Thanks for all the great input! I'm not 100% sold on this one yet, but it's a good fall back option if I don't find anything else. It seems like time is of the essence at the moment (I never knew that it takes a minimum of 6 months to order a gown in... which I would need to do because most of these don't come in my size off the rack.)

I agree with all the comments that this one might be a bit too covered up, and my goal is to find something more modern, so I will keep looking for now!

You look radiant Marianna. I love everything about this dress except from the armpits up. I don't think it's a case of being too covered up, but something about the shoulders seems off. My first reaction was that the shoulder area was too "weak" compared to the rest of the dress.... I wonder if you could use part of the train that you remove to add more statement to the shoulder area? Everything else is beautiful.

I also love this dress..it is so hard to really assess it because it is just a little "emotional" seeing you in a wedding dress at all !

I also LOVE the draping !!! The bodice is lovely, I don't see the armhole issue that QM mentions. But her suggestions make sense. It fits you beautifully and DOES photograph well.

What did you have in mind, if this in not quite it ? You seem very rational about the dress, but does it sing to your heart ? I think that even if you go with this one, it will more than do you justice...you look beautiful !

Grrr! I don't have time to read everyone's comments, so I'll come back tonite (I hope!).

You look beautiful in this AND it's lovely in itself too.

I'd keep it on the back curner while you continue to shop around. You must have a few dresses so we have things to compare/contrast We love wedding dress pics and can get quite bossy when the right one (in our own minds, of course) shows up! (remembering rae's dress hunt.)

I think you might be surprised how you'll feel when you put various styles, so keep trying AND having fun while doing it

Well, it's gorgeous and you look absolutely beautiful! Keep looking until you are sure!

Ps congratulations! I must have missed the BIG NEWS! Yay, I love weddings.

I had no idea (but should have guessed) that most wedding dress options are limited to strapless gowns. IMHO, a wider and possibly stronger shoulder line would be more flattering on you. Since you want to alter this dress so much, which I totally understand and support, it makes me think that there ought to be a better dress out there for you. Do you think you could find a vintage dress as an alternative to the narrow range of styles available now?

You are gorgeous, Marianna! I like this dress but I'm not sold on the way the lace sits around the neck - it's pretty but a bit distracting to me, since it's the only really lacy part of the dress. It is a good fallback but I'm sure there's something 100% perfect that you will KNOW when you see it. I'm thinking a sweetheart neckline would be pretty to showcase your beautiful face...

I can't imagine what the process of picking a dress is like - a sari narrows it down a whole lot, you're just dealing with color!

I think you look absolutely gorgeous Marianna! But I think how you feel in it is really important. I don't think you should settle for a dress that is just ok. Find the one that makes your heart go pitter-patter!

It's so pretty on you- but you obviously don't love it. I had my wedding dress made by a seamstress that specialized in wedding dresses. It was much faster and cheaper than ordering one from a salon. Have you explored that option?

I think it's gorgeous and looks great on you. It's also a very timeless style; I couldn't see you ever tiring of it (e.g., looking at it in wedding pictures). You don't want to look at your wedding dress in 10, 20 or 30 years and think "Yikes, what was I thinking" (which I think happens more times than most women will admit!). But try on more dresses to compare it to also.

You look GORGEOUS in this dress Marianna!

Late, but you look absolutely beautiful in that dress.