When I was searching for a wedding dress, I thought the whole process was deeply flawed. As women, we are expected/encouraged to pour through all kinds of bridal magazines and to obsess about the perfect dress. When it finally is your turn, you go to a salon and somehow it becomes about the salesperson trying to hurry you into a decision. The most expensive garment most of us will ever wear, and we are pushed, pulled and prodded into making decisions quickly. Its an emotional purchase, you stand in your underwear in front of strangers, and your ‘entourage’ (if you bring one) unhelpfully blurts out whatever random word association crosses their mind. Add to it the pressure about whatever shape your body is in or where you’d like it to be, and oh, P.S. no photos allowed unless you buy the dressl Its a bizarre scenario, and while the thought of dress shopping was one of my favorite things, the actuality of it was almost depressing.
One of my newly engaged friends is about to embark on this dress-seeking journey, and the advice I give to her and all my brides: go alone for a couple of appointments until you get to know what style/silhouette suits your body and personal style best, and then bring your mom or friends for help with a final selection. Be strong, and never commit to buy until you’ve gotten a few appointments under your belt AND some time to sleep on your decision.
Pardon me while I go drool over the new Vera Wang app on my iPad now! 🙂