Well, I went to look at gowns today. No luck. We went to a really large bridal store, and I didn't like anything. We must of looked at a few hundred dresses. I thought they were all ugly. So, now I'm getting worried that I won't be able to find anything I like. We also went to a smaller place, and they also had nothing. I have an appointment at David's Bridal tomorrow. If I don't find anything I don't know what to do. Anyone else having trouble finding a dress they like??? HELP!!!
Don't worry-you'll find something - Don't settle for something that doesn't feel like you! When is your wedding?
Melissa,
I can definately relate. Nothing felt great on me -- until I increased the price range. Now I'm deciding whether to get the dress and trim down costs somewhere else (probably flowers).
I know how you feel - I've only been looking
in magazines and haven't seen anything I love.
Have you considered having a gown made?
I totally understand. I haven't been able to find anything I like in my price range (2K range). ARGGGH!
First let me say that I got my dress in Boston, so suggesting shops won`t help, but I can share my experience.
I kept reading posts from everyone saying how they cried when they tried on 'the gown' or they knew it instantly, and I wasn`t feeling that way about anything I tried on. There were some that were flattering, but they just didn`t do it for me. I must have gone to about 15 different places. I was beginning to think I would never find 'THE DRESS'!!!
In some cases, I liked the neckline, but not the skirt or the waist, or I loved the lace on the hem, but the top was not flattering. Slowly though, I was realizing that there were a few styles of waist and neckline that were most flattering to me. That was the first turning point. I was able to narrow my search down to specific waistlines and necklines.
The second turning point was when I went to an old-fashion salon south of Boston - I felt like I`d passed through a time warp. They had a male bridal attendant who was wonderful with his suggestions and insight. He helped me realize that my analytical nature (picking this neckline, that waistline, and certain lace styles) was why I was not getting emotional about a dress. He said that many brides don`t react with tears and instant confidence that it was 'the dress'. I felt so much better after that!
Finally, after trying on umpteen dresses and going to every store around, I noticed my thoughts would drift back to a few dresses and I thought about what was attracting me to them. I liked the neckline and I liked the way the skirt was light and drifted when I turned - I wasn`t dragging a dead horse like some of them felt like. That`s when I realized it was the right dress - the neck was what would show in most of the photos - it didn`t matter that it didn`t have the lacy hem I though I wanted. The sheer organza felt so wonderful anyway.
I ended up with a Mon Cheri that cost about $800 and was silk and satin with a lacy bodice. I found that they made some dresses with wonderful fabrics. The day of my wedding I felt like a princess and the dress was just perfect.
So don`t fret over not having a moment of revelation when you try on a specific dress. Focus on what is flattering, what makes you feel wonderful, and rest assured that a good seamstress can work wonders. My shop pointed out that they could buy lace from the designer to add to the skirt if I wanted, on another dress they could get some to add at the neckline to make it less revealing, so talk to them about small changes they could make. I think they can even add or subtract sleeves in many cases.
And the final tip I`ll mention, that also helped. The shop where I finally got my dress gave me some good advice. They kept narrowing me down to 3 top choices. When I had tried on a couple of gowns, they made me choose between them, selecting which of 2 were my favorite and we would go through the exercise again after I`d tried on a few more - it kept me from having a zillion options and got me to really think about which I liked best. In the end, my final choice was one of the top 3 from that shop.
Good luck to you all.
I looked and looked and felt the same way. Then I found my dress. You will too. Find out what you do and don't like about a dress style and back into to your dress that way.
Like if you look best in the strapless just try on those.
No kidding ladies - I felt the same way when I started looking. I tried on those beautiful tule princess gowns and looked like Belinda on a Bad Day. We are not used to seeing ourself in a big white dress with a flowing veil. All your ideas about fashion are challanged. Remember this is a totaly unique experience for most of us.
Concentrate on what makes you feel beautiful. Put the magazine down, get to a great salon with experienced sales staff. I probably never would have tried on my gown if I saw it hanging on a rack. In my case the sales staff made all the difference.
The people at the store make all the difference. I went to a big store in NYC and just couldn't find anything I wanted. The saleswoman was not much help either.
I found a store that I heard nothing but good things about on this board and the woman showed me things that were EXACTLY what I wanted.
I saw my dress in a magazine and she showed me similar dresses, but could read my face and told me exactly what I thinking about each dress. and it was only $800!
The first time I went out looking, I went into the store was there 15 min then walked out. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was not what I saw. I think I got totally overwhelmed with the decision as well. I still have not found a dress, but I went in by myself one day and spent 4 hrs in there trying on different things, now I have a realistic image of what my dress will be. I went in there with a magazine picture of the dress, but it just went limp on me. Then the lady explained that it is not like jeans or a bathing suit, something that I have had years of experience with, but I have never bought or worn a wedding gown. So I have learned to be more open with what I take into the dressing room with me
