Yesterday started The Great Dress Hunt of 2007. My mom and I drove up to Roseville to the David’s Bridal where we’d gotten my sister’s dress. I think I tried on 10 or more gowns before narrowing down my choices to 2. It’s impossible to find the right dress when there are so many options. I was freaked out that I’d never find anything, that of course my butt’s too big for a bridal gown!! But alas, it is not and I had more choices than I could comprehend. After lunch, we drove over to Bridal Mart. I will affectionately refer to that place as HELL. We arrived to the store which had no sign in front. It felt rather…dirty. And top secret. So secretive no one was there, not even employees. Eventually, they led us past the bar area and booths (yes, it used to be a restaurant but apparently remodeling was too difficult) to the secret vault. The 9th circle of HELL. The area where they keep “THE GOWNS”. Apparently the gown room is so secretive that only the bride and ONE PERSON can enter. Beware all ye who enter here! Again, no one was really that excited to see us and with all the hype about THE GOWN ROOM, I really thought there was a party or something going on back there. But alas, no.
The lady measured my bust and then pointed to the general direction of dresses we could choose from. We pulled out 3 and then were directed to the freezing cold dressing area with the world’s smallest and thinnest curtains. I was given no crinoline, no bustier, nothing! So I’m standing there with Disa, freezing my butt off while she pulls the dresses out and I cram myself into the dressing closet. Nothing looked good, no one spoke to us (apparently you need to have an even bigger diamond than I have to get any attention from the lady at BRIDAL MART!). We tried on 5 dresses and then I got dressed. It wasn’t even worth getting naked for.
However, the best part about Bridal Mart was the “Special Events Room”. The dresses in there can only be described as truly tasteless. Ranging from hot pink tulle to something Disa described as her next costume on Dancing with the Stars: The Forbidden Language of Dance, we laughed at the idea that anyone would even waste time sewing these monstrosities, let alone attempt to wear one in public. Considering we were the only ones dumb enough to wander into that room, maybe everyone else saw the flaming pink and ran the other way. Toward the GOWN ROOM.
We finally called it a day and got home about 6pm. I think Rob was afraid bridal gowns would chase me in my sleep last night but alas, I woke up this morning, ready for more. My mom and I headed out alone to shops in Modesto and we ended up in a locally owned store. I tried on the first dress and was not bowled over. Meh. The second one I really liked but Mom wasn’t thrilled. But I kept coming back to it. I think I put it on about 5 times. The last time I put it on, the dressing room next to me was occupied and her posse was out there waiting for her to come out. I came out in my dress and all 6 of them stopped and went “OOOOH! You look beautiful!” It got all quiet and everyone was watching me turn in the mirror. That’s when I said ok, this is the one. My mom smiled and I nearly passed out. See because now? Now I’m getting married. For reals.