Doc Hop

Drum roll please…

I know that I have kept people waiting for a wedding update, but after weeks and weeks of lying to you guys — it’s finally here!

As many of you know, in December my little sister (to be) came down to Miami and helped me look for wedding dresses. (Ok, that’s not why she came. She came to go on a winter cruise to Cozumel with her hunky boyfriend. But she helped me all the same.) We spent two weekends searching through rack upon rack of white gowns, and after trying on close to 30, I’m here to report on what we found. Keep in mind that while I’m posting close to everything I tried on, there are only a few that are real contenders. The first of which, is definitely not one…

THE PRINCESS CUT

While this dress may epitomize what it means to feel like a princess on your big day, I don’t have a drop of blue blood running through my veins. It’s a gorgeous gown, and I’m sure many girls would love to walk down the aisle in it, but I am just not one of them. I had a lot of fun spinning around in it, but I will not be wearing it during my first dance.

The First First Choice

This was the first wedding dress I ever tried on, and I don’t know if seeing myself as a bride for the first time made me partial to it, but I fell in love with it pretty quickly. I want something that looks very ’40s, and while this is a modern take,  it definitely still has that vintage feel.

For starters — I love the neckline. My boobs look incredible in it and the sharp cut of the collar adds a touch of Elvis. I’ve never seen a cut quite like this one, and I appreciate the small touches that make it stand out.

I’m also a big fan of the beading. You can’t tell from the photos I provided, but buttons run down the entire length of the back, from the neck and down the train. I’m not one for a lot of glitz and glam, so I like the simplicity. I also love how the dress cuts down my spine but exposes my shoulder blades. Emily was worried that Judy would think that it accentuates my tattoos a bit too much, but that is something I kind of like about it.

Not to mention — totally in my price range.

The Close Second

This was the second dress I tried on, and while very similar to the first, the little details set it apart.

The fabric is silkier than the other option, which makes it a lot more form fitting. It also makes it a lot harder to hide the flaws that the first gown seemed to do a good job of covering up. While I think the drop waist helps add a little curve to my hips, most of the people I’ve spoken with aren’t big fans. Regardless, I love the beading. It adds a bit of sparkle but isn’t overbearing. Not to mention, it really helps offset the train, which could easily be lost in the fabric.

This one was Judy’s top pick and a close contender for mine. I just think it needs a little something. My eyes pull toward my waist, which I don’t want to be the focal point of my gown. With the right accessories, or a little color, I think it could be fabulous.

And Heather, if you’re reading (and I know you are), I can’t shake the feeling that your mom would love this one. She has always been a fan of the “sexy” form-fitters. I thought about her the entire time I was in it.

The Single Shoulder

Ok, ok. This was Steve’s top pick, but as much as I hate to say it — not really a contender. It’s a beautiful dress, but it’s a bit too trendy for my taste. And a little too heavy for a summer wedding in Miami.

While I love how the top of the dress cuts across my back, I’m not a big fan of the one-sided shoulder. A photographer at Miami Today said that it made me look off-balance, and I kind of agree. I love the beading at the hips, but I think the front needs something, as there’s no place for my eyes to stop.

That said — I love, love, love the back. Between the bunching, the buttons and the beading, I felt like a piece of cake. It is a little over the top but very bridal. It may not be my top choice, but it was fun to try on.

The Simple but Elegant Options

This was one of the first dresses I tried on the second weekend Emily was here, and I have to admit — I thought it looked a lot better on me than on the hanger. I told the woman who was helping me that I wanted a vintage look, and this was one that she pulled.

While I didn’t think I would like the silver band that cuts across the waist, I think it works. Like the second dress I discussed, it adds just enough pizzaz to offset the simple look of the gown.

Shoulders are important to me, and I love the low V-cut, especially in the back. It works especially well with the buttons, which cascade from the belt of the dress. I think the little touches add a bit of elegance to what would otherwise be a pretty boring look.

There are no huge differences between this dress and the last, expect, of course, for the belt. While I was pretty split while in the store, looking back I think I prefer the last option. Then again, I didn’t get a shot of the back…

The Lady in Lace

Ok, I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t think I’d ever go for lace. I always thought it looked very old-fashioned and didn’t want to age 80 years on my big day.  That said, I didn’t know that this was an option.

This dress actually came in two pieces. The lace was a separate layer that I put on after the actual gown. This added a bit of a layered look, especially around the back and shoulders, which I love. While I’d like to see a little more color, I’m afraid any sort of sash or beading would clash harshly with the rest of the look. I’m not sure, but I think the intricate design of the fabric may be enough.

Also, I’d be lying if I said that this dress did not make me feel like I should be walking the deck of the Titanic. “You jump, I jump, Jack.”

This one, which was one of the first that I tried on at this ridiculously expensive shop in Coral Gables, Ever After, is very similar to the last. (At about 10 times the price). I don’t love the single shoulder, but I do love the color. I’ve never desired or required the typical wedding dress, so sticking to white isn’t important to me. Standing out, however…

We tried a sash with this one. The ladies who were helping me were very much against it, but I’d love any input as I’m undecided.

The For the Hell of Its

These are some more of the Ever After dresses. As soon as I stepped into the appointment, I knew everything in the store was way too rich for my blood, so I decided to have fun with it. I tried on anything and everything the consultants suggested and posted a few for your viewing enjoyment. Keep in mind that many of these are wrong on multiple levels and that none of them are any that I would ever consider. I was having a Pretty Woman moment and enjoying every second of it. I mean, how many opportunities does a girl have to try on a Vera Wang gown? (Hopefully only one…)

Yes. I know. Some of those are pretty heinous. Well, rest easy. At a total price of $6,500, this last one is absolutely perfect. I want to cry a single tear just thinking about it.

The (Unaffordable) Ideal

I wish, wish, wish I had more photos of this dress, as I don’t think anything will ever do it justice. Before I tried on this Oscar de la Renta (representin’ for my little sista!), I was doubtful. It was definitely one that I had to try on to appreciate.

While out of my price range, it is the perfect mix of everything I want. It’s a very simple look, with a lace bottom and a plain top. The single shoulder usually bothers me, but the bunching  adds a little something extra that would have been lost had there been two sleeves. The sash, which I opted to tie in the back rather than the front, pulls the fabrics together and brings it into one, eye-pleasing whole.

And could I have possibly found anything more ’40s than this dress? The ladies who were helping me completed the look by working a large, beaded broach and net veil into my hair. It is exactly what I am going for, and if I could have I would have walked away in it, as is.

That’s it folks. Please comment on what you like and what you don’t. As much as I loved having Emily by my side, I wish I was closer to friends and family so I could share these experiences with all of the people who mean the most to me. And if you’re a maid — I expect a response! I would never make a decision without your input!

“A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes.” — Vera Wang, fashion designer.