Post # 1

Member
860 posts
Busy bee
Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take pics in either one, but I am torn between two dresses with two different looks (chiffon v. lace) and would appreciate suggestions! We’re getting married in late June outside.. the venue is a mansion overlooking the bay… but the reception would be in a large tent.
The first is the Maggie Sottero Destinations Rehearsal Dinner1044 but NO shoulder strap. I would take off the flowers for the ceremony and wear a mantilla veil. For the reception, I would wear the flowers across the front, but still no shoulder strap.
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=RD1044
The next is the Maggie Sottero Karena Royale, but with a sweetheart neckline. I would wear a mantilla veil with no sash for the ceremony, and wear just the sash for the reception (no veil).
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=S5229
The chiffon is very comfortable and light and easy to move in, which is a consideration b/c we’ll be getting married outside in the summer, and it could be close to 90 degress… I also want to be comfortable in general… I also want to be able to eat what I want, dance, etc.
The lace dress is a bit heavier, and I know I will be hot… but it just looks more bridal to me or somthing… for some reason I can’t really let go of the lace.
Thanks for reading, I know this is long!
Post # 3

Member
1498 posts
Bumble bee
If you aren’t getting married for another year, you may want to wait and see how your event and feelings about it evolve before settling on a dress, especially if you are having a hard time choosing.
If I had to choose today, I’d go with the Karena Royale even though it will be hot as hades in that dress outside. I just think the chiffon dress is a more casual look and it doesn’t sound like your wedding is going to be very casual. I’ve seen the Desinatinos dress on a friend of mine and it is beautiful, but it just seem more like a beach kinda dress.
Post # 4

Member
104 posts
Blushing bee
To me the chiffon dress looks a little too flowy, almost like a nightgown. I like a little more structure, but it is a personal preference.
Post # 5

Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
Even though you’ll be outside, your setting (a mansion overlooking the bay) seems more formal than the feel of the chiffon dress. I like the idea of the lace better, but you could always look for a different lace dress that is less structured/heavy/less beading.
Post # 6

Member
860 posts
Busy bee
The venue is semi-formal I guess… the mansion is there for the cocktail hour, but isn’t used for the reception. The reception is outside on a brick patio under a tent. But yeah.. I still dunno if it would be too “beachy.” Thanks bees, keep it coming!
Post # 7

Member
2342 posts
Buzzing bee
I like the chiffon first, only I might be a little biased because I wanted that dress after I already found my actually wedding dress. It would have fit my Destination Wedding in Aruba.
BUt after hearing about your venue, I think the lace dress would be more appropiate. And its just as gorgeous!
Post # 8

Member
4410 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: December 2010 - Savannah, GA
I agree that the Maggie Rehearsal Dinner1044 is very easy to move around in. I tried it on, and that was one of the things that I really liked about it. And once I tried it on, I really thought that was what I wanted–something in chiffon that was easy to move in. But then I tried on a few more gowns, probably at least 20, and decided to go with a lace gown. It’s true you can’t move as easily, but you need to really consider how formal or informal you want to go.
These two dresses are so incredibly different, that I don’t think you’ve found your dress. I was convinced I wanted a Maggie, but in the end, I found a Casablanca that I absolutely loved, so I suggest being open to other designers…
You have some time. I’d keep looking.
Post # 9

Member
189 posts
Blushing bee
I think either of them sound like they would work well with your wedding- I can see either of them in the two venues you described. They are both so different though so it’s hard to say which would be better! 🙁 Both are very beautiful! It sounds like maybe you like the lace better for the look of it and that you like the first one better because you think it’ll be more practical? If that’s the case, I saw go with the lace one because in the end, it seems like it will make you feel the most beautiful on your wedding day!
Post # 10

Member
279 posts
Helper bee
I tried the chiffon dress on, and I felt like it didn’t have enough structure in the bodice, making it almost look like a maternity gown.
I am also having a beach wedding, and def. agree with PPs that it definitely a beachy gown.
Post # 12

Member
175 posts
Blushing bee
If you MUST decide right now, go with the lace. If you can keep shopping, shop a little while longer. Look for a lighter weight lace dress–they do exist!
Post # 13

Member
7768 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I like the lace one. I actually bought the one-shoulder dress, and I have large breasts and an hourglass figure- and I didn’t like the way it looked on me. I think it depends on your figure.
Post # 14

Member
440 posts
Helper bee
If you can’t let go of the lace, I say go with the Karena Royale-that’s my dress too and I’m getting married on the beach in MX and yes, it will be hot, but I love it 🙂
Post # 15

Member
420 posts
Helper bee
I love lace. I got a taffeta dress with lace overlay so it is light as a feather. I was so worried about sweating to death. I think both of your choices are grogeous! Karena Royale seems like to most popular dress right now, which would probably be a big factor, for me, in choosing. I like the Chiffon dress. It seems very elegant, ethereal and best of all, light. Plus, you know that not everyone is wearing it!
Post # 16

Member
234 posts
Helper bee
The chiffon reminds more of a destination dress. I think the lace goes better with your venue. Both are very pretty though.