Dress for Success

As stated before... I was DREADING bridal gown shopping. I hate to shop; I can never find cocktail dresses that I like/flatter my body - the reasons to be annoyed go on and on... I had to psyche myself up to start looking for a wedding dress, hence why I am really riding the "deadline" to order a dress.

[Small sidebar - The Knot's timeline checklist is super-stressful!! I am perpetually 50 checks behind!]

I had also prepared myself to go alone, since my family lives in Texas and Boston, and I feel guilty about asking anyone to take time out to go with me! I got over that bridal guilt real quick, and I was extremely lucky to have *Snappymom, Snappy-T, Dragonmom, and Dragonsister accompany me. Snappymom very kindly flew up from Texas, so that I was not struggling alone!

I made appointments at three boutiques, and my mission was to figure out what styles A)flatter my bod and B)feel like ME. Let's get started!

This dress was unusual and age-appropriate, which I liked, but SO unforgiving! I'd have to lose about 15 pounds and become super-buff, which I am working on... but let's not go crazy.

I liked the fabric on this one a lot, but it just didn't feel right. Super-fun to wear though, and really light.

I wanted to try something with sleeves, so I took this one for a spin. The sleeves kept falling off! I know alterations are helpful, but.... you can see the back is open, and there is only so much alterations can do.

This dress made me feel like a rockstar! Big, poofy fit-and-flare, and that fun gunmetal fabric again. However, my, um, assets, are on full display - so this wasn't going to work. This IS when I discovered that I love the full-length veil, so not a total loss!

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this one! Just look at the train! Yummy scrunchiness. This dress was (cough) roughly three times my budget, so it had to go back, too. I console myself with the fact that this dress was way too boobilicious, as well. (Thank God! If it had been absolutely perfect... we might have had issues!)

I had been interested in the Melissa Sweet Lia dress, and when I saw this lookalike on the rack, I had to test it out. Once I tried it on, I knew I would adore it... if I were a cake topper. No moving, jumping, dancing, or sitting if I went with this selection. SO this hot little number went right back on the rack.

This was an entourage favorite, and the one halter that didn't make me feel overexposed. This is the type of dress I had always thought I wanted but after I actually put it on... meh.

I liked this one a lot, and the price was outstanding (!) However, I felt like I would want to wear this to a beach wedding, and our partay is shaping up to be a bit more formal, so I nixed this one, too.

This one was super-cute on, but really heavy. I am trying to select a dress that is at least somewhat comfy in addition to being perty. In the end, this one just didn't feel "right."

Ok, EVERYONE loved this one! I stepped up on the pedestal, and all of the sudden there was crying. My reaction was something like, "What the???" I also really liked how this dress totally flattered my figure, but I kept getting hung up on the neckline. I kept saying, "I *think* I like the neckline..." which is a signal to step away from the dress!!!!

SO, I did not end up choosing any of the dresses I tried on my first day, but - and this is a very big BUT - I learned so much about what I liked/didn't like. I learned that I didn't like traditional dresses as much as I thought I would, and my body does well with structured dresses. Also, NO HALTERS! :)

For those of you yet to embark on your own wedding gown journey, here are a few tips that helped me:

• Wear your hair up (if you think you might employ an updo for the big day.)
• Wear a button-down shirt so your hair doesn't get all crazy from the constant changing of clothes.
• This is a no-brainer, but wear granny panties (nobody wants to see TOO much booty!)
• Wear a strapless bra (even if you have no plans to wear a strapless dress - you might change your mind midday!)
• Wear slip-on shoes.
• Be open to trying on anything, and for sure try on the one style you think you will NEVER wear. You might be surprised at the results.
• Bring snacks and water.
• Bring a camera. I have immediate amnesia and need a reminder as to what I looked like!

What dress-shopping tips would YOU like to share with the Hive??

*Moniker Legend: Snappymom=mi madre, Snappy-T=one of my good friends who is a bridesmaid, Dragonmom and Dragonsister=Mr. Snappy's family (He has requested that I refer to him as Mr. Dragon instead of Mr. Snappy, as apparently his former alias is not masculine enough - what a DIVA!) ;)