Barbie finds her Prince Charming- our English wedding & Disneymoon June 2011!

[PoppyGirl]

Hi Emma! Your vacation looks very relaxing. I'm anxious to hear about your dress shopping.

When DH and I were dating, I KNEW long before he did that he was the "one" and I bought a dress 6 months before he proposed to me! I hid it at my girlfriend's house so as not to freak him out completely. I was out shopping with her one day and just for fun we stopped in this bridal shop....and I found THE dress--it was perfect! It didn't even have to be altered at all--fit me perfectly. I knew I'd never find it again by the time he ever got around to asking....so I bought it. I didn't tell him that until MUCH, MUCH later, after we were safely married! To this day I still love my wedding dress. (DS adds, "and she's 46--sooooo old!") (thanks kid!)

 

[PoppyGirl]

Oh, and we've been married 13 years now, so I guess it all worked out!

 

[Stefy]

Hey Emma, just checking in to see how it all went today

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi!

Okay - bad news is, I got no photos of the dresses I tried on today ; the first shop had signs saying no photos, and the other two shops - the shop ladies stayed with me the whole time so there really wasn't an opportunity!

Good news is... we had a really great day!! Before, I couldn't imagine myself in a wedding dress (I know Sarah.. 'bad bride'! ) - but after a few I got more used to it; and how heavy they are/tricky to step into!!

So we went to three shops - I'll describe them in reverse order because the first shop was actually my favourite!


Oh.. and as there are no photos to show - I had a brainwave this evening and sketched the dresses I liked best.. hope they look ok-ish! (I knew I took A-level textiles & an art foundation diploma for a reason!)
And I'll link to the designer's websites if possible

Shop #3
This shop didn't look much from the outside but I'd been told by several people that it had some excellent designers (Maggie Sottero, Alfred Angelo, Mori Lee etc).. I tried on about 6 dresses, it was a communal changing room and there were three other ladies trying on dresses, so they had their Mums/friends/children with them - it was a pretty crazy dressing room ... and smelt of chips because there was a KFC next door!
None of the dresses fitted me in any of the shops, which I had to get used to, lol, the shop girls would hold in the back for me while I looked in the mirror!
My favourite there was an ivory dress with some beading on the bust section and ruching, and quite a puffy skirt with an underlayer of chiffon with beading..

(sketch!)

IF I was getting married in WDW, this is the sort of dress I'd have - it's really princessy, reminded me of Belle or Cinderella! but maybe too big for my venue in England, and I think it might be too 'trendy' - I'm thinking of a more classic design, so that I don't look back on my wedding photos and say "what was I thinking" !!

But - the service in the shop wasn't great, I didn't even catch who the dress was made by or how long it would take to order it?

so... Shop #2

This was in the town near to where I live (about 5 mins drive away), and stocked about 6 different designers, it was a really nicely decorated shop and the shop assistant & dress maker were quite attentive.
I tried on about 5 dresses - the two I liked best were:

Mori Lee "Voyage"

and

Mori Lee "Blu"

(my sketch of it from what I could remember!)

The second one was probably my favourite - my Mum & I even noticed a potential 'hidden mickey' among the beads and the sequins!!

While at this shop, my sister tried on a few bridesmaids dresses while we were there! Our favourite was an Alfred Angelo dress - the shop's one was in blue & green, but we'd get them in dusty pink with an ivory sash & petticoat:

This looked really cute & fun - the petticoat underneath was just visible, and I think I'd have each BM in different straps - e.g. strapless, taffeta straps and a halterneck - that way they'd all be in the same dress but with a bit of individuality!

and...
Shop #1 Rena Zhang
This is a really small couture shop in my t own - it is opposite a restaurant that DF and I often go to, so I'd looked up into the windows and the wedding dresses for a long time!
We were the only people in the shop, the assistant was really friendly - she took a real interest in my wedding day, how DF proposed, venue, colours etc!
I pointed out a few gowns to try then she suggested a few too... this shop had no prices on any of the dresses, which worried me!!
So - I tried on each dress, and although they were 2-3 sizes too big, the lady put plenty of pins in so that they fitted me; and she gave me a pair of small heels and a tiara, to complete 'the look'!

I tried on a lot of different styles - plain, puffball, one with satin roses on it, even a mermaid-tail one covered in lace!

My favourite two dresses were..

"Crystal"

I didn't think I liked lace on the dress, but once I tried this one on, the front panel looked really nice!

and (possibly) favourite of everything I tried on today...

"Jessica"

On the hanger, it looked far too busy and 'bling' for me - but once it was on, looked completely different!! I think I definitely want a strapless dress with some detailing on the top & something on the skirt, scattered to add some interest - and ruching around the waist looked really nice too.

The dresses were so well made in this shop too, even though they are strapless they felt really secure, but I could still breathe and walk in them lol.

I tried on a veil but it didn't look great and wasn't something I thought I wanted - but I would like a small, delicate tiara!

So.. that was my day!! I will go back to shops #1 and #2 again to try on my favourites, my cousin (other MoH!) is coming to stay in October, so I'm hoping she'll come with me for a second viewing!
Shop #2 recommended ordering 8 months before the wedding as the dresses can take up to 6 months to arrive (??) and then they'd need time to make alterations.
Shop #1 makes all the dresses bespoke to the bride's measurements, and would need 12 weeks to make it - price includes alterations too (oh, and the prices were luckily not too bad at all - much less than I've 'budgeted' for too!).

Decisions decisions!!

It was a really fun day though - all this wedding planning is so much fun!!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Yay for wedding dress shopping! I've been doing some research myself this weekend about what shops I want to go to - I'm thinking I'm going to start looking soon and hopefully get something by October (I think that will give enough time). I can't believe what an amazing artist you are! Those sketches are so life like! And...you aren't going to believe this - but that Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dress is actually the same style I was considering for my girls! I think I'm going to end up going with another style that I think will flatter them more, but the dress you showed was my front runner for months!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Sounds great!!! I'm so glad you had a fun day and that it wasn't stressful! Your sketches are amazing! Both your talent AND the dresses! I really like "Jessica" too! I would LOVE to see an actual picture of it!

 

[Sarah84]

You are killing me here, couldn't imagine yourself in a wedding dress? no job as a Disney princess for you I thought every girl grows up picturing herself in that princess (wedding) dress.
They are so heavy aren't they? i couldn't believe it when I started trying them on, got lost in some of them too

Great idea doing sketches and they are done great, those last two from your favourite shop look stunning (well from the drawings hehe) and yay for them not being as expensive as you expected so are you 99% set on that style now?

Though I don't think you could have a dress that is 'too big' for your venue, if you want a big princess dress have one don't worry about it being too much but im sure any dress will look stunning on you and at your gorgeous venue

I love the choice of BM dress too, very pretty.

Glad you had a lovely day though, and hopefully next time you'll have made a choice and ordered. I'm so impressed how relaxed you are about it all, i feel way over prepared LOL

 

[disneybarbie]

Oh, and we've been married 13 years now, so I guess it all worked out!

hehe that's so funny that you had the dress before you got engaged!! glad you could tell your DH afterwards though !

Sounds great!!! I'm so glad you had a fun day and that it wasn't stressful! Your sketches are amazing! Both your talent AND the dresses! I really like "Jessica" too! I would LOVE to see an actual picture of it!

Thank you Nikki! I hardly draw anymore, but when I was 17/18 years old, I truly believed I was going to be the next big fashion designer and did loads of sketching & dress-making - I did work experience with Top Shop and then Bruce Oldfield in London (couture designer who made dresses for Princess Diana and the Queen of Jordan!), but then I realised that fashion was a very tough industry to get into - I took Management at university (with a minor in Spanish), and then... ended up as a trainee accountant bit of a career path change!

Next time I go for a dress try-on day I'll try take photos; I don't see why it's such a big deal in these shops?

You are killing me here, couldn't imagine yourself in a wedding dress? no job as a Disney princess for you I thought every girl grows up picturing herself in that princess (wedding) dress.
They are so heavy aren't they? i couldn't believe it when I started trying them on, got lost in some of them too

Great idea doing sketches and they are done great, those last two from your favourite shop look stunning (well from the drawings hehe) and yay for them not being as expensive as you expected so are you 99% set on that style now?

Though I don't think you could have a dress that is 'too big' for your venue, if you want a big princess dress have one don't worry about it being too much but im sure any dress will look stunning on you and at your gorgeous venue

I love the choice of BM dress too, very pretty.

Glad you had a lovely day though, and hopefully next time you'll have made a choice and ordered. I'm so impressed how relaxed you are about it all, i feel way over prepared LOL

lol I don't know what it is about the dress.. I can completely imagine the wedding day, saying our vows, the reception, first dance etc.. I just couldn't see in my mind what I'd be wearing?! But today has definitely helped - I think I know the size of train/corset style/colour/decoration etc that I like now!

Steve's been to football today, when he got home & asked me how my day was I said "it was amazing! I felt like a princess!"

Yay for wedding dress shopping! I've been doing some research myself this weekend about what shops I want to go to - I'm thinking I'm going to start looking soon and hopefully get something by October (I think that will give enough time). I can't believe what an amazing artist you are! Those sketches are so life like! And...you aren't going to believe this - but that Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dress is actually the same style I was considering for my girls! I think I'm going to end up going with another style that I think will flatter them more, but the dress you showed was my front runner for months!

WOW how funny we had the same idea for BM dresses!! Must be something about weddings on the 18th June 2011

Thank you about the sketches!! I was drawing them this evening while we watched X Factor (UK version of American Idol - new season just started tonight!) - DF asked what I was drawing, when I said "wedding dresses I tried today", he said "um... am I not supposed to see those?!" - so I didn't let him see, just in case it is bad luck

 

[klacey1]

Your sketches are beautiful! You're very talented-- wow, wish I could draw like that!
That Mori Lee "Blu" dress is gorgeous, and from your sketch, "Jessica" is, too. Not TOO much, but still with some interest/detail.
Love that bridesmaids dress, too! The color will be PERFECT for the end of June-- it looks fun and easy to wear, too. If that's the one you end up with, great choice!

 

[Stefy]

Great sketches

I am loving Jessica and Crystal Shame you couldn't take photos, can't wait to see them in the flesh

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi everyone, I had some post today that was quite exciting!

I 'found' the store Uniqlo a few months ago (thank you Stefy for posting about it on your PTR!) and they have a really nice range of Disney clothing.. and they have a sale on at the moment!
So.. I treated myself to a top for next Disney trip...

and a tshirt for DF! (It's a surprise, I'll keep it hidden until we're packing for the December trip!)

Both were only £4.99 each! ($7.50) so pleased with them

 

[klacey1]

Love the top!! Very cute-- great price, too!

 

[Tracy161]

Love the top!!! Super cute!!!

 

[PoppyGirl]

LOVE the shirt! I'm jealous! I'm always looking for "different" kinds of Disney clothing....it's so fun! Enjoy!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Cute shirts! And what a great deal!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi all!
hope everyone's having a lovely weekend - it's a bank holiday in Endland so we get three days off it's so nice not to have that 'sunday evening feeling' tonight!

We got some photo's from Steve's sister's boyfriend that he took with an underwater disposable camera in Barbados.. thought I'd share!

(DF underwater!)

I am so impressed with the pictures!! It's made me definitely want to try snorkelling when we're at Castaway Cay during our honeymoon next year - and get one of these cameras lol.

Emma x

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Great pictures! I've only been snorkeling once but it was only with fish. I can't believe how close you were to those turtles!

 

[Stefy]

Awesome snorkelling pictures Looks like Crush was really friendly towards you guys

Loving the Uniqlo purchases, did you see the Disney hoodies, I one up for myself online not long ago and I love it

 

[disneybarbie]

I know the turtles are soo close aren't they!? ... I didn't actually go in the water that time.. I'm not very confident in the sea when I can't stand .. oh and someone had to stay onboard the boat with DF's niece lol... that's why I'm determined to learn to snorkel during our honeymoon!!


Some exciting Disney-related news..!

It's my birthday next month (28th Sept!), so Steve & I have both booked the Friday before off work... and we're going to go see..

The Lion King musical in the West End!!

We went to see it for my 21st birthday... but as that was 5 years ago (eek! !), I asked DF if he'd mind going to see it again, and he said he'd like to see it again too!!
I have the soundtrack cd and know all the songs so well!

Hakuna Matata... !

 

[Stefy]

Aww awesome birthday gift. We love love loved the Lion King musical, hope you have a lovely night