a love story

   If you recall this particular scenario, prepare for one completely different.

   Garrett worked all last Saturday, which is usually our all-day-hangout-day, so I decided to fill the time with some wedding prep activities. Luckily my roommate/bridesmaid is always down for wedding-related adventures so we planned a couple errands for after she got off work. A year ago, a cute little specialty bridal boutique opened up across the street from our apartment. Despite the proximity, I’d never ventured over there because I could just sense the overpriced gowns and snobby salesgirls from my house. Also, because I work at another bridal shop a ways down the road I just figured that would be where I would eventually find my dress. Why look anywhere else, right?

Wrong!

   So my roommate and I walked across the street and stepped into a teeny tiny front display room stuffed to the brim with lacey, fluffy, glittery, $2,000 wedding gowns. We took our time, pretending we weren’t tasting bile in our mouths from the absurd prices, and eventually were approached by a saleswoman. This was our conversation:

Andree (the salesgirl): Can I help you find anything?

Me: We’re just kind of looking. We live across the street and figured we’d stop in.

Andree: Oh. So…no particular reason?

Katie (my roommate): Well, she (pointing at me) is getting married.

Andree: OHHHHHH!!! Welcome, welcome! What are you looking for?! What style? Color? When’s your date? TELL ME ALL THE THINGS! (slightly exaggerated)

   So I went on to tell her I like the subtle sweetheart neckline, princess cut, off-white, some ruching, etc. Then she inquired about my budget:

Me: Umm, under $2,000. More like…under $1,000.

Andree: OH! I just have the perfect dress. I just love this one! See, look how pretty it is. Everything you said you wanted.

Me: Yeah it’s gorgeous, how much is it?

Andree: $999. Right in your budget!

Me: That’s…a little high, actually.

Andree: Oh? So…like, $750?

Me: Yeah. Or…lower…

Andree: $500…?

Me: $300.

Andree: Oh, well, that’s ok. Um…we don’t have much for that price on the floor, however. We’re more of a specialty boutique so it’s going to be pretty tough finding what you want at that price. I’m sorry.

Me: That’s ok. That’s kind of what I expected. Oh well, I just wanted to come look! Thanks for your –

Andree: Well there is a sale rack at the back of the store. But they’re kind of out-of-style, like really really white and not much lace or anything.

Katie: Might as well take a look!

   So even though I was feeling slightly defeated, I followed the two of them to the very back of the store and was introduced to an enormous sales rack. Katie and I began sifting through it and laughed at more than a few styles, but then we found two that actually looked wearable. They were pretty similar – the same color but some different beading and ruching patterns. Andree asked if I’d like to try them on, which I totally wasn’t planning on doing considering I was wearing about 6 layers of clothing, but I eventually gave in.

   The first one I tried on was a 14 which is far too big, but Andree was armed with some heavy duty clips. I shimmied into it, not expecting much, and waited for the clips to be placed before facing the mirror.

Oh my goodness.

   It was beautiful! The neckline was the perfect sweetheart shape, the ruching was unbelievably flattering, the beading around the princess-cute waistline was unique and feminine, the length was perfect, there were little buttons all the way down the back and each one had a tiny beaded flower, and the color was stunning! PERFECT!!!

   But then my mind immediately went to the price.

   I asked Katie to look at the tag for me once Andree had stepped away and she basically gasped.

It was $99.

$99!!!

   I almost collapsed in relief. This was it! I had found my dress!

   After asking Andree how much the alterations would cost to take it down to my size, I asked her to set it aside for me until I had a chance to talk to my parents. I’m usually a very impulsive buyer so I was impressed with my ability to hold off. I had a chance to talk to my mom and she couldn’t have been more excited for me! So that next Monday I went in and bought it. I bought my wedding dress! Ahhh it feels sooooo good.

   Funny how these things happen when you least expect it, eh?