I ended up really enjoying the process and I credit my mom with helping make that happen. We decided several months ago that shopping for the wedding dress was just going to be me and her, and that no matter what - we were not going to get stressed about it. Hey, I guess there is something to be said for the power of positive thinking!
We visited 3 stores: David's Bridal, Silver Lining, and New Natalie's. I Probably tried on a total of 20 dresses give or take, between the three salons. Each place we visited we narrowed it down to our favorite. At both David's and Silver Lining I could take pictures which helped a lot when I looked back and was trying to organize my thoughts.
Oddly enough I tried on a dress at Silver Lining that we all looked at and decided was not "the one" and put it back without even getting a picture of it! (when I say we I mean my mom, myself and Kathy our wonderful bridal consultant!) It was called the "Rain Drop" dress.
I looked through all the pictures over and over, I looked for other Bridal salons to visit, I started planning a trip to Mobile, to go to Rosie's a wedding dress salon with tons of dresses. But I kept coming back to that one dress that I didn't get a picture of.
So I told mom we were going back! I took off early from work on Friday and met my mom and surprisingly my dad at silver lining! ( Side story: I had wanted my dad to come shopping with me from the beginning but he didn't seem interested, so I didn't push the question. So, needless to say I was very excited to see him! I felt like it was a good omen. Speaking of good omens...
Side Side Story: While my mom and dad waited in the parking lot for me to get there a Ladybug landed on their windshield! That was Uncle Rolo saying enough already just pick the dress and get on with it! haha. That is just what we did. )
I tried on a couple of dresses that I did not try on the fist time. They were ok. I looked for the "Marilyn" (see below) and then was told that she had already been sold. Which didn't really bother me too much because I had my eye on that "Rain Drop" dress. The rest is history! Or as a good feminist would say -"herstory".
My take on New Natalie's:
They had beautiful dresses and good prices but I felt like cattle being herded through the yard. Go here, put your dresses here, wait her until we call you name, throw a dress on, and then stand in front of everyone in the store, no pictures, and then decide if this is the dress of your dreams that you want to get married in, in ten minutes or less and then off with it!
Here is me and dad at New Natalie's. Shane and Dad had a few bonding hours while mom and I tried on dresses here!
The first dress was one that I loved at David's Bridal, but it had no sparkle. I needed to Sparkle! Wedding Dress Vocabulary/Rules:
Degree of Pouff:(kathy) this is how big or how small your petticoat is underneath your dress and how far your dress is away from your legs.
Angle of Repose: (Jim Quinley) The angle at which the bottom part of the dress falls below your hips. A pleasing angle of repose flows away from you and displeasing angle a repose means the dress trys to come back in towards your legs. (Unless of course you are purchasing a trumpet which would be exempt from this rule!)
NO patting: I had a bad habit of patting the dresses and I kept getting in trouble. This is something I am going to have to work on because Kathy says there will be NO patting the day of the wedding.
French Bustle: a very classy way to shorten your train but still display any bead work or design that happens to be one it for the reception.
American Bustle: Just piling a whole bunch of fabric on your butt while making it look huge in the process!
Here I am looking at myself in the "Rain Drop" dress! Yay! It is done. I said YES to the dress, and now I can check that off and keep the planning train on track and bound for glory.**Shane said that all the planning has been good, but this purchase makes it feel really REAL like it is really going to happen. I would say..... I have to agree!
Next up:
- Colors... Argh
- Brial Party Attire
- DJ - if you know of anyone that is good please let me know!
