The Search Is On....
So, needless to say, I tried on a few dresses before I found 'the one'. A couple of these looked pretty good...others looked postively awful. I decided to post pics for your viewing enjoyment (not to mention, maybe you want to see what some of these dresses look like on a curvier gal). I went to Davids Bridal in Hagerstown, MD - and was expecting horrors thanks to stores about DB stores on theknot. But much to my surprise, I had a great experience, and my salesgirl - Stephanie - was wonderful. Granted, I did say she could pick out one dress just for fun, and it looked HORRIBLE...but I did give her the greenlight :-)
She was also very kind and helpful to both of my sisters, neither of whom are your run-of-the-mill sizes. She picked out dresses that she knew would look good on them, and didn't make them feel bad about themselves - and I couldn't appreciate that more than anything else in the world, because they were both scared to death to go dress shopping for the fear of being made fun of. Stephanie was, in one word, awesome.
She was also very kind and helpful to both of my sisters, neither of whom are your run-of-the-mill sizes. She picked out dresses that she knew would look good on them, and didn't make them feel bad about themselves - and I couldn't appreciate that more than anything else in the world, because they were both scared to death to go dress shopping for the fear of being made fun of. Stephanie was, in one word, awesome.
The Contenders...
These looked pretty good...I was actually planning on buying the first one. The second one was my runner up, however, it didn't come in ivory, so I was buying it as a last resort.
Eeeeekkk.
These weren't awful dresses....they just weren't made for a size 14 girl. The first one gave me a distinct uni-boob impression, and the other one, while a very pretty Grecian style...managed to point out every flaw on my body.
The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of...
I am sure somewhere, a girl is wearing these gowns and looks gorgeous. However, I am not her. These dresses were picked out my mommy dearest, and well...you can tell.
And The Search is Over...
Oleg Cassini Style CE239
Ivory/Champagne
I was chatting with Stephanie when she asked to see my engagement ring…and after I showed it to her, she told me that she had just the dress in mind for me. When I saw it in the bag my first thought was ‘no way, that’s way too prissy/poofy/over-the-top/strapless for me. Even when I walked out to my mom crying and my little sister going ‘wow Amy, you’re gorgeous’ (she‘s at the cynical teen stage and won‘t say a positive thing to anyone), I was still skeptical…and I looked in the mirror at the once horrendous dress, only to find…a bride. The dress was two sizes too small (I tried on a 10, but I’m a 14), but I could still see that it emphasized and slimmed all the right places, and the lace was….perfect. Not to mention, it was cream, not white, which I was very adamant about not having to wear. I would have never tried it on, so I’m so thankful that the bridal assistant knew my style better than myself. It’s has a corset style back, along with gold/champagne lace all over the train and similar lacework across the bodice. It has a few pickups at the bottom, but I didn’t mind them - it actually added to the dress without being tacky/cheesy. I bought the matching veil, which I hadn’t planned on buying that day, but it looked perfect with the dress so I forked over the absurd amount of money. Stupid bridal industry.
I also bought a champagne satin short sleeved bolero because my arms aren’t my best feature, (I actually told Terra I didn’t want to try on a single strapless gown, ha), and the bottom hit’s the top of the gown perfectly. Stephanie overheard me talking to my mother about how I was going to wear sneakers with the dress and nearly had a heart attack, so I humored her and tried on about 10 pairs of heels…and hated every one. I promised her I’d wear at least flat’s with the dress - I had my fingers crossed behind my back ;-)
Ivory/Champagne
I was chatting with Stephanie when she asked to see my engagement ring…and after I showed it to her, she told me that she had just the dress in mind for me. When I saw it in the bag my first thought was ‘no way, that’s way too prissy/poofy/over-the-top/strapless for me. Even when I walked out to my mom crying and my little sister going ‘wow Amy, you’re gorgeous’ (she‘s at the cynical teen stage and won‘t say a positive thing to anyone), I was still skeptical…and I looked in the mirror at the once horrendous dress, only to find…a bride. The dress was two sizes too small (I tried on a 10, but I’m a 14), but I could still see that it emphasized and slimmed all the right places, and the lace was….perfect. Not to mention, it was cream, not white, which I was very adamant about not having to wear. I would have never tried it on, so I’m so thankful that the bridal assistant knew my style better than myself. It’s has a corset style back, along with gold/champagne lace all over the train and similar lacework across the bodice. It has a few pickups at the bottom, but I didn’t mind them - it actually added to the dress without being tacky/cheesy. I bought the matching veil, which I hadn’t planned on buying that day, but it looked perfect with the dress so I forked over the absurd amount of money. Stupid bridal industry.
I also bought a champagne satin short sleeved bolero because my arms aren’t my best feature, (I actually told Terra I didn’t want to try on a single strapless gown, ha), and the bottom hit’s the top of the gown perfectly. Stephanie overheard me talking to my mother about how I was going to wear sneakers with the dress and nearly had a heart attack, so I humored her and tried on about 10 pairs of heels…and hated every one. I promised her I’d wear at least flat’s with the dress - I had my fingers crossed behind my back ;-)
The look on my face as I looked into the mirror for the first time says it all.
Bolero Jacket In Champagne
I won't wear this for the ceremony, because I figure my veil will do a dandy job covering my arms by itself. However, I'll probably slip it on for the reception.
Face Paint
I would love to have a classy, vintage feel (aka, nothing crazy glamorous) with my makeup...I am thinking along the lines of a rosy cheek and lip, and a soft brownish/grey eye with a lot of mascara. Waterproof, of course.
Hair Inspiration
I love how Emmy Rossum wears her hair...however, God did not see fit to grant me with hair as thick as hairs, so my attempts at replicating these styles are probably going to fall short. But, you get the general idea of what I'd like to do.
Jewelry
This is the jewelry I will be wearing - a pair of pearl/marcasite earrings, a seed pearl bracelet and a pearl necklace (which I'm still iffy on, I'm still not sure if I want to bother with a necklace with how ornate my dress is). I got the necklace came from a yard sale...obviously not real pearls, but it's still pretty - and the color of the pearls match my dress perfectly. The bracelet is a family heirloom - my grandfather bought it for my grandmother as a wedding present in Japan (they were traveling there for their honeymoon), and she gave it to my mother when she became engaged to my father. My mother, in turn, gave them to me after Chuck proposed. The earrings where a present from Chuck on my 13th birthday (he was so shy giving them to me, too!) - it was the first real piece of jewelry he ever bought me. And that little black pin came with my ebay purchase of my hair comb, which works out perfectly for holding my shawl in place ;-)
Change of plans...
So I decided that the silver in my earrings was bugging me, and thus have decided to go for an all over gold look. I am wearing a diamond cut gold chain of my mothers, as well as the pearl bracelet pictured above. For my earrings, though...that involved buying new things ;-)
My first choice is from EvesAddiction, which I highly recommend buying from - they are great quality, and my order was on our doorstep within 2 days. Very impressive. Not to mention, if you like vintage style jewelry, they have a large selection...I could easily spend my paychecks there...sigh...
My first choice is from EvesAddiction, which I highly recommend buying from - they are great quality, and my order was on our doorstep within 2 days. Very impressive. Not to mention, if you like vintage style jewelry, they have a large selection...I could easily spend my paychecks there...sigh...
These beauty's caught my eye a few days later while I was shopping with my Mom at Target - and my mom proceeded to tell me how much more she liked these earrings, etc, and bought them for me. Now I've just got to decide which pair to wear. The problem with these is that the design (stones) are only seen on one side - the back is solid gold, which may not photograph well. Not to mention, they wouldn't not move. I tried to take a picture of them on me and I couldn't get them to stop swinging for one moment.
I do like the pearls in in it though - it matches my dress. And the brown stones.
Ugh.
Why can't humans have two pairs of ears for this very reason?
I do like the pearls in in it though - it matches my dress. And the brown stones.
Ugh.
Why can't humans have two pairs of ears for this very reason?
Earrings, part two.
These are the choices I've narrowed it down to for my second and third holes in my ears...it's going to depend on whichever main earring I choose, though.
Necklace
This is the gold chain I'll be wearing - it was the last gift my grandfather gave to my mom before he died, and in all my life, I've never seen my mom take it off. I asked her if I could wear it and she said yes :-)
Shoes
And my 2nd favorite thing I‘ve bought for the wedding…a pair of suede Chuck Taylors that I had customized, down to the color of the racing stripe. It’s one of the few ‘splurges’ that I really really wanted. I had our wedding date placed in small print on the outside of each shoes in a midnight blue as my, well, something blue. I live in my sneakers, and I can’t imagine wearing anything more comfy and practical for a klutz like myself on our wedding day. Besides, my dress is covering up my shoes…but just in case, they’re pretty…and I can wear them after the wedding too! (which is how I justified the price to myself)
Not quite a six pence...
But a 10 pence will have to do ;-)
I'm going to put this in between the flaps on one of my shoes. Perhaps I will have 4 times more good luck ;-)
I'm going to put this in between the flaps on one of my shoes. Perhaps I will have 4 times more good luck ;-)
Chilly Weather...
This is the shawl that my grandmother gave to me when she saw the photo’s of my gown - it’s going to be my ‘something old’. She bought it on her honeymoon in Japan, and it looks so delicate (I take that back - it is delicate. I‘m afraid to even touch it because it was hand woven and I‘m petrified I‘m going to snag it or something)…it’ll be nice for when we take outside photo’s and I begin to freeze in the chilly October weather that us Marylanders have.
Veil
My veil came from Davids Bridal (style 4501-0353) and was a complete splurge...because no one in their right mind would buy a piece of tulle netting with embroidery for 190.00. Which I did.
I must have been insane.
Anyways, it's a single tier with gold lace edging with little beads, and has gold flowers embroidered onto parts with little pearls and crystals. It's gorgeous, yes. It matches my dress. But it was not worth that much money.
I must have been insane.
Anyways, it's a single tier with gold lace edging with little beads, and has gold flowers embroidered onto parts with little pearls and crystals. It's gorgeous, yes. It matches my dress. But it was not worth that much money.
My NON-Tiara Headpiece
I walked into the store when I went for my first fitting. It was sitting in the display case. I noticed how pretty it was. And that it matched my dress. And when I put it on with my veil, I realized it it was made to go with it. When I looked at the small digits on the price tag, I grabbed it and walked to the counter, handing over my Visa Card.
Only when did I get to my car and had the excitement worn off that I realized....it looks an AWFUL lot like a tiara.
Everyone is telling me otherwise...but deep down, I have a feeling I may end up looking like a corny Disney princess on my prettypretty princess day.
But it CAN'T be called a tiara. It is a hair comb. With pearls and crystals that just happen to point up...similar to a tiara, but it doesn't wrap all the way around the head.
Sigh. Who am I kidding? I managed to sucker myself into wearing a tiara. Oh well...it's just one day.
Only when did I get to my car and had the excitement worn off that I realized....it looks an AWFUL lot like a tiara.
Everyone is telling me otherwise...but deep down, I have a feeling I may end up looking like a corny Disney princess on my prettypretty princess day.
But it CAN'T be called a tiara. It is a hair comb. With pearls and crystals that just happen to point up...similar to a tiara, but it doesn't wrap all the way around the head.
Sigh. Who am I kidding? I managed to sucker myself into wearing a tiara. Oh well...it's just one day.