I thought I'd wait awhile to buy a dress, until more details were ironed out and I knew what style would suit the wedding, but it was really important to me that my mom be there for my first dress-buying experience. I wanted to share that "Oh my gosh I'm a bride" moment with her, so while she was in town, she and my sister and I headed over to David's Bridal to see what they had in stock. I had heard negative things about it from other women, but my sister bought her dress there a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I don't know what other brides' experiences were, but I loved my whole time there. I attribute this in large part to the consultant, Lucy. She was helpful and patient and really listened to what I wanted, and we came away with some great styles I probably never would have tried on my own.
Just as I had hoped, when I stepped out of the changing room in the first dress, it really hit me: I'm getting married! I just stood looking in the mirror, taking it all in. My mom teared up. It was a hugely exciting and emotional moment, more so than I had anticipated. I wanted to buy that dress right away, but I think it was just the thrill of the wedding dress that had me sold. The longer I looked at it, the more I realized it wasn't right for me:
It's a gorgeous dress, and surprisingly well-constructed, but I felt like that bejeweled V-shape under the bust drew attention exactly where I didn't want it to be drawn. Oh well, on to the next!
These dresses were all really pretty and, okay, there were some duds I tried on as well. And even though I liked a few dresses, I had every intention of waiting several months before actually buying anything. But then I tried on THE dress. Lucy brought it out without my requesting it, and on the hanger I wasn't sure I liked it. But when I put it on and came out of the dressing room, my mom just melted. She started crying, and my sister nodded a quick, decisive "yes"--for her, the decision was made. When I looked in the mirror, I looked like myself, but better. The dress was flattering and elegant and very, very ME. I didn't cry, but I did twirl. And jump up and down. And clap.
I hadn't even looked at the price tag, so I was sort of afraid to find out how much it cost. I know, nothing at David's is astronomically priced, but I was on a self-imposed budget that was pretty freaking strict (I wanted to make up the cost of the venue in other places, remember?). I was really, really hoping for something under $500. So imagine my astonishment when Lucy told me the grand total of the dress was...
$250! Half my insanely low budget and less than a lot women spend on shoes! I just about fainted, I was so excited. The dress was on sale, she said, and I would have to buy it fairly soon before the price went up again. Now, I've worked in sales and I know that's the oldest line in the book, but I honestly would have bought the dress for way more than that, so to me the price was just icing on the cake.
I walked around in the store for probably another ten to fifteen minutes, "just to be sure." But between you and me, I was already sold. I just didn't want to take it off.
Finally I could tell Lucy, for all her patience, was trying to prod me back into the changing room. I reluctantly took off the gorgeous gown and changed back into my stupid old regular clothes (note to all brides: wear something really, really pretty when you go dress shopping, because changing out of the most beautiful dress you'll ever wear and into ratty jeans and a tank top is just depressing).
My mom paid for the dress in full (I mean, come on, it was $250, what would the payment plan have even looked like?) and they gave us a date to pick it up. The whole way home I looked at pictures of the dress that we had taken. I was smitten, with a dress. Weird.
I was surprised at how easy it was for me to find a wedding dress. I had anticipated months of searching and trying on hundreds of gowns. In a way, I'm sad I didn't get more chances to play dress-up and admire all those beautiful dresses. But then I think of all those brides who really do have a hard time finding something they like, and realize I was so lucky to find a dress I love so quickly. I couldn't be happier with the end result, and I can't wait to wear my dress on the big day!
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