{SUPPLIER RATING} Girls' Gowns

GRACE GOWNS & BARONGS

CONTACT: 0927-373-0497 / (02) 425-3428 Melanie Reyes

44 National Road Muzon, Taytay, Rizal

DAMAGE: See below

Remember when I told you about my views about splurging on bridal gowns HERE? I lived up to that belief of mine. And I still chose Mel. I let her make my bridal gown and all the female entourage's gowns. So how was it? First let me show you the pegs, then Mel's creations, then what I think about it. After that, feel free to tell me what you think and if it's right that I give her a passing mark. Ok?

FLOWER GIRLS

I chose to stay away from the traditional flower girl dresses where kids look like Disney princesses. Why? Because my girls are dalagindings na! I didn't think my 9 year old cousin will like it since she's almost a tweener already. So I chose to let them wear something girly but more on the sophisticated side. Here's my peg (which I got from some website, credits to the owner) -  

During fitting, I decided to let go of the bowtie to make it more simpler because I was planning a Katnis-peg hair for the girls. I thought it will look too crowded. Here's a finished product - 

It was not an exact copy. I'm a little disappointed because the crunched top was not there. But it was ok. The kids loved the fact that the gown was long and they was able to twirl. It could have been better if there's a headpiece. It turned out too simple.


BRIDESMAIDS

Here's the peg for the bridesmaids naman. Same gown, different top lang. See how I edit it? Hehe

Here's Mel creations - 

First thing to notice, no lace. Mel suggested to not use lace because it will look like a manang's gown daw. I agreed because I was thinking she knew those stuff. And she was right. See the play of top design here? Not an exact copy again but the simplicity was a hit to my bridesmaids. Here's Lara enjoying the bagsak of the gown-

SECONDARY SPONSORS

Here's the peg - 

 Here's what Mel was able to come up with -  

Full body view - 

Notice anything? YES it was exactly the same as my bridesmaids gown, just different color. First to notice is, there's no design on the gown's skirt. Mel suggested we remove that because it will make the gown look cheap. I agreed again. Why did I do that if I my peg has it and it doesn't look cheap? Well, when Mel said that it will look cheap I believe what she will make will definitely look cheap. Gets? If sya mismo not sure that she can copy the design then I will not force her. I just let her do what she can do. Not choosy na ako since mura lang naman.


MOMMIES

Here's the peg -

We had the same design for 2 mommies. I just instructed her na magkaiba ang sleeves length ng gowns. Make my mama's sleeves shorter since she's thinner. Here they were - 

My mama has no say about the gown. She's always like that. Hehe! My MIL, on the other hand, didn't like her gown because it made her look fat daw. For me, it will look better if nilagyan sana ni Mel ng shape sa waistline to create an illusion of curvy shape.


MOH

Here's the peg -

This for me was the most difficult of all gowns (except mine of course) kasi I asked Mel to create it in two tones para my MOH will stand out from all the abays. Here's what Mel did - 

This I think was the best gown of all. Not an exact copy but it was very nice. Mejo nahirapan lang kami with the skirt because we wanted to show the yellow part also. At first kasi it was completely covered na parang may slit lang sa middle. My MOH did something to it kasi it was showing na when she walks. I'm not sure what she did. But here she was, flaunting the two-toned gown - 

BRIDAL GOWN

And most importantly, here's my gown peg - 

I know, right?! So beautiful! Detachable ang skirt nyan kasi we initially planned for me to ride a motorcycle wearing it. Here's Mel's take on it - 

The inner dress. I didn't want the flowery lace so I bought this. It was crafted ok. Not what I was expecting but at least it has shape. I specifically instructed Mel to create the inner dress na may sariling shape since I do not have a great shape. Hehe! Nagawa naman nya. In a not so modern style but at least she was able to do it. Here's the gown with the skirt. Sorry na mejo payat yung manikin. Hehe!

The skirt is not that bouncy no? I had it redone na sa lagay na yan kasi at first the skirt was manipis na kita na yung dress ko sa loob. Baka magalit si Father, di ako palakarin sa aisle. Hehe! She added geena silk sa loob to make it look bouncy and makapal.

Parang kulang pa rin no? Even the back wala yung nakaangat na tulle part - 

 But it's ok. I look sexy oh!

And most importantly, I was able to dance wearing it - 

I was supposed to remove the skirt during the dance but totally forgot about it. Buti na lang di long ang train kundi napatid-patid nako. Haha!

The gowns were a far cry from it's pegs. It was delivered late. Side kwento, I told her my wedding was December 27 (one day earlier than the actual date) and the gowns should be with me December 18. I got my last piece, my bridal gown on Christmas eve.

She was also not very friendly... But what made me give her a passing mark if parang all of the gowns may negative comment ako? It was because I can easily reach her and most importantly because of this little top/cover. Whatever it is -  

Oh yes, it was not at all spectacular but it meant a lot to me. Kasi at first we agreed that I will wear my gown bare kasi I was very confident that I can slim down pa. But one week before the wedding (just before Christmas), I knew I'm in trouble. I gained weight pa instead of losing more pounds. Plus I will be dancing with matching taas taas kamay, and I'm so shy to show my armpits. So I asked her to make me a cover. I bought a sheer white organza fabric na lang. I got it, together with the rest of my gown on Christmas eve.

After eating a lot during Noche Buena and Christmas breakfast, I tried on my gown and  I felt like something was not right. Parang puputok yung cover ko! It's not that it's masikip, sakto lang sya but parang pag nagmove ako masisira sya. I texted Mel and she said it's because of the fabric. Not the perfect material daw for a cover, baka matastas pa daw if I move my arm. She said she will just make me a new one using the same fabric as my skirt. It is more elastic daw. On the December 26, I was able to fit and like my new cover. Imagine her sacrifices? We could have done this finishing details a little bit earlier if only she was able to deliver the other gowns on time. But the fact that she did her best just to give me what I want (even during the Christmas rush), that's a plus for me.

Lastly, it's all affordable. Here's the rates - 

Yup! You are seeing it right. The labor for my gown was only 7000 php. Not more than 10k for my wedding gown, including the tela. How neat is that? My gown's not that cheap-looking naman so for me it's perfectly fine! 

My suggestions na lang if you get her, don't get to emotionally attached to your gown peg kasi hindi nya talaga yun magagawa ng super gaya. Then make a longer allowance so you guys will not cram to finish the gowns. Less stress for you. :)

Howdy gowny,

Yosh

NOTE: All gown pegs are originally sourced from the internet.