Finding the Perfect Dress

Literally, ever girl dreams of what her dress will be like. My big white dress was dreamed of the first time I watched Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the Little Mermaid. When my first wedding Barbie was bought and then more were added to the collection, I had high standards. But not the biggest dream budget!

First, I went to this place in New York City in Chinatown where I tried on my first dress. That thing weighed about a hundred pounds! Tons of beading and the whole Cinderella puffs all over the skirt, it was a sight! But I thought I was going to literally fall over as this sweet Chinese lady who hardly spoke any English pinned me up. Plus, not to mention it must have been a hundred degrees inside. Even though it was a sleeveless dress, I was dying! Goodbye to heavy dresses and puffs!

Next, I went to a fabulous shop that I have dreamed about trying on dresses since the first time I went to my aunt's apartment in New York City. I would suggest that any bride with a big budget go there. Adriene's Bridal Shop in the East Village is amazing! The little boutique had everything a bride could dream of and this is where the true dreaming started.

I thought I was always going to be a girl who had the dress with the old fashioned lace and lots of beading somewhere between classic and Cinderella. There they did have that type of dress and it was one of the first I tried on. It was beautiful alright. But there was something about it that wasn't just right. Then my aunt both could not stop staring at this one dress.

It was plain and white and shiny made with satin. Completely a fitted and showed off just the right body parts. I was in love with this dress. But I was not in love with the price. That particular dress was a custom made one by the designer of the store and she was even going to make mine in sleeves. Custom made, custom BIG price. Just couldn't do it.

But it made me realize what I wanted and what fitted. I left New York and went back home for the real search. I also knew my budget limitations but I knew it was time to hit the local Utah shops. I started with one that actually is ran out of a home, called Lisa's Bridal. It was really cute and all the dresses there were $200. I couldn't believe it! But none of the dresses fit. There was one I really loved and it could have been altered but it wouldn't have worked.

From then on I knew my size was going to be a tough one to find. I then decided to do another internet search finding Latter-Day Bride. For religious purposes and because I am really not the girl who has the shoulders to where sleeveless dresses, my dress had to have sleeves. I was happy that I found a site to where all the dresses had sleeves! Yay! It was exciting.

I then dragged my mom to their old location (they are now at the gateway next to Jason's Deli) and she was impressed. I heard that in the fall was when a lot of dresses were going on sale before the winter weddings and before everything for the new year came out. And indeed, they had a sale!

We pulled off literally every dress that was on sale in a size 0 or 2. The only place so far where the dresses came to where I could fit in them! But still sadly many of them didn't quite fit my shoulders. I wasn't impressed with that. We went dress after dress and I even pulled some of the order only-not on sale dresses off when my mom and I decided to check the sale rack one more time.

The girl who was helping us must have thought we were crazy but she was really nice and really patient after every turn around in front of the mirror and standing up on their pedestal. My mom and I had both grabbed a few more dresses and still no luck. We came down to one more in my pile and one more in hers. Granted wedding dresses are huge, so we really filled up that dressing room! I looked at the last dress and thought, "How pretty! Just enough beading and yet not over bearing!" But I honestly thought my mom wouldn't like it.

That's when she then said, "I don't think you're going to like this dress, but I really like it. It's really pretty and not overbearing." I then said okay, "I'll look it. I don't think you're going to like the last one that I have but I like because it's not too much." We then traded when I remarked, "Hey! It's the same dress!" This was no accident.

So as the story goes, I tried it on and it was a perfect fit! Shoulders and everything. I was a little nervous because how the dress fits so well is that someone has to lace up the back. No zipper. It is really stunning and beautiful when all laced up though. I loved the dress and my mom loved it! So of course. it was the one! I can't wait to show everyone pictures!!!

Yes, I found my Cinderella dress to where when I was getting my dress altered (shortened just a little bit), I took my dad with me. He said that I was princess and loves it just as much as I do. In fact, he later surprised my by buying the veil, tiara, earings and shoes that match! I love it all! I can't believe that I'm such a lucky girl!!!

It is truly a dream come true. I can't wait to show you pictures! :)