The Dress...

It has been a long time since I've written anything about wedding planning. Almost 7 months! Time flies, I guess!

There is something about finding the wedding dress that surpasses all other wedding planning categories. Venue? Doesn't matter. Guest List? Who cares. Show me DRESSES.

I was definitely in that mind set this summer. After a day spent checking out Vera's, Beautiful Brides, and David's Bridal in Madison, followed by a day in Janesville at the Vera's outlet and another small bridal shop in Janesville, I thought I had a dress picked out. A real sparkly number.

Late in August before school started the mom's(Mine and Jonah's) and I decided we should get together to talk about various wedding things-flowers, etc. Kristen came along and although I thought about trying on dresses in Milwaukee that day I decided against it and told Kourtney not to take off work. Oops!

We went to lunch in Delafield, and I decided I didn't want to make the Moms drive all that way just to eat. I googled bridal shops near Delafield and found a small shop about 10 minutes away from where we were having lunch. After we ate, we drove up to this shop. The name of the shop is Hartland Bridal, and when we walked in we were greeted by the owner, Sue.

The shop is the old Pump House and is very unassuming from the outside. The small basement was PACKED with dresses however, and we started rifling through. She pulled out her catalogue from one of my favorite designers and I flipped through the page. I pointed one out, and she responded that she thought she had it. She pulled it from the racks and added it to the other dresses I had eyed up.

Here is where I need to state that I really had no intention of finding "the dress" that day. I would've never thought that a little shop in a suburb would have my dress. (yes, MY dress.) Furthermore, I had been dress shopping. I thought I would try a few on and ultimately end up buying it somewhere in Madison.

Anyway, I tried a few on that were nice. When trying dresses on, you learn quickly that if you dislike even one small thing it becomes the end of the world. It should be. It's good to be picky when you're choosing this sort of thing.

And then I put on the dress. As Sue was helping me get into it, I knew. She didn't even have to finish lacing before I said, "This is the one."

I tried on a few more after to appease the party of people, all the while knowing my dress was still in the dressing room. I was officially tainted. No dress compared.

Kristen helped me put it back on, and we both knew it was the one. Finally, when mom chimed in and agreed, I caved. Veils and head pieces were brought out, and all the while it really hit me. I have a dress. To wear to my wedding. Hey, I won't be naked!

It really was a fantastic experience. Calling Kourtney afterwards to tell her I had found the dress was hard. She was happy but wanted to be there. I brought her to the shop a few days later and tried it on. She agreed, the dress was perfect.

Luckily, Sue also happened to have the perfect bridesmaids dresses for my girls as well. Everyone got measured last week and the dresses are officially ordered.

My dress should be getting here anytime in the next two weeks, and I am giddy to see it!


Hope everyone had a fantastic Holiday season! Only 5 months away!