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So… I had my dress inspiration. Next up, the shopping began!
The first shop we visited was Olga’s in Tampa. My mom and I were on our way to the mall, and we stopped in just to take a look. I tried on 3-4 dresses in that shop; and my favorite, hands down, was:
It had a sweetheart neckline, lace, and it was form fitting. My mom loved it. And, with a price tag in the $800s, it was in my budget. But, it was the first place we’d stepped foot into; we felt like we needed to see more dresses before any decision was made! I wish I had a photo of myself in it; alas, one does not exist!
A few weeks later, my grandparents were in town, and my mother, grandma, and I went on an all-day shopping trip!
First stop… David’s Bridal.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t really like a single thing I tried on there. The consultant listened to me and brought out dresses that relatively fit my description, but there was just something about them that wasn’t hitting me. I didn’t take any pictures, because nothing was really striking me. Here are a few that I tried on:
All images from David’s Bridal
I would only consider this with the straps removed…I’m not a huge fan of spaghetti straps in general.
This was the one dress that I disliked the least in the bunch, but the price tag was over $1,000, and I knew I could find a more high-end dress for the same amount of money. So, we moseyed on down the road…
Another stop on our shopping trip was The Dressing Room in St. Petersburg. The owner of the shop was hilarious. It is a small shop, and she locked the door as we walked in so we wouldn’t be disturbed. That was pretty cool. Our trip to The Dressing Room was for one purpose; they had the Agadir dress from Cymbeline. If you need a refresher…
I HAD to try it… (ignore the lack of boobs I have, and that the halter top neckline is spaced too far apart because the dress isn’t my size!)…
And, what was the outcome? *Sigh* OK… so I wanted to be in love with it. And it WAS gorgeous. The champagne lace was a great color against my skin. BUT, alas, my mom and I decided that it looked more like something you’d wear on the red carpet rather than on your wedding day. Single tear.
I felt a little dejected, but then the owner suggested that I try on another dress from Cymbeline that I had overlooked at first. It didn’t completely meet my dress requirements, but I was willing to try it out! Here is the Colibrie:
They informed me that they could turn the neckline into a sweetheart for me if I desired. The skirt was just so… swishy and dreamy. I realllly liked it. What I didn’t like? The fact that the price tag was over $2,000. Gulp. I’d have to do some major reasoning with myself to justify that purchase.
So, we left the dress shop… and I was starting to wonder if I’d ever get that magical “I FOUND THE DRESS” feeling that I was hoping for…
Did you shop at a lot of stores before you came across your dress? Did you find something that you loved, but was out of your price range?
You’re lucky you didn’t try dress shopping in Roanoke! My dress requirements are VERY similar to yours, and apparently every dress in the New River Valley is a gigantic cupcake.
I had a very similar experience and ended up getting a dress completely different than my “vision.” I am sure you’ll find something amazing! BTW- Love the first dress!!!!
I went to David’s Bridal and Alfred Angelo, armed with a list of styles I liked online. I didn’t love any of them, they all looked nice, but didn’t have that “wow I’m getting married” effect on me. I ended up finding my dress at Alfred Angelo, after the consultant brought other styles in that followed my “simple, with a few details” want for a dress. Totally in love with it! And @lhs - my friend who got married last Junefound her wedding dress at Chantilly Lace in Blacksburg; and my other friend found her dress at The Brides House in Roanoke. Have you tried those places?
“the dress that i disliked the least…” haha, not a good sign! i love those cymbeline dresses on you.
have faith! I was madly head over heels for Alvina Valenta and ended up falling for Tara Keely (and a completely different look than I had expected to like)
hey, you should check out maggie sottero vogue! that’s the one i’m going with..it’s sweetheart neckline and it’s form-fitting. it’s the dress on this website: http://tourofelegance.com/
it comes in two styles: vogue (a smaller train but still decent size) and vogue royale (really looong train).
oh and btw, that dress that you disliked least from david’s bridal was sort of on my list initially too. well, my mom absolutely loved it. i just didn’t like how the waist line was so defined and came down so low. that, and i kinda felt fat in the dress. it made my butt feel huge!
I didn’t try on any dresses! I bought mine online and love it! I think dress shopping kind of sounds fun though…
@MissClementine: I always think it is interesting to see what happens…I hear that so many people get something different than what they expect!
@Violachap: That is funny that you mentioned Chantilly Lace - one of my neighbors in my building is getting married this summer, and I went shopping with her there; there were definitely some smaller dresses, but there was still a good deal of poof…I guess that is what you get sometimes with wedding dress shops perhaps?
@Miss Pug: Yeah, that was some eloquent wording on my part huh? 
@vivienne: Thanks for the link 
My advice is to try on more Maggie Sottero dresses. They are perfect for small-sized girls like you and me because they are simple and not overwhelming. I found a store that was having a Maggie Sottero trunk sale and that is how I found my dress. Good luck!
The one with spaghetti straps from DB, do you have the style number? I actually really like that one.
Hi Miss Buttons, I am also getting married in May in Tampa! I look forward to following your blog for that reason.
When browsing through a David’s Bridal magazine I fell in love with the Oleg Cassini gown CT203 from DB. I went to the one on Kennedy and tried it on. Everyone LOVED it. I also… (just so I could say I tried on more) tried on more at DB but I hated them! They seemed so cheaply made.
I love the last one you have up there. Gorgeous on you.
Only almost 3 months away now!
Your favorite at David’s was also my favorite… and I, like you, decided to go elsewhere and found a much higher quality dress for $700. Alas, I don’t remember the “name” on the dress but I am in LOVE with it!
I found many pictures of dresses out of my price range, but never tried them on b/c I knew I couldn’t get them 
@Miss Biner: I got that picture from their site a few weeks ago; I’m not sure of the exact style #, but I bet you could find it if you scrolled through!
@Miss Dazzlin Damask: Awesome!!! I’d love to hear where you’re getting married, etc!
@ogreprincessinpink: Yeah, I really didn’t want to be a snot, but there was just something about the dresses that was bugging me…and I know that so many ladies find their dresses there, so I don’t mean to bash DB at all…I just knew that their dresses weren’t for me!
@Mrs. French Bulldog: Yeah, I really was resisting trying on the Cymbeline dresses, but alas, I had to try on ONE…just to see….
I love both dresses on you and agree that even though you look sexy in the first one it doesnt look like a wedding dress. The 2nd one is pretty but it doesnt look like you are happy with it being the one. And I know what you mean about David’s Bridal…it does seem like they are doing better with their dresses but it still wasnt me either.
I found my dress at the first and only store I went to! I got lucky. Though there were a lot of dresses I tried on that in the magazines looked pretty but looked horrible on me. I think I tried on about 7 dresses maybe and still tried on a few after I thought I knew it was “the one” just to make certain. Good luck.
I tried on the same Cymbeline dress at the Dressing Room!!!! You look gorgeous in it! But I agree it is pricey but still oh so pretty!
@D.Marie: The Agadir totally makes me wish I was famous so I had a reason to wear it as a red carpet dress….for sure…
I can’t wait to see your dress….I have a feeling that I will love it!
Hi Miss Buttons! You sure are cute as one! I had the same problem with David’s; I went there first, but only to try on different silhouettes and kinda get that first wedding dress nerves out of the way! I would second the suggestion to try on more Maggie dresses, including from her Sottero & Midgley line. Gorgeous dresses, look great on, and for the price, a steal! I almost bought an S&M, but ended up going with one of the very first dresses I tried and fell in love with…! I HAD to try on others though, but always came back to it. Good luck with your dress search, and have fun with it– think out of the box!
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Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FL Age and Occupation: 24, "Working on it" Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial Services Engagement Date: June 13, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club About Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!
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