The dress(es)

Ceremony dress | Oleg Cassini, David's Bridal
Reception dress | Alfred Angelo
Photos | Jackie Santana Photography (unless otherwise noted)

As a longtime fashionista, picking out two dresses--one for the ceremony, another for the reception--was almost inevitable. However, no one expected that I would find them both in the same day, not even me. 

Some people have "that moment" and burst into tears when they find their ceremony dress. Others don't, and that's OK. For me, my "moment" was when I put on this pale blush dress from Oleg Cassini--my last-minute "wild card" choice that caught my eye as I was walking back to the fitting rooms. It was nothing like any of the styles I had initially picked out online; in fact, it had FIVE elements that I had told myself I didn't want in a dress. Not one or two, but five: It was long, full of heavy tulle layers and strapless, with a sweetheart neckline and a corseted bodice. But when I put it on, I fell in love with the feel of it and the romance it captured with the vintage-inspired embroidered roses. (Coincidentally, I bought this dress over Labor Day weekend in 2015, right before floral wedding gowns became the "in thing" the following spring.)

above three photos taken on my iPhone

This is why every wedding website and magazine will advise you to keep an open mind and try on different styles, even ones you think you won't like.

After seeing how my mom still doesn't look back fondly on her poufy-sleeved wedding dress from the '80s, even after almost 30 years, I knew that soft and romantic--not trendy or edgy--was the direction I wanted to go. ​My reception dress from Alfred Angelo was what I originally thought I wanted for my ceremony dress: a 1950s-era tea-length dress with embroidered lace, illusion neckline with keyhole closure and vintage button detail down the back. Again, a timeless style that's perfect for twirling on the dance floor. And get this: This Alfred Angelo dress, originally priced at $750, was on sale for 87% off! Because the style was no longer being made, it was only $99, which meant I could buy two dresses--one dramatic, one easy to relax and dance in--and still stay within my budget.

TIP: If you're on a budget, don't be afraid to check the clearance racks. You can get a timeless style in your size for cheap--and no one ever has to know. Well, as long as you don't blab about your frugal ways on a blog like me. Whoops.

Fun fact: Back in the day, I used to model wedding dresses at bridal shows across Central Indiana. (It's true!) Being fairly petite at 5-foot-3, I quickly learned which shoes were not only comfortable enough to wear all day long but also would make me look taller and leaner (and keep me from tripping over any heavy, full-length dresses I might be asked to wear at the last minute). I fell in love with these Badgley Mischkas about four years ago and eventually bought them on sale as shoes to wear at my next bridal show. Turns out they matched my ceremony dress perfectly!

TIP: Always break in your wedding shoes! Because I had worn these for two bridal shows, I already knew how they would feel after a night of dancing and didn't need a pair of flats for the reception.