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I recently tried on a bridesmaid dress that I am considering getting as my wedding dress. I unfortunately don't have any pics of myself in it but you can see it on the model. It comes in ivory with ivory lace, and the top and back are exactly what I've been looking for (or pretty close to it).
The part I'm struggling with is the skirt. I've never wanted a really long train, but I won't be able to have one at all. And I wanted a trumpet/mermaid skirt with a gorgeous poof like the third pic posted, but this one is more of a "slightly trumpeting sheath" if that makes sense. Also, it doesn't have all the great construction in the bodice as most wedding dresses I've tried on do. I was thinking I could maybe get the same effect with Spanx underneath to hold everything in, but I haven't tried it.
What do you think? Has anyone used a bridesmaid dress for their wedding dress or know anyone who has? Did you regret it? Or were you happy with the decision? Obviously, the HUGE pro is that the price is less than half what I'd pay for a similar bridal dress.
I really appreciate your time and thoughts!!!
mermaidback2.jpg (106.4 KB, 96 downloads) 2 years old JH5830front.jpg (33.3 KB, 113 downloads) 2 years old jh5830.jpg (25.3 KB, 116 downloads) 2 years old 
I love the dress. It may be a sacrifice in terms of a train, but think of what you are making up in the money you save! I love the bodice!
That is a beautiful dress. I heart Jim Hjelm. I think that you could be done. Is it more the dress or the budget that is leading to this decision. If you like the dress, get it.
I think it's gorgeous, and would definitely be bridal enough! Just make sure that you're 100% okay with not having a train, but like Mrs. DG said, it may be worth it for the monetary savings!
I think the dress is gorgeous and would definitely work as a bridal gown. I too love Jim Hjelm wedding dresses, but they are way out of my budget. I think you should love your dress, and if you have any doubts at all, keep looking. Have you considered getting a custom made gown with all the elements you have in mind? That may be a good alternative for you. :)
That dress is very pretty and it def looks like a wedding dress! I don't know what your budget is but I found a gown at davids bridal that looks really really similar to the one you've posted and they have a lay-away option so that makes it more affordable. Also, the one at DB has a small train! Just a suggestion... Good Luck!!
http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49995498¤tIdx=15&subCategory=-49999486|-49995498&catentryId=6110586&sort=
It's a great dress and would look totally bridal in ivory. But if you always wanted a train you might regret it later. You're a bride once. Good luck!
I think that it would be fantastic. Not sure how tall you are, but you might be able to order it with extra length (or extra extra length), which may enable a good seamstress to consruct a sort of train (i.e. the right length in front and longer in the back.)
Spanx may not work, since it is so low in the back, but you can get cups sewn in.
My own wedding dress was a bridesmaid dress, and I had absolutely zero regrets about it.
Gorgeous, totally would wear that in a heatbeat!
Hey, I thinks this is a beautiful dress but you need to make sure it ticks all of your boxes, the last thing you want is regrets... As a thought if you did want that dress with a train it may be worth finding a seamstress that can alter the back of the dress slightly. I've attached a picture of my evening gown which had additional panels sewn into the back so it had a small train. I bought it like this but it seems simple enough to get done. You could get the panels in the same sort of material so that it is concealed, or even a similar lace that is in the dress so it looks as though it was created like that. The panels in my photo were chiffon and the dress was satin so they were a total contrast but really effective.
I think no matter what 'kind' of dress it is, if you like it, get it. Nobody is going to come up to you like OMG THAT'S A BRIDESMAID DRESS ISN'T IT? They will come up and be like oh my, you look so beautiful and your gown is just gorgeous... where did you get it? :) If you like it, get it.
Wow...that dress is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! I say that if you love it, go for it! It totally looks like a wedding gown and I love Jim Hjelm!! :)
I know that model anywhere..its a JIM HJELM dress huh?! I love their dresses, my wedding dress is Jim Hjelm and they are expensive, but I had to buy it! Their BM dresses are beautiful too and that dress would be so beautiful as a wedding dress!
love the dress and yes, it totally works as a wedding dress. do you think it can be altered to add a bit of train?
I love it, and just think without a train you won't have to pay to get it bustled!
It's a beautiful dress. Go for it! My wedding dress came from a bridesmaid dress company, and I don't have regrets. But then, I did have particular criteria I wanted for the dress - including the fact that I did *not* want a train and I *did* want a particular style of sleeve. My dress was the first dress I saw that ticked off every box on my list of "wants" - and at $174 including tax, with free shipping, how could I complain?
I know people who have used prom dresses as wedding dresses and loved it because they got the puffy dress they wanted without paying the price.
Beautiful dress! I agree with the others--if you want a train, ask about adding one in! Or maybe you can have a long, elaborate veil...?
Aww, thank you ladies! It is a Jim Hjelm bridesmaid dress--and how else am I going to get a brand new Jim Hjelm for $290 right? I think your ideas about getting extra length might work for a train. I'm only 5'5" (though I plan on wearing heels).
I'm curious though--if you add extra length does it elongate the entire silhouette? Like, if it's a trumpet skirt will it dip in around my calves instead of my knees? Or does it just tack on extra inches at the bottom without affecting the rest of the skirt?
One more question too--do you guys think it would work to add covered buttons down the back? I loooove covered buttons but like I said, the bottom of the skirt isn't too poofy and I've never seen covered buttons on a sheath dress...
Thanks again!!!
Not sure about the buttons but with the dress I had the extra panels just elongated the back and gave it a bit of length. The train was only small though, it wouldnt need bustling or nething like that it was just a bit of extra detail. So I So if you wanted to go longer I'm not sure what would happen. Will try again to attach the pic! bare with me! x
I tell a lie. I tried a Mon Cheri dress which was fitting and was a very slim A-Line. It also had a fairly short train and that had covered buttons all the way down the back. It looked fine! The challenge would be making sure the tone of fabric was exactly the same as the fabric on the dress though.
For some reason I'm having trouble attaching the pic of the train on my dress. If you would like to see it I am happy to email it to you should you wish.
another "yes" vote here. it's lovely. totally bridal, and in fact a lot chic-er than a lot of wedding dresses. i also agree: get extra length, and hire a seamstress to hem it and create more of a train effect. have you tried the dress on already? my only concern would be that it looks very low-cut -- and that might be an undergarment issue. if you feel good about your bra/spanx situation, definitely go for i!
another "yes" vote here. it's lovely. totally bridal, and in fact a lot chic-er than a lot of wedding dresses. i also agree: get extra length, and hire a seamstress to hem it and create more of a train effect. have you tried the dress on already? my only concern would be that it looks very low-cut -- and that might be an undergarment issue. if you feel good about your bra/spanx situation, definitely go for i!
PS: you might also consider a long, trailing sash for a bit of a train effect. or a cathedral veil. love it!
I totally wanted to do this with a Jim Helm bridesmaid dress, I just couldn't find a local vendor to do it-- good luck!!
That dress looks really gorgeous! It could totally work as a birde's dress!
You ask "does this work as a wedding dress?" and I answer with a resounding "YES!!" anything can be a wedding dress... the question is, is it what YOU want? It is gorgeous!!!
I feel like you can not only sew a corset kind of thing in there, but also some poof for the bottom. WHat you'd spend in alterations would still bring you way under a traditional wedding gown. Do it!
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