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Only Girl is getting married!
You know what that means. Wedding stuff galore. Drowning in wedding stuff, wedding decisions, wedding details. Only Girl (marrying who shall hence be known as Number Three Son, because he’s just that awesome) is having a simple wedding.
Stop laughing. I mean it! Really, it’s a very simple home wedding. And yet it still is a Big Deal and requires Countless Decisions that suddenly, because it is A Wedding, become hugely monumental, end of the world as we know it decisions.
Like the wedding dress, for instance. We’ve all seen that show, Say Yes to the Dress. Well, neither Only Girl 
nor I were ever going to become like those people.
Ahem.
Only Girl was not going to be fussy about her wedding dress. She was firm on her price and on her style. It all seemed relatively simple. Only Girl cannot go into any store without finding some item of clothing that looks spectacular on her. A wedding dress? More of the same.
Stop laughing!
Well, after many fits and starts, we finally heard through the “bridal grapevine” (oh, yes, there is such a thing) about a really great bridal store in another city an hour away. We went there at the soonest possibility—namely, two days after we heard about it. The wedding is in THREE MONTHS. We were getting down to the wire and tensions were mounting.
This place was amazing!! We found five dresses that were very good, two that made it to the final round, and one that we bought and walked out of the store with! No alterations required!
This is a shot of the runner up dress.
She said yes to the dress and now all that’s left is to say yes to the caterer and yes to the florist and yes to the chair rentals and . . .
What do you think of the people on Say Yes to the Dress? What style of wedding dress do you like best? What price is too much to pay for a dress?
99 Comments on “Saying Yes to the Dress”
You can track this conversation through its atom feed.
I have never seen that show I am afraid. However, back when I thought that I was going to get married to Obsessed With His Car Guy I went wedding dress shopping and I found The Dress (yeah it needs capitals). It’s an ivory satin with lace on the bodice, full skirt that will need a hoop to sit perfectly (I’m thinking eBay), it needs a few alterations but all in all it is definitely gorgeous. Together The Dress and The Veil (a good couple of meters long and a bargain to boot) cost me less than $100. I did keep the dress after I called it off with Obsessed With His Car Guy because with my figure and skin tone it is hard to find one that I like and is cheap enough. All I really need to do is find a bustier in my size, find The Shoes (which is harder than one would think since my feet are a pain in the butt to fit) and other underwear stuff like stockings, garter belt and panties . . . of course this is if Gamer Dude actually proposes to me someday and I am thinking and hoping that he will otherwise I will end up an old spinster with lots of cats. *g*
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 7:10 am.
No! It’s famous! Sorry!
It’s amazing how entertaining a show can be when all it is is watching women shop for a wedding dress. For some reason, there’s always a TON of drama.
Your dress sounds gorgeous, and I adore the price! Good plan to keep it. Why have to shop for that again?
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:17 am.
Here in Australia we have a show called Four Weddings and it’s quite interesting except for the times that I choke on air over the cost of some of the weddings. Some of the brides are spending between $20,000 and $50,000 on their weddings and I’m thinking that they’re insane because I could wipe out my debts and get a nice second hand car for that price and still have money left over.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:35 am.
I’m with you all the way.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:39 pm.
As a newly engaged person myself, I know exactly how crazy all these _decisions_ are! I have barely thought about the dress for myself, but we’ve been dealing with location for a few weeks now. I have plenty of time, so we’re going about it slowly. As the party is going to be a Fancy Costume Masquerade, I’ll need a dress that is atypical, and appropriate to stand near the groom, who will be a pirate captain, and near my brides-people who will be forest royalty (princesses, mostly, but I have two boys in my party.)
Is anyone here who has actually met me surprised about this theme?
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:03 am.
That sounds so incredibly fun, Cail!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:11 am.
Congratulations, Cail!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:05 am.
Congrats Cail!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:16 am.
Oh, Cail, I do not envy you! That’s going to be a real challenge. Maybe you could buy something standard and then have it radically altered?
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:18 am.
Congratulations!!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:14 pm.
Congratulations Cail! The costume masquerade sounds AWESOME! What about visiting some NYC costume stores for some ideas? I’ve seen some pretty incredible costumes at the ones in LA. Or maybe Etsy. Altered Couture magazine has some pretty amazing clothing that might inspire you.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:49 pm.
I found a few medieval type dresses on Etsy that I like.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:38 pm.
Congratulations, Cail! The masquerade idea sounds like it will be a blast. I know you will have fun!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
Cail, now that’s the way to throw a wedding — fun and unique and all yours. I LOVE your Masquerade theme. It’ll be such fun! The pictures will be just stunning!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:35 pm.
That sounds awesome, Cail! Congrats!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:45 pm.
Yay for only girl!
I can’t wait to see pics of everything! I like that show, it’s one of my “I’m folding laundry and I can watch 10-15 minutes of whatever I want” lineup. But people spend WAY too much money on a dress they will wear once.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:13 am.
No joke! Only Girl got her dress for 50% off. That makes it better already.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:19 am.
Congrats to you and only girl. If that’s the runner up I can’t image what the winner was. Very nice.
I’ve never seen or heard of Say Yes to the Dress. I’m no help there. I’m behind on styles too. Last time I looked at a dress it had ruffles and a a hoopskirt and $500 was considered a lot.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:38 am.
You have got to give this show a try; it’s a lesson in female dynamics. And then, apparently, there’s this whole new fad to bring the groom to the experience, so he can have a vote. What’s the fun in that?!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:21 am.
Grooms don’t get a vote. That might make them think that they get a vote about other things and well . . . how silly is that?
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:51 am.
I don’t like that idea. The groom is supposed to be surprised on the day of the wedding. He shouldn’t get a vote. It shows that the bride is far too reliant on what the groom thinks of her. If he’s a good catch, then he’ll think she looks beautiful in anything.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:16 pm.
The 29th is our anniversary, and we had a big wedding. I had a huge dress with a hoop and train. After 13 years, I honestly regret that we didn’t elope. So, seeing all of these women on TV shouting, being selfish, and otherwise acting worse than toddlers is beyond me. Even though I was 23 when I got married, my dad still refused to wear a tux or walk me down on the correct side. My mom made these stupid table decorations with floating glass fish in them. My MIL left the bubbles in the car so that they froze and I had no bubbles. After the whole thing was over, I should have just eloped because a wedding was absolutely no fun. This whole idea that the bride gets what she wants is just nonsense. That said, I do hope your daughter, and all brides-to-be who comment here, have a much different experience than I did, and the day is actually fun for said brides.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:40 am.
I know exactly what you mean, Amanda. It really can get ugly and stupid. We’re trying very hard to keep it simple and fun, no drama, no insanity. I hope we can keep that up!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:22 am.
I love the pictured dress!
I like simple, but something maybe a bit different. Not too puffy of a bottom.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:23 am.
I loved that dress as well, but it pales in comparison to the dress she got. Such fun!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:24 am.
First off, the runner up dress is amazing. Secondly I love watching that show, but I think only the groups they think are going to be drama get on it.
You two obviously were not drama.
Congratulations to your daughter and good luck in the coming months.
Too much? I’ve heard of some outrageous prices for dresses so I’m not going to say. Wait no. There was one dress I heard of where you could have put a hefty down payment on a house. REALLY HEFTY…so here goes my too much statement.
Your dress should not exceed the cost of your engagement ring, how’s that? Your engagement ring you will wear forever, your dress once. And chances are as beautiful as it is, your child will not wear it as styles change. Ask any bride of the 80s if their kid wore their wedding gown without massive alterations.
And two dresses? Seriously? Someone needs to explain that to me. It’s one dress, one outfit to travel to your honeymoon in.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:37 am.
I KNOW! Two dresses!!??!!! It’s crazy, imo.
I’m a big fan of spending as little as possible on every single thing, so I’m definitely singing your song on the cost of the dress and everything else. I know of one man who told his daughter that he would put a hefty down payment on a house for her and her new husband or pay for a big wedding. One or the other. She chose THE WEDDING.
I still can’t get over that.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:26 am.
She seriously chose the WEDDING?! How warped her priorities are!! I feel bad for her soon to be hubby…hope he is loaded.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:47 am.
I don’t get that either. Someone I know inherited $$ from her grandparents and instead of paying off student loans or buying a house is having HUGE wedding. Makes my head ache. But I have boys, so maybe I’m just not getting it.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:54 am.
My father told me he would either pay for the wedding or give us money for a downpayment. I wanted the downpayment, but hubby wanted a big wedding. He said it would disappoint his mother if we didn’t have a big wedding. The same mother that didn’t offer a dime. Still irks me 12 years later.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:32 am.
Amy, you are a far better woman than I am. If he didn’t agree with me, I wouldn’t have let him have a vote.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:13 pm.
Holy cow!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:02 pm.
Wait… she chose the WEDDING?! Sorry, but that’s a little nuts. I would take the house easily. A small backyard wedding instead would be fine with me. Heck, I’d elope if I could get the down payment to a house!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:20 pm.
My father offered me the money instead of the wedding. I thought my mother would kill him then and there. To keep him alive I chose the wedding, but I kept it low keyed, which also annoyed my mom a bit. I was number 4 daughter, and she had this down pat, and did not care for my independent (or PITA) ideas. It all worked out fine. The money was tempting, though. I’m not sure my in-laws would have liked that either, though.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:08 pm.
I suppose you’re right. There is more than just the bride and the groom to consider. It depends on the parents, as well… my mom would have been fine with the choice of the house, but some others wouldn’t be. It makes sense. But if it were just up to the bride and groom, I still don’t understand why they’d choose the wedding. I guess it’s just my practical side coming through.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:27 pm.
This seems to be a trend. One is for the ceremony and another for the reception. It is all part of the “wedding as Las Vegas event” movement.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:09 pm.
You didn’t. I can’t believe it, but I do believe the pressure a mother can bring to bear. What can you do? A wedding is an exercise in trying to please a thousand people who can’t be pleased.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:04 pm.
Oh my goodness, Claudia–THAT is the RUNNER UP dress?! It looks gorgeous! I can only imagine how gorgeous the winner must be if THAT was relegated to second place. I know she will look radiant.
Good luck with the other decisions about the catering and flowers. With our wedding, I worked at a floral department, so I got the flowers at a fabulous discount and arranged them myself. What was funny was that the florist never dreamed that my flowers would look good together, but they did. I had dark purple irises (with the yellow streaks on the petals), yellow asiatic lilies, and soft pink roses, with some lemon leaf and tree fern. I absolutely LOVE tree fern in bouquets, it’s so soft and feminine.
My daughter, my nieces and I love to watch Say Yes to the Dress–I just adore Randy. He really does have a good idea about what is flattering on pretty much every type of figure, and that is a gift. Personally, my favorite type of dress is simple, timeless and feminine, but not necessarily overly frilly. My daughter’s dress was beautiful and it fit her like it was made for her. As far as price, it’s a personal preference. For me, some of the prices they charge for those dresses you will wear one time are a complete insult to my frugal nature. I can’t imagine buying a dress for an amount that would pay off my car.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:45 am.
Honestly, The Dress is amazing. I can’t wait to show you the pictures.
Get this: the florist is the mother of Number Three Son’s roommate! I’m so jazzed. It’s another in that makes everything nicer.
And I’m a big fan of Randy—he’s so protective of the bride! As it should be.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:06 pm.
That is the best thing when you can get things for discounted prices. Weddings are so expensive anyway because of all the small details, but it’s really a HUGE help when you have an inside track to help with the larger details like the flowers.
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 11:12 am.
Congratulations to Only Girl! How wonderful that you are getting an amazing new son. What a fun way to celebrate spring.
I have never seen the show and haven’t been wedding dress shopping. Knowing that the bride will only be wearing it once makes me want to low-ball the price. Having my baby stand there in the expensive dress that she loves – I can feel myself caving already!
Enjoy every minute of the chaos. It sounds like so much fun.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:01 am.
It can be lovely and it can be low priced. I insist on having all my desires and wishes met!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:07 pm.
That dress is gorgeous. Can’t wait to see the winner.
I have reached that point of saturation with Say Yes to the Dress where they have all begun to look the same. I have been down with the flu, and I have seen every single wedding dress there is America. It’s a snow storm of white chiffon.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:07 am.
I hope that you’re better soon Julia.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:20 am.
I saw your FB post about your sweet mom bringing you soup. I hope you feel better soon. I’m really sorry you have it…it’s been running rampant all over town. At least 10 people in my office have had it. I have become OCD with washing my hands all the time–I can’t afford to come down with that. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:45 am.
NOOOO!! Not the flu. Sorry. Take care of yourself.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:55 am.
Oh no! That flu is awful! I hope you feel better soon!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:21 pm.
I am so with you. Only Girl and I decided that there are three dress types and only the details are fiddled with. Her dress does not fall into any of the three types. Oh, we are over the moon about that, let me tell you.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:08 pm.
Haha–sounds like you have a good handle moving forward! Good luck with the final details! If the final dress is better than the runner up–she will certainly be a vision walking down the aisle. Gorgeous!
Say Yes to the Dress is fun to watch. I tend to view the structure of a wedding as more of a business conference with a white dress. The componets are the same. I have a budget spreadsheet that I ended up putting together for all of my family and friends when they get engaged–that way it keeps a running tally of expenses as they are quoted.
As far as paying too much for the dress? That’s up to the beauteous bride, and what motivates her! As long as she can dial down other aspects of the wedding to make up for a blown budget–or just budgets enough to begin with, spend away!
Good luck with all the final details. You guys will have a lovely day.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:24 am.
I like the way you work, Haley! Cool, calm logic.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:08 pm.
Off to a hair appointment! Back in a couple of hours.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:46 am.
I do watch that show sometimes. I am amazed at the number of people who come in with the brides and give opinions. It makes for a very stressful visit, and often I feel bad for the brides. On the other hand, many of the brides are unbelievably spoiled, and I feel bad for the men they are marrying. As for prices— omg. Three grand is a modest budget on that show. My future DIL found a beautiful dress for much less, and no one will know the difference. That your future DIL waited until 3 months before the wedding is shocking, lol. These shops want forever to get the dress made and altered. I love that runner up so I’ll bet the winner is incredible.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:22 am.
I forgot to say that my favorite style is fit and flare. And I do not like mermaid style much in any iteration.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:03 pm.
Mermaid style–you’ve got to be so tall and thin to work that. I think it can work, but not often.
I know, right? We waited so long for the dress; it was getting very tense.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:10 pm.
What do you think of the people on Say Yes to the Dress?
The few bits of that and other wedding shows I’ve seen shows mostly crazy people, or at least otherwise decent people gone utterly mad over an outfit you’re only going to wear once.
What style of wedding dress do you like best?
, that made me happy.
Whatever looks good on the bride. For me, my dress was simple A-line with spaghetti straps, but then had a long sleeve lace jacket with train that went over it and looked lovely. I took off the jacket to be able to move and dance at the reception. The dress also had a pocket
What price is too much to pay for a dress?
The not more than engagement ring price Pesky suggested seems like a good budget point to me. Any price on any part of the wedding that means you’re still going to be paying it off more than 1-2 years later is way too much for only one day. Avoiding debt entirely is best, but as long as you can pay what debt you get into off quickly it’s ok by me.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:31 am.
Ooops, forgot to mention that WOW if that is the runner up, the final choice is going to stun the groom in a very pleasant way
. Gorgeous!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:35 am.
Let me just say that any dress that costs anywhere near what a diamond ring costs is too much in my book. A dress is a dress, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:11 pm.
My daughter is also engaged and planning a wedding for August 2014. We are so very excited! She watches that show but I have not, but she is frugal and unspoiled so choosing her gown was a wonderful girly experience. We found the dress on the first day of shopping. It was much more understated than she had originally planned to wear, but being very petite, she found most of the gowns were too heavy for her and she felt lost in the yards of billowing fabrics. She chose a more traditional strapless lace and tulle number that is exquisite. The price was fair, it was on sale so that was an added bonus.
Congrats to you and your family as you prepare for this joyous day!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:34 am.
So true! I’m petite and it’s so easy to get lost in piles of fabric. Only Girl is lucky in that she’s average height and can pull off more styles.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:13 pm.
If that’s the runner-up the actual dress must be gorgeous. I don’t think we have that show in the Uk, but I suspect it’s only a matter of time before we do. So glad you and your girl are being sensible about the wedding. I literally cannot understand why or how people spend a fortune on them.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:35 am.
Neither can I. It’s like I’m studying a foreign culture. It’s one day, one outfit! You’re not even in it for the whole day, just a few hours. It boggles my mind.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:14 pm.
I love the runner up dress! I can only imagine how gorgeous the winning dress is! Good luck to you and only girl.
I watch that show sometimes. I always end up yelling at my tv, though. Such drama. When I was shopping for my dress I took only my mother and my best friend with me. It was a fun day with no drama.
I don’t think a dress should send you into debt. You also have to remember to budget for the add ons that you need to go with the dress… shoes, jewelry, headpiece etc.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:50 am.
I only took my mom with me and my daughter only took me with her. It’s more relaxing that way. No drama at all. We did both tear up when she had this dress on. Very sweet moment that I’ll never forget.
Aww.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:15 pm.
I used to watch that show every week… but then I had children and my tv-watching days were pretty much over. It’s now all children’s shows. But, I did enjoy the show. I watched the one that took place in New York (the original), not the other ones.
I like my own style of wedding dress. I had a dress that fitted my bust and waist, and flaired slightly at the hips, rounding into a nice skirt. I didn’t have a train, but I had tasteful sequens/beads in a swirling pattern over part of the bodice and skirt. I bought my dress at a bridal shop that was closing down, so I got mine for $600. It was inexpensive, and it was gorgeous. Perfect.
I can’t believe the ladies on that show that spend upwards of 10,000 for their wedding dresses!! My entire wedding was only $7,000 (including the dress). I can’t imagine spending more than that on just the dress. Seems silly for just ONE gown that you’ll wear only ONCE in your life. What mattered to me was being with my family and getting married to my best friend. I did everything for the wedding myself. Our venue was at a local park that has a rose garden and a pretty gazibo. The hall was a two minute walk away, and the entire venue was under $900. Sigh. I loved my wedding. It was only 6 1/2 years ago, now, but the memories will live on forever.
Congrats to you and your daughter! It’s such a special day, I hope you all enjoy it to its fullest!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:51 am.
I wish I’d rented my wedding dress, but they didn’t have that option back then. I still think it’s the way to go. It’s not something I wanted to keep anyway.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:16 pm.
If that is the runner-up dress THE dress has to be gorgeous! Congrats!
And CONGRATS TO OUR GIRL, CAIL, as well!! That is going to be some wedding! Photos please!
I watch “Say Yes to the Dress” marathons when I visit my Mom. We have a ball watching the way some of these women act and some of those dresses – Really? And I am horrified at the idea of the groom being there. This is not some party you are both attending. This is your wedding!
My wedding dress was the most expensive dress I have ever owned and that is saying something as I had to have many, many evening gowns when I was singing. Of course I was always a bargain shopper, even then. My dress was $800 and that was in 1982 dollars. LOL It had a cathedral length train, lots of lace and lots of seed pearls, etc. It was actually the first dress I tried on. We spent several hours trying on others, but came back to that one.
The idea of spending 6K on a dress you are only going to wear once makes my teeth hurt!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:58 am.
Thanks, Louisa! We are so excited. I’m just so happy that this one major decision has been made and we can move on to all the other decisions.
Your wedding dress sounds gorgeous!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:18 pm.
I’ve not seen Say Yes to the Dress, I’m guessing bad decisions, drama and someone coming in to “save the day”?
I think many dresses are gorgeous, though they all kinda look the same to me. If they fit well and suit the bride, then they are good. Now price? I do not understand spending thousands of dollars on these dresses. And to the bride’s who chose a wedding over a house down payment? OY!
My mother made my wedding dress. Now, she was an amazing seamstress, so that was nice. But we set a budget, flew to Vegas with friends and family and had a nice dinner after. No debt to be paid off and I didn’t feel a bit guilty about spending a fortune on a man I would kick to the curb a few years later.
Only Girl’s second choice dress looks amazing on her… I hope you’ll share pics of #1 after The Big Day! Congratulations to her and to Third Son!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:04 pm.
I was thinking the same thing. You know that the type of people who are attracted to be in that kind of show and what the producers want, aren’t the people who are ‘boring.’
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:41 pm.
I wish there was someone to ride in and save the day on that show. The consultants try, but sometimes it’s just too much and nothing good happens. Unless you happen to like obscene drama. Ha.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:19 pm.
I swear that’s my SIL’s dress. She was just married June. Gorgeous dress!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:14 pm.
Oh…wait…just read the actual blog post. Ahem. That’s the runner up. Well, I’m still sure that was my SIL’s dress, which I can only imagine means the winning dress is just as gorgeous. Congrats and have fun! (And I am so glad I have a boy.)
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:18 pm.
LOL That’s one of the reasons this dress didn’t become The Dress—-too common. Gorgeous, but every other bride is wearing some version of it. Only Girl wanted something Pop, Zip, Zowey.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:20 pm.
I have been married and engaged too many times to count – I think I have the runaway bride syndrome, I wore a cocktail dress to my first wedding, found the most beautiful dress for a wedding that didn’t happen, and signed papers in the state I am living in in pjs to have my other half – of the last 11 years- official in paperwork.
The best dress I ever found was at a trunk sale, this is where a designer actually is there with their designs and dresses, almost like a rack sale – if you fit in it you can buy it at a significant discount.
I think my tastes have changed as I have gotten older. Once I was in love with a theme wedding (thank goodness I didn’t go through with it, for many reasons).
I think that the dress can be priced as much as the family/bride is willing to spend, as long as the day does not suffer – the food, the bar, the flowers. I think that $5,000 is more than enough, you can even find a seamstress to create the look you want – material and labor for $1000 and up (depending you the details, crystals, lace, etc.)
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:16 pm.
You might be the blog wedding expert, Carla!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:22 pm.
Congratulations to Only Girl! I have watched Say Yes to the Dress a few times but I have to admit I would smoother most of those women in their sleep. So many of the dresses they LOVE I thought they had lost the bet on. Both times I went to the wedding well I stood in front of a judge in pants, no dress. Now I have three g-girls who will someday be old enough to have the dress and all the trimmings, if their daddy lets any stinky boys near his angels that is. I love elaborate beading on gowns but I am not a huge fan of ruffles and yards of lace. Simple does it for me,so runner-up dress would be perfect in my opinion.
Spending more on a wedding than most people make in three years is obscene to me. The best wedding I remember was my son’s, they had it at home on Halloween, in costume. My sister made the cake and it was spectacular, we had a pot-luck reception and I made the wedding clothes. My son and DIL were married by a Druid priest and they still have the broom they jumped hanging above the fireplace.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:35 pm.
Tell me about it. Those women! Especially some of the nasty mothers—-shudder.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:42 pm.
Congratulations to Only Girl! I hope we get to see pictures of the dress, too.
I’ve never seen Say Yes to the Dress because I figured that the kind of people on the show would be um, unpleasant.
I can’t imagine a dress costing more than your engagement ring.
When I got married, my mom gave me money, instead of having a reception in Montana. I didn’t want to have one there because my parents had only been divorced 2 years and still couldn’t get along. My fil didn’t offer us that option because he likes stuff like that, so I kept it as simple as I could because my mil was rapidly declining with Early Onset Alzheimers. My fil was in denial about it and frequently pushed her farther than her limits. It made my heart ache for the both of them. We kept the day short for her, and it was really nice.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:40 pm.
Oh, that’s so sweet, Janae. I think that’s the hallmark of a lovely wedding: considering others.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:43 pm.
That dress is gorgeous, Claudia!
I don’t watch the show.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:12 pm.
Barbara, that show is a lesson. In what, I’m not quite sure.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:43 pm.
Congrats to only girl and to you for a son in law who fits into your family.
I don’t think a wedding dress should cost over 1000 bucks. I know you probably can’t get a dream dress for that, but when are you going to wear your dream dress again?
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:39 pm.
Hear, hear!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:44 pm.
Just home from the hair salon. I was the only customer in there because of the FLU! I tried not to breathe or touch anything.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:01 pm.
The runner up dress is amazing, so the one you bought must be phenomenal. Can’t wait to see it!
I’ve seen the show and, while it’s a fact that they exaggerate things to make ‘reality’ teevee more fun, I know from experience that certain family members can be too emotionally engaged to be helpful making decisions.
As for the style of wedding dress, it all depends on what the bride wants. If she loves it, it’ll show on her face and that’s all that matters.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:39 pm.
Oh, that’s so true, isn’t it? When the bride glows, everyone glows with her.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:44 pm.
The runner-up is beautiful. I can only imagine how lovely the winner is. I’ve never watched the show. And I don’t know what my favorite wedding dress style would be.
Congrats to Only Girl! I’m sure the wedding will be beautiful.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:43 pm.
Full details to follow!
It’s so much fun to able to share the joy here on Mt. Oly. It makes everything more special.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:45 pm.
Wishing you sanity and stock in Puffs!
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:53 pm.
ROFL Thank you.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:46 pm.
As the mother of only sons, I am envious. Though I know it can be stressful, I also think it would be great fun to shop for dresses and to think wedding as the mother of the bride. Mother of the groom doesn’t seem as good. (And I watch Say Yes to the Dress all the time.)
New couple moved across the street from us. Instead of a big wedding, they used the money to fix up the very big backyard and had their ceremony there. Loved that idea.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:48 pm.
I really am having fun with it. I’ll sit in the backseat with my mouth taped shut when my sons get married.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:48 pm.
Congratulations to Only Girl! When DD#2 got married last year everyone said planning the wedding would be fun. The only fun we had was shopping for her dress. It was just the two of us visiting 5 shops. We were able to negotiate the price down on her Yes Dress.
Say Yes To The Dress was some what helpful, but more of a study in what not to do. Keep an open mind, stick to your price, and don’t take too many people with you.
Big or small wedding, it is still the same details.
DD#2 and her groom had one of their wedding pictures featured in No’ Ala, a North Alabama magazine that does a wedding issue in January. As stressful as the planning was, the wedding was beautiful and a ton of fun.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:24 pm.
I agree. I went on a Yes to the Dress marathon to remind myself of how to behave and what to do to enjoy the event. I think it worked.
I hope that the wedding is just as much fun! I have high hopes.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:29 pm.
Congratulations to everyone anticipating a wedding.
Yes, I have seen the show. Lots of people are nuts. I have seen lots of dresses on the show that looked great for $2-3 Thousand. I can’t believe the people that spend more than $10 Thousand. A lot of ladies pick a strapless dress when they should not.
Never had a wedding, my brother’s was while I was in college. I think the ex-sil borrowed a dress. I think my bridesmaid dress was her prom dress. No idea where the matron of honor dress came from.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:55 pm.
Since her brother and sil lived in the same town where I was attending college, they gave me a ride since I did not have a driver’s license. Partway to pick me up the brother decided to go back home to get the radar detector. He also brought out the matron on honor dress.
They tried to ship my dress so I could try it on. It never arrived, but it did return home. I tried it on the night before the wedding and fit well enough for the wedding.
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:59 pm.
The price of the dresses can be astounding.
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 9:40 am.
I haven’t heard of the show.
I saw my wedding dress in the window of the first bridal shop I looked at. Bam!! Done.
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 4:05 am.
Victory! That’s the best story! Love at first sight.
Posted on January 18, 2013 at 9:41 am.