Mrs. Hummingbird, Toronto
Age and Occupation: 25, Publishing Coordinator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Videogame Designer/Cartoonist
Engagement Date: May 4, 2007
Wedding Date: June 28, 2008
Blogging Since: September 18, 2007
Venue: A garden wedding followed by a tented reception on Mr. Hummingbird's father's property.
About Me: I’m a pop culture loving, vintage obsessed foodie living in Canada’s biggest city with my fantastic fiancé and our lovable fluffy cat Bettie. I’m stoked to marry my best friend and to throw what I hope will be
the most fun and colourful party of our lives.
The Hummingbird Wedding Dress Saga, Part 3
January 23rd, 2008 @ 11:54 am by Mrs. Hummingbird
Because everyone loves a happy ending.
(In case you want to back track, here is Part 1 and Part 2.)
So long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, I forced myself to go dress shopping for a second time and, five months after I’d begun my search, I fell in love with a dress. But what dress you ask?
Well, this one . . .
I have to say dress shopping was incredibly hard for me. Not only did I grow up a weird and gawky kid but after I had my accident back in 2002, I was put on medication that really screwed up my metabolism. Within less than two weeks of my injury, I had lost a ridiculous amount of weight because I was in so much pain and my stomach was so volatile, I couldn’t keep anything down. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe and I looked so bony and sickly that I couldn’t stand to look in the mirror (You should not weigh 105 pounds if you are 6’1″). It took a while to gain the weight back, but even when I did, it was like the mental image I had of myself was so messed up that, even at a normal weight, I still felt kind of freakish. So, of course, imagine what it’s like for someone who has a bit of a messed up body image to suddenly have to deal with the fact that a hundred of their closest friends and family are going to be staring at them in a big white dress. Not fun.
However, trying dresses this last time, I managed to stay calm, thought about what I wanted and needed from a dress and much to my surprise, I found something that worked for me.
Not only did the dress feel hellagood on (and incidentally show the most skin), but the style name is also called Miranda, which is what my MOH Greg calls me as a nickname because he insists that I am loveably sacastic like Cynthia Nixon’s character on Sex and the City.
The only drawback for me, unfortunately, was the price. While I loved, loved, loved the dress. I could not afford and/or justify spending over $4,000 on the dress, which is why I ended up going the seamstress route with a friend of Mr. Hummingbird’s making my dress. Not only is she an absolute sweetheart, but she made a gorgeous wedding dress for Mr. Hum’s Best Lady, so I feel as though I am in good hands.
When I get pictures of the fabric and whatnot, I’ll do a quick post about that experience but right now, for those of you going through similar dress anxieties, I just wanted to say that there is light at the end of the long, stressful wedding dress tunnel. Good luck!
Totally unrelated side note: My awesomely crafty friend Alex and I are putting together a little Do-It-Yourself chat that we will be hosting on February 4 at 7pm. We’re currently working out what projects we’re going to demonstrate for you ladies, but I figured I would put the crafty call out there and see what things you are interested in seeing made. Does anyone have a project or wedding item they’d like to see covered? Leave me a comment and let me know!
11 Responses to “The Hummingbird Wedding Dress Saga, Part 3”
You are going to look so beautiful in that dress— it’s *perfect* for someone with a tall, willowy frame. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
And btw, Miranda was always my favorite character on SATC, even though I’m definitely a Charlotte 
Thanks so much for your story. It seems (in the bridal salon) as if everybody but me is having soooo much fun. I am a recovered anorexic, mostly now enjoying having some assets to show off (amazing what kind of fabulous boobs you can have, with a little push up bra and a normal diet!) I am trying to stay sane through the dress search, but I do best when I don’t think too much about how I look. Unfortunately my mom is a bit of a perfectionist, and that makes dress shopping with her pretty stressful for me. This weekend I am going dress shopping with my FI, who thinks I look gorgeous and sexy in almost everything, and telling myself it will be fun.
on the opposite side of the spectrum, i’m a plus size. and you would think us heavier bees didn’t get married with the sheer lack of plus size samples to try on in the salons!
its very discouraging. i am trying to bolster my esteem for another round. the first time i didnt have fun at all…..what i thought would be an out of body experience turned out to be me just trying to endure and get out of there….
on a happier note: i would love to see some DIY invites! the basic single card style. tips for making the invite in for Publisher a PLUS!
yay! hooray for people getting their dresses made! glad to hear that you found what you were looking for and not settling! i finally tried on the lace ML dresses too, and was surprised! for that amount of money, you’d think there would be some sort of support, boning, better lining… etc..
I have decided to get my dress made as well. After I found out that Lazaro did not make the dress I saw (and probably could not afford anyway.)
but where are you going for fabric? Any good resources you can share?
I’m having my dress made too; it’s been a great decision. It’s nearly finished and looks just as good (if not better because it’s custom made to fit me, not a fit model) as the Carolina Herrera dresses I tried on at the stores!
Beautiful dress! A wonderful end to a courageous shopping adventure.
And a suggestion for your DIY project request. I am getting married in Mexico. And I have been toying with the idea of making tissue paper flower bouquet. Bright, colorful, and fun. I am not that crafty. So I am a little nervous about the whole thing. The martha stewart website made it look “so easy”. And I think it could be really cool. Maybe I could use the flowers as napkin holder/table decorations. Just an idea.
Oooh, I have a DIY request! Will you demonstrate how to put brads in paper? I don’t have anything specific in mind project wise, but I think it’d be handy to know. If you have time and all.
Kim was doing this the other day so she’ll be able to show that I think.
[…] love my dress. I love, love, love it. It’s got a light romantic feel to it, but it also has a bit of va va va […]
[…] I mentioned previously, I ended up deciding to get my dress made. A very lovely friend of Mr. Hum’s is a seamstress so […]
