I Bought My Dress!

I Bought My Dress!

Topic Author: Leigh Mills

Posted: 9:06 PM Mar 25, 2008

Replies Posted: 19 comments

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I Bought My Dress!

Those of you who are brides-to-be or former brides know wedding planning consumes your mind, your every thought. So first, I apologize to those of you who are already sick of hearing my wedding plans! To everyone else, I completed a monumental wedding task: I found my dress.

No, I’m not going to describe it or attach a picture (I can’t risk Charlie hearing about this blog and sneaking a peek!). But I will say this: I definitely did not have the “this is the one!” moment the second I put it on. At first, I was concerned it wasn’t the one because I didn’t have the “wedding dress moment.” But as I stood there in front of the mirror and my smile slowly widened… I knew. It’s as if the reality that I found my wedding dress had to sink in before I would commit to the idea. I looked at my mom, who flew in from Ohio for the special shopping weekend, and asked her. She knew. And that was it.

Of course, then I didn’t want to take the dress off. I love it. It is so beautiful. I’m already trying to figure out how I can wear it more than once. How about Halloween of this year? I could always go as a bride! This is, of course (and cross your fingers I’m right!) the one and only wedding dress I will ever wear.

Okay, if you’re now rolling your eyes… go ahead. I believe even in this day and age, when 43% of first marriages end in divorce within 15 years (good news: according to the CDC, the rate is steadily decreasing in Wisconsin ), there is hope for a happily ever after. Don’t get me wrong. I know marriage isn’t easy, and it’s not always happy… but I believe a marriage can last. Call me an optimist, a dreamer, whatever you want. I believe it.

Anyway, this blog is supposed to be about my dress! Back to the topic at hand… thank you mom for sharing in this special moment in my life. And a BIG thank you to the ladies at Vera’s House of Bridals. You made my day of shopping with my mom so great. I wish I could relive it again and again.

But, it’s on to the next item of business. It seems a wedding planner never sleeps…

Leigh

Posted by: Carol Location: Baraboo
It's great to hear about your dress, etc. I love reading about you and yours. Keep it up.

Posted by: Kim I think it's ok that you talk about your wedding.It's suppose to be a happy time.I'm happy for you and I would love to hear more.I still talk about my wedding and I've been married for almost 6 years.I will be listen and looking forward to hearing more

Posted by: Leigh Location: Madison
Hi Jan. The event you're referring to is called All Dressed Up. It is put on by the Junior League of Madison every March. So you missed the deadline this year. But I'm sure they would love to take your dresses for next year's event. Typically the Madison-area Klinke Cleaners will accept donated dresses. But since the event is so far away, I would call the Junior League and ask them. The number is 608-268-1414.

Posted by: Jan Location: Cottage Grove
Speaking of dresses. Last year you had a story of a group who donated prom dresses to girls. I have 3 to donate. Can you give me contact info about where to take them.

Posted by: Becky Location: Wisconsin
Hi Leigh! I know what you mean about finding your dress! I felt the same way. I was going to wear mine for Halloween after my wedding, but my I couldn't bear the thought of it getting wrecked! The people at Vera's are wonderful!! Some of us really enjoy hearing about your wedding! These other people who say they don't want to must actually enjoy reading about it or they wouldn't keep reading your entries about it! You are a wonderful person and you deserve a wonderful wedding and an even better marriage! Congrats!!

Posted by: Carol Location: Oregon
I get very excited when I read about your wedding plans. I got married almost 11 years ago and I still love the dress I picked for my wedding. Good for you. Who cares what the others think, wedding plans are exciting. By the way, I think you should enter the TODAY show contest to win a wedding on their set.

Posted by: Laura Location: Fitchburg
Well, I am lucky to know what the dress looks like and you were stunning in it! Sorry fellow readers but I will not give any hints to what it looks like. Once again, congrats to you and Charlie on your big day! You are such a sweet person and you truly deserve the best for your special day.

Posted by: Jolene Location: Fitchburg
Congratulations on finding your dress. I also went to Vera's and had a great experience. After they packed it so carefully, I had to fly with it to British Columbia, where I recently got married. Surprisingly enough after it was shoved in the overhead compartment of two smaller united airplanes it made it and wasn't even wrinkled. I was amazed. I'm lucky enough to get to wear my dress again when we have a reception here in the U.S. with my family. If you think the dress shopping goes fast, just wait until the wedding you just want to relive it over and over...well hopefully you do! Have fun and enjoy!

Posted by: Ace Location: Cambridge
Susan - not to start an argument in Leigh's dress blog but look at how many replies the St. Jude blog received. It is a very important topic but just didn't draw the interest of the bloggers here. Next go down and look at how many replies the sports blogs receive. People wouldn't reply to this blog if they weren't interested. The unique thing about this internet thing is nobody makes you click on a blog topic. If you don't like it you can skip right over it.

Posted by: Billy Location: Deforest
Leigh...don't listen to Sandy from Madison. You STOP GIRL!!! (as in stop talking about the boring (I mean big) day.

Posted by: Kimberly Location: SW WI
Leigh I have not formally met u (but u stop at my parents' business everyday on ur way to work) & I do know Charlie...and I could not be happier for u both!!! Congrats on the engagement and Im looking forward to hearing more on ur wedding plans! Soak up and enjoy every minute of it!

Posted by: Trevor Location: Madison
I agree with Sandy... my wedding was the best day of my life and will never forget it... but i guess i see Susan's point too. since news people (and pretty much anyone on tv) are made out to be celebrities it's interesting to hear their thoughts about the stories they cover.

Posted by: Sandy Location: Madison
Geez, people.... I think we need to relax a little bit. Its great that we get to hear personal stuff about the people we get our news from everyday! Leigh is very excited about her wedding, and this being HER blog, she can say whatever she wants to! If she ever moves to the sports department, then she will discuss sports. LEIGH, you go girl!!! :)

Posted by: Susan Location: Madison
Personal stories are nice, but as a journalist, why not discuss MORE news stories (such as the St. Jude's Radiothon)? The sports anchors discuss sports in their blogs, not their private lives.

Posted by: Matt Location: Stoughton
Leigh, Other than your dress I think your other comments in this blog are very appropriate. Your wedding lasts only one day, but your marriage is for the rest of your lives. Yes, marriage is a commitment but it can be so much more than just that if you two are determined to make it so. After 27 years of marriage to my beautiful bride people have asked me if I would do it all over again. You bet, in a heartbeat! Remember the first time you ever kissed a member of the opposite sex - that cloud nine feeling? Well, my wife Nancy is like that first kiss... all the time. Wishing you and Charlie all the happiness in the world.

Posted by: John Location: Middleton
You are right....we are sick of hering about YOUR wedding!

Posted by: Sandy Location: Madison
My friend is getting married this summer and her dress is also from Vera's. She knew what she wanted, went in, found it, and fell in love with it! Congrats on the dress... that's one of the biggest challenges of the wedding and you passed with flying colors. Everything else will be a breeze! (Just remember to find a good Bridal Assistant!)

Posted by: Anonymous I remember finding my dress. It did try on a handfull of dresses at first, but I kept going back to one dress. Not the first one I tried on, but one of the few first ones. I was with my mom also, and she kept telling me to try on more. I did end picking that dress I kept going back to. I guess it was the one that I felt good in and it did make me smile. So that is the dress we purchased that day. I did get mine at Vera's and I have been married for 22 years now. P.S. Don't wear it for Halloween. It was meant for a special day. Your day -

Posted by: Lori Location: Poynette, WI
I also found my dress in a short period of time. I wasn't at Vera's, but another shop in Madison catering to brides. I had my mother and one of my sisters with me and we just selected about 10-15 dresses...each one looking for what she thought would work best. Although I tried on two that I thought were pretty nice, as soon as I put on my dress, I knew! And everyone else agreed...it was just something that fit me to a tee. Good for you! It's nice to know I'm not the only one who found the dress and planned a wedding without turning into a bridezilla! On top of that, my husband and I built our house the same year we got married (it was finished right after our honeymoon). We've been married almost 3 years and it's been fabulous! Marriage is work, but if you marry the right person it doesn't seem to be too hard. I believe marriages can last too!