Saying "I Jew": DIY Weddings

A thrift shop, or used, wedding gown can be great. Send it to a dry-cleaner in a wealthy neighborhood, one that has experience cleaning "evening wear". Insist they put the dress aside until they "change the fluid in the drum", meaning, insist the gown only be cleaned in fresh fluid. (Other wise it can turn yellow.) Give them plenty of time. The tailor can adjust the fit, or length, if necessary. A headpiece or veil can be bought in the Bridal District, or the Trimmings District, of a large city. You can make your own lace mantilla: a few yards, right off the bolt, of good lace, make a floor-length mantilla, dragging beautifully behind the bride. Just anchor it to her hair very well with pins or combs. Wear a dress shoe, even if with only a small kitten heel. Wear them around the house beforehand, to break them in. Stick some small flowers in your hair, so your head will look right, even after you take your veil off.

Remember, "ivory" is a completely different color from "white". A vintage gown is likely to be "ivory". Ivory accessories, such as shoes and veil, may match it better than "white" ones. To make your own bouquet, get some pots of long trailing English ivy at a plant store. Cut long lengths of ivy off the plant, and tie them around some flowers. Tie the whole thing with some ribbon to match the dress, or wide strips of lace used as ribbon. You can cut those off your mantilla, perhaps. Carnations are very reliable. So are Gerber daisies. Roses wilt faster; prop up their heads so they won't droop. A length of your long mantilla can fall over your face for the unveiling, and then hang behind your head after it. It is also very easy to make a veil with some yards of bridal illusion, just gather up one edge. Copy the construction of the ready-made ones.

Don't let him see you in the dress beforehand.

On one minute of googlle this pops up: http://www.usedweddingdresses.com/

Some things are easier than they used to be.

Place: can people utilize roof-top decks, or roof-top children's playgrounds, for weddings? Are there Jewish non-profit organizations, with kosher kitchens, that have roof-top areas? Schools? JCC's?