Grandma’s dress reminds me of the one Betty White gets Sandra Bullock to wear in The Proposal - I thought that movie was cute and fun and anything that reminds me of Ryan Reynolds naked is good.
I second that you sell the new dress on Craigs List and work with Granny’s dress.
I swear, if one more person tells me I really ought to wear a slip or some shapewear or something I am going to crawl into a corner and cry. I AM WEARING THE BEST SAUSAGE CASING MODERN SCIENCE HAS WROUGHT. I am just still lumpy. I am going to sue Weight Watchers for a bazillion dollars.
I’m surprised a lot of people don’t like the neckline - I don’t see a problem with that part. Of course, when I was shopping for dresses I found one I thought was lovely and everybody with me practically vomited once I walked out in it, so I may not be the best judge. (Listen to your own heart, sure, but also listen to 9 out of 10 dentists when they tell you not to jump in that alligator pit.)
To me, Grandma’s dress looks kinda like a Victorian nightgown, which is not a look I would be going for in a wedding dress. I’d prefer something more … substantial, like the new gown. Obviously, based on the responses in this thread, YMMV.
Here are the bridesmaids dresses I liked - the problem is, eek, David’s Bridal seems to be discontinuing them in black (and yes, they will be black.)
I love your veil - I made a trial one last night, actually. I’d spent I think a buck fifty on some ivory tulle a few weeks ago and hadn’t gotten around to doing anything with it. Easy, but I need at least double width I think, and I may need to try silk instead.
I think you look amazing in Grandma’s dress. Very slimming, works well to bring out your natural hourglass shape… well if that’s not natural and you created it with the underthingies, good job there. The color is just gorgeous and the richness of the satin is so very elegant and bridal-y, just love it.
I think the fabric is more clingy and flowing than people expect in a wedding gown, and that a simple slip would help the drape of the dress. It’s not you, it’s an issue that would crop up with anyone. Relax, wear what makes you happiest, enjoy the wedding, and most importantly, enjoy the marriage! Congratulations to you and your lucky groom!
Granny ftw, all the way. Everyone else has gone into the details, so I won’t repeat it all. As for the sleeves, I wouldn’t fully fluff them, but I wouldn’t flatten them down either. If you go monkeying around with the sleeves or neckline, you’ll take away the dress’s period charm.
And I really think you could recreate the headband fairly inexpensively.
I think those bridesmaids dresses would look fabulous next to you in your grandmother’s dress!
They make extra-fine (so it drapes prettily) tulle in widths up to 108" specifically for veils that’s readily available in fabric stores. I believe the brand name is Bridal Illusion. At any rate, ask the nice ladies at Hancock’s and they’ll take care of you.
I went to a wedding and the following reception at which the bride changed several times, wearing five dresses total.
I also watch Say Yes to the Dress a lot, and a number of women buy two dresses, one for the wedding, the other for the reception.
When I first saw the photos, it took me a moment to realize they were not two separate people. Both dresses are nice, but Grandma’s dress is a knockout, and it fits your body perfectly. I love it.
Yes bridal illusion or silk chiffon for drape. Thanks about the headpiece- I got to use my Dad’s soldering gear to make it, which was fun, and I think sewed freshwater pearls along the edge where the veil and headband attached. I think it cost about $25 to make, total. The price of anything bridal is insane.
Shapewear and a slip- most modern wedding dresses are layered and constructed till they’re like armour. Four the ones I’ve made (three so far) were less bulletproof and all required slips even though they were made out of dupioni, which isn’t very clingy.
I strongly hope to not have to make any more wedding dresses until my daughter (due to be born in a couple of weeks) need them.
I did just think of a very strong point in Grandma’s favor - I’d be able to pee all by myself in it. 
I’m not sure what one is supposed to do about the train in that kind of dress - there are two small loops sewn into the underneath of the train, but they aren’t big enough to fit your wrist through. I don’t see any bustling attachments?
On the whole Grandma’s dress is a thousand times more well made than any of the modern ones I tried on. A lot of the pieces were cut on the selvedge so they wouldn’t need any stabilization or binding, for example. The buttons are all real with loops (and good lord it is a monumental task to button them!) The puffs on the sleeves are supported with little semicircular pieces of, I don’t know, maybe buckram? Something stiff that’s no longer doing its job.
That alone would make me wear grandma’s dress at the reception. I guess I never really thought how hard it would be to sit down and wipe with all that fabric and boning in the way! :eek:
You really do have a nice figure. I hope that doesn’t sound creepy!
Is the back done up with small buttons? The construction of my dress was that the bustling loops simply hooked onto the lowest button (and one more lower on the dress, which fell off after the wedding).
I say wear them both - you already have them, they both look good, so go show off!
I just think you should price the restoration before getting attached to the idea. This could be a $1,000 job. Or even more if alterations are also significant.
ETA: possible the train is intended to be flipped over your arm and carried?
It doesn’t seem like that could be it, since the loops are on the “wrong” side of the train? If it isn’t designed to be bustled something would have to be done about that - I’d hate to have to carry it all night.
ETA - you’re right about not getting carried away, though, with prices unknown.
My fiance likes the dress but is concerned that this is turning into “Grandma cosplay”, what with the rings and all. (We’re using her wedding band also.) I just don’t have any other family heirlooms from other people.
My first reaction seeing the new dress was “eh,” it’s a wedding dress.
My first reaction seeing your grandmother’s dress was “oooh!” when I was totally prepared to not like it.
So there’s my vote for grandma for what that’s worth!
By the way, what width chiffon did you use?