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Yep. Took me an hour to find it. I don’t know if it was luck, fate, or the fact that I was anticipating spending more money on a dress than “THE ONE” actually cost, but I tried on four wedding dresses before handing over the debit card and owning my very first wedding dress.
Did I say first? I meant only! 
End of the road for you, Mr Penguin, no peeky-peeky…
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Its a Jim Hjelm from the Fall 2006 Collection from the House of Fashion in Sacramento. I must say that my experience at the store was great. Consultants will pull dresses for you, help you in and out of them, offer advice and suggestions if you ask, but other than that, leave you alone to prance around as you please.
I really wanted to find a simple dress. Its very easy to confuse “simple” with “plain” but this dress carries a couple of particularly nifty features that really make it great. I particularly love how the chapel train begins at the brooch at the back, almost giving the dress a “peacock” look. Once I get rid of my belly (fondly referred to as my “food baby”) and get a good pair of Spanx, I’ll be Aisle ready. The veil I’m borrowing from Mr. Penguin’s step-sister also happens to be a perfect match for the dress!
Here’s some close attention to detail: The dip in the back, as well as the strapless sweetheart-ish neckline. This will be my first time ever wearing a strapless dress!
You’re loving the gratuitous boob shot, aren’t you? You’re welcome
How long did it take you to find “THE DRESS”?
It was the first dress I tried on! I was forced to try on several others and wait a day before I bought it…but I bought it! And one year later I am still glad that is the one I chose.
That dress is so glamorous on you! It’s stunning on you, it’s simple but very elegant! It’s different that the train starts that high up on the dress, and the veil is a perfect match.
It took me awhile to find what I wanted, A-line, strapless, with lace. I started in June and kicked it into high gear in August. I put down a deposit last week!
Ooh! I love the Jim Hjelm dresses! I actually found one of his I loved right away but I don’t have the heart to spend that much moola on it yet. Looks beautiful!
that’s a GORGEOUS dress!!! i love it!
It took me about a half an hour. It was the second dress I tried on, but I was there about an hour in all.
Love the back detail!!
Mine was first and only, too! I love how people get so nervous with that, but I knew it was the one! Even before I tried it on.
I have to say…I gasped when i saw the picture with your veil on - it’s so beautiful! You are going to be stunning on your wedding day…:-)
You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress! It’s so stunning and beautiful!
Love the bustline with the points! (yes the dress and not the picture :P)
Mr. Penguin isn’t going to know what hit him!
You look stunning, and I love the long veil!
Took me 2 hours. I had no intentions of purchasing The Dress on my first shopping outing, was just ruling out likes vs. dislikes, but it was the 20th and last one for the day (phew). . . and it was just IT! Mom and I started crying.
Not another article where the author insults how she looks in the photo! (”Once I get rid of my belly…”) Please, ladies, stop this narcisistic self-scrutinizing criticism! You look MAAAAAAARVALOUS! 
We are allowed to eat and be adult women with adult women’s bodies.
I love your dress! I found my dress the first day we went shopping. It was the very last one that I tried on.
You look amazing! I was looking back at your “mood board” of wedding dress styles and we have the same taste - HI FIVE girl! But that dress is GORGEOUS ON YOU!
btw - it took forever - about 5 trips before finding “THE ONE.”
You look stunning in that dress! I love the picture if you with the veil on…. very bridal.
i love your dress! especially the detailing. that’s the look i’m going for…that or maybe a little lace. anywho, you look amazing! i agree, i do love how the train starts at the brooch, that was one of the first things i noticed. great pick!
Gorgeous! It’s no wonder why you stopped right there.
I bought my dress in an hour too. I tried on seven in total and since it was a sample sale I had to buy it right then and there.
You look absolutely beautiful.
I kind of found two dresses. I went dress shopping just for fun a week after getting engaged, not thinking I would find anything. I ended up finding this perfect dress that I LOVED. It was $1700, way over my budget. I did tweak the budget so I could afford it, but it would have been tight. My mom encouraged me to go dress shopping again just to make sure before we plunked down that kind of cash, and we ended up finding a VERY similar dress for just $1050 that gave me almost the same feeling of “this is the one,” so that was that. I got the cheaper dress and I’m happy with my decision. I do still think that the first dress would have still been my first choice, but I really didn’t think it was $700 nicer than the one I bought. Maybe I’m too practical!
You look beautiful in that dress.
For those of you that love this dress, I am selling a Jim Hjelm that is very similar. Please take a look at the classifieds section (for sale) to see pics and my post. It was never worn and never altered…truth is, I just found another dress that I loved more.
Thanks for looking. Please feel free to contact me or give me an offer.
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Mrs. Penguin, Northern California Age and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in Chief Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical Therapy Engagement Date: January 29, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 14, 2007 Venue: Winery in the Gold Country About Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
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