On to dress shopping...with the FAB FOUR!

The venue having been secured and my own need to go and look for a dress actually turned out to be painless, believe it or not.  I expressed my trepidation and was on guard as my entourage and I entered Carolina Couture to start the search for the perfect dress.  Hmmm, well I think I want, I'm not sure, I never really had a wedding, I probably shouldn't wear this because and what about the tattoos, all these things were going through my mind, but I wanted to be open minded seeing as how I never had the chance to be able to shop for whatever I wanted before, ever.  So with Ily, Irma, Lori and Laura, the Fab Four, in tow, the adventure began, short and sweet and virtually painless.


Sierra was the "dress specialist" we, yes we, would be working with, the "Fab Four's" opinion matters a great deal to me, the Bride.  She wanted to know what I had in mind, my response, maybe short, probably not formal, maybe a color, however I am open to try on whatever you think would work.  So she said you all come this way where we were led to a "closet" full of gowns...straight, beaded, strapless, cap sleeved, white, ivory, poufy, mermaid style, anything that could be imagined.  I backed away and told them they could pick some our for me to try on.  Listen I was looking at a bunch of beaded fabric that, well, let's just say I wasn't in my element.  They were happy to, so Ily, Irma, Lori and Laura all waited until the first dress with me in it emerged from the dressing room. Then one after another I tried on dresses, some were too big so the "jumper cables" had to be put on the back so it wouldn't fall off.  I liked different things on each one, one was the top part, one the back, another the bottom, one the fabric, another the train, another the way it bustled.


The entourage of four said to me, that when I found exactly the right dress, I would know.  I said ok.  Then Ily came from the back "dress closet"  and said as I was changing out the last dress, "I found this one. It may be too poufy but it has everything you liked on the other dresses."  I told her I would try it on.  She helped me into this one, which had a seatbelt. :)  The dress, and I cannot divulge too much of a description because I have to keep it a secret from my future hubby, fit perfectly and when Ily and I came out of the dressing room, the expressions on all three remaining entourage members said it all.  It was and is perfect.  It fits like a glove, the length is even perfect, no alterations are needed.  I felt like a...hold on...forearm to forehead and repeat after me, "What is happening to me." ...a princess. 


I kept "the dress" on for about thirty minutes while the Fab Four and Sierra picked out jewelry, hair pieces, veils, shoes for me to try on.  We all had such a good time. I am so glad they came along with me, to make this a memorable event. 


While Ily was helping me get "the dress" on, I asked her if she would help me get ready on my wedding day.  She said she would love to.  My daughters and I will be getting ready at Ily's house for the wedding.  I am very thankful she is such an active part in helping plan our wedding.  She found the venue and picked out the dress and I loved them both.  Hopefully, someone gets a picture of Nik's face when I appear on our day, Sunday, October 23 at 4 in the afternoon.  We may need to station someone in the event he faints, just saying. He can thank his sister, he is going to be blown away.

Just so you know, everything I said I wanted before in a dress, out the window.  The Fab Four were right, when the dress is "the dress" you know.  When I came out the dressing room, with Ily.  I stepped up on the platform in front of the three way mirror, Ily holding my hand as shoes were being put on my feet, a hush fell, followed by a few ahhhs, then came the smiles. It was "THE DRESS".  Ily had single handedly found a dress that Sierra didn't even know was in the store, and it was perfect in every way.  I had transformed into Cinderella, it was a magical moment that compared in my mind to crossing the finish line in Ironman 70.3 San Juan.  A memory that will never be forgotten.  I am very thankful for Ily, my future sister in law.


Checklist:


Food:  Irma's Catering
Serving trays: variety of friends and clients
Venue:  Lake House @ Lake Carolina, tables, chairs and table clothes included
Dress:  Carolina Couture
Flowers: Kroger
Photographer:  Cindy Faulkenberry Photography
Cake:  Cupcake
Nail polish color:  Skull and Glossbones by OPI

All 8 DONE!!




Seriously all this planning took all of three hours, not just the dress, all of it.  Other than the drive thru weddings in Vegas, I think we have set the record for speed planning. 

Family wedding planning company in the future, hell no, could not deal with Bridezillas.

Side note:  Any idea how hard it is to keep this from Nik?  He is my bestest buddy...but it will be so worth it!