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![Un-[dress]-inspired : wedding wedding dress 4195702](http://www-static.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/19/4195702.jpg "195702679_8ec0cbc9eb.jpg")
The following is a conversation between Miss Pretzel and friend pre-engagement.
“I bet you are so excited to go dress shopping!” says the well meaning friend.
‘Ummm, No,’ Pretzel thinks to herself.
After an awkward silence, Miss Pretzel cracks a phony smile and nods her head while murmuring “un hun” through closed teeth. She quickly change the subject to another wedding-y topic that she is interested in, like DIY or invitations or photobooths, or venues… anything except the dress!
Hit a nerve you ask? For me to mask my feelings with a cheesy smile and a vague response was completely uncharacteristic. What had me acting this way?
I was not feeling wedding dresses. Strike that—I was convinced that the bridal industry didn’t make wedding dresses that interested or excited me. Sure, they look awesome on other people. I swoon at photos of brides in their dresses but I could not picture myself in any of them. The thought of dress shopping made my stomach turn.
Being uninspired by wedding dresses made me feel un-bridal—like an odd duck. “The Dress” seemed to be a really big thing to everyone (hellloooo there is a whole show about saying “Yes” to it) and I felt a weeee bit guilty that I just wasn’t feeling it—any of it.
A little voice in the back of my head said, “Bridal Fraud.”
*Sigh*
To quiet the voice in my head, I busied myself with wedding details that excited me. I played around with Save the Date ideas, gathered flower inspiration, hunted for turquoise shoes, drooled over birdcage veils—all the while ignoring the dress. I decided that I would have a simple dress made and that is the answer I gave when people inquired.
Actually, I am looking into having one made. *grin*
Did you dread dress shopping? Do you find that none of the dresses on the market work for you? What did you do?
I wasn’t terribly big into the dress shopping either. I think I just did it for the people who wanted to tag along. I found my dress online before ever stepping foot into a bridal shop. I even tortured myself with the Running of the Brides. And guess which dress I ended up with? Yup, the first one I fell in love with online!
I agree with you 100%! I did not want to go dress shopping in fear of what the market had in store. The first place, I left crying. The second place, I left laughing (like,”are you serious?!”). The third place, I walked out with the reciept for my dress.
I just had to keep trying and eventually I found my dress.
TOTALLY. I did NOT want a big white ballgown (the image in my mind of wedding dresses), but then I met Reem Acra. 
She made the most gorgeous IVORY sheath (read: evening gown). Even though it took a year to find her, I felt heavenly in “Heavenly.” Maybe you want to try something along those lines or even be a short dress bride-goes perfect with birdcage veils! Good luck to you-you’ll find your groove, from one anti-bride to another. 
@Mrs. Labrador: I did the whole boutique thing too (meh.), but found my dress on-line after first having seen in it a Craigslist ad!
Yes, I was completely dreading dress shopping. So I made a DB appointment, went by myself, picked out a plain dress and altered it to fit my vision.
I was sooo not into dress shopping. I didn’t do the whole “go to a bridal store and try on a bunch of dresses” thing. I only tried on 3 dresses total, and I ordered all of them online! You’re not a bridal fraud!!
i almost envy you that dress shopping wasn’t a priority–i felt like i got sucked into the whole thing and lost perspective!
Yes Oh Yes! I dreaded dress shopping more than anything I am a street size 20. So you know that means anything semi affordable would be sans lace and fugly. Truth is just like you I made all sorts of predictions before I set foot into a shop. But long story short I just muscled up put on my game face and said. I am going to try on dresses for the sake of trying them on atleast to establish what my figure would look like in a plus size gown not from Davids bridal. What happend? I found my dress- when I let down my guard and removed all my self taught ideas it happened. I am sure you will find a dress ,even if it is not in a bridal shop, that will be just right for you!
I did not like dress shopping at all. I may eventually write a post about it. You are not alone.
Ugh, I dreaded shopping. My frustration was that my budget was tiny and I just didn’t see anything that had me excited in my price range. There were a few that I thought I might consider if I had a bigger budget, but I didn’t love them enough to try to make it work.
I went the made-just-for-me dress also! It’s based off elements of several dresses that I liked. This way I’ll have a dress that is 100% me and one of a kind!
I was really nervous about it. I had this idea in my head about what would look good on “bride bodies” and that wasn’t me. Every other time I had gone shopping for big event dresses, I ended up crying because nothing looked right. Happily, the only tears I cried were ones of happiness when I found it. I hope that you have the same experience and have some fun with it!
I really dreaded going to ALL the stores to find “the one”. welll, i put on my best happy face and made an appointment at a well known store. surprisingly, the first dress i tried on, i bought!! I was just telling my mom and sister that i didn’t have that “wow” feeling, b/c im just not an emotional person like that. but the dress is absolutely stunning, and i just went in for my first preview, and i can’t wait to try it on. the thing you have to remind yourself is, it is your day, and you get to look how you want to look! don’t let other people sway your decision! most importantly, you want to feel comfortable, confident and beautiful!! Good luck! It won’t be that bad so stop dreading it! he he 
I love dress shopping but have had the hardest time finding one that is unique and interesting enough to be the one for me.
i’m looking forward to it only because i’ve been looking at dresses for a little bit and i can’t wait to try them on
I soooo dreaded dress shopping too! Thank god I finally found an inspiration picture on Google Images that fit all my criteria, AND it was within my budget!
Yes, I had no interest in dress shopping, and it was pretty much the first thing anyone asked about when referencing my wedding! I was like, ‘Hello! What about our save-the-dates, or the food we’re having. Anything but the dress!”
I was really excited about buying the dress, and overall enjoyed the experience. However, my first visit to a bridal shop was scary. I went alone, and just felt so overwhelmed by all of these hanging dresses. It felt like I was a child in a closet of clothes too big for me. I couldn’t bring myself to try any on until I came back with Sister Pudding.
I actually bought a dress online. I was just dreading the whole process of being the center of attention, having other people critique how things looked on me, etc. And, I’m really happy with my choice!
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Mrs. Pretzel, Seattle Age and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing Engineer Engagement Date: September 2, 2009 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios About Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married. Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
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