A Wedding Dress Story
My name is Ashley and almost 4 years ago I married my best friend. I had always envisioned (as most girls do) what my wedding dress would look like. I had a plan. I was going to have my dress custom made at a shop in Santa Ana that specialized in beautiful gowns. When I told my best friend I was engaged she wasted no time driving down from San Jose so that we could begin dress shopping. She surprised me by coming down that following weekend and making an appointment at David’s Bridal to go an play dress up. I had told her that I was planning on having my dress made, but since she drove all the way down to Mission Viejo she told me I should “humor her” which I was all too happy to do. I gathered up the other bridesmaids and off we went.
Since I had no intention of buying anything, I allowed them to use me as a dress up doll and tried on whatever they brought me. Nothing was quite right. Then, halfway through our shopping venture, I saw a dress. It was this beautiful soft gold color, but has zero hanger appeal.Truthfully, I just wanted to see the color against my skin. The consultant told me that the gown was a discontinued piece and that if I wanted it, I had to buy it that day as there were no guarantees that it would be there the next time I came back. She told me I should save it for the very last and I took her advice.
Ashley tries on her wedding dress for the first time.
Ashley wears her dress on her wedding day.
After trying on 30 or so gowns it was time for the last gown. I put it on and it fit perfectly, like it was made for me. I walked out and the girls just stared at me in complete silence. A woman I didn’t even know came up to me, touched my face and told me it was the one. She was crying. I look back at my girls and they were crying. I slowly turned and looked in the mirror and couldn’t believe what I saw. I had “the moment” that every girl dreams about. It was “the one”. It fit me perfectly, the gold complimented my skin so much better than any of the other shades I had tried on. I felt like a princess.
I quietly looked at the price tag and it said $800. That was $200 more than I was quoted for my custom gown. I was torn. The consultant told me they were having a $50 off sale so it was only going to be $750, but that she wanted to check to make sure. She came back and said, ” I’m sorry it seems i’ve told you the wrong price. It’s $400 and $50 off that so its only $350!” I couldn’t believe it! I almost fainted! I practically threw my credit card at her just in case she changed her mind for some reason!! I felt so lucky. I found a gown that was better than I had dreamed of and at a price I couldn’t turn down!
My wedding turned out to be quite resplendent and I can’t imagine getting married in any other dress than the one I was so lucky to find! I’m so thankful everyday for the luck that came to me that day! My husband and I paid for the majority of our wedding ourselves and that dress was an absolute blessing!
Ashley prepares to walk down the aisle.
Ashley’s husband wore an awesome kilt!