Big Girls Don't Cry, Pt II

Shopping trip number two was an unexpected stop at a Santa Rosa bridal shop. I was in town for work and when my brother's girlfriend told me her coworkers had all found their dresses here, I decided it was worth a trip. While the shop was rather large, they really didn't have that many dresses. We went around and pulled the dresses we liked, but in the end, many of the size 8 samples just wouldn't fit over this bod. So I tried on what I could. I didn't find my dress here, but it was an improvement from DBs, so I'm glad I went.

This trip solidified my love for the sweetheart neckline. Because I am quite busty, the sweetheart line gives some definition unlike the strait across strapless. I also discovered that I love an asymmetrical bodice. While I don't think I would have picked that look initiall, it did wonders for me. These are three of the dresses I tried on. I think put on six total, but many were not the right dress.

Thank you all so much for your comments, tips and ideas.

Stay tuned for part III.

Big Girls Don't Cry, Part I

Alright, I finally did it. I went dress shopping. I'd been engaged for 13 months, we're getting married in less than 6 and I hadn't set foot in a bridal shop. After many people almost fainted with anxiety over the fact that I hadn't tried on dresses yet, I gave in and went. As of today I've been to three shops. I think I may have found the one (or two). But, I would like to look at a couple more places just for fun. Yes, I said fun.

I was dreading dress shopping for a number of reasons. While I'm actually pretty comfortable with my plus sized body, putting this plus sized body into a white sleeveless dress was something I wasn't so comfy with. Secondly, I hate the idea of a twenty two year old size 0 salesgirl trying to convince me of how amazing I look in something that I can clearly see looks like crap. And lastly, I wasn't convinced that many bridal shops would even have a sample large enough for me to try on. I was scared!

A couple weeks ago, I randomly had a Monday off from work. Since one of my bridesmaids is now on maternity leave, she was available and really wanted to come. So we set off for David's Bridal with the intention of "getting ideas". I was fairly certain I wasn't going to find my dream dress there based on some previous experiences, but I knew they would have larger samples and I just needed to get my butt into a dress.

Two hours into our shopping trip, I was in tears. I'm not sure if it was the lady helping us, or the really horrid dresses or just sheer frustration with myself, but I cried. Now that I think of it, it was definitely all of the above. The lady helping us sat down and looked at the pictures I had collected of different ensembles that involved a simple strapless gown with a lace bolero. I mentioned that I may like a billowing skirt with a few pick-ups. She then proceeded to bring me the most hideous beaded gowns with huge skirts. I went with it, afterall I was being open to all of the possibilities.

Six dresses, two veils, one tiara and silk flower late, I politely told her I was ready to leave. She hadn't presented me with a single strapless, simple dress. I could feel myself brewing. Once back in the car, I felt my tears coming.

Like I said before, I am actually pretty comfortable with my body. But my arms are a whole different story. My arms are very, very big. I never, ever where anything sleeveless, so trying on sleeveless gowns was only making me realize how far I have to go to get these arms in shape. I don't know what my expectations were, but clearly they were not met. I felt like I wasted two hours of my life trying on dresses that would never work.

Above are pictures we took of the "good" ones. There were a few others that I don't care to remember.

Part II coming soon!