What a gorgeous short wedding dress … we love the polka dotted netting of the “Elope” dress from Sarah Seven’s 2011 collection … perfection.
Blogs - WedSpace's blog / Gowns - PostsShopbop.com recently launched their wedding boutique, and WedSpace loves their gown selection. Chic, modern and very well priced.
Here are two favorites!
Absolute bridal gorgeousness. This Notte by Marchesa ruffled gown speaks for itself — just totally and completely romantic. ($1155, www.shopbop.com)
 Adore this new BCBG gown. The details are hard to see in the photo, but they’re just stunning. Very ethereal and moves beautifully. {via BCBG, $1048} 
… Or this retro-amazing number by Stone Cold Fox?  Look at the details of this amazing Melissa Blackburn custom-made gown! The pleated skirt came from 94 whopping yards of fabric, can you believe it!
Having a custom gown made can be a wonderful idea. If you find a designer gown you love but can't afford the big-ticket price, you can have it recreated for less money (see the JCrew Sascha lookalike below). Or, if you have something very specific in mind that you can't find on the rack, your dream dress can be created. For instance, unique bead or lacework or a nontraditional color are gowns you'll want a dressmaker to execute for you.
Here's what to keep in mind when you having a dress custom-made:
* Do your research and find the most trusted, proven dressmaker you can. You're placing a lot of responsibility in one person's hands, and you want to be sure that person can create what you've envisioned, with flawless craftsmanship. Check out online reviews, post on forums for recommendations, and ask around to see who other brides have used and had a good experience with.
* Give yourself lots of time. Nine months for a custom dress would be ideal, six months might be OK. You want to have time for every single fitting until the dress is perfect. You will have changes and you don't want your dressmaker to be rushed.
* Etsy is amazing, but it's also a leap of faith when it comes to fit. You will have a more stress-free time if the dressmaker is someone in your city who you can visit for in-person alterations and fittings.
* Get the right fabric. You may not be able to find top-quality bridal fabric in a fabric store. You may need to order it online. Ask your dressmaker for help choosing the right color, quality, and quantity. Then, order sample swatches of several fabrics so you can see and feel them before purchasing a large quantity. Yet another reason to give yourself plenty of time with a custom gown.
* Don't plan to lose too much weight. A custom gown is not for you if you plan to go on a diet for the months leading up to your wedding. An experienced dressmaker will fit you in a muslin garment that serves as the pattern for the gown early on, thus dropping big pounds means the proportions of the dress will change, wreaking havoc for your dressmaker.
{This bride had a dressmaker re-create the JCrew Sascha gown, while she purchased the flower belt online. With the dressmaker's help, she and her fiance stayed within their tight budget!}
Carol Hannah from Project Runway has a new wedding collection on Etsy! Her dresses were too beautiful all season ...
I especially love this bridesmaids’ dress -- get it in jersey or chiffon, short or long ...   I may have said this before, but this is really it. My perfect wedding gown.
Meet, the Melissa Sweet Dora. A sexy sweetheart neckline, airy layers, a big bow, and swiss dots. (You may not know how much I love polka dots ...) I love every detail of this dress, the shape, the ruffled edges, the way it floats when the bride walks. It is just incredible.
  Here it is in action, on Holly (+ Jared). Swoon.
 How about combining a gorgeous ethereal gown with your something blue? This BCBG gown is actually on sale for $289 on their website!
 The gorgeous wedding e-zine Utterly Engaged is back with its beautiful second issue! This issue offers perfect nuggets of eco-chic wedding ideas, pretty tabletops, and wallet-friendly suggestions. I absolutely fell in love with the photography and eco-friendly gowns (of course, I always swoon over Sarah Seven). Check it out! I can't wait for issue three already!
I mean, just look at the cover ... isn't it so chic?
 Fabulous gowns from Bridal Naturals, made of silk and hemp ... How beautiful is the hair and makeup in this photo?
 I die for this! Change into it for your reception and be the sexiest bride alive.
 I love the detailing on this gown, plus the Lamb's Ear in the bouquet is a fantastic idea!
 And, of course, Sarah Seven. I love this dress more and more every time I see it.
 {Thanks to Green Wedding Shoes for the heads up!}
I almost hate to tell everyone about gowns by SarahSeven because her Etsy store has gotten so popular as of late. Still, give her 4 months and you can have a breathtaking, ethereal dress -- for a wedding gown or your 'maids.
Literally, these are my perfect dresses. Floaty layers, ruffles peeking out, fabric florals, and soft colors. Wedding gowns run $1,500 or less and short gowns fall in the $400 to $500 range.
Better yet, these are dresses you will wear again -- and everyone will be covetous.
Peaceful Afternoon bridal gown with peekaboo ruffled hem
 Rosy Posy gown ... for a nontraditional bride, or custom order it in white
 Tulip dress in a sweet baby blue
 Last but not least, Raspberry Perfection. Stunning
 Good morning' and Happy Monday ...
You can imagine, I spend a good deal of time looking at amazing wedding gowns, but this is honestly the most incredible dress I have ever seen. The ridiculously intricate details, the outstanding handmade quality, the elegance ... it's one of a kind.
Alas, Cary Santiago is a Filipino designer, so you probably won't be floating down the aisle in this amazing gown any day soon, but just ogle the pictures for now ... first spotted on OnceWed, photography by MangoRed.
Swoon ... Isn't it a dream?
 
Nontraditional Gowns: The Latest in Wedding Dress Trends
Nontraditional approaches to the wedding gown are making a big push as of late – and just in time for brides on a tighter budget due to the tough economy. Purchasing a shorter gown, a nontraditional style (such as a vibrant hue), or a secondhand gown can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Shorter gowns are perfect for less formal ceremonies, vintage themes, and all outdoor weddings. Try a tea-length hem – one that falls just below the knee or mid-calf. A full skirt on a shorter gown also gives the bride beautiful shape and gives the dress movement. Better still, a short dress lets you show off the boldly colored shoes – yellow, blue, pink, etc. – that have become so popular. Brides are no longer shying away from color; while many brides choose a colored sash or shoe, other brides are going so far as to wear a colored wedding gown. Pink, blue, gold, red, and even gray hues are showing up on many brides who like to their personality to show through their dress. While this is not a trend for every bride, a colored or printed dress becomes a unique conversation piece that will stand out in guests’ minds amid a sea of diamond-white gowns. Take this bold bride in her butterfly-print gown that has shown up in bridal magazines across the world (http://tinyurl.com/cf9bzy)! Guests aren’t soon to forget a dress like that. Finally, gently used or secondhand gowns are a wonderful option for brides looking to save money, and the earth. Buying a secondhand gown is a great way to make that aspect of your wedding eco-friendly. And, if you have a certain high-end designer or gown in mind, you can save 50% or more by purchasing a gown that was only worn for a few hours by another bride. Sites like OnceWed.com, eBay, and Preownedweddingdresses.com are helpful resources, featuring gently used and some never-worn gowns from all the top designers. If you’re purchasing a used gown, just be sure the condition of the dress is described in great detail and that you ask questions and request pictures to be sure you’re getting the exact dress you want. Secondhand gowns can always be altered and tailored to your exact measurements, of course. Whether you choose a short gown, a brightly hued gown, or a secondhand gown, the benefits are similar – you are letting your personality shine through your dress, as well as saving money. Purchasing a nontraditional wedding dress or a dress from a “non-wedding” line means trimming your costs significantly – a big plus for the modern bride. Results per page:
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