(Closed) Dress & Accessory HELP :)

• primcess
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: September 2013

The dress is simple enough that I think you could do just about anything you wanted with this. I’m not much of a veil person, so I would vote birdcage, but I think it is more of a personal style choice. A jeweled belt is another way to go, for some bling. I like the idea of sparkly buttons down the back, I have seen that look really nice. I’m also a fan of the sweetheart — I’m getting one put in my dress — not sure about the ruffle bottom. If I were you I might work with accessories first. Right now you have a blank canvas and you don’t want to fill it up too quickly with all of the ideas you have in  your head. Try one thing at a time and add to it as necessary. Don’t forget that some fab hair and makeup will also change the look of you in your dress!

• cbt105
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: December 2013

Have not purchased this dress, but here are my answers the rest of your questions!

2. How would you accessorize this dress? Long veil or birdcage? Shoes?  Jewlery?

I would go with a long, cathedral length veil.  Since the dress is on the simple side, a long veil will give it that element of grandeur that you may want on your wedding day.  Shoes I don’t think matter that much since no one will really see them, except in maybe a few pictures.  Go with something comfortable and maybe something with sparkle.  I think you can go all out with jewelry, though.  There isn’t much glitz on the dress, so if you want to some sparkle, go nuts 🙂

3. Should I convert the neckline to a sweetheart? I really think the  sweetheart is the most flattering on me. I’m only 5ft, and plan on wearing at  least 3″ heels.

I prefer sweetheart to a straight neckline – Straight necklines look too bathing suit-ish to me.

4. Should I add buttons down the back or try to add any sort of  sparkle/beading? I’m feeling like I’ll miss the bling, unless I just leave that  to the jewlery.

If you want more bling after the jewelry and shoes, then you could always add a glitzy belt!

5. Lastly, am I crazy for even thinking this or should I just go ahead and  ask a tailor anyway…would it be a good idea to add some sort of ruffle detail  to the front hem…a la Vera Wang Gemma or Ethel? Those two were my dream  dresses.

I think you should stick to dressing up the dress with accessories – I wouldn’t do many alterations to the dress itself.  It’s simplicity should be showcased and if you’re not happy with the changes you make to the dress afterwards, it’s pretty much too late.  It seems like you like the dress for what it is (otherwise you wouldn’t have bought it), so I would just stick to adding to it with things you have control over changing (jewelry, shoes, a sash/belt, veil, etc.).

Hope this helps!!

• jltoth
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: January 2014

This dress is very simple, so you have a lot of options as far as accessories go. I don’t think a birdcage veil is ideal, but instead go for a longer veil with some detail (either lace or simple bling).  Since the dress is simple, a veil with detail will not compete.  I also think that a slight sweetheart neckline may accentuate your curves which would be gorgeous, but it is also fine straight.  I would not add any bling or detail to the dress (including the ruffle) but instead use jewelery.  Maybe a blingy necklace and/or earrings to bring some bling into your look.  Hope that helps!

• drlolaz
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: August 2013

I can always spot a converted sweetheart. Personally not my favorite, and a little cliche right now. I think you’d be better off adding ruffles at the neckline. Alternatively, you could get a chapel length veil with ruffle trim. The dress is simple and chic enough to go with a dramatic veil, like a handkerchief veil, maybe waltz length? Get your sparkle with some chandelier earrings and stacked stretch sparkle bracelets.

• inloveweddingfever
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: August 2013 - Hearthstone Country Club

@bellasposada:  Oh wow you look amazing! Great buy!!! 😉

• MissPurplePurl
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: August 2014

So glad I came across this thead! 

To help with your questions:

1. Have any other ladies purchased this gown (it’s a Vera Wang White from David’s Bridal – VW351081, twill grosgrain material)? If so, PLEASE post pictures!

So sorry for not posting pictures. I would post but I need to get it altered first which won’t happen until well after your wedding. 

2. How would you accessorize this dress? Long veil or birdcage? Shoes? Jewlery?

I would first have to ask about the general feel of your wedding before suggesting a veil. Without that information, I’d suggest something based on your height. Because you are on the shorter side and the dress is chapel length, I would not go with a veil any longer than floor length/waltz (72”, I think). Personally, I’m leaning toward a shorter veil; not birdcage, but something slightly above shoulder length.

Shoes won’t matter too much with this dress unless you get it taken up a bit in the front – knock yourself out in that department.

Jewlery I’d suggest simple and classic with modest bling. Rocking a beautiful pearl necklace will get you the same effect as a single string diamond/rhinestone necklace and dangling earrings. I’d especially suggest simple jewlery if you’re going with a longer veil. If you’re in the mood for those statement necklaces, I’d suggest sticking with simple earrings. Again, you chose a simple and elegant dress for a reason. I don’t think 5 bangles and cascading earrings are that appealing to you. Stay the course no matter what the wedding websites say! 

3. Should I convert the neckline to a sweetheart? I really think the sweetheart is the most flattering on me. I’m only 5ft, and plan on wearing at least 3″ heels.

I think altering the neckline of any dress should be done very, very conservatively, if at all. Personally, I will not alter the neckline on this dress because I don’t even want to think about managing my boobs on the day. Don’t forget the back of this dress is what makes it elegant and feminine. Do you have an idea for the type of bra you’d get which would not be visible from the back?

5. Lastly, am I crazy for even thinking this or should I just go ahead and ask a tailor anyway…would it be a good idea to add some sort of ruffle detail to the front hem…a la Vera Wang Gemma

Again, I’d say let it be. Start slowly like the other ladies have suggested. If you aren’t happy when you add accessories, then reasses. I’d also suggest a more prominent sash before alterations to the dress.

• MissPurplePurl
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: August 2014

@bellasposada:  Also, some very sage advice from KimmySumShuga > Simple Dress Support

• artdecobride
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: July 2013

Hi! I have this same dress and I’ve been searching around to see how it looks on other brides – so happy I found this post! It looks great on you. I just had my second fitting today so I thought I’d show you how it looks and what I’m planning to do for accessories. 

First, I decided to skip the sash – for some reason, this dress was much more slimming on me without it. (I think it looks great on you, though.) I also had the back pinned down so you could see the flowers in the back of the dress better. 

I’m getting married in an Art Deco-style building, so I’m bringing some Art Deco touches to my wedding with jewelry, veil, hair, makeup, etc. One of my bridesmaids is making me a birdcage-style veil because long veils are just not my style at all. (I’ll post a picture of that when I get it.) For jewelry, I’m wearing a vintage Art Deco silver filigree necklace with citrine crystals. I wasn’t looking for something like that at all, but I’m doing yellow and orange flowers for my wedding, so it’s perfect. And I just found some square citrine earrings on ebay to match. You can’t see the necklace very well in the photo with the dress so I’ll post a detail shot too.

For shoes, I’m wearing these peep-toe Katie & Kelly pumps in silver. I’m also 5 feet tall so I wanted a high heel (these are 3 1/4 inches and surprisingly comfortable). 

I hope that helps! To answer your other questions:

3. I’m not a fan of sweetheart necklines at all, so I never considered altering the neckline of my dress. I’m pretty busty for my height (34D), so I didn’t want to draw any additional attention to that area. If you do decide to alter the necklace, make sure you go to a tailor who knows what they’re doing. I’ve seen photos of wedding dresses with necklines that have been converted to sweetheart necklines and it looked really obvious (i.e., bad). 

4. and 5. I’m with the other brides – I would dress up this dress with statement jewelry and possibly a beaded sash, but I wouldn’t add anything more to the hem or the back. You could have a LOT of fun with jewelry with this dress. Here’s a bride in a dress with a straight neckline and a big statement necklace – I love this look! 

Let us know what you decide to do!