So last I left you, I was trying to decide what direction to take my partying in after we say "I do". If you know me at all, you know I dress like a big kid. I still wear t-shirts with Hello Kitty on them...I even have a shirt with a giant animated sumo wrestler. Needless to say my first inclination was to go for the most fun dress of the bunch, which in my opinion was dress number 2:

To me, this dress had a sense of whimsy about it. It doesn't hurt that it was the first dress I tried on at Nordstrom. Before any of you that chose dress number 2 get too excited, this was not the dress I chose. While I felt comfortable in it, there was no "feeling" and I didn't feel bad about not choosing it. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

Now for dress number 1. I liked this one because I thought it would work so well with our venue (more on the venue in a later post). But alas, I did not pick dress number one either.

By process of elimination, I assume you can deduce that I have chosen to go with dress number 3. Let me tell you a little story about this dress. It's everything I didn't think I wanted. To me, it has a conventional neckline (some may argue with that). Almost daily I wear a v-neck of some sort and this dress definitely has a v-neck. The cool contrast to the conventional neckline? An absolutely amazing back!

Another funny thing about this dress? My mom pulled it while Eileen was also out picking little white dresses for me to try on. When my mom showed up with it, I was underwhelmed by it. Not only did it have that conventional neckline, but it had sparkles....shudder. I...am NOT a sparkly person!

After the first couple dress fails my mom asked me to try it on. Begrudgingly I had Eileen help me slip it on. I looked in the mirror... huh...this isn't so bad. I part the curtains and all I hear are two gasps, hands fly to their mouths...the mothers are in love with it. Uh-oh...I'm in trouble here. I step up on to my podium...crap...I think I love it. Here are some more shots of the dress:

I was noting that I needed to work out my legs, I think my sister commented about spanks

Eileen said that I wore this dress...the dress didn't wear me. I kinda like that.


Did I mention my maids got their dresses too? More on that later!



The ensemble. Just wait until we talk about shoes! Le sigh!

So how did I do?

Requirement #1 : Short
It's short. Not as short as I pictured in my head...but I think it's actual the perfect length for the place I'm getting married, the time of year I'm getting married...and most importantly, my age. I'm not 23 people.

Requirement #2 : Unique neckline
While a v-neck may be common for me, It's not so common in this style for bridal, I feel good about that. Plus...it flatters my shape! Can't go wrong there. Also, I think the low back really adds the dramatic look I wanted.

Requirement #3 : Budget
Remember my $300 budget? Remember when I said I fell in love with a dress before I knew the price? Go me. I had blown my budget by nearly double. Every bead on this dress was hand sewn. It sparkles and is sophisticated. I was gut wrenched when I heard the price. After we finished trying everything on I had to take a break and go to lunch to let everything sink in. On one hand, I didn't have to pay for my ceremony dress, so why not allow myself a little extra room for the reception dress? On the other hand...what good is a budget if you don't draw the line somewhere?

...then I remembered. My aunt had asked me what I wanted for Christmas...I said a Nordstrom gift card to go toward my wedding shoes. Originally, I didn't think my budget for the dress would be an issue. So we go to the car (my mom had brought me all my Christmas presents to bring back home...including the gift from my aunt). I open her gift...and there it is, a Nordstrom gift card! We get back to Nordstrom, wait for Eileen...and I buy my dress. I ended up only $34 over budget!! I think I can justify that!

In our next adventure...what did I want and what did I get in regard to bridesmaids dresses?