Beaded Dress Perfection for NYC Elopement Photos

Are you looking at beaded dresses for a NYC city hall wedding? I did that. And I have thoughts.

The dress was beautiful. I mean really beautiful. Thin straps, mermaid fit, beads and sequins everywhere. The back had this corset lace up thing that I loved. With my long veil it just trailed behind me and in every photo it looked like a dream. We went to the Bergen Street subway stop. We went to the courthouse steps. We even walked around that busy sidewalk outside the municipal building. The sparkle picked up every light – fluorescent, sunlight, whatever. People stared. People came up to me. They said oh my god your dress. I got so many compliments I lost count.

I kept everything else simple. Loose waves in my hair. Tinted sunglasses because the sun was brutal. Light makeup so I didn't look overdone next to all that shine. My bouquet was small, just white and pink roses with a pale ribbon. And I had Mike's name painted on the bottom of my heels – you could only see it when I lifted my skirt to go up stairs. He wore a charcoal suit and a little flower on his lapel. We looked good together. The photos turned out exactly how I wanted.

But let me tell you about the actual wearing part. It was 90 degrees that day. Ninety. And that fabric? Zero air flow. None. I was sweating before we even got to the second location. Sticky, gross, makeup starting to slide off. And the skirt – oh my god – it's so tight around my legs I could barely take a normal step. Every single time I had to walk I had to hike the whole thing up. Stairs? Forget it. Subway platforms with narrow turnstiles? Nightmare. I spent half the shoot pulling at the hem and trying not to look like I was dying.

I'm so glad I bought a second dress. A lighter one for later. The minute we finished the last photo down in the subway I changed. I cannot tell you how good it felt to peel that heavy thing off. It was like taking off a coat in July. Pure relief. After that I could actually enjoy dinner and the rest of the night.

So here's the thing. Would I wear it again for the photos? Yes. Absolutely yes. Those pictures are everything – glamorous, timeless, magazine worthy. But for the whole day? No. Not a chance. If you're getting married in summer and you want one of these beaded gowns, please please have a backup. Wear the sparkly one for the ceremony and portraits. Then switch into something breathable and actually have fun. Don't be like me, counting down the minutes until you could rip it off.

That's my story. Gorgeous dress, killer photos, zero comfort. Choose wisely.