Dress Style

arv266 · May 2010

Hello Ladies,

My wedding is in November and I havent started shopping yet I am completely obsessing over my dress. I had purchased a dress online and it was just HIDEOUS! As this is my second wedding I am feeling strange about going into a bridal salon. I've walked into David's Bridal twice and walked right out... to me it seemed like it was filled with the excitement of new brides and I didnt fit in... I know, strange.... I want a dress that says WEDDING GOWN, without it being over the top. Our wedding is a an afternoon lunch and I honeslty dont know what kind of dress to look for?

Has anyone else felt this way? What are the ladies with afternoon weddings wearing?

Thanks for reading!

arllinma · May 2010

I agree! I think its hard to find the right dress the second time around. I want a wedding dress that says Wedding but isn't TOO wedding, but not too informal. Ive been looking at destination dresses, plain bridal gowns and also fancier bridesmaid dresses.

I think Davids is a great place since you can try on dresses that actually fit as opposed to trying on some sample 4x too big. Davids copies all their dresses, so if you found one you liked and didn't want to buy it there you could always find it somewhere else.
I just went to Davids-I told them I didn't need help and would let them know when I needed a fitting room. They were kind of confused but were ok. I looked around and picked out a few without someone hovering and then asked for a room. I also didn't want the girl getting screwed over waiting on me, when I didn't need or want her and wasn't purchasing anything,

msblumoo · May 2010

I felt the same way as you about shopping for a dress. But with my daughter and baby grandson for support I did go to David's Bridal and it was completely fine. Even the young girls shopping for their own dresses were very nice and no one made me feel stupid for being there. Like the NIKE add "Just Do it"!

arv266 · May 2010

Thank you both!!!! I got up the nerve to make an appointment and will just look around -- no pressure!

Thanks for understanding exactly what I was feeling!

deepcovejackie · May 2010

Oh good for you! Good luck with your search. Remember too there are department stores (ie J Crew) that have wedding dresses as well.

right1thistime · May 2010

And if any salesperson doesn't treat you well, leave the store and call the manager to let them know that you are a much more savvy consumer than most first time brides, and have a much larger social network. (You may not have 634 "friends" on Facebook, but you do have plenty of flesh and blood friends, family and neighbors who will pay attention to a vendor rant.) As a wise woman recently commented here, second time money is as good as first time money.

Emmiew · May 2010

I, too, am hesitating taking the plunge and looking for a dress. I've been browsing online forever...mostly the oncewed.com and pre-owned sites. I'm too hesitant to order online, though!

I did see some perfect dresses on the Nordstrom Bridal Salon section. But I know I have to get out there, too!!

c-dub · May 2010

I second PP's idea of looking at fancier bridesmaid dresses. I was also finding it difficult to strike the right balance of not-too-over-the-top but still "bride-like" until I found this Bill Levkoff bridesmaid dress. Most bridesmaid dresses come in white or ivory (or champagne, like mine):

KRN726 · May 2010

I so get it. My wedding is also this November and I just last weekend picked a dress. I was DREADING it! I didn't know what to get, I ned to loe weight, and I was pressured by family members to "just get something simple" because this is my 2nd wedding. I even picked out my bridesmaids dersses first and all of their accessories just to avoid doing mine. BUT...I finally went into a small bridal shop and just went for it, as msblummo said. It was fine and I picked a Casablanca 1992 in ivory. Not too foo-foo, but not just a plain white dress. BTW - I love the Nodstrom bridal dresses (my bridesmaids are wearing Alex Evening One Shoulder in black) but they just didn't fit me right. Best of luck!

arv266 · May 2010

Thank you all! I have an appointment tomorrow at David's, just by myself and I am going in with a list of all the things I am looking for in a dress. KRN your dress is absolutely fabulous! Like you, I've already picked out my bridesmaid dresses and all of their accessories! That part was so easy! Thanks again for all of positive vibes!!!!

thealphabride · May 2010

I'm having mine made through an on line vendor and now I'm a bit nervous. I knew I was throwing the dice when hiring these ladies, but they are in the U.S. and I have spoken them on the phone at length about the construcion of the gown and I just have to have faith. I felt comfortable placing the order and they promised it would look 95-97% like the pics I sent them of the gown.

Best of luck.

rosiereal · May 2010

Good Job!!! you will find the perfect dress tomorrow just remember u have to love it and even if it is over the top its still your day and its just as special the second time around... Good luck

Sue-n-Kevin · May 2010

I love the NIKE reference...........Just do it!

I found a dress at a sample sale in a smaller bridal salon near my home. After buying it, I found it online and it's considered a "destination dress"....... elegant but not too "bride-y". I felt no qualms about walking in, in my 50's, and telling them I was a first time bride and wanted to feel special. If it had been a problem for them, then it's THEIR problem.

If you are intimidated by the larger "box bridal stores", find smaller ones near you that have been in business for a while. Their employees can be a bit older, are more personable, and you aren't competing with as many other customers as you are at a larger chain store.

Good luck to you all.

thealphabride · May 2010

Hey arv....
How did the dress shopping go? I forgot to mention that I went to Davids and was treated very well. I also visited a few smaller shops and was treated well.

I usually went alone to avoid family drama. I only brought the big fat Greek family when I had found the dress and showed it to them. Then I sent pics to the ladies in TN to create it.

Let us know what you found!!!

arv266 · May 2010

LOL alpha!

Well Ladies... MISSION COMPLETE!

My consultant was an absolute GEM! I explained that I was just in the browsing around mode and not ready to commit. I figured she's walk me through 2-3 gowns.... but nooooooooooooooo, she pulled out about 8 gowns for me and gave me all the time I needed to get a feel for each of them. I thought that I would feel old looking at all the "new first timers" but I felt just as excited! My only "feel old" moment was looking at the young girl next to me in a wedding gown, and thinking she was looking for a sweet 16 dress.... she was actually a bride who found "the one". I didnt limit myself to a certain style and fell in love with one, but the skirt was tooooo over the top (think Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind) and it just wasn't my style. I have another appointment on Saturday to make my final choice and will be brining my MOH (aka my wonderful 12 year old daughter) with me.

Thank you all for your support!

Sue-n-Kevin · May 2010

Glad to hear it went well! Good luck

MikesAngie · May 2010

arv266 congratulations on getting one step closer to your dress!! I'm so happy for you that the experience went well!!! Yay for you! I hope you and your daughter have fun on your next appointment!

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