Weddingbee Blog

I had a general sense of what I’d like my wedding gown to look like by the time Mr. Ladyfingers popped the question.

Haha, just kidding. I had no clue, as evidenced by the array of photos I saved in the early days.

Image via House of Brides / Mon Cheri Bridal Style 25274 - The Amelia

Image via Brides.com / David’s Bridal Two-in-One Organza Fit and Flare Gown

Image via Aria / Aria Dress Style 161A

For years and years and YEARS, I had my Perfect Wedding Gown all fixed in my head. It was based on a picture of a Vera Wang dress I’d once seen in an issue of Glamour, or Vogue, long ago. It was A-line, with an off-the-shoulder neckline and no beading, glitter, or lace. Simple.

Not the dress…but close/ Image via Aria

Then, in the year or so before we became engaged (What? You know you’ve done it too…don’t judge.), I fell in love with a little shop called J.Crew.

Image via J.Crew / J. Crew - Cotton Cady Erica Gown

Image via J.Crew / J. Crew - Lace-Trim Stephanie Gown

Image via J.Crew / J. Crew - Streamer Gown

But there I was, with nothing like a Vera Wang budget. Not even something close to a J.Crew budget. I toyed with the idea of doing a white sundress, but Mr. Ladyfingers said no way—I deserved a wedding gown (awww…). I even looked at secondhand shops. I think it was because two years earlier, I’d been at a consignment store where I saw the most bee-yoo-tiful, must-have-cost-an-arm-and-a-leg wedding dress for, like, $250.

I knew I might fall in love with something I couldn’t afford at a fancy boutique that carried expensive designers. So I trekked myself over to Alfred Angelo about two weeks after the engagement. It was a rainy Sunday; I met Bridesmaid Esquire there. I wasn’t planning on buying a dress.

But I did.

I went in there with these criteria:

• NO bling. No beading, glitter, metallic thread, or likeness of any of the above.
• NO corset. I didn’t like the look, and certainly didn’t like it for me.
• NO strapless. Which, as many of you might know, is darn near impossible.
• White. Pure, untouched white.
• If not totally pure untouched white, then a lace overlay would be divine.

I chose my dress, paid half for it that very day, and received it just one month later. It’s been hanging in the closet at Ma’s apartment for the past three months, but will soon be transferred to Bridesmaid Spotlight’s house as Esquire plans a move to a house with potentially much less closet space.

What did I end up with that day? Aw, wouldn’t you like to know. I’ll give you a hint, though: What I chose surprised even me.