I found THE dress today!!!

[WBandMe]

...unfortunately, it didn't quite work out.

I went into the bridal shop (first time ever) not expecting to find anything, or at least trying not to get my hopes up. Chose a few dresses and began trying them on, and the second one I tried really struck me, but I didn't want to commit that early on. A few bad dresses later and I tried on this one (please excuse all goofy faces, cleavage and back fat from them squeezing me into a size smaller than I needed):
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/6414/1000077qz6.jpg (http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/6414/1000077qz6.jpg)
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/1203/1000075ss8.jpg (http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/1203/1000075ss8.jpg)

I did like this one, but it was in the sale room meaning I had to buy off the rack, and there were a couple of small stains and weird beads, and I didn't really want to deal with that. So, I tried on that second dress again...

[WBandMe]

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/9671/1000083ge6.jpg
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/1061/1000078kf6.jpg
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/8553/1000079ys7.jpg

The longer I wore it and tried on veils and whatnot, the more I knew it was the right one. So, to be sure I didn't totally impulse, Mom and I decided to go to lunch and think it over and we told them we'd be back. An hour or so later we returned, and here is the conversation I had with the consultant:

Her: Welcome back! So, what do you think?
Me: Well, we've thought it over, and I'm sold. I want to order it.
Her: Great! I just have something I need to tell you first... you see, not long after you left, we got our updated list of discontinued dresses, and your dress is on it.
Me: Okay... what does that mean?
Her: We can't order you a new one, so you'll have to buy this exact dress. But, it's 20% off and can easily be altered to fit you.

I tried it on again and was pretty convinced, but with the 20% off it was still over $600, and there were a couple of small stains and one tiny loose thread I noticed. We asked how they'd clean it and they said they won't, but we can take it to the cleaner nearby and they'll spot clean it for me. I'm sorry, but for that much money I just dont want to risk it *hopefully* fitting and *hopefully* coming clean. I still would have gone for it for maybe $400, so I told her I love it but I'm just not comfortable spending that much on a stained, smallish dress--totally expecting a "well maybe we could do 30% off" or something. Nope, instead I got "Oh... okay." So we thanked them and left and I've been trying not to cry all day. I'm looking online at other dresses but there's just nothing that I like as much. Sigh.

[NowAShelton]

sorry i posted that before the other pics came up! i love dress #2!! however i totally understand your plight...hmmm

[KMS]

Can you get on the phone tomorrow and call every location within driving distance?? Maybe another location will have another size and one that isn't stained. If you love it so much it may be worth a shot. Good luck!

[WBandMe]

Can you get on the phone tomorrow and call every location within driving distance?? Maybe another location will have another size and one that isn't stained. If you love it so much it may be worth a shot. Good luck!

Good idea! Thanks Keely.

ETA--Oh yeah, that's right. I don't even know the dress number and I've searched everywhere online. I'm too chickenish to call the bridal shop now because they were SO sure they were going to get the sale. Hmm, I might just have to suck it up and do it, because I really love the dress.

[KMS]

Good idea! Thanks Keely.

ETA--Oh yeah, that's right. I don't even know the dress number and I've searched everywhere online. I'm too chickenish to call the bridal shop now because they were SO sure they were going to get the sale. Hmm, I might just have to suck it up and do it, because I really love the dress.

:pompom: You can do it!!

[StarCoveter]

Suck it up! If you don't, and aren't able to find the dress somewhere else on your own, you may always wonder "what if" and regret not making a simple phone call.

Plus, if you get the style number, you can also check out ebay and other online stores. I think calling around to other bridal shops is definitely a good idea as well.

[Jacobs_Girl]

You should also check ebay just in case. There are a few bridal shops going out of business who are selling NEW dresses for cheap. I got my reception dress a mori lee design for like $70 I think or around there. When it came it was perfect!

Craigslist as well you never know someone is selling a similar dress or exact dress in better condition and cheaper.

Good luck with finding your dress I was lucky enough that the 3rd shop I went into I found my dress :)

I like the 2nd dress too

[Nekochanpurr]

Oh no! i agree though, i wouldn't have bought it for that much, either.. Specially with the stains and size issues.. You'll find it somewhere!