i are the bride

so, i did something a little different today. i went wedding dress shopping alone. i know, i know. i can hear you screaming now "you're supposed to go with twenty of your closest friends, sisters and mother and let them oh and awe, yay or nay your nuptial fashions. you're not supposed to do that alone for goodness' sake!" yes. i'm a bad, bad bride for not thinking of others' whose feelings i may have crushed because i made this momentus trip alone. the bridezilla gods are frowning upon me as i type.

i've never been much of a big shopper. at least not for myself. i don't like endlessly trying on clothes that look fabulous on the hanger and nothing short of a trainwreck when on my body. i'm not one of those giddy, bubbly gals who feel the need for routine retail therapy sessions. usually shopping for myself is something i dread and when i do go, i like to be alone. when i do take someone with me, the trip turns in to a "what not to wear" episode. my taste in clothing and style are judged. i end up feeling more self conscience and less accomplished in my fashion sense. i will say that on some rare ocassions, i do enjoy finding a dress, blouse or pant that fits just right and is on sale. but i'm alone and the only judge and jury is me.

before i made the decision to go it alone on the wedding garb, i did a test run with my younger sisters last weekend. we hit the formal wear stores in the mall. and just as i predicted, the trial run quickly became a session about what they liked, not about what i felt was comfortable for me to wear. i'd pick something out, and they'd say "you like that?" in a tone that suggests that i was making a major fashion blunder. my hypothesis was proven true in this experiment.

so today, i spared myself the potential shame and embarrassment of not being fashionably adequate. i chose a day when bridal shops would be virtual ghost towns and the attention of the salesperson would not be distracted. i just wanted to try some dresses on, without judgment or hassle or hyped up drama. i showered, shaved the legs and put on pretty underwear--you know you gotta look right when undressing in front of a complete stranger. i drove to this lovely wedding boutique downtown.

the consultant was helpful and attentive. she didn't judge my lack of fashion sense or scoff when i picked out a style to try out. in fact, she even picked a few dresses that she though i would like. i tried on about 6 dresses and have narrowed down my choices to two. i'll bring in a friend who is actually making my wedding dress for me to get her take on my choices. i'm sure i'll catch hell about this later, but i'm glad i did it this way. i feel more in control doing things my way for a change. and in the end, it's supposed to be about me anyway, right? because i are the bride.

be assertive. be in control of your choices big or small. be blessed.