Savoring the Taste of...My Own Words

Ok, so I have to eat the words from my last post.  True love-- of a wedding dress-- found me this weekend. 

After a 45 minute drive to Rockville, MD and an odd entrance that involved going through the lobby of Dogtopia, I arrived at St. Anthony's Bridal.  This place is nothing short of a miracle! They are a not-for-profit that help brides have an affordable, beautiful wedding day.  Brides that meet their criteria can borrow a dress, decorations, plates, runners, just about everything for........no charge.  Zip.  Nada.  To qualify, you must:

1. Plan to have fewer than 100 guests.
2. Have a budget of under $3,000 for the reception.
3. Be within 60 miles of the shop.

Don't meet these criteria, or want to own your dress?  Only $150 buys any dress in the store!  And these are great gowns; many are designer.  Most are either samples or last season's dresses donated by high-end boutiques, or "worn once" dresses from area brides.  Buying the dress, vs. borrowing, also helps to fund this amazing place, a godsend for budget brides in the DC metro area.  And the volunteers are super supportive, really, they treated me as well as any boutique.  These are people who love weddings, love brides and just want to help you acheive a perfect day without going into debt. 

I also reserved TONS of great items that will allow my reception to come in at $3,000-- plates, linens, centerpieces, even a chocolate fountain!  This translates into us being able to self-cater most of the food without paying for expesenive rentals of chafing dishes, etc.  Also, it is even greener than my original plan of buying biodegradable plates and cups, since nothing will be disposable. 

Ok, I got off topic raving about St. Anthony's. :)  Back to my point...THE Dress.  It was the first one I put on when we got there and I literally sighed when I looked in the mirror.  It just felt right.  And I felt beautiful.  Finally.  Very Grace Kelly; intricate beading on top, flowing into a sleek A-line.  I plan to have the train removed but, otherwise, it fits perfectly.  I tried on a few more because I like to be thorough, but I knew it was THE one.  So, I must eat my words.  There really is such a thing as putting on a dress and just falling in love.  And the good news is, if you are willing to shop around, and maybe explore some less traditional avenues, you can accomplish it while staying on budget.  A happily-ever-after ending to my search for a perfect dress.