Chronicles of a Two Dress Bride, Part II
April 8th, 2008 @ 1:38 pm by Mrs. Toucan
*** Mr. Toucan, if you really don’t want to have any idea of what I look like in a wedding dress, don’t read this post either! ***
Part I: The Realization
And now, Part II: Dress Shopping at T-2 Months…
With a little more than 2 months to the wedding, I knew that dress shopping meant that I was looking for sample gowns, and I needed a place with lots of them. Lucky for me, I knew just the place - VOWS Bridal Outlet. VOWS is located just outside of Boston, and carries designer sample gowns at discount prices. I knew I could try on a lot of different gowns by all sorts of designers, and since they only sell sample gowns, I knew I could probably get a dress in time. So, I quickly made an appointment.
Before I went to the store, I also thought about what it was about my original dress that I didn’t like. I knew I wanted something pretty different from the first dress. Perhaps something more form fitting? Perhaps something less traditional, and more unique looking?
When I got to VOWS, it reminded me a bit of a cross between Filene’s Running of the Brides (minus running and screaming brides) and a Bridal Shop. I saw racks and racks of dresses, all sorted by silhouette. Sorting by silhouette is really handy if you ask me! Sister Toucan and I raided the racks, and handed all the dresses I wanted try on to the shop helpers who put them by my dressing room. When we were done, we were greeted by our dress consultant, April.
Sister Toucan helped me in and out of each dress that I tried on (I loved this because I find it a little weird to have strangers help dress me). When I came out with the dress on, April would tell us a little more about the dress designer and the details of the dress. She would show me how it should fit, and provide other opinions on how the bustle would look and what alterations would need to be made. She was fabulously helpful, and what do you know?! I found my dress that day!!! 
But, before I show you the dress, I’ll show you a couple of the other contenders.
Dress 1 - Melissa Sweet:
The Front. Here you also see April hiding behind me (VOWS doesn’t use dress clips because they are worried about ruining the dresses, so the dress consultants hold the dress for you)
The front again with a veil! Here, I’m also holding down part of the sweetheart neckline, as it was a little to severe for the not-very-well endowed Miss Toucan.
And the back.
Overall, I really liked the uniqueness of the dress. I really liked the pleats at the bottom, but in the end, it wasn’t as flattering as other dresses, and a little too girly.
Dress 2 - Liv Harris:
Front view
Side view.
Back view.
I went back and forth with this dress for a long time. The material was super lightweight and comfortable, and the fit was almost perfect! But I realized why I was shopping for a new dress to begin with - I wanted something less traditional, and more unique. Now, looking back on it, I realized that sometimes it’s so easy to really think you like something because it fits so well. And while this dress is lovely, it was also not what I was looking for.
And finally, the last dress of the day (or at least the last dress we took pictures of), was the one. Except I’m not going to show you yet (I know! Miss Toucan’s so mean! 
), because this story isn’t over…
Stay tuned for Part III - Doubt and Indecisiveness…
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17 Responses to “Chronicles of a Two Dress Bride, Part II”
I ordered a dress from the VOWS website without even going dress shopping. I felt overwhelming love when I saw my dress online and thought I would take a chance with it. I was so scared but really happy with the dress that I picked. And if I can’t lose the weight that I need to lose to fit into the dress, I might head to Boston to get a dress from the store.
I can’t wait to see what you picked!
does VOWS sell veils, too?
Tease!!! That Liv Harris dress looks amazing on you and is beautiful. Can’t wait to see the final reveal!
@kc: I believe the have a very limited selection of veils. Most of the veils in the store are only for purposes of trying on with the gowns. However if you are in the Boston area, the alterations lady across the street from VOWS makes custom veils.
u r killing me….
i am dying a slow death….
(man, i really hope the next post has a pic of the ACTUAL dress!)
Thanks for the review of VOWS! I work in Newton and I think I’ll go there once we pick a date. How far in advance did you have to make the appointment? I love their website and I’m sure I’ll find something I like there. Do you know if they have additional dresses that aren’t on their website? Just curious. Can’t wait to see the final dress! Very suspenseful!
If you think two months is nerve-wracking (and it is!), try two weeks! A good friend of mine waited until about two weeks before her (admittedly very low-key) wedding to order one dress from J.Crew in a couple of sizes…fortunately it worked out…but talk about down to the wire!
Both of these dresses look great on you…but neither seem to have you lit in that “glow” of knowing the one you really love…can’t wait to see the final pictures!
Ooh. The Melissa Sweet is gorgeous! Isn’t Vows great? I went on a Friday morning and was so loving the fact that they allowed me to try on as many dresses as I wanted and to take pictures! I didn’t even bring my real camera b/c I didn’t think they would let me photograph the dresses. Had to make to with a cell phone. Can’t wait to see your dress!!!!!
@Getmarried4Less : Sorry! But doesn’t the suspense make it fun?!
@meleven: No problem! I made an appointment a few days in advance (made the appointment on a Monday/Tuesday for a Thursday appointment). On Saturdays, no appointment is necessary, so it’s much busier. I’d go on a weekday if you can. Also, I’m not sure about if they have dresses in store that aren’t online. I searched the site before I went, and I don’t recall seeing the dress I purchased on there… so, maybe?
@elizabeth: I cannot even imagine dress shopping at 2 weeks! But hey, if it works!
@Jellyby: I was a little surprised they let us take pictures too! I didn’t even ask until I had tried on about half of the ones we picked out (hence here I’ve only showed you pictures of the contenders). Good thing I almost always carry my camera!
I LOVE the little dresses–non poofy–and mine is a little dress and it’s unique. The Liv Harris dress looks great. I can’t wait to see the one that beat out that dress!
TEASE TEASE! Your terrible!
Ahhh..the suspense! I can’t wait till your next post. Both gowns look lovely on you. The Liv Harris gown is similar to my #1 dress choice.
Oooh! Vows sounds like a neat store- and I live in Boston! I do have one question though- do they sell “bigger” sizes? Since they sell samples, I’m guessing there aren’t a lot of plus size dresses (18-ish)? Am I right?
@BeesKnees: Oh, don’t I know it! In all honesty, I didn’t mean for them to be in so many posts, but one or two posts would have been waaaay too long!
@Shailer: They actually do have a section for bigger sizes, but I’m not sure how the selection is. It may be worth a phone call or visit. Who knows?!
augh, even without having seen the one you chose, i am so happy you decided to start looking for a new dress.
these look SO GOOD on you. your old dress was nice, but these are stunning.
can’t wait to see what you chose!
Hi Miss Toucan,
this is unrelated to this post, but I have an urgent question to ask you about your favors in Shenzen. My Fi is leaving tonight and I want him to get those for me to. Can you email me at sweetie1103@aol.com?
I appreciate it! Thanks!
Mrs. Toucan, Boston
Age and Occupation: 25, Full-time Research Assistant, Part-time Graduate Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Actuary
Engagement Date: February 18, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: November 07, 2007
Venue: St. Catherine of Genoa, Jin Asian Cuisine Restaurant
About Me: I’m a Gemini to the extreme. On one side, I’m a girly girl. I read countless bridal and fashion magazines, and have an obsession with keeping up with the latest Hollywood gossip. On the other side, I’m a sports fanatic. Despite being a full-time bride-to be, full-time research assistant, and part-time student, I’m also a full-time Red Sox fan from spring training to October, and a full-time Patriots fan from mini-camp to February. I devote almost as much time researching my for fantasy football team as researching for our wedding!
The 2nd dress you have on looks like a version of my dress!
I must say, you are quite BRAVE for waiting this long to find a dress. I was basically in a panic everytime I left the bridal store because I didn’t find a dress I liked.
HAPPY DRESS HUNTING!