Click on the pictures to go to Nicole Montmarquet Photography. |
Hello from newlywed land!
It's Sukie here!
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
{Details before we get into the dress discussion: The doubled strand of pearls is mine; the single one is my mom's; the earrings are a wedding gift from John. The veil was worn by my father's sister Frances, and then my mom. All of us girls wore it at our First Holy Communion, and now we've all worn it (including Natasha) at our wedding! Bridget's next! The little beaded purse was a gift from my father's mother's best friend and cousin Mary Ellen to Rosie to use at her wedding; it had been a gift from her grandmother to her, and she's in her 80s!. It's becoming a tradition for us to attach it to the bouquet's ribbon and put a little lace hanky, the sixpence, and the lip gloss in there!}
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
Many of you have asked me about my dress. The quest for a modest, beautiful dress that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg is a huge problem. (Why, why, why are all dresses strapless? And why should a polyester slip dress– without sleeves!–cost a minimum of $1000? It’s such a racket.)
Right before New Year’s, my mom, Deirdre, Bridget, Habou, and I decided to make a quick run to a consignment store we've always found quality clothes at — M T Pockets, in Sterling Massachusetts (get it — eMpTy pockets??). Marilyn has everything beautifully displayed, and she always has a few bridal gowns in the back.
Well, allllllll the way in the back, behind another rack of coats, were I think three wedding dresses, two of which were not desirable. The third looked promising…
Mom's poor cellphone photo. |
{The “before” pictures of my dress are from my mom’s phone. All other photos are by the lovely Nicole of Nicole Montmarquet Photography. This photographer really understood me! I enjoyed so much having her there during the wedding, and just love the beautiful photos she gave me.}
I spent a long time in that tiny dressing room, hemming and hawing. It was completely wrinkled, and the shop is just a little hard to maneuver in for knowing how this dress really looked.
Mom's poor cellphone photo. |
The next day, after we had all eaten breakfast, my mom said to me, “Don’t you think you need to go buy that dress?”
Mom's poor cellphone photo. |
We zoomed out, suddenly gripped with anxiety that it wouldn't be there, stopping at the bank so that I could get the cash I needed, and got to the store soon after it opened. I pulled out my dress and gave the owner my $100.
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
And yes, I bought a dress that was too small for me.
There were other expenses. I had to get it cleaned, which was difficult because of the beautiful lace, and the fact that it had paper interfacing. Luckily for me, the drycleaners down the street from my house in Virginia specializes in costume cleaning–they actually told me they take care of all the costumes for Kennedy Center productions. This calmed my fears about leaving it in their hands. They did a beautiful job, including getting rid of stains that must have been there for 50 years.
Then I had to find just the right seamstress. If you live in Northern Virginia and need a seamstress, let me know. This woman was just wonderful, and her rates are very (surprisingly! delightfully!) reasonable.
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
In the end, this dress that started out stuffed in the corner of a resale shop looked just so beautiful. When I put it on at the last fitting I was thrilled–it was my dress!
Nicole Montmarquet photo. |
However, I do think that there are certain takeaways here:
1. Look everywhere for your dress. Don’t feel confined to “bridal” shops. Rosie found hers at a bridal consignment shop; Deirdre at Filene's Basement. Natasha's was her grandmother's.
Jessica says
Your dress is so lovely! What a wonderful story to go with it. 🙂 My Mom and I made my wedding dress, and I'm glad that we did. If we hadn't, I probably would have tried to find one in a thrift store first!
Amy says
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. My dress was made by my mom and I had the problem that (at the time) most of the dresses I looked at were this odd mermaid thing. Completely wrong.
Also I wanted to point out how my neice found her modest wedding dress. She found a woman on Etsy that crafts original clothing. It helped that the woman was in the same city that she lives in. I kept saying that I never would have thought to look there.
Best Wishes
Suki says
Oh, I forgot about Etsy! I did look on there and saw some nice things. Thanks!
Judy says
The dress and you are gorgeous! We are also in No.Va – did you use Angie for your alterations by chance? She did an awesome job for an incredible price!
Suki says
Thank you! I heard amazing recommendations about Angie, but when I called she was already all booked up. I panicked a little after that phone call! Fortunately, I found somebody who was fine with short turn-around.
Tara S says
It's beautiful…
Lisa G. says
What a wonderful story – you looked totally stunning! As someone who likes to sew (but isn't so good at it) I was very interested to hear the details.
Kate says
I made my dress, buying the fabric cheaply from the garment district in a big city. I too was teaching at the time, so I spent my weekends cutting and sewing. My dress had a neckline like yours and a lot of small buttons down the back (which my mom finished for me during report card time, the week before the wedding). If I had not made it, I probably would have looked at second hand for something vintage like your beautiful dress. I would have loved to have worn my mother's but I am 8 inches taller and an entirely different figure. No seamstress in the world could have made it work.
Suki says
I'm so impressed by you brides who make your own dresses–especially while teaching! Good for you!
Lauren says
I love this!! Your dress was gorgeous, and what a wonderful story. Your wedding photos are beautiful – I am a wedding photographer myself and its always fun to see inspiring photos. The one of the dress hanging in the windows above the trunk is absolutely stunning. Congratulations on your marriage!
Nancy Leschke says
My mom and dad were married in 1966, and she had lace on her dress just like yours! (Though hers was more of a sheath-style.) Loved reading your very unique dress-finding adventure. God bless your years together!
San says
What a beautiful story and you and your dress looked beautiful. Well done for finding such a treasure and at such a reasonable price, the cost of weddings these days is totally overated.
San
Sarah says
It's a beautiful dress and reminds me of my mother's dress. She wore hers in 1965…I think. Very similar. And I, too, found a $99 dress and I loved it! I love to brag that my husband spent more on his suit than I did on my dress! We had a seamstress make a little bolero jacket since it wasn't as modest as I needed. I stand with you in saying it is possible to find what you want/need at a good price if you're willing to look!
Woman of the House says
Just beautiful~ you and the dress! Good for you for not giving in to the overpriced wedding dress industry. Well done!
Kerry says
Such a great dress…and yes can you email me the seamstress in NOVA? I live here and would love a recommendation….
Suki says
It's Fashion Dream, on Wilson Blvd in Clarendon. They don't have a website, but you can see info and other reviews here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fashion-dream-arlington
Lori @ IMK, IML says
Oh, it is just gorgeous — so unique and all the more special for that. You chose WELL!
mamabearjd says
Sukie! I almost yelled when I saw that first picture! I was married in a vintage dress that is similar to yours. Mine was made in the 50's. It has a fuller skirt. Love your story!
Jessica says
So brilliant! I am such a fan of finding what is right for your own self . . . and doing that. I follow only two other blogs, and am such a fan. I must say your family is the model for my own. Lots of my own family drama occured and I opted out for love and Christ. Which brings real peace to myself, husband, and young children. Thank you for opening your doors to your lives, and sharing. You are all a blessing, if it wasn't for your blog, I would be lost. I have no female support within my family, and watching your examples, is a wonderful model for myself and my family. Thank you.
Caitlin says
Beyond stunning!!!!! I got married in 2008 and had such a difficult time searching for a dress. Most of the dresses in the shops that had sleeves were either ridiculously lowcut or really dowdy looking. I ended up going with strapless and wearing a bolero and was happy with my choice, but your dress is soooo lovely. They don't make them like they used to that's for sure!!!!
Elizabeth says
Sighing over all the beautiful photos….Suki you look so beautiful in the dress! I love that it has a good story behind it as well. There are so many possibilities for beautiful, modest dresses. Thank you for sharing!
Mary (Owlhaven) says
Your dress is lovely! It reminds me of the one I wore for my own wedding– it was my mom's dress from 1966. (pix here http://www.owlhaven.net/2008/10/30/our-love-story… ) Now 25+ years since my wedding, I love the dress even more. Compared to the big fluffy dresses that were in style in the 80's, my dress looks lovely and classic. And the price was right!
Congrats on your marriage!
Mary, momma to many
Suzanne says
Gorgeous story, and a gorgeous dress,,,that dress was there for you for a reason……..I think wedding dress stories are beautiful and getting a dress that is best for you and not the fashion is the key. My dress was the very first one I tried on…the first……..I did try on others that day, but it was that first one that I ended up buying…the shortest dress searching effort in the world I bet…and it needed no altering….the ladies were flaberghasted…that just dosnt happen…it was modest , it was beautiful and elegant…and I would wear it again in an instant…( if it still fit me!) Congratulations on your wedding, may your life together be blessed and loved and put together with effort and the love of family , just like that dress was…………………Suzanne, Australia
Mary says
Sukie – you were a stunning bride! Your dress is so classic and so beautiful. I love all the button detail on the front and back. So gorgeous!
I live in Fairfax, VA and would love the name to your seamstress. It is so difficult to find a good one. You can email me at mary_romance@cox.net
Thanks and may your marriage be long and filled with many blessings!
PNG says
What a fun and beautiful story. The pictures are gorgeous….you are so beautiful!:) Congratulations again to you and John for a full and holy life together. Many blessings!
Debbie says
Wonderful story, and a beautiful dress (perfectly accessorized too, I might add). Thanks for posting it, and much happiness and all blessings to you and John!
glendachilders says
Beautiful dress and a beautiful story.
Fondly,
Glenda
Natasha says
You were THE most beautiful bride and your dress was beyond, beyond, beyond awesome!! Kudos for you for having the vision to snap it up!
Deanna says
What a beautiful family life you all have. It's what we are trying to build with our family. Four girls, two boys!
I love to read these posts.
It was all very lovely…
Kari says
I love the buttons! I really wanted buttons on the back of my dress (real ones, that would need to be un-buttoned), but alas, couldn't find a dress with real buttons. In all other ways my dress was lovely and it did have buttons over the zipper. We thought about putting loops with all of them, but with one thing and another, ran out of time and inspiration. Beautiful wedding!
_Leila says
Of course, and don't get me wrong, I love this dress, it's sort of funny that there are buttons in the back (\”real\”) AND buttons in the front (\”not real?\”).
Suki says
What my mom says true, the double-button fake-real thing is a bit funny. My dress also had a zipper underneath all those real buttons.
Getting the buttons done at the house took two bridesmaids and two crochet hooks. Getting them undone at the barn when I was changing to leave…we forgot the hook, and Deirdre had to do them all by hand!
All that to say, fake buttons might be the way to go. 🙂
lethargic says
The photo of you and hubby in the church …absolutely glorious in every respect! THank you for putting joy into my day and may God bless you both!
Anne says
lovely, lovely, lovely! 🙂
Anne-Marie says
Beautiful!
Just curious, since your family is good at sewing and very DIY-ey, did you or any of your sisters consider having your dress made by your mother or a seamstress?
Suki says
We did consider it! A wedding dress is a very intense venture, however, and I think puts a lot of pressure on whoever is doing it. My meager sewing skill are certainly not up for it!
The problem we had with the idea of having one made (I know that Rosie, in particular, looked into this) is finding good material. Nice fabric is hard to find, and then once you find it, can be very expensive! In the end, we all found good deals on dresses we loved before we found a source for good fabric.
Betsy M says
Beautiful, beautiful dress and accessories. My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and your dress is the same cut as my Moms but with slightly different styling on the front. How smart of you to see the possibilities in a second hand dress that did not fit!
keepinghousemakinghome says
I got my wedding dress at the mall on clearance. It was technically a white prom dress but with the way it was cut (meant to go to the knee in front and ankle in back) coupled with my lack of height… It was a beautiful wedding dress complete with train. 🙂 My then two year old daughter was with me when I tried it on and said, “Ohhh! Mummy! You's a pwincess!” The perfect dress… Looking like a “pwincess” to my daughter… And all for $15 dollars. Yes. fifteen. 🙂 We rock, Sukie!
RubberChickenGirl says
You are so brave….the transformation of that dress took great faith. It is hard to believe that the dress in those first pics is the same dress that you wore! Awesome price, too. God is good. Many blessings to you. And for the record how tall are you two?!
RCG
Kimberlee says
Fabulous! I loved your dress when I saw the wedding pictures and I love its story as well, especially the part about your wise mama's exhortation. 🙂 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. You are all so very blessed!
Anne Marie says
Thank you for the details and photos! Absolutely gorgeous. I'm not an expert, but I think some of the lace on your dress is Alencon lace, which is the style St. Therese's mother made. Lovely.
Laurie Bodenheimer says
Like Mary, I also live in Fairfax and would welcome your sharing the name of your seamstress. She did a beautiful job!
Suki says
Laurie–The store is called Fashion Dream, and it's located on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon. You can find info here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fashion-dream-arlington
She really was great!
Mary Drennen says
I absolutely love the wedding dress. The church is also so beautiful. I love the buttons in the back of the wedding dress. The pictures of the details of the dress are such good pictures. It just is absolutely stunning!
Rabbit says
Beautiful pictures, and yes, I went to your photographer's site to see more 🙂 Here's the link if anyone comes back/is interested: http://nicolemontmarquetphotography.com/2012/06/m…
In the picture where you're buttoning up the dress, is that a button hook in someone's hand? Or a crochet hook?
Jodi R says
Such an amazing dress – I can't believe it cost you $100 (plus alterations). You had a vintage Alfred Angelo wedding dress. That is amazing.
I am in awe. Your wedding was just stunning. Your dress and your bridesmaids dresses just worked so wonderfully with the military uniforms. So timeless and elegant. Your wedding could have been in the 1950s but I am sure when you look at the photo's with your grand kids in 2050 you will still be looking at a stunningly elegant wedding party dressed so tastefully and flatteringly that you would be happy to do it just that way then.
Congratulations
Mary says
Congratulations on your nuptials and your beautiful dress! I love to hear stories about finding vintage treasures. On a related note, I live in NoVa and am currently in need of a seamstress. I would love to get in touch with the one who helped you with your dress.
Thanks and best wishes for marriage!
Monica says
May I inquire as to how Bridget did her hair in the fifth picture? Is it bulked out with something? How did you get it so ridiculously smooth? I've been attempting a similar hairstyle for a while and my hair just won't. Thank you!
elizabethK says
I read all the time but seldom comment. What stunning photos – such an eye, your photographer…somehow has us stepping back in another time. The dress is so lovely! I am thankful for your sharing your story of your dress. I found mine at a thrift store!! – I think it was $25.00 – I loved it. I too had to have it altered (it was a bit too small!) – and cleaned – all in all it was no more than $125.00 God's blessing upon your marriage.
elizabethk
wanderingsue says
It's so, so gorgeous, and thanks for sharing that wonderful story! I scoured secondhand shops and ended up buying my dress from eBay, for £40. My Mum and MIL hemmed it by hand, and that was it, job done! Talk about lucky, and it was exactly what I would have chosen, except pure white when maybe something a bit off would have suited better. Love for all of you.