Planning Second Wedding

I wish I could go dress shopping with you, Cat. I'm just so happy!

I like the dress, but then I would love everything you put on because without ever even having met you, I know what a beautiful person you are.

:)

Here's the link iPhone style (had to play around to get it)

http://www.dillards.com/product/R-M-Richards-Beaded-Jacke...

I think its just lovely.

Definitely put it on your "short list"!

<grin> Yep! Meaning I am pushing you to take your girls out shopping. Even if its "just" for bonding over ball gowns.

When I got married the first time I tried on the one dress. My mom liked it so that's what I got. She wasn't wrong, it was really flattering.

When I got married the second time I picked the dress. It has a chapel length train, a basque waist, elbow length sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, gobs of iridescent sequins and beading. Waist length veil with no blusher on it, just dropping off the back of my head. Nice bouquet, nice shoes, everything how "I" wanted it.

So if you're doing a dark color because you like it then go for it. If you think you shouldn't have white or ivory or even that gorgeous color of blush pink then please consider shopping a bit more. You deserve to have what ever you want in the way of a bridal dress. If you want to wear navy to your wedding then do so and enjoy the heck out of it, if you want to secretly wear white or some version of a light color then you go for it girl!

I'm ssssssooooo excited for you and Peter!!!

When I got married the second time - I still wore white (I know!!) but beige doesn't look good on me!! LOL!!

Any way - I think the dress you linked it very pretty!!! I actually like it better in the Navy instead of eggplant!!

Site suggestions? You wanna come up here to DC? We've got the Tidal Basin!! I know it's a long drive - but you could make a weekend of it!! Or Colonial Williamsburg?

It's YOUR wedding - you and Peter need it to be what YOU want and need...what do you want? A gathering of friends and family or an all out celebration?

I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE for you!!!

I just love when I read about "your Peter"!! I hope his health is improving, you seem like such a darling family!

The dress you are considering is very pretty. I like both color options. If you get married in a vineyard, the purple makes sense. Otherwise, I would probably do the navy with maybe a 4th of July wedding?

Other options
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Floral-Burnout-Chiffo...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Lace-Bodice...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Satin-One-Shoulder-Go...

http://www.bestbridalprices.com/caterina-mothers-dresses-...

Available in Ivory and Champaigne
http://www.jjshouse.com/A-Line-Princess-Sweetheart-One-Sh...

Available in Ivory and Champaigne
http://www.jjshouse.com/Sheath-Column-V-Neck-Ankle-Length...

http://www.jjshouse.com/Sheath-Column-Sweetheart-Court-Tr...

OH, and I notice that you are in VA. As of a few years ago (2006) when my BIL was married, VA law says that court appointed marriage officiants are only allowed to charge $50 plus travel expenses for performing the ceremony. We were able to find one in our area that was willing to travel anywhere within a 10 miles radius outside of the courthouse (we were a mile away :) ) for no additional charge. So ask your court clerk if they have something similar. (if you don't have a minister).

Well I thought it was just OK, until I actually clicked on the picture and was able to see it up close. Beautiful!! I think you made a good choice. Best of luck to you!!

I love the dress. Also, Nordstrom, David's Bridal and other bridal sites have very nice looking mother of the bride dresses that may suit your needs. Since second weddings tend to be smaller than a first wedding, you can do a lot of the stuff yourself. My sister printed her own invitations from a kit from Michaels and got her flowers at a local grocery store. We made the favors, which I didn't even have a my wedding, just made a donation to a good charity. You can also do a cake from a grocery store as well. I also suggest not telling the facility it's a wedding so you don't have to pay a silly up charge. Just host an event and happen to get married at it.

Congratulations! When my FIL got married after his first wife passed away, his wife wore a pretty cream-colored dress that she picked up at a random store somewhere. They had a June wedding and it was like a dressy sundress. Very pretty.

I'm honestly not crazy about the dress you linked to. I'm around your size and I just don't think that would be very flattering - that length can make people look chunky. For skirt length, more than a couple of inches below the middle of the knee to just above the ankle is the skirt length danger zone so you would want to make sure that something that long either goes all the way to your feet and flares OR tapers to a straight cut with a slit and even then, be careful where the hemline falls. But a loose skirt at that length just makes the bottom look heavy, kwim? And the jacket...even the skinny model looks a bit boxy with the jacket on - so I think it depends on your build and your curves. It may look amazing on you but you'd have to try it on to know for sure. For a comparison...the same model is wearing the Chiffon Jacket Dress and you can see how the different length and cut of skirt and the more tailored jacket make her look so much better.

There are a few more jacket dresses on that site that I think would be prettier and more flattering - I know that when you're not a teeny tiny size it's tempting to look at straighter skirts or more fitted styles and write them off as not for you but it might be worth it to get something with the right lines even a size bigger and have it altered. Talk to a tailor first about what kinds of fabrics and cuts are most amenable to reasonably priced alterations so that you can keep that in mind as you shop.

What a very exciting time for you! Have fun with this and congrats!

I love the dress and I love the make. RM Richards always looks even better on than in the picture. I think it's because they don't make the shoulders huge, as so many dress makers do. Have a great time!