Dress Shopping is like Dating

Me and bridesmaid (and all around awesome friend) Wendy before entering Kleinfeld's

There wasn't much hemming.  And just a little bit of hawing.  But after ten dresses, three veils and 1.5 hours I said...


YES!!! 


I literally actually jumped up and down and said "I say Yes to the Dress!!!" The experience was AAAAA-mazing.  I felt like I was living out an episode from the show.  For those that don't watch, hop to the next paragraph... for those that do... please jump up and down like I did :) I sadly didn't see Randy (bummer) but I did see Joan.  And not only did I SEE Joan - she took my measurements.  And now... I LOVE Joan. We also saw Keisha and Sarah.  


And while I couldn't take any pictures (boo security!), I took mental images which should hopefully suffice:

• Subtle sweetheart neckline
• Gorgeous beading on the top 
• A-line silk fit on the bottom
• Buttons running down the back of the dress

Most importantly, I learned a WHOLE lot about the entire dress shopping experience - at least dress shopping at Kleinfeld's.


My three key takeaways:

• Get a Great Consultant (aka: Ask for someone like Debbie):  She's the best, most wonderful consultant. She listened, she asked questions, she made it about ME rather than the people I brought WITH me (who were great, by the way!) She stayed (mainly) within our budget and told us if something was going to be a bit more. She is the main reason it only took 10 dresses rather than 25. And if you are NOT comfortable with your consultant after the first 20 minutes, speak to the manager.  

• Dress Shopping is like Dating: I thought I wanted an A-Symmetrical, A-Line, Bling-less dress.  That's about all I went in knowing.  Debbie took that information and brought in some options.  Turns out - I didn't look that great in one-shoulder dresses.  Turns out - a little bit of bling wasn't such a bad thing (when done tastefully :)  You have to be willing to dive into a couple of dresses so you can narrow down the style that you feel comfortable in.  Plus, what looks "eh" on a hanger, can look awe-inspiring when on your frame.

• Don't Settle: I truly didn't believe I would "know" which dress was mine.  And after the eighth dress I started getting nervous.  Where was that feeling everyone was talking about?! Everything looked "nice." And maybe that's all I WAS going to feel... But when I put on the tenth dress - I didn't want to take it off.  I'm still DAYDREAMING about it.  And no, I didn't cry.  And neither did my bridesmaid Wendy or my mom or my stepmom.  But we all just... knew.  This was my dress soulmate.

So, just like dating... Dress shopping takes time.  It can be overwhelming.  It can even be disappointing.  But when you meet the ONE, it will have been worth every bad dress date before it.