June (Mail-Order) Brides

I’m dedicating this post to Georgia Girl who I both thank and blame for the collection of dolls I’m about to show you- LOL. 

As some of you know, there will be a wedding in Dollton. In fact, Tony and Brandy meet with the event coordinator who will be planning their wedding in the next photo story. Obviously a wedding story requires wedding dresses. Now if there’s one thing I never get tired of looking at, it’s wedding dresses. I can usually tolerate up to four consecutive episodes of Say Yes to the Dress before the brides and/or their entourages begin to annoy me, because that’s how much I love wedding dresses.

A couple of months ago I was talking about doll wedding gowns with a fellow doll club member. She offered to bring in her stash of dresses for me to look through in case I wanted to borrow some for my photo story. And then she asked the question that started it all, “Have you seen Georgia Girl’s curio of bride dolls?” “No,” I said. She went on to describe the curio full of nothing but brides at Georgia Girl’s house. At this point I’m thinking, "What could be better than a curio full of brides?!" And the seed was planted. 

This is a good place to mention that I started collecting about a year ago, so the only bride dolls I was familiar with were the ones that come in the single packs and boxed playsets at Walmart and Target (i.e. NOT the kind of brides you put in a curio). So, I went home and started searching for bridal Barbie dolls. Folks, let me tell ya, there are some stunning bride dolls out there. And so the seed was watered. But what really made it take root was when I went to Georgia Girl’s house and got to see her curio of brides and the countless other bride dolls stored in her doll room. I decided that I wanted... no, needed a curio of brides.

Most of the brides in this post were acquired during the month of June, but two were purchased in April right after that fateful trip to Georgia Girl's house. I’m sharing pictures of my little collection of brides because 1) June is the perfect time for it being the most popular month for weddings and all and 2) the next time you see them, most won’t be in their bridal gowns. I am a player, not a displayer. In other words, I can’t buy dolls just to pose on a shelf. They must be played with. All of these ladies have been named and given roles in society and will appear in my photo stories… sooner or later. BUT, they will be allowed to model their beautiful gowns when they are not needed for other roles : )

Avon Exclusive Blushing Bride Barbie- African American version

I was originally attracted to this doll for the sophisticated look of her dress. Strapless gowns are a dime a dozen, but Blushing Bride is dressed in a satin and tulle ball gown with long, sheer sleeves. Her dress is accented with silver-trimmed ribbons and white roses. I had plans to debox the doll, remove the dress and accessories, and then donate the doll to charity. Upon seeing her in person, I quickly changed my mind. For one thing, she has the Asha facial sculpt and is one of only two dolls in my collection with this sculpt. Her face is lovely with just a hint of blush on her cheeks. Secondly, I like the medium-brown color of her hair. I am so over AA dolls with two-toned hair at the moment. The Caucasian version of this doll is quite affordable on the secondary market, with the AA version being slightly more expensive but usually available NRFB for under $25 shipped.

Avon Blushing Bride AA- Blaire

I attempted an outdoor pic, but it was too sunny.

Twilight Breaking Dawn Bride Bella

I’ve seen all of the Twilight movies (mainly for the eye candy), and I even read the first book, but I would not call myself a fan. I am, as I said before, a fan of beautiful bridal gowns.  This one gets points for being different. Bella wears a long-sleeve satin gown. The gown has a sheer back embellished with a faux pearl trim. The dress has lace accents, too. Her look is completed with a floor-length veil attached to a silvery comb dotted with tiny faux sapphires.

Back of Bella's Dress

Twilight Bride Bella- Isabella Rossi

David’s Bridal Unforgettable Barbie

The Unforgettable bride was first in a series of three dolls sold exclusively at David’s Bridal stores. Unfortunately, I had to purchase this doll twice. She and the David’s Bridal Eternal blonde were delivered while I was at work. My mail carrier has a habit of leaving boxes in plain sight of passersby, and I live on a street that gets quite a bit of vehicle and foot traffic. No doubt you can see where this is going. Some low life stole my packages off the porch while I was at work. After filing a claim with USPS and getting my money back, I was eventually able to track down another AA Unforgettable bride.  I am still waiting on the other doll to show up at a price I’m willing to pay. I love this doll’s face and her dress. She looks like a princess in her poufy ball gown and tiara. The dress features a satin bodice with shimmery swirl details and a full sparkly tulle skirt. Accessories include a rhinestone studded choker, elbow length mittens, and a bouquet. At first, I thought maybe her facial sculpt was one that I didn’t have in my collection. But after further examination, I recognized it as the Goddess sculpt. I think her face paint is really well done.

DB Unforgettable- Ursula Boyd

I tried but still couldn't capture the bodice detail.

Badgley Mischka Bride Barbie

Again, I was attracted to both the dress and the facial sculpt. The Badgley Mischka bride doll has the Lara facial sculpt. I do wish I had known that her dress was sewn on. That puts limits on how much play time she’ll get. Still, she is lovely to look at. She is dressed in a cap-sleeve ball gown with an intricately beaded bodice and a simple flare skirt. The bodice is covered in iridescent beads and flowers with rhinestone centers. The skirt is organza-covered satin. Her chandelier earrings and velvet purse are the perfect finishing touches. And I love the solitaire ring on her finger. As you can see, I restyled her hair. It was the only thing I did not like about the doll. I put her hair in a simple bun, so I could add a veil. I will bedazzle the top of the veil to complement the dress at a later date.

Badgley Mischka Bride- Mischa

Close-Up of Bodice

David’s Bridal Romance Barbie

The Romance doll was the third and final doll in the David’s Bridal series- released in 2006, and the only one to come with rooted eyelashes. She wears an off-white strapless ball gown with a lace bodice and a full tufted skirt with floral details (gown is sewn on).  The gown definitely radiates romance, but just look at her face…it’s GORGEOUS! I’ve said before that the Lea/Kayla facial sculpt is one of my favorites, but I think it may just be my all-time favorite. I love that she comes with a tiara. Like this doll, I was married in 2006 in a David’s Bridal dress and a tiara : )

DB Romance- Ramona Perry

I'm not usually a fan of off-white dresses, but this one is beautiful.

Bonus

No, she’s not a bride but she’s just so stinkin’ cute! David’s Bridal tipped its hat to flower girls and ring bearers with the Perfect Pair Tommy and Kelly set (available in blonde, brunette, and AA). I purchased this sweetie on her own- new but deboxed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Kelly doll with this complexion. For that reason, I had to have her.

DB Perfect Pair Kelly- Kenya

Fun Stuff

Who doesn’t love trivia? Now, it’s time to test your knowledge of Barbie brides/wedding sets. I'll post answers after about a week.

1. Which daytime soap opera legend was made into a bridal Barbie doll to celebrate her onscreen wedding? Erica Kane- All My Children and Marlena Evans- Days of Our Lives 

2. Apart from Prince William and Catherine, name another celebrity couple available as a Barbie and Ken wedding set. Elvis & Priscilla Presley

3. Barbie has donned bridal wear from many high profile fashion designers. Can you name three of them? Reem Acra, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Badgley Mischka, and Vera Wang

4. Which costume designer, often called the “sultan of sequins”, outfitted the Empress Bride Barbie and the Couture Confection Bride Barbie? Bob Mackie

5. Fifteen years before David’s Bridal paired Kelly and Tommy, a taller “Kelly” was paired with a different ring bearer. Who was it? Todd

One last thing- Bridal Guide created a slide show of their favorite wedding day Barbie dolls. Click here to see it.