The Dress… the one and only dress… the most important dress you will ever wear….it has to be perfect… so much pressure and such a big decision… I was stressed lol.
A few weeks a go my mom flew into town and my soon to be sister in law came to join me and my local bridesmaids to find “the dress.”
With a smallish budget and no idea what I wanted, I figured starting at a big bridal store would be best. Since they often have every cut, style, color and type there is. I first started at David’s Bridal, the poor consultant was trying to get an idea what I was looking for and I tried to tell her everything. 🙂
Me: ” Well I love simple and flowy but I also like a bit of glamour and fitted. I like lace but I also like the clean freshness of just simple white, I want something tight but I also like flowy .” I am nuts!
The poor girl just start pulling one of each and decided we would go from there!
I went into this little dressing room and had to put on a corset bra contraption and a skirt slip which solved my worries of not wearing matching undergarments or that the consultant being too modest and seeing my cheeks… I got no shame in my buns game 🙂
Back to the dress…. I came out and everyone was in love! I loved it too… kind of. The illusion neckline was perfect and fitted with a lowered waistline where it flowed out beautifully. My hesitation was the lower waistline, it sat where I felt at my widest part of my hips… my friends and family disagreed. So it was great but not the one.
The consultant wanted me to try the dress on with heels, so she brought over some shoes…. Not just shoes but THE SHOES! Shoes haven’t been on my mind during this wedding planning process but wall-‘ la my shoes…nothing but perfection.
I felt like Carrie Bradshaw when she opens her new closet and see’s her blue heels.
I tried on several dresses and just couldn’t decide between flowy big skirt or fitted. Since I am short and look young, I don’t want to be seen as cute on my wedding day but more of holy shit she is gorgeous and sexy. 🙂
So, I needed a break and lunch.. In N Out…is never not good. I started the day feeling bloated and having a “fat day” my amazing girl assured me that if I feel like that now and try on a dress and feel good in it, just imagine how I will feel when I don’t feel fat and bloated. This also justified me pigging out on In N Out before my other appointment. 🙂
Then we headed to my second appointment at a small beautiful bridal boutique called The Bustle. As I walked up, I saw my name on a chalkboard sign welcoming me, I was instantly excited. Once we stepped inside, we were all greeted with Champagne…. it was exactly what we all needed. 🙂
We pulled some dresses and got started. Well, there was no slip this time…lol. I stepped into several dresses that were not the one but THEN….. I walked out in one dress that had everyone in AWE. It is the perfect mix of my fitted and flowy and it was The One! Time for another glass of Champagne!!
We were all thrilled and exhausted! Now, I just wait and wait and wait and wait for it to be made. I hate waiting!
Some tips when going dress shopping:
1. Have some what of a vision but don’t be to stuck on one thing. Often you will be surprised. Each one of my consultants commented about how the things brides often say they don’t want, they end up loving it and getting it. 🙂
2. Don’t be too modest. The consultant was up close and personal with me and they did not seem to care a bit as she was pulling the dresses over my bum.
3. Remember your budget, don’t try a dress you cannot afford and keep alterations in mind. I was shocked at the cost of alterations. Each layer of your dress is extra in alterations. Look for shops that have free alterations included. I opted for what is called a hallow hem to hopefully save on some alteration fees. Since I am short, I know I would need it hemmed and with 5 layers…. that was going to get really pricey. A hallow hem is when they measure from your neckline to the floor in the shoes you want or about the height you are going for and have it cut to that measurement instead of the standard. Which I think mine was 57 inched and I only needed 51.This cost an extra $100 but to have it hemmed at the original length would have cost me $300 + if I didn’t do the hallow hem.
** My mom and I realized whatever you think the cost is in regards to planning a wedding, make sure to add some extra on to everything for all the fees and taxes.
4. Wear a strapless bra this was the most helpful! They have pads for you which is amazing!! The boob inserts were an epic difference 🙂 for those that need them. Underwear doesn’t seem matter, just some that don’t give you any indents. I have read several things online that stress wearing really cute matching undergarments. Wear clean and comfortable for you!
5. Bring heels to smaller boutiques but if you go to larger stores like David’s bridal, they will give you shoes to wear and hope you will buy.
6. Get honest feedback. I told my girls to be honest about everything and they were. They told me when my hips were looking wide, when it did nothing for me at all and when my boobs needed some extra somethin, somethin. lol. Along with how gorgeous I was in the others. 🙂
7. Eat! I was starving after one appointment and exhausted. I never thought it would be tiring but it really was!
8. Have fun and don’t focus on the dresses that don’t do it for you but keep your eye on the prize… the one that makes you feel amazing. It’s easy to get caught up in the ones that don’t fit, the size, the ones that were not flattering and all of that can ruin your whole experience. You want to feel like Beyoncé all day 🙂 Don’t let negative self talk get you, know you are gorgeous and that when you find your dress you will have your moment! Your man loves you just the way you are and will think you are stunning in any dress. So have fun and feel like the amazing bride you are and sip champagne. 🙂
9. Stay true to yourself. Don’t let your friends styles influence you into something that doesn’t represent yourself. It is easy to go with public opinion but only yours matter.
10. Have fun and take the moment in!
X- A
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