the wedding dress

The rule of thumb when it comes to selecting your wedding dress is to select a venue prior. That way you know your dress would be appropriate for a garden wedding, a beach wedding, or a fancy schmancy wedding. I, being the lazy bride, hadn't felt like looking at venues for a long time that I went ahead and tried on a few dresses for shits and giggles.

There was really only one place I wanted go: BHLDN (pronounced "beholden"). They only have two brick and mortar stores -- one in Chicago and one in Houston -- so when I was in Chicago last month for my friend's bachelorette, I made a point to go after she had left town. My other best friend and my parents joined me.

Although way above my budget, I was certain I'd love Catherine Deane's Lita gown ($2,400) in person (on the left). If not, definitely the Elysium (on the right).

 

But on me, they both failed to wow my peeps. I tried on a bunch thereafter.

From top left and clockwise: Anna Sui's Aiguille gown ($1,200), Catherine Deane's Cascading Goddess gown ($1,600), There Is Only You and Me's Iced Confection gown ($1,800), BHLDN original Crepe de Chine Column gown ($1,400), Hitherto's Sweeping Taffeta Ball gown ($1,600), Va et Vien's Savoir Faire gown (on sale for $1,400, orig. $2,800).

They were all beautiful gowns but I didn't LOVE any ON me. I liked the Aiguille and Ice Confection. But the Aiguille seemed too vintage and interesting and Ice Confection was too plain in the front -- though the back was stunning. My best friend took me to House of Brides the next day and made me try on a bunch of dresses. I tried on dresses I never thought I'd wear. Fitted mermaid gowns, strapless lace gowns, etc. But again, nothing wow'd me.

I was hoping to get the dress shopping over and done with, but it didn't happen.

Then a few weeks ago, I saw J. Crew's Vivienne gown online and decided to purchase it. At $895 (after tax, I paid $949.38), it was well within my budget, and I loved the style.

I wish the fabric was a bit lighter but the design is great and it has major potential after tailoring, which I'll need to allot another $500. I broke tradition and showed it to my fiance and he loves it. Also noticed their sizes are running out at a major pace so good thing I purchased it already.