…without the help of Randy.
Ah yes, wedding-dress shopping. So my parents came down from Pennsylvania and my mom, future mother-in-law, and one of my future sisters-in-law and I headed off to the bridal salon. We walked inside and there was no sit-down with a bridal consultant. No satin robe. No champagne glasses clinking.
It was an overwhelming sea of tulle, satin, and lace in every shade of white you could imagine. “Go ahead and take up to eight dresses into the fitting room.” We had no idea where to start.
I’ve heard it can be overwhelming, but let me tell you—you don’t understand until you’ve done it. I remember standing in the middle of several racks of dresses and just shaking. Partly from anticipation of putting on my first ever wedding dress, but also because it was terrifying.
Nobody ever tells you that part.
So we just dove in—head first! I think I tried on one of every kind of gown that exists…including the ones I knew wouldn’t work for me that I just wanted to try it to prove to myself. I’ve always had a hard time finding clothes that look good on me—I’m short (5’3″) and a little stout (currently working on that), so I knew the mermaids and ball gowns would just look ridiculous on me, and guess what—I was right.
Two hours and 20 dresses later, I actually had one that I liked enough to try on a second time. I stood and stared in the mirror thinking this could be it, but it just wasn’t perfect. The bridal consultant reappeared and said, “I know what to do.” She left and came back with a satin sash with just enough bling. She “jacked me up” with a veil. My mom cried. I had a big idiotic grin on my face.
It was “the one.”
Thank God that’s over.
Hive, I’m not going to show you my dress here because I just know Cam is going to be reading, so just take it from me: I. Look. Good. Maybe we’ll make a deal when it comes in and I go for fittings!
Did you have a certain type of dress in mind or did you go in completely open minded? How many dresses did you try on?
Miss camera, Congrats! Wish we could see it, but I totally understand your reasoning for not posting a picture of the “one”. I agree with you, wedding dress hunting is overwhelming. It’s probably the most stressful thing wedding-related that I had to deal with so far. I cannot find a dress & have been looking for months…40+ dresses later and nothing. I only 7 months left until the big day. Sigh. I’m off to try on more tonight and I have two more appointments for this weekend so I’m praying and keeping a positive outlook. I’m sure your dress is beautiful and I can’t wait to see it.
Giiiiiiiiirrrrrrl I cannot believe your consultant wasn’t there to help you pull them! WHAT. That’s bananas. I would’ve had a complete meltdown, either crying or yelling, maybe both. Woo, you so kept it together. Impressed.
Oh, and YAY for the one! 
I’m sure you look faaaaaaaab and I can’t wait to see it!
I have to agree with Miss Palm Tree…i woulda had a melt down if I didn’t have someone picking dresses for me!
I am the same height/body type as you, and I can’t wait to see what you chose when the time comes!!!
I had similar experiences with a lack of consultant “guidance” and it IS so overwhelming. Glad you made it through unscathed!
I’m battling dress regret at the moment, but I am hopeful that it will lessen once I try it on again at alterations.
Congratulations on saying yes to the dress!! I had an all day shopping trip on Saturday for the dress (three stores, and I had already been to one in January). You are spot on — it is overwhelming and EXHAUSTING.
Ahhhh, the suspeeeense!!! Blindfold him and just SHOW US!! (I’m the patient sort, you can tell…)
@Miss Palm Tree: @faeriegirl05: I know!!! I couldn’t believe it!! But, honestly, I think it was okay because she just kinda let us do our thang and then came in at the end and gave her 2 cents. Part of me wishes I had someone pulling dresses for me, but this way I really did get to try on ANY that I wanted. Whatever, it worked out!@ladymegbeth: Eeeeeeep. I know. i felt bad, because I like to drool over other bees’ dress posts, but maybe I’ll sneak a peak in after it comes in and I go for alterations
Yup, that sounds about right I had pretty much the same exact experience.
I’d say that all in all I tried on fewer than 25 dresses between three stores. My 2nd appointment helped me figure out what I liked and found the winner at the third store.
I love that you were able to do your thing with the dresses, I hated that I couldn’t even look around in the shop with a consultant stepping on my heels.
I had a similar experience as you. I walked in saying I wanted an A line lace dress. I tried on a bunch of different styles but I ended up purchasing an A line lace dress
Miss Camera, Charlotte, NC/Charleston, SC Age and Occupation: 27 & Emergency Room Physician Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31 & Newspaper Editor/Designer Engagement Date: October 7, 2012 Wedding Date: September 2013 Venue: The Island House, Charleston, SC About Me: I'm a north-to-south transplant, currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, but still representing all things Pittsburgh, PA. One month after I moved to NC, I went on a date with a guy I met on Match.com, and now we're getting married! I work in a busy Emergency Room as a Physician Assistant and while the hours are sometimes difficult, I can't see myself doing anything else. I live with my fiance in uptown Charlotte. We have an opinionated 5 year old tabby cat named Milo and a sweet, but rambunctious 8 month old mutt named Charlie (short for Charlotte - she's a girl!). I've embraced Southern culture, and our wedding is no exception---what better location than Charleston, SC? I watch too much TV and know every word to every episode of Friends (I've watched The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding at least a hundred times...hope I have enough money for Wedding Scenario A!). I love baking cupcakes, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions and am openly addicted to celebrity gossip and pop culture.
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