I’m an impulsive shopper – I always have been and always will be. Once I get an idea in my head, I go for it.
After the so-so experience at Jon’s Bridal, I was feeling pretty doubtful about finding a wedding dress that I loved in my price range ( I’m also a bit melodramatic at times). I spent the majority of the next day browsing the internet for used dresses, but didn’t have much luck finding anything. That Monday I was rehashing the whole shopping trip my with friend Jessica via gchat when she sent me this link for a dress she thought I would like at David’s Bridal.
(not the dress I bought)
Her friend had tried the dress on months ago in store, but it wasn’t the style she was going for. Jessica said the dress had looked great on her and thought it could work for me too. I loved the photos of the dress, but it was unfortunately no longer carried in stores, only online.
I had somewhat written David’s Bridal off before Jessica sent me that link. I had tried a few dresses on at David’s Bridal the week after I got engaged, but nothing really wowed me. I wasn’t sure they could wow me. I was wrong.
Seeing the dress that Jessica sent me, inspired me to browse the David’s Bridal site for anything else that caught my attention. To my surprise, I found a few that I liked and wouldn’t mind trying on. That’s when I made the very impulsive decision to drop everything I was doing and head to David’s Bridal to give it another chance. Once my mind is set on something, it’s hard to get it to think about anything else.
I texted my friend Courtney to see if she was available and she just happened to be free. Perfect. I had a friend, I had a list of dresses, and I was ready to try some things on. I had no intention of buying anything, but I guess that’s what everyone says going into situations like this, right?
If you want a great experience at David’s Bridal, go at 3:00pm on a random Monday afternoon. It was dead and we practically had the whole store to ourselves. Even better, we had a consultant all to ourselves. Last time I was at David’s Bridal it was a busy Sunday afternoon and the consultant I was paired with had at least two other brides she was working with. She was so distracted by the other brides, that she really wasn’t much help in selecting dresses. She basically brought them over, hung them in the room, and moved on. This consultant was different. This consultant was awesome.
She immediately got to business. Or maybe I was the one that got to business? I pulled out the good ole laptop and brought up all of the pages for the dresses I had admired online. It was obvious that I had a certain theme going with each dress and instead of doubting my choices, the consultant was excited for them. She immediately pulled all the dresses they had in stock of what I had selected online and even pulled a couple of others that she thought I would like. Her level of energy was a bit of contagious and it wasn’t long before Courtney and I were as excited as she was.
I tried on the first dress and immediately knew we were heading in the right direction. Finally, something that fit this vision I had created in my head. I knew I wasn’t crazy, I knew this look could work.
(still not my dress ๐ )
We moved from dress 1 to dress 2 and I had that same excited reaction. Suddenly dress shopping was fun and I could see why everyone gets so excited about it. We added a sash and a veil to dress #2 and I felt like a bride. I think I even teared up for a second.
I tried on dress after dress and found things I loved and things I didn’t love about every dress. There was one that stood out as a favorite, but I wasn’t able to commit to anything yet.
I had originally planned to go dress shopping by myself. My mom and sister were clear across the state and I knew I didn’t have the patience to wait until I saw them again to go. It was by luck that I was texting Courtney about meeting up in the near future and decided on a whim to ask her if she wanted to tag along. In the end, I was so thankful she was free and I didn’t go alone. Her opinion – and extra set of eyes! – were definitely needed (and very appreciated!). Going alone would not have been nearly as fun.
Even though my mom and sister both weren’t there, we were still able to include them in a huge part of the process. We texted photos of every dress to my mom and sister and pulled out the Verizon XYTablet* for a little Skype session with my mom when I finally tried on a dress that had everyone saying ‘wow.’
I loved skyping with my mom while dress shopping. It made the whole experience that much more special. ๐
Yes, there was a ‘wow’ dress. It was one the consultant had pulled out on her own and one as soon as I pulled it on that I knew it was something special. It had everything I wanted and fit my body type to a T.
I stood in the dress for about 20 minutes. I practiced sitting in it, walking it, and even added a temporary bustle to it to just see an option of what it could do. I felt like a bride and I could SEE myself walking down the aisle in this dress. I knew this dress had the potential to be ‘the one.’
The pice wasn’t bad either. It was on sale for about $300 under my budget – which meant I had wiggle room for potential alterations (I’ll be wearing my mom’s veil, so no need to budget that – more on that in a later post).
I skyped with my mom, texted with my sister, and made sure to get everyone’s sign off before….
I rang the bell.
Yes, I bought the dress. ๐
I could have spent more time looking around, but I honestly didn’t want to. I loved this dress and that’s all that mattered. So now I have one more thing crossed off of my to-do list and I have a pretty dress that will be here in June. Yippee!!!
That’s great, congrats! My wedding dress was actually one the consultant at David’s picked and didn’t seem like something I would love but it ended up being the winner. I also bought my dress on the first trip and walked out with my dress purchased and bridesmaids and flower girl dresses picked in about 2 hours!
Gabby @ Gabby’s Gluten-Free recently posted..Back to Basics: Kitchen Essentials
Congratulations!!!!! That’s so exciting! You know you’ve found the right dress when you don’t want to try any more on!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..WIAWโQuinoa Style
Congrats! I went shopping twice, and with only my Mom. I knew exactly what I wanted and knew the more I looked the more I would be confused. I found exactly what I pictured and knew it from the second I put it on too. I think the dress part is one of the bigger stressors, so now its off your list!
Lindsey recently posted..Tuesday Notes
Totally not necessary to scour every store in the state. I was just like you – I bought a dress quickly and decisively. Congrats on finding your dress!
Congratulations! Getting the dress is SO exciting!
I got mine from David’s Bridal too. Just beware, they really try to shank you on the alterations. David’s wanted to charge me over $100 to do a simple bustle, but I found a seamstress in my neighborhood (with lots of bridal experience) who did it for $10. I just wanted a single little hook and eye, not something crazy!
Don’t worry – I plan to go somewhere else for alterations ๐
I’m so excited for you! Congratulations!
Andrea @ Run, Eat, Date, Sleep recently posted..โWelcome to the Companyโ
Congratulations! That’s so exciting!!!!
Sarah @BlondeBostonian recently posted..WIAW #1: My First {What I Ate Wednesday}
Congrats!! I’m so excited for you ๐
I’m the same way, when I want something I go and get it and nothing can deter me.
Lindsay @ Running the Windy City recently posted..WIAW {03-28-2012}
Yay!!! It’s definitely so important to keep an open mind when dress shopping, isn’t it? When I first tried on my dress, it was in a size that was wayyyy too big for me, and it just looked ridiculous when she first started putting it on me. But then she used those magical clips, and it transformed into something amazing!
Congratulations!!!
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Yay congrats!!! As the other Sarah mentioned above they get you with alterations!! so beware. I got lucky b/c I am tall, but even a bustle cost over $50.
Regardless, I love my David’s Dress and loved that it was under budget.
Sarah recently posted..Valโs Wedding!!
Congrats on finding the dress! Technology is so great. How wonderful that your mom and sister could still be a part of it all!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Sporting
Congrats! Dress shopping is one of the things I am most looking forward to—but am also the most freaked out about! I’m a super indecisive shopper (the opposite of you!) and that doesn’t bode well!
Hillary recently posted..The Second Half: Final Thoughts
Congrats!
My sister in law bought her dress and all of our bridesmaids dresses from David’s Bridal. She had a great experience, too. Good thing you gave them a second chance!
Beka recently posted..LONG Weekend Wrap Up!
I got mine at Davids’ too! <3
Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe recently posted..Fresh Meals in Minutes!
That’s awesome! I’m so happy that you found the one!
Lena @Fit on the Rocks recently posted..Moving On Up!
You were smart by doing the sitting/walking/standing trick! You will have that dress on for a looooong time ๐
I wore my mom’s veil as well. It was such a special touch!
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Congratulations! That’s SO exciting ๐ I’m sure it’s beautiful, too!
Yellow Haired Girl recently posted..WIAW: A Triumphant Return
YAY!!!! I’m so glad you found something you love!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Big News!!
Congrats on finding a dress! That’s how I pretty much bought my dress too…I wasn’t really looking to buy that day, but I tried it on and just knew it was the one and went with it!
Carrie recently posted..Recipe: Whole Wheat, Low Fat, Vegan Bran Muffins
So happy you found a dress….how exciting… I’m sure you look fabulous in it!
xoxo from Trinidad
Corey @ Learning Patience recently posted..WIAW – Helping Out a Friend
That’s almost EXACTLY how I found mine too. At David’s Bridal also. Surprised me, and was a VERY happy surprise for my wallet and wedding budget!!!
Love hits you when you least expect it ๐
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Congratulations! Nothing better than getting things done and off your list!
One thing I learned from David’s: they may say your dress will be here in June, but be prepared for it to possibly come in a lot earlier. Like, in a month, which is what happened to me. I did not go through David’s for alterations; I found someplace else (in Orlando) that was MUCH more affordable and, honestly, did a better job. If you do decide to go elsewhere, just know that a lot of places won’t touch a dress from there, so it may take you a while to find one.
Why wouldn’t other alterations people “touch a dress” from David’s bridal? It’s just like any other dress, right? I was recently a bridesmaid, and our dresses were from there. They were 100 dollars and fit and looked great. Just curious.
Stacy recently posted..On Living in the Present (Mostly)
Apparently the fabrics they use and the ways they construct their bridal dresses makes them hard to alter successfully. My consultant also tried very hard to talk me into ordering a dress 2 sizes too large which would have significantly increased the alteration costs. If you look on Weddingbee, it’s a pretty common complaint around the country, not just in Central FL. My bridesmaids dresses were from J. Crew, so I don’t know how/if they’re any different.
Don’t get me wrong — I was very happy with my dress in the end. There were just some unanticipated challenges when it came to getting it that way.
Kate recently posted..Ultrasonic
Oh okay, Interesting! I’ll have to keep that in the back of my head.
Stacy recently posted..On Living in the Present (Mostly)
Yay! Can’t wait to see it! I got my dress at David’s too. I only tried on like three dresses and knew mine was it. I didn’t really care about trying on dresses anywhere else or trying on every dress in the store. I’m simple when it comes to stuff like that ๐
Brittney recently posted..At Least I Got A Massage
Agreeing with Kate here. My sister went through David’s Bridal in Tampa and her dress only took 3 weeks to come in. They told her April originally LOL
MrsSwan recently posted..I feel weird doing that.
How exciting!!!
I bought my dress on a whim, too. Similar to you, my mom and I went to a bunch of stores but I found my dress at a completely different store when I went with a friend. Too bad Skype didn’t exist when I got married. I think my mom was bummed she wasn’t there for the dress discovery ๐
Erin recently posted..A New Balance
Is the bell thing a David’s Bridal thing? I’ve never heard of it…
Kristen recently posted..world whisky day
I think I saw it at a different store too, but it was definitely a David’s Bridal thing that when you buy your dress that you get to ring the bell ๐
Congrats on buying the dress! That is so exciting! One step closer to the big day!!!
Shannon recently posted..Unpolished
Congrats! I bought my dress from David’s Bridal too but I bought mine online – I didn’t even go dress shopping ๐ Can’t wait to see pictures of it!
Jenny @ simply be me recently posted..The first rule of runningโฆ
I can’t wait to actually SEE the dress! ๐
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Foodie for a Day // #SingleGirlDinner
Yeay! Exciting! Buying the dress makes it feel like things are really coming together. Congrats!*
Army Amy* recently posted..A Tisket, A Tasket
Congratulations on finding the perfect dress! You will be a beautiful bride ๐
Victoria recently posted..Wacky {Wedding} Wednesday
I bought my dress at David’s and it was one of the first ones I tried on. When you know, you just know. ๐
Lauren recently posted..The Pits
YAY! Congrats on finding THE dress!!
You and I must be on the same wavelength today, as I just wrote a post about my wedding dress decision too ๐
BroccoliHut recently posted..Wedding Wednesday: the Dress
Going over to read it now! ๐
Meghann recently posted..Parkesdale Farm Market
Congrats!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations….you must be so excited. I really like David’s Bridal too. My sister got her dress and the bridesmaid dresses from there and they were all very pretty. I can’t wait to see the actual dress…I’m sure you’re going to look beautiful!
Natasha @ Moody Girl in Style recently posted..OOTD: Me and Wu
Congrats! My dress was one the consultant pulled just by taking what I told her I wanted and her expertise. Definitely good to trust the consultant – they know the inventory so well! So exciting! You are so far ahead of the game – good for you!
Amanda (modernation) recently posted..Good Form Running Seminar
YAY!!! Congrats! I can’t wait to see it!
Cait’s Plate recently posted..Breakfast through Dinner
CONGRATS! So exciting! I actually did something similar to get my dress. I went with a few people the first time around on the weekend and had a horrible experience. I decided last week to use my lunch hour, try on a few that i picked out and BAM, I knew the minute I put it on!
Congrats! Can’t wait to see it!
I am so happy for you! Finding the “one” can be harder then finding the right guy. I never thought I would buy a dress from David’s Bridal, but I did and I loved it and still do. I can’t wait to see what you picked. You are going to be a beautiful bride!
Congratulations! I just went shopping with my best friend for a dress at David’s Bridal – I’m the MOH in her wedding next July. We definitely had a great experience there & she bought one she really liked, too. ๐
Congrats!!!! I’m dying to see the style you chose!
Caitlin @ This Bride’s Joyride recently posted..Wedding DIY: Centerpieces, Church Decor & Hotel Welcome Bags
Congrats on finding your dress! Mine came from Davids as well, and I am extremely happy with my choice. I was just there this past weekend with my sister, and she also rang the bell!
Emily N recently posted..Tempo Pace?
Congrats on finding THE dress! So glad you could Skype with your mom (and text Kelly) and had Courtney along for in person support. One step closer to your big day! ๐
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Congrats! I don’t plan on buying a dress for a few more months, now, but am excited to start looking!
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