Weddingbee Blog

If you guessed that I picked the Sottero & Midgley “Gracie” dress…you’re almost right!

Bridesmaids J-Dawg and M.A. joined me on a trip to two Atlanta-area bridal salons: Bride Beautiful and Bridals by Lori. Our first stop was Bride Beautiful, where they had the “Gracie” gown. I wish we had pictures—it was really pretty! It had floral embellishments and a WOW-factor skirt, and the fit was really flattering. The price was also right in my budget range. I wasn’t falling all over myself or anything, but I felt like we’d found a really promising option.

However, we still had another stop.

I had purposely scheduled our Bridals by Lori appointment for that particular weekend because Amsale was having a trunk show and I was hoping to see the “Bijou” and “Dahlia.” See, both dresses are from Amsale’s Blue Label, which is a special line that’s only available at a few locations throughout the country. There aren’t any Blue Label line salons in Georgia or Connecticut, so I figured if I was going to see either of these dream dresses, this was my only chance.

Because I suspected both dresses were out of my price range, I told myself I was only going to Bridals by Lori to see the rest of their vast dress collection. If the Amsale gowns were there, well, I’d get to look at them and that was it. But secretly I knew I might be in trouble.

And sure enough, as soon as we stepped off the elevator onto the bridal floor, I’m telling you guys, my heart caught in my chest. A bride was standing in the middle of the runway, and she was wearing the “Dahlia.” I never thought I’d have that kind of visceral reaction, but this. dress. was. insane. I knew right then that I had to have it. I instantly felt tears come to my eyes because I knew I was in love with something impossible.

J-Dawg, M.A., and I wandered around the store pulling other dresses for me to try on, but I couldn’t even focus. I wanted those Amsale gowns on my body immediately. When I finally got into a fitting room, the “Dahlia” went on first. My heart was pounding as I walked out and looked in the mirror. You know how the specialists say you should never try on a dress that you can’t afford because nothing else will compare and it’ll break your heart? It’s so true. As soon as I saw myself in the gown, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion, which was really surprising! I didn’t expect to be one of those tearful brides, but I was totally That Girl. It was a full-body feeling. This was my dress.

The “Bijou” was also in the store, so I tried it on to be sure, but it paled in comparison. I didn’t even bother with the rest of the gowns we’d pulled. It was too late. I had no idea how I was going to pay for the “Dahlia,” but it was going to be mine, and that was that.

(Personal photo)

Look at my face! That’s worth a year of credit card debt, isn’t it?

M.A. (left) and J-Dawg (right) fully supported my bad decision.

(Personal photo)

Because of the trunk show, I did save 12%, and Bridals by Lori threw in a custom hem-and-neckline alteration (I wanted it an inch higher for slightly less boobage) for free. So, it could have been worse. I shouldn’t need any alterations except for the bustle. And I still make that face every time I try it on. No regrets yet (though I still haven’t finished paying for it, seven months later)!

Did any of you go against your better judgment and try on a dress you couldn’t afford? Did your story end like mine, or did common sense win out?

Also, DO YOU GUYS LIKE IT? I’m still madly in love with it—a little more every day.