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Today, one of my bridesmaids and I drove 3.5 hrs (7 total) to try on the dress I've been obsessing over since 8/20/07.... That's a long time to have dress envy. What a day!
And, instead of Grace Kelly, I got this....
POOF! There went the dream!
Wait... Let me try it on without the jacket....
ooooooh, much better!
But wait a sec... it has beading? I've never seen beading, I thought it was just lace... and what's with the mini flowers!?
So, this is the current thought.
"If I look at the bottom of the dress and just see the lace and beading, I think it looks dated and 1980-90s. But, from afar..... WOW!"
So, at $2400 I'm not sold. I'm not - not sold. I'm more confused than ever!
Dress 1 $2400
Dress 2 $1100 (or less as available online!) 
help!
Oh, and in case it helps, the bottom right of this image is our actual reception location, lit in the same colors of our scheme. My lighting guy will do more though... 
Both dresses are beautiful, but I would definitely go with the Allure dress. It's much more modern and fresh and I think it would suit your venue perfectly. Purple is very bold and in right now and doesn't seem to go with the first dress...the first dress seems like it would go better with earth tones or softer colors.
It sounds to me like you've pretty much talked yourself out of dress 1. But I know how hard it is to let go of the idea of the dress you've loved for so long. I was in love...and I mean in obsessed with this one venue from the pictures online, but when I visited it I was truly disappointed. But yet I still wanted to try and see if I could make it work knowing deep down it wouldn't.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
I dont think you should get the dress 1 since youre hesitant and dont seem to love it. Although I could see how dress #1 could look dated, personally I think it is so much more flattering on your body then dress two. That sweet heart neckline and shape of the waist is just extremely flattering in my opinon. I dont think dress #2 does anything for you, thats just my opinion. I agree with you I dont like that lace cover thing it looks really dated.
I think Dress #1 is lovely, but Dress #2 has a better fit on you. Dress #1 is wearing you... you're wearing Dress #2. I'm loving the back of Dress #2! Your venue is also too rockin for #1, which seems better suited for a throwback romantic wedding. So between those things and the price... I voted for #2! Best luck!
One more thing. I agree the skirt for dress one is swallowing you, I was referring to the top being more flattering. I dont like the cut of the waist on dress 2
Ya, I don't really like the cut of the waist either... but... I've tried on almost everything in a 3 hr radius... and in Texas... lol
I think they're both beautiful...but since you look awesome in both I vote for dress #2! It looks like it'd fit in perfect with your venue and you're def. rocking it :) Let us know what you choose!
I think the first dress is ten shades of gorgeous! But that's completely personal opinion, and the price tag would knock it out of the running for me. The second doesn't look as figure flattering as the first. Maybe keep looking?
i personaly like dress 1 withouth the lace long sleeve part..it looks so pretty on you..dress #2 looks nice too but i really like #1...good luck with your decision!
Oo this is hard. Both are beautiful! I really love the shape of #1-- the sweetheart neckline is fabulous on you and I love the higher waist than the dropped waist of the second dress. BUT, I love the fabric and modern feel of the second dress. Is it possible that the answer is... neither? If it is definitely one of these two, I'd go with #2. It is beautiful, works better for your venue, and I'd never know that it is slightly less awesome of a shape on you without seeing it right next to the other.
I, personally, think dress 1's top part look much better and more flattering in you..but *dies* HOW MUCH?? i would have croaked if I was quoted that much for one dress esp with all that detail=more money to alter it. I also think with the jacket it looks really old and outdated like your mom said.
I think that dress 2 back is gorgeous, but I don't really like the top. i think the sweetheart top is more flattering for you.
I would pick dress two, because of the back and the price. maybe you can get it alter as a sweetheart ....???
But, in all, it's just my opinion and I think you should pick the dress that you love!!
I actually think dress 1 without the jacket is GORGEOUS! That being said, you look stunning in the second dress, too and you should be comfortable with your selection. If you feel the first is too dated, don't pick it because you'll regret it. Good luck, you will be lovely no matter which you pick!
*I* don't think it looks too dated without the jacket, but I would want the beading removed and just leave the lace. The beading is just, too much.
I know the sweetheart looks better, but I actually am more comfortable in the other neckline ;-) lol
my mom HATES sweethearts. that was another reason she didn't "love" dress 1
I love both dresses, but the allure seems to look perfect and fit your venue and style and i think it's gorgeous!
Save the money! That extra grand could be your honeymoon and the second dress is just stunning!
I disagree with some of the posts...I think the waist on #2 is VERY flattering. In my book a drop-waist is a must on a big ballgown, it shows the curve of the waist and the hips nicely and elongates the torso. Otherwise the poof just swallows the body and does a girl's figure no justice. So I still vote for #2. However, #1 is a beautiful dress, and you do carry it as well as the model does if not better! If you loved it in the pics, I think no reason to be disappointed because it looks just as pretty in your photos. I'm not crazy about the long-sleeve top though, I think that's what's making you look older. Bit too conservative for my taste.
after seeing your inspiration board, i choose dress number 2 :D
When I saw dress dress 1 with the jacket. I thought "eh", but then when you took it off and I saw the sweetheart neckline (huge fan of those!!) and how it worked with the whole thing I literally said "Wow!" aloud to my dogs. I love love love the first dress!! I too am not into beading and a lot of embellishments, but I'd absolutely pick #1 if the extra $1k is in your budget. The beading isn't really noticable in the photos, and if anything just bring out the detailing more. I really dig it!!
Personally, I like the first dress much much better but I'm a sucker for flowers and 50's silhouettes! It sounds like you're not happy with the first dress and so it makes no sense to pay way more money for a dress you're not 100% completely head over heels for!
I love the second one. I like the first one, but it definitely ... doesn't do as much for you as the second one. Don't let yourself get to wrapped up in having loved the pictures for so long that you can't let go of it now that it's not stunning on YOU!
Also, with the jacket, my first thought was "Scarlett O'Hara!?" ...so, uh, not so much...
When you first posted the JA dress,it already looked like too much dress. Before you said you hadn't even tried it on yet,it was understandable you fell in love with a photograph of something you've been admiring for so long. I'm sorry you didn't get the feeling wearing it you expected,but it happens so many times,its hard to get over the disappointment.
I really love the other one on you,and can understand your Mom's attachment to it. It looks rich and elegant to me,and considering all eyes will be on you as a total 'package' and not specifically your dress,I think that's the winner!
While I do LOVE the first gown, without the jacket... I also really like the second one, and I think it fits your reception much better. Plus, as others have said, the second gown will save you so much money!
I love the Allure dress ever since you first posted it. I don't think the Justin Alexander even compares, especially for that price.
On your inspiration board...the one shoulder purple bridesmaid dress...who is the designer?
I really like dress 1. The fit looks amazing on you and makes you look tiny :) I would just nix the jacket. Personally I dont know why they would cover up that dress with that jacket anyways. If you arent completely set on either dress maybe take what you like of each and keep looking. I bet you could find one that fits like dress 1 but has the more modern feel of dress 2. Just an idea :)
Maybe like this one :)
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?line=m&page=3&style=A3408
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?line=m&page=4&style=R1064
I love both dresses. I actually love the first one more, but it doesn't really go with your reception feel at all. I don't really think the second one would be my absolute first choice, but it is beautiful and it looks good on you. Do youw ant to try and keep looking, maybe? You don't sound entirely convinced of the second dress.
I love the 2nd dress! Its very very flattering on you and I think goes well with your reception location!
I'm not sure if either should be your first choice. The first is completely gorgeous and looks amazing on you but I don't think that it goes with the feel of your reception. The second one is pretty but it doesn't really fit you as well and doesn't emphasize your tiny waist!
hmmm, It's mainly the store that really rubbed me the wrong way, but minus the jacket (and maybe possibly the beading if it's possible to have it removed) I really like the first dress. It does flatter me very well and I was thinking that the vine/natural/flowery look of it matched the nature/tree theme that we're doing inside....
My reservations aren't that I don't love it, but that it's a lot of money... money that DOES fit in the budget btw....
The 2nd dress, I'm in love the with back. How can you not be? I'm not sold on the dropped waist, but I'm not against it. I'm thinking that depending on the crinoline or once I add length I'll feel better. Right now, I'm 5'11" and used to my legs being long and lean, and I feel kinda short and squat having my legs cut down.... not that they look short, i'm just not used to that kind of proportion on me. I think that the waist was still a bit loose too when I tried on the sample, it did need some taking in at that area...
Either way, I really really like both. I can see myself married in both. I think I like justin more... but is it worth the $1200 more of my budget? The construction and fabrics are def. worth the money... if the dress is,
The one shoulder BM dress is on the dessy website. that's just the color I WAS interested in. I saw the dessy swatches at the store and changed my mind to a darker color :-)
The one thing that dress 1 has is that minus the veil and all, it holds it's integrity as a dress. And for dress 2, sans the veil at the reception, the back will be stunning.
I do have concerns for what I can do to cover my shoulders with dress 2 for the mass
Oooh, the link to the sottero's....
I just recently saw this dress added and emailed a store to see if they had it last week and I haven't heard back.
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?line=m&page=3&style=A3408
Maybe the fact that it just came up again is a sign I should hunt for it.... lol
Oooh, progress! lol
Sorry to bombard my own thread.....
Just got this in an email from my mom about dress 1
"I love this dress but would like to see it with a shorter train. The top seems to flatter your shoulder line the most of all the dresses."
My mom was very anti sweetheart.... and "loved" the dropped waist and didn't like the higher natural waist.
I love dress 1... but I am biased! It was the inspiration for my custom gown. i agree, I went into trying it on with visions of Grace Kelly in my head, but with that awful jacket, it looked frumpy. I loved it without the jacket, but I can't pull off a strapless, so I took the waist (and the giant-ness of the skirt) and sort of combined it with another top I liked.
I think the second one, not to be mean, but really looks like every other wedding dress I have seen lately. it is GORGEOUS, but nothing really different about it. I, personally, was going for a seriously vintagey wedding, so the "feel" of dress one worked for me. It really depends on what you are into. Vintage and "different" or modern and trendy. Both are gorgeous.
Here is a pic of my dress- hopefully you can see how it was inspired by the JA! It is a weird pic taken by a guest, but I think it shows the dress well.
OMG! I love gown number one. I have since I saw it a few months ago. It doesn't really go with the theme of my wedding and the look I'm going for. But, you look great in it and I love it! I vote for gown number one!!!! I love it!!!
I prefer #2, as it gives you more of a defined waist. The first one is a little stumpifying to your torso (which it shouldn't be, since I just noticed you said you are 5'11!)
I almost bought dress 1, and dress 2 looks a lot like the dress I picked - Eve of Milady E 16. So I am of limited help, lol. I attached a pic of my dress, which has a dropped waist and a full skirt. 
I voted for the JA - to say that the sweetheart neckline looks incredible on you is such an understatement, and your waist looks miniscule in that dress! Move over Grace Kelly! To echo the sentiments of a pp, the second one does not compliment your figure in the same way(s). In comparison to the JA, the Allure makes your shoulders look more narrow and your hips look wider - I think that silhouette distorts your natural(ly) slender proportions.
I have actually tried on the JA . . . I totally agree that the lace bolero is not a selling point (but could work for ring pillow fabric/accents! lol), but think that the dress has such *life* to it with all the detailing!
And (please don't shoot me!) while I love Maggie gowns, the beading on some of the gown tends to disract from the gowns instead of adding to it . . . kind of like prom-level beading on an otherwise gorgeous wedding dress.
All this from a someone who never thought she would try on or even seriously consider a ball gown. :)
Honestly, the 2nd dress doesn't do it for me. I LOVE the first one, the lace the beads and all...without the jacket of course. It hugs you perfectly, the sweetheart neckline and the waist just looks so perfect on you. Maybe keep shopping if you aren't sold on it, and I realize I am in the minority here but I love the 1st one. It looks great on you.
I voted for the second simply because of the price point. That being said, I think you should continue looking. The second dress is unremarkable. Seeing you in a sweetheart neckline, I think that is the way to go.
And I second Lola's suggestion that you check out the Maggie Sottero Rachael gown. I have been dying to see that on a real bride.
The first is cute, but I just LOVE the second dress on you, the back is SO BEAUTIFUL!!
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