On my first bridal shop visit, my sisters, my mom, and I shared the experience. I had absolutely so much fun trying on dresses, dancing and having discussions about the vibes I desired for my special day. 

I walked away with a dress that I fell in love with. However, it was extremely over my budget. As days turned into weeks, I realized the dress I thought I loved was not the dress for me. 

I decided to continue my search. I had the opportunity to use a close friends dress. It was absolutely beautiful. In order for me to try it on I had to take the dress out of its preservation box.

Although the dress was breathtakingly beautiful, I had reservations about wearing my close friends dress and possibly damaging it. That thought terrified me! I decided to bring my friends dress back to the store she purchased it from to get it preserved again. Little did I know, I would find my wedding dress at that exact location.

Upon requesting to have my friends wedding dress preserved for me to return it back to her, the sales person offered me the opportunity to look at some of their dresses.

I was excited because typically you need an appointment to shop for wedding dresses. I began to look at dresses with my Aunt Barbara. I selected 3 dresses to try on that day. The second dress was the dress I said “yes” to! 

I chose a column style dress that fit my body like a glove. Although the dress was too long for my 5’ 4” frame, I knew this was the dress. 

Minor alterations were definitely needed, however I knew this was my wedding dress. This dress happened to be on sale and was 1/3 of the price of the first dress I fell in love with! I am so thankful I continued to look, because I eventually found “the dress” and happily said “yes!”

Helpful Links

For more information on dress shapes https://www.wed2b.com/blog/our-essential-guide-to-wedding-dress-shape

Wedding gown preservation

https://www.gownpreservation.com/