The Search for the Dress - Part IV

AKA saying YES to the dress!!!

That's right, after keeping you all in the dark about my dress for 11 months...and teasing you here, here and here (phew)...I'm finally ready to reveal it. Figured it was safe since, you know, we're married and all!

WARNING: this is a photo heavy post (that's what happens when you hide your dress)!

So, it was back in June that I went to Kleinfeld's in NYC with my bridesmaids and Turkey Mom to look at dresses (just to narrow down choices) and ended up finding THE dress.

With the bridesmaids

Now, as an avid "Say Yes to the Dress" watcher, I expected the lobby (and showroom) at Kleinfeld's to be much bigger than it was in actuality. It's quite small, to be honest. We were matched with Lisa, a consultant who is not on SYTTD, but was absolutely fabulous!

First, you're only allowed to bring in 5 guests, but she was kind enough to allow us a 6th person (would have been very sad to make one of the bridesmaids sit in the lobby). We all crammed into the dressing room and talked about budget, dress choices and even Mr. Turkey! Then everyone was let loose to browse the showroom for options.

It was Bridesmaid C who found a very interesting dress on a mannequin and suggested that I try it on. The designer was one that I had never heard of before - Edgardo Bonilla - but we figured with a trunk show at Kleinfeld's, he had to be OK!

Because the dress was a bit different than my other choices, Lisa suggested I try it on first. Ladies, it was game over from that moment on. I practically ran out of the dressing room to show everyone. Something about the dress just felt right. However, there were 5 others to try on, so I had to take it off (sad). The other dresses were pretty and I received great feedback from my "entourage", but I couldn't get dress #1 out of my head.

I put on the dress again and, well, this time I actually ran out of the room towards the podium, tears in my eyes. Yes, this might sound a bit dramatic, but it's the truth. This comes from the girl who swore she would not cry when choosing a dress. It was just that, in that moment, I felt like a bride. And couldn't WAIT to meet Mr. Turkey at the end of the aisle in this dress.

In my dress...with Edgardo!

Edgardo happened to be in the store for the trunk show, meaning that I had a chance to meet him! And we took a ton of photos (he was a great sport).

Lisa, Edgardo, me, Turkey Mom 

Adding in the bridesmaids!

....and then intern Lily (who helped get me into the giant dress)

Ok, enough photos of Edgardo...more talk about the dress. 

I loved it because of the classic silhouette with the couture elements - it fit perfectly with our wedding brand and had the "WOW" factor that I was seeking. With 32 weddings under my belt, the goal was to find a dress that I hadn't seen before...and woudn't again.

I also think the dress' allure grew because of the entire experience...visiting Kleinfeld's, being with my bridesmaids and mom, meeting the designer...it was kind of magical (yes, I'm a dork).

Edgardo even gifted me a sketch of my dress...and 3 inches of extra length!

It was that magic which made me so.freaking.excited. to drag a giant box to NYC for my first fitting. 

YAY - just how I remembered from almost a year ago

I was paired with Josephine for fitting and she was fantastic. The head of alterations, Vera (you see her a lot on SYTTD), kept a close watch since my fitting was the first time anyone had seen this particular dress and there were some challenges in both altering the bodice and creating a bustle (or so they said).

Josephine at work - I clearly have NO idea where to put my hands 

Classy shot

Once the "fitting" part was done, it was time to choose a veil. I didn't share any veil inspiration with you all, but it was because I had my mind set on a simple cathedral - no blusher, no trim. Not much to write about there.

Well, wasn't I surprised when I found, with the dress, that a simple cathedral felt incomplete.

Yup, that's a blusher (ignore the trim)

The second fitting was a lot more fun since, well, the dress fit! Thanks, Josephine!

Now - don't lose or gain 1 pound...

Wearing my veil

With Turkey Mom - the next time we take this photo, she'll be a bit more dressed up!

I concluded my adventure with one last visit to Josephine before my dress was bagged up and hung in a closet for a month.

Ready to make the trip to Philadelphia

I can't wait to show you all photos of the dress in action on wedding day...including some more detail shots of the flowers and the fabulous, dramatic bustle (not that I'm biased or anything). Yes, I was a bride who was a teeeeeeny bit obsessed with her dress!

How did you know your dress was "the one"? Did you keep it under wraps until the big day?