I didn’t believe it until I experienced it myself, but everything they say about shopping for a wedding gown is true: First, try on everything, because you just don’t know what you’re going to like until you see it on. Second, it really is fun, even if you don’t have a perfect figure. (I was particularly skeptical about this claim!) And above all… when you know, you know!
I had spent weeks looking at (literally) thousands of dresses online. Studying designers, fabrics and cuts. Researching price ranges so I wouldn’t accidentally fall in love with a $5,000 dress. And I had lots of preconceived notions about what would and wouldn’t look good on me. I was convinced I wanted an informal “destination” gown made of softly flowing chiffon, unstructured and comfortable for my beach wedding, and probably a v-neck (because a strapless isn’t as flattering on my full figure). I was going to try on dresses at a fancy salon, but then I was going to find a great deal on the same or similar dress elsewhere to a save a few bucks.
I was wrong. So, so wrong. On every count.
My experience started – and ended – at a very nice bridal salon across town. I originally scheduled the appointment there because I thought they carried the Eden Bridals line, and I had my sights set on this flowy chiffon, v-necked destination dress:
Turns out they don’t carry that line anymore, but I kept the appointment anyway. The salon has a great reputation, and I wanted to enjoy the full experience of trying on lots of styles. Plus, they carry the Pronovias line, which I had fallen in love with while browsing online. I didn’t expect I would end up with a Pronovias gown (and I didn’t), but I salivated at the thought of trying on two or three!
So in I went, carrying all of my preconceived notions with me. I was accompanied by my 15-year-old maid of honor (and future step-daughter), who was visiting from another state and also needed to choose a dress for herself. My mom, who had planned to come also, had unfortunately been hospitalized a few days earlier (she’s fine now), so it was just Madison and me.
Kate, the dress consultant, was sweet and attentive and happy to help me try on any dress I wished. As I browsed, she pointed out what she thought was special about each dress. We went into the dressing room with five or six gowns, and Kate brought me a few more after that.
I tried them all on, squeezing into some that were a bit small, and letting Kate clamp me into the larger sizes. Every one was beautiful in its own way, but only one made me say “wow!” as soon as Kate began to pull the corset strings. (Can I tell you how much I love a corset?? Oh. My. God. I watched in the mirror as 3, 5, 8, 10 pounds instantly melted away before my very eyes! I want a corset in every dress I own!)
But back to the “wow” dress… Turns out, it’s strapless! And structured! And made of silk dupioni! NOT what I expected, but absolutely what I wanted. Who knew?
And best of all, they offered me the floor sample, which fit me snugly but well, at 30% off. Which is great, because I had pushed the dress shopping to just four and a half months before the wedding, so ordering a gown was going to be a challenge. And while I can wear the dress as is (with a little nip-tuck around the top), the bottom half will look even better if I lose 5 or 10 pounds, which is all the incentive I need to curb my appetite for the next few weeks.
And so, without further ado, here is my dress:
It’s the Vernice model from Maggie Sottero (Queen of Corsets!). Mine is in diamond white (this looks like the champagne), and it’s in a slightly larger size (LOL), but you get the idea. Definitely NOT flowy chiffon!!
And here’s the back (this time, on me!)…
You wouldn’t know this, but my butt usually looks twice this big! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE a good corset??!!
I’ll save the front view for later, but I was too excited not to share the news right away… and to encourage every bride out there to be adventurous in your dress shopping, and most importantly, to HOLD OUT for the “WOW!”
By Proud father
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