Gown Dilemma! (very long...)

Hi everyone - I just need to vent about a gown dilemma I'm having... Way back when I was first engaged (7 months ago already!) my mom wanted to take me to a gown shop in AZ where my parents live. This was the first time I had ever tried on a gown and the woman I worked with at the salon was amazing. She took one look at me and told me which style would be most flattering to my shape. She was very right! She had one gown that I tried on and loved, but I still wanted to shop around in the NY area. Since then I've been to Kleinfeld & Bridal Reflections in Carle Place (which I LOVE), and to make a long story short, after comparing every gown in Klienfeld to the one in AZ I could not find one I liked as much, not to mention that the AZ gown was like $1000 cheaper than any dress there. Then I went to Bridal Reflections and immediately fell in love with a gown on the mannequin but it was way too expensive, although they were able to get it for me for $1000 less - but that still doesnt fit my budget. I was then shown an amazing amazing Lazaro gown (which I can post if you want to see it!) and even though it was totally unlike any gown I've liked - or the one in AZ, I just felt that it fit the mood of my catering hall and my personality - very victorian looking. And it is very flattering and beautiful. Anyway, dad came to look at the Lazaro gown and doesn't love it as much as the AZ gown. My MOH doesnt love it as much either. ANd my mom likes it, but prob would prefer me getting the AZ gown since it's less expensive (but the lazaro isn't over the top). I'm in AZ right now and just came back from trying on the gown out here and it is very pretty, and with a few adjustments (fabric upgrade) I think I'll love it.... But for some reason I think I want to still go with the Lazaro at Bridal Reflections! I'm sooo torn!!! I just think the Lazaro 'goes' with the reception room and my flower ideas (all very antiquey/victorian looking) - and I feel great in it..... WHat to do????? Anyone else have these problems ;-)

Some food for thought...

My advice is to go with the gown that flatters you, makes you feel like a million bucks, and will be the most comfortable to spend the ENTIRE day in. IMHO, it's not a priority for your gown to 'match' the catering hall. Trust me when I say that your pictures will be of YOU and your husband, not the catering hall decor. Also, if you're concerned about budget, remember that your wedding is ONE day, but your pictures will last a lifetime. Choose the dress that feels great, and you'll love looking back on in your pictures. How well do you trust your Dad's and MOH's opinions? If they don't like the Lazaro dress as much, did they give reasons why? Good luck...

Sounds to me as if...

...you really want the Lazaro gown. As much as Im sure you trust you're parents input, this is the only wedding dress you will have. Don't worry about the catering hall decor or your parents suggestion - get the dress that you feel right in! AND OF COURSE WE WANT TO SEE IT! PLEASE POST!

Here's the Lazaro Gown:

http://www.lazarobridal.com/bridal/spring2000/L5103.html I'd get it in antique white though, not platinum

Gorgeous!!!! *NM*

Stunning!! :::sigh::: I wish I was thin!! :) *NM*

Not that you need more opinions...

but why not post the other dress too? PS: Love that dress!

Beautiful...

I wouldn't say it was Victorian though.I had pictured lots of lace! It is a lovely gown, but if the other is more 'you' and not your reception site, I would go for the AZ dress.Good luck! Continued success

Not that you need more opinions...

Believe me - I wish I could post the other dress and take a vote... But there are no pics of it online and they won't let me take a picture of it at the store. Good thought though! :-)

sara- Go with your heart, not any one else's opinion..

it's your day, and you will be beautiful no matter what. but don't buy a dress because evryone else likes it. there is a reason why you keep going back to this particular dress! Its gorgeous! good luck

Go with your heart - Long!

A similiar situation happened to me a week ago - the first dress I tried on ever was a Scaasi at Macy's. The dress was absolutely beautiful and my mom and grandmother loved it. Just last month I saw this gorgeous dress on line - I came across it by accident. But anyway, Paradise bridal got this other dress, Monique Luo, in for me to try on - I loved it but my mom didn't. Only because it had color in it. Oh well, what's an only daughter to do. So, I went again a week later with my grandmother and she loved it too. So, what did I do, I went with my heart, this other dress was so different and beautiful and it too went better with my theme and daytime wedding. It was a struggle for two weeks or so, but my mom is happy with my decision now. Really, you need to love the dress - I thought about it this way - on my wedding day am I going to be upset because I didn't get the other dress. I thought yes, and made my decison.

No dilema at all !!!!!!

Go with your gut. My priorities were pictures, food/hall, dress. The pictures & dress (and memories, of course) are what you'll keep. GO simpler with flowers (aka less expensive) and splurge on the gown. I found the perfect gown, same deal (fit my hall, my body, my personality, etc) but decided to shop around cause it was expensive and I'm a bargain hunter. I looked around and found a similar gown @ kleinfelds. My mom liked the kleinfelds one (which was cheaper) but I thought it was too big. After two weeks of thinking about it, I bought the one I wanted, in the long run my mom ended up agreeing that the other one would have been too much for a daytime wedding. What were your dad & moh's reasons for not liking the dress? And what does the other one look like, so we can ALL give you our opinion... cause like someone said, that's all you need, more opinions! :-)

No dilema at all !!!!!!

OK, my dad & MOH like the Lazaro, but don't like the fact that there's sooo much going on on the top. They also think that the other dress is just more flattering. I disagree. I actually FEEL like the lazaro is more flattering for some reason. Also, I don't think the Lazaro is overly beaded - the top is just very brocaded and thick - and I love the design. The other dress is also strapless, has some pretty beadwork on top and a sash around the waist secured by a silk rose in the back on the waist. Unlike the lazaro, it has no pleating in the skirt so it has more of an a-line look to it. It IS beautiful - just very different from the Lazaro. I think it's 'younger' looking - more youthful than the Lazaro. I'm 27 -- so I really dont feel like I need a more youthful dress. I wish I had a picture! Anyway - you've all been very helpful - thanks for responding to my long post!

I agree w/KGB

I did the same thing that KGB did - I picked the dress that I *truly* loved and reduced other costs like flowers, by simplifying. We spent more on photos and attire b/c like I said b4, you should wear what makes you feel gorgeous and comfortable on your wedding day and you have to look at photos for rest of time. I think the Lazaro is beautiful, and do not think it has too much beading. But I will say I tried on some beaded dresses and they weren't for me - not b/c of age (28), but b/c I am short and it was too over-powering for me. Go with what you love...how you feel inside is what matters most on the big day...that will shine through and you will look stunning no matter what!!!!!!!

Go with Lazaro

From reading your comments I think your heart is with the Lazaro dress. Believe me I know how you feel becuase I was looking at tons of dresses till I tried on a Lazaro dress. The previous dresses didn't even compare this dress. I knew that I loved it and that is ALL THAT MATTERS