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Mrs. Rainbow, Tampa Age and Occupation: 22, Makeup Artist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Electrical Engineer/Programmer Engagement Date: November 27, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: The Gamble Plantation About Me: I'm a quirky (and slightly Type-A) freelance makeup artist who was born in Washington State, raised in Alabama, and now living with my one and only in sunny Florida. I'm fashion and beauty obsessed, and have recently discovered my inner domestic diva extraordinaire. I'm a wannabe chef, decorating addict, and trying desperately to be as crafty as possible---albeit only with a glue gun. I'm hopelessly in love with my fiance, and all things sparkly and feathery. Despite the glittery exterior, I'm a total hippie on the inside. When I'm not making up pretty faces, I love doing what I can to help people, animals, and the environment. Someday the FI and I will change the world, but first we're tackling our modern-vintage-Marie-Antoinette-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland inspired wedding. I just can't wait to be Mrs. Rainbow!
About Mrs. Rainbow

I went dress shopping with high hopes and a ton of nerves. The previous times I had gone into bridal boutiques, I was looking for BM dresses, and I wouldn’t even touch the wedding dresses. They all hung there, a prim and proper sea of white, just waiting for a blushing bride to slip into them and declare: “It’s The One!” They just felt like these sacred things and I couldn’t help but think, ‘will I seriously be wearing one of those?’ It was just too surreal and weird. I knew I would have to wait until I was good and ready to try them on; there was no rushing this one.

Despite my hesitation in actually trying on a dress, I could look at pictures of them for hours, carefully analyzing what I wanted, what I didn’t, what would flatter my figure and what just wouldn’t work. By the time I was ready to hit the shops, I knew exactly what I wanted. Tons of lace, no sparkle, strapless, sweetheart neckline, empire waist, A-line silhouette. I had done my research and I was ready to pound the pavement.

On my first day out, I decided to take it slow. I didn’t expect to find “The Dress” on my first day out, or even locally. I figured it would be kind of like “preliminary dress shopping”, and that I just wanted to see if anything caught my eye. My first stop was the local Alfred Angelo boutique. For those who don’t know, they’re like a step up from David’s. They have a similar business plan, but better quality, and their dresses are a tad bit more unique, while still being very affordable. Here’s what I tried on:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Journey to the Dress :  wedding wedding dress E82d536

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It was pretty, but the flowy fabric on the bottom made me look pregnant. It was not the look I was going for. It does have a Marilyn Monroe vibe to it though, which I liked a lot.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Journey to the Dress :  wedding wedding dress 2020 600

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Journey to the Dress :  wedding wedding dress

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I really thought I would love this one. I even had it saved in my “favorites” on their website. It wasn’t bad, but the 2 layers on the bottom kind of drove me nuts. I think it would be more balanced if there was an extra layer between the first tier and the bottom. Anywho, next!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Journey to the Dress :  wedding wedding dress 2d415fd

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I really liked this dress. The lace was so delicate and antique looking. I would have had to nix the spaghetti straps and have the top re-worked so there were no “bat wings” (see the pointy parts on top that connect to the straps?) though. I was really close to getting this one, but I didn’t have that feeling. I wanted to find a dress that I instantly loved, not a dress that I thought I would love if this was changed, or that was altered. So, I kept on looking!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Journey to the Dress :  wedding wedding dress 51a8995

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I really didn’t think I would like this one at all. But alas, I was coerced by my cousin. Surprisingly, it ended up being one of our favorites. This is the dress that opened my eyes to the “dress beyond the dress”. After that, I decided to try on at least one dress at each boutique that was beautiful, but not necessarily exactly what I was looking for. Good thing I kept an open mind, because it would soon lead me to “The Dress” fuzzy feeling and all…

Was your dress exactly what you pictured or did you end up loving something you’d never expect to love? Did you have that fuzzy, excited “it’s The One” feeling when you tried it on?

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27 Responses to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Journey to the Dress”

1 2 

1.
Member Icon
Member
JulyBride2010 (message)  14 posts, Newbee

The third dress was my favorite from AA collection but unfortunatly I did not see this dress anyplace I went but I am happy with the dress I got. Good Luck!

 
2.
Miss French Fries
Bee
Miss French Fries (message)  2,217 posts, Buzzing bee

I wanted to try on AA dresses, but sadly there were no shops in my area (and I wasn’t really willing to drive to find one). Those are beautiful — but I’m excited to see what you picked!

 
3.
Maestro
Member
Maestro (message)  190 posts, Blushing bee

I took in pictures from a Knot magazine dog-eared with styles I loved to the first boutique I visited. The second dress I tried on was the first one I dog-eared. It was unlike anything else I liked and I didn’t want to take it off. I tried on one other dress to make sure and bought that one… in and out of of the shop in less than 90 minutes.

 
4.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Trail Mix (message)  6,312 posts, Bee Keeper

My dress is a little more detailed and froufy than I originally planned, I was first thinking of going super super simple a la J Crew but when I put my pretty Claire Pettibone on, it was game over…I can’t wait to see what you decided on :)

 
5.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  5,587 posts, Bee Keeper

i really like that last one!

 
6.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Scissors (message)  7,343 posts, Bee Keeper

My dress is a lot more fluffy than I had imagined. Also, I was dead-set against a strapless dress because I love to jump up and down. (Spaz). I am a sucker for a strapless sweetheart neckline. I thought also that I’d have something structured.

I ended up with a custom (because I’m 23408 feet tall) version of the Christos Maribel. I instantly fell in love with it. All fluffy, strapless, sweetheart, ball-gown, polka-dotted… I can’t wait for it to come in. :)

 
7.
MexicanGirl
Member
MexicanGirl (message)  724 posts, Busy bee

the second one is gorgeous! i can’t wait to see the one you picked out!

 
8.
pmerr
Member
pmerr (message)  2,518 posts, Sugar bee

I love AA! I got my dress from there!

 
9.
tea
Member
tea (message)  7,263 posts, Bee Keeper

i like that third one! and i agree with you on the bottom layers of that second dress. that would drive me crazy too

 
10.
iswimibikeirun
Member
iswimibikeirun (message)  1,355 posts, Bumble bee

I tried on all sorts of styles, even ones that made my mom laugh at me! But, I’m glad I tried lots on.

 
11.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Moonbeam (message)  1,732 posts, Bumble bee

I’m ending up with something completely different than I thought I would.

 
12.
Beav1279
Member
Beav1279 (message)  474 posts, Helper bee

the first dress you tried on is MY DRESS!

 
13.
Beav1279
Member
Beav1279 (message)  474 posts, Helper bee

and I never would have tried it on because I thought it wasn’t “me”.. but my mom and BM convinced me and when i walked out in it, it was the one!

 
14.
skibobrown
Member
skibobrown (message)  1,902 posts, Buzzing bee

Yeah, I definitely ended up with a different style dress than I thought I would. I guess I didn’t really know until I started trying on the dresses which style would be the most flattering on me. For me it’s a drop waist with a big poofy skirt. Who knew?

 
15.
thefuturemrsjewell
Member
thefuturemrsjewell (message)  1,829 posts, Buzzing bee

can’t wait to see what you pick… i’m going dress shopping wednesday! can’t wait!

 
16.
Mrs. Mouse
Bee
Mrs. Mouse (message)  5,844 posts, Bee Keeper

Ooh, the suspense! I can’t wait to see which one gave you the warm fuzzies!

 
17.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Green Tea (message)  764 posts, Busy bee

i never found ‘the one’ (didn’t really look that hard) and i just went with whatever. i’m totally envious of that fuzzy feeling!

 
18.
mrspaetz
Member
mrspaetz (message)  3,805 posts, Honey bee

@fiftyfootbride: i LOVE your dress, you classy lady!

i ended up with lace when i swore no lace. hehe.
AA was the first place i visited too. was very impressed by their service and quality of the dresses. if not for a major change in plans, i would’ve bought the first (and only) AA dress I tried.

 
19.
alishaneva
Member
alishaneva (message)  2,152 posts, Buzzing bee

I haven’t bought my dress yet - but I can already tell it’s going to be an interesting adventure. I swore - strapless, no lace, etc. for the longest time. Then I started looking at dresses - the one I fell in love with? The Allure 8634. Lace, straps, etc.

 
20.
krissycake
Member
krissycake (message)  4,160 posts, Honey bee

haha, is it weird that i like dresses with the ‘bat wings’ on strapless? sigh, though i did go with a straight strapless.

 
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Mrs. Rainbow
Mrs. Rainbow

Mrs. Rainbow, Tampa Age and Occupation: 22, Makeup Artist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Electrical Engineer/Programmer Engagement Date: November 27, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: The Gamble Plantation About Me: I'm a quirky (and slightly Type-A) freelance makeup artist who was born in Washington State, raised in Alabama, and now living with my one and only in sunny Florida. I'm fashion and beauty obsessed, and have recently discovered my inner domestic diva extraordinaire. I'm a wannabe chef, decorating addict, and trying desperately to be as crafty as possible---albeit only with a glue gun. I'm hopelessly in love with my fiance, and all things sparkly and feathery. Despite the glittery exterior, I'm a total hippie on the inside. When I'm not making up pretty faces, I love doing what I can to help people, animals, and the environment. Someday the FI and I will change the world, but first we're tackling our modern-vintage-Marie-Antoinette-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland inspired wedding. I just can't wait to be Mrs. Rainbow!

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