Post # 1
Member
1772 posts
Buzzing bee
I’ve fallen hard for the Enzoani Dakota, but I’m a very thorough shopper and wondering if anybody has ideas of dresses that might match it/beat it so I can consider them before I commit to the Dakota? The key things I love about the Dakota: gorgeous lace & great gradual flare out, great fit from corset panel, the pattern of the lace tapers at the bottom so that there’s a pretty inverted V or high/low (& lace, no lace) pattern on the english net that varies based on the slight fluting of the skirt.
Dakota w/o crinoline (my shape is pretty similar to this bride, but I’m slightly curvier on top & bottom):
Dakota w/crinoline (I think I probably prefer it w/o b/c there are more waves & nice draping to the skirt w/o the crinoline:
Separately, I love these simple lace dresses as they are, but any dress I get, I’ll also need to jazz up for a second large cultural wedding for which my Future Mother-In-Law will probably want/need a lot more wow factor. What wow should I add for her at that wedding (in a church): detailed, long veil; sash or belt; statement necklace; adding mermaid crinoline to the skirt, some type of detailed bolero or shawl- what do you think? & any pics of new suggestions would be very appreciated. (Most of the pics below have sweetheart necklines, but I don’t think I’ll change the neckline of the dress b/c it’s probably low enough as is since I’m pretty busty- like first pic above)
This dakota has sweetheart neckline, blinged out belt, and mermaid crinoline.
With sweetheart, blingy belt, & no crinoline:
With sash & long veil with lace edges:
Post # 3
Member
3370 posts
Sugar bee
I think the Dakota is a beautiful dress, and I prefer it with a mermaid crinoline to really give justice to the dramatic silhouette. Without the crinoline, the skirt seems to fall a bit flat.
To jazz up the dress, I would say go for a blingy crystal belt and a beautiful lace-edge or lace-applique cathedral veil. I would give the statement necklace a miss, as it would detract from that beautiful detailed neckline. Some sort of bolero/jacket/sleeves would also work, an off-the-shoulder lace overlay or lace-applique tulle sleeves would be some options. I have a dress that’s a similar style, and I’m thinking of doing something like this:
Post # 4
Member
1131 posts
Bumble bee
Definitely go for a blingy belt/sash! 🙂
Post # 5
Member
1772 posts
Buzzing bee
@peonyinparis: thanks- I get what you’re saying on nixing the necklace. Since the lace is so detailed, it’d be too much fuss in that area to also have a huge blingy necklace. Maybe another story if I was getting a simpler fabric at the neckline.
@WestCoast: @peonyinparis: I had a feeling that I’d need to add a blingy sash/belt for Future Mother-In-Law & you’re confirming. I’m probably the only bee who is just not a fan of bling or belts on me because I prefer simpler & the uninterrupted flow of the dress & I think more fuss tends to outshine me. But really, if I get to do one ceremony and reception with my simple no-bling, no belt look, it won’t kill me to add a blingy belt so I can get a second use out of the dress. It’s a really small price to pay. Hmmm I guess I should probably look for some different belts to get an idea of what I’d like most . . .
Post # 6
Member
1621 posts
Bumble bee
I love the Dakota! Tried it on but preferred a fuller silouhette in the end. I would definitely add a blingly belt (Etsy has LOTS of gorgeous belts), but I prefer it without the added crinoline. A long cathedral veil and maybe a lace bolero for the church ceremony. As for the neckline, I generally prefer the sweetheart but would keep the originial neckline if you’re generous in the bust area.
Post # 7
Member
230 posts
Helper bee
It’s such a gorgeous dress, and there are defintiely a lot of things you can do with it. I personally like the sweetheart neckline, but you’ll have to judge what works better with your body. I would wear it with a sash (not too blingy) and a long lacy veil. The veil will add lots of WOW. I would skip the flashy necklace, I think the dress should take center stage.
Post # 8
Member
6105 posts
Bee Keeper
Martina Liana 346 is very similar but it has sparkle all over the dress so it gives it a little something extra. And it has a sweetheart neckline that I prefer
Post # 9
Member
1511 posts
Bumble bee
@Shkragoldfish: That dress is gorgeous, and if you love it you should definitely get it! I also prefer the look of the gown without the mermaid crinoline … I agree that it drapes a little more beautifully/romantically without the crinoline, and I tend to prefer that type of look on a wedding gown. I also voted to add a blingy belt/sash and a dramatic veil with lace detailing. I’m not a huge fan of veils (I’m personally going without one), but the veil you posted with the lace edges made my jaw drop … So gorgeous!
You should do a little searching on some belt/sash and veil options and post those along with polls to get some more suggestions … Bees love a good poll! 
Post # 10
Member
506 posts
Busy bee
@IzzyBear: and it comes with corset or button as options. 🙂
Post # 11
Member
8682 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I just want to say you look GORGEOUS in that dress!
Post # 12
Member
6105 posts
Bee Keeper
@zoecn: that’s true!! I forgot Martina Liana offers a choice of corset or buttons!
Post # 13
Member
724 posts
Busy bee
@Shkragoldfish: This is me when I tried on the Dakota. I was (and still am) in love with that dress. I would have purchased it but when I tried this on I unfortunately already had another dress that I could not return. I have since spent over $1k on alterations on my current dress to try and make it looks as much like the Dakota as possible. I say don’t add crinoline, but add a blingy belt and a long veil. Also, you should alter the neckline to a sweetheart for sure!
Post # 14
Member
2055 posts
Buzzing bee
@Shkragoldfish: Since you asked, in addition to the Dakota (which is gorgeous), you might also like La Soie Private Collection (photo another Bee):
Post # 15
Member
1772 posts
Buzzing bee
thanks everybody – I’ve decided I’m just going to wear what I like most. I’ll end up doing plenty of other things to compromise w/FMIL during planning process, so no need to compromise on what I’m wearing.
I’m one of the few who just doesn’t like poof, bling, or belts/sashes on wedding dresses (on me at least), so I won’t buy a belt/sash and won’t buy a crinoline, but I am going to take a gf up on her generous offer of making me a cathedral veil (she’s made them for a # of other friends). I also think I’ll skip the sweetheart modification because I definitely already have enough chest showing w/o that change & I think even more cleavage showing could distract or start looking more jessica rabbit than I want. & w/these “savings” on skipping the belt/sash, crinoline, sweetheart modification, and not buying a veil . . .
I also love mori lee 5108 as a party dress, so I’m going to hopefully find that one on sale and wear that for part of the reception or some other event during the wedding weekend.
@IzzyBear: @zoecn:Thanks for comments on the martina liana. I like the lace on the dakota better (the neckline details and on the skirt) and I don’t like bling on me (from online pics I never knew the martina liana had bling), so I think I’ll stick with the dakota.
@gelaine22: it’s not me in the dress b/c I’m too worried abt a pic of me in the dress getting to my fiance somehow & I only got closeup pics w/o heels in the fitting room. my body type is similar to the pic, but my neck is longer, I’m bustier & curvier/more hourglass.
@MlleFabuleux: I saw the other thread w/that la soie dress and loved it. I’m pretty sure I like the dakota’s lace & neckline better (I don’t know what you call the look where the lace does not just end where the dress ends & it’s kinda scattered). I also am not a fan of bling as much (on the la soie neckline). But next time I’m in cali, it’s probably a good idea to try the dress at la soie on just in case if it’s cheaper just to have a backup option. Does anybody know how much that dress (or designer) runs or what the style is?
Post # 16
Hostess
11050 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@Shkragoldfish: I know you’ve decided but for what it’s worth, I voted for sash, I like the look of the last one from the back anyway and ove the veil, that type of veil goes great with the Dakota. Crinoline I’d be tempted to say without. I don’t think it needs the neckline alteration.