While we're on the subject of the how you spend your wedding money, lets talk about supporting what we want to see more of in the world. Here is my vote:
If you are going to spend $1010 on a wedding dress, it might at well be hand-stitched. No, I don't mean handmade, I mean Hand. Stitched. (Worth every penny.)
And gorgeous. I'm just saying. Yum, Sarah Seven yum. (and for sale on Etsy, natch)
Or how about this to die for dress, in white? For $118. I am. not. joking. Miss Branches is under-charging for sure, so get it while the going is good.
Because here is the thing. You know about how hippies/me talk about manifesting the things you love in the world? When you choose how you spend your money you actually, literally do that. And personally, I don't need to manifest more bridal salons, I just don't. I need to manifest more women owned small businesses. And talent. Pure, raw talent.
If you rock these, you'll send me a picture, right?
Sarah Seven via everyone, Miss Branches via etsy wedding, of course
Be the change, baby!
March 24, 2009 5:21 am
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I read some assy article about bridal salon owners and how they “suggest” you buy a dress as soon as you put it on and feel like a “princess” (bleeegh)…and therefore drop $5K without realizing you’ve done it. Stupid WIC.
Those missbrache dresses took my breath away. I want my dress to be something I look at and think, “What a great story,” not “what a ridiculous way to spend way too much money and not even support anything I care about.”
March 24, 2009 7:12 am
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Meg, I think you articulated it perfectly– I teach high school (is my halo glowing?) and I’m always trying to hammer into my students heads our power as consumers. Sometimes people (including me) find it hard to figure out how to live in a way according to their ethics, and it’s a good reminder that how we spend our money=values.
And hand stitched is pure love.
March 24, 2009 7:12 am
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Hell yeah!
March 24, 2009 8:36 am
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Thank you so much for posting this! Perfect timing, too…my amazingly talented friend is designing my wedding dress for me, and I’m really trying to encourage her to start an Etsy shop for handmade, unique, affordable wedding gowns. So this is great encouragement for her to see that there is definitely a market for people like me who gag at the thought of spending $3k to look like every other bride out there.
March 24, 2009 8:39 am
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I agree wholeheartedly!!! Wai-Ching is one of those artists. I ordered my dress from her already. She is so much fun to work with.
March 24, 2009 8:41 am
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MissBrache is making my sisters’ (bridesmaids) dresses! And the lovely and talented JaneBonBon (on etsy) is making my wedding dress!
March 24, 2009 9:34 am
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Wow, those Sarah Seven dresses to die for! As a very, very beginner sewer, the phrase ‘hand-stitch’ is so daunting and so priceless.
March 24, 2009 12:27 pm
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your words have been straight gold lately Meg…
…effing…love…it…
March 24, 2009 1:14 pm
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Holy cow, Meg. I LOVE this dress! Thanks for turning us onto SarahSeven's store … one of these days … hmm, maybe 1 year anniversary party!? Or maybe bday party for 2! I hope, I hope someone sends you a pic & they're wearing any one of these gorgeous confections!
March 24, 2009 2:57 pm
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Oh honey,
Hand stich is where you should START. Not hard, relaxing. I mean, I can’t make a Sarah Seven dress, but we hand stitched my dress, if you remember.
And YEAH, I hope someone sends me pictures too.
Meg
March 24, 2009 3:04 pm
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that hand-stitched dress is ridiculously gorgeous.
one of the main reasons i love my college town is that there are NO chains (restaurants, stores) on the main college street. i can see where you’re coming from.
March 24, 2009 3:55 pm
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Amen!
March 24, 2009 9:06 pm
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amen! bring back the humble seamstress or family tailor, i say. pay for skill and materials, not the name stitched to the inside of your dress.
March 24, 2009 11:26 pm
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I freakin love your blog. I've been reading it for months, have meant to comment and can't remember if I have or not. But today.. a breathe of fresh air.. yet again. Thanks for writing. My crafty momma & I will be sewing my dress, thanks for reminding me that we're normal.
March 25, 2009 9:30 am
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Terri of Olivia Luca is making my dress with natural fabric! She also offers organic and fair-trade fabrics.
http://olivialuca.com/
March 25, 2009 10:08 am
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It’s dresses like these that make me want to take up sewing– I don’t have my wedding planned yet, but after months of looking at dresses with one of my best friends, I know I’ll never find what I want in a bridal shop. Maybe if I start sewing now I’ll be good at it by the time I’m planning my wedding!
March 25, 2009 12:44 pm
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Seriously, the dress by Miss Branches is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for in a rehearsal dinner dress, except that I convo’d her and she’s making it for me in a hot pink fabric with white polka dots. For 1/4th the price of a similar dress I had my eye on, it will fit me to a “T”. And I’m supporting a craftsperson instead of the WIC. Does it get any better? No, it does not.
March 25, 2009 12:53 pm
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sing it, meg. you just summed up way better than i could exactly why i blog about handmade weddings. *you* are raw talent, dear. thank you!!
xoj
March 26, 2009 12:03 am
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Hooray for this post! There is a lot of great talent on Etsy. It’s wonderful to see it promoted. =)
April 1, 2009 2:03 pm
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