The Dress

From the designer: "Striking and feminine. Sophisticated and effortless. The Alexandra gown is all about the beautifully balanced silhouette - designed to highlight the female shape. Handmade from soft, stretch French lace and hand-cut lace motifs, the Alexandra dress features a flattering high neck with a V-neck lining and built-in cups, combined with a low open back and secured with a single satin button at the neckline. We love the dramatic fishtail skirt, which has a centre front opening, large back godet and stunning train (available in three lengths)."

This dress is made of the highest quality lace I have ever seen or felt. The way that it forms to the wearer's body is flattering and shockingly dynamic. The measurements listed are my current measurements; I'm slightly smaller in the waist and butt than I was at the time of the wedding and I was surprised to find that it fits just as well now as it did then (it fit incredibly well back then). I included a couple of recent photos to demonstrate.

This is the 120cm train, with the bustle and finger-loop.

I was never very into wedding dresses, that is until I came across this one. The first time I saw it was of course on pinterest. The thing is, I wasn't actually looking for one. The caption was vague (romantic boho wedding, or something like that), and the link went no-where, so for a long time I knew nothing about it. Nonetheless I decided I loved the halter neckline idea, and I wanted a dress just like it - entirely made of lace, if I were to get married.

Wouldn't you know I would get engaged later that year. When I started browsing the internet for dresses, it wasn't long before this one came up. Grace Loves Lace. Of course. So, after a very discouraging trip to a bridal shop to try to find something I could try on first, I took my measurements, and I ordered it. I barely even looked elsewhere. There were a few others that had caught my eye here and there, but I just knew this was the one, so I stopped looking and went for it.

Best decision I ever made. I felt so incredible wearing it, so free and true to myself. Everyone was in love with it, and impressed that I had made the bold choice to wear something so different from the crowd of ballgowns and sweetheart necklines. Something so form-fitting and revealing yet still so classy. I don't think anyone was surprised by that choice, but they were all in awe of the way that it fit and flattered. It was a fun dress to wear and I can't begin to express how grateful I am for the confidence it gave me to go out in front of all those people.

Alterations

The chest and "straps" were professionally altered ever so slightly to lift the chest a bit and provide a bit more support to the breasts. It was a very simple alteration, the halter "straps" that run along the edge of the chest were pinched and shortened by about an inch. This raised the outside edges of the cups in order to lift and hold the breasts with more confidence. For reference, I generally wear a 34D/32DD (depending on the brand), so I wanted to make sure that the girls were strapped in securely. When I originally tried it on, the cups sat so low I felt like I was definitely going to show my nipples to all of our family and friends before we even hit the dance-floor. They did an incredible job and it's completely invisible, even if you know it's there. It's amazing how much of a difference it made in the overall supportiveness of the dress. (This can best be seen in the image where I'm signing the certificate).