My Matron of honor, Nissa, and I decided to go dress shopping while she was here for the engagement party. I had no intention of purchasing a dress, but I wanted her to be part of the deciding process since I tremendously value her opinion. The girl knows what I like.
We started the afternoon at a small dress shop in Madison, where Aaron's sister had purchased her dress several years ago. Nissa and I felt confident that this would be the best store to find the dress of my dreams. I tried on a few really gorgeous dresses (and a stunning belt), but every dress had something I wanted to change. Remove the beading hear, take this off there, take it up here, add this, nix that. It was very frustrating. I felt like the consultant continued to bring dresses that were the opposite of what I was asking for. After about an hour of trying on, we decided on a dress that needed work. The consultant pushed for the sale, but I quickly explained that I needed my family to be with me for the final decision, so I would be waiting and making another appointment for the following month.
Onto our next appointment at a larger, big box store. Nissa didn't have a good feeling about finding the dress here, and I felt underwhelmed at the choices when I was there with my sister in July. The consultant slipped the first dress over my head, I walked out of the room and Nissa said, "Oh Sara." I looked in the mirror and smiled from ear to ear. It was flirty and fun. It had some of the playful elements I was looking for and the fabric was fantastic. But there were a few other dresses waiting to be tried on.
After several dresses and explaining to the consultant what I was looking for, she asked if she could bring something out for me to try. I slipped the dress on and instantly felt glamourous. Nissa loved it as well. I realized it was one I had seen online and in a magazine and thought it was beautiful. And for a moment, I felt like I could cry...a feeling very new to me throughout this process. It was completely unlike the first dress. And then the consultant explained something. This was the last dress in this style... in the color I wanted... in my size... on mega sale... like 50% off sale. Ummmmm. riiiiight. So at this point I've gone from not thinking about purchasing a dress at all to, "How can I possibly walk out of the store without this dress today!?!?"
So I tried my two favorites on... about 3 times each. I walked around the store in them. I twirled in them. I stared at them in the mirror until it didn't even feel like I was the person in the reflection. We considered several things:
- What will I think of photos of me wearing this dress in 20 years?
- Is this a dress I can wear? Or is it a dress that wears me?
- Fit of the dress (obviously) and how it moves
- What dress will people expect me in vs what will wow them
In the end, I couldn't leave this dress knowing someone else would buy it within a week. I walked out of the store, dress in hand. It's in the other room. I think I'll go visit it....
OK, back. Yeah, it's in our 2-bedroom apartment right now. I'm sure Aaron feels like the garment bag is staring him in the dress, but it will stay here for now.
So this wasn't my original plan for dress shopping. I was planning on an entourage of family and friends in the middle of November. But, when it's right, it's right. :) I only slightly feel like I might have missed out on some of the experience, but there's always the fitting, right? And I get to make some sweet fabric flowers to go on it and spice it up a bit!
Anyway, here's my advice for brides going dress shopping.
- Look for ideas- Peruse magazines, web sites, bridal shows. Go to your appointment armed with ideas. That said...
- Be open-minded- Try on various dress shapes to see what truly looks best on you. I thought A-line was the way to go, but I still attempted the dreaded trumpet and ball gown just to be sure I wasn't missing out.
- Trust your instinct- I feel lucky that Nissa let me formulate my own opinion before expressing her ideas. And when I asked her for input, she was truthful. And if the dress makes you want to cry, then cry. Surefire sign you're making the right choice.
- Don't tempt fate- At the first dress, I would have had to change so many things and the price of the dress would skyrocket. As badly as I wanted to buy my dress there... they didn't have it at the price I wanted. The fact that store 2 had a dress that incorporated elements I wanted, allowed room for creativity, fit me almost perfectly AND was on sale... come on. That just doesn't happen twice.
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