THE DRESSESOption 1: Grace Loves Lace Clo gown. This dress is under budget, SO stretchy and comfy, minimal alterations needed, and there aren’t any major seams in front making me look short or heavy. Shown in nude or ivory lining (nude sample was the correct size, ivory was too small but I wanted to see it in white). I would order the ivory with the back piece. My fiancé would lose his mind over this dress because I never wear anything fitted, but I would need to lose the weight I want to lose to feel comfortable with the way my back & arms look in this dress. I also think this dress feels more like the venue (I’m envisioning some white cowgirl booties or block heels, and maybe a white leather jacket for my getaway!)
Option 2: Rish bridal Carolina gown. Over budget, would order it in ivory instead of champagne, and the skirt would have to be switched with a different skirt style to eliminate the V shaped seam in front so that it would just be one continuous piece of fabric in the same shape & the same lace, which is so much more flattering for my height. My mom also wants the V neckline to close a bit higher than my waist, so I’m worried about all the alterations on top of the higher price point. HOWEVER, this gown is more elegant and I think it is more flattering in the upper body if I don’t lose all the weight I want to lose. It also has some subtle sparkle throughout the dress that will look amazing under the string lights! My mom told me this dress feels more age-appropriate and she prefers the sparkle, so I really don’t know which one to choose.
