A Personal Post and Plea for your Help (with link to pics)

Okay, by now you are probably all asking - what the heck is this girl doing with her wedding 3 WEEKS AWAY?' Excellent question. Don't really have a logical answer unless you accept 'certifiably nuts'. I definitely fell off my rocker a few months ago. Anyway, I am so mortified at my inability to make a decision that I wish I could post this anonymously I but my mug is all over these pictures so that would be difficult!!!

To get serious for a moment, I am going to open up a window into my personal life. Bare with me and I will try to explain from where the real issue stems. I used to be really sick. Sick to the point that I lost all ability to have a healthy self-image. I do not see what others see. Call it body dismorphia or wanting to look like kate moss - whatever. But it has made this process UNBAREABLE to me to the point that I cry myself to sleep at night over a DRESS!!! I cannot believe what this fearing what i will look like for 5 hours of my life has reduced me to. That is why I take so many picture b/c what i see in the mirror is not what is reflected in the camera. I can't stand looking at myself anymore but I can't ignore that I will be on display in 26 days for all to see and comment about and all I can think of is that I would rather wear a toga. I know this sounds horrible and negative and I am bride! I am supposed to be happy! Don't get me wrong, I am elated to no end that I found my soul mate and we will spend eternity together and I love him to death. I just never realized how self-consious I would feel during this entire process. It's not jitters or nerves. It's unfortunately just me.

So, I made light of it in my last post with jokes and calling myself a 'psychobride' (which I am by the way....) but this is where I am pleading for your help. I am sure there are a few out there sort of like me.....

I have added some pics to the ever-increasing 'laurapete dress' album. Just to refresh, the first few pics is the Langer dress, then there is an Amsale, then skip toward the end to see the AnneBarge, and a Vera in that order. There is a marisa with a detachable train somewhere in the middle.

Please take a look and don't hold back about your opinions. Don't feel bad telling me the truth. I need to hear it. Some pics were taken by me in the mirror so they are not as good, some have the veil and flowers, some I am made-up etc...

Here is the link:


LauraPete's Dress Pics Revised

I think you look great in the first dress - i love it!!! The back of it sold me on it - You look gorgeous in it!

First of all - you look gorgeous in all of the pictures!
I love the Anne Barge dress - Itried that one on as well and it was my second choice.....but i found one a little cheaper that i went with. I love that dress though, and I'm so glad youposted those pictures because i havent' seen it since i tried it on and it's gorgeous!
I also love the first one you were wearing. The melissa sweet lace one was very pretty.....
not crazy about the vera wnag with the clip on it....it didn't do much for you.
the one with the blue sash was pretty - but not special enough on you. and i can't remember any others right now
if i have to choose for you - i owuld say anne barge!

I personally think that first dress is your dress. I haven't read any previous posts - I am strictly going by the album pictures...you look glowing in those pictures. You are standing upright, you are smiling, you look thin and very pretty. And the back of the dress so elegantly sexy (like above that sold me as well). I just love that one on you.

I am sorry to hear your self esteem is not where it should be - but you are very pretty with a great figure and all those dresses fit you nicely. I am not just saying this.

Please go back and look at your pictures and see your beauty!!!!!

You are so beautiful! I know you might not be able to feel that way, but everyone on your wedding day will be saying and thinking only that you look amazing.

As far as I'm concerned, the first dress wins hands-down. It's stunning on you.

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Posted by Niecey

I personally think that first dress is your dress. I haven't read any previous posts - I am strictly going by the album pictures...you look glowing in those pictures. You are standing upright, you are smiling, you look thin and very pretty. And the back of the dress so elegantly sexy (like above that sold me as well). I just love that one on you.

I am sorry to hear your self esteem is not where it should be - but you are very pretty with a great figure and all those dresses fit you nicely. I am not just saying this.

Please go back and look at our pictures and see your beauty!!!!!

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I agree 100%

Yeah, I forgot to mention that the Vera Wang one (there are actually 2 - one silk satin, one organza) came out of a box so it is a wrinkled mess - i am going on memory of what it looked like when i tried it on in the salon unwrinkled. Also, no go on the silver clip thingy (which is actually an beaded strap that I tucked in) - that sucker would be removed immediately.

Also - a note about the first dress (Langer):

The back is beautiful. I agree. That is what sold me on it in the beginning. BUT - it cannot be bustled! Seriously, I would post pics of the concoctions several seamstresses came up with but they were soooooooo bad that i deleted them all. I may have saved one that made me look like present (HUGE bow) but even my sister and cousin (who are normal) said 'um, no go on any of those'. Sooooo, those tails would have to be thinned and shortened. And the bottom of the dress 'tucked under' to meet the floor(instead of traditional or french bustling). I also suggested just chopping it off but that would be way too boring.

You do look great in all of them, but the first one and the Anne Barge look the best on you and you seem to be happier in them. The look on your face is a lot brighter and more excited with them.

You are a beautiful girl and you are going to be a beautiful bride!!

ooops!
i voted for the wrong one - i think i voted for marisa, but i meant to vote for anne barge.....must be a mental blcok because my dress was a marisa!

I had several friends with eating disorders growing up and I know how damaging they can be on body image and the mind's eye.

I personally hated searching for my gown... I hated the mirrors, the small-running sizes, the lights, EVERYTHING!!!!
You are not alone in that.

B]Please believe me when I tell you that you are STUNNING.

I think you looked fabulous in the first dress.

I like the first one or the Amsale slight mermaid the best.

But you seriously look great in all of them!

First of all, I think that the first dress may be the nicest (or at least one of the nicest) that I've ever seen. Is the pic of the dress back (with train coming from top/middle of the back of the dress) that same dress? I think it's stunning, and looks perfect on you.

Have you actually purchased and/or altered any of these dresses yet?

I'm sorry to hear of your concerns, but as I'm sure you know, there are lots of ladies out there who share your issues with body image. I know you've heard this before, but I'm sure that everyone else views you as *very* thin, which is what you are. Does it help to hear it again, or does it not really make a difference? Don't worry about 'coming clean' here on this message board - no-one will judge you harshly!

Just take a deep breath, relax, and realize that all of the work you've done to get to this point will pay off on your wedding day. Just make sure to take a week beforehand to take it VERY easy, and be sure to enjoy your wedding day.

Good luck!

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Posted by Soon2bMsZ

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Posted by Niecey

I personally think that first dress is your dress. I haven't read any previous posts - I am strictly going by the album pictures...you look glowing in those pictures. You are standing upright, you are smiling, you look thin and very pretty. And the back of the dress so elegantly sexy (like above that sold me as well). I just love that one on you.

I am sorry to hear your self esteem is not where it should be - but you are very pretty with a great figure and all those dresses fit you nicely. I am not just saying this.

Please go back and look at our pictures and see your beauty!!!!!

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I agree 100%

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Same Here!!!

I love the first dress (that is the one with the back pic that AtticaQT posted I think, right?) Anyway it is so beuatiful and you are absolutely gorgeous in it. Also I'm not sure if you have aveil yet but I loved the one with the flowers on the back side of your hair and then the veil just came from there..so beautiful.
Please don't feel self concious you really are very beautiful and your workin all those gowns. Good luck and enjoy!

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Posted by diamondgrlie

I like you in this one most for some reason. You look great in all of them though.

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I love the front of this dress, but the back of the first one is stunning...

you look AMAZING in them all!! that's now fair! but WOW! no matter what you will be gorgeous!

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Posted by Niecey

I personally think that first dress is your dress. I haven't read any previous posts - I am strictly going by the album pictures...you look glowing in those pictures. You are standing upright, you are smiling, you look thin and very pretty. And the back of the dress so elegantly sexy (like above that sold me as well). I just love that one on you.

I am sorry to hear your self esteem is not where it should be - but you are very pretty with a great figure and all those dresses fit you nicely. I am not just saying this.

Please go back and look at our pictures and see your beauty!!!!!

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I agree with this as well.

To start - You look amazing in all of them & are such a beautiful person!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE you in the first dress!!! It suites your shape & figure so well and on top of that it such a beautiful dress. It isnt plain but its not over the top - just right & the back - OMG - is amazing!.

I didnt care for the Vera - JMO - but it seemed kind of plain & it fit nice but didnt add anything. The second dress shown - same thing. The Amsale (slight mermaid) was also very nice - you looked just great!

I hope this helps. i haven't started shopping but I can only begin to imagine how difficult it can be at times. Good luck - you'll look beautiful no matter which one you pick!