Alicia, our funny and lovely guest bride blogger, is back on the Modern Wedding blog for installment 4. In this post she tells us about the journey she's been on to find THE dress.
There are many magical aspects to a wedding. Marrying your best friend has to be top of the list, but I also think that finding and wearing the wedding dress is one of the really special parts of a wedding too.
I never thought I'd be fussy about a dress, but let me tell you, since trying on gowns I've fallen waaaaay down the rabbit hole. Wedding dresses are so unique. They are so thoughtfully designed and carefully made...there is no other dress like it.
I found my dress very early on. Initially I was thinking of a soft, empire, chiffon, hair down sort of look so, in week three of engaged life I booked myself an appointment at Marry Me Bridal. I went by myself and first tried on a heavy lace empire gown which I easily crossed off my list. Then I tried a chiffon single-strap gown which I really liked. I then said to the consultant: "You choose something for me, something different."
In through the curtain came an enormous gown, bustling it's way into the previously large change room with a tiny consultant somewhere lost in the folds of the tulle skirt. "This is Tiffany," a hidden voice said. "She's very popular." I was laced up tight and swooshed my out to the mirror. I couldn't believe my eyes. I looked like a bride. My waist looked tiny I felt like I was on top of something; up there on show amongst all that tulle.
And then the veil went on. Swoon. All the hairs on my arms stood on end and I felt light headed. I was suddenly a bride. The dress was gorgeous. I was gorgeous!
Brides Desire by Wendy Sullivan | Photography - Justin Aveling
Bridal Vision | Photography - Tim Robinson
But it was still early days and I don't think that I had even come to terms with being engaged, much less ready to walk away with a dress. So I decided to go home and think about it and next time enlist the help of some friends. Two weeks later myself and two excited girl friends trekked into the city to try on big beautiful gowns at Maggie Sottero.
That's where I met my fairy godmother. She told me that she could find the perfect dress for any budget, and she spoke some wise advice: "Do not try on dresses that are beyond what you want to spend because invariably you'll end up falling in love with it and you'll have to take out a personal loan to buy it." Apparently this happens quite a lot.
In that store they recommended a mermaid gown and my first thought was "What on earth are they thinking?" I have curvy hips and solid thighs, why would I wear a dress that hugs those parts?!"
But wedding dresses are made to accentuate your assets and, ladies, the mermaid gown is made for us curvy babes. It hugged and draped the feminine silhouette, and it clicked with me how lovely the female shape is in these beautifully made dresses. I could have gone with the mermaid gown. It really made me feel like a Hollywood siren. However, the next dress turned out to be 'The One'.
Emoda Couture | Photography - Tim Robinson
Briony Leigh Bridal
I knew this dress was the one after I had taken it off and saw a couple of other women eyeing it off. I wanted it! I put a deposit down, picked it up a few days later and hid it in my wardrobe behind a couple of maxis and my dressing gown, in absolute SHOCK that I had just bought a wedding dress. What would my fiancé think?!
But now (it is safely stowed at a friend's house) and I am very very happy that I made the decision early on. Now I don't have to choose between all the other gorgeous gowns I have seen, and I can move on to creating a theme and a style around the feeling of the dress that I chose. I can't wait to put it on again!
What about you? Was it easy to find your dress or are you still going through the experience? How many dresses have you tried on?
Alicia x
About Alicia: Alicia is a water scientist by day and a blogger/jogger/home cooker by night. She is madly in love with her fiancé Shane, Pinterest and her fitness program. Check out her Pinterest board and lifestyle blog.
Alicia is guest blogging for the Modern Wedding blog leading up to her wedding day. She resides in Manly, Sydney, and is a Victorian country girl at heart. Swing by Modern Wedding Facebook or Twitter and ask Alicia a question.