The Dress

Rime Arodaky’s French couture bridal designs cater to rock’n’roll yet sophisticated brides who desire to stand out. The Paradis dress, from the designer’s 1995 bridal collection, draws inspiration from iconic '90s supermodels. This elegant gown boasts an illusion bodice adorned with delicate floral embroidery.

Upon discovering this dress online, I was instantly enamored by its uniqueness. Adding to its allure, Rime Arodaky has discontinued the gown, ensuring exclusivity as no one else can replicate your dress. Despite my initial skepticism about a backless design due to my 34G bust, I found an incredibly comfortable stick-on bra and low-back shapewear that instilled the confidence to wear this stunning dress. I acquired the dress from the reputable The Mews Bridal in Notting Hill, London.

I celebrated my wedding in May at a Catholic Church in Italy. The dress was ideal for the setting and the milder temperatures, thanks to its sheer sleeves and lightweight fabric. It accentuated my waist without emphasizing my bust, a welcome change that garnered numerous compliments from guests, making me feel truly special.

The dress’s front slit ensures ease of movement, making it perfect for dancing. Although I opted for a second dress in the evening, this dress is designed to be easily bustled for those who wish to dance in it throughout the event.

As for the dress’s condition, it remained flawless since I changed before the dance. The outdoor venue contributed to its pristine state. It has been professionally dry-cleaned and is in excellent condition. There’s no need to alter the train length as there are no heel marks, but shortening it would be straightforward if desired.

Anyone interested happy to send more photos once I have the professional photos come through.

Alterations

I had the dress slightly altered to fit my shape, ensuring it sat perfectly on my shoulders. Hand-stitched embroidered flowers adorned the top part of the sleeves, cleverly concealing the areas I’m less fond of – my side arms and chest. The sleeves were also shortened to match my height of 166cm. As for the dress length, I kept the full train, which looked absolutely stunning. The best part? This dress doesn’t require a fussy veil; it speaks for itself!