dresscapades.

I've been psyching myself up to write this post and share my wedding dress hunt story with you - or as I've come to lovingly refer to the process 'dresscapades'.

Since I have a love/hate relationship with clothes already, wedding dress shop was on equal par...X 100. Bad body image really is a curse, isn't it? I'm the type of girl who changes outfits 5 times before a party, until I'm sweating and anxious and not really feeling good in anything. But on my wedding day, there will only be one outfit so I'm determined to have it make me feel good!

You might remember my original vision - a short or tea length dress with simple high waisted silhouette in a vintage-y lace. I wanted to get it made, both to save money and ensure the ultimate fit, but I knew I needed to try some dresses on, just to see what I like and what looks good on me.

So my mom, sister and I hit the wedding dress boutiques. My goodness, what a roller coaster. I would say that 99.9% of the dresses in these stores were not something I would feel comfortable wearing. They were just too fussy and heavy and over the top. Plus let's just say the shops are not curvy gal friendly, if you know what I mean! I found one I liked, a very simple design. But get this - it was crazy marked down on a super sale - but in a sample size 1 size too small for me. The seamstress said she could let it out and it would need tons of alterations to be even close to what I wanted. So the pressure began! I admit, I got swept up in the whirlwind of thinking this was what I wanted and even went so far as to put it on hold.

Then I spent the next few days waking up in cold sweats imagining buying a dress I didn't love and could never fit into, for still way too much money.

Ultimately I decided to return to my original vision of simple and lace. I found an amazing seamstress through a referral by local blog reader SarahC. Buoyed with excitement, my sister and I went shopping for the perfect lace. Only to rudely discover what nice lace costs. Can you say HEARTBREAKING??

With my ultimate goal of a dress I love within a budget, it just wasn't going to be possible. And there really wasn't any cheap lace that I truly loved. Back to the drawing board...

Then we hit a local fabric store that is going out of business. It was super picked over with not a lot to offer. Until the owner steered us towards the most amazing ivory 100% peau de soie (that's silk! The good stuff!). It's a crisp material, with an ever so subtlee rich sheen. Regular $99 a metre, on sale for $5 a metre. No joke. My sister, who sews, began jumping up and down. I was hesitant but her excitement sold me and I purchased my dress fabric for $24 including tax.

We met with the seamstress the following day who totally put me at ease and convinced me that she will make something amazing and close to my vision with the silk. It will be glam but still casual. Elegant but relaxed.

Plus I'll have my cardigan and ballet flats to keep me feeling comfy and 'myself'.

Can't wait to share more details!!

Tell me friends, did you feel like yourself on your wedding day?