shellfell-
The elizaj dresses come in petite. For my short dresses I had the hem let DOWN a bit, and it helped that the hems were 3" deep. Top fits fine.
Ooh, now I see that TS dress is the same as the blue one! Didn’t know that when I posted it. If you like the dress, any dress, then it’s worth it, imo to have it tailored. But that’s me. When I didn’t see a dress I wanted for my older S’s bar mitzvah in 2005, I found exactly what I wanted in a gown, but not only did they shorten it into a dress length, they also did plenty of nipping & tucking. I was so pleased with the results. So my feeling is, go with the dress style you like on you the most and then have it tailored to fit your body! Again, my opinion only. But then again I’m not a size 6/8, so I have less options! 
PS: Does Nordstrom tailor it for free? So then what are you worried for? They’ll do it until you are happy! Again, go with the style that makes you the happiest & most comfortable. then have it tailored. That’s really the only way to get it to fit your body perfectly.
I think nordys tailors for free if you have a nordys credit card.
I’m not keen on the latest RL dress. But I have to be honest and admit that I am not a fan of the lace on many of these dresses. It usually looks scratchy and kind of cheap to me, even when the dresses cost an arm and a leg. (My highly personal opinion only! 
)
BTW, that mermaid dress looks as if it would constrict your movement. Maybe it doesn’t IRL.
If tailoring is on the table, I’d urge you to take another look at that really pretty dress with a slit, given that nothing else has worked out.
I can’t remember at this point: what happened to that really nice Patna dress with cap sleeves and a kind of side brooch?
http://www.zappos.com/alejandra-sky-jemma-long-dress-navy
I’m still looking! 
http://www.zappos.com/adrianna-papell-lace-bodice-on-draped-skirt-ink
Another…I don’t remember if these have been posted yet or not…
This one that @soozievt posted is silk chiffon: a big plus in my book:
I found your comment on the Patra cap sleeve: looking forward to seeing how it fits. Very pretty dress.
http://www.zappos.com/vince-camuto-chiffon-gown-w-novelty-necklace-navy
Another chiffon one…
http://www.zappos.com/adrianna-papell-embroidered-sequin-bodice-drape-gown-ink
Another one, but maybe too much bling? Look at Zappos…they ship & return for free…
I kinda like the dress in post #85 too, but then again I like so many of them!!
I like that Adrianna Papell dress, @jym626, particularly because it’s a bit different from all the lace ones. Although it might be a bit much for an outdoor wedding…
What is it with lace, these days? When did it become so common?
I have another question, probably dumb, because I haven’t worn a long gown in living memory: what kind of bra do people wear with these dresses? A lot of them have sheer tops that would be sort of wrecked by bra straps, even dainty ones, not to mention open backs. Do many of these dresses have a built-in support?
BTW, did anyone suggest this one?
Lace is the in thing this year. Its everywhere.
My only piece of advice (having been a recent MOG) is to be sure your dress is comfortable as well as good-looking. There’s a lot going on during the wedding and reception and you don’t want to have to worry about something slipping down, tripping you up or binding you in a way that makes you think about it. You won’t want to be thinking about yourself at all, as you’ll be so engaged with the festivities.
Comfy shoes are a must! I went with a pair of Kate Spade gold flat sandals, which were perfect for dancing and felt great through the day and night.
I agree, Consolation, that the Adrianna Papell dress in post #90 is real nice. Did Shellfell mention the wedding would be outdoors? May be too glitzy? Anyway, there are @ 50 dresses to choose from on this thread, alone! Wish I had an occasion to wear a Navy Blue gown! ; Good luck, Shellfell. (My S1, who just graduated from college not even two weeks ago just looked over my shoulder and asked why I’m still posting on this website! I told him that after college are engagements and then weddings and then grand kids and he rolled his eyes & walked out of the room! 
)
moonchild - I agree on comfort. I don’t want to spend the day thinking about my dress, or playing with it, or feeling constricted, but I also want to look nice. I’ve already decided that I’ll only wear 2" heels. Fortunately, all the women in the wedding party are short, so I won’t look shrimpy in the photos.
Thanks for all the additional dress suggestions. Just remember, that I don’t want sleeves or a train. I know I tried on the dress in post #85. That was the dress I didn’t think was made very well. The lace was starting to come apart.
Post #87 is too close in style to the MOB’s dress.
But I will look more closely at the other suggestions and decide which ones to order. There are some very nice dresses. Sorry I haven’t had the time today to do that. Tomorrow I have to go shopping for bedding for our new mattress. I’ll be back in dress mode by Sun.
Warning, the AP dress in #90 is gorgeous but it is HEAVY! It weighs a ton because of the beading. I actually held it in my hands recently.
{{OT - has anyone ever tried a Herve Leger gown? I found one at NR and was curious… The fabric is so heavy the dress weighs at least 10 pounds! Eeek. This is what I am talking about:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/herve-leger-cold-shoulder-flared-bandage-gown/4015062
Imagine hauling all that weight for several hours! }}
^No, but it’s beautiful.
Is no one going to take pity on me and explain the bra thing? 
Speaking of MOG dresses, I think I have picked my dress out for my son’s wedding this fall. The MOB has had her dress for months, and all I know is it is navy, fairly formal with sequins on the top. The bridesmaids are also wearing navy; the MOB said the bride did not care that she was also wearing navy. My future DIL is not one to stand on lots of rules or formality for weddings; she actually did no know that color coordination was ever an issue at weddings! She told me she didn’t care one bit what I wore, or the grandmothers, as long as we were comfortable and happy.
That all said, the dress that is my current first choice is kind of pink. I don’t want to stand out or outshine the MOB, but without seeing her dress, I don’t know if mine is more formal. So far my aunt and daughter think I should go ahead with this dress and stop looking, of course neither have seen it on me, just the dress itself. Not to highjack this thread, but I would love others opinion. I was able to get it on sale, and am keeping an eye open for future sales to get a price adjustment.