Word of Warning for Brides-to-Be While on Quest for "THE DRESS"

When I was a girl, I always thought shopping for my wedding dress was going to be this dramatic affair full of tears and hugs...surrounded by my nearest and dearest...turns out...its pretty darn overwhelming!! Well...let me back up...most of it was.

I actually wrote this post out and then rewrote it because I decided to go in a different direction. I could go on and on about what I liked and didn't like about my experience   Girls, here are a few things that you look out for while you are trying to have this fairy tale moment. I mean, it kind of is like that...when else do you get to get all glammed up like a Disney princess?

1. Consultant looks upset because you didn't like the dresses she pulled. OK, last time I checked, this was MY wedding and I should probably be buying a dress that fits MY style. There were moments where I wanted to ask "Did you make this dress?...Oh you didn't?? Then why are you so upset that I hate don't like it??"
2. Consultant makes you feel like your budget is unworthy of their store. Now, in the world of wedding gowns, I completely understand that there are your budget dresses and dresses that cost as much as a small car. I would have to say that I fell somewhere between the two...by my choice. I did not set out to find the cheapest dress I could find, nor did I set out to find the most expensive...I wanted to find the dress that I HAD to have. While trying on a dress that I was feeling so so about, but loved the sash, I had to ask..."Does the sash come separately and if so, how much?" The response I received was "Oh, the sash? It's ONLY $895." Ohhhhhhhh...oooonly? Now be that a big or small amount to some people, I don't think any amount should ever be prefaced with "only"....because you never know who you may offend. Needless to say, I did not find my dress at this appointment.
3. Line of brides a mile long to step in front of mirror. As much as I like to feel like a piece of meat on display at a deli counter, it is not really what I had in mind when trying to find my wedding dress. I could feel my own eyes dissecting everything I felt was wrong with the dress the girl ahead of me had on...WAS SOMEONE DOING THAT TO ME TOO? Prooobably. I am sure that the fact that it was noon on a Saturday had a little something to do with it, but I was pretty much over it within one dress. In short...take the day off...make a mid-day appointment...enjoy it. Otherwise...take a number and get in line.

Was there a happy ending? Thankfully, yes. 

We (My mother and I) went to our appointment at Renee Austin Wedding in Grand Rapids (which is also where we happen to be getting married). I have to say...BRAVO. This may have been because it was a Friday afternoon at 3:00, but not only did we have the full attention of our consultant (Jana), she seemed to actually be more interested in learning what I wanted as opposed to pushing the "latest style that just came in that she really wanted to see on someone" even after seeing the obvious grimace on my face. She was complimentary (but not overly to the point of being fake)...she was helpful (but not pushy)...and there was not one sash that was "ooooonly $895". Ahh...I could breathe. Good experience? Check. And to top it all of...I had finally found.... "THE DRESS".

Happy ending & Happy Friday!

T