Continuation of the wedding dress try-outs

Just to warn you. This one is a long one. For those who don't have the time to read my ramblings. Here is the edited version:

1. Friday I went to Park Avenue bridal shop and tried a beautiful dress that I loved.
2. Saturday my mother and I went to Bridal Elegance and found a beautiful dress that both my mother and I loved.
3. Monday, my mother and I will be returning to Park Avenue to try on that beautiful dress again to make a decision.
4. Tuesday, a decision will be made as to which dress wins. Stay tuned.

Now for those who have the time and the patience to read through my ravings. Here is the full length version.

The wedding dress drama continues. The only difference is I am not the drama queen I once was when I posted my last blog. I received some advice from a couple of friends, Paula and Jen, who quelled my fears and encouraged me to continue looking. I realized that the sale that was offered wasn't that much to produce a great discount. I was only saving $50 on the dress and $30 on veils and tiara. It wasn't enough to break the bank and I really wanted to see what my options are.

So, this weekend I went to a couple of shops. I made sure that I hit shops that were in my price range. I had called one shop only to find out the lowest dress they have is $3000. That was definitely a no. She did mention that they will have a sample sale in July but that is cutting it close.

So, I went to Park Avenue Bridal shop on Friday. They had told me over the phone that their lowest price is $700. Yet, when I got there my bridal consultant informed me that they don't carry that many dresses below $1000. Now they tell me. Well, so I went through the racks looking for "the dress" . I found a couple around $900 and of course, a lot around $1000. Beautiful dresses but like the consultant said, no "wow factor".

Before I continue, let me tell you about the process of trying the dresses on. Men don't know what us women go through. One thing is men don't need an assistant to try on dresses. You can't be modest when you try on wedding gowns. You usually need someone there to pour the dress over you, pull it up for your or zip you up. The bridal consultant, who was an older woman, guided me through reams of tulle, satin, crinoline, taffeta, etc. to poke my head out of these dresses. She would constantly order me to get in the middle of the dress and to pull up my strapless bra. Also since the sample sizes were a size smaller than what I am, I had to suck my stomach in for her to zip up the dresses. A couple of times, I had tripped just in trying on these dresses and getting out of these dresses. Men don't know how good they got it.

Back to the search for "the dress". While I was getting out of one dress, the bridal consultant, pulls a dress from another dressing room. Since I told her no lace (I like a simple, elegant look), she wasn't sure whether to show me but the lace was only at the bottom. I wasn't really impressed by it but I tried it on. And there it was "the wow factor". Damn did I look good if I don't say so myself. The dress made me appear taller and thinner. Just the type of dress that I was looking for. Not too much stuff going on. This appeared to be the dress and fortunately, this dress was the cheapest of all the dresses that I tried on (except for the one at David's bridal). It was under $900 but I really loved this dress unlike the one at David's bridal. I was pretty proud of myself. I just had to show my mom now. I trust her opinion.

Well, since I already set an appointment at Bridal Elegance and since it was in my home town, I decided to go there today with my mother. When I had called them, they had informed me that the dresses there ranged from $1000 and up. I was bracing myself with the fact that I might find something that I would love but could not afford. Well, let me say this one thing, Bridal Elegance, is a nice and friendly business. I enjoyed the personal attention that I received than in the previous shops. The business is run by a sister and brother and the place is set up in a house. It was really a nice place. Well, I tried on beautiful dresses but then again "the wow factor" hit. Again it was a dress that I wasn't so hot to try on (it had a bit more beading than I usually like but when I tried it on, I looked hot (please excuse my lack of modesty once again). The beading was also beautiful and wasn't overwhelming as I had expected it to be. Of course, this dress would be more expensive than the dresses at David's and at Park Avenue but it was just a little over $1000. Maybe I am making excuses but I love this dress.

So, here is the dilemmia. What dress to buy? I am really leaning on the one at Bridal Elegance. Yet, to make sure that I am picking the right dress my mom is going with me to look again at the one at Park Avenue on Monday night. I am not going to another dress shop because too many choices would only make me more anxious. Again, decisions, decisions, decisions.

So, stay tune. By Tuesday night, a decision will be made.