Designer Thursday - Pronovias wedding gowns/dresses and my ceremony dress!

I promised Mr. Chic 'n Cheap that I'd post non-wedding stuff the last week but now my week is up and I'm all about wedding fashion again!

Pronovias is a family-owned Spanish design powerhouse established in 1964. Their gowns are reminiscent of traditional gowns but done with more sensual fits and fabrics; their silhouettes are generally closer fitting rather than ballgown style.

Elie Saab for Pronovias - someone please wear this? From here but I recognize this from Pronovias lookbook

The Rania - featured prominently in their 2009 marketing campaign - regal and elegant*

I visited their boutique in NYC - a tall, modern space replete with both modern and vintage style gowns. They tend to use lots of quality silk
dupioni, applique lace, and chiffon in their collections - the look is quintessentially Spanish romance. You look through the books of different Pronovias lines - they range from Valentino ($$$$$) to the main Pronovias line ($1500+).

Relieve - love the dropped waist and jeweled belt

Though my consultant wasn't warm and bubbly, she was helpful and efficient (and ultimately helped me when I bought my gown at their sample sale) and most importantly kept us hydrated and happy.

Pronovias has also sought to keep the brides involved and intrigued by having runway shows every few months at their NYC flagship. It is a fun experience to see these dresses in action on the catwalk. Perhaps feeling the pinch of the economy, they have had at least 3 sample sales this year and I bought my dress at a sample sale. People needed to make appointments for the sample sale so it was crowded, but not uncomfortably so. If you are close to a Pronovias store, go to their sample sales because they really rock - prices from $500-$2000 from ALL lines including Manuel Mota. eBay and preownedweddingdresses is also a great resource for dresses.

The Radiante - the floral design is simply gorgeous and the trim, oh my - great mermaid and $1000 at the sample sale*

When I put my dress on, I knew it was special. It was a new spring '09 La Sposa line gown. I never looked at this derivative line, but the dress was unique:
- it had sleeves
- it had a semi-ruched bodice
- it had the most intricate applique (which I didn't want initially) lace
- the train just went on and on

Obviously I got the dress. I was worried about tailoring but found a great independent seamstress recommended by the Pronovias recommended seamstress. She hemmed through 3 layors of fabric and took my dress down 2 sizes and she charged an extremely reasonable rate. It fit like a glove and was awesome on. You have to love your dress since there will be a million pictures and you're the center of attention. I really, really, really liked the dress and the Monique Lhuillier dress also really completed the day! 

Some random pictures when I got my hair done

* All pictures from brides.com though those are pulled directly from Pronovias lookbooks