- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Here! I like my dress, but never during the search process did I feel in love with any dress. There were things I liked and things that made me say "Oh, that looks nice" but I never got...swept away, you know? I never felt like I was looking for "the one" so I wasn't disapointed that I never found it. I ended up choosing my dress solely because I knew it looked good, my sister liked it on me, and it had a corset which meant no alterations other than a bustle, keeping everything well within my price range. In a way I settled because I kinda feel like if I'd held out and looked harder, maybe I would have found a dress I absolutely couldn't live without and was more my ideal dress (aka v-neck, which looks good on me but is hard to find if you want quality and a low price) and still in my budget, but I was tired of looking and tired of thinking about it. In the end I'm happy with the dress I chose even if it wasn't quite what I wanted. I know it'll look good and I didn't break my budget or my heart over a dress I couldn't afford.
I hate to say it, but I did. I really like my dress, but it was the right price and the most flattering of the ones I tried on. I didn't feel like trying even more dresses on, and had a feeling that with my budget I wouldn't find "the dress". Hopefully alterations will help a little.
I'd think about your priorities: if it's more important to find "the dress" or to stick with a budget, or whatnot. It might also be helpful to talk to a seamstress when you're trying dresses on, to see what alterations can do to help you get the dress you love to be more flattering. It really depends on what is most important to you. But if you're not happy with a dress, I'd keep looking. I ended up being happy with my dress even though it isn't "the dress", and so I bought it and haven't looked back, at least not too much anyway.
Good luck!
Don't get me wrong, I love my dress BUT I didn't have that "the one" moment. The dress I chose had lots of details I liked, looked good on me, my mom and sister loved it. so I took the plunge. I didn't think I'd find anything more "perfect" in my price range and for 20% off, I went for it.
Its more sparkly than I thought I wanted, bigger train, more formal than I wanted. I went back to try it on again (after we orderd) when I went for a veil, I really did start to love it. I was in a different mind set. I think when you're TRYING to find something, its harder for it to be "the one". Plus it was exciting to see what I was going to wear for the big day.
Even our DOC asked me if I really loved my dress b/c I showed her a pic and didn't get super excited about it. haha Everyone's different. But you should definitely like it.
A lot of girls find that what they THINK they want, isn't what looks good. Its hard to get those pictures out of your head. You have till May next year? keep looking! and don't stress out about finding "the one" - just find something you feel pretty in :)
I think "the one" is a myth. There are hundreds of dresses out there--how is it possible that only ONE looks amazing on a person's body? :) That being said, I think at a certain point, you just need to stop looking and say, "This dress has all the qualities I want, and I'm happy with it." That's what I did--so I guess you could say it's settling, because I didn't get that overwhelming feeling of KNOWING it was my dress. But I don't know if that would have happened with ANY other dress that I could have tried on.
I think it also depends on your personality. If you're the type of person to be emotional and cry when you put on wedding dresses, then maybe you're more likely to have that feeling of "This is the one!". Me, on the other hand, I'm not a happy crier. I only cry when I'm angry, lol. And I'm also really really indecisive. So it would have been out of character for me to have a feeling of certainty that "This is my dress!" And true to form, I had plenty of weeks of dress regret :) But I ended up happy with my choice (because I didn't want to end up wasting the money/dress I had already spent). Do I kind of wish I had found another dress/kept looking? Yes, I do. But I think my dress will look good on me, and that's enough for me at this point.
Okay----so i def had "the dress moment," i fell in love with my dress the moment i put it on, and i did NOT want to take it off! lol but-----i went into it thinking, okay i want this certain type of dress, and at first i only looked at those dresses. i wasn't having any luck, when by bestfriend said, Ms. Yellow Birdie, these dresses are pretty, but i think i know what you should try on. she searched the racks and found a dress, i put it on, and bam! MY DRESS! but i had to step outside what i thought i wanted in a wedding dress. s0o0o0o you should step outside of your comfort zone and try on different styles, who knows---maybe you only THINK you want a simple chiffon flowy dress! lol hope this helps!!!
I am with yellow birdie!
I thought I wanted an all satin dress with lots of beading in A-line (I did not want a princess dress with a long train) - However, I fell in love with a huge ball gown made of tons of tulle and tafetta with absolutely NO beading (aka a princess dress with a 5 FOOT train!). It is THE ONE and no other dresses compare. (I found the dress early so I got to keep looking to make sure it was the one)
If you having trouble finding something you love try on the other dresses and maybe you will fall in love!
I had the same problem where all the dresses I really loved were just completely wrong for my body. I would fliip through a magazine and find ten dresses that I would die to wear and then a minute later realize that they were all too fitted, too structured, blah. So in the end I made myself try on a lot of dresses that I didn't love but would probably be good for my body type. And in the end, I don't love my dress, but I really love the way my body looks in it. Plus it wasn't very expensive. :)
Actually, my dress sounds like exactly what you are looking for. The three words I would use to describe it are simple, chiffon, flowy. It is David's Bridal V9743. It is one that I saw a million times in pictures and was never really blown away but when I tried it on it was the most flattering thing I had tried on in a wedding dress. Have you tried this one out?
dress.jpg (23.1 KB, 72 downloads) 2 years old 
I'm glad you wrote this! I too tried on dozens of dresses and liked many of them. I chose one that I think is beautiful, flattering, affordable and appropriate for my venue. But I didn't have that 'knew as soon as I saw it' 'everyone burst into tears' 'totally meant to be' moment that so many brides describe. I kept thinking maybe I was missing something.
First, I put a deposit on a dress and immediately started having second thoughts, so clearly that wasn't it. Next, I tried on a bunch more dresses and narrowed it down to three. I held off deciding for a few days, then bought the dress that was most on my mind. I haven't had any regrets about this one. Next time I see it, I hope it's at least 'strong like' if not giddy love!
P.S. FI and I fell in love practically at first sight, so at least I got to feel that way about SOMETHING.
P.P.S. I also found that the dresses I imagined wearing (flowy chiffons) were NOT what looked best on me. I agree with others about scrapping preconceptions.
@ rachel leigh: I just finished saying that I discovered flowy chiffons are not for me. The only exception was the DB gown you chose. It's so romantic and flowy yet more fitted and structured than most gowns of that type -- a great compromise. And the train...stunning. Your photo doesn't show all the gorgeous detail! This was one of my top pics. GREAT dress, and you wear it well. Congrats!
Love the dress I wore. And I don't think I could've found one better for me. But I didn't have that WOW moment either, at least, not the first time I tried it on... I guess it was more like: the more I wear it, the more I love it kinda thing.. So it worked out great!
I think it is so different for everyone. I've heard from a lot of friends that they just got stressed out and confused and nothing seemed like "THE DRESS". I think the whole process can be overwhelming. I also think a lot of people like the idea of something without considering what works for them. Think back to dresses you've felt confident in and what makes you look and feel amazing. Rather than have it be about the dress, have it be about you and how you feel. Dont settle but be real to yourself too!
I was so worried I wasn't going to find "THE DRESS". I found as I looked through wedding mags that I didn't see myself in any of the dresses. I finally came across 3 I liked (out of hundreds of pictures) and then after researching found out 2 were WAY out of my price range. Feeling like I only had one option I went to look at dresses with my mom and walked in the first store and saw the one remaining dress on a mannequin. I couldn't believe it but I had to try it on. My mom was worried that I would hate it and be super disappointed so she made me try other options, but it was perfect, won't need alterations or anything. I honestly feel like it was sheer luck for it to have turned out that way and I don't think that there needs to be so much pressure on having "THE MOMENT"!
I got a "the one" feeling, but I don't think that everyone HAS to get it. I wouldn't stress yourself out too much over this. Find a dress that you love and looks great. Maybe it's not the dress you thought you would pick, maybe it is. Whatever it ends up being - you'll be a beautiful bride.
I fully expect to have this experience. I love J.Crew, but I do not have a J.Crew body, I am curvy and I have always had big boobs (and a bigger booty). Therefore, of course, I would love a simple sheath, or something that looks kind of um, Grecian, like the Queen in 400? You know...the impossible dress that ALMOST makes the model look a little chubby and out of proportion? The dress that you know is made for someone size 0, without boobs or hips? The one that actually just drapes gently off of your clavicle to the floor? The one you cannot wear a bra with, under any circumstances?
So I am doing the best for me, the best I can. I know that Maggie Sottero would prob work great, but it just isn't my style...but I want the most flattering dress I can find.
So, I have decided to just tap into my alter ego. If I end up with a poofy dress with a corset, whatever. I'm going to have FUN! And look hot.
@ Kingcake: I have a dress recommendation for you, based on what you wrote. Have you tried # 18107 from Mon Cheri's Destination line (pic below)? Very flattering and elegant "goddess" dress, and the draping was very kind to my hips and booty. Another top pick!
18107.jpg (32 KB, 69 downloads) 2 years old 
I did! I like the dress and my mom really liked it so we got it. It hasn't come in yet so I'm not sure if I'll regret it or not!
I didn't get the "the one" moment and I think that as much as I'd love to have that moment, I'm way too analytical and that just won't happen.
My Mom had "the one" moment. I tried on a dress and my Mom started crying and I thought "its not what I'm looking for - there is no detail on the train, it has straps, the skirt is fuller than I want". I really liked the dress, but I was feeling too much pressure. So I took six weeks off from dress shopping and tried it on again and loved it, but I didn't have my "Say Yes to the Dress" moment. I'm having it slightly altered to tack down the box pleats and make the dress more A-line, but otherwise its the same dress and I love it.
P.S. You have TONS of time for dress shopping. Keep at it until you find something you feel is the right dress for you!
@jadeblue: That is awesome, and it has the sweetheart, which I keep hearing keeps the girls from looking like a big snowbank!
I was in the same boat as you, but due to time constraints, I jumped ships and picked a dress that had the most "I likes" about it. As I look over my dress from time to time, I think I like it more and more. It's not due in until July so we'll see what I ultimately feel in it! Hope to hear great news of The One soon!
I kept saying my dress was "fine" and "nice" and "flattering" but now that I am two months from the wedding, I just don't think I like it that much and there isn't much I can do about it.
I tried on a bunch of dresses and this was the first I fit into and the first to make me look slim (I'm plus size). And it has lace elements and it's ivory-but-almost-white like I wanted but I'm just not in love and the feeling of settling is stronger than ever.
I was lucky to find someone on here with the same dress and her love for "our dress" helps! But I wish I had a few months to find something else. Oh well.
Like texasmeredith, my mom had "the one" moment, and cried. I really liked the dress too, but just didn't get that feeling and i am totally ok with it!
The second dress I put on was gorgeous, I tried others on and it was still my favorite, one to keep on the "list" Then I found out that it was the LAST one in the store, they could not order more, and the price was marked down (and I had a $50 coupon) so instead of $1,050, I could but it for $574.
I knew that I could find other dresses I loved more, sure, but they would not likely be within my $1,000 budget. And it was much lower than my budget, that I won't hesitate to spend money in the alterations to make if fit perfectly.
I also knew that being the last one in the store, it would likely not be there when I got back. So I grabbed it on the spot and canceled my appointments at the other stores...
I love my dress in the picture with the model. And I like it a lot on me. I'm hoping that after I get it properly fitted, I'll love it.
I don't like to say I settled because that sounds bad, haha. BUT, I didn't get my "dream dress." I actually tried on a dress that I absolutely adored, but it was a designer gown, and in the end, way too far from my dress budget, and I didn't want to spend that much.
Besides my dream dress, I could have loved about three other dresses equally. I just picked one that felt like me and went with it.
I tell this to all future brides stressing over the dress: In the end, your dress honestly doesn't matter. Pick something you love (but don't necessarily go gaga over) and that feels like you IN YOUR BUDGET because on the wedding day, when your hair and make-up is done, and you have your accessories on and you're holding the bouquet, you will feel amazing no matter what you wear. I could have worn a dress from my closet and felt amazing, and the way your husband will look at you makes it even better.
Sometimes, I do the "what IF I had gotten that dream dress?" and I quickly remind myself how happy I was that day without it.
@ Kingcake: That was the first wedding dress I tried on, and although I didn't pick it, I remember it fondly. The neckline is great (much of the pretty detailing is lost in that photo). Although it looks very romantic and flowy, it's extremely structured through the waist and very loose and forgiving down below. Also a bargain at about $350.
I would kind of say I settled... but it doesn't bother me really. My dress is the one I liked most of the ~15 or so I tried on, and was a tolerable price point. And I was ready to be done w/ dress shopping. It works for me.
If I had unlimited funds, it would have opened up more possibilities and I probably would have ended up w/ something a little different, but it's no big deal.
I settled. I like not love my dress. I got to the 4 month point and went with the one I liked the most so far. Of course, what it lacks in visual aesthetics it makes up for in price. My dress is 1/4 of what we budgeted, which made me like it awhole lot more!
I'm of the school that your dress is only one factor of a much larger picture. Will you really lose sleep over your centerpieces not bringing you to tears of joy?
I bought the first dress I tried on. It wasn't necissarily "The One" I pulled it off the rack thinging. "Hmm, this would probably look good on me, I should try it" And then I put it on thinking, "Yea this looks pretty good". Then I started thinking (I think a lot...lol!) about the fact that this is an off-the-rack dress. I was at a Bridal Fair, its the first one I'm trying on. What if I look and look and look for the next year and a half and realize, yea I should have bought that first one because I never do find "the one".
My opinion - if you find one that you really like go for it! You may never get that "THIS IS IT" moment and could regret it in the end....
I did too :( And I hate saying that because it was a very expensive dress, and it is a beautiful dress. I wanted a ballgown and everyone thought a mermaid is what I should go with, but with two months to go before the wedding I still don't feel like it's me. Just couple days ago I saw what would've been my dream dress on another bee and felt like crying. I still search preowned sites every single days with the hopes that I will come across something I like more. I can't stop thinking the dress I have is going to make my small waist look big in the photos, and I hate that!
I definitely felt the same way for a long time on my dress hunt. I found plenty that looked great, but I wasn't connecting or falling in love or doing anything emotional. Also, I brought along different people at different times--my aunt, my mom, my sister, all those in various combinations. And although i love them all dearly, it really messed with my mind and decision making! Even though I know the dress is about me, I deep down wanted approval so badly from those people. I came to realize that I just had to find one person that was supportive no matter what, and focused on how I felt, nothing else. After trying on literally 45-50 dresses, I found one that I really actually loved! There was nothing "wrong" with it...see, in all the others, there was the train i didnt like, or buttons i didnt like, or the material i didnt like (you get the picture). There was nothing I didn't love about this dress, and I said go for it! Of course now, I tried on a sample that was 2 sizes too small, and I'm terrified I'm not gonna like it when in comes in, but hey! I've been in your boat. Just keep going on till you can't take it anymore, or keep going until you say to yourself "ooooooo". My sister said she tried on several, and ended up with the one that she felt made her look the best, and grew to love it. No "Ah Ha!" moment for her.
I kind of did. I'm not making any income so my options were pretty slim. I lost a lot of weight and I am getting fitted for my alterations in a couple weeks so maybe I'll like it better after I see the finished product.
Meliss what was your dream dress? I just have to know what could be more beautiful than your Lazaro. Here I am envying you in your picture. lol I was complaining because I want more beading on my lazaro gown like the one you have. When you get it in white please send pics. PS You look fabulous and your waist looks fine. lol The Lazaro really accentuates hips and waist. In my 3955 the big tulle bottom makes my waist look small.
I had the one moment with the Lazaro 3804, but after seing the sample sell for $1000 twice on ebay, I couldn't justify myself spending almost $6000 for it.
@shanibee - Thank you so much! You're my dress' biggest supporter :)
I love the embroidery on my dress, but I think maybe the placement of it right on the midsection, and the thick material of the bodice, made my waist look bigger than it is. Looks that way on the model on the website too. Also I'm still not comfortable with the trumpet. Wish Lazaro had made the exact same dress in a ballgown silhouette, lol. I keep looking back at this photo of me in a sample ballgown I passed up and how much more natural that feels to me. I just hope and pray that when the dress finally comes, and it's altered, all of these worries will go away and I will be happy with my decision. Maybe it's just bridal anxiety crazies.
The dream dress is a discontinued Justin Alexander that @mignonne is wearing. Check her thread out - so beautiful!
when i had gone dress shopping, I didn't have my 'the one' moment either. at least i don't think i did. i didnt burst into tears, didnt feel euphoric. more like.. wow, this is nice. this is something i could wear. so now, after 4 months of time since i've ordered it, i look back at the photos my MOH and the shopgirl had taken, i keep wondering if i should have waited and tried on more dresses instead of purchasing the one i had. I had tried on about 6 dresses that day (it was my first and only dress shopping experience) and i made my decision based on those dresses. the amount of the dress was well within my budget concerns and it did have all the qualities i wanted. but lately i cant shake the niggling feeling that i probably should have seen more? i had originally wanted a Lazaro dress, but the amount of money a Lazaro would cost was totally out of the question.
@meliss: I'm 5'1" and 100-103 pnds. i had also chosen a mermaid/trumpet dress.. the photos my MOH took make the dress look lovely.. the one the shopgirl took really emphasizes my hips and thighs. so when i look at those pics, i get a feeling of sadness that the dress will look terrible once it comes in. i've seen the pics of the dress you have up, and honestly, i think it looks beautiful on you. and NO your waist does not look big at all. to be honest, i think your body look perfect in it. i have a smaller chest area and larger hips, so i feel my dress looks unproportionate on me. hopefully when the dress comes in and i go to try it on again, it'll banish my fears.
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| simpleandchic | 4 |
| janetsnakehole | 3 |
| j_jaye | 2 |
| MabelleBliss | 2 |
| mariaseychelles | 2 |
| ticatica | 1 |
| Kewii | 1 |
| mrsjjohnson2b | 1 |
| kat2014 | 1 |
| zomgwut | 1 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| janetsnakehole | 3 |
| simpleandchic | 1 |
| kat2014 | 1 |
| MrsMSmith | 1 |
| mariaseychelles | 1 |
I've tried on dozens of dresses and I plan on trying on dozens more.
So far, there have been a handful of dresses that have been decent, where I've thought, "Yeah, I could wear this." But none of them have blown me away.
I think the problem is that the type of dress that I want (simple, chiffon, flowy) doesn't look good on my body. My body requires a more structured dress with a corset, and that's just not me. But there have been a few that, with the correct alterations, will probably look pretty good.
I'm okay with the fact that I'm probably not ever going to find "the one" but I've hardly even gotten excited over anything I've tried on.
Has anyone out there settled for a dress that was "just fine" because you couldn't find "the one?"