle! I have always loved your dress – I think your wedding always sticks out in my mind because you looked so RADIANTLY happy. 🙂
Tegan – you looked gorgeous as well. 😀 Your wedding was beautiful.
I could never wear a 3/4 or knee length wedding dress because I have the cankle gene! lol I do sometimes wish I had gone less traditional though.
I wore a pastel lime green dress that was cheaper than my bridesmaids dresses. I am so happy I didn't go with the traditional style dress, I like that mine was different and it suited our wedding perfectly.
You looked stunning in your dress -absolutely perfect!! I wore a similar coloured dress for my wedding – a latte/goldy dress, no veil, just flowers in the hair and a beautiful long beaded shawl that acted like a litte train….very untraditional but also perfect for me!
On a side note – I agree what a total ass Alex Perry was…..I won't be buying any dresses from him in the future!
I accidently found my wedding dress!
I was out window shopping with a friend on a hot December day. It was a ten months before the wedding and I hadn't given the dress a second thought yet.
We passed by a regular dress boutique on Oxford St in Paddington, but we both stopped up short infront of the window. Staring back at me was a long, elegant Robbie Cranfeld evening dress in ivory, with a very delicate beaded embroidery over it. Without saying anything else my friend said to me, 'I think you'd better try that on'. So I did, and it was perfect. 'I'll take it!' I said. The saleswomen handed me an ivory silk shawl, also with delicate embroidery, and said, 'perhaps you could use this as a veil at the back of the hair?' And it was perfect. 'I'll take it!' She then careful draped a lovely little sparkly floral necklace around my neck, 'Just to get an idea.' 'I'll take it!'
And, you know, it was all perfect and I never once regretted those spur of the moment decisions 😉
It also saved having to traipse around those horrific bridal boutiques which I had been dreading!
I bought my dress off ebay for US$50. It was mint 70's pale green strapless 50's style dress – I just cut it off below the knee and made a white sash and it was perfect for me!
You looked fantastic. LOVE the Dress.
Not married yet. But I want to wear a simple Ivory/cream dress that's boobtube & upto my toes.
Chantelle your dress looked amazing! You looked amazing. My FH & I are getting married in 7 weeks tomorrow. To begin with I didn't want anything too fancy, I had an Anushka Jones design picked out, but after numerous hours scanning the internet for Bridal sites, I came across a dress it was the complete opposite to what I had originally chosen. It was an Essense of Australia gown. Full length a-line with ruching, lace and crystals beaded onto the strapless bodice.
Coincidentally I am going for my first fitting, it will be the very first time I put on my dress. Im so very excited about it.
Luckily enough it was at the first store we visited and it was the first dress I tried on, having had my heart set on it months before I knew that was it and I refused to try on anymore in fear I would become addicted to trying on every single style & colour there was.
You look gorgeous! It was the perfect dress.
We were married on the beach in Byron Bay and I wore a dusty pink strapless cocktail dress. I didn't want a traditional dress either. 🙂
That is a beautiful dress and sounds like it was a perfect choice for you, even if it took you a little while to realise it! I'm getting married in November and I can't believe the amount of pressure brides place on themselves to find “the” dress. The one that will make you feel like a million dollars. The one that will make you feel like a bride. The one that will blow your groom away. Hello! YOU need to feel beautiful on your wedding day and you can't rely on a dress alone to do that. Self-confidence, happiness and a gorgeous smile will always outdo a beautiful dress. As for me, I found my perfect dress on eBay for $200. It's semi-traditional in that it's white, but it's ballerina length and I'm going to have pink beads added to the bodice. The wonderful thing about today's weddings is that anything goes!
Wow, you looked hot! That latter colour is so flattering on you and grrrrrrrrrrrrr at Alex Perry! What a rude little man.
I got married a year and a half ago, a big wog/Cook Island wedding. I wore a couture dupion silk gown, with a cathedral length veil that was edged in the most beautiful lace ever. I love talking about it, and I don't get to do that much these days…so thanks!
Alex Perry. Hmm not surprising, hope he wasn't rude? You are expensive looking though 🙂
I love your dress – it looks totally 'you'.
My wedding dress I did the whole trek all over Sydney and it wasn't fun. I ended up finding it nearby and in a style I would never have dreamed of wearing – but it suited me best, and I don't regret it.
Your dress was lovely 🙂
Mine was an old Garfunkel dress I've already had for a couple of years (we had a civil ceremony)
If I could afford it I would have gone for a Vera Wang (something I wanted since I was a tweenie) – sensibility took over 😉
we eloped and had a beach wedding in palm cove and i wore a simple short dress and we wore matching white havaianas….it was perfect 🙂
Christ Almighty, you look absolutely gorgeous in that dress!
I, of course, am not married yet but I've been planning my big day since I was 6. Haven't finalised my dress yet, but I am keeping my eyes peeled!
x
You look lovely in that dress! I too wore a shorter dress. I was 8 mths pregnant with our daughter and I wore the first sundress that I found that fit. I do have the odd moment where I look at our pics and think…I wish I'd waited and found a nicer dress. But I was a bit whale like and I don't think it would have happened.
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I can't believe AP was so rude! unless you're a size 6 you don't count though, right?
Your dress is gorgeous Telle, I would actually like to wear that to my bestie's wedding in March.
My dress, was ivory and quite plain and classic. Full length, not too full skirt with an organza overlay over the whole thing.
I loved it, and would pick the same thing again.
LOL We don't need much encouragement to start talking about wedding dresses, do we?! I fell in love with my dress at first glance, but it was only in the store in a large size and I'm teeny tiny. I insisted on trying it on anyway, and there was more dress pinned behind me than there was on me!
I had a similar problem when I got married- didn't want a fluffy dress, and cause I didn't have bridesmaids going shopping for dresses wasn't a huge deal. It was just my mum and me (dont' get me wrong, I LOVE that it was just us). 🙂
But yeah, I wouldn't change a thing- my dress was covered in a pretty lace, and had a nice train (sp?). It's completely different to what I thought it would be when I was a kid!!
Photos here: 🙂
http://taliacarbis.com/2009/04/23/our-wedding-album
Like you, I was a tad 'meh' about dress shopping. So much trouble, so much expense, so much drama for one little day. I almost bought a pretty little blue number, but held back. It wasn't exciting, but it was ok. Then one day I was alone in the city and decided to walk past one of the bridal stores, in the window was the most amazing dress I had ever seen – long, italian lace, pearls, straightish, strapless with a sweetheart neckline…
In that moment, I understood. I understood the crazy dress hunting bridezilla moments. I went in and tried the dress on – it looked crap, like I was pregnant. I nearly cried, but the shop assistant was wonderful, got me to try another, more flattering dress on with a drop waist. The shape was perfect, I looked about 10kgs lighter. So the designer made my lace dress in that shape.
My dress is dry cleaned and boxed, but every now and then I dig it out, just to look at it. Tragic.
i wore my mom's dress…
altered, of course, because
she's a skinny little thing
and i'm…well, i'm not.
that being said,
i love my dress…
love the color…
love my mom.
while i'm listing the
things i love i may as
well mention that
i love your dress…
you look rockin' in it!
catie p.
We were married on the beach in Byron. I wore a blue silk embroidered knee length dress and no shoes. I loved the dress, although I had dreams of a more formal, fairy tale gown.
You look gorgeous in your dress, it is beautiful. It suits you perfectly.
I love your wedding dress, always have. Actually I love your whole look from your wedding day…always have. I remember thinking “wow” the first time I saw it many years ago and I still think “wow” every time I see photos from your wedding. I have always wanted to recreate the amazing look you had on your day. x
Oh my goodness that Alex Perry story astounds me and makes me so sad.
I had the absolute vision of the dress I would wear on my (yet to happen) wedding day…and then in November one of my bf's friends got married and she wore MY dress! Doh! And she is exactly the type of bridezilla that would take so much satisfaction in the fact that I wore 'her' dress. Maybe 'my' dress was not meant to be either???
Well I have always been into wedding dresses. One of my first memories is being at my aunty's dressmaker's watching her design the dress (I was a flowergirl). And now I make wedding dresses!
I love 'em so much I've had two (yeah, didn't wait until I met the right man first time…silly me).
So my first dress was designed by me, made by Mum, ivory satin, full length, long sleeved (married in Winter), 60's inspired and I did really like it.
My second however was my dream dress. I had a real couture dress designed and made for me by twins and they did an amazing job. I spent heaps and was so willing to. It was a ballerina style, wired beaded straps, fitted bodice, full tulle skirt and long veil…and the best bit was, it was pink! I simply adore it…almost as much as my husband!
Right, bantered on enough…I'll get off now!!
PS. Forgot to say the most important thing I meant to say…
You looked absolutely stunning in your dress! Simply gorgeous. 🙂
We were married at Bronte Beach, so no foofy dress for me. I bought mine at Lisa Ho too, tried on 2 dresses, bought the second one. Just a long white halter neck dress – plain but perfect. I did try on a foofa just for mum's sake, but it looked utterly ridiculous on me.
Love your dress, love Lisa Ho, and Monsieur Perry can go and do the other thing!
Hey Telle,
I felt really angry reading about how AP talked to you.. grrr..
Ahhh, he does make some very beautiful dresses, but I've heard him say he knows how women want to feel, how women want to look, what looks best on women.. Bah! He's no Roberto Cavalli.. pooh to him
xo
@Tegan: That is so so cute. I love it. I like the headpiece. I wore one too, and have no regrets.
@Nem: Thank you. I must have been hard to wear something that wasn't you at all. I'm sure your beautiful marriage more than makes up for it. xx
@Megan: I would LOVE to hear about those shoes!
@Miss Carly: I think you're look beautiful in a tight dress with a sweetheart neckline. Awww. Do you think BF is the one?
@Melissa: Thank you! I was, and still am. I'm sorry to hear that cankles run in your family. It runs in mine too… I need to watch out.
@Jessica: I loved yours! It's so you. Beachy, elegant, perfect. xx
@Zizzy: It sounds beautiful, and I love the idea of the shawl. I think I may have started a AP haters club. Whoops!
@Josephine: Talk about meant to be! Woah!
@Helen: It sounds beautiful! xx
@V: It sounds beautiful and elegant.
@Mummy Hol: Wow. Congratulations. Please remind me if I miss the photos of your big day. xx
@Christina: I think Byron Bay is the perfect place for a wedding. I'm sure it was very magical. xx
@Kelly: I know. That's a lot of pressure on one outfit, isn't it? I can't wait to see pictures of your wedding day. xx
@Orbeli: Awwwww. Sounds lovely. I had to laugh at how you describe your wedding. 😛
@Liss: You looked like a perfect princess on your wedding day. xx
@Tomi: Sigh. Vera Wang. I wish. I loved seeing her gowns when I was reading Martha Stewart. That would be such a dream.
@Angela: Oh, wow. Eloping sounds like so much fun. I will confess, we thought about it, for a mere moment.
@Jane: It's good to keep an eye out! 😉
@Mad Woman: That would be hard. I would have waddled down the aisle if I got married that pregnant. It's very romantic though. A sundress and your baby being part of your day. xx
@Jaime: I don't think I've ever seen your wedding day. It sounds like it was much loved!
@SquiggleMum: No, it seems to be a well loved topic! xx
@Talia: Wow. You made the most stunning bride. I love the album you've put together. I still haven't done one yet. Naughty!
@Katie: Oh, what a moment you had! And no one to share it with.
@Catie: Thank you lovely. xx
@Lucy: Ooooh. Thank you so much. That's a HUGE compliment. Thank you. xx
@Blythe: Thank you so much. xx
@Emma: I'm a bit shocked! Who does that? Weird, so weird.
@Thea: Can I see your dress anywhere? It sounds AMAZING! Right up my alley. And thank you. xx
@Clare: Wow. I love Bronte Beach. We're twins in our Lisa Ho dresses! I think I know which one you wore too. xx
@Miss Simplicity: Yeah, he made me feel like a real inconvenience. No skin off my nose though. I think it's rather funny. Plus he has to do his own vacuuming… kinda just desserts.:P
I understand why you felt beautiful – because you were!
I wore a 50's style cream coat dress off the rack from a store at Chadstone, Melbourne.
I had a traditional dress pattern made from my original design which mum was set to make. I also had a panic moment and decided it was all to hard – I dragged mum to Chaddy & one hour later dress was bought and we were on our way hme!
Hello Chantelle. I know this is really repetitive but you do look very
lovely in that dress.
Nevermind about the AP incident…his loss anyway. It's not very
….'friendly' (can't find a right word) for him not to stock a 12 or
a 14. I went to Wayne Cooper about 4 years back with my friend to buy
some dresses for this ball and most dresses were only up to a size 10
as well. I ended up buying the most amazing dress from Myers.
I am not married yet. Probably not for another 7 years or so. I don't
want to wear white, that's my only criteria for my wedding dress ever
since I was young. And I want lots of ruffles. Pale pink, pale purple
or pale blue.
I think I might have a Barbie theme wedding. 😀
Okay, so your dress looks EXACTLY like my dream wedding dress, except I had pictured mine white and floor length. I think we might be psychicly related 😀 (I also think you really need to share more of your wedding pics on the blog!)
Also, your hair is just amazing. Is it this long now? So pretty!
xxx
@Jodie: You sound like my kinda shopper! In and out, and satisfied!
@BowsNHearts: Barbie. Ha ha ha ha. Love it. xx
@Milo: It's not as long now. I had extensions then. I hope you find your dream dress when your day comes along. xx
Wow Chantelle I think you really hit the nail on the head with this post. Everyone has joined in, its great!!
Your dress was gorgeous, no doubt about that. AP was a complete ass, also no doubt about that. He would have been lucky with you representing his brand as you are stunning. BTW – your headpiece is magic. Where did you get it?
For my wedding dress I shopped with my mum. But funnily enough my lovely mum was also engaged to be married at the same time as I was (I know its very days of our lives isnt it! But it just worked out that way!). So mum and I went around Sydney finding wedding dresses together!!! After about shop 5 I started to feel a bit strange about the whole thing and we agreed that I would find mine first and then we would shop for her!
I found a lovely white dress that I dressed down with no veil and suited my beach wedding. My bridesmaids wore the tiffany blue colour dresses with frangipanis in their hair. I was really happy with it all. AND mum found a beautiful bright blue dress that suited her down to a tee for her wedding. She looked gorgeous!!!!!!!
Hi Chantelle, love your dress…and REALLY love the shoes! If I had my way again I think I would have picked a similar colour to yours!
In saying that I love my wedding dress, which was designed by me, amde by my husbands grandma, a couture dress beader of all things. A great family to marry into! She sourced the fabrics from Italy and Dubai and spent almost a year hand beading crystals onto the lace. It was a true labour of love! I felt fabulous in it…
Now I'm undecided if it's going to be preserved forever (perhaps for my daughter to wear?!) or will it end up in the dress ups like my mum's dress!
Echoing everyone else, your dress is just stunning. I love the colour.
I went to two shops for mine. The first was organised like jumble sale, the dresses were garish and they made me stand on a kick stool to try them on. (I have a phobia about kick stools thanks to a work place accident!)
The second was amazing, they gave us wine, totally fussed over us all and made me feel gorgeous (even though I was a fat girl). Unsurprisingly, I bought the dress from there. I paid more than I’d budgeted, but I totally loved wearing it.
The mean vacuuming man would have made me cry.
God, Alex Perry is an asshole. This isn't the first time i have heard about atrocious service on the basis of being a size 12. He is nothing short of misogynistic.
You looked gorgeous, regardless of the hassles and bridezilla moments.
Firstly – you look gorgeous and A Perry is an a-hole. He might make beautiful dresses but his attitude sucks.
I got married just last year and wore a pale pink dress I had made by a dressmaker. It was in the most divinely soft silk georgette. I felt like a size 16 brunette Grace Kelly!
Thank you so much for posting about this. I'm getting married in June and I have been having these same feelings! I was very much overwhelmed at the thought of trying on a million dresses. I started crying in the dressing room! But I finally tried on a strapless, form-fitting lace gown (nothing like what I imagined!) and it was perfect. We ended up getting it but it was a bit more expensive then we had hoped. Oh well, I know I look lovely in it so that's all that counts.
Your dress is lovely and uncommon, it's wonderful!
You looked like a princess and “hey Alex Perry…. look in the mirror you moron”. A-M xx
We're getting married in July and I'm going to start looking for a dress this weekend (probably!) I love the way you found yours. I'm struggling with the thought of going into numerous bridal stores. I'm in the size 16+ range, so not sure what the ranges will be like!
Our wedding is informal, a surprise one at our engagement, and I'm still not sure if I want an ultra casual or a bridey bride one.
So far I've narrowed it down to:
http://oursurpriseweddingjuly2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/dress-options-2.html
But really I have no clue!
Mel
PS – u looked gorgeous in your Lisa Ho dress, I love that u emailed her!
Omg Chantelle, i could have written that very story myself! apart from the Alex Perry part, it is exactly the same way i choose my wedding dress – a beautiful latte coloured Lisa Ho dress! It was beautiful, i loved it and felt amazing in it. You looked gorgeous in your dress!
Brings back so many wonderful memories. Thank you.