Looking for The Dress

[goldengirl]

Okay, since we''re getting married (!!) in nine months (!!) I''ve jumped right into the dress-shopping. The first store I went to I was actually really disappointed... I was very "blah" about all the dresses I tried on. The only one I more-than-lukewarm liked was strapless with an elaborate pintuck skirt, and while I liked it, I also thought that it would be a very "dated" style in 10 years, and I would hate to look back on my wedding photos and cringe with "What was I THINKING?!?!!"... so no go.

The next store was better, with two dresses that I did really like. But there was no heart-stopping moment, no tears, no "THIS IS THE DRESS" kind of thing... just one dress that I really liked, and one dress that I loved. (Posting pics in a second.)

How did you girls pick? Did you "know" it was The Dress? It seems like such a tough decision to make!!

The dress I liked has sequins which make the dress just glitter under the lights. Some quick pics:

And the dress I loved really surprised me; I actually picked it up just to try on something "different," I was mostly trying on very simple, plain gowns with a little detailing, and this dress was a lot "busier" than I had tried before. But, this dress makes me feel very elegant! Please ignore how fat my arms look, the zipper on this dress was broken so I have my arms clamped at my sides to hold the top up.

It also is a lot more flattering on the waist when the back is closed, much like the first dress:

Thoughts?

And if anybody knows the designer/style of dress #1, please let me know! I''ve identified dress #2 as available cheaper at David''s Bridal.

 

[Tybee]

GoldenGirl,

You look stunning!
(Did I mention how happy I am for you?)

I never had tears or a THIS IS THE DRESS moment. I went to several bridal shops and had my girlfriends take pictures (if we were allowed)
then I looked at the pictures over and over again trying to decide.

I actually ended up finding MY dress by looking at pictures online. I became obsessed with Maggie Sottero''s Ophelia, and began to search for bridal shops around here that might carry it. Long story short, no one did carry it, but I tried on Nakita, which was similar, and ended up buying Ophelia site unseen. I CANNOT wait for it to come in!

So, no tears or anything else, just a simple unexplainable OBSESSION with a dress. It''s supposed to come in on Thursday, I cannot wait!

Good luck finding the one. The two you posted are lovely! I would recommend doing just what you''re doing. Go to a million places and try on a million dresses. Take pictures if you can (and post them here, we LOVE dress pictures!)

Tybee

 

[kanne]

WHAT???? GG I am so happy for you!!! Off the list---woohoo! I have been missing so much but am zooming over to LIW for the whole story.
You look lovely..dress shopping is so much fun.

Congratulations again!!

lovey

 

[AndyRosse]

GG, first of all CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

As for the dress, no, I never cried or wanted to scream "this is the dress!!!" the moment I put mine on. I just tried on dozens of dresses, all which I either said "yuck!!! get me out of this thing asap!" or "pretty, not bad, I could live with this."

Actually, I thought I had made my decision on a dress (a very simple a-line with just a little ribbon around the waist and at the hem line) and went back to the store with my mother and MOH to try it one more time and then place an order for it. While my MOH and I were waiting for my mother to arrive, we were walking around the store, and I saw a gown that caught my eye but I didn''t say anything. A minute later, my MOH was looking at the same dress, saying how it was actually very pretty. I tried on both dresses and realized that they were similar is style, but one was very plain while the other had a bit more sparkle to it. After making the saleslady take the dresses on and off me dozens of times (hehe

), I finally bit the bullet and ordered the other dress

!! I never thought I wanted sparkles and beads on my dress, but this dress made me change my mind.

 

[JDgirl]

I do love the detail on the second one!!! I like the way the first one fits you better, but if you say that the second one fots like that when the zipper works, then I''d say you''re on to something. Keep trying on dresses, but you definitely look gorgeous in both of these!

 

[MelissaSue]

Yay! You ARE fast! I really like both of the dresses. I actually really like the first one on you. I can''t tell you the designer for sure.. but its really pretty. Maybe try Anjolique, or Jasmine?

Anyway.. as you may know, I sort of found my dress before I was ever engaged. It was in a display window and I was absolutely obsessed with it. When I went to try it on the first time.. I was by myself.. I tried on about 5 other dresses too.. There were other ones I liked.. but it was always top in my head.. The second time I went back with my mom and best friend and the salesgirl made me save my favorite for last. I had obviously told them what my favorite looked like, but it was funny, because with the other ones.. they kept saying.. "oh.. thats pretty.." and there was one that they both really liked.. but I kept saying.. "Just wait!" And then when I put the ONE on .. my mom got all teary eyed.. And I did a bit too..

I shopped a bit after that.. but nothing really compared to MY dress in my head.. There was actually one that my mom thought she liked better at Davids, but after we went back and tried on the original dress, my mind was all made up.

 

[tanyak]

I didn''t cry or anything like that. It was more like, I really like this dress. My story is a lot like Rascal''s. I was 99% sure I was going to get this first dress from David''s. When I went back in to check this price before buying it, I saw the second dress. I thought, I''ll just try it on so I can say that I tried it on, if that makes any sense. The moment I had it on, I knew it was for me. Once again, no tears or anything. I didn''t even have anyone with me. Like I said, I was checking the price on the other dress...I didn''t go in with intentions of trying another one. Well, now, the second dress is hanging in my closet.

 

[gingerBcookie]

That first dress looks awesome on you, really flatters your figure....perfect hourglass! I didn''t cry when I chose my dress either...all the girls went here went with me through my dress tribulations (I tried on A LOT of dresses) and was waiting for the tears that were''t coming (kinda stressed myself out over nothing

). When I found the right one, no tears, just a sense of...this is it. ANd lost all interest in shopping for a dress after that. Either way, best advice is to try all sorts of styles, you never know what looks good on you until you put it on and HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!!

OH...and most importantly....

POST PICTURES!!!!

 

[selflove]

Wow, they are both really great on you! I like the way the first one fits you better but if the second one looks similar when zipped up then that one should be just as flattering. The detail on the second one is gorgeous--very classic and elegant--the kind of dress you could pass on to your daughter or granddaughter.

The dress I chose was actually selected by the salesgirl and I thought it was sort of ugly but when I put it on, the fit was just so flattering and it just "felt" right. But the dress was ivory with champagne trim and I wanted it in white and they couldn''t show it to me in white, not even a photo. So I mulled it over for days and I would dream about it at night even! Finally I decided to go for it, b/c I couldn''t get it out of my head. Now, it never brought me to tears or made my heart beat faster, but I do love the dress. I love it but I don''t loooooooooooooove it. You know?

Epilogue: I did stop trying on dresses but never stopped looking at them in magazines and online. Well, last month I found on ebay a dress that DID make my heart beat faster, nearly brought me to tears, the perfect balance of everything I was looking for, so I ordered it! Lesson learned, I should have waited until I found my dream dress that I looooooooooooved. I thought that by trying on 30+ dresses that I was doing a thorough search.

My advice to you: keep looking until you find the one you looooooooooooove.

 

[BrightSpot]

Hey, GG! It''s great to see you over here in BWW....congrats again!

I think both dresses you posted are lovely. The first one fits you beautifully & I like the sparkly details. I also like the sparkly band under the bust. Very flattering. The second dress is beautiful too--very elegant.

I agree with what others have said....keep shopping, take pictures (and post them on PS!) & see which dress you keep coming back to in your mind.

As for me, I tried on lots of dresses & took pics when I could. (I had a very long dress thread on PS & it was SO helpful to get people''s opinions on the dresses! Everyone was so sweet & encouraging.) I was really leaning towards the dress I wound up choosing, but was concerned b/c it was a bit more than I wanted to spend & I was afraid it''d be too heavy & hot for my beach wedding. Well, I found the dress in my size in an auction on eBay (with 40 minutes to spare before the end of the auction!) & I went for it! I figured it had to be kismet.

So you might have a big, emotional moment when you know it''s "the dress" or you might just keep coming back to it in your mind. Either way, you''ll know.

 

[njc]

Both dresses look great GG! I particularly like the first one... i like the sparkle and how its running down the dress. I also like that the overlay is longer than the skirt.

 

[dani13]

GG-
I love the first one- I think it flatters you very much. Very pretty!

 

[Caribou]

I like the first one too. Does it disappoint you that you didn't have a 'this is the dress' moment? If it does, keep trying...if anything it's fun!!

I tried dresses on this past weekend. I was nervous because it's hard for me to try anything formal or cocktail dressy and not see my crooked back (seriously I have a crooked back due to scoleosis, although, to me it's much worse than to other people). So I'm trying dresses on and not really feeling it...than I try one on that I saw on the David's Bridal web site, that I loved...but it was so plain and I figured it wouldn't look right on me. OMG! I was totally wrong. As soon as I came out of the dressing room I knew it was the one. I mean, I didn't even want to take it off. I thought it made me look beautiful and I could see marrying my fiance in it.

 

[Tybee]

Hey Caribou

1. BIG HUG! How cruddy to feel bad about your back. I too have scoliosis( wore a back brace through jr. high.)
I''m sure that you''re correct when you say that you notice it more than other people.

2. Pictures? Care to share? We''d love to see!!!!!

 

[Caribou]

Date: 12/14/2005 8:53:37 AM
Author: Tybee
Hey Caribou

1. BIG HUG! How cruddy to feel bad about your back. I too have scoliosis( wore a back brace through jr. high.)
I''m sure that you''re correct when you say that you notice it more than other people.

2. Pictures? Care to share? We''d love to see!!!!!

Hi Tybee,

1. It''s nice to hear I''m not the only one with...sometimes you think that. At least I do. It is cruddy especially when I have to try on bathing suits or nice dresses. My friends and Fiance get annoyed with me

because some day I feel like the hunch back of Notre Dame..which I know it a very exaggreated way to think.

The only real notcable thing, which I don''t know if you have this also, is that my shoulders are crooked and my one shoulder blade sticks out more than the other. My mom just happened upon my back when I was about 8 while fixing a tank top..unfortunately by then it was too late and too severe (2 curves) I ended up having to have surgery on it. Which as I''m sure you can guess, the scar doesn''t help. But it''s my issues. I''m pretty used to it at this point...it doesn''t bother me as much as it did when I was younger.


2. I would love to show you the dress but the Davids Bridal website won''t let me copy pictures.

But I can direct you there....
davidsbridal.com
Under Bridal Collection, click on Davids Bridal Signature
It''s on page 6...style # T8619.
LOVE IT!

 

[blodthecat]

Congratulations GG.

Both dresses are lovely. However, the second dress is a much better fit.

You are only very slim, but wearing something that is a bit tight makes people look bigger.

Whatever dress you go for, forget what size it says on the label. Buy something that you can breath in, and that feels comfortable.

I liked the first dress the best, but it just looks too tight.

Please keep the pictures coming......can''t wait to see what you choose!

love dyanne

 

[tanyak]

Caribou, I tried on that dress. It's very pretty.

And here's one way to copy David's photos. If you click on My Favorite Styles (it's along the top), you can save your dress there. Once in my fave styles, you can click on it and save to your computer or where ever. I think you might have to register to get to My Fave styles, though.

GG, have you done more shopping?

 

[Dodger Gurl]

Ohmigosh!! GG!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!

I love the 1st dress on you! The fit/cut is very flattering on your perfect hourglass figure! Plus, it''s got SPARKLIES!! How can you not love the sparklies? (LOL) I think that the 2nd one is a little too "busy" for my taste. But go with the one that YOU love and makes YOU feel beautiful!

As for "knowing" when it is "the dress", for me I didn''t have any tears or anything (although my mom did!). There were several dresses that I liked and when I put them on I thought "Oooh, this looks good!" Then, when I put on "the dress" I didn''t know it was "the one" right away, I just had this feeling that I didn''t want to take it off. I finally took it off and tried on other dresses but I kept comparing them to "the dress" and in my head I kept thinking "I want to try that one on again" so I did, and then I didn''t want to take it off again. LOL! It just made me FEEL like a bride! Good luck, don''t stress about it. Dress shopping is so fun! You''ll only get to do it once so go and try on as many of those beautiful dresses as you like!!! Live it up girlfriend!

 

[goldengirl]

Date: 12/14/2005 11:03:37 AM
Author: blodthecat
Congratulations GG.


Both dresses are lovely. However, the second dress is a much better fit.


You are only very slim, but wearing something that is a bit tight makes people look bigger.


Whatever dress you go for, forget what size it says on the label. Buy something that you can breath in, and that feels comfortable.


I liked the first dress the best, but it just looks too tight.


Please keep the pictures coming......can''t wait to see what you choose!


love dyanne

LOL... neither dress fit very well. The first one zipped, but only because the saleslady was determined! I certainly would order a bigger size. I don''t intend to pass out on my wedding day due to lack of oxygen.

I''m just getting a general idea of what *my* size would look like on me in this style.

Everybody, I have an appointment at David''s this weekend. Does anybody know if they let you take pictures? I can''t imagine they wouldn''t, since they have all their photos with style numbers up on the website, but you never know with bridal stores. I wanted to take pics and send them to my mom while I was looking but to be honest, she didn''t seem all that interested when I sent her these.

Actually, their reaction to my engagement was lackluster, too. I just don''t think my family is as happy for me as they "ought" to be.

 

[njc]

The David''s i went to let you take pictures. I''m pretty sure yours will too... a lot of people have posted pics on here from there.

Are you the first to get married in your family? They may just not know how to handle all the emotions... joy and excitment, pain letting their daughter go?

 

[Caribou]

Yes David''s Bridal will let you take pictures.

Why isn''t your family excited about your engagement?

That''s stink GG.

 

[goldengirl]

Yes, I am the first to get married. In fact I will probably be the first by a long shot, since the next eldest is only 15.

My mom has always sounded like she''d be excited when I got married, because I''m 1)the oldest, 2)I''m her *baby* (her other kids are with my stepdad, she was a single mom; so it was just me and her for a while at first, and we''re close), and 3)because she never had a wedding (they eloped to city hall).

Instead, I got "Finally!" when we announced our engagement, a blah response to the pics I sent ("make sure you try on lots of dresses" instead of "you look so beautiful in a wedding dress!!!!!!" like my FRIEND did) and an offer to pay for us to elope because "weddings are just so expensive." (Thanks, but I didn''t ask you to pay for it.)

So maybe I''m disappointed in their reaction (or lack thereof) because, hello, you''d think they''d be happy for me?? ESPECIALLY if they think I''m getting to be an old maid?....

 

[gingerBcookie]

GG - I bet there is some seperation anxiety mixed in to your mother''s reaction. If you are as close asthat, it''s just that much harder for her to let her *baby* go. I bet, it''s just hitting her now, so it''s hard for her to work up the kind of excitement that you''re looking for? Maybe it would help if you two spent a bit of alonetime together and talk a bit about it? > I bet your mom doesn''t even realize how her seemingly careless words are making you feel. Things are happening fast and it''s prob hard for her to deal with the thought that her babygirl is leaving her (not literally, but you know what I mean). Just keep doing what you have to do to have your dream wedding and hopefully with some reassurance and time, your mom will come around.

 

[AndyRosse]

Date: 12/15/2005 3:28:30 PM
Author: gingerBcookie
GG - I bet there is some seperation anxiety mixed in to your mother''s reaction. If you are as close asthat, it''s just that much harder for her to let her *baby* go. I bet, it''s just hitting her now, so it''s hard for her to work up the kind of excitement that you''re looking for? Maybe it would help if you two spent a bit of alonetime together and talk a bit about it? <<HUGS>> I bet your mom doesn''t even realize how her seemingly careless words are making you feel. Things are happening fast and it''s prob hard for her to deal with the thought that her babygirl is leaving her (not literally, but you know what I mean). Just keep doing what you have to do to have your dream wedding and hopefully with some reassurance and time, your mom will come around.

I agree with GingerBCookie. I''m sure she is just a bit nervous and really didn''t mean to say what she did the way she did.

Now my mother on the other hand

, when I told her I was engaged, first asked me if that is what I wanted! And then bluntly told me she isn''t going to pay for the wedding. Nice, huh?! And she then later demanded that I take her with me dress shopping and insisted on inviting people I don''t know (nor am related to) to the wedding because she "had to go to their daughters'' weddings." Umm, well, that is because they probably were paying for their daughters'' weddings!!!

LOL, sorry to rant, but I think you get my point that your mother definitely has always been very sincere in wanting you to be happy on your wedding day, etc., so I wouldn''t read too much into her response. She is just a bit nervous and anxious that her "baby" is "finally"

get married

.

 

[goldengirl]

Thanks, guys. Unfortunately I can''t spend alone time with her because she''s in a different state... otherwise I''d just take her WITH me dress shopping!

I''m going to David''s on Saturday so I''ll take more pics and if I don''t get at least a little fake excitement we''re gonna have to have "a talk".

 

[Caribou]

GG, that stinks about your families reaction. At least your friend(s) were excited for you.

I''m worried that when I take my two aunts (one of whom is very opinionated) and my mom (who has a tendancy to not think before she talks) to show them my dress because I love my dress and I don''t want any negative comments. Luckily my MOH will be with us so she''ll say something positive iif they do get like that. They mean well but still. Family can be such a pain sometimes.

 

[Tybee]

GG,
Post those pics after you try on dresses, and your sure to get some positive comments from us

.
Have fun too!

 

[flutterby]

GG,
I love that first dress its beautiful!

Have fun trying on dresses, I cant wait to see more pics! As for knowing if its the dress, its a tough call. I thought I knew the dress I wanted, it looked good on, but I wasnt wowed, then i tried dozens of dresses on, there was one i really liked but wasnt sure. However, every dress i put on was compared to that one, none were as unique or flattering, and tada! Thats how i knew. SO just go try on alot (you dont want to be a two dress bride!) and keep trying on till you know, tears or not, you will know.

 

[tachi]

hi caribou and tybee,

i just wanted to thank you guys for being so open about scoliosis. i have scoliosis too and was so worried when trying on wedding dresses. but in the end, everything worked out fine... i even wore a waist length veil during the reception so that it would kinna cover my back and camoflauge my curve (right hip sticks out compared to left hip). anyway just reading your posts totally made my day. thanks!!

tachi

 

[CareBear]

I like the first one more! It shows off you curves a lot better. The pattern of the sequins elongates your body and the waist band (not sure what it's called) right above the waist line gives the affect of a tiny waist. The second dress has prettier details, but most guests are gonna see you from a distance and the details won't show up clearly in pictures. Also under good lighting, the sequins on the first dress will sparkle a lot more!
I didn't think that I would have the feeling of finding "the one" when I was shopping for my dress. But when I did find "the one" I definitely felt it! I loved it that much more than all the other dresses. My advice is, if you aren't sure about a dress, don't buy it! Keep on shopping!