The Dress Trials

Since I can't show my actual dress here, because Fiancofer might see it, I'll share some dresses that I thought were the one along the way. I must have tried on something like 30 dresses in all. This was the first dress I just had to find.

It's by Claire Pettibone, and I loved the halter v-neck because it left the back wide-open. And it had a nice layer of chiffon over satin that gave it movement. The problem is that it didn't look like this at all on me. The top wasn't so deep and the drape was not so nice. My mom was not a fan either. So I moved on.  

I just happened to be trying on the Pettibone again when Christos was having a trunk show at Saks. The consultant obviously didn't care about my price point when she slipped this one on me.

Granted I did not like the flutters, which mom loved, but I liked the dress and spent a long time thinking about it. I found a place in China that advertised making it for something like $200, but that seemed so risky, even if it was really cheap.

My next crush was with Vera. What bride can resist Vera Wang? I thought I could. I was wrong. While this dress was also expensive, I nearly bought it as a sample at Saks.

But, the sample was so off white I decided it looked dingy.  And it was sort of night gown-ish. I've seen it on two brides online though so I know some people (ones with no hips) can pull it off. I moved on again, but a theme was starting to arise.

This was the only strapless I nearly purchased. It's by Anne Barge. The dress I tried on did not have all the swirly stuff going on in every other section, those panels were solid. This really fit my body well, which made it so appealing. Most samples where huge and I had to use my imagination.

Yet again I was ignoring a my dress budget. In the end besides coming to my senses on price, the shiny fabric was a turn off for the feel of our wedding and I had a feeling CK would have found this one a little strange.  

This dress was the last crush before my actual dress. Oh Monique Lhuillier, you are so pretty and lacy with v-necks and deep backs.

But so expensive even second hand at sites like Once wed . There were some good second hand deals, but I was worried they wouldn't let me try on the dress before I handed over the money. I found similar dresses at sample sales, and discovered this style didn't look so hot after all. It has no structure so it shows every bump. eek.

I thought about getting a dress made, or buying a really inexpensive dress and sprucing it up, but then the finish product would be a mystery for so long.  After finding so many dresses that were fine, I became a firm disbeliever in brides just knowing when it's "the one". But then it happened (see earlier post)! I hardly had to think about it, I just knew I wanted this dress to be mine and I can't wait for it to arrive! Accessory shopping begins now.