One store. One hour. One majuh love affair.
In a nutshell, I found my perfect wedding dress in less time than it takes Heidi Klum to say Auf Wiedersehen.
WTF?
As I handed over my credit card, (and tried not to think about the price tag- O.M.G!), I wondered, was it supposed to be this easy? Wasn’t I meant to try on dress after dress after dress, always wondering if a better one could be around the corner?
I called Liz to tell her I’d found the dress of my dreams at my first appointment on my first day of shopping and asked her if she thought that was that okay. She didn’t skip a beat. “Lisa, you worked your f***ing ass off to find the perfect man. You shouldn’t have to work that f***ing hard for your dress too.”
And she was abso-f***ing-lutely right.
The search for your dress is exactly like the search for your husband. When you know, you know. So why keep looking when you’ve already found him? Or why stop looking when you know in your heart you haven’t?
I could win some sort of contest for spending years trying on more than my fair share of ill-fitting, uncomfortable, “one-off” men. They weren’t a fit, but I kept them in my wardrobe anyway. Eventually, I would realize most of them were like skinny jeans– a really bad decision.
Until I found Matt– who is like my favorite, most comfortable jeans. He is the perfect fit. (I know, I know… gag me with some harp strings!)
And now I have the perfect dress to marry him in…
Marilyn was dress number two and yes, she’s so amazing she has a name.
When Jane, the, um, actual DESIGNER, brought Marilyn into the dressing room, I had a gut feeling that she was the one. Then I stepped in, pulled the dress up around me and looked in the mirror.
It. Was. Love.
Marilyn is a show stopper. Marilyn is the really good kind of drama. Marilyn will make your mother cry and your groom thank his lucky stars he found you. Marilyn knows how to command a room. And, well, she’s just pretty damn unforgettable. Marilyn is so awesome she makes you forget how much money you paid for her.
But then I met Cate.
Cate is another gorgeous dress. She’s amazing. She’s beautiful and the really good kind of subtle. She knows how to work a room and charm you. She’ll also make your mother cry (but face it-even a potato sack could probably do that) and your groom might just cry too!
And for a few minutes, I was torn. There was something about Cate that I really, really loved. I felt romantic and light and the good kind of bride-y.
But in the end, I chose Marilyn for the same reason I chose my fiancee. When you know, you know.
Oh, and because, as Rachel Zoe would say, Marilyn is BANANAS!
Tell us YOUR wedding dress story! How did you find “The One”?
xoxo, Lisa
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Lisa, I have to say, Marilyn is SPECTACULAR! I love her! And yes, I would hate to see you put as much effort into your dress shopping as you did your man-shopping. You found way too many men on the “clearance” aisle. Now you have someone quality…congrats! xoxo
Lisa, I have yet to see Marilyn, but with your sense of style, I’m sure she’s lovely. I know a few gals who found the perfect dress at first sight. Good for you. I can hardly wait to actually see her!
Congrats on finding THE dress!!! I can’t wait to go wedding dress shopping one day! Of course, I need to get the ring first, I have the man, just not the ring, but I worry it’ll take me forever to find a dress!! Good job!!
Margarita–You’ll find the man! Just approach it like the dress. Listen to your gut! xo
Amy–Marilyn is amazing! Can’t wait for her “reveal”!!
xo
Liz–As MATRON OF HONOR, you were allowed the “sneak peek” and I’m so thrilled that you are loving on her. I am too. In fact, you’re going to fall more in love when you see her in person. She has that quality about her. It was time to stop shopping discount! Marilyn will be WORTH her price tag–ten fold!
BTW–I need to take a moment and get sappy on ya. (sorry in advance) Cue Hallmark card moment.
THANK YOU so much for being the best friend I could ever ask for. I would NOT be where I am today without your support and all those xo’s. YOU are amazing, strong and smart as hell–especially when it comes to giving me advice about relationships. I could never thank you properly so please know that I will be forever grateful for your friendship. xoxoxooxxxo
Okay, done now. Let’s start talking some shit or I’m going to lose my robo cred.
Lisa, you’re so damn cute! And your writing is light and fresh and funny and really witty! I LOVE getting to know THIS side of you!
I’m SO happy you found your perfect dress! I know it’s Bah-nan-nas! And will look oh so fab on you! Can’t wait for the big reveal!!!
And, while I’m here, I should let you know I can FINALLY finish reading the book! No, not because I suffer from any conditions that would ever render me so incapable of reading a good book in just a matter of days. You see, I’ve suffered from a condition of another kind. About a third into the book–right after the baby shower scene–my lovely little artist-in- training happened upon me in my “private space” as I was reading the book. She immediately snatched it away and was totally fascinated with the cover illustration. After explaining to her why one girl had a stroller, why the other girl didn’t, and why the guy was in the middle…she was satisfied so much that she exited my “private space” with the book in tow, completely oblivious to my protest! I continued with my “private time” and like magic, my book had vanished into thin air.
Days go by and I ask Maddy about my book. Maddy looks strangely and tells me she doesn’t know what she did with the book. Days turn into months and the lovelorn ladies fade into my memory, oft times reappearing when I’d see your posts, or pics online, because in my slightly paranoid mind, I’d wonder, ‘Does she think I didn’t like the book because I never commented on it, even though I comment on just about every other post she makes?’ The mind can be a very wicked place…lol!
So, after months of wondering, the mystery was finally revealed the other day when I walked into Maddy’s room and found her on the floor playing with her dolls and tablets, and there…just like a diamond shining out from the rocks, was THE BOOK!!! I grabbed for it and said, “My book!” To which Maddy responded, “No mommy, it’s mine! I like to see it and write and draw in it!” In that moment, I decided not tos squash the spirit of artist who’d obviously drawn inspiration from the book’s cover illustrations, so I decided to leave it with her. For then…
Well, now that she’s relaxed and confident that I won’t swipe my book away from her…oh yeah, and she’s at school and can’t guilt me into leaving it with her, I think it’s time for me to begin my own secret mission, which I’ve affectionately dubbed, “I’ll Have WHAT She’s Having” and get my book back!
The way I see it, when I’m done reading in a couple of days, the book will just magically appear again for her, just as it did for me.
Bye for now, I’ve got some reading to do!!!
xoxo
I spent some quality time with the bridal magazines, and discovered that all my favorite dresses were by the same designer. I found out that said designer was having a trunk show at a salon in NH (I’m in Boston), and made plans to go with two friends (one of whom can actually drive a car, which I cannot).
I immediately narrowed it down to 2 dresses, one of which made my breasts look out-of-this-world fantastic (can I get this dress in black for evenings?) but ultimately wasn’t really ME. The other one was definitely me, and I’ve never seen another dress like it. Plus, the designer of the dress was in the salon that day, and he made me a professional sketch of the dress to keep as well!
I’ve been married 4 years, and I’m still in love with my dress. As in, I’m seriously tempted to post a link to a photo here…
Lisa!
What are you doing getting all “emotional” on me! This isn’t how we roll!
And btw, did you ever have any robo cred?
But thank you for your very sweet words! You bring so much to my life in many ways so the feeling is mutual. And the best part is that our friendship just seems to get better and better every day. I’m lucky to have someone like you in my life, you are the most loyal friend anyone could ever ask for! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Okay let’s get back to the shit talking, PLEASE!
Post the link! We want to see!
Carrie–The designer of my dress helped me as well. That changed everything for me because I fell in love with her AND the dress!
Please post the dress! xo Lisa
Tera–WOW. Thanks for the “witty” compliment! And, BTW–what a story! I think that’s hilarious. Maybe your daughter just knows a darn good book when she sees one. Whether she can read it or not is beside the point
I’m hoping you’ll be able to dive back in and let us know what you think. Thanks again for being so supportive of the book and of us! Means a lot. I wish you only the very best!
xo, Lisa
Liz & Lisa! You two are getting me all weepy — and I haven’t even seen the damn dress! You’ll look gorgeous in anything, Lisa, and Matt will probably fall over when he sees you walking down the aisle. Post pictures of the dress after the wedding, PLEASE!!
I looked at tons of dresses (and, um, guys) but I knew when I found my amazing husband, Glenn, and I knew right away about the dress, too. I remember trying it on and just thinking, This is it. I still have the dress and, 14 years later, the husband. They both fit!
Sarah–Th weepiness is my fault! I had a RARE moment, but it’s ovuh now. Don’t you worry! But, the dress is totally bananas. And who do you think you’re talking to here–of course the pics will be posted! As if…
I love that 14 years later, they both still fit! Words of major encouragement!
PS: Wishing good things for you right now!!
You are too F N funny!! I cannot wait to meet Marilyn; she sounds amazing!!!
PS
I wonder if naming shizz is a Vista thing, cause I have named my couch. Her name is Becca! =0)
PPDDPPDD
La’Sundra
As your mom, I can attest that all 4 dresses (or was it five) that you tried on made me cry as you looked like a fairy princess, Cinderella and a beautiful young lady all wrapped into one….my little girl, my first born…who just yesterday was playing with her Strawberry Shortcake doll and heading off to first grade is all grown up. You have become such a beautiful person both inside and out and spending this moment with you finding the perfect dress to mirror the love you feel inside for Matt and life you are beginning is something I will cherish forever…sniffle sniffle….ok enough mushiness (is that how you spell it)….sorry we couldn’t find my perfect dress….I loved how you spent the time and effort to have me try on so many dresses (including the fish barrel dress, the lounge singer dress and the grandma dress)…oh and let’s not forget how I lugged around the 40 pound folder all day that you forgot to bring the tote bag to carry it in….I swear my left shoulder sags 3 inches on the left side!!! Love you, Mom
Wow, mom! So nice and such a Hallmark card moment. This website is rapidly losing it’s emotionally unavailable cred! We’re at the point where we might need to ask KLEENEX to advertise!
It was great to have you with me! And although I know you wanted the experience of a day of trying on, I know you’re happy that, in true Lisa Steinke fashion, I knew exactly what I wanted when I wanted it and bought my dream dress! As far as your dress is concerned, yeah, that was quite an ordeal. I do appreciate you trying on that lounge singer one. I just had to know! And now I know. And now no one else will ever have to know! We’ll figure out your outfit. At least we’re halfway there with a top and skirt that don’t match. We’ll find one of them a mate one of these days.
And regarding the FOLDER debacle of ’09, all I can say is my present to you for Christmas is going to be free weights!
Love you too! Lisa
La Sundra, I wonder! Because I do have quite a thing for naming inanimate objects.
I wonder if it could be considered a disorder of some sort?
This post totally made my day and raised my spirits 1000%! You have a wonderful way of heartwarmingly describing a scene. Ever thought of being a writer?
Can’t wait to see Marilyn. If she’s half as beautiful as the gal who wears her, she will be breathtaking. So excited for you!
As for my dress it’s a sad story but isn’t intended to be. It literally was the cheapest dress on the rack and included a veil, underpinnings, etc and cost $370 bucks out the door.
I went by myself and took whatever the store had home with me that day. I called Aunt Debbi (doesn’t everyone have an Aunt Debbie and an Aunt Mary??) and she said it looked good to her so I checked the box and moved on. It got the job done in helping me marry my sweetie. I didn’t expect anything else. I don’t remember loving it or hating it. Funny thing…to have it altered prior and cleaned after cost more than the dress cost!
Laura, you will LOVE her. And thank you for the ultra nice compliment.
And all I can say re: your dress story, is you are LUCKY that you got a dress at that price! And as I recall, you looked stunning!
I can say, despite the cost, that I’m glad I only had one person with me. I hear that’s a much better way to go!
xoxo