I had an appt at the end of the month with DB. I didn't want to spend a ridiculous amount for my dress but I wanted a benchmark so I could feel good about any tradeoffs I made. So I made an appt with a bridal salon I had been through before I started losing weight (32 pounds and counting!). I only brought my mom and one of my good friends. I've worn a lot of formals so I had a good idea of what i wanted- sweetheart, drop waist.. but not below the hips, ball gown...
It turns out my dream dress was from Fall of 2010 so I guess I should have been married 3 or 4 years ago LOL Even after trying on several other styles just to be sure..it's a sweetheart, dropwaist, an A line with a hoop skirt to make it full like a ball gown, silk shantung, chapel train... and the best part- it was on the rack, fit great (though I can still lose more weight and the alterations won't kill me- I checked) and they were having a huge rack sale!
So... with none of the people that were going to be there except my mom and this one friend I found and bought the dress! I love the look when I walk it in... it's like there is a flowing river behind me. We'll still keep the DB appt for the BM dresses but yay! I have a dress and I didn't have to compromise.