Miss Peppermint, LA/Palm Springs
Age and Occupation: 23, Actress
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Web Producer
Engagement Date: October 21, 2006
Wedding Date: December 2007
Blogging Since: July 2, 2007
Venue: historic estate overlooking the heart of Palm Springs
About Me: I am a Southern California native who enjoys cooking, writing, travel and all things in the arts. Mr. Peppermint and I met in college and he proposed on our four year anniversary in one of our most special places, Joshua Tree National Park. We're having a destination wedding in Palms Springs that will incorporate tradition as well as reflect our personalities!
Finding “The Dress”…The Journey Begins
July 17th, 2007 @ 10:30 am by Mrs. Peppermint
One of my treasured memories from middle and upper school was taking the bus home every day. I got used to the route and had certain favorite things that I’d always look at as we drove by. One of those such places was a new store (at the time) that had just opened: The Bridal Suite. I never went in or anything, but every day I’d try to get a good glimpse of all their new gowns. They changed their displays often, and every time it seemed better than before. Of course I’d have to ask myself each day, “Which would I wear?!?”
So, when it came time to prepare for my own wedding, I knew I had to make an appointment there. I went with one of my BM’s (who had been on that same bus with me!). It was the first appointment of the day and the first time I had even stepped into a bridal salon. It was a bit intimidating with a mix of excitement–what should I expect? What if I find the dress today?
I had come in with two things in mind for my dress: I wanted lace and I didn’t want a strapless dress. Neither of these rules were set in stone, but after having sifted through my share of bridal magazines, all my favorite dresses seemed to apply to my code.
The service was great–it didn’t hurt that since we were the first appointment, no one else was there yet. When I announced my two prerequisites for a dress, however, they said that it would be hard to find. They carried almost exclusively strapless dresses (though on some styles they could add straps) and very little lace. I tried about six dresses on and while I knew I hadn’t found “the one,” it still was a great time.
Since it was my first time at one of these salons I really hadn’t anticipated that I would be followed into the dressing room and have to undress–I’m a bit modest…and perhaps I should have thought to wear a strapless bra… Sigh.
I highly recommend going to a few different dress shops before making a selection–each one that I went to had a different feel and helped me figure out what I really wanted (even when I was growing less and less sure!).
Stay tuned: More on the dress search to come…
8 Responses to “Finding “The Dress”…The Journey Begins”
Funny — I am beginning my dress search next week, and two of my biggest preferences are also that there be lace and that the dress not be strapless! I found a Jasmine dress that I am going to try on that miraculously meets all of my preferences…. I look forward to hearing how your search ended up 
Those were two of my three requirements! (The third was “not pouffy.”) The overwhelming majority of dresses I found in boutiques didn’t fit the bill, but eventually I found my dream dress — Monique Lhuiller lace v-neck top and a silk satin trumpet/mermaid skirt. Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your search!
For anyone else with those requirements for lace and not strapless - because I had the same ones- check out San Patrick’s (Saint Patrick) dresses. They are gorgeous! I got the Riassa.
I didn’t know what to expect either, and was a little overwhelmed… One thing that I was surprised about was the dress I eventually chose… it was nothing I would have initially ever wanted to try on. The saleswoman asked what kind of feel I wanted and then brought it in, even though I had made fun of it when I was browsing the racks! It looked nothing like I had in mind, and nothing like something I would ever wear, but I love it.
My advice would be to try on some things that you wouldn’t normally!
Good luck on you dress search. Your right, there are a lot of stores out there. I know Lord and Taylor has great wedding dress selections. A bunch of my friend were married in the last few months (or are getting married in upcoming months) and they all loved the dress search as well. From what I hear it can be pretty hard and can get tiresome, but once you find the right one its all worth it.
I had the same requirements as you when I was looking for my dress. I ended up getting Maggie Sottero’s Danielle. It has a lace wrap bodice. Google it… I loved it!
Jasmine bridal has some great (affordably priced) non-strapless dresses! I like their variety.
I had the same requirements as you - I wanted a v-neck gown with lace. I also wanted to spend as little money as possible on my dress. (btw, Monique Lhuillier has a good selection of v-neck lace dresses but it definitely comes with a price.)
At the end, I ended spending up WAY too much money on my lace, strapless dress…but then again, I LOVE the dress.
