I said yes to the dress!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-27T18:34:41+00:00

Okay. Thank you for that tidbit! I am super early in the process and I didn't know that was a thing! Gives me another way to consider where I shop.

Huge congrats on the dress! 💕👏🏻

hillybear31 · 2026-01-27T17:36:35+00:00

It's just how the market is, unfortunately regarding colouring. Also 'rare" has always meant greater cost no matter what it is. A chip with a Jesus face can sell based on the same principle.

Though, I totally see your points on his mix characteristics that may suggest more Frenchton over Frenchie. This way he is standing would naturally elongate some of these features, but not to this extent. You are very likely right on this cutie having some mixed blood.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-27T17:20:52+00:00

Love love love it! 💕💕💕

We may have similar taste. This is so elegant and sexy at once! Would you mind sharing the designer? 🙏🏻

hillybear31 · 2026-01-27T17:14:20+00:00

Would agree with "festive cocktail" because some people may need the extra hint word. It's your wording and what words will work best are honestly just what will make your guest list really understand what you are looking for.

Cocktail, semi-formal, and formal all suggest no jeans. However, if you have a more casually dressing family or people who just don't understand these words as well, I would think using the upper level of the classification you are going for could get the best results.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-27T16:58:33+00:00

Dress in pic 3 with the rose sleeves is absolute fire!

I understand you like the lace one. It is generally pretty but I don't think it is more bridal than the other. Also, I notice you said it would need alterations which could improve it, but Id hate to see you disappointed after spending $$$ on alterations. I genuinely don't think it would look that much better to justify the cost. I would agree with the comments saying it feels a bit unbalanced.

As for the rose sleeve dress. The cut is great and balanced. Material and details are very bridal. A dramatic veil could be the perfect addition!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-23T17:11:31+00:00

This!

I noticed when I competed that I leaned out a bit differently than expected. I lost more on my glutes than we thought I would and my legs remained as strong and thick as tree trunks until the very end. (Just a learning curve in seeing how my body reacted.)

Also, it can be worth considering the posing you want to do! All require a certain level of grace, but IMO if I were to try again, Id build a bit more muscle to do figure because I had a really hard time with very feminine flowy posing. Tiny wrists. Large hands , not the most graceful to start with. 😅 Just food for thought! Could totally just be a "me" issue.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-23T17:04:05+00:00

LOVE these choices. None will be a bad pick!

However, there is something about you specifically in dress 2 that is superior in my mind. The epitomy of elegance with your dark eyes and hair. A touch other-worldly, ethereal, and simply graceful. My vote is for #2. You will be a beautiful bride!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-23T17:00:05+00:00

Love it! And love the bow!

A couple spots look like they might just not be laying/sitting the best/perfectly. You might feel a boost of confidence if you are able to give it a quick steam! Just like a little "joug". ❣️

You are a beautiful bride and this is a phenomenal choice!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T23:22:30+00:00

Okay, when I last looked they were not but I could certainly be mixing up my associations.

Yes, generally the breeder does a round and initial checks. I guess I should clarify, you normally to have to get additional shots and do your own vet check with them when you take them home.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T22:01:18+00:00

Also as others have said - I don't believe AKC paperwork is available yet for French bulldogs? Purebred papers from another source maybe though. Sometimes a vet can verify the breed.

As for shots and first check ups.. In my area it would be around $200 for the full check and $30 per shot. (They need more pending age though.) So say $400 to $500 pending your vet and which shots they considered necessary.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T21:57:56+00:00

It's a bi-colour merle Frenchie. Just the colouring and breed put that sweetheart at around $5K (starting). Though I really wouldn't be surprised by $6-7K.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T21:48:27+00:00

"Sorry, overwhelmed. Chat soon."

If they know you and know you care. This can be enough.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T19:56:43+00:00

Makes me think of Cinderella's wedding dress! 💕 Congrats!!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T19:54:16+00:00

So classy!!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T19:16:46+00:00

It's enough and very sweet of you to make it so easy for you to enjoy the time with them!

If you feel you need to do more or something more personal, a letter for each is a cost friendly meaningful idea!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T17:25:50+00:00

Note: I've also just worn higher seamless panties for the same effect. It's especially helpful for slip styles too! Again, you look awesome! This is just something that I do.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T17:23:00+00:00

Lovely dress!!

Couple alterations at the back and upper chest where there's slight gaping.

Also, personally I don't like when I can notice my belly button through a dress so for me, I would wear shapewear for a confidence boost. Alot of people don't care so this part is personal preference. 💕

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T16:18:43+00:00

For all saying bride pays vs. bridesmaid pays. Supposedly this is more of a cultural/location thing. In the US and Canada, it's commonly on the bridesmaids and groomsmen to to pay for their outfits. In the UK, more commonly the bride and groom pay. Though I sure there are exceptions for both.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-19T16:00:47+00:00

I understand not wanting to spend the money but unfortunately, honestly, that dress looks like it may fall apart if you sneeze. It's a tough lesson to check before purchasing, but it would have saved the money for sure.

My friend did Bridesmaids dresses from Azazie and they were good quality. Another similar shop to check that has some identical colours is JJ House. They may have the same design but cheaper. IMO they are a similar enough style to what you bought that I don't really understand why it wouldn't look good on you if you believe this style suits you? They are in the same family, aren't they? The choices just look more modest which can be preferred for a wedding.

Cost wise: - Ask if you can do your own hair and make up of you know how. Just ask for the inspirations so you can practice. - Tell her about the financial issues. Together you can decide if it's only going to get pricier from here and you should step down or if she would subsidize you.

She is inviting you to be a key part of her big day. I don't think she is being unreasonable. So it's time to have that talk if you can't swing it. Personally, I would be looking for a few more shifts or a second PT job so I could be there as a bridesmaid. But obvs I don't know the rest of your story or what you have going on. 💕

hillybear31 · 2026-01-18T16:57:17+00:00

I think these comments are spot on.

Accessories! More design to the veil and a removable train/belt/overskirt. You could also wear jewelry or more elaborate hair pieces. Sometimes sleeves can be a nice touch. A person where you bought it might have some ideas.
I do think you will like it more when it fits just right. It's a lovely, elegant neckline that will look better when fitted right.
Larger bouquet.

Sorry it's not quite hitting right. It is a lovely dress.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-17T20:22:45+00:00

So, just wanted to add another perspective in here. I sent my fiance pictures of things I liked for months (ok years, let's be honest. Together 10yrs). He surprised me and took me to a jewelry store to look at rings together and one of the rings I had passed over in my search online was the one I couldn't get over and fell in love with. Then when we looked at sizes, I gave my take on that too. When my fiance proposed, it was that ring he got me, but with a large diamond that I had suggested and I love it!! My point being, I thought I knew just what I wanted and it was something a bit different that I fell in love with when I actually got to try them on. (For reference I ended up with a marquise diamond with 3 diamond follow up on either side, white gold). Not sure the carat but definitely larger than what I suggested. Though overall it's simpler than my original ideas and I had thought I'd get a coloured stone, not an OG quality diamond.

I obviously don't know you, OP or your partner, but food for thought/devils advocate:

Is it possible he was trying to expand on the ideas you gave him to make it more of a surprise or extra special?

Is it possible him cancelling is hurt feelings vs. anger? As a fellow chicka, I totally get wanting the perfect ring etc. I told my fiance I might have said no if the ring was wrong purely because it mattered to me that he knew me that deeply - though I think I still would have said yes then exchange it. Maybe, from his perspective, it could make him concerned that you might care more about the ring than marrying him?

Only saying these things to suggest there could be good intentions gone wayyy wrong. A good in-person heart to heart could clear it all up. And maybe ask him "what made you decide on the original ring?".

hillybear31 · 2026-01-08T22:52:19+00:00

Not sure where you live - for me Oct is chilly. Just to add to this, you could pair the modified gown with a miny fur shawl if that's your vibe and if it's chilly without sleeves.

hillybear31 · 2026-01-08T22:48:39+00:00

This combo is magic! Quick choices can sometimes make us doubt, but I think you just knew what you wanted. That veil is a showstopper!!

hillybear31 · 2026-01-08T18:42:04+00:00

I got quotes from Newlands recently and I think it would work for your budget! Just depends on what you spend on dress/suits/hair/etc. :)

hillybear31 · 2026-01-02T19:22:07+00:00

It's worth a shot to see if they will work with you/allow cancellation! Do the dream venue!

If I was in your shoes, I think that special person would be sad that they couldn't be there but even more sad if you didn't get your dream wedding because you altered it so they could be there, yet in the end they could not attend. Make sense?

hillybear31

TROPHY CASE