Maggie's Rule – Saying NO to the Dress

Photo: Liz Coopersmith. And, no, this is not Maggie.

True Story: One of my brides asked me to come with her to go shopping for her dress. This was a couple of years ago. She’d already been to two other salons without me, and we were set to visit two more that I had recommended. Maggie (not her real name) is built like a runway model, so pretty much everything she tried on in her size looked wonderful on her. Every time Maggie tried on a dress, the shop staff would exclaim over how beautiful she looked. It was partly sales tactic, but mostly true. Finally, Maggie snapped, frustrated, “I know, I know I look beautiful! I want a dress I feel beautiful in!”

Well, yeah.

On your wedding day, you’re on display, the center of attention. The spotlight is on you, so of course you want to feel that you look your best. You should have a dress you not only feel comfortable in, but one you can swish around the reception in, or slink down the aisle in, or plop down on a couch into a perfect ball of chiffon and lace, whatever you want to do, whatever you feel like doing. The dress that you know is going to make your spouse grin with delight. Nothing wrong with any of that.

So, it’s important to remember that, like any shopping trip, if you don’t like it in the store, you’re not going to like it once you get it home…or when you’re walking down the aisle in it.  The bedazzled silk dress with the five-foot train might not be the best choice for you, no matter how hard your mother is crying as she takes pictures on her phone. Have the wedding dress you want. Have the wedding you want. Hold on tight to what that looks like to you.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Maggie did find THE DRESS at the next bridal shop. We just had to keep looking, hint, hint.

See you at the end of aisle,

Liz Coopersmith

If you’d like more wedding planning tips, sign up for my weekly newsletter. Or, if you want to figure out how to create your dream wedding, contact me to schedule a free consult. I’d love to find out what you want your wedding to feel like.