My Dress Search, Or, How I Tried On a Gazillion Dresses Before Finding "The One"

********JOSH, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THIS ONE IF YOU WANT TO LIVE********

So tomorrow is a big day. BIG day. Why? Well, I'm ordering my wedding dress!!! I know I'm still 14 months (today) away from the wedding, but I want to get this out of the way. I'm done searching. Yesterday I read something and basically it said buying your dress is like saying "yes" when your fiance proposes. After you've done it, no more looking for something better. Hopefully I wont be tempted to try on any more dresses.

My search for the "perfect" dress (if there is such a thing) has been a long one. About a month after getting engaged I went to The Perfect Bride in Rocky River. My mom actually suggested going; I think she was more excited than she let on. We were not allowed to take pictures in the store (I couldn't even sneak them because there were no mirrors in the dressing rooms!) but I will say it was a fantastic experience. Carly, my consultant, was such a doll. We actually went to high school together but didn't know each other. She had me trying on nearly every dress in the store. I felt very glamorous that day. At the end of the day, there were a few contenders but I didn't leave the store feeling like I'd found "The One." The dress that stuck in my mind was by Paloma Blanca, style 3809.

(Source)

I loved the patterned fabric and the brooch on the bust. After going back with a bridesmaid to try it on again, I realized I definitely wanted to keep looking. There is much more to this story, but for now I'll leave you with a teaser of my dress.

(Photo from author's personal collection)