Wedding Dress Scavenger Hunt

Well, I hit up my third bridal shop tonight, and while I found some pretty dresses, didn't find IT. THE dress. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to find "that perfect dress" out there. I've found two so far that I really like, but neither dress gave me that tingly, oh-my-gosh this is it feeling that everyone talks about. I feel like Goldilocks and the wedding dresses. This one's too lacy, this one's not lacy enough, now I'm just waiting to find the one that's just right.

So I ask, did all you married girls out there have that feeling about your dress, or is this perfect dress feeling a myth, because I'm beginning to wonder. I've been dreaming about my wedding since I was little, and I'm kind of frustrated because I feel like I should have found the perfect dress by now. Maybe I just need to be a little more patient and keep looking...

Thoughts/suggestions? Looking for some words of wisdom if you have any.

image/apt34

18 comments

Stephanie said...

I never had that feeling, the oh my gosh, this is IT and then cry happy tears feeling...ya know, like on say yes to the dress! But I also knew I was the type of person who wouldn't have those feelings, so I knew not to expect them otherwise I would have been searching and waiting for something that I would never find! It came down to two dresses for me and I couldn't decide between the two. I chose what was most comfortable (hey, your wedding day will be a loooooooong, yet very very happy day), what went best with the "feel" of the wedding, and what looked best on me. I also brought it my grandmother and mom, who are tough critics!

Midge said...

I didn't realize that my "it" dress was my "it" dress until after I tried on dozens of other dresses and realized that I kept thinking of one I tried on way back when I first started looking!

Linda said...

Try on as many dresses as you possibly can even ones you don't think you'll want.
I never got the THIS is the dress feeling. But I loved the dress I wore and was happy I got it. I was a 2 dress bride. The first dress was the one I thought I wanted til I saw the second dress. Sigh!

heather{land} said...

I almost got the first dress I tried on. I loved it and it would have been fine, but not perfect. The dress I got was the last dress I tried on and had scoped out online. The lady helped me put it on and I was like "oh crap. This is it (it was slightly more expensive than what I was planning on)." Plus both my dad and my mom got choked up.

heather{land} said...

I agree with Linda too...so many dresses look hideous on the hanger and actually look fantastic on. Try on lots and lots! I lost track of how many I tried on -- I must have gone to 8 stores between here and there!

Unknown said...

When I bought my dress, I told the lady that I wanted a simple A-line, not a lot of ruffles or sequins . . .something classic. I tried on 15-20 of those . . . then she said, "Are you willing to try one that doesn't fit your criteria?" It's the one I bought. Fit like a glove, tons of sequins / beads on the top, layers and ruffles like whipped cream on the bottom. The OPPOSITE of what I thought I wanted. Try on lots of things . . . you'll eventually get the feeling. (BTW, angels don't sing from the heavens when you find THE one, but you just feel beautiful . . .)

Erica said...

Yup, I agree with all the others - try a lot of different dresses. Before trying on any dresses, I thought I wanted a straight neckline, trumpet or mermaid dress. I ended up with a sweetheart neckline, A-line princess dress! It was the first dress I tried on and I loved it, but when I first put it on, I didn't have the tears or the butterflies in my stomach. I was indecisive and trying to be rational (it's too much dress for an August wedding, it's too much money, etc.) I tried on 8 other dresses at that store and 6 more at three other stores. My best advice, try all different styles especially those you didn't think you would like and go with your gut!

Kelli said...

I agree with everyone else. Try as many as you can on. Once you find it you'll know in some shape or form.

I was one of those brides who bought the first dress she tried on. I didn't have a scream out loud and cry reaction, but I felt it was me and it was everything I wanted. During and after the wedding I knew I made the perfect choice.

Before dress shopping I had pretty specific ideas about what I wanted my dress to look like and had even scoured the internet looking at options.

My family members who came with made me try on a few more dresses, and after trying on a few more I realized even more that the first dress was supposed to be mine.

Anonymous said...

I thought the "oh my god" feeling was a myth too and I'm so not that girl, but I really did get that feeling when I put my dress on. You just know. But definitely try on dresses you wouldn't normally try on. I ended up with a dress I never thought I'd like. Good luck!

Carrie said...

I didn't have the "this is it" feeling either. Looking back, I maybe should have shopped around more, but I think my dress was perfect for me and what I always imagined. However, I only went to one shop and was determined to buy that day in that shopping session. I chose the dress that looked the best on me and got the most "oohs & ahhs" from the sales girls & my mom & sister. No one (including myself) got misty eyed or emotional or even said "this is it." After I tried on 10 or so dresses I went back to the second one I tried on and came out in it and said, "I think I like this one." I still had dresses in my room to try on but I was tired of trying on dresses. After I ordered my gown I had some serious second guessing going on, which is really common I found out. But I definitely think I made the right choice. I loved my dress!

Carrie said...

p.s. I know you are going to look beyond beautiful in no matter what style dress you choose!

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

Try on LOTS! The first dress I tried on I thought was perfect, and it wasn't until I went back a couple weeks later that they had the one I bought!

Holly said...

you should read this and the comments

http://www.eastsidebride.com/2011/01/should-i-just-know-when-i-put-it-on.html

The Three Bite Rule said...

I found one I loved but I let it marinate and came back to try it on again. I think as long as you have that "this is the one" feeling for your groom you're all set! Good luck!

Rachel Ball said...

In my experience... focusing on finding that "perfect dress" just made the hunt more frustrating than it needed to be. My advice would be to try to have fun trying on dresses.... and maybe that wonderful gorgeous dress will be discovered when you least expect it.

Crayon said...

I was getting discouraged and started looking through the sample rack. There it was!

Anna said...

I think that "tingly" feeling you describe was invented by the staff at Kleinfelds. You love this person, right? And you're ready to get married? Just pick a dress you like pretty well and focus on making the rest of the details special for the two of you.

Kate Messmer Wendt said...

I totally understand your problem. I went to several places shopping for my dress one weekend while up in Seattle and found it to be a little more stressful than fun. I dind't feel like I found the perfect dress and ended up buying one that I realized later I didn't really love. Fortunately, they were able to take it back (it was off the rack) and I thought about what I really wanted and what style I wanted to have on our big day. I ended up finding a dress that looked more like "me" at Priscilla of Boston in SF, and I felt great on my wedding day! I wouldn't suggest the same route but I guess my advice is buy whichever one make you feel good!