I’m getting married! Now what? Truly Engaged is a new blog series written by Rachel, our *newly engaged* staff writer. As she wades her way through the wedding planning process, she’ll be sharing some of the emotions, inspiration, and insight she uncovers along the way.

A bride may have found her true love, but she is still out there in the world searching, dreaming, and waiting for “the one”….or, in other words: the perfect wedding dress.

Well, at least that is how we all see it in movies, right?

In truth, I’ve always secretly feared wedding dress shopping. To me, it feels a little bit like speed dating–if, of course, your date was a dress and was being carefully watched/judged by 3-5 close friends or family members.

Lately I’ve been looking into a modern, untraditional idea: buying a pre-owned wedding dress online.

There are a few reasons I’m intrigued by this idea:

• I like the “history/story” behind vintage or used clothing
• I love finding great deals on good designers (just snagged a neon floral Rachel Roy party dress for $25 at a consignment shop!)
• I’m trying to be more eco-friendly with my clothing choices
• I want to save money to use toward adding some cultural, DIY flair to my dress

Fortunately, there are a handful of websites out there that allow past and future brides to sell and buy pre-owned wedding dresses–perhaps because of the tough economy and the rising trend of vintage/antique fashion.

To help me narrow my shopping focus, I’ve created a list of dress priorities:

• Flattering fit/size (I’m barely five feet tall, but I’m also curvy)
• Simple silhouette that can be easily altered/adjusted (to add some DIY flair)
• Good quality fabric, beadwork, etc.(can’t look “cheap” up close)

However, since this is such a big wedding decision, I’ve been asking myself: Should I buy a pre-owned wedding dress? Is it the right choice for me?

To help me decide, I crafted my own list of pros and cons to buying a pre-owned wedding dress:

Pre-Owned Wedding Dress: Pros

Good Condition: Although not “brand new”, pre-owned dresses are typically only worn a few times, and by only one bride (unlike sample dresses, which could have been worn by many different brides).

High Quality, Low Cost: There are a few designers whose style/quality I really like, but unfortunately, their prices are outside my budget. However, pre-owned designer dresses are often sold at 40, 50, even 75% off the original price.

Ability to Splurge on Other Details: By spending less money on the dress itself, I can transfer those savings toward other details that are important to me–such as incorporating aspects of an Indian saree into my gown (my fiance is Indian Jamaican).

Promoting “Green” While Wearing White: I’m trying to be more eco-conscious with my clothing, and buying a pre-owned dress would allow me to reduce my own waste by reusing someone else’s dress. Plus, after my wedding, I can recycle the dress further by donating it or re-purposing it into a summer or cocktail dress. The dress gets to enjoy a long life filled with lots of love (now that’s a fashion trend I can definitely follow!).

Pre-Owned Wedding Dress: Cons

Blind Shopping/Buying: It’s definitely a risk to invest in a dress that I haven’t even seen or tried on–not only because of the fit, but also because of the quality/condition. However, some sellers do accept returns (knowing that brides are more likely to buy if they have the option to return), and I could narrow my purchase choices to returnable dresses only.

Pre-altered: Chances are that the bride had it altered to fit her individual body, which makes it hard to know the true size/fit, despite the dress and street size listed. However, many brides post pictures of them wearing the gown, which helps me see if her body type is similar to mine.

No “Brand New” Sparkle: The simple truth is this: the dress isn’t new. It’s already been purchased and worn. For something so personal and intimate as a wedding dress, buying it “used” might not feel as special and unique. And like many brides, I do want to feel special and unique on my wedding day.

So, there they are: my pros and cons to buying a pre-owned wedding dress. I’m still making my final decision, but this list has really helped me see the bigger picture to make an informed decision. Maybe you can use this list as a starting point to create your own pro/con wedding dress list.

Are you a bride who bought or sold a pre-owned wedding dress? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the experience!

Rachel for MagnetStreet Weddings

Absolutely love the idea of a short wedding dress!

Would I wear one myself? Hmmm. Good question. Definitely non-traditional. I tend to pigeonhole these dresses as: cocktail, wedding reception, destination, courthouse, morning and casual summer weddings… but perhaps that’s a bit tunnel-visioned. Gorgeous, sassy and sophisticated, the following dresses are tempting me into a changed perspective. Each hemline, neckline, and waistline paints a unique wedding style that is undeniably lovely, compelling and perfect for any-time wedding!  And, every bit as glamorous as its long wedding dress counterpart.

Would you wear a short wedding dress?

Priscilla of Boston

Melissa Sweet

Jewel

Demetrios- Destination Romance

Jovani

And from the 2011 runway

Simone Carvalli

Sarantina by Sarah Jassir

Kevin Hall

Source: All images via the gallery at Brides.com

How do you LOOK AMAZING in the wedding dress you love and in the body God gave you?

It’s about embracing {uh, working with}your imperfections and celebrating your assets! And, it’s about choosing the right style of gown that fits your body type!

Easier said than done? Let’s… look to a pro: Wedding dress designer Amy Jo Tatum, Amy Jo Tatum Bridal Couture and author of the fantastic blog Bride Chic has written an excellent article entitled 411 on Body Types {excerpts below} on how to choose the right wedding gown based on your body type.  “Target your flaws then minimize or camouflage them; always, always heighten your assets.” {Amy Jo Tatum}

The Petite Bride

If you’re petite and in shape, you can wear just about any gown as long as you scale down to the right proportion. Choose a bodice and neckline that draws the eye up to your decolletage. GO FOR… a gown with a panel or seams running up the front. The unbroken lines give you height. Empire waists are one of your best options considering you go floor length. A v-neck or u-neck gives the impression of a longer neck.  GOWNS to CONSIDER: A Mermaid. An A-line. Sheath and even gown silhouettes.  Best proportion is a floor length gown with veil or train of same length. Prints and laces, motifs should be scaled down and worn on the upper portions of your body. Busy designs below the waist draw the eye downward. Soft and sheer fabrics like crepe and chiffon that drape to the body.  PASS UP: Any ball gown. Heavy elaborate fabrics. Wide belts, sashes {if you must, go thin}. Any design with puffy sleeves. Any train longer than a sweep.

The Tall Bride

You’re a lucky duck cause you’ll look good in just about any style. GO FOR: Sheaths and evening gown silhouettes. Shrugs and boleros.  Ball gowns.  You can go all out and carry off all those beautiful back details: florals, bows, big and intricate bustles, heavier fabrics, wide belts etc.  PASS UP: bouffant hair-do’s and high headpieces. Victorian gowns with high necks and long, tight sleeves. Long panel trains. Flats or ballerina slippers if your hem is above the floor and your feet are long and narrow.

The Full-Figured Bride

GO FOR: Any A-line or princess style flatters with their vertical lines moving upward. An empire waist {plays down a thick midriff and hides big hips and bottom}. A ball gown {as there’s a determined waistline and the voluminous skirts hide the tummy, bottom and hips, focusing on a nipped-in waist. Low, wide necklines. Consider the scoop, sweetheart, keyhole and V-neck, all of which emphasize your cleavage and decolletage. Long and fitted sleeves, preferably in lightweight fabrics to make your arms look slimmer. PASS UP: Any gown with massive embellishment. Go for clean lines and fabrics like crepe, matte satin and shantung. Pass up any weighty fabrics like brocade or velvet that add bulk in the folds and seams as well as heavily beaded laces and organza’s. Pass up shiny fabrics like satin. High shine equals volume. Pass up: Mermaid, evening gown and sheath silhouettes: all too form-fitting. Three-quarter length and big puffy sleeves. No shoulder pads or off the shoulder necklines. Full-figures usually have broad shoulders and arms and this neckline adds volume there.

The Short-Waisted Bride

{brides.com}

GO FOR: Empires waists.  This style hides the natural waist and focuses on the bust and neck area. An empire can have slim or full skirts.  Go for: Sweetheart or V-necklines. They lengthen your bodice and extend your neck. Go for: High necklines like jewel and turtlenecks. Go for: Vertical lace patterns and prints. Make sure the pattern travels upward. Go for: A-line and princess style as they flatter for the reason there is no defined waist. Fitted through the bodice, these styles taper down to a full skirt. A trapeze or tent style. PASS UP: Any detail that points to the waistline such as, wearing a gown that has a natural waist, a veil that ends there or any gloves or sleeves that are three-quarter length. Any lacy, ruffled or tiered designs.

The Pear-Shaped Bride

{brides.com}

GO FOR: Off the shoulder empire. Concentrate on extending shoulders outward while concealing or minimizing hips. The idea is to match hip proportions with shoulders to create an hourglass.  Any top that extends the shoulder line like bateau or Sabrina neckline.  Portrait collars. Consider a tailored look with padded shoulders like a long coat dress. A suit with a full or A-line skirt is another option. Any tailored look with shoulder pads will even out your silhouette. Dropped or basque-waist ball gown. The skirts hide full hips. Just remember to coordinate the top to your proportions as well . . . Sabrina or off the shoulder.

Great stuff! Thanks Amy Jo for sharing your expertise! Read the rest of this article here plus lots of others on topics such as: veils, fabrics, custom and eco-friendly gowns and more!

So pretty. So gorgeous. So feminine! Love these semi-backless wedding gowns.  Of course these cuts aren’t for every body style {not sure I could have pulled it off} but they are indeed classy and sexy.   What do you think?  And is there a time when a semi/backless wedding dress moves beyond classy?

Jim Hjelm

Vera Wang

Alfred Angelo

Peter Langner

via Instyle

Considering a semi-backless wedding dress? Get in touch with your inner-buffness by checking out these back and arm exercises