Pinterest Dreams and Velvet Couches: A Mother's Journey to Find "The Dress"

The dress—it's what every little girl dreams about. White, tulle, lace, sparkle. She becomes the center of attention as she walks down the aisle, with all eyes on her. I might have dreamed about this as a child, though I don't remember exactly. However, my daughter—my eldest daughter—has envisioned herself as a bride since she was probably four years old. She's the perfect example of a princess-in-waiting. So, I anticipated that shopping for her wedding dress would be an adventure, if not a quest!

The weekend was upon us—long planned and set with appointments at quaint boutiques with kitschy names like "Vow'd" and "My Darling." Even before she became engaged over the holidays, her Pinterest board was already filled with ideas of what THE dress might be. Now, knowing my daughter, I knew that no ordinary dress would do. The trend of simple, fitted dresses with minimal embellishments wouldn't suit her big personality and fun spirit.

My girly-girl refused to take off her princess costumes when she was young, so we would cart her around doing errands in a "green princess that flies" (Tinkerbell) or another Disney-inspired garment adorned with plastic jewels. "Isn't she cute?" people would comment as she knighted a pillow in a household store or danced her way down the cereal aisle. Yes, she was cute, but what I also knew was that someday, many years from then, she would be a woman on a mission to find the PERFECT gown for her big day. The groundwork had been laid.

So off she and her sister (her maid of honor) and I went to these important assignments. Our job was to give her feedback—honestly, but maybe not too bluntly. Holding back a little until we knew how she felt about each masterpiece was important so as not to trample on her dream. When we started, the first few dresses were simple and, as the cute young consultant pointed out, "foundational" to determine what style, shape, and colors she was connecting with. I don't recall my own wedding dress shopping being like this. It certainly wasn't in what looked like Sarah Jessica Parker's New York apartment closet, with vintage brick walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, large gold-framed mirrors, and comfy velvet couches for your "team" to sit and give feedback like "Oooooh, that's gorgeous!" or "Ehhh, don't love it."

She had, of course, shared her "inspiration" looks, which she had meticulously curated and saved on her Pinterest boards titled "Say Yes to the Dress" and "Happily Ever After." Her budget was established, slightly higher than I recall mine being (granted, it has been 26 years, but...). With each dress, she emerged like a phoenix from the ashes, looking increasingly glamorous as we requested "More sparkle" or "More lace," until she found one or two that were ALMOST perfect. We photographed her from every angle, with and without veils or additional sleeves, ensuring every detail was captured for her future review.

Whew! Almost two hours later, the first appointment was done. No final selection, but one that was "in the running."

Lunch was absolutely needed to rest our weary minds and discuss the findings—too much of this, too little of that, maybe a different style. The conversation flowed between what salad to order and whether a sheer bodice was appropriate for a wedding dress. Appointment number two was coming up, and we put our war uniforms back on, ready to go into battle.

The second shop was somewhat larger, bustling with more people and filled with excitement. Young women accompanied by their entire bridal parties and grandmothers were shouting, "I SAY YES!" The atmosphere felt quite pressured and perhaps a bit overwhelming, as consultants hurried from room to room, trailing large white, cream, and pink formal dresses behind them.

Her consultant soon introduced herself, and they were off to look at the selection while we took our place on the velvet couch (what's with the velvet—especially on a 90-degree day?).

Once more, she began the process. With each dress, now more assured of her preferences, she stepped out of the dressing room, her smile widening with every choice.

Then finally, after a little contemplation with another dress, a winner emerged. With the veil placed on her head like the topper on a wedding cake, the tears came (from her, her sister, and me), and we all knew this was it—THE DRESS! Pictures and videos followed cheers and laughter. Other parties there congratulated her as if she'd just won the Kentucky Derby. A bottle of champagne was popped to toast the moment (nice touch, by the way!). It was the instance I had pictured in my head all those years ago—she had her princess dress.

The details of measurements, contracts, and payments rounded out the appointment. After a long day of dress drama, we were all exhausted, though giddy. Our drive home was filled with laughter and looking through all the pictures and videos. Some singing along with the radio even came with the glee. I can't believe my little girl who loved to dress up is getting married in her grown-up princess costume. In less than a year, she will bless her fiancé with her presence in this wonder, and her childhood dreams and Pinterest boards will become a reality. I am so blessed.