Lessons From A Dress Fitting

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My first dress fitting on Saturday was a success (for the most part)! It was so nice having my mom in town to see me try on MY dress for the first time. She was fabulously supportive and encouraging as the nerves kicked in slightly. She also took great pictures that I promise to post after the wedding (after all M does know about this blog and I would hate for him to happen upon them).

My dad stopped by mid fitting as well with a bottle of champagne and 3 flutes to celebrate. This was such a sweet gesture and I was so happy that he was able to see the dress as well. M was kind enough to wait patiently on Newbury Street while we were celebrating in a Vera Wang fitting room.

So what went wrong, you might ask? Well, after standing under the hot lights in super high heels in a stuffy room for 30 minutes, I started to feel slightly off. At first it just seemed to be a uneasy stomach but as I got hotter and hotter, I began to panic. I tried to keep my cool but finally I asked Lili (the super amazing seamstress at VW) if I could take a seat for a few minutes and have some water. I felt better after this breather but I made a list of some lessons that I think would benefit any of you ladies who have dress fittings coming up!

1. Eat!

Make sure you have a healthy snack or meal before you go in to your fitting.

We had had lunch at the Union Oyster House (delicious) yet I had only munched on garlicky mussels that were hardly filling.

2. Hydrate!

Drink a full 8 oz. glass of water before you go in for your fitting and keep a bottle handy throughout the day.

I rarely drink water...this is something that I have been working on a daily basis. I had not drank anything on Saturday except for some fruit juice in the morning for breakfast. I felt 100 times better after I drank the bottle of the water during my fitting.

3. Breath!

This is an emotional and momentous occasion. Prepare yourself for these feelings and bring someone along that you love and trust.

I was surprised by how quickly my emotions tangled with each other. It was a mix of joy and nerves as I began picturing myself in that moment next June.

How did your first fittings go? Anyone experience anything similar?

Hustles And Bustles...Oh My!

My dress has arrived to Vera! I was practically singing when I received the phone call last month. My mom is coming into town in February so that she can come along with me to my first fitting. I think one of my bridesmaids will as well so she can learn how to bustle my dress. It won't be too extensive because I barely have a train but it will be good for one of my ladies to go.

How was your first dress fitting?

Vera Wang...Yes Please!

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I have to gush for a minute. It is about Vera Wang and her lovely salon and employees on Newbury Street in Boston. I wish that I could go back every day and try on beautiful dresses and be gushed over by sweet and helpful women.

The dress hunt was a short one for me. I was in fact quite nervous to start looking for dresses...because you see I don't like being the center of attention. (Tell that to my soon to be 200 guests) My two best girlfriends were in town one weekend in early June and convinced me we had to go to a bridal salon...just for fun at least! We went to L'Elite on Newbury Street and were less than impressed by the snooty service. Still after trying on a number of dresses...I thought I found the one.

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I thought it was the one when I tried it on and my girls starting crying. I loved the draping on the Reem Acra grecian dress and how it nipped my waist. But I couldn't get out of my mind that my mom was not there to see me try it on. Luckily, she was coming into town the next weekend and there just so happened to be a Vera Wang Trunk Show that same day.

(This is not the dress...I just thought it was a lovely picture)

My Vera experience was unbelievable. The space is elegant and you really feel like a bride. Everyone was so lovely especially my consultant Julie. Let me just say...when you find the dress...you don't just think you know. You Know! The first dress I tried on was it. All I'm going to say (because I'm superstitious) is it is from her 2010 collection and May/June 2010 brides will be among the first to wear the collection. It was surprisingly affordable...even more so than the Reem Acra which was from the 2005 collection.

My advice for all you brides on the dress hunt. Even if you don't think you can afford a designer dress or are not interested in a designer dress...set up an appointment at a studio just to try some on. If only for the experience.

Bridesmaids Anyone?

So I think I may finally be making a color decision and it is mostly driven by the new Vera Wang "Maid to Order" collection that I stumbled upon. I never thought I would be a Vera bride but after a trip to a trunk show in her salon on Newbury with my mom...I became one! (More on that story later) I am OBSESSED with my dress but it has impacted my vision for my 'maids.

I had initially thought I wanted a super cute and short cocktail dress with pockets. Chic and Cheap was the vision. (unfortunately not Moschino style) That all changed when I bought my dress which is long and flowy. Feels very organic and light...so I started envisioning bridesmaid dresses with the same look and feel. Less structured and more airy.

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May I introduce you to Christina? This gorgeous Vera Wang bridesmaid dress is perfection! Exactly what I was looking for. And the cactus color will really compliment my latest and greatest color palette of Apricot and Champagne.

Can't you just see my ladies wearing these fantastically light dresses and clutching a bouquet of apricot and peach ranunculus?

Love it!