Weddingbee Blog

When I first bought my dress back in March, the sample was just visiting the store because of a trunk show. I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to see my dress again until it came in, but accepted it. HOWEVER, a few months later, when I was at Bridals by Lori picking up a swatch, I spotted a familiar skirt peeking out from the Amsale rack. HEY! It was my dress! Apparently, they ordered a sample because it was so popular during the trunk show.

So, when MOH Mellow visited Mr. Panther and me, I took her into the store to meet Dahlia. Bridesmaid J-Dawg joined us, and I brought all my jewelry and my hair flower to try with the dress. On Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, when brides or their families are having trouble making a dress decision, Monte will often “jack the bride up”—i.e. get her all gussied up with her hair done, a veil and coordinating jewelry. Seeing the whole picture often helps seal the deal. I didn’t need any help sealing the deal when I bought my dress, but I was excited to see everything together, so for this visit, I jacked myself up.

I wore my tangly Jessica Simpson extensions to get a better idea of possible hairstyles. Whether I wear my hair up or down, I’ll need extensions of some sort—it’s short and grows at a snail’s pace! First, we tried hair up:

We tried a birdcage veil, but it was too poofy:

Meanwhile, the store was hopping. I spied quite a few sales associates bustling around, and then Lori herself walked by! I hadn’t seen her on my first visit, so I was thrilled to chat with her for a few minutes. Then, I spotted another familiar face. See anyone you recognize in the back of this photo?

I’m not even going to pretend I didn’t squeal, “OH MY GOD, IT’S MONTE!” I couldn’t help it. And before I knew it, he was heading toward us. He gave his seal of approval for my ensemble—”Don’t change a single thing,” he said. “The jewelry’s perfect, the hair flower is perfect, the makeup is perfect.” I had done a quick makeup job myself, so I was pretty proud!

MOH Mellow did a great job snapping some excellent Monte-and-me photos.

They approve! Yay!

Tee-hee! Monte’s poofing my tulle.

We’re BFFs! I think this was shortly after I told him I had “jacked myself up”—he seemed pleased that I had been paying attention to his catchphrases.

After Monte scurried off to be a TV star, we tested out the look with my hair down. Obviously, my wedding extensions would be much better quality (human hair instead of synthetic!) and they’d be wavy or curly, so this wasn’t the best representation, but I could tell very easily that it just wasn’t right. Wearing my hair up with my dress felt elegant and bridal. Wearing it down felt (and looked) sloppy.

So I guess that decision’s made! I’m thinking a low side-chignon—a la the insanely gorgeous Mrs. Cowboy Boot—would be perfect.

Does anyone else make special trips to visit their sample?

(All personal photos)