Our Wedding: My Perfect Wedding Dress!!
Can you believe it? I am married!!!! I married such an amazing man and have been waiting months to show him (and you) my gorgeous, perfect wedding dress! Here it is…finally!!!
I can’t say that I found my wedding dress the way most brides find their bridal dresses. I didn’t find it in a bridal boutique. I didn’t try a million and one dresses on (nor did I try on just one). And I didn’t stand in front of a mirror with tears streaming down my face, imagining myself walking down the aisle. Instead, I found it at a Bridal Expo. That’s right – I said a Bridal Expo!
On The Mommy-Files, I shared about all the other dresses I tried on at the Bridal Expo, but I didn’t show any pictures of the one I chose. It was perfect! Let me tell you, that was so hard for me to do! I have the hardest time keeping secrets, especially about things I’m excited about…and I was so excited about my dress! I knew it was the dress immediately when I saw the looks on everyone’s faces and their reactions, as well as the way it felt on me and looked on my camera. The dress and the material was gorgeous!!!! It was an ivory dress with beautiful lace and beads and was sleeveless. The dress retailed for $2500 and I received it as a gift from my friend! I couldn’t wait to take it in to get fitted perfectly for me!
When we got back home, I called around to local seamstresses and decided to check out Yelp. I am so glad I did! I found Kitty at Fitting Image in San Luis Obispo and set up a time when I should call her back and have my first fitting. She was so sweet and friendly and did an amazing job on my dress!!!! Brides, if you live on or near the Central Coast, you have to take your wedding dress to Kitty. She did an amazing job and I knew from the moment I talked with her that I was in good hands. I have even brought her other dresses to alter since my wedding dress and will continue going back to her in the future!
I bought the dress in January 2014 and took it in to start the fittings at the end of October 2014. I did try it on a few times (ok more than that) and then made a bet with my (now) husband that I wouldn’t put on the dress again until my fitting….and I won!!! Ha ha! Before I made the bet with him though, I loved to play dress-up and swish it around the room, showing my daughters and niece. Heck, even my niece played along sometimes and dressed up too!
I will be honest that I really didn’t see how beautiful my wedding dress was until I tried it onΒ at home with the windows open in our room. It was gorgeous! I discovered how much more beautiful it was when I tried it on for the first time at the Fitting Image. It was perfect and I was so glad that my family and friends were there with me to pick it out at the Bridal Expo. I couldn’t wait for Frank to see it!
The first time I went to the Fitting Image, I took one of my bridesmaids (and contributors on The Mommy-Files), Caroline. We had a blast! We knew Kitty would do an amazing job after trying on the dress and pinning it back to see what it would look like fitted on me.
My first fitting with Kitty was focused on fitting the bodice part of the dress – so the chest and the layer under the lace. Once that was time, she could work on the lace. I couldn’t believe how beautiful my dress was…and I got a lot of compliments from other guests coming into the shop to pick up and deliver their own personal items to be altered – yay!
Β 
It took a few fittings to get the layer under the lace and the bodice to where it was the perfect fit, but Kitty was super patient and happy! She knew how important my wedding day was and how important it was that my dress fit perfectly! Everyone who saw it commented how gorgeous it was…and that was a big thing to me because it was ivory rather than pure white. I would say that ivory dresses are definitely the way to go for redheads!
I was so excited to wear my wedding dress again on our wedding day! In fact, I didn’t want to take it off! I wore it all over the cruise ship that day, until it was time to go to bed. What a beautiful dress and amazing day! I will never forget it!
Absolutely beautiful!!
I’m so happy for you – Congrats π
You were a gorgeous bride, Shannon! Congratulations to you and Frank. Wishing a lifetime of happiness!
You’re finally able to show everyone the beautiful pictures! Congrats!
Congratulations!! Very nice dress. What great memories you are going to have of your special day.
MAZEL! A life of health and happiness!
So cool you found your seamstress using YELP!
Your dress really is pretty. I got married in Vegas, so I never had one.
Robin,
I got married in Las Vegas as well. I don’t have one regret.
What a wedding destination, and what a dress! Everything about this is beautiful. You got married on the ocean, and you looked absolutely gorgeous in that dress.
Gorgeous! I actually rented my dress 2 days before my wedding!
I love your dress too! What a stunner! I bet you are so happy you get to chronicle your wedding on your blog!
It looks gorgeous on you. Beautiful bride π We planned our wedding in 6 days, so I didn’t have much time to shop lol….
Your dress is absolutely gorgeous! You made an incredibly beautiful bride, congratulations on your wedding!
What a beautiful bride! Your dress is gorgeous and the glow on your face is radiant. Congrats on your wedding AND finding the perfect dress!
What a gorgeous wedding dress. You looked stunning!
Wow that dress is seriously beautiful!! That is my favorite style of wedding dresses! I’m glad you got to find your perfect dress!
What a beautiful dress for your special day! I love the photos of you on the ship!
WOW! You look smashing in that dress and have a very generous friend! Congratulations to you and Frank and cheers to the rest of your lives together <3
Wow! You are beautiful and looked stunning in that dress – it’s gorgeous!
What a gorgeous dress!! You looked amazing!!
You are one beautiful bride and I love the dress! Congratulations to you and you husband, best wishes!
You were a beautiful bride and I loved that you shared the photos so we could all be included in your special occasion.
You choose the most fabulous dress. It looks like it was custom made for you. Kitty certainly did an outstanding job. Best wishes to you and your new husband. May happiness stick to the two of you like super glue.
Congrats on your marriage. Your dress is so pretty. I love all your pictures. =)
You looked amazing in that dress! So glad that you’re documenting it all on the blog
Awe! You made such a beautiful bride! The dress really does look perfect on you!
Amazing! Such a beautiful bride. Thanks for sharing the picking process with us. The photos are beautiful!
Wow, you look amazing,and your dress is beautiful. I wish you guys the best. Amazing location too π
You looked absolutely breathtaking in your dress on your big day and it certainly fit you like a glove. I love the unique fanned bust and the lace accents!
It really is a perfect dress for you. The pictures are lovely and you were def. a gorgeous bride. Hurrah for perfect weddings. π
A wedding is one of the most important events in our lives. I hope yours were as lovely as the pictures you displayed!
OMG super congrats!! You looked amazing and I can tell you loved your dress! I cant wait until I can share similar excitement like you whenever I get the opportunity to get married. I love your little bride cartoon too!
Shannon! You looked absolutely stunning. I adore the dress and the pictures are beautiful.
I absolutely adore this dress. It is simply breathtaking on you, and I’m so happy you found the perfect dress.
What a beautiful dress! It looks so great on you! Congratulations.
Such a beautiful dress. Congrats on getting married.
SUch an amazing dress, you looks so beautiful; congrats on the marriage!
Weddings are the perfect time to celebrate love! Itβs my favorite event to attend to!
Congratulation to you! You look simple and gorgeous I really like your dress for your wedding day!
Your wedding dress is BEAUTIFUL! I love the lace details on it!
Congratulations on the nuptials! Your wedding dress is utterly gorgeous.
Aawww you look so lovely in the dress! Congratulations and best wishes to your marriage! I hope you have a happily ever after!
Congratulations! This post brings back so many memories!! That dress is lovely!
You look amazing. That dress is spectacular.
You looked beautiful! I bet you had so much fun walking around on the ship in that dress. Congrats to you both!
You are beautiful and I like your idea on wearing it all day during your cruise ship. Congrats to both of you and best wishes.
Congratulations! You look absolutely stunning!!
This is an amazing dress. You look amazing in it. I love the lace.
That is an absolutely gorgeous dress! I love the detailing and the design. So elegant.
You were such a beautiful bride! That dress is amazing. I really enjoyed watching your big day unfold on social media.
Congratulations! What a gorgeous dress! My dress was ivory as well.
Your dress is gorgeous. It works perfectly for your wedding cruise. I love dresses that are simple and elegant. Not too over the top.
Thanks for sharing your photos! Got to see the dress in all angles and it’s so perfect for you! π
You look extremely happy in your wedding dress, and you made such a beautiful bride. Congrats on your special day!
Congratulations! You look so beautiful in that dress. I am glad you found the dress of your dreams to marry the man of your dreams!
That is a beautiful wedding dress! I think that it suited you very well and the pictures are absolutely stunning as well!
Your dress is beautiful – you looked amazing! Congrats!
You dress is gorgeous and you looked like a princess! I loved looking at your photos! Congratulations!
I’m so envious of you and finding your wedding dress so quick and effortlessly. I have six months to go to get married and I still haven’t been able to find one I like much less love.
That dress is on point!! LOVE it!!!
That is a gorgeous dress. I love the necklace you chose to wear with it. Both look amazing on you.
This is the perfect dress indeed! It is gorgeous and shows off your perfect figure beautifully. Congratulations!
Such a beautiful wedding dress indeed. I love a wedding dress with a train like that, reminds me of mine. π
Congrats on your wedding and for finding a beautiful dress that you felt great in! I feel like so many women constantly worry about their dress even after they bought “the one” but it sounds like you had no regrets! Bravo!
I’ve actually always wanted to attend a bridal expo. I’m about to start wedding dress shopping soon, so maybe I will!
Your dress is gorgeous! That photo with the archways is amazing. Looks like a great time!
You made a good choice! What a beautiful dress. I love all the details!
I love how your dress falls at the back – very chic and elegant. I’m glad that you found your wedding dress in a breeze and it’s good that brides these days have a lot of better options other than those really expensive wedding dresses. Good job and congratulations!
So beautiful – and so glad you found the one! I remember shopping for mine, it was so much fun!
OMGosh so so beautiful! I LOVED seeing all your posts on facebook – it was all so exciting to me to follow along! So many great pics and you both looks so happy!
You look amazing in the dress. I’d say you made a good choice!
[…] on the Carnival Miracle (more posts to come for sure!!!)!!! I was so excited to wear my beautiful wedding dress and have my hair done as well. I went back and forth on whether I was going to do my own […]
That dress is beautiful and you look stunning!