Dress shopping

Well, faithful readers, no luck on the first try. I think I set my expectations too high. I kept hearing how once you find the dress you just KNOW and, maybe because I didn't find it, I didn't have that feeling. I tried on lots of types of dresses: fit & flare, a line, lace, silk taffeta, buttons, corsets, the works. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice my figure looked in a fit & flare gown. There was one that I liked and put on twice, but it had buttons on the back and a little too much rhinestone bling on the bust. The other that I really battled with was a couture gown. I'm not a super formal bride (no tuxes, among many other things), and I don't want a really formal dress. This dress, was more formal than I expected: strapless, corset back, three separate layers of lace. I kept it on the longest because I was so torn. Choosing a dress got HARDER the longer I was there!

In the end, I didn't leave with a dress. Nothing absolutely blew my mind. The first time I saw myself in a dress I looked in the mirror and laughed! I couldn't believe that this was my life. I didn't feel "bridal" per se, nor did I feel "beautiful." I felt odd, like I was having an out of body experience; I've never, until I met FH, considered myself "the marrying kind." It's a lot to change your mind about when you feel certain, for many years, that marriage isn't something you would choose. I was hoping having the gowns on would change my mind, transform me in some way, and that didn't happen. Again, a circumstance of too-high expectations. In the end, I felt disappointed that I hadn't felt differently, worried the very helpful and amiable saleswoman felt I wasted her time, but relieved to learn more about wedding dress shopping. Definitely not what I expected, but my next appointment on the 18th is one I'm really looking forward to -- they have numerous designers, all of which I LOVE! Happy weekend!

Dresses!

I am excited to report that I have my first appointment to try on wedding gowns on Thursday. I'm going with my mom to a place near my apartment which is locally owned and operated. The upside is that everything looks affordable, and is a local business. The downside I have concerns about is that they are all sample dresses of the latest bridal gowns, but I'm worried that they'll be damaged or that the sample sizes will be too small for me to fit. I guess we'll find out!

I have another appointment on Jan 18th since I'm off and I've found a designer that I am thrilled with -- but who knows what the prices are like. The second place has options for the bridesmaid dresses, so I'm feeling a little more excited about the other place -- more size and selection.

I'm not even 100% sure what I'm looking for, but I know what I don't want: mermaid, dropped waist, gathering in the skirt, sweetheart neckline. I think I'd like something in taffeta or some other substantial, reusable material with lace and a corset back. I've found some stunning gowns from Casablanca that make me lose my breath!

I am really looking forward to the feeling I'll have when I start putting dresses on. I hope I finally start to feel like a bride. Most of all, I'm wondering if I'll really have the "you'll know" feeling when I put on the dress that I choose to wear down the aisle... or does it choose me?