Oh, the frustration!  Every time I think I figured out what I want, BANG! I can't find the site who can do it.

Ladies, how does this strike you?  We start with an Alfred Angelo design - obviously a destination wedding type dress, but can dress up or down.


I'm thinking of adding the long skirt with a sweep rather than chapel train for the ceremony:


and changing it to a sweetheart neckline and empire sash  like this one


then adding a plain jacket with long sleeves, like this one:


But I want the underdress and detatchable skirt, the sash, and the jacket in an alternate color.  Which one appeals?  I'm torn between the peach/golds/champagnes/ and yellows.


Which will get me the not so white look I want, with a solid cover for my tat, and a fun dress for the reception:


Shame I can't get it done all at one site.  One site has the short version and long version, plus the jacket pattern, but not the alternate colors; while another site has the short version and alternate fabric colors but no jacket or detachable skirt.  Just shoot me now!
I can get the short dress version and a short jacket for under $600 in white, and buy the silk satin I want locally.  Then have a dressmaker pick it apart, make a matching underdress with the detatchable skirt and smaller train, alter the neckline and add the sash to the original lace overdress, and build a long sleeve jacket in my color from the less expensive short-sleeve version.  
Am I turning into Bridezilla?  Should I just roll over and buy the whole she-bang in ivory and have an alternate color sash and neckline revised when the time comes?

I think you should have the whole thing custom made because of all the changes you want.  It'll probably be cheaper that way and you'll get exactly what you want.   I would go very light (think Princess) pink for sashes, underskirt, and jacket.

Mikla

I am bad at the color thing.  I say you need the color to be different enough for it to be different enough that it looks like you did it on purpose and that it was not just ill matching material.

I like the champagne peach pink.

Carol   

I cannot comment on the colors because I am viewing this on my blackberry and the representation of colors is not always true, but I did want to say I love the style of the last dress posted.  I actually really love that skirt that is shorter in the front and longer in the back.  Super chic!

My God. I'm glad we males have to pick the diamond - it's a lot easier.

I am totally bummed.     That Champagne peachy pink is actually flesh-toned.  I'd look nekked if I picked that color.    That would scare every person under the age of 80 at the ceremony!    It isn't half so pink IRL.  But....there is some good news !  Sophie is going to send some other samples of pinky satin to see if there is aught to be done.

I'm not convinced this is the right way to go, tho.  Feels like a very light weight satin, almost lingerie weight, so that is a concern, as well.  I'm not sure it would make a good jacket, at least not a fitted one. 

hmmmmm....I am not sure what to do...have we seen actual dresses that these people make?  We know for sure that they look like the dresses they are copying? 

They even have little jackets that you could try on with your dress.   
http://www.davidsbri...p;catentryId=6094359

well, solution found, at least partly.  Since it's an Alfred Angelo design, and there's an Alfred Angelo store in Huntington Beach, I'll just have to go there and check out the dress for real. With any luck, maybe they'll have a sample in something near my size and I can see what it looks like, sort of.   Then I'll be able to see if the satins are comparable in weight, or maybe I can get a swatch of fabric from them.  I really would prefer not to have a white or ivory dress, but the quality of the material is every bit as important as the color, IMO. 

I did check out David's Bridal.  Found a couple of gowns that might do. I really just need to get off my butt and go try some different designers on to see what size I really should look for.  I just hope that British outfit can do the job.  They do have real stores in Scotland and England, so I'm thinking they are probably on the up and up.

WYWH, GG.

I am in total sticker shock.   
I just bought 3 - 32 gig 3g-s iPhones.  It's time to drain a bottle of really good wine and figure out what I JUST did.  Somehow it just seems wrong to spend that much on phones for the family. I coulda almost bought the little orange for this.  By the time I get Mom's big button phone,  I could be that much further to having a galaxy bracelet.  Crazy.  Just goes to show you how old I'm getting.  The kid is ecstatic, but he's a techno freak.  Dad and I are just sort of staring at them going - 'how do you turn it off?  How do you get to the internet?'   

I haven't had a new phone in so long that my old phone predates picture mail!  Talk about a dinosaur!