No, not the proposal! The question that as a seamstress and costumer I inevitably get… “Why aren’t you making your own wedding dress?”
‘Cause I’ve pretty much made them before, right?
My sister in particular asked this question after we purchased my Claire Pettibone dress. It was indeed a question I had given serious thought to, and even asked of other seamstressy brides. I even know brides who have done it! I even made my sister’s wedding gown! But at the end of the day, it wasn’t what I wanted for me.
I’m not really superstitious, so the old adage of making your wedding dress makes your marriage a lot of work wasn’t phasing me. And it wasn’t that I didn’t have enough time; with nearly 18 months before the wedding when we started planning, I would have had plenty of time.
In all honesty, it came down to wanting to be a little spoiled. First, I didn’t want to have to do the work, I really did want that little bit of getting treated like a princess. Second – and this has a little more to do with the financial planning aspect – because I’m an experienced seamstress, I wanted something beautiful that I could be proud of. I accepted the financial burden with this reasoning because I know as a commissioner how much work goes into really high quality sewing work. I knew from the beginning that I was going to have to shell out the cash, but I knew it would be worth it. I’m lucky that that’s an option for me!
And it was all true! The experience of being surrounded with my girls while trying on the amazing dresses at Little White Dress – with the designer present! – was a completely magical experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. 
And I know that the beautiful dress that Claire Pettibone is creating JUST FOR ME is going to be a truly amazing work of art that I will treasure forever.
I am in awe of the brides who charge themselves with sewing their wedding gowns! And I count myself among the ranks of brides who have made a carefully calculated decision about her dress… that’s pretty much all brides! This is one of the most personal garments a person can ever wear, and all your reasons, as long as they’re true to you, are completely valid.
Besides… I think there will always be plenty of fancy dresses for sewing in my future!
What were your reasons for or against making your wedding gown?
I made mine because I knew what I wanted and looked and looked and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. Also I was trying to save a little money. Looking back, I kinda wish I would have splurged a little and bought my own dress. I still would have made all the other dresses though. (as simple and rudimentary as they were) :)
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