Appointment for dress shopping

[Selkie]

Last week I called Alfred Angelo and set up my first appointment to try on dresses.

It''s on Monday afternoon, which happens to be the last day of one of their sales, and because I thought it would be a relatively quiet time in the store. Plus, I have the last appointment of the day. I was going to go alone, but I decided that I had better bring a friend because I''m not sure of my own taste! I''m not sure what I should wear, or bring. Probably shoes with a similar heel to what I plan to wear (1" or less, FI is already a tad shorter!), and a good bra (since I''ll be displaying it to strangers.)

. Does anyone know if AA allows cameras?

I''m looking for informal styles with no train, and slimmer fits. The one that caught my eye early on was 1239. It looks pretty simple from the front, but the satin underdress is cut lower in back than the lace part. The length is perfect. I''m worried about how those skinny straps will look with my broad shoulders and um, generous chest, but I guess I''ll find out.

When I called, the woman asked the date of the wedding, and I told her "July 28th." She said "Oh, you''re starting late!" and I said "no, 2007." Hopefully she doesn''t think I''m a nut for starting this early, but from what I''ve read, plenty of you started more than a year in advance. I was really trying to hold out, but I deal with stress by obsessively planning, and I''m feeling stressed recently, so this will be my shopping therapy! I''m really just trying to figure out what styles look good. I''m already losing weight, so I may even be down a dress size or two by the time of the wedding. *crosses fingers*

Still waiting on my ring...jeweler said nine weeks, five weeks ago.

 

[chickflick]

I went to AA and there was another girl there who had a camera so I think you should be fine. Definitely bring a friend- that''s too much fun to do alone!

The dress you chose is gorgeous. They will give you a longline bra to wear so just keep that in mind- I do wish I''d brought my own since I don''t know how often they wash those things or who wore it before me, but I don''t yet have a longline (waiting to see what size I end up being just before the wedding) and it does make a difference vs. a normalbra in how the dresses fit.

Have fun and don''t worry about being too early!

 

[Selkie]

Well, that was actually kind of fun. They had many of the dresses I was interested in trying on, but unfortunately the one I really liked was way too small so I didn''t get a good idea of how it looked. I discovered I don''t look as heinous in empire waists as I thought I would. I even fell a little in love with one dress, which is, of course, the most impractical for my casual boat wedding. Go figure.

At least I have a better idea now what styles suit me. I liked the no-pressure atmosphere, and they let us take pics, so all in all it was a good first test of the gown shopping waters.

 

[E B]

I'm glad your experience was pleasant. I keep hearing horror stories, so this one was refreshing.

So....do we get to see pictures?

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I bought my dress at AA, and had an AWESOME experience! I went to the Beverly Hills store during my lunchtime on a Wednesday. 1.5 hours and 13 dresses later, and I walked out with my dress. The dress specialist hit the nail right on the head with what looked good on me (strapless, a-line), but let me try on what I thought I wanted (halter, v-neck, spaghetti straps)
I too thought that they were very low-pressure, and customer-service focused. it was actually fun!

 

[Selkie]

Hmmm, I''ll have to see how they turn out when I can download them...it looks like we got that perfect upward-looking angle that inflates the hips and boobs, and gives me a pinhead.

Maybe on the next go-round!

My friend who went with me used to be a professional photographer, and tonight she told me that as her gift to us she wants to help out with the photography in some way. We''ll probably hire someone to do the more formal shots before we set sail, and then because we''re trying to limit the number of people on the boat, my friend will do the shots of the actual ceremony, and candids at the reception. Yay!

 

[Selkie]

ChargerGrrl, do you have any pics of your dress on PS? I remember you recommending a particular consultant at the BH store. Looks like I might end up going there (I went to Lakewood), because they have a few more styles I wanted to try.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I didn''t find the dress on their website, and I''m not at my computer now or else I''d post some pics. Geez, I can''t even remember the style number. Sorry I''m not much help!!

I do remember that Aurora was my dress specialist. She''s this sweet little lady, and a total dynamo! She was zipping all over the store bringing me dresses left and right.

 

[Selkie]

Well, it would be cool to see your pics if you post them. That was one thing I was a little disappointed about-I tried on two dresses that I liked, but they must have been older styles, and aren''t in the catalog anymore. I wonder if that means they couldn''t be ordered in the right size?

 

[selflove]

Selkie--the pics that were posted of White House/Black Market wedding dresses look like they might have something that would work for your boat wedding.

I''m pretty sure Aurora was my lady at AA in BH too! She took pictures of me in almost every dress I put on. Very sweet lady who really knew her stuff.