Finding the ONE

So...I'm a little ahead of schedule.

Since getting engaged, all I've been dreaming about is how everyone and everything else will look on my wedding day. I tend to avoid being the center of attention but on that day, my wedding day, Rob and I will be the main event! It's an exciting thought although terrifying at times.

As its recommended to shop for you wedding dress early, I thought I would take that advice and started searching for my ideal dress early...via Pinterest. I made a "secret" board to ensure Rob didn't get a peek and began pinning like mad. Right away I knew I wanted a tighter fit and fell in love with the mermaid silhouette. My overall wedding theme is Antique Chic so lace only seemed natural.

Visiting my parents in Florida for Martha's Graduation

With my sister Grace expecting her first child in April, I knew my mom would be up from Florida for a visit. I've always wanted my mom to be there when I tried on wedding dresses for the first time. Not that she had loved shopping for clothes when I was younger - I can't remember a time when we successfully went shopping for clothes together - but because I knew it would make me feel... comfortable. My mom would bring me back down to earth and remind me that "all [her] girls are beautiful." I knew she would be happy for me no matter what dress I picked. So I decided to schedule my first bridal gown appointment, just a few months ahead of the 12 month mark. I went into the appointment realizing I may not find the dress, that my ideal silhouette may make me look like a whale and that I may not like anything I try on. I invited my maid of honor and sister, Sarah, and Grace, another sister and bridesmaid. My nephew Ian came along for the ride as well.

My sisters, Sarah and Grace, at one of my soccer matches

I tried to come prepared but with the recent birth of my new nephew, the appointment didn't become real until we were walking through the doors of House of Brides. I was ready with a few magazine clippings of dresses I liked and began to pull. My mom, Sarah and I went around together while Grace and my nephew Ian jumped ahead a few racks. I was looking at dresses with an open mind, knowing that the mermaid silhouette may not be perfect for me. My sisters and mom knew my style right away and were suggesting dresses right up my alley. Lovely lace with a slimmer silhouette. I couldn't wait to see what they looked like on! I was so excited to be experiencing this with my mom and sisters, I felt so lucky in this moment to have them with me.

One of my dress inspirations
{stylemepretty}

After I picked a few - or ten - I headed to the dressing room for the fun part! It was so surreal putting on these beautiful gowns and realizing what it symbolized. I felt so excited to be marrying Rob and knew this dress would represent how I would feel on that day and what I would remember feeling for the rest of my life. My mind was racing with thoughts: Will Rob like this dress? Are all gowns this heavy? What will my mom think of this one? I picked my favorite dress to try on first. I knew I'd compare all other dresses to this one dress, this one feeling. I put it in on and instantly felt something. Walking out of the dressing room, I could feel how special this dress was. As I stood looking into the 360 mirror, I was so elated to hear my mom tell me how beautiful the dress looked. I loved it. Everything about it - except that it was a few sizes too big! - I picked the perfect first dress. As the appointment went on I always came back to that first dress and how it felt. Although I decided to wait on purchasing a dress, I'm glad I had this experience with my mom. I'm hoping to find that dress in the correct size to try on before moving forward. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a dress I love even more [if that's even possible]! Who would you bring to try on wedding dresses for the first time? Did you find your dress the first time around?