Weddingbee Blog

I have a confession to make: I’m not as enlightened about weddings as I like to think I am. Let me explain.

I had a major problem with dress shopping. Everything I saw was either too expensive, had just come out in the designers’ most recent collection and was unavailable in stores, or was a bit over-the-top for me. I am not into the princess look, nor am I really attracted to a lot of beading or crystals (although I think many women look beautiful in these looks). I did not really look forward to the dress shopping process, and had been putting it off slowly, which in turn, made me hate it even more.

Also, I should let you know that as much as I like style and nice clothing, I won’t pay for it. I don’t own a pair of Jimmy Choos or Louboutins; I can’t recognize last season’s Prada. With NYC mortgage payments, student loans, and a major love of travel and food, expensive clothes just don’t make the top of the list of priorities for me. I find a way to still find great styles for less. People who compliment me on my clothing are surprised when I tell them it’s H&M or Zara!

Now, about this whole wedding dress shopping thing. Why did I not initially adopt this same M.O. for that? I coveted dresses that were way above my budget, and felt this sense of hopelessness that I wouldn’t find THE ONE (if there even is a ONE dress out there for me).

Enter David’s Bridal.

I will admit that even though it’s a great place to find a dress, I did not take it seriously as a place to shop. It was the first place I visited to try on dresses, since I knew I would I would find a dress in my budget range for sure. My first visit was pretty uneventful, and I had a great consultant who was helpful and sweet. BUT, I still thought that David’s was, well, “the Old Navy of bridal shops”.  Plus, I had read about so many negative experiences from brides who shopped there on various bride message boards. Yet, David’s is a great source for many women who want their dream dress, but can’t afford the designer prices… like me.

Then, right around Christmastime, I saw it online: the dress that I thought may just be it. I went, I tried it on, and I loved it (minus some of the beading on it). I had yet another positive experience at David’s. Then, I thought about my previous attitude towards this store. Was I believing what too many bridal magazines and bridal TV shows love to tell brides? That more expensive is automatically better, regardless of who you are? The more expensive the dress, flowers, or invites are, the better they are? I was a little disappointed in myself. Even if it is the “Old Navy of bridal shops”, perhaps David’s Bridal would have my wedding dress.

I’ve realized that I can’t count anything out during this process, as it may be exactly what I am looking for. The local floral shop, home-based business, or Etsy shop, may just be exactly what I want and need for this wedding, and you know what? That’s okay. Sometimes you know these things, and you have to let your experiences teach you over and over again.