The Nest

The lady in white

Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2007 7:09 PM

I promised myself I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't be one of those brides-to-be who looked in the mirror and became a crumpled mess of emotions. But I have to admit it: When I tried on my dress at my first fitting, I teared up. Don't worry, they were tears of joy.

From the time I bought the dress at David's Bridal until the last weekend, I had not seen it. It had been taking up residence in my aunt's front closet along with the necessary undergarments one needs when wearing a wedding dress.

We purchased a special bag for the dress which we were told would guarantee it wouldn't yellow. Sure enough, when we took it out it was still the color it was when I bought it.  

On fitting day, my aunt and I carried the dress into the store and looked around at some of the other dresses (of which mine looks nothing like). We went back into the alterations area where I put on the strapless bra, petticoat, white shoes and, finally, the dress. It looked even better than I had remembered (I'm not going to describe it here because my fiancé reads this blog). Let's just say it looked darn good.

The seamstress had me stand on a box in front of a large three-sided mirror and proceeded to pin up the bottom of the dress, the sleeves, the petticoat and the shoulders. I'm 5-foot-2 with short arms, it would have been a shock if she hadn't had to do anything.

My aunt took pictures while the seamstress pinned me up. My hair looked like the lion's mane it always does and I had no make-up on – but I still felt like a princess.

The whole process took about an hour, but standing there that long gave me the chance to break in my wedding shoes (miracles from Easy Spirit that cushioned my feet the longer I stood in them).

Of course, as a bride-to-be I have to take advantage of every opportunity. So just before I took off the dress, I asked my aunt to walk with me into the main room where several brides were trying on their dresses. I walked in front of a section of mirrors, turned right and left and smiled at some of the other brides who were wearing what my bubbe would call "wedding nightgowns."

Sure it was a bit indulgent, but I only have three months left and I don't want to miss a thing.

I'll have to go back on Labor Day weekend for my second fitting – with my veil and blusher, a piece of fabric that hangs in front of my face so Adam can bedecken (veil) me and I can still see.

And no, Adam, you can't see any of the pictures.