Planning the Big Day: I Found My Dress!

So by now you know I am not a traditional girly-girl bride. I haven’t been planning this day since I was 5, I never ran around with a pillowcase on my head and pretended it was my wedding day and I plan on covering my venue in purple peacock feathers….that’s why it may surprise you just how emotional finding my wedding dress actually was.

I didn’t think it would be that way, truth be told- I watch all those dress shows too and snicker at the ridiculous crying women in their poofy gowns, “Jeez, it’s just a dress people, get over it!”….until it happened to me : )

You may remember my post about looking for a dress when I first started out, nothing seemed quite right and I couldn’t decide what I wanted. Gown after gown was dismissed and I felt like I was playing dress-up, maybe I’d never feel comfortable in a wedding dress. Maybe I’m just not one of “those girls”.

Well, one day I broke the cardinal rule and took an army of women with me to my dress appointment at Jaehee Bridal Atelier in NJ…it was a site! Gorgeous gowns everywhere, wine and cheese out for the shoppers and dressing rooms overflowing with anxious brides and consultants. I started looking half heartedly through the racks as I waited for my consultant to be ready. Finally it was time for me to try on my selections.

My sister and I stepped into the ginormous (yes that’s a word) fitting room and I started the process of lifting, tightening, clipping, tying etc. I walked out in about 6 dresses- each to the same responses… “that one’s kinda nice…” “Not sure I like the neckline”…  “You look a little fat…” –ok, haha nobody really said that but it felt that way!

I was starting to lose heart, then Sarah (my genius sales gal) got a twinkle in her eye and said “Wait- I have one more dress”. I’d heard that one before- but then she brought it in. HOLY COW. It was stunning. Everything I wanted, and in my price range. As I stepped into it, I literally and figuratively held my breath, praying it looked as good on me as it did on the hanger.

After some strategic clipping, I walked outside and turned toward the mirror. Wow. I couldn’t believe it. The mouths of my ‘crew’ fell to the floor and my eyes welled up with tears- it was the most beautiful I had ever felt in all my life. Unreal. I never thought I’d get so emotional, but it just happened! People from across the store started shouting how great I looked (!), Sarah was high-fiving me and when I confirmed that this was my dress, everyone actually applauded…lol…just like a lame reality show.

So I can’t show you any pics ;) it’s a surprise, but just know that I am so excited to walk down the aisle in this dress- you have no idea! In fact, I already told Tom that after the wedding I am going to wear it around the house all the time, because I love it just that much : )

Crista

www.facebook.com/creationsbycristamarie

Photos: www.weddinginthebox.com, www.superstock.com, www.flickr.com
www.thegloss.com, www.aisledash.com
www.prom4sale.com, www.journal.realcephoto.com, www.weddingbellsblog.com