In my wedding-warped world, a nightmare consists of SYTTD streaming 24/7 and the consultants in my mind asking “How do you want to look on your wedding day?” over and over and over…
Who would have thought a simple question could be so terrifying!
My bridal attire will be forever immortalized in wedding pictures, video, and memories, and I will be standing up in front of 100 people all looking straight at me, so I better look good. The definition of looking good can vary from bride to bride; some brides say they want to look sexy, some want to look hot, some want to be a princess for a day. For my wedding I want to go in a different direction: not particularly sexy (I’m leaving sexy for the LBD hanging unworn in the closet) or hot (that’s what I feel like in sweaty exercise clothing) and definitely not like a princess.
I want to walk down the aisle and have heads turn…and for people to gasp as they see me. I want them to feel like the heavens have opened up and dropped me on the chapel floor. I want to float down the aisle in a happy light bliss and have my dress reflect that exact feeling. That feeling that all is right in the world and you could just float off into the sunset, hand in hand with the love of your life.
With that incredibly cheesy picture in mind, I have pored over magazines, websites, and blogs in search of the perfect light, airy dress that moves beautifully and will give me the ethereal, angelic look I’m going for.
The top contenders for fulfilling my bridal-gown dream are:
Image via San Patrick
Image via Pronovias
Image via Alfred Angelo
I tried on Calais and Farnes on my very first bridal-gown shopping trip while in “engagement limbo” and LOVED how I felt in the dresses. Apart from the fact that they fit beautifully, the fabric was light, soft, and weightless, almost like feeling naked but in a non-creepy way. They completely fit in with my bridal vision, but I’m not sold on the feather thingies…so neither of them turned out to be my dress. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of this shopping trip (where I also tried on Isadora and Isadora Marie…both of which were very heavy) because Lil Sis slacked on her MOH camera duties.
Did you ever try on a dress that you LOVED but it just wasn’t the one?
I almost ended up with Pronovias- Finesterre. I loved how light and flowy and ethereal I felt in it, but it kinda made me look pregnant. LOL. Not the look I’m going for on my big day. 
I did for sure! I tried on quite a few dresses but kept going back to the first one I tried on. I even went to other stores and almost bought one. But after coming home and seeing the pictures of me in the other dress I changed my mind and said “I have to have that one!”
I’m sure whatever dress you choose, you’ll look gorgeous! It is your day after all! All eyes will be on you!
Btw I’m a Puerto Rico bride as well! I’ll be moving there in a few weeks to start planning!
We have pretty much the same vision and taste in dresses. Isadora Marie was my 1st dress obsession! Then snow white, and I also looked at several allure dresses in the same vein-lace on tulle and floaty/dreamy/romantic. I went to see one of the allure gown having never considered Pronovias, but I ended up with one(Perla which is from the 2012 pre-collection) and I swear it weighs nothing! it is so beautiful, and soft and comfortable!
Good luck with your continued hunt! I can’t wait to see what you end up with, I’m sure it will be gorgeous 
I so wanted either Farnes or Calais to be my dress, but in the end I just didn’t think the tiered skirt or the petals were flattering on me. I was also concerned about the tulle train bunching during the ceremony. The dress I chose looks nothing like Farnes or Calais, but I still think it captures their whimsical spirit.
The Alfred Angelo is beautiful! To be honest, I didn’t try any dress that I loved and weren’t the ones. When I put on my Nora by Maggie Sottero I just knew it was the one! Can’t wait to see what you end up choosing
I tried on one dress, no idea what designer or what style, but it was this heavily beaded satin A-line dress that was simply gorgeous. But when I say heavily beaded, emphasis on heavily. It weighed a ton! It had the neckline I wanted, the straps I wanted, and my waist looked tiny, but I simply couldn’t imagine lugging the thing around with me all day. It was also well above $4000, so that wasn’t going to work either. It was gorgeous, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
I think I tired on 100 dresses, and it seems like I had at least 5 that I loved and really really tried to make myself buy, but I knew they weren’t quite right because I couldn’t stop nit-picking. So glad to hear I’m not the only one who had that experience!
you should definitely check out this Demetrios dress with the soft petals… I wanted to try it on when i went shopping but they didn’t have a sample..
http://www.demetriosbride.com/index.php?page=details&styleID=33
@Miss Petit Four: lol Definitely not!
@Chloeve: Good Luck with the planning! Welcome to PR! If you need any help send me a PM.
@macdeez: Perla is beautiful! You will look wonderful on your wedding day!
@Bride2BeeVA28: I had the same reservations about the petals, but it’s great that you found “the one” even if it wasn’t what you had originally imagined.
@couawilou: Nora is a beautiful dress and you’re so lucky you loved it at first sight!
@pinkfrog:
@Julia: So glad I’m not the only one too walk away from their dream dress.
@naomi: Lovely dress! I think I have seen it before online but it wasn’t available in any nearby shops.
I felt the same way when dress shopping. My love was one of the Vera Wang collection for David’s Bridal dresses. I tried it on and felt very “meh” towards it. The dress I bought (and adore) just made feel happy and ready to get married in it that instant.
Yes, the Calais was a front runner for me for a VERY long time. In the end I went in the complete opposite direction, glam, trumpet style, a bit retro. I do think it is a gorgeous dress and the looks can be changed with a different floral sash or jeweled belt.
I am not trying on any wedding dresses, I am sewing my own! I am too picky, I like the sleeves of this one, I like the neckline of that one, I like…
I have to sew my own “version”!
And the funny and scary thing is …. I have never sewed before! (I don’t have the money for a seamstress… so I am doing it all myself!) Don’t you worry, I will be posting a picture once it’s done!
Mrs. Boa Constrictor, Isabela, Puerto Rico Age and Occupation: 22, Undergraduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Soon-to-be Civil Engineer Engagement Date: May 19, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: El Faro Convention Center About Me: I’m a Caribbean gal, born and bred on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, finishing her last year as an undergrad. I describe myself as a “closet nerd” as I secretly enjoy reading research papers, playing video games, and geeking out on Lord of the Rings movie marathons. I will marry my college sweetheart, a soon-to-be civil engineer, who loves Legos and old-school Puerto Rican cooking. This is sure to be a fast-paced year with our wedding, honeymoon, college graduation, new jobs, and a cross-country move all within less than 30 days of each other!
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