Weddingbee boards

Bees-

I need your help! 

We recently had to change our wedding date due to a death and now another terminal illness.  It was originally this November at an old children's polio ward turned solarium. (I loved the history and reworked space).  Now it's next March (2012) at a large state park- Stone Mountain Park that features a Marriott Resort. This is just outside Atlanta, GA.  The ceremony will be outside at 6pm with a lake, mountain, and trees as the backdrop- all under a beautiful wood/stone pavillion with a huge stone fireplace- see attached pics.  The reception will follow immediately and be at the Marriott hotel which is just up the hill from the ceremony site within the park.  So it's a mixture of nature- but then the elegance of a resort-style hotel complete with spa, multiple ballrooms, etc.  It almost feels like a destination wedding even though we live here because of the seclusion once inside the park, if that makes sense?  Our colors are 2 shades of green (spring green and a darker leaf green, with black and ivory accents).  The bridesmaids dresses are simple black knee-length, sleeveless, V-neck with green pearl necklace and earrings.  Groomsmen will be in black tuxes with a green vest.

I found 2 sample dresses that feel right- but for different reasons. Both are a light ivory.  I am 37, 5'3". 125lbs. 34B with a very small waist and full hips/butt- definitely hourglass or pear shape. Both dresses are vey lightweight- which was important to me because I am petite and did not want the dress to overpower me.

The first is a Winne Couture lace trumpet dress with light rhinestone beading under the bust.  The lace is heavier at the top, then gets less as it goes down- stopping about 2-3 inches from the bottom. There is no lace at all the very lowest part of the train (which bothers me a little). but when bustled- it's not noticeable.  I love this dress because it feels appropriate for a Southern outside ceremony/inside hotel reception.  I feel sexy but sweet in it- sexy because of the fitted shape- sweet because of the lace.  The price is awesome at $1000 (half price) and fits me like a glove- I need very little alterations other than shortening it.  No one has seen me in yet due to schedules, but a close friend says she "it's the one" from pics only.

The second is a Romona Keveza silk shantung (taffeta) dress with a notched neckline and a fabric criss-cross under the bust.  It is more A-line in shape than the attached picture shows.  I plan on putting a rhinestone brooch under the bust and adding rhinestone buttons going down the back if I go with this dress.  I feel classic and elegant in this dress- like Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O.  I think the neckline is very unique!  The one thing that concerns me is that is may be a little too elegant for an outside ceremony at a park, despite it being at a hotel.  Three of my friends saw me in it, and they were speechless when I walked out.  It will need to be shortened and taken in at the waist, but it fits well otherwise.  It is $1500 (half price!!!)

Both dresses feel like "me"- but in different ways.  I am sweet, sexy, elegant, and classic- sometimes all at once- sometimes one is expressed more than other.. Each dress pulls "me" out in a different way...

Help!  What do you think? Please help me choose because I am completely torn between the two dresses!!!  I have appointments at both bridal salons where the dresses are on Sunday, 9/4...and will need to pick one.  Thanks, Bees!!!

Stone Mountain Park Wedding Ceremony Pavillion 

Winne Couture

Romona Keveza- Legends 106

Chris & Me- engagement photo