Stalking the Prey........

Who knew how hard it would be locate one little wedding gown?   Ooops. I forgot. Cut me some slack, it's been 21 years. Like many other highly competitive markets,  bridal salons seldom make it easy by stocking the same items or designers so consumers can easily compare.   In fact, they are quite sneaky about it.

So after trying several, OK, 637,469 dresses the other day, I did find one I wanted to try on again.  Without driving to the entire other side of Chicago.   Thus ensued part one: stalking the dress on the internet.   Not every shop carries every designer. In fact, several designers are offered at only a very few salons. You know, the ones really far away from me.  (Yes, Oakbrook IS another country, OK??)   And not every salon who stocks a specific designer has the same dresses, or the same sizes.   So it was looking like this dress existed only in ONE bridal salon in the entire Chicagoland area.   And it was not nearby.

Part two: hunting it down.

But I am a persistent girl.  So one day when I had a few extra minutes after eating my lunch of rabbit food very delicious and filling salad, I google-mapped a promising bridal salon.  BINGO:  Lily's Bridal and Gifts.  They had my the dress.   And a couple of others by Maggie Sottero I wanted to try.  Bridal nirvana - the ability to comparassion shop!  I hit the mother lode.   Thank you google maps.

Except the sample was obviously sized for a concentration camp survivor.  It fit quite well.  On my left thigh.  But happily, the other samples were in sizes that actually fit me.   And the sales girl was neither a bubble gum snapping anorexic, nor an overmade-up 79 year old sporting a heavy Brooklyn accent.    She was actually.......breathe.......helpful.    The shop was organized. And she even called the manufacturer to order a swatch of the color we could not identify and get me a "drop-dead date"*

So what happened?
Nmm, mmm.   You'll just have to wait on that one.

But I can tell you this, it's not THIS one:

* Drop-Dead date: last day the sress can be ordered to arrive in time for to be altered and ready for the wedding.

Top 10 Things NOT to Do When Shoping for a Wedding Gown....

Filene's Running of the Brides: A Bad Idea for the Feint of Heart

When one plans a wedding, it's probably a good idea to get some kind of dress. Sometime, that's not so easy.  At least I knew to stay away from the Running of the Brides.....

In no particular order:

• Shop with a bride who is 17 years younger than you are.
• Shop with a bride who is a size "0".
• Combine the above 2.
• Wear ratty granny panties.
• Shop on a 100 degree day, in a bridal salon with no A/C.
• Shope before you lose that 25 lbs.
• Tell the bridal consultant your REAL budget.  Cut it in half, because you know she'll be bringing you dresses that are "at the top end" of your stated budget.
• Give a bridal salon your REAL phone number.  There ought to be a special bridalcodicil to stalking laws.
• Shop is a salon that only stocks single digit sample sizes.  Unless you are bride #1 above.
• Fall in love with any dress. This simply guarantees it will be discontinued last week.

Sneak Preview!!

Here are some pics of the venue, by the photographer I've chosen....if you dare!
Photo #1191  Pictage
(You'll be asked to sign the Guest Book)

I've fallen in love all over again!

Props on Prop 8

Even though it has absolutely no impact on my life, or my wedding, I found myself REALLY happy to hear that Prop8 had been stuck down as unconstitutional. Maybe it's about living in a country that values all people,  equality, or true freedom to pursue happyness......

These amazing photographers are also happy with this turn of events. So happy,they are offering a great deal.
Click here for the fine print on their 45% discount.   45 is significant because that is the number of states who still refuse to recognize same-sex unions.

Our Version of the Royal Wedding......

After months of anticipation, peculation, sleuthing and spying, the wedding of our century has taken place.
This weekend,  Chelsea Clinton was married to a long-time friend in the suburbs just north of New York City.   Fortunately, the Clinton team was able to keep a better lid on it thatn most state secrets.   The event seems to proceed in fairy-tale like fashion without any mishaps or scandal to mar Miss Clinton's day.

Most of us have watched this girl grow up before our eyes.   And she has weathered some pretty strong political storms with grace.  It is so good to see the mega-watt smiles on this couples faces.

For those of you who missed the memo, the gown was by Vera Wang.   Hmmmm, I'm seeing alot of ruched strapples dresses with delicate crystal beading at the waist in our future....How about you?

Good Luck Mr. & Mrs Mezvinski!