Exactly five days after Mr. Sundae popped the question, we welcomed a new addition to our family. 
My sister-in-law gave birth to the cutest little girl that ever was…we joke that the last week in July was the pinnacle of Mama Sundae’s existence. There are only two kids in our family, just my brother and I, and in that one week Mama Sundae watched me become engaged and my brother gave her their very first grandchild. Babies and weddings…every Mom’s dream week!
What does this have to do with my dress, you ask? Naturally all of us hopped on planes and few out to South Carolina where said brother, sister-in-law and new baby girl reside. Before I left, a friend told me about this great little boutique in Asheville, North Carolina called Wedding Inspirations. Turns out it’s about an hour from my brother’s house, so we decided to check it out when they finally kicked us out of the house and insisted we stop oohing and aahing over their baby.
We arrived to see this adorable old house that’s been turned into a boutique and were greeted by some of the sweetest women around.
Image from Wedding Inspirations website
You walk in towards the back, through this entrance (picture taken by me):
The first thing that I loved is all the dresses are out for you to see. They just hand you a bunch of ribbons and you walk around and tie ribbons around the dresses you like, then they all end up in a dressing room for you. My Mom, Grandma, and my Mom’s best friend were all with me and we admittedly went a little nuts with the first batch of ribbons. 
Here is the interior of the store:
Image from Wedding Inspirations Website
The second thing that I loved is no one came into the dressing room with me. They were there if I needed help of course, but they left me to my own devices in actually putting on the dresses. I am a girl who appreciates a little privacy. I am not sure if I was more relaxed, really loving the environment, or if it was just actually the dress but when I walked out in the third one, we all knew for sure that was it. It’s strapless, even though I was convinced I wanted straps. It has a sweetheart neckline, even though I originally thought that would be completely unflattering on me. But I knew it was the dress for me because I didn’t want to take it off.
As I mentioned before, I can’t actually show you the dress due to lurking, but rest assured there will be plenty of pictures post wedding. We ordered it that day and picked it up when we were back in town for Thanksgiving. “She” currently resides at my parents’ house and I’ve tried it on every single time I’ve been there for a visit!
Did any of you end up with a dress that isn’t originally what you envisioned for yourself? Anyone find their dress in an unexpected place?
I know, I know, I am sorry! I was so taken with the one I did pick that I can’t remember the other dresses I tried on that day. Sorry Peng 
The dress I ended up with wasn’t at all what I had pictured. When I tried on the dresses I thought I liked, I was lost in it. It was all dress and no me, and they were stinking heavy. I went from wanting a beaded ballgown dress with a train to a simple A-line with lace and no train at all.
I found my dress at the one shop my home town had, instead of the 6 other shops in larger cities that I looked in.
I initially thought I’d be all about an a-line since im a pear shaped gal. Oddly enough I got a mermaid shaped dress
The woman at Wedding Insp is also a planner in Asheville, which is big with destination weddings (mountains, Biltmore, etc.). In fact, she’s my planner!
I originally wanted a poofy ball gown. Changed my mind quickly on that, and ended up with a fitted trumpet gown. Thought I wanted lots of lace and/or beading. Ended up with a mostly “plain” (but not boring) gown with a lace bolero and a lace train.
I also found my dress in NY (I live in the Bay Area), while on a business trip, at a store I almost didn’t go to (I went a few hours before my flight back home), and I almost didn’t try on that dress because it was so unlike the other 7 dresses I was about to try on!
Then, I came home, and found a very local store (literally 15 minutes from me) that had that exact gown, in my size, in stock (a sample that had been barely tried on) for half price! Talk about luck!
ha! i was rigid as a board when it came to my dress….i shopped tirelessly until i found the exact A-line, lace up, heavily beaded bodice, optional spaghetti strap, with embellished pickup skirt, chapel train, in IVORY.
i was like a tree planted by the water! lol….so glad i didn’t give in.
i did try on other dress styles though. just turns out the dream dress i my heads turned out to be the best shape for my body and best expression of my personality!
Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
wow. this post was a major letdown
We dont even get to see dresses you DIDNT pick?