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2010-05-06

Short and Sweet

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(Note to new readers: Sometimes, if the project is interesting enough and you catch me at a weak moment, I make dresses. You may call it a labour of love, or just labour, as the process can be time consuming and painful but the results are usually worth it. I'm wearing work clothes again, so I thought I would share something pretty... if you wanna check out more, see here, here and here...)
Picking one of the dresses that I've made as a favourite feels wrong, almost like having a favourite child and telling everyone in the family. So, I will diplomatically say that I really like this dress.

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The bride 'D' is one of my bosom buddies (does anyone say that anymore?) and I was ecstatic when she was all in for a short wedding dress. I know it takes a lot of trust for someone to get a custom dress without having a chance to try it on as you would in a bridal store and it takes even more courage to let some crazy make you a short wedding dress. I'd been wanting to send a bride down the aisle with some leg for a while and 'D' was a perfect candidate.
She was so patient with me... we knew we wanted a sweetheart neckline with a short, full skirt but I was waiting for inspiration to hit me (waiting in front of the tv with a glass of wine?) as to how to make this dress unique. I made the bodice and it wasn't until a month and a half before the wedding when I was playing with the skirt and I let the silk ruffle at the waist that I knew we had something special. I sewed a strand of silver sequins along the ruffle (doesn't it look like peonies or something?) as a understated little detail. The bubble hem wasn't originally planned for either, we just tucked it under during a fitting and suddenly choirs started singing... I feel bad that 'D' had to wait for me to be inspired, but it all worked out and I made it up to her by hiring Rodrigo for her bachelorette... I'm joking Mom...
We felt especially crafty about the short dress because we only told the essentials about the hemline. The pastor kept talking about how the maid-of-honour would have to help carry the dress and arrange it during the signing etc. and we were giggling like Gr. 7 kids in co-ed gym class... Is it bad that when the church doors opened and my pretty friend stood ready to walk down the aisle, I just wanted to yell 'Surprise!'...? That would have gotten confusing though...

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And a sneak peak... I made three of the bridesmaids dresses too... another post, another day...

42 comments :

Keira Lennox said...

This dress is absolutely amazing! Makes me want to go back and have my beach wedding all over again so I can wear a tea-length dress with a sweetheart neckline and ruffles at the waist... Exactly. Like. This.

I can't believe you made this!

What Would a Nerd Wear said...

ohmygoodness, jen, that dress is amazing! if i ever get married, can i commission you to make mine?? (i'm serious!). it is one of the most fabulous wedding dresses i've ever seen!
and p.s. i do say bosom buddies! thanks to anne of green gables.

Dorky Medievalist said...

So pretty! Makes me want to get married. Or maybe just wear a pretty cocktail-length dress. That's it. A beautifully detailed cocktail-length dress with a pair of kick-ass shoes that everyone can see. What a lovely job and a beautiful bride.

You rock at this sewing thing, don't you?

Dorky Medievalist said...

Wait, you also rock at the design thing. Even more impressive.

Julia said...

Ah, to have your talent! This is a stunning dress. And she looks beautiful in it. Truly an awesome achievement -- I'd love to see the other dress, too!

xx

Alex said...

What a wonderful dress and kudos to both of you for picking and creating that hemline. Really different but so, so beautiful.

I'd love to see more of your creations if you ever feel like sharing them on here.

celine said...

Absolutely beautiful. I'd love to have a dress like that for my wedding. Quite talented, you are :)

Raquelita said...

It is really gorgeous, Yen! If I weren't already married, I'd be trying to catch you in a weak moment to make one for me!

liz said...

Stunning bride in a stunning dress! You are so talented! I love the idea of short dresses, very chic.

Kaitlin Elizabeth said...

I can't believe you made this, it's gorgeous! I love it! I've always wanted a short wedding dress, I like them so much better for some reason.

Kayla said...

This is my dream dress. And I'm getting married soon and can't find a short dress that fits my style. Do you happen to ship to Texas? Even if you don't. You're amazing and I'll forgive you.

http://senseofstyleiseternal.blogspot.com/

Nadine said...

Beautiful! Especially loving the whole skirt aspect, and yes, the sequin trim is totally peonyesque.

Rachael said...

I want a short wedding dress and my dream one has a bubble skirt JUST like this one. How beautiful! I can't believe you made that yourself and how good she looks in it!

piglet said...

wow you are so talented! This (and the other dresses) are so lovely.
The ruffly waistline is gorgeous!

Time and Space Traveler said...

Beautiful dress. This bubble skirt looks lovely. And yes, I want short wedding dress too!

Time and Space Traveler

Looks and Books said...

This is so beautiful! It looks great, and I agree that the bubble hem makes it shine. Fantastic job!

Secondhand Stella said...

Awww, I love that dress!!!!! Its so pretty! I was toying w/ the idea of a short dress as well. I still might get one for the reception.

Happy Friday!

Linda said...

My second favourite dress that you made...

clearly mine was the best.

Ana said...

This is so beautiful! I am always in awe of your talent. Makes me wish I could get married all over again so I could wear one of your dresses.

- Ana
http://www.ToilTroubleStyle.com

cocojones said...

wow, she looks SO beautiful in that dress! it's a gorgeous dress, I'm not into the more 'conventional' bridal dresses, this is on the right side of being VERY special and beautiful, but also original.
ever considered making these for a living? although it's always nice to have something other than your main job to do for a change.

FashionTheorist said...

What an adorable dress! D looks fresh and lovely and very, very happy.

You fit the bodice perfectly, too, which is not the easiest thing in the world with a strapless neckline. Impressive!

C said...

Oh my. Such a beautiful dress. It's just perfect!

Amanda @ Life with A.Co said...

SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP!

You make dresses?! You make bridal dresses? and you made THIS dress?!?!!?!?!?!? OMG!

SO IMPRESSIVE!!!

Why didn't you say something sooner?! Wow, incredible!

I want to see more! Do you only do custom work? Do you sell online? I need DETAILS!!!!

A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984

Raychel said...

definitely a favourite. you're so friggen talented!

Tiffany said...

is there anything you can't do? I'm way impressed and wish I had talented friends like you.

Anonymous said...

Ohmygosh, whenever I get married I want that dress. It is more beautiful than words!

xoxo
Amy

Anonymous said...

LOVE that dress. I got married in a tea-length wedding dress so I'm biased but I seriously wish more people would go for it. It's too lovely.

veronika, tick tock vintage. said...

she (and you all) look gorgeous.

Kate said...

Oh my goodness, I am in love! This dress is so beautiful, you are one talented lady! Stunning!

Nicki said...

What a gorgeous dress! Love the ruffles <3.

Emma at Daily Clothes Fix said...

That dress is just beautiful. No wonder your friend trusted you - you always produce the most wonderful dresses.

Love your blog - I've left you an award on my blog: http://dailyclothesfix.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-is-not-political-statement.html

brooke said...

love the dress!

http://www.keepfashion.wordpress.com

Allison said...

Beautiful dress! I am in love with the length and the detailing around the waist. Makes me want a short wedding dress!

GFS said...

I would rock the hell out of that dress! I would...all I need is to be your bosom buddy!!!!

Ciarra said...

You are SOOOOOOO talented! Can I say I'm a tad bit envious? These dresses you've made are incredible! I'm like you.. I can't pick a favorite either. This short one is awesome and it looks PERFECT on the bride. Wow, I'm amazed at your skills. Good job! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your creations.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and they are the sweetest couple. So sweet. This is a GORGEOUS dress! You are so talented!

guildedsecret. said...

MY WORD! this dress is breathtaking! i thought i was strange for wanting a short dress for my wedding [phantom wedding that is… my boyfriend and i are not engaged… and neither one of us wants to get married until we’re at least 30, haha!] but in all seriousness, the mid-section is the most amazing part of this dress – the fact that each flower was hand placed out of love makes it all the more special. you did a fantastic job and i can’t wait until you feature the bridesmaid dresses. i was recently a bridesmaid for my cousin’s wedding in september, and we had wine colored dresses as well!

xo.
princesspolitico.blogspot.com

Kendi Lea said...

STOP BEING SO TALENTED. and pretty. and funny.

That dress is beautiful. If I would have had you around for my wedding, I would have been all over that gown.

Mrs.M in MI said...

I wore a short dress at my wedding, too! It was my grandmother's from 1951, all crinolines, tulle and lace, but she is a good eight inches shorter than me so it came out tea length.

I always encourage brides-to-be to consider short dresses. Dragging that huge train around all day never looked like fun to me. Instead I flaunted gorgeous shoes and danced all night.

Kyla said...

You are so ridiculously talented! This is gorgeous!

kelsey said...

That dress is soo cute, Jen! I love it.

Sabrina said...

That dress is sooo cute and what a cool idea to go short!! have you been getting custom wedding dress requests since then?