The Dress That Started it All

This dress has definitely launched the tea-length dreams of at least a thousand brides. Audrey Hepburn's wedding dress in Funny Face has it all, from the boat-neck bodice to the cap sleeves, to the poofy skirt that accentuates her tiny waist.

Fortunately, the 1950's style doesn't require a tiny waist-- it's flattering on many different body types. In fact, I'd say that it's a dress style that looks better on a curvier woman, since it tends to create that hourglass shape.

Speaking of, what is it with all these bridal ads with dresses hanging off of gaunt women who look pretty unimpressed about the whole business? Is it just me? What do the gals in bridevertisements have to look so depressed about?

Affordable, Vintage-Inspired Wedding Dresses: Dolly Couture

Dolly Thicke founded her line of tea length wedding dresses after becoming frustrated in the search for her own 1950's style wedding dress. Dolly Couture combines the ease of ordering online, with personal, friendly service (Dolly and her associates can always be contacted by email, and brides who friend Dolly on Facebook can see an ever-growing album of photos of dresses on real brides!). Brides can customize existing dresses, or work with Dolly to bring their dream wedding dress into reality. And, of course, Dolly Couture's prices (starting at $395) make these dresses some of the most affordable tea-length dresses on the net!

Dolly Couture's collection includes tea-length bridal and special occasion dresses in a variety of necklines and fabrics--she's now got showrooms in both LA and NYC for brides who want to visit in person.

Dolly has two mottos: "No unhappy brides", and "Dolly Couture: It's better to show your legs!" We at TLWD couldn't agree more! Dolly's dresses are fun, elegant, and affordable--not to mention a perfect opportunity to show off some fabulous wedding shoes!

Although I ended up getting my own dress made locally, I'd suggest brides looking for a short wedding dress check out Dolly's site-- and if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, drop her a line! As with any dress you are ordering online, you'll want to be sure to have a seamstress lined up for any final fittings/adjustments that may be required.

Pictured above: The Milan, The Marin County, and The Manhattan.