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"You have to be absolutely sure about who you pick as your husband. You can't return him like you return things at Target."
-Bride's mom
-Bride's mom
The Wedding
Vision
Elegant, intricate, timeless, and formal. Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Eva Gardner are my inspirations.
Inspiration
A Love for Dresses
It all started when I was a baby. I showed a love for dresses. I was surrounded by my parents' love and while we had recently immigrated from Vietnam to the US they provided me with dresses. I had dresses in silk, taffeta, velvet. Ribbons, lace, beads, embroidery. You name it. I was the girl with always made hair and puffy retro sleeves! Their love was portrayed by their sacrifice that allowed their daughter to be a princess not only to them but to everyone around her. Most importantly, I was very loved, and in that love I grew.
Fast forward twenty some years and not much has changed.
I am embarrassed to say that I am not a one, not a two, three, four, but a five-dress bride. Dress changing is a tradition in Vietnamese weddings. But even beyond the dresses, I am just happy to be my parents' daughter.
Fast forward twenty some years and not much has changed.
I am embarrassed to say that I am not a one, not a two, three, four, but a five-dress bride. Dress changing is a tradition in Vietnamese weddings. But even beyond the dresses, I am just happy to be my parents' daughter.
Rehearsal Dress
I love the 1960 dresses and will be wearing a white one inspired from that era paired with tiered pearls.
Inspiration
{Couture Allure}
{Couture Allure}
Wedding Hanger
It's one of those purchases that was totally unnecessary but I couldn't pass up. You ever got that feeling? I was a fan of etsy LilaFrances's work and was very lucky to have found a very crafty knottie bhrett who could DIY for me at a real steal. This keepsake hanger will look great in pictures and is a reminder to myself in my closet.
Dress #1: Dress for Mass
The first dress is for Mass, and it's a custom dress of Lazaro Style LZ3018. My seamstress is Kim Dao Alterations.
- Ivory silk faced satin ball bridal gown, ruched bodice with sweetheart neckline
- Jewel encrusted band at natural waist
- Full gathered ball gown skirt
- 84'' cathedral train
Crinoline
This one I got works for both a-line and mermaid shapes for medium fullness.
{David's Bridal Style 603}
Dress #2: White Wedding Ao Dai
I could not decide to choose to go traditional (which is red or gold) or be modern (white). So I chose both! Below is the one I will be wearing in the morning at the Lễ Đón Dâu (a ceremonial procession where I get escorted to the church by FI).
Dress #3: Red Wedding Ao Dai
This one I will wear at the reception while cutting the cake and visiting tables.
Dress #4: Reception Dress
This dress is for the reception and dancing. It's by Artistic Bridal. My seamstress is Sew Much.
- Strapless, satin fit and flare with ruching underneath
- After the ruching was made, a delicate lace was placed on top and gets sparser and sparser towards the neckline
- Crystal and rhinestones line the rim of the sweetheart neckline
- Crystal and fabric covered buttons alternate from the top of the back to the very end of the chapel train
{Artistic Bridal}
Bustle
During the reception, my dress will be bustled. My seamstress Sew Much suggested two popular choices: over bustle (left) and under bustle, aka French bustle (right). I chose the French bustle because it seemed very elegant and in line with the shape of my dress.
This is how I envision my French bustle on the Big Day.
Dress #5: Dancing Dress
This ofsatin dress I got from BCBG will allow me to move on the dance floor without a ball gown bustle. I will be going home in this dress.
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Planning Tips
TIP: I had a lot of trouble finding my dress. That's you, too? Martha's Vineyard bridal expert Lisa Pyden and Meaghan Esposito writes, "If you're struggling to pick your dress, think about which interior design movement is most striking to you. Is it graphic modern? English country? Eclectic and relaxed? This is likely the look that you will be most comfortable and happiest in on the wedding day."
TIP: Here is a list that may help you compile your Day Of Emergency Kit. Most brides have said what saved them the most was blister band-aids for their feet, safety pins, binder clips (they're strong!), and double-sided fashion tape. Imaging having to hold your dress up the entire night because of a broken bustle! So pile those up in the kit.
TIP: Here is a list that may help you compile your Day Of Emergency Kit. Most brides have said what saved them the most was blister band-aids for their feet, safety pins, binder clips (they're strong!), and double-sided fashion tape. Imaging having to hold your dress up the entire night because of a broken bustle! So pile those up in the kit.
emergency_kit_list.pdf | |
File Size: | 113 kb |
File Type: |
TIP: If your dress is the type that's over 10 lb, consider having a change of clothes so you can hang out in it between the ceremony and the reception, even if it's just for 30 mins. Your body will thank you.
TIP: Your seamstress can comfortably take in just about up to four sizes, give or take, depending on whether there's a lot of lace or nodes (where the dress curves with your body) that need to be moved.
TIP: I find that a lot of Vietnamese brides wear the wrong underwear with their ao dai. The ao dai is very thin and transparent because Vietnam is such a hot and humid climate. Try to wear seamless bra and underwear. Extra kuddos if it is a nude color. I know sometimes underwear is the last thing you think about, but with the ao dai, what you wear underneath doesn't have to be guessed.
TIP: Your seamstress can comfortably take in just about up to four sizes, give or take, depending on whether there's a lot of lace or nodes (where the dress curves with your body) that need to be moved.
TIP: I find that a lot of Vietnamese brides wear the wrong underwear with their ao dai. The ao dai is very thin and transparent because Vietnam is such a hot and humid climate. Try to wear seamless bra and underwear. Extra kuddos if it is a nude color. I know sometimes underwear is the last thing you think about, but with the ao dai, what you wear underneath doesn't have to be guessed.
Budget Tips
TIP: Brides in sizes 8-12, you really are lucky. You get excellent choices of sample gowns at sample or trunk sales! Google the bridal boutiques in the area, signing up for their distribution list, and watch for them. This is when they clear out their inventory of discontinued dresses to make room for new season dresses. Sample sales are usually about 50-75% off and trunk sales up to 85%.
TIP: When you find a dress you really love, don't buy it right away. Note the name and model number and go online to Net Bride, Pearl's Place, or RK Bridal. If they carry the dress you love, their price will be $100-500 cheaper than what they would charge you at boutiques. Note these stores have gotten great reviews and that these dresses are not knock-offs or inspired dresses but are the original dresses but at discounted prices. You can buy in confidence.
TIP: Crinolines are one of those items you hardly will ever wear again. Check your alteration shop or even bridal boutique whether they rent them or if other brides are selling them on the classified ads.
TIP: When you find a dress you really love, don't buy it right away. Note the name and model number and go online to Net Bride, Pearl's Place, or RK Bridal. If they carry the dress you love, their price will be $100-500 cheaper than what they would charge you at boutiques. Note these stores have gotten great reviews and that these dresses are not knock-offs or inspired dresses but are the original dresses but at discounted prices. You can buy in confidence.
TIP: Crinolines are one of those items you hardly will ever wear again. Check your alteration shop or even bridal boutique whether they rent them or if other brides are selling them on the classified ads.
Resources
Here are some vendors where brides can research or order their dresses online.
Ao Dai Inspiration
Si Hoang NOTE: Famous ao dai designer based in Vietnam
Ao Dai
Ao Dai Vinh
Ao Dai Trang
Ao Dai Styles
Ao Dai Minh Thu
Ao Dai Cham Khanh
Pre-owned dresses
Bravo Bride
Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses
Budget wedding dresses
Net Bride NOTE: You can either e-mail or call for quotes.
Pearl's Place NOTE: You must call for quotes.
RK Bridal
Custom wedding dress makers
My big fat beautiful wedding NOTE: USA-based
Dyeing shoes
RIT Dye FAQ
Ao Dai Inspiration
Si Hoang NOTE: Famous ao dai designer based in Vietnam
Ao Dai
Ao Dai Vinh
Ao Dai Trang
Ao Dai Styles
Ao Dai Minh Thu
Ao Dai Cham Khanh
Pre-owned dresses
Bravo Bride
Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses
Budget wedding dresses
Net Bride NOTE: You can either e-mail or call for quotes.
Pearl's Place NOTE: You must call for quotes.
RK Bridal
Custom wedding dress makers
My big fat beautiful wedding NOTE: USA-based
Dyeing shoes
RIT Dye FAQ
My Vendors
Bridal Attire
Gown: Lazaro Style LZ3018 at Bridal and Formal | Reading Bridal District, Cincinnati, Ohio
Dancing gown: Artistic Bridal at European Bridal | Reading Bridal District, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ao Dai: Ao Dai Styles
Hanger: Knottie bhrett
Alteration
Kim Dao Alterations | Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Sew Much | Reading Bridal District, Cincinnati, Ohio
Dry Cleaning & Preservation
Widmers | Cincinnati, Ohio
Gown: Lazaro Style LZ3018 at Bridal and Formal | Reading Bridal District, Cincinnati, Ohio
Dancing gown: Artistic Bridal at European Bridal | Reading Bridal District, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ao Dai: Ao Dai Styles
Hanger: Knottie bhrett
Alteration
Kim Dao Alterations | Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Sew Much | Reading Bridal District, Cincinnati, Ohio
Dry Cleaning & Preservation
Widmers | Cincinnati, Ohio
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