enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

yes, i have seen the j.crew wedding dresses.

March 13, 2009

I have stalked the j.crew wedding section long before I was in the market for a wedding dress. They are lovely. Here are six sweet ones and my humble opinions:
The front of this one is similar to the dress I posted this morning, but the back is just too plain. Beautiful, don't get me wrong, I would just like a little something more interesting.

I like how this one "billows out" a little bit in the skirt. Cute and summery, but I don't know how flattering that top would be. And would I spend the whole night worrying about it and constantly be adjusting myself? Probably. Not so hot.

I adore the color on this one. I really want something more cream than white. And it is cute. Except we have the same adjusting situation. And also, I like that flower but wouldn't it be awkward when you are also holding a bouquet of flowers? This one though, I would like to try on more than the first two.

This one just looks pretty And the price is good. But same problems with the top…
Probably a little too simple for the price, but I am a fan of this one. Maybe it's the pockets? I really feel like pockets in a wedding dress are a good idea. I think I would keep my camera in there.
So lovely, but I really think you would need to be 6 feet tall and a skinny-mini to pull this one off. And Paul would be like, "Seriously?"

Bottom line : I do think the j.crew wedding dresses are lovely. But I just don't think any of them are Mine.

People have a lot of different goals in mind when picking a wedding dress: "I want to look like a princess." or "I want to look timeless." or "I want to look fabulous in photographs." While I would love to achieve all of those as well, my priority is that Paul can't take his eyes off of me. That probably sounds odd, but isn't the point that the groom thinks the bride looks fabulous? I know Paul would not be a fan if I came down in something that was too fashion-forward, made me look like a cake-topper, or the worst, with a blue bird in my hair. And while I am willing to battle to the death over the color orange, I know I will be thinking about his opinion more than my own* on this dress hunt.

(*That's not too say I won't love it too…)

Posted in wedding

29 responses to “yes, i have seen the j.crew wedding dresses.”

summer

March 13, 2009

so, so, so smart.
your clear mindset about what’s important for you+ your dress is exemplary. i love the “paul can’t take his eyes off me” goal here. beautiful!

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KKD

March 13, 2009

I thought that this wasn’t going to turn into a wedding-planning blog…? Don’t get me wrong, I kind of understand. I was excited to get married too. But I really really loved your blog before and was relieved when you said it wasn’t going to turn into a wedding blog. And now that’s ALL. YOU. POST. ABOUT.

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elise

March 13, 2009

I emailed the above commenter, but just wanted to put this out there if you feel the same:
Hi,
Thanks for commenting. I understand, and I really don’t think it will. I apologize that the last few posts have been very wedding focused. Inspiration for posts comes and goes, when I am not “crafty” I usually don’t post. Now, I am just posting wedding related things.
I am sorry it is upsetting to you.
Thanks, elise

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Courtney

March 13, 2009

I love the next to last one with the pockets! Love, love it. Your flowers would look amazing with it.
Oh and let me tell you I’m always the girl messing with her dress, but with my wedding dress I didn’t at all. Once you have it altered it fits like a glove. If you find the it dress, I wouldn’t worry about the adjusting!

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Kathryn Johnson

March 13, 2009

My sister in law is getting married in a few months, and when I was helping look around for ideas, I came across a fun sight with “vintage inspired dresses”. Just thought I’d post the link to this one, since it might be close to the style you are looking for:
http://www.unique-vintage.com/amazing-white-satin-bias-drape-back-wedding-prom-dress-p-2999.html?osCsid=aab238385b3e42aaba077c1c1ef8eacf
Plus, you can’t beat the price! Good luck to you both!

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courtney

March 13, 2009

POCKETS! in a WEDDING DRESS!
… GENIUS!
for the record, i think that this is the first time (ever) that i’ve liked the cheaper options first. without looking at the price.
i understand what you’re saying, completely. and my back-up choice (if the choice were to be mine) would be the $2500 masterpiece with the pockets. not just because of that, but because it’s simple and i love the silhouette it creates, with clean lines and no ornate stuff cluttering it all up.
i’m sure your choice will be spectacular and beautiful, and that paul will LOOOVE it.
(… for the record, when you said it wouldn’t turn into a weddingy blog, i believe you. i also understand that you’re planning something hugely exciting, and that there will be posts on it from time to time. sometimes even several in a row. whatev – i like ’em all. i’m patient and just roll with it. it’s your blog, after all! 😉 )

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julie

March 13, 2009

i adore the $1500 and $2500 dresses and think they’d look cute on you. i think you wouldn’t have so much of a problem with strapless as much as the tiny strap dresses. the flower-on-dress would be so great for when you’re on the dance floor sans-bouquet (and after you give said bouquet away) and i think it’d be really adorable post-wedding to have it shortened.
also, for the record, i don’t mind your wedding-focus now. i know you’ll have lots of craft goodness up in time and i appreciate the daily entries. plus, not gonna lie, wedding planning totally feeds into my love of wanting-to-throw-cute-parties.

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Krys72599

March 13, 2009

I’m a new reader (2 weeks, maybe), but personally? More wedding stuff, please! I love reading about, looking at, dreaming of weddings! This year is my 10-year anniversary and if I had my way, I’d watch my wedding video every day! It was, hands down, the best day of my life. And when I look back, at three photos in particular, I have never seen my husband so happy in all the years I’ve known him. He’s looking at me, only me, and there’s just nothing else in the world for the two of us at that moment.
And I wish that for you.
And when you put on “the” dress, you’ll know.
My only piece of advice: try a lot on. Don’t go in with some preconceived notion of what you want or don’t want. I’m not saying if you HATE mermaid style dresses you should try one on, but just keep an open mind – so many of them look very different on a person as opposed to on a hanger.

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Nevis

March 13, 2009

I’m getting married too and planning my wedding…love reading your posts! No one can obsess over details like a bride! 🙂

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Lee

March 13, 2009

to uptightypants KKD poster above – COMEON! Be fair. and…
you.don’t.have.to.read.it
It Elise’s blog, let her do whatever the hell she pleases on it!
If she wanted to run with multiple posts about the cheese aisle in the supermarket and have many photos of an elephants arse, she can!
FWIW – I reckon the wedding posts are great!

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Gabi from Paris

March 13, 2009

Choosing a wedding dress is so fun… and so hard ! You must Have heard people saying : “When you’ll find THE dress, you’ll know it.” And that’s true ! I’m sure yours will be simple and beautiful.

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lanne

March 13, 2009

Well I was about to post … and that lil * is exactly why is it is a marriage and not a wedding day. His opinion about the big stuff.. the stuff he doesn’t normally get a look in on… and his opinion matters the most 🙂 Good for you! The star is what will make it happy.. because you still love it too 🙂
but now I have to add.. how unkind and unfair it was to comment about this being a wedding blog. It isn’t a wedding blog, it isn’t a craft blog.. it is Elise’s blog and she should feel free to post whatever she likes. I for one am soooo not into weddings and brides and shoes and makeup.. but.. Elise is bursting joy all over her blog and is super excited…I would think anyone who reads regularly would be celebrating WITH her.

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Eleanor

March 13, 2009

honestly, if you could get a bluebird to stay in your hair, I would just be flat out impressed.
Just make sure that whatever it is, you love it, and you feel good in it cause it’s your night and a dress shouldn’t be on the forefront of your mind.

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cara harjes

March 13, 2009

i agree with the poster who said that once it is altered it will be the last thing on your mind. it will be fun for you to go try on dozens of dresses and see what styles you loooove on yourself! it is so fun!
and as is always the case with blogs, please do not be deterred by those who feel it is their right to reprimand a blog author about the content of their blog. SILLINESS, i say! if it is weddings you wish to blog of, blog away!!!!!

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cara harjes

March 13, 2009

(oh, and of course she would post her comment anonymously! my dad always taught us to never write anything we would not feel comfortable putting our names on, so this approach ALWAYS confuses me. okay, that is all i will say on the subject. i promise.)

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Kris

March 13, 2009

tee hee i battled to the death for orange too…well no…he was fine with it but my mom…she still hates the idea of it but its my wedding right?
Those dresses u posted are lovely but i do understand ur concern about wrestling with the dress all night!!
U have fabu taste mademoiselle!
and post away about wedding stuff girly – its all in your style and thats why i love reading your blog. rock on chica.

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Anilu Magloire

March 13, 2009

Totally agree!
The most important thing when picking the dress is comfort. You will be in it a long time. Plus, we always look better when we’re in comfortable clothes.
You’ll pick the right one, brides always do 😉

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Nadia

March 13, 2009

I think it is so cute that you would carry your camera in the pockets! I did this at the spa recently (in the bathrobe pocket). I think that the dress should be as YOU are and not completely change the way you look or are defined otherwise the groom looks and says who the hell is that? you want the groom to look and say “there she is, the most beautiful lady in the world and how lucky am I that she picked me to spend the rest of her days with”. you got your head screwed on right girl. I don’t need to tell ya. LOL! btw (ahem) I LOVE your blog and reading about your life and art and the wedding plans ARE a part of YOUR life and I love that too. so keep on postin’! ciao!

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alexandra

March 14, 2009

10 years ago I married a ‘boy’ named Paul too and I felt the same way about the dress I chose – I wanted him to love it and me in it. His only request was that it not have any of what he referred to as ‘mosquito netting’ – no poof, no cinderella, no cake-topper for me. I went simple but elegant. I hired a dress maker and she worked wonders with some beautiful italian silk. Sometimes you just have to have it made!!!
Cheers and best wishes in the dress department and on all fronts!

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kelly

March 14, 2009

loving the pockets on dresses now.
you will look fabulous no matter what. i know it.

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Erin B

March 15, 2009

Elise, you should post whatever you feel like posting. It’s your blog, for you, about you, inspired by your life. Don’t apologize.
On to dress comments, if your dress is altered to fit you, the adjusting thing won’t be an issue. I had my dress made, which was perfect. We “lifted” a Vera Wang dress that I fell in love with, but couldn’t afford. I was also able to add personal touches to the dress. My mom and I picked out the perfect fabric for me and it was made to fit me like a glove. There’s nothing quite like a dress made to fit you. That said, I also invested in some nice lingerie to wear under the dress, which I’m sure helped with the strapless fit too.

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Toni Brockliss

March 15, 2009

I love your blog. I am excited about your wedding and a blog is a journal about your life. As far as I’m concerned you post about whatever you want because it’s your blog…..and I love hearing about weddings! 🙂
You could always take all the best bits that you like about the dresses – the billow skirt, the pockets, v neckline, tie at the back and get someone to make it. Then it’s an Elise original! You could even have a bright orange sash to make it truly your own and something no other bride would have.
Although I am probably the worst person to ask. I got married in a pink dress in Las Vegas. My husband dressed me and my makeup that I spent hours on at the beauty salon downstairs looked like I should be on the main float at Mardi Gras.
But in the end, I agree with you. You want to knock your man’s socks off and my hubby thought I looked lovely – after I redid the face! 🙂

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donna

March 15, 2009

hello there,
this is your blog and if it turns out more wedding posts because that is on your mind well you should do that! all your posts are great! i have lurked for a long long time .
i lurk on other blogs too..this one you NEED to visit as it is a visually stunning case in point why you should have orange involved in your wedding.
pandemonium is the blog name. sandy attended a wedding with orange! mmmmmmmmmm it was lovely! and keep posting what inspires you…it is all fabulous and creative and so you!
donna

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donna

March 15, 2009

http://sandekrieger.typepad.com/my_weblog/ oops here is the blog link…scroll down a bunch of posts…you will be amazed!

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donna

March 15, 2009

ooops seem to be having trouble posting. the above link is a case in point why you should have orange invovled in your wedding! the blog address attended a stunning wedding and orange was a big hit in the photos..fabulous and inspiring.
just like your blog..and it is your blog so if you have wedding news in your mind you should write about it..it is all part of the creativity and the inspiration…enjoy it! donna

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mmc

April 10, 2009

Is this Elise from say yes to the dress? why aren’t you there anymore? I like all the others too, but it seemed so strange without you.If this is you, aren’t you getting your gown from Kleinfelds?Good luck to you.

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Lingerie

July 4, 2009

wedding dress are very beautiful and gorgeous…

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Bridal jewelry, Wedding jewelry, Bridesmaid jewelry, Wedding jewelry sets, Bridesmaids Jewelry Sets

September 16, 2009

As a bride-to-be on a tight budget, I recently discovered an online bridal jewelry store called GlamForLess.com.
Though their website is plain and simple, I found some great deals on jewelry sets for me and my bridesmaids.
I think other readers on a tight budget may also find GlamForLess.com to be helpful.
You may want to check them out at http://www.glamforless.com/ and inform other readers about it.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Lisa Bloom

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Helemark

April 29, 2014

I love that you found your perfect wedding dress from J. Crew!!

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