As one of my final wedding posts, I wanted to share a little bit about my wedding dress shopping experience.

 

For over a year now, you guys have seen me plan and execute my dream wedding. Wedding dress shopping was a bit part of my wedding journey. It definitely had a few bumps but everything turned out more perfect that I could have hoped. I’m glad that my family was there every step of the way because things could have been very different.

Dress Shopping

Thrifted Wedding Dress

I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a wedding dress so I decided to take advantage of thrift store wedding dress shopping. I found a gently used $75 Maggie Sottero A-Line gown that fit me like a glove. My mom helped me put it on and as we both looked in the mirror, we each shed a tear. I thought I had found the one. It wasn’t until much later that I found out my mom was only tearing up because she didn’t want me to thrift my dress lol.

I had plans to have sleeves added to the dress, as well as some additional embroidery to bring some extra detail to the simple gown. With all the money I saved thrifting the dress, I decided to buy a simple reception dress from a local Bridal Boutique. That’s where things changed.

Ladies of Lineage

When we got to Ladies of Lineage in Fort Mill, they had a 2 guest limit. My mom and sister came with me inside but my dad was standing at the window looking in. The stylists saw him and let him come inside so he could take part. I explained I was looking for a smaller and simpler gown for my reception. I tried on a couple beautiful Essense of Australia and Rebecca Ingram dresses. They didn’t really wow me or my family. But that’s when my dad spotted a dress hanging at the front of the store…my dress. Turned out, it was a new Amsale wedding gown with a matching veil. It had just arrived for a trunk show – and the stylists said I would be the first person to try it on since it had been debuted on the runway in NYC. My jaw dropped…how cool!

I eagerly stepped into the gown and once the curtain was drawn, I saw the look on my mom, dad, and sister’s faces. Tears of freaking joy. My dad was speechless and my mom was smiling from ear to ear. The stylist put the veil on me as I watched in the mirror. Once I saw the veil, I cried like the big baby I am. I finally felt like a bride – and this dress blew the thrifted dress out of the water. My mom kept saying, “this is the one” and explained that her tears now were a sign that this dress was meant to be. Per Filipino tradition, my parents paid for my dress and veil and I bought my silver hair accessory. After 4 months of waiting, my dress was finally made and waiting for me at the shop. Today’s photos are of me trying on my made-to-order Amsale down for the first time.

Alterations

The Bad

You may remember me telling this on my Instagram stories, but the original alterations shop I booked with had a falling out with the bridal shop. They went through their books and started booking new brides/clients during the same time slots as all their Ladies of Lineage referrals, without informing the bride with the original appointment. So over the course of several months, every single bride who came from Ladies of Lineage got a call 2 days before their appointment saying that their appointment was cancelled. No explanation provided.

I had actually called 1 week before my appointment to confirm and everything seemed okay but 5 days later I got the same call the other brides had complained about online. The woman was so mean to me over the phone, and wasn’t even apologetic. I called my bridal shop for help. Ladies of Lineage was more than accommodating and quick to step in to help me book with another alterations shop.

The Good

So by the time I needed to bring my dress in for my first alterations appointment, I found out I was about 6 weeks pregnant. When my best friend and I showed up for the appointment, I was transparents and told them what was happening. Mai’s Alterations explained that my body would likely change quite a bit before the wedding so they wanted to push my appointment to 3 weeks before the wedding so it would fit me better. Sadly, I lost the baby a couple weeks after.

A month and a half later, it was time to bring my dress in again. They had moved into a historic Victorian house and the place was absolutely stunning. There were beautiful hardwood floors, a changing suite, large mirrors, and a grand staircase. The appointment went great, too. Everything I wanted to do to the dress, they were able to do. They also helped me get a customize wedding dress. They took their time chalking the hem to make sure it would be the perfect height for me on the wedding day too. When it came time for the final fitting, the dress fit me perfectly. My mom was grinning the entire appointment and took a bunch of photos of me on her phone

I have quite an interesting wedding dress shopping story but I’m so happy everything turned out the way it did.

I love my dress and veil and can’t wait to share my wedding day photos!

Amsale Elliot Gown – Made To Order –– Amsale Cathedral Length Drop Veil –– Charlotte Olympia x Puma Sneakers