Our Wedding: Saying Yes to My Wedding Dress
Since Frank popped the big question, we’ve been watching quite a few wedding shows together. Some of our favorites are “My Fair Wedding,” “Say Yes to the Dress,” “Randy to the Rescue,” “Four Weddings,” “Bridezillas,” (just for kicks) and a few others here and there. Even though I had been married before, I had never really had the opportunity to shop for a wedding dress the traditional way – ya know, with the family and bridesmaids. However, this time, I did and it was awesome! When wedding planners from The Small Things Co is involved, you can be sure your money is being used in the best way possible to help your vision come true.
Now I had mentioned watching the wedding shows and one of my favorites was “Say Yes to the Dress.” Often times, the bride in the show would cry when she found her wedding dress. So I thought that when I found my wedding dress, I would cry. Nope. Didn’t happen. Didn’t even come close to crying. But I’ll tell you what I did feel. I felt like a princess. I felt beautiful. I didn’t want to take my wedding dress off.
To find my wedding dress or my rochii nunta, I headed down to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California with my sister and best friend for the Bridal Showplace Expo. We were going to be meeting my future mother-in-law and father-in-law, as well as my sister, stepmom and another friend. I had a huge support group there to help me find a beautiful gown.
One of my friends owns a wedding planning business (Balloons by Victoria) and selling wedding dresses (Pearl’s Elegance) is a part of the wedding planning she does with her mom. For the event, she was in charge of the Bridal Fashion Show. It was so much fun! I saw quite a few wedding gowns I loved and couldn’t wait to try on!
After the Bridal Fashion Show, we headed over to check out the wedding dresses. They were only $150 each (a show special price)!!! I couldn’t believe how many different gorgeous gowns there were. I started grabbing them and holding them up to me and then selecting the ones I wanted to try on. Now I should tell you that trying on wedding dresses at an expo is challenging, but thankfully there were a majority of women, so it wasn’t a problem at all.
The first dress was a very simple white gown. I wanted to try it on because I thought it looked really pretty on the hanger. However, it was just a little too simple for me. I wanted some bling on my dress.
The second dress was pretty, but had straps (something I would have to have altered and taken off since I really wanted a strapless wedding dress). When I tried it on, it was pretty, but I didn’t feel excited wearing it. I also didn’t really like the flower on the booty (kind of felt like a bunny rabbit). It was still a gorgeous gown, just not the one for me.
The third dress I tried on was very pretty on the hanger and had some bling on it. When I looked at it, I realized that I wanted the sequins to go down my dress here and there, rather than being on the bodice and then stopping. The train was absolutely gorgeous, but very, very long. It was too long for me. I know I would end up falling being the klutz that I am, but it was still beautiful. I felt like I still wanted to try on other dresses, so I knew this one wasn’t my dress.
The fourth dress I tried on was gorgeous on the hanger and I couldn’t wait to try it on. It was very feminine looking. However, I still didn’t get the feeling that I was done trying on dresses yet. I hadn’t fallen in love with the dress I wanted to wear as I walked down the aisle to marry the love of my life.
The fifth dress was one that I absolutely loved and looked gorgeous on one of the girls in the Bridal Fashion Show. I specifically remember seeing it and snapping a pic of it so I could find it to try on. It looked like a dress made for royalty. However, when I tried it on, the first thing my eye was drawn to was the gold lace on the bodice. I didn’t want to compete with the dress on my wedding day, so I said no to this one. Plus, it had a lot of ribbon on the back that would have to be tied and untied on our wedding day. I just wanted something easy – like a zipper.
Now I have to tell you that I said yes to the sixth wedding dress I tried on. I know you really want to see a picture of it, but you are going to have to wait 1 year, 1 month and 6 days to see that dress. I know, I know right? I so wish I could show you, but can’t. Let me tell you though – it’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s an Ivory-colored, strapless gown with a beautiful train (not too long or big). I love the way it fits on me and I didn’t want to take it off! Everyone who was with me loved the dress and even a few of them started crying when they saw me in it. I can’t wait to show you all my beautiful wedding dress thanks to Victoria! Be sure to check out their collection of wedding dresses at the next Bridal Showplace Expo in Southern California. They will be $150 at the show!!
I had so much fun with my family and friends at the Bridal Showplace Expo in Long Beach and am thrilled that I found a gorgeous wedding dress. I can’t wait to share with your our journey to our big day! Stay tuned for more Wedding Posts.
How many dresses did you try on before you knew you had the one you wanted for your wedding day?
How did you feel when you knew it was the one you were going to wear?
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I absolutely love that you found the perfect dress but I’m kinda mad you’re not sharing it! LOL I was so hoping to see it. Maybe you can give us a little sneak peek each month with little mini shots of parts of the dress?
LOL Cat – I so want to share it because it’s gorgeous!!! We’ll see about the mini shots each month. LOL 🙂
I’m so happy for you Shannon and even happier that you found THE dress already – awesome! I can’t believe they were all only $150! I had to order mine from China – a knock off of course, because I couldn’t see spending more than $200 on mine, since I’d only wear it one day. I agree with Cat, just little sneak shots would be nice :p
I was so excited to find my dress. I know, right? What a great deal! I have a feeling that not a lot of brides know about the kind of specials you can find at Expos! We’ll see on the sneak peeks.
Ahhh, I remember how excited I was to try on wedding dresses. I also didn’t cry but I stood looking at myself in the mirror for a long time in shock.
I love my dress. I’ve already tried it on again a few times since bringing it home. I didn’t want to take it off. LOL
Ok I admit at first I was like “what?? she can’t show us her dress yet!!!” and now I want to see it after reading your post lol!!!
I will never forget dress shopping. I tried on at least 20 and didn’t like any!!!! I was in tears because I hadn’t fallen in love with one single dress. Then we went to a different store and I tried on a few more dresses… still didn’t see any I liked, then another girl walked out with the dress I ended up getting, fell in love with how it looked on her and couldn’t wait to try it on. As soon as I put it on I knew it was the perfect dress.
I cannot wait to see your wedding dress!!! A whole year is gonna take FOREVER!!!
I know, right? I totally agree! I can’t wait to show you all!!!
WOW – so many awesome looking dresses – I am glad I don’r have to make this decision again though 🙂
LOL – I know, right? The one I chose isn’t even in those pictures either!
Congratulations!! I really love the last dress you tried on! Actually the last two are both beautiful but the very last one is just stunning!
Thanks, but neither of those are the ones I picked. 🙂 I can’t wait to show you all!
First off, CONGRATS!! Second off, you have picked such a beautiful dress! So happy for you and I hope you have a magical wedding!
Thank you for the congratulations Jennifer. I am so excited to marry my best friend! Pictures will be shared – trust me! LOL
Love the sequined one. All of the dresses are beautiful! And I LOVE the one you choose! Looking forward to helping you with the rest of the details. I <3 You!!!
Looking forward to more planning too! Love ya girl!
I love seeing the new trends in wedding dresses! I’ll definitely come back to see what see you’ll feature.
What a great article! I love how you share your full experience, but especially now it is documented and much easier for you to share with everyone and other prospective wedding dress buyers!
Mitch
I love it too Mitch! So excited to keep a record of our wedding experiences on my blog.
You are going to be a lovely bride. It is exciting when you find your dress. I had so much fun finding mine. My sister just got engaged and we start dress shopping next month. I can’t wait. Looks like you girls are really having fun with it. Enjoy & congratulations.
Oh those are all so beautiful!! You look amazing too!! It looks like so much fun going with everyone.
Thank you so much Danielle. Just wait until you see the one I chose. It’s beautiful!!!
Congratulations! You looked beautiful in all the dresses. I can’t wait to see the one you picked.
Thank you so much Karen! I can’t wait to show you!
This seemed like such a fun time! Love the dress, it looks so nice on you.
Thanks so much Susan! It was definitely a lot of fun! I can’t wait to show Frank the real one!
Awwwww!! It looks like you had such a fun day! I can’t wait to see your dress! I can’t believe you have to wait over a year to debut your final choice! Congratulations on your soon-to-be hubby popping the question! 🙂
The fifth dress you tried on is very pretty. I’m excited to see what dress you chose. $150 for a wedding dress is a nice price!
I totally agree Terra. Way affordable, especially since we’re paying for the wedding on our own. Thanks so much for the kind comment. 🙂
How fun! I didn’t cry when I found my dress either, but it is amazing how you suddenly know. I also started out very simple and after having on the first dress, realized I need a little bling. Curious to see what you ended up with. Congrats on your engagement! Have fun planning the rest of the wedding. 🙂
How fun! I didn’t cry either when I found my dress, but I knew it was the one. Amazing how it just feels right. Congrats on your engagement!
So excited to see your dress! So excited for you!
How fun! I didn’t cry either when I found my dress, but it is amazing how you just know when you put it on. Congrats on your engagement and enjoy the wedding planning! 🙂
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a CLIFFHANGER!! 🙂 I bet it’s gorgeous, even if we can’t see it (yet), and I know you must be relieved to have found the perfect one already. 🙂
I think it’s gorgeous Rosey and can’t wait to show you all!!!
I’ve never had the chance to try on wedding dresses and pick out my favorite.
My first wedding I borrowed my dress from a friend and my second dress I bought at JC Penney. It was a green, lace dress that was on sale, and I wore it several times for years after.
I’m hoping to someday renew our vows and be able to pick out and wear a fancy wedding gown.
A wedding vow renewal sounds awesome Lorie! When is your anniversary?
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