The One Where Lindsy Finds a Dress

Happy 4th of July!  If I wasn't a second-guessing, must-check-every-option-possible type of person...I could have written this post a couple of months ago.

If you hadn't guessed otherwise, I found the dress!

First, let's recap on the dress hunting thus far:
1.  February - went to David's Bridal for the first time - found a dress I liked, but wasn't ready to buy.
2.  Spring Break - went shopping in Manhattan, wasn't very impressed with the bridal salons in town, found nothing.
3.  April to June - Looked online at tons and tons of dresses, created the Wedding Dress Designer Price Guide to help figure out what designers catered to my budget
4.  June - Made two appointments in Kansas City to try on dresses

And now we're up to date.

So Mom and I made the trip to Kansas City a couple of weeks ago.  With two places picked out, I was ready to try on some dresses:
The first place I think I tried on 5 dresses.  The attendant was nice, but not super helpful, and I think we were limited on selection.  I had another appointment following this one and I was afraid of being late so we just cut our losses and wrapped up the appointment.

   

Front: Casablanca 1892 / Back:  Casablanca 1904C

The second place was really nice.  The attendant was super cute and helpful.  I think I tried on 15 dresses.  She would find a dress that I loved the top part of, but didn't like the bottom, or I didn't like this or that or whatever.  I felt really picky.  I did find some dresses that I liked, but then I would look at the price tag and I didn't want to pay $1000 for a dress that I liked.

     

(I don't remember who the designers are on these.  Mom vetoed the tulle!)

After needing a break, and most importantly, lunch, I was feeling a little discouraged.

Mom was still up for some dress shopping (provided that I was), so using Subway's wifi and my iPod touch (smartphones...what are those?) we hunted down the nearest David's Bridal.  We hoped that we could just pop in and try some dresses on by ourselves.

Upon arriving, mom and I just searched amongst the dresses.  We found the one I had originally liked and a couple others to try on.  We asked for a room, said we didn't need an attendant since we didn't have an appointment.  Then the desk lady offered Andy. Now Andy (short for Andrew), didn't get a lot of brides, didn't have any appointments...so we put him to good use!

     

It was kind of strange to have a male attendant, but he was really helpful!  He put my mom to shame with the lace-up backs, brought over shoes, veils, bridesmaids dresses, the works.  We tried on 3 dresses and with that I realized that my heart still belonged to that first one.

Note:  I debated back and forth whether or not I wanted to post my dress this far away from the wedding.  All I ask is that if your name is Adam or if you cannot keep secrets about my dress from Adam, DO NOT LOOK AHEAD... I will be really sad if you ruin this for me...guilt guilt guilt

If you were reading this blog in February, you've probably already seen it, but here you go!

  

(front: Chiffon with ruching and lace appliques...it opens at the side)

(back: the alterations specialist "bustled" it for me so that we would know what it looked like; lace-up back with more beaded lace appliques)

       

(close-ups on the details!)

So we got it!  I was too tired to care about veils and shoes, so that will be purchased on another adventure.  I'm happy to have a dress and to be able to move on to the next stage of to-dos!  The nice thing about this dress is that the lace-up back means I don't really have to worry about alterations/weight.  Also, if I wear about a 2" heel, I won't need the dress hemmed either!

For me...I didn't have a "OMG this is the dress feeling!" It would have been a lot easier if it was that way, but I don't like to keep things simple, so why start now?  

However, I did come to several realizations that ultimately led to my purchase: 

1.  I liked the dress..."like liked"the dress

2.  It was in my price range

3.  I kept comparing all of the other dresses I was trying on with this dress

4.  I liked working with David's Bridal, they were very helpful and nice

5.  What are the odds I am going to find something better?

6.  Do I really want to have to make more 2+ hour trips to try on dresses?

7.  I felt like a bride :)

And the best part?  I told my mom, "okay, let's get it" and she started crying.  I laughed at her and she pushed me in the dressing room "to get back into normal clothes" (aka hide). My mom's not super sentimental, but she was really happy for me, and that's what matters most.

Dress stories....do share!  What do you think?  How was your dress shopping experience?