How did you feel when you found “the Gown”?

I went to a bridal boutique near me (the only one) and tried on a dozen or so gowns. It was fun, I liked a lot of them, but none really stood out as being exactly what I wanted.

I knew I was not going to be a "crying over a dress" type of person, so I warned the associate at the store when I tried things on. I'm also not apt to make really big decisions impulsively, so even if I found a dress I loved the chance of me ordering it right away was slim to none.

I ended up getting a dress on StillWhite (pre-owned, in great shape, already altered to fit my measurements and with a bustle added, at a fraction of the price of a new gown). I did a lot of research on the dress and found dozens of photos of different "real brides" in it before taking the leap and purchasing it. When it came and I first tried it on I realized the straps had been shortened and cups added. It fit a bit weird, so I went ahead and removed the cups and pulled out the shoulder seams (it took about 45 minutes because I was oh so careful). When I put it on again it felt more and more like a dress I was excited about. My like/love of the dress and excitement grew as I wore it and moved around it, looked at it from different angles, and posed in it in different ways. I didn't just have an "aha" moment - no tears, no being speechless - just more like a, "yea a like it... I really like it... oh I like it a whole lot... this is definitely the best dress I have tried on... I like this about it and this about it and this... oh I'm so excited... oh I think this is the dress" kind of evolution in how I felt. I was able to decide that day that this was the dress for me, but it happened over the course of hours, not in a split second.

I'm extremely emotional and dramatic but I didn't cry (surprisingly). I couldn't stop smiling or staring at myself in the mirror but I felt "complete" if that makes sense. I couldn't see myself marrying him in ANYTHING else (which is funny seeing how I had just thought I found "The One" right before lol) and just felt at peace. I was a blushing mess. I simply adore it and can't wait to wear it.

I didn't cry either. I was very happy and surprised though. I had always pictured myself in something A-line or mermaid with lace. But when I tried dresses similar to what I was expecting and not loving it or feeling comfortable I was getting very worried and frustrated. So I decided to try on a satin ballgown and just fell in love. I loved the way I looked and felt in it and was just happy and relieved I found something that I felt beautiful in.