Just Say No To Tulle

Man, talk about unrealistic expectations. I love how TLC sets current, as well as future, bride's up to think that all bridal salons offer the same kind of service and knowledge as the shows on their channel. If your like me, and on a budget to NOT spend $3k+ on your dress (and that’s the LOW end on those shows!), then you realize quickly that not all bridal salons offer the same kind of service. Believe it or not, not all bridal salons are created equal.

Image Source

But you move on, and quickly realize that you can find something that you love. Without the heavy price tag attached. Or the pomp and circumstance that accompanies bride’s on those shows. I’m not jealous or bitter I swear! Sometimes, all you need is the accompaniment of a good friend and for her to tear up at just the right moment, and you know you have yourself a winner!

The first time I went dress shopping was a month or so into being engaged. I went with my friend, now bridesmaid (yeah!), Brandi. She loves all things wedding and had been loudly voicing her impatience for Michael and me to get engaged. To top it off, she wasn’t going to let a little thing like being 4 months pregnant stand in her way from going dress shopping. So, on the first free Saturday, off we went. She even scheduled the appointments for me! You couldn't ask for a better friend.

Now, on to the pictures! Just to clarify, I won’t be showing you the dress I chose. I have had a few requests by people to not see it, and since those requests came from basically the 3 out of 5 people who actually read this blog, I’m going to have to keep it a secret for a little while longer :)

These are a few of the dresses that caught my eye before even visiting the salons. I loved the detailing on the skirts and thought they were so interesting. I think my wedding dress taste is pretty “classic” but I did want a little twist on it, and I thought the detailed skirts would be so unique and different.

Image Source

Image Source

The two pictures above were basically the same bottom, just with different tops. What I didn't like was the skirt material. It felt kind of scratchy too me. Even though I thought it was pretty, I couldn't get past the feeling of it.

Image Source

Image Source
I loved the ruffle bottom of this one more then I thought I would, but it was very heavy. And I couldn't imagine carting that thing around all night. Least of all on a hot, July Texas night.

Image Source
I didn’t try this one on because it was out of my price range, but it was soooo pretty. But it had soooooo much tulle.

Image Source

Image Source

Fail. Like fish out of water, flopping around, fail. When I tried them on, they just didn’t feel right. They didn’t make me feel like me. I felt like a little girl playing dress up. And all the tulle! I had forgotten how much I hated tulle. Being in dance as a tomboy, I had loved all the practices, but hated the actual performance at the end of the year with the costumes. The endless amounts of wedding dress tulle brought all those nightmare’s racing back.

Personal Photo

Oh, the purple tutu. Brings back memories. This picture was taken my first year of dance.

I quickly realized I wanted clean lines in the skirt, no tulle!, and a sweetheart neckline. This dress, is the dress that brought tears to Brandi’s eyes (although could have been the hormones), but I knew it was for real when the same thing happened with my Aunt and Mom on the second trip. It had all my requirements; a sweetheart neckline, clean skirt lines, and when paired with the Enzoani belt, Diana, was perfect.

Image Source
It looks WAY better in real life. This picture does not do it justice.

Image Source

But, it was not meant to be. I couldn't pull the trigger. I was just going to have to find a “classic” dress, with clean lines, and unique detailing somewhere else. Or, had I secretly already found it?

Did you do any secret wedding shopping when no one was looking? What did you buy?

*Side Note: We visited 4 bridal salons that day, and only 2 of them made my pregnant friend work. Well, really one and a quarter. We had a bad experience at David’s Bridal and basically just left without really trying anything on. However, I would like to mention that if you’re ever shopping in the DFW area for a wedding dress, we had a great experience at Lewisville Bridal Boutique. They had great service, our consultant listened to what I had to say, and the staff seemed very knowledgeable about their selection.