I was never really that little girl who always dreamed about her wedding. I didn’t envisage myself as princess Diana, I never had a fantasy of a white knight. I’d never planned my wedding down to each detail, just waiting for the character of Groom to be slotted in. I didn’t even really know what I wanted for my engagement ring (and it wasn’t until I saw the one that my Mr. had designed that I knew it was what I had wanted all along). It’s amazing, for someone who thinks so much about her daily wardrobe that I really never pictured That Day until I met the guy who I would share that day with.
Last week marked Mr. Dressed and my 7 year anniversary. It’s amazing to me how quickly time can fly by – how far away our wedding feels and the oceans and continents that now lay between that incredible day in the Aquarium and today. And although my childhood was spent thinking about the adventures I would have and the sharks I would one day swim with, I knew within about a week of meeting my now-husband that I had fallen into my very own fairy tale.
Our marriage has definitely been one of adventure. Two overseas moves, thousands of miles of travel, packing more times than I can count. Witnessing family and friends celebrating their own weddings. Seeing my niece greet the world. Having to watch our sweet Willie depart it. And through all of the things, my partner has been by my side. So, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this magical night, where we celebrated 7 years of unbridled married awesome, deserved nothing less than a Fairytale Dress…
There are those dresses that you see and they make you catch your breath. There have been no shortage of these in my life, which is part and parcel when you collect vintage. But this dress from Chotronette literally took my breath away. I would get married all over again in this dress. Rows of tulle and roses, sugar spun of daydreams and candlelit evenings, you can almost hear a music box start to play when you put her on, sure you have fallen into the world of the Brothers Grimm.
I visited this dress for about 3 years. I saved a photo of her in my Want folder. And ohhhh how I wanted. I lusted and salivated. I wondered if one day I might make one myself, knowing it would never quite measure up to the beauty that lay in the folds of cyberspace. And then one day I simply jumped. I splurged and declared myself worth it and didn’t look back. For no reason at all and for the best reason: I decided I was worth the fairy tale.
I went for custom measurements for this dress- a 27.5″ waist and a 36″ bust, and requested a longer-than average torso of 16.5″ shoulder to waist. I also asked for a custom length – for me 107cm/42″ was perfected hit at that magic spot just under the knee. It was a pretty amazing fit – although I would probably recommend adding a bit more room in the bust if you’re similarly well-endowed, given the extreme fit of the corset bodice. But, in just about every way, this dress is perfect. From every hand stitched rosebud to the delicate folds of net that wrap me in sheer fantasy.
We went out to dinner at Manna – an amazing restaurant downtown that’s famous for its cocktails and its ambiance. We drank champagne and did what I think most couples do on their anniversary: reminisced about our wedding day and discussed how awesome we are. Without fail. Every. Time.
While we were toasting our mutual awesome, we heard a toast at the table next to ours, where another couple was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. And as my eyes met my beloved over the fizz of champagne that would surely go to my head, I had only one thought: Here’s to the next 43 years.
Because I sure do believe in fairy tales.
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Chotronette
Necklace: Bettina Darling (similar here & here)
Belt: gift, Alannah Hill (similar)
Handbag: Boutique in Melbourne (similar here & here)
Shoes: Rene Caovilla (similar here & here)
Lip Color: Ruby Woo
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