Is it Normal To Have Second Thoughts About The Wedding Dress?

having second thoughts about wedding dress

This post has absolutely nothing to do with beauty and everything to do with my upcoming wedding. I’m five months in and I’m already overwhelmed by all these decisions I have to make. Blogging about it just makes me feel better. I’m a bride-to-be on a small budget and while you may have read my first wedding related post, I’m ready to embrace my small budget. If you’re looking for really extravagant, fairy-tale wedding ideas and what not, you’ve come to the wrong place. I won’t be offended if you want to stop reading. Remember, I’m a broke bride-to-be. So let’s get to my latest dilemma.

Earlier this month, I booked a last minute appointment to visit a bridal salon that was having a sample sale. I thought, why not go? I love dress shopping so even if I didn’t fall in love with a dress, I figured I’d walk away with a great experience. But that’s the thing. I did walk away with a dress. Well, I walked away and then I came back 45 minutes later.

I stepped in to a local bridal boutique with the lowest expectations a bride-to-be could possibly have. My mom and my aunt were my plus ones to this appointment. I was greeted by my bridal stylist who went over the questionnaire I filled out which addressed my name, my venue and most importantly, my budget.

We sifted through the racks of gowns and I picked up my favorites. I wanted to be open minded because I had only been to one bridal appointment prior so I was willing to try on every style they had. Among a bunch of poofy tulle, beaded ball gowns and more, I tried on a sexy satin one-shoulder number (I don’t want to give away too many details) that was super flattering on my figure. To be honest, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. But it was love. It was the 2nd dress I tried on and every time I slipped in to a different sample, I compared it to “the 2nd dress.”

Our one-hour appointment happened so quickly there wasn’t time for me to try it on one last time but the stylist was sweet enough to write it down on a note card in case I decided to come back. We left to go across the street and have brunch of Founding Farmers and it was during our 45-minute wait for an outside table, I contemplated if I should go back. You know, if it was “meant to be.” Oh, and did I mention it was on sale? It was originally a $2,000 dress on sale for $799. I mean, damn, when are you ever going to find a deal like that?! I’m incredibly indecisive but to think about the fact that another gal could walk in there, try on that same dress and buy it made me sad. So we went back.

Now, “my dress” is hanging in my closet. Since I came home, every day I’ve unzipped my garment bag, examined it for a few minutes and zipped it back up. I can’t tell if that’s a sign that I love it just that much or if I’m having second thoughts. Which led me to Googling, “is it normal to have second thoughts about the wedding dress?” and other like-minded queries.

I guess I imagined this moment where the bride-to-be tries on a dress and everyone breaks in to tears like they do on Say Yes to The Dress and I Found The Gown. Except, I didn’t have that moment at all. I found a dress that actually was the opposite of what I wanted, but it was gorgeous and it made me feel good.

So, what say you? Should I ignore my second thoughts? Is it a sign I should keep looking?

Photography by Rachel McGinn Photography via The EveryGirl