Here comes the what?
I think I found my wedding dress today.
It was an accident. I was showing my Nearly Mother-in-Law around my neighborhood, and we went into the tiny bridal shop across from my house. I had never been inside, despite the fact that I could throw a chicken leg out my dining room window and leave a grease spot on the door of the shop, it is that close. I have never set foot in any any bridal shop, ever. But my Nearly Mother-in-Law and I crossed a courtyard and stepped up a flight of stairs and into this tiny store stuffed with taffeta and chiffon and huge, expensive-looking gowns in plastic bags. I felt like an imposter. I felt like at any moment the sweet looking person behind the counter was going to ask to see some documentation–some sort of girly, bride credential–and then politely ask me to leave.
“Ok!” I murmured brightly to my NMIL, “We can go now!” This was code for I don’t belong here and my thighs are sweating with anxiety and any minute I’m going to knock something over and bring shame upon my family.
But there was this one dress, on a mannequin. It wasn’t too froufy. It was…pretty, actually, and the two women in the shop, noticing my gaze, began urging me to try it on.
“Oh nonononono,” I said, “I’m fine, really.”
And the next thing I knew I was in a large room filled with antique mirrors, standing on a footstool in my thong while the fitter zipped up the back of the dress. The zipper slid cleanly along my skin.
“Oh my god,” said the fitter. “It’s perfect.”
It was perfect. When I close my eyes now, I see this dress etched on the back of my eyelids. But I had planned on wearing something short and kicky. This dress is FLOOR LENGTH. And mostly white.
I looked at myself in the mirror and thought “Oh my god. I think I might be getting married.”
12 Comments
I know what you mean about the bride-to-be credentials. I always felt like a poser at those bridal places, too.
Enjoy the fun of being a bride. You’ll be a lovely one.
(I am surprised you are a thong girl. I pictured some cute but comfortable bikini briefs on you. Not that I sit around thinking about your underwear, but, well, you know.)
I just now got my post of the day in as well. We MUST be soul-sisters!*
Ahh, wedding dress shopping. I also thought I knew what I wanted, found some variation of that thought, and bought it. Only later did I discover the siren’s call of a full-length, white(ish), classic wedding GOWN.
I was toast, and am still trying to decide what to do with dress #1.
*commenter 1 thinks about your panties and then here I come, proclaiming that you and I must have intertwined souls. Sorry. I mean well, but am (in my heart), just a big dork.
Oh I want to know more! What kind of fabric? What kind of waistline? Strapless or sleeves?
Why is someone like you wearing white? That’s what I want to know.
I’m surprised by the thong as well. I pictured you more the petticoat type. I guess that’s in stark contrast with what I said about you wearing white, unless you are a petticoat-wearing loose woman. You have no idea how many of them are about.
I think that’s one of the best wedding-planning moments. I too wanted something not-too-formal or gown-like, but ended up with a full-length long-trained gown, because once I put it on I never wanted to take it off.
Cricket–normally I am not a thong girl, but I am not a laundry girl either, and that was all that was left…
It sounds so corny and wedding-magazine-y, but the perfect dress does kinda find you. I always pictured myself in something sort of floaty and ethereal, and then surprised the hell out of myself when I ended up with a very clean-lined, structured gown. But the second it was on my body, I knew it was the one.
It was just like that for me! First one I saw, and I felt like a princess in it. I still love that gown, 7+ years later. Congratulations!
Oh, how totally cool that you found your dress that way. I can’t wait to hear more about it too!
White - hahaha!! Oh ahem. It will be beautiful I’m sure - will we see a pic? Pretty please? What if I take back my cackle from the first sentence?
I tried to make my wedding dress - there’s your laugh of the day. I should do that 100 things thing.
Awww! Now you have an adorable bridal gown story! You’re totally in the club now.
Thongs always feel like permanent wedgies to me…I just can’t wear them. But good for you, naughty girl!
Hi! I got married 6 months ago (congrats, by the way!) and tried on about a hundred dresses… nothing was quite right. I, too, took my MIL to be with me and she found the dress I ended up wearing. It’s like with your fiancé - when you know, you KNOW.
Good luck and I can’t wait to read more about your upcoming wedding!