How lovely that you might be able to wear a dress of great emotional and historic value. If it doesn’t work out, I still think all of your options are stunning.
As a person with foot and knee problems, let me just say that I am so envious of your ability to wear high heels easily!
I like the Carmen Marc Valvo dress quite a bit - the ruffle is very architectural, not a fluffy adornment. I think it’s sophisticated and elegant. You said that it’s stunning on you. Why does your husband get to decide?
Looks like you have something workable between how the 3 dresses look/feel on you @runnersmom. I would choose the one I like the best, and show H that one only. If he doesn’t like it and his reasoning is legit…My H leaves it up to me and has no opinion (or not willing to express and opinion). He puckers his lips out and pinches closed with his thumb and index finger to show not willing to say a word.
Himom, do you mean 1000 invited and 750 attended?
Yes, it was a big wedding but honestly it went very smoothly. Haven’t had a large gathering for us since.
Largest parties since gave all been for dad who lives at least 200 of more. 
Oh well, at least it’s only every 5 years since he turned 70!
Our largest are generally 50 or fewer. I prefer small but my extended family is already 30+.
I think all 3 dresses are stunning. And I’m with @Gourmetmom, I like the Carmen Marc Valvo gown. I am sure the construction on #1 and #2 is probably unbelievable at those price points.
Interesting that your H wouldn’t like the ruffle as that is what I think is stunning about the gown and not too much at all. Saying that my H would not have any opinions, he would look pained and ask if I could get someone else’s opinion.
In my MOG quest, I ordered 2 more gowns. I’m inclined to keep this one http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/alex-evenings-metallic-lace-chiffon-gown-regular-petite/4545682?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=NAVY. It’s very pretty on, I think I like the simplistic detail compared to the others. And I am happy to have found it on sale, to be honest.
My problem is that I like most of the dresses I’ve ordered. Once I figured out the size, I’m finding a lot that fits. The problem is me making up my mind. I could ask some friends to look at me in them, I’m sad that my D is so far away and I can’t have her to shop with. I think that is what is holding me back.
@runnersmom , all three dresses are beautiful, but I’m with others who think #2 is stunning. Great shoulders can also carry off a one-shoulder dress. A good alterations person could also reduce the ruffle, if it is a bit too much on you.
Very pretty, @deb922. I didn’t see that one in our Nordstrom’s. As for my H, it’s not that I will give him total veto power over my choices, but it’s potentially a lot of money and I prefer to have him on board with a purchase like that. I had my best friend shopping with me when I chose all of these and her favorite is #1. The silhouette on all 3 is clearly the same (fitted column with slight a-line to the skirt) but the fabrics are different and I need to have them all in one place to be able to make a decision. Saks is sending #2 in the right size and I just received notification that it is on the way. Hopefully, it will be one of these three and I can check this off the list!
Just read a blog post on MOB dresses. I don’t think I can link to blog post but it’s called fabulous over 40 if you want to look it up.
She said that the MOB gets first pick on dress color and then MOG. I’m the MOG but am not getting any feedback on what the MOB is even looking at. I even texted my son and he said he’d talk to fiancé but he never got back to me. That is not unusual but heck with it. I’m picking out a dress, don’t care. I don’t think the MOB is into fashion and probably has not looked at dresses yet.
I’m not normally a fan of one shoulder dresses, but I really like the one with the ruffle. The other two are very attractive too. I think you are going to look fabulous.
The one thing that gripes me (and I say this as someone who wore navy to my nephew’s wedding) is that today’s navy is too dark and half the time looks black to me.
@HImom wow that’s a big wedding! I don’t think I know 1000 people!
@deb922 I think it’s good for MOB to decide whether to go long or short and for MOG to follow suit. But if they both wear beige or navy, what’s the big deal?
These are all definitely navy but don’t read black, in person. The B told me to wear whatever I want, but said, “wouldn’t it be nice if her mother and I wore navy”, so navy it is…or so I hope. Her mom has been known to go off in her own direction, but I’ve decided on navy and I’m sticking to it. It looks good on me and I like it. I just want this done, because now I need to shop with my D for her dress! The B has asked her “wedding party” to wear floral of their choice, and my D, even though she is standing up for her brother and not the bride, will do so, as well. Don’t get me started on what these pictures will look like, but not my call.
@deb922, I’m in a similar situation. B said I could wear what I want, but to remember that the wedding is “rustic chic.” (That’s had been confused for months now.) MOB has a very different body type and a very different budget than I do, so that’s also holding me back. I’ve tired on, ordered and returned about 20 dresses so far and am finally taking a good friend’s advice: Buy what looks good on me and what I’m comfortable in, and then just have some sort of rustic chic accessory – a shawl, a pin, a necklace. That has helped me considerably, to the point where I just ordered this one and am hoping it will do: http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=122873266&cp=1760782.2661316.2661319&ab=ln_women_cs_skirts&parentPage=family
@VeryHappy , did you decide against the Anthropologie dress?
I love that dress in post 311. Love it! It will look fabulous with a great wrap or jewelry of some kind.
And I love the color!!
@VeryHappy I love that dress!
@consolation, I haven’t returned it yet but plan to in the next few days. I like it, but it’s probably too summery and makes me look pregnant!!
Any dress that makes me look pregnant will be OUT. B-) I like the RL dress a lot. My only reservation is about the color. Will it make you the center of attention in photos if the rest of the crowd wears more subdued colors?
Not a good look, for sure! Too bad, I really loved that dress. The pink one is lovely too. 
Honestly the vast bulk of our wedding guests were my dad’s friends and some my ILs friends. H also invited all the folks whose weddings he had attended. I had my kawfirm and a few of my friends attend as well.
I do not wear clothing that makes me look pregnant, as I prefer not to have such a silhouette either.
I’m a smaller gathering person and prefer smaller groups over larger ones. It’s just much more intimate and fun, to me.
@BunsenBurner: I’ll see about the color when I gt the dress in hand, but I really like bright colors like that – hot pink, aqua blue, etc. If I stand out in the pictures – well, so be it. Hopefully it will be in a good way!