THE WEDDING DRESS YOU HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT
By DIANE
PERFECT-ALTAR-RING
www.stanwiest.com/perfect-altar-ring.htm
(631)
754-4979
Email perfect-altar-rng@hotmail.com
Imagine
yourself in a wedding dress that no one ever saw before. A dress
that is just “You”.
You’re probably thinking “Sure, but I
can’t afford that!” Well you can and
several brides we have helped have done just that and for $600 -$900.
It isn’t the usual saving money by
looking for a bargain at a discount bridal factory, making the dress yourself
or having some friend’s aunt who used to work for Bloomingdale’s in alterations
do your dress.
But it does take some time, a little
perseverance and schlepping (but no more than going from Bridal salon to Bridal
salon). It is not for everyone but it is fun and very unique and can save you
oodles of money.
You start with finding at an antique
clothing store, a second hand store or a hospital or charity Thrift shop an old
wedding dress made of real satin, silk, peau de soie etc. Never mind it has a rip, stain or isn’t even
close to the real size you need. The style doesn’t matter either! What does
matter is the quality of the fabric.
We did a wedding dress quite
recently. The original dress was real
silk satin made around 1885 – it still had the hem made for a hoop. The hand
beading down the long sleeves, bodice and down the center front of the dress
was exquisite. There were a few small light stains and the size was all wrong.
However there was so much material in the original dress that is was easy to
let out, take in, add a train (that after the church was buttoned to the back
of the dress in four elegant folds so that the skirt became a beautiful ball
gown with lovely motion). The wedding was a late winter wedding so the material
was great. It had turned ivory over the years, so we found ivory tulle to
create a veil and we hand-beaded it to match the dress beading.
We also bought 2 yards of finest gauge
ivory wool and created a ruana for the 20 degree
temperature.
The dress alterations were handled by
a professional tailor/seamstress (cost about $350) plus the dress was purchased
originally for $275 from an antique store.
The theme of the wedding was a
Victorian wedding – The groom wore a vested tuxedo, derby, carried a pearl
handled cane. It was just slightly hinted at rather than a costume look. The
flowers and attendants all were suitably attired with just a hint of elegant
Victoriana.
The dress could just as easily have
been totally modern made into a halter dress or even strapless ensemble - with
a bolero jacket.
One can start with an elegant silk
slip dress or even nightgown and by adding, gathering, etc. make a wedding
dress that everyone remembers, and most importantly you will love because you
dictated every nuance.
Again this is not for every bride.
Bridal salons are wonderful places to get a beautiful dress, the staff is friendly and helpful.
This is a different approach, the
fittings are at your leisure and if you need five of six visits or more the
seamstress is available and only a phone call away.
Remember you are not ordering a dress – you
are bringing the dress and simply changing this or that, adding, subtracting,
gathering, folding etc.
You need a professional
tailor/seamstress who makes clothing and does quality alterations – someone who
is full time and has been established for years in the same location.
The dress we
had discussed earlier began alterations in the week after Thanksgiving and was
ready the second week of February (three (3) ) months
from start to finish). The wedding for which we helped plan all the details was
for two hundred guests, a five hour reception ,church ceremony, eight piece
orchestra, harp at the church and strolling violins for the cocktail hour. It was completely organized from
Thanksgiving week to the third week in December. Invitations were sent out
Christmas week. January and February all the bride and groom did was relax, set
up their new home, with the last fittings of the wedding dress in January and
February. No Stress, Gorgeous Dress! A Fantastic Affair.
For More
Information Contact
DIANE
PERFECT-ALTAR-RING
www.stanwiest.com/perfect-altar-ring.htm
Email perfect-altar-ring@hotmail.com
(631)
754-4979
FOR ADDITIONAL IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS PLEASE VISIT
Wedding Dress, Wedding Gown, Custom Wedding Dress,
Customized Wedding Gown, Wedding, Dress, Wedding Alterations, Seamstress, Tailor, Unique Dress, Veil, Silk Dress, Ivory
Tulle, Victorian, Dress Fittings, Bridal, Bride, Church, Ceremony, Reception,
music, cocktail hour, Band, DJ, Wedding Coordinator, Wedding Consultant,
Wedding Planner, Wedding Planning, Harp, Strolling Violins, Orchestra, New York,
Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York City, Westchester