I adore the elegance and the simplicity of the Julianne dress at J.Crew. If I were to do it all over again, I’d order this sweet little dress.

Its made of a comfortable cotton and silk blend and the cuffs, and neckline are trimmed with the tiniest bit of chiffon for accent. The chiffon flower is detachable.

The fit is classic. The slight a line to the skirt is sexy, I love that it falls just above the knee and its fully lined. Gorgeous.

Pair it up with their gold Twyla strappy heel for an impeccably polished look. Blue accents added to a veil or jewelry would rock this dress and look!

With wedding month upon us, petite gals around the world are scrambling to finalize details, make last-minute arrangements… and find those perfectly elegant, Cinderella-worthy shoes.

Many brides leave this oh-so-important detail to the last minute. Fortunately, even for those with a tight budget, most bridal shoes don’t break the bank. Before you hit the designer racks, try Payless, where you’ll find a great selection with names like Alice & Olivia and Lela Rose. serafina bride Makiko found her classic and comfortable shoes here. Endless has a good variety too.

When searching, I recommend sticking with a comfortable style, like shorter heels — you’re the center of attention, remember? And you’re wearing a gorgeous gown that you’ll want to show off. So you’ll likely be on your feet all day. And don’t forget to wear your shoes a bit before the big day to help save your petite tootsies from blisters.

For those brides reciting vows on a grass or sand surface, I recommend a wedge or flat. And perhaps leather to avoid stains.

serafina bride Amanda Vernor Miller found her sandals on Zappos.com: a pair of platinum-trim Bruno Magli’s that needed quite bit of breaking in before the big day.

Brides to be with small shoe sizes are certainly better off shopping online. Zappos is a great resource for those of you with 4.5-sized. In particular, look for Stuart Weiztman.

Prefer the heel and the splurge? This Stuart Weitzman shoe replete with a soft lovely bow would compliment any gown.

The lovely petite Brooklyn resident Stacy Manning and her new bride-groom Tom were married this December in Arizona. This wedding would have been so much fun to attend — and Stacy looks absolutely amazing. Hope it gives everyone great ideas about their wedding planning!

Where and when were you married?

We were married December 23, 2007 in Chinle, Arizona on the Navajo Nation.

Where did you find your wedding dress and what size & height are you?

My cousin is a fanatical bargain shopper and lives by our family motto “don’t buy it unless it is on sale”. She lives in Pittsburgh and when she heard that I was getting married she told me that she wanted to check out this great discount store that carries J.Crew overstock bridal dresses. Sure enough, we went to Gabriel Brothers (looks a lot like an 80’s Kmart with plastic hangers and linoleum floors) and they had just 1 dress in size 3 FOR $19.99.

Was it hard to find a dress in NYC? Which other shops did you reference?

I am sure it would have been super easy to find a dress in NYC but at what price? I really fell for a Lela Rose A-line wedding dress and probably would have gotten it if I had not found my other dress.

Would you recommend this discount store and gown to other petite brides?

I’m not sure I’d recommend Gabriel Bros because I was kind of lucky to find a great dress, in my size for $20. But overall J.Crew bridal is great.

Gabriel Brothers
3625 William Penn Highway
Monroeville, PA 15146

Tell me about your dress. Why did you choose it?

It was very simple. I wanted something comfortable without princess-y petticoats. I didn’t want to feel different than I would any other day.

Did you need any alterations to your gown?

I shortened both the bottom edge and the straps.

I love your jewelry. Where’d you get it?

My jewelry was an amazing collection of things!! My necklace and earrings were a gift from my best friend and her family. They were art nouveau inspired turquoise pieces. Is there a shop or designer for the jewelry you wore (love it!). My husband got my engagement ring from Fay Cullen.

My mother also lent me her wedding band which was my great grandmother’s wedding band. I also carried a handkerchief that goes back four generations in my husband’s family. Every bride has carried it!

Gimme some info about your fantastic socks, jacket you wore during the ceremony or that great navajo wrap you’re in in one of your pics.

I wore big warm angora socks that I got at TJ Maxx, it was very cold! I also had to wear a jacket during the ceremony because the culture is very modest. As you can see, my dress was a little too low cut. I wore a jacket for the ceremony that is vintage Pendelton my mom gave me.

The Navajo Wrap was from Pendelton too.

My wedding band is from Pave in Oakland. My ring size is a 7.5.

What shoes did you wear?

The shoes I wore to my wedding were moccasins from the Navajo Nation –I think they were around $100 or $150. My shoe size is a 7.5.

Any words of wisdom you would like to share with my readers about buying a petite wedding gown?

You’ll look great no matter what!! Don’t get too caught up in the details.

With wedding season right around the corner diamonds are on the minds of both single and hitched gals. Because what better way to add sparkle and glitter to your wedding day than with diamonds? After all, these precious gems are a girl’s best friend.

When choosing diamond jewelry for your wedding, Abazias Diamonds recommends designs that complement the style of your bridal gown. Considering a strapless gown or a plunging neckline? Long diamond earrings paired with an Abazias’ Diamond Pendant will show off that glowing décolleté of yours, while adding a bit of elegance.

For those brides planning to wear their hair down, you’ll want to skip flashy earrings since your hair will likely hide them. Instead, grace those wrists with diamond-rich bracelets, like the White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet from Abazias Diamonds. And don’t forget about that wedding band. Super-sparkly diamonds add to the glitter of your special day. For hats with veils, diamond pins add a graceful, modern touch.

You’ll also want to consider the ceremony when shopping for rings. Traditional white weddings are synonymous with diamonds. But if you want silver tones in your wedding pictures, opt for an engagement ring with a platinum band and setting to give it a contemporary feel.

For more inspiration, check out Abazias Diamonds online!

Summer is right around the corner — and you know what that means. Wedding bells. And, more importantly, gorgeous wedding gowns. If ever there were an event that required the help of our fellow petite sisters, researching the perfect wedding gown is paramount. Never mind the perfect dress-suit for job interviews, the professional-office work wear, the trendy vacation duds, or that sexy dress for a night out with the gals. Simply, our wedding day is the pinnacle of our fashion decisions.

When we first launched in 2006, I relied on friends to provide first-hand knowledge and recommendations on petite wedding finds. But as serafina has grown to become a community for fashion-forward gals around the world, I’m inviting all of you to share your petite-friendly wedding resources. Gowns, accessories, shoes — whatever you have, we’re interested in sharing it with the hopes of helping petite brides find a perfect fit for their special day. After all, as many of us know, planning wedding attire is particularly stressful, especially since we often leave this most important detail to the last minute.

If you’re interested in sharing your tips with serafina readers, please leave a comment on this post. You are welcome to submit information on wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, rings, and accessories. We are delighted to have an international audience, so please submit ideas across all traditions!

You could become a entry on serafina!

After I posted a wedding entry about JCrew’s bridal offerings last month, my dear friend, Makiko, gave me a call and informed me that she had purchased her wedding dress from JCrew. Makiko was more than happy to oblige to an interview about her wedding, and her experience buying a wedding gown and accessories online.

Where and when were you married?

I was married in October of 2005. We had our wedding at Shoshone Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Where did you find your wedding dress and what size are you?

I purchased my 2P wedding dress from JCrew.com. Its the petite Sophia short silk dress.

What was it like to purchase your wedding dress online?

Easy. I loved the convenience of looking at all the gowns from JCrew. I was moving across country at the time and had very little time for gown shopping. It was hard to find a gown that was my picky size (petite!) but also gorgeous and affordable.

My JCrew dress was $195 — a perfect price! I also found my veil online for $35 at Claire Veils. And to top it all off, I got very lucky and found my shoes on sale at David’s Bridal for a mere $25! I was very fortunate to find all of my wedding apparel in a very short amount of time.

So, shopping online with JCrew was a good experience?

Yes, it was fantastic.

Because JCrew only offers petite sizes online (which means I couldn’t try them on in the store), I choose several dresses to be shipped to my home. I purchased a half-dozen dresses in different sizes and styles, and returned the ones I didn’t want — without any question or issues. JCrew’s customer service was excellent and if you needed to reach the customer service reps by phone it was easy, you didn’t have to hold for hours.

Tell me about your dress. Which dress did you choose?

I chose the Sophia dress because it was elegant and classic, and also because it was not a full floor-length dress. Because I was getting married outside — and at the Grand Canyon — I wanted something that was elegantly casual and something that wouldn’t drag on the ground. JCrew afforded me this. I can’t tell you how difficult it was to find a shorter dress in my petite size.

The dress was a beautiful ivory, which I loved, and the material was exceptionally comfortable. I do think, however, that because of the simplicity of the dress you need to choose something to compliment it, like a stunning bouquet or lovely jewelry.

If you choose to purchase a dress online, I recommend purchasing all of the dresses you like and have them shipped. Send the no-goes back; you’ll get a full refund. I also strongly recommend choosing the ones that you are unsure of, too. I didn’t like the dress I wore when I saw it online. But I went ahead and ordered it anyhow just to be safe. When I received the dress it was perfect and exactly what I needed. You just never know.

Did you need any alterations to your gown?

Nope. None.

So did you choose to store it or sell it?

It’s hanging in my closet. I didn’t store it professionally. The dress is a style that is simple enough that I can wear it again.

Any words of wisdom you would like to share with my readers about buying a petite wedding gown or ordering one online?

If you are in a pinch for time — as I was — ordering from JCrew is a great choice, they have a solid selection of classic gowns and offer a wide selection of matching shoes and accessories. Also, pick a variety of dresses and order one size up and one size down to ensure you get the best fit.

Another thing (which I loved): JCrew provides a box and a return-shipping label with every order. All you need to do is drop it off at your local shipping location, the post office, or at any JCrew store. If you return in store, credit is immediate on your card.

Constructed of silk tricotine in classic and bust-flattering cuts, JCrews’s wedding dresses have an exceptional fit and won’t wrinkle — a minor miracle on your wedding day. Another thing to be thankful for: your best friends won’t weep all over your gown if you let them choose from JCrew’s well thought-of selection of petite bridesmaid dresses. These gowns come in an array of classic colors.

While white shoes are always lovely, if not traditional, I also recommend exploring the uniquely stunning pale gold. Regarding accoutrements, match your dress with a warm, refined silk-cashmere wrap and vintage-inspired mini-silk clutch (in the same material as the gown) for an exquisitely polished look. Because every bride needs to stash her lip gloss somewhere…

Avery Silk Long Cross Back Dress | P0 | $295

Caroline Wedding Gown | 0P | $295

Sadie Faille Dress | 0P | $295

Lyndsey Cotton Cady Dress | 0P | $265

Lucie Sandals | 5 | $168

Tilley Satin Heels | 5 | $129

Silk Clara Clutch | $68

My friend Jenny, a gifted graphic designer with a panache for always being the center of the soiree while looking instinctively well-heeled, was married in 2005 in Los Angeles — the venerable City of Angels. While Jenny is more devious than angelic (in only the best of ways, of course), she could’ve fooled me in her gorgeous satin gown.

Months before her big day, Jenny looked to me for the scoop on small-sized gowns. I had a plethora of advice, naturally. Recently, she spoke with me about her gown and shopping experience.

What size are you?
I’m 5’2” and usually wear a size 0 or 2, or 26/27, but my wedding dress was a size 6.

What gown did you purchase?
I purchased a Lazaro dress made of a heavy satin and some beading. I liked it because it had an asymmetrical design that wasn’t too “sweet.” Plus, my mom was overly fond of it. And every bride knows what that means: If she loves it, she’ll buy it. And, she did! So, how could I say no?

Does the dress have beadwork?
Yes, it has Asian-inspired asymmetrical beading, with a bit of high-waist beading as well. It’s gorgeous.

Where did you find your dress?
I bought it at Renee Strauss on Wilshire.

What other shops did you try gowns on at?
I looked at so many places. Jenny Lee, Renee Strauss, Mary Me Bridal, Tamara, David’s Bridal and a few other boutiques I don’t recall.

Was your dress comfortable throughout the event?
Absolutely! It fit a bit loose on the day of because I lost a few pounds during the wedding-planning process. But at no point was I uncomfortable.

Did you choose to sell or store your dress?
It has been cleaned and preserved, and is now sitting at my parent’s house. I’ve considered selling it – and I’ve considered just keeping it. So I guess I’m a bit conflicted.

Any advice you would like to give my readers?
Don’t spend a lot of money. Even if your mom pays for it, a little part of you dies. Okay, not really, but a little part of you feels very guilty.

My dear friend Jane was married this September to the dashing Damon Seeley. Naturally, she was a stunning bride — what else could she be in an exquisite and perfectly fitted dress? I asked Jane to share her gown experience with serafina.

Where did you find your wedding dress? And what designer did you choose?

I found it at Galleria Bridal, a lovely boutique in Santa Rosa. Designed by Maggie Soterro, my dress, style Mariella Maria, absolutely lived up to its beautiful name.

Did you need to do alterations?

I purchased a size 0P, which helped length-wise, though it still needed a bit of hemming. Otherwise, it was absolutely perfect. The bodice had a corset-style back, which saved me a ton of time and money in custom alterations. And, it wasn’t too tight, which meant I could wear it comfortably all night long!

Being petite, I needed a bit of help filling out the top so I purchased a silicone NuBra. They worked perfectly under the gown, and I loved them!

Would you recommend this boutique and gown to other petite brides?

I highly recommend Maggie Soterro’s corset-style dresses and gowns — especially for petite brides. And the boutique I purchased from, Galleria Bridal, carries many of Maggie’s designs.

Galleria Bridal
3201 Cleveland Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-544-3695
Fax: 707-544-3636
info@galleriabridal.com
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Closed Tuesday

Like most gals, when I got engaged, my first words (after the requisite “Yes!”) were, “I know JUST the gown for me!” Oh, the naiveté of the newly engaged. Most gowns looked exquisite on the rack. But on me, not so much. The material felt cheap, and the dresses were enormous. After a long game of hide-and-seek, I finally found a tailor that would custom-design my gown. But still, as much as I loved the design, it didn’t fit as well as it should have. Thus, I am committed to sharing everything I have since learned about dress boutiques, brands and styles that cater to the curves of the petite bride. My first interview is with my colleague and Editor of serafina, Amanda Vernor Miller. I sat down with my fellow petite bride and asked about her dress:

What size & height are you?

Just a shade under 5’4”. I’m 110 lbs., and wear a 0-2P

What type of dress did you purchase? Tell me about the material.

My dress was a sheath-style dress—a duly complementary style for petite frames. The sheath was made of French cotton lawn. Now, I know what you’re thinking. It was the softest and most comfortable fabric imaginable. It didn’t constrict my breathing, and it didn’t wrinkle—and a lot of brides can’t say that. The tulle overlay gave it an elegant dimension. I purchased the gown from the beautiful and extraordinarily talented Claire Pettibone. Her boutique is located on Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles.

What specific details does the dress have?

The cotton sheath was an antique ivory color. Attached to the bottom hem was an antique-like, ivory cotton lace—this was one of my favorite features! The fitted bodice was made with the same cotton lace, and on both the front and back, Claire attached silver- and ivory-flowered appliqués.

Which shops did you research for dresses?

I had my library of bridal magazines, and I dog-earred my favorite designers and styles. My first stop was a sample sale at Claire’s boutique. I knew I would find my perfect gown the moment I walked in. Her design style is ultra feminine, very French-Victorian, and I immediately fell in love with her style. On my second visit—for her 2006 trunk show—I found two absolutely gorgeous gowns. It would’ve been torturous to choose one over the other, so she offered to combine elements of each in a custom design. Two shopping excursions, and I was done. There was simply no sense in looking elsewhere. All else would have paled in comparison.

Was your dress comfortable throughout the wedding?

Absolutely. As simple and delicate as it was, the gown was resilient and incredibly comfortable. I was comfortable and cool on an 80-degree day—and at 9,000 feet! And I easily traversed the rugged sagebrush and piñon pine that lay between my dad’s truck and our wedding site.

What did you do with your wedding dress after the wedding? And would you ever be interested in selling it on eBay or locally to petite-sized women in your area?

I was a spotless bride, so I considered storing it without a professional cleaning—but decided a few weeks later to have it preserved. I used a company out of Manhattan, J. Scheer. These folks use natural preservation techniques, including organic cleaners, and my dress deserved nothing less! It was returned to me in a storage-friendly box, and it came with a lifetime guarantee with no exceptions. That said, I would never sell it. I knew it would be an heirloom-of-sorts the moment I had it made.

Is there anything specific you would like my readers to know about your dress or the dress buying experience?

Simply put: Go for custom. True, it is more expensive. But with a custom gown, the entire shape and flow is designed around your petite figure. Most other gowns—even when altered—remain disproportional to smaller frames. I mean, it’s your wedding, ladies! You won’t regret the extra expense to look and feel absolutely stunning.

Claire Pettibone
Beverly Hills Boutique
236 South Robertson Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: 310-360-6268
Fax: 310-360-6271
bridal@clairepettibone.com
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