The.Search.Begins.

Another weekend has come & gone. My goodness. I remembered today that it has been a whole entire month since Walker & I got engaged! I can't believe that! Time is moving so quickly, and it's a daily challenge for me to force myself to   s l o w   d o w n   and really soak up everything that's happening. I must say, this blog has been a huge help. It requires me to put down my text books, log off Facebook, turn off the TV [which is really difficult tonight because there is a Life marathon on the Discovery Channel!], and reflect on all of this excitement. This blog post isn't so much a reflection, as it is a documentation. A documentation of my search for the perfect wedding dress.

The Search--Part 1:

Did you know that Say Yes To The Dress is the most misleading show about wedding gown shopping ever? It really is. My experience was nothing like on that show! No one's is. Unless you have a $5,000 budget. Or your last name is Kardashian.

I went shopping with my Mom, my sister [& maid-of-honor], and my grandmother. We went to the Burlington Bridal Mart, because we heard it offered the best selection. And that they did! There were over 3,000 dresses in the store...no two the same! However--I soon found out, the wider the selection...the more overwhelming the experience.

First of all. Most, if not all bridal gowns run small. Meaning you must search for dresses that are a size or two larger than your normal dress size. Which makes a bride-to-be feel awesome! Not. Second of all, there were no dressing rooms in this store. You simply went behind a curtain and took your place along the wall-o-brides, all of us changing into & out of gowns at the same time. Sort of like a bride-to-be locker room.

Putting on a wedding dress wasn't as thrilling as I thought it would be. It was actually quite a chore. You have to squeeze, and jerk, and push and pull all at the same time. I quickly learned not to select dresses that lace-up the back. That process will take your breath away. Literally.

After I was finally in a gown, I would go show my family. Which was when I expected myself to start crying and fanning myself while everyone repeated "this is the one. this. is. the one." But as I stood looking at myself in the one mirror that stretched across the entire wall--I realized there were dozens of brides all along the mirror. All the dresses started to blend together and look like the one I was wearing.  It became a very impersonal experience. I didn't feel special. I felt like I was at an audition of sorts, competing for the role of "Bride."

I realize I am not the only one getting married, or the only one looking for a wedding dress. But I didn't expect for the search for my special dress, the dress a girl dreams about her whole life, to be so informal. So, not individualized.

I walked away without a dress, but it was a great learning experience. I discovered what I like, and definitely don't like in a bridal gown. I made some memories with the women in my family that I will have forever! And I met lots of other sweet brides on their quest for a perfect dress.

I'll continue my search soon, and I am so excited! This is the only time in my life I'll ever have a reason to try on wedding gowns--I want to have fun with it! And even though the show is super unrealisitic...all I really want is to say "yes" to the dress! :)