dress shopping... (long, sorry)

So I went dress shopping in Feb, right after I got engaged... there was a dress I saw in the magazines that I loved - then I went to RK and the same pic was in the dressing room - I thought it was a sign. It was the first dress I tried on - it fit really well, I thought it looked great, my mom and sis loved it. So fine, tried on a couple more, but eh, wasn't loving them. I thought how easy could this be, first dress is the one.
Today I decide to go back after work, to try on again, and possibly order. I grab that dress (in my album), and another one completely different. I try on this different dress, and it fits great, looks great (I didn't think I wanted strapless). I put on the original dress, and it doesn't look as good anymore! It was soooo weird. It fit weird, it wasn't as flattering... Now I'm all conflicted. I ask the woman, Nicole, if there are any other dresses similar to the strapless, around the same price point (A-line, with lace overlay), just to explore this other style. She says no (in RK bridal???)! So I'm like oh, ok, maybe all the dresses are $$$. I get dressed, about to leave, and look on a rack to see other similar dresses that were less $. I thought that was kind of odd...
Also, on my first trip, I tried on a couple of dresses that didn't fit me too well (I am bottom-heavy and they didn't go all the way over my hips) - so she just took it off me and said 'next' - I mean, what about ordering a larger size than the sample and taking in the bodice?? Aren't you supposed to order based on your widest point? It wasn't like I was trying on a straight style, it just wasn't as A-line as I needed it to be. Shouldn't she be suggesting that?? Just because the sample doesn't fit me, does that mean it shouldn't be an option to consider?????
Hopefully when I go to the smaller shops local to me they will be more helpful!

Thanks for reading this novel!!