Ceremonial Superstition

Feeling a little like mission impossible, your mission if you choose to accept it... find a tailored dress in less than 3 months time for a civil ceremony at the county courthouse... this message will self destruct in.. JK.  Since it’s unlikely I am going to lose a substantial amount of weight in a few months. Decided to go dress shopping with my youngest sister to allow the maximum time to find something and have it altered to fit. While still having my pandemic pounds still on, looking for a nice ceremony dress. Didn’t want to show up in a casual dress but didn’t want to go formal either. A civil ceremony should have a small flair of propriety but not on a formal church scale.

 Well at this stage of the game, I am not a traditional bride by most definitions. I am not going for the super light colored ball gown goodness as society seems to dictate. So here are my parameters, I want something for late fall winter that is Not white/ivory. I prefer a vintage feel in the styling and accessories, something couture is not out of the possibilities. Colors: silver, gold, champagne, nude, rose gold, green, red/ pink. Subtle beading, sequins, and floral touches are a must. I love having some color to enjoy and want to be comfortable and confident in what I am wearing. The two options that came mind were;  a knee-length 50’s style fitted dress w/ hat/veil. It’s not technically formal but with their fit from the time period it’s more formal than today’s standards. Budget is under $1k. Thankful that steady employment allows this and its been harrowing for many on the job front.

The next was a long column style dress no train, with pleated draped to accentuate the curves and hide a little tummy. I was thinking depending on accessories/ hairstyle. It could look either  40’s, 30’s or possibly 20’s inspired. Either way I wanted something with a sleeve. So many strapless dresses, I did try a strapless style but just doesn't fit the season. Most things at the shop that had a sleeve seemed to be more a matronly style. To be honest I don't want to be running around loads of skin exposed, its fall/winter its cold and especially for one who catches cold easily.

 Turns out for sizing I am floating between a 12-14, which is bigger than I like to be. I do hope to just tone a bit between now and the big day. I normally a 10/12 in the winter heavier weight or 8-10 in the summer thinner weight.  Being sedentary for months unmotivated by personal grief and a once in a century pandemic didn’t help. Just going to accept this for what it is at this point.

 Of all my years of making clothing, especially dresses. I will go over some interesting facts. It’s supposedly bad luck to make your own wedding dress, something about being presumptuous. Although someone can make one for you. Also some superstitions about touching or wearing a wedding dress before you are a bride is bad luck. Many of these scenarios seemed to be social convention around a church style wedding, with its ceremony and the like. Although we can all thank Queen Victoria for the white wedding dress situation (serious side eye). Thank you for making a color not suited to many, popular for centuries. Prior to this bridal trend blue or gold were popular wedding dress colors among royalty.  I am avoiding blue in winter due to not wanting to look like an Ice Queen.

 So to my readers, I am giving you a peak at the dress and shoes. The dress color says Latte, which its a golden taupe with floral beading at the waist and pleated draped detail that is very figure flattering. Definitely feel like a goddess in this dress, hold my self much taller, it has a full coverage back with some net. So warm and covered but the focus is on the figure.  The only drawbacks; wish it was a shade pinker but not a deal breaker, and that it had a sleeve of some sort.  Currently, I am working out the hairstyle and decoration. Since there are not any sleeves on this dress and it will be colder time of year. The dress just needed taken in at the shoulders didn’t even needed hemmed. Fits well and goes well with my shape and coloring. Plus this dress is under 1/2 of my budget. I had left over to find a coordinating wrap/cape in green velvet embroidered in gold and silver. With the cape it gives some green that I wanted to punch. I didn’t want to spend a lot on a dress, I’d wear a few times.  It looks much better on me than the hanger. 

 I must say it’s lovely to have something to look forward to in 2020, even though unexpected. Best things in life are rarely planned. Now to get the jeweler to finish their part in a timely manner. I'd like my engagement ring back please, its been 1.5 months already.  All this hurry up and wait, the theme of 2020. 

I have patience for many things, even that is not infinite.

Maureen