Weddingbee boards

Hi Bees,

I'm fairly new to the Wedding Bee, I just got engaged this October and am planning a July 2011 wedding. My mom and I have been dress shopping and fell in love with two dresses.

1. Monique Lhuillier - Bliss from the 2010 collection

http://www.stylemepretty.com/lookbook/monique-lhuillier/wedding-dresses-bliss-2009/bl0902/

2. Paloma Blanca

http://www.pureenglishbridal.com/g_PB.htm

I'm torn between these because the Monique is classic, timeless and very much my style.  The Paloma is just so fun and pretty though.

Which one do you bees like better?  Also, as for the Monique Lhuillier gown, although my Mom is being super generous and offering to buy it I'm having a very hard time with her paying for a dress that expensive.  Has anyone seen anything like that dress from a cheaper designer (note - I would be switching out the organza bottom for silk instead).

Thank you in advance!

p.s. I hope my links work, i'm still trying to figure out how to do all of this.