Friday, June 1, 2012
“So I walked home, one mile, with my wedding gown stuffed inside a plain plastic bag.” - Mindy of Budget Fairy Tale
Photo by White Rabbit Photo Boutique
This is my new favorite quote in the whole wide world because it is the last thing you would ever expect a bride to say and because it is the story of how just such a bride found wedding day finery that absolutely spoke to her in the oddest of places.
Mindy is a client and RBW was lucky enough to help coordinate her Disney wedding a couple of weeks ago. She also pens a blog by the name of Budget Fairy Tale and on this blog she has shared the five part saga of traveling to numerous dress shops and trying on countless wedding gowns before finally discovering THE DRESS, quite by accident, in a thrift store. Fifteen dollars later, this resourceful bride was on her way to creating her one-of-a-kind, personal, very “her” wedding ensemble. I just love how she illustrates the contrast between her previous shopping experiences with fawning shop employees and her solo, unexpected discovery of a hidden gem. (Click here for the whole story.) And I can’t wait to share more pics of how this dress turned out in the end - amazing and full of pink-a-licious detail!
Mindy’s story reminded me of how challenging it can be to find that one, brilliant, amazing outfit that makes you look and feel like the best possible version of yourself – especially for the unconventional bride. There’s nothing wrong with bridal shops and sometimes they work out just fine, but many times that process just don’t feel quite right and then next thing you know you’ve ordered a dozen cocktail dresses off the internet and opened your own mini-bridal salon in your home. (Oh, wait…that was me. Thank you Nordstrom for your liberal return policy!)
It may seem more than a little daunting at times, but Mindy’s dress saga is a perfect example of how it always seems to work out. Somehow, some way, that *click* where you know you’ve found IT always happens. You know it when you feel it, that you’ve found that nebulous, mystical thing you were looking for.
For those of you who are on that road right now I offer a bit of inspiration. A little “pick-me-up,” if you will. Below are just handful of examples of very unique, perfect-match ensembles I’ve seen on my clients:
Custom Corset
Photo by Our Labor of Love
Peek-a-Blue
Watercolor Satin
Photo by Next Exit Photography
Ruby Red
Photo by Douglass McNamee Photography
Vintage Glam
Photo by Rawtography
Tea-Length Ruffles
Photo by Arrow & Apple
The moral of the story is this: When it comes to shopping for the One Dress To Rule Them All, don’t get discouraged. Hang in there, have faith and, whatever you do, always keep your eyes peeled! Bridal shop or custom couture, handmade or thrift store, off the rack or completely altered – there is a dress out there that will make you feel like Super Spectacular You. Aaaaannnnd, as demonstrated by Mindy, sometimes you’ll find it where you least expect it. Just. Like. Love.
