10 year vow renewal - the dress!
It was soooo hard to pick a dress for our “French Wedding” / 10 year vow renewal ceremony! I’m postpartum and my body is slowly changing as I commit to fitness and strive to fit into my wardrobe again. I’m tall - 5’10”. I’m breastfeeding so there needs to be support in that area and the ability to hide nursing pads in case of spillage. 😂👌🏻 We are traveling so the weight of the item is also something I’m taking into consideration and whether it can easily be steamed with my portable steamer. And, I didn’t want the dress to be over the top. At first I was thinking lace, but slowly started to turn my sights to more classic silhouettes that would make sense for a vow renewal taking place in Paris, France. I’m also thinking about doing a wardrobe change into a white jumpsuit for the dance portion of the evening.
The colors / theme for our French wedding are “bleu, blanc, rouge” - blue, white, and red - the colors of the French flag. We’ve requested that guests wear blue, I’ll be in white, and our flower girls will be in red (while throwing red roses). We will also have “Hawaii elements” in the ceremony… throwbacks to the wedding 10 years ago, but also just to bring a bit of Hawaii to France. Think - lauhala mat, lei for the groom (Kaimi) and Jackson made from foraged leaves in the Boie de Boulogne, lei po’o for our flower girls. So, when thinking about my dress I’m trying to keep all of that in mind.
Here are the dresses and jumpsuits!
(PS - Stoked on FREE returns on the website where I found all of these looks, they also let you keep the dress to try on for wayyyy longer than any other website - loved the experience so I became an ambassador - linked below)
Dresses
^ This dress was beautiful, but they only had it in a medium. The straps were too long, but the rest fit perfectly. With my changing body, I felt it would be baggy by July. The length was perfect though on my 5’10” frame. Returned! But begrudgingly.
^ This dress was stunning and my first pick!! BUT, it wasn’t long enough for me. Totally high waters so I had to return it. :(^ ^
^ This was the first dress I ordered. I loved the classic lines and simplicity of the gown. I liked that it didn’t have a train. BUT, the back was wayyyy too low! This breastfeeding mama needs support and the dress just wouldn’t work out for that reason. Returned!
^ This one is absolutely stunning! But I’m on the fence because of the price… the vow renewal party and flying to Europe, etc… is already going to cost a lot of money. Sooo, jury is out still. I haven’t ordered this one yet, but I’m thinking about it. Especially since this website allows for free returns and lets me keep it for a couple of months after ordering. Giving me time to think about it or find another dress that maybe fits better.
^ This one is gorgeous. I just ordered it in a size 2 and a size 4. I’m hoping for the best!
^ This one is really cute but maybe a bit too casual for the occasion.
Jumpsuits
^ This was the first jumpsuit I ordered because I really like wearing high neck clothing. I have a complex about how my bones stick out (no matter what weight I am!). I liked it but it was a bit too form-fitted and I couldn’t see myself dancing the night away in it. Returned.
^ I thought this one looked Parisian! It was really gorgeous. I loved that the material was forgiving and the fit was perfect. However, there’s a lot of side boob going on and I definitely need more support in that area. I considered maybe wearing a bandeau under it but I think it would ruin the look. Returned. But begrudgingly.
^ This one I really LOVE! I like the fit. It’s long enough. It is a smidge too form-fitted but by three months from now will probably fit better. I’m keeping it for now, unless I find something better or decide that I’ll just stay in my dress the entire night. Keeper.