Post # 1
Member
383 posts
Helper bee
Okay so yesterday I went to a bridal boutique, ran by a local dress designer. She sells Sottero and Midgley gowns and that is specifically what I went in there for. So I tried on a few S&Ms some were bleh, some were awesome, but she slipped in one of her OWN designs and I absolutely LOVEDDDDD the gown! Like it was gorgeous!! Everything I wanted in a gown and MORE. I asked which S&M and she told me it was actually her design…so at first I was like wow, this is great! Most of the time when I see people get their dresses made I never like them b/c they look cheap and homemade. But this dress was the total opposite!
After I kept it on and continued to drool over it…my “label whore” tendencies started to creep in…I really wanted to be able to say I had on a designer label wedding gown…so it’s like how can I just go with a local dress designer? I’m soooo embarassed about feeling that way and I know it’s vain but does anybody see where I’m coming from? Or am I just being absolutely ridiculous? The dress was VERY affordable might I add, WAY under my budget.
Post # 3
Member
5217 posts
Bee Keeper
No one is going to care what label your gown is except you! They will be much more blown away by how the gown actually looks, fits and how you feel in it! I say go with the one that looks and feels better.
Post # 4
Member
2103 posts
Buzzing bee
I think that a local designer’s dress is going to be more original and actually would be greater than S&M…which is a VERY popular brand…that a girl in every city wears…hell, I’m not that into dresses and I actually know the names of all the soterro dresses becasue I see them so much.
If the dress is gorgeous and you like it…what’s the hold up?
Post # 5
Member
3367 posts
Sugar bee
All that matters is that you love the dress.
Post # 7
Member
2424 posts
Buzzing bee
I agree, labels don’t matter! If you love the dress and it makes you feel beautiful, that is all that you could ask from your wedding dress! And, it makes your dress even more special and unique! I think it NOT being a big label is a major plus! And if people ask, you could say it’s an exclusive/private designer gown if you don’t want to say it’s local.
Post # 8
Member
756 posts
Busy bee
I think I would actually be *more* interested in a dress that was not by one of the designers everyone wears. Instead of having a dress that you’ve seen 100 times on other brides online, you’ll have one that you’ve never seen on anyone but yourself.
And if it’s under your budget, even better! It’s not as if all of your wedding guests are going to ask you who designed your dress, so why spend more on a well-known name if you really love this dress?
Post # 9
Member
5422 posts
Bee Keeper
I can relate. It’s tough to let go of that “designer ideal”. Go try on other S&M gowns and see how they compare to how you felt in the store’s private design.
Post # 10
Member
15351 posts
Honey Beekeeper
No one is going to care about the label on the dress except you, and there are soooooo many gowns out there, most people except maybe other brides who have been going dress crazy too will even know what’s what. I have never once been to a wedding or looked a pictures and wondered who made the dress or how much it cost. (Well, i mean i wondered who made it when I was shopping of course if I saw something I liked, but other than that – no) I know S&M is not cheap or anything like that, but in the world of designer wedding gowns, is it even condsidered deisnger with the likes of Vera, or Panina, etc
Post # 11
Member
164 posts
Blushing bee
Hey, your’s is probably one of a kind, isn’t that way better than a label???
If you love it then get it! 
Post # 12
Member
1723 posts
Bumble bee
Go with the one she made! It sounds like you really love it. Nobody will care about the “brand.”
Post # 13
Member
3977 posts
Honey bee
I don’t think many people outside of the wedding world even know the “Sottero & Midgley” label, it’s not like Oscar de la Renta.
Wear a great gown you love, don’t be a snob.
Post # 14
Member
383 posts
Helper bee
Thanks for the feedback you guys are really right!! I know S&M isnt like high end designer but deep down inside I was hoping Fiance would let me splurge on my real dream gown the Kenneth Pool for Amsale Ethereal. BUt like many of you said there is no real reason to go and break the bank for a dress you’ll only wear for a few hours and nobody will see the label! It’s not like it has LV’s or C’s all over it to scream designer! SO you are right I am really leaning towards that gown, I wish I was allowed to take pictures so I could show you all what it looks like!
Post # 15
Member
1919 posts
Buzzing bee
Not one person aside from yourself will know what designer your gown is. I don’t think anyone asks at someone’s wedding, oh what designer is that? Unless someone has gotten married, no one knows wedding dress designers outside of Vera Wang. So definitely go with the dress that you love. It will be so much more unique and you likely won’t find a dress twin.
Post # 16
Member
242 posts
Helper bee
When people ask you tell them the actually designers name (the lady from the boutique). Then if they say they have never heard of it you can tell them it’s super exclusive, which it is! 🙂
Do you have a pic? I’d love to see it!
