Long story. So for those who just want the facts, here they are...

MY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GOWN FOR SALE

Brand: Pronovias
Size: 6-8 (I'm 163cm tall I think)
Colour:Champagne/Cream
Materials: Silk/Silk Chiffon/ detailed with intricately beaded Spanish lace
Options: Able to be worn strapless or with a lace overlay neckline.
Veil: Brand new handmade beaded veil also available (another long story).
Price: $1450 (Brand New in early '07: $2900)/ a leetle negotiable.
Interested: Email me for more info/details/photographs/try it on or leave a comment.
Gossip: Feel free to spread the word.

For those who want the long version/ more photos....

He proposed to me while overseas and on the journey home via London Heathrow airport I picked up my very first bridal magazine in my quest to get some 'different' ideas. Emblazened on many double spread pages were the amazing spanish Pronovias gowns that I couldn't take my eyes off, and I was immediately disappointed that I wouldn't be able to get my hands on them since they looked like they only serviced European cities. You can check out their extensive range on their website, but don't blame me if you spend hours there and get all dreamy!!!

Checked out the sales (not really recommended unless you get super lucky with size and style) but everything was pretty 'same old' to me. Then one day Jeanne (Joel's sister) brought me to Bridal Collections in Gosford and I showed the sales assistant some dress designs I had printed and she nodded and immediately brought back The Gown and I looked at the brand incredulously. I actually shook my head at first as it had a neckline that I couldn't imagine wearing as I was pretty set on the strapless but she suggested I have it altered.

Original dress below, the neckline is still available as an option as I only tucked it in and didn't cut it off. Note it looks very champagne here but comes out much more cream in photos...

I tried on about 3-4 gowns that morning but I just couldn't let this one out of my sight. Actually in the 15min or so I was parading around in it and deliberating, 3 other customers asked if they could try it on when I was done. That pretty much pushed me to get the credit card out but it was still a hesitation as it was beyond my price point. Turns out another lady had put the dress I was buying on hold a few days before but didn't come back in time and so it went back on the rack - she came back while I was still in the store and was disappointed, but asked if she could try it on again anyway. A few moments later I had checked out her wedding date (meant to be the month after mine), compared height and size and we worked out with our dressmaker to leave enough leeway in the material to take it back out for size when necessary hence size 6-8. Heard of anyone else who's sold their dress the day they bought it?

...so now it's Feb and her wedding has been postponed somewhat indefinitely, she has set up a business of her own and is no longer keen to buy the dress at this time and thus giving me this dilemma. I'd really love to keep it and see what my future daughter thinks of it, but the practical side of me tells me it would be otherwise unused, and someday a reminder of what I used to be able to fit into (haha)!

In any case, do contact me if you are seriously interested or would like more info, and feel free to spread the word as I doubt I will post this up anywhere else.

(Husband not included) :P