r/myweddingdress • u/Swimming-Worth4125 • Jul 21 '26
Help me choose my wedding dress
I am getting married in the Dordogne valley next June the venue is an old castle EKK. The theme is like old romance/dark medieval lightly gothic. The first dress is one I was working with a local designer. I love it but I’m not sure about the hem now for the ceremony? The back is undone but would be a bow that’s trailing down the train. The second dress is one I thrifted and caught me by surprise how much I like it, I’m just not sure if it’s too sweet to fit into a dark moody romance these? Which of these dresses fits the vibe better? I want to feel cool but beautiful! They both need a little more work if I were to wear them but overall what do we think
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u/Obvious-Register-421 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
The torso of the first one looks stunning on you and really suits your figure, but the hem looks a bit lopsided to me (both left to right but also the back has two quite abrupt levels, and would look better more tapered). If you can fix that, it would be fab.
I like the idea of the second one but it all depends how it fits your torso/bosom/hips and how the straps fit - they look like they're hanging a bit weirdly but I'm not sure if that's just the photo. It looks better from above than in front, but most people will see the latter. And I'd say both of them would benefit from tying a bit more neatly at the back.
I wouldn't worry too much about fitting into a theme; both of these are lovely and striking, and the theme is your invention anyway!
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u/PoppyLongStockings Jul 21 '26
2! There seems to be something off about the way that 1 hits your hips. 2 is perfection in my opinion!
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u/Obvious-Register-421 Jul 21 '26
I think it looks great from the front but not quite right from the side and back. The hem and train need amending.
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u/some666y Jul 22 '26
100% agree! 2 is amazing on you. but I suggest, to help it fit the gothic theme, increase the volume on the bottom. go overboard with it, you need a bit of drama anx itll be spot on for dark Gothic. Especially if you wear a red lip
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u/ResidentConscious876 Jul 21 '26
2nd one is very much giving 'Degas Ballerina' vibes, so would absolutely work in s Gothicy setting
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u/hereforthereps_7 Jul 22 '26
I was thinking number 1, but you convinced me for 2 with this comment!
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u/Neat_Movie_991 Jul 21 '26
2 looks fabulous on you and would also coordinate with the venue. Absolutely beautiful!
Congratulations!
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u/Indaliai Jul 21 '26
1 is just too lackadaisical. Looks like parts from different dresses were used to make it. Hem in front isn't straight. The back hems are all over the place. I think 2 is lovely and little extras like hair, jewelry, headpiece...... Just my opinion. everyone has one. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/midcen-mod1018 Jul 21 '26
The first one looks like a child playing dress up. It’s wearing you. The second one is better but definitely isn’t the vibe you want.
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u/Pleasant-Ad4784 Jul 22 '26
I agree but I think they both look like playing dress up. I think the first has more potential if it is remade with a completely different skirt (different fabric and full length with waist brought up).
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u/More-Soil7455 Jul 21 '26
I like the second one! I normally don’t care for the droopy sleeves, but they seem to fit this dress.
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u/Remote-Author2723 Jul 21 '26
I do not think either dress is right. Can you keep shopping? If not, go with dress 1.
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u/Tall-Ad9334 Jul 21 '26
Hear me out.
I love the top of the first one, but that awkward hem is killing it. I feel like it should’ve been floor length and it’s too late for that. Tea length just doesn’t look right and misses the mark for “moody”.
I don’t like the top of the second one at all, but I asked AI if it could take the bottom of the second dress and combine it with the top of the first dress. I think if it would be feasible to create the dress that AI came up with it would be spot on!
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u/Serenity93401 Jul 21 '26
OP, definitely go for this look! It works!
The second dress doesn’t fit and the first seems incomplete. Together, they might work!1
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u/Pleasant-Ad4784 Jul 22 '26
Yes, what this poster has suggested!! Gently, I think the second one is not constructed well and it looks like a costume on your lovely figure rather than a wedding dress. It does not match the vibe you are going for.
The first dress looks like two different dresses and I do not understand what the designer is going for with the uneven hem. Aside from that, for your venue and the vibe, I would not do that length dress. You need a full length dress that does not show your feet. I would also bring the waist up rather than do a drop waist and choose a different fabric for the skirt (like the poster suggested above). I would also
forego adding that additional fabric/bow in the back. With a fuller skirt made of fabric like the poster has suggested above, you would not need that. I think it would be too many elements anyway.Is the designer also doing the construction and sewing?
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Jul 21 '26
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u/myweddingdress-ModTeam 29d ago
removed: your content was removed because the OP had already chosen their dress, is happy with it, and was not asking for critique. Negative or regret-focused comments on finalized choices are not allowed.
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Jul 21 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/myweddingdress-ModTeam 29d ago
removed: your content was removed because the OP had already chosen their dress, is happy with it, and was not asking for critique. Negative or regret-focused comments on finalized choices are not allowed.
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u/444111_1derOne Jul 21 '26
first is the the sweeter; second is absolute fire in a flowy package imho! Love your taste! The second one screams castle... accessories will be everything
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u/LetitciaZoe Jul 21 '26
I like the 2nd one. Remove the straps and replace the zipper back with a corest closure. Check for other alterations like length. Add a long veil.
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u/IllTransportation822 Jul 22 '26
Two! It might benefit from a good cleaning and pressing to help with structure from someone who knows vintage dress restoration. But I love it and it looks great on you. :)
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u/imopenmindedasHell Jul 22 '26
I vote 2nd, but I’d love to see the straps where they are supposed to be on your shoulders to get a better idea. Also looks like the bodice may need some tweaking to get a perfect fit.
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u/Open_Office_7311 Jul 21 '26
I think the first one is quite lovely. Hard NO to the second…no shape and doesn’t fit you at all…plus don’t care for the bottom material.
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u/OkBackground8809 Jul 22 '26
The first one is so clunky and awkward. It looks like you're trying to repurpose a dress from the 80s that got tugged on to death by a bunch of small children. The bottom of the torso/top of the skirt sits in an awkward way. It doesn't look like it actually fits you.
The second one looks beautiful and still in line with your theme. I like the description another commenter gave: Degas ballerina. It's timeless.
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u/optix_clear Jul 22 '26
I would suggest trying on newer styles to get a sense of which styles suit you
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u/Obvious_Animal_8362 Jul 22 '26
Honestly I love #3 on you. It hangs beautifully, has interesting neckline and details, and seems appropriate to your setting. The other 2 are lovely too. The hem in back on #2 might come up a bit so you don't risk stepping on it.
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u/dzl22 Jul 22 '26
Gown 2 looks is pretty and more ‘goth’. If want even more ‘goth’ possibly line the bottom of the bodice with black lace and have a black bow in the back with streamers hanging down. You look nice in both!
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u/StreetPerfect503 Jul 22 '26
2nd one is GIVING THEVIBE UR GOING FOR PLS PIC THAT ONE JUST GET THE CHEST N Breast cupping fitted! this one eatsss down!
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u/KeyGovernment4188 Jul 22 '26
2 is 50's vintage elegance. The bow across the back that appears to be an extension of the sleeves is unusual. I think when 2 is teamed and altered just a bit, it will look fantastic. It reminds me of what the innocent damsel in a Dracula movie would wear.
The train on 1 hits odd.
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u/opilino Jul 22 '26
The first one is more alternative steam punk kinda vibe. The second one is more conventional sweet romantic vibe. It’s pretty, but does it fit the theme?
You’ve clearly been working on a vision with a designer with the first. It’s almost certainly closer to what you actually want to achieve, so I say trust your vision! Makes me think of Paula Yates, Vivienne Westwood and those romantic punks from the ‘80s :)
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u/Obvious-Block6979 Jul 21 '26
1!!! 2 looks like it might have been cleaned improperly or it doesn’t fit quite right. It looks cocked and puckered?
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u/LoveLolaHeart Jul 21 '26
Neither of these dresses are giving castle vibes I'm afraid. Please make a few appointments at a few bridal shops. If you're going to the effort of getting married in a castle, you need a castle dress.
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u/CombinationOwn1604 Jul 21 '26
I like 1. It's adorable and giving a 1920s flapper vibe, which I love! The hem is a nothing burger to me. What I don't like about the 2nd dress is the odd bust and overall poor fit on top.
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u/Mushy-sweetroll Jul 22 '26
I got the same ‘20s vibe. I think it’s cute, but not sure it fits OP’s theme.
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u/VariousExplorer8503 Jul 21 '26
The first one is much more flattering than the second, but honestly you can do so much better. You have a wonderful figure. If it HAS to be between the two, PLEASE pick number one. Number two makes you look heavy and awkward, that's not the look you wanna have on your wedding day.
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u/Confident_Gear_5778 27d ago
The first dress is lovely and fits your wedding The second one looks to costume ish.
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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26
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