Looking at dresses tonight!

those dresses are so pretty maura!

I waited until the last possible moment to dress shop. I was not looking forward to it because I knew the dress sizes ran super small and I didn't want to feel like crap. I waited until I could lose some weight (barely did too) but honestly, once I started putting on dresses the anxiety melted away.

I was only really discouraged that they didn't have more dresses in my size to try on. They had a ton of 6-8's and I am NOT that size. The larger dress shops seem to have more variety in sizes. I wasn't able to try on my dress because it was a size 6, but I tried on a dress similar to it's cut and style and loved it. I ordered my dress without trying it on and since it just came in, I really love it!

Just keep trying. Don't get discouraged about the sizing. All women go through it. My size 5 bridesmaid had to order a size 12 dress. We all whine about it together.

I tried on some dresses and am very confused.

I love Jenny Packham's Papillion, but feel like it is too fancy for a beach wedding. It is the most me, though I'm not sure if it is the most flattering. I also like Carmen and Cleo.

I tried a Vera Wang dress which was oddly less pricey than Jenny Packham and is kind of a similar cut to Papillion, but more classic old fashioned sweet garden dress feeling. My mom and sis love it the most.

Then I tried Amy Michelson's Gold Rush and White Chocolate, which are probably the most beachish and the backs are amazing (and look good on me) - if I could get a combo of the 2.

Problem is none of the dresses are at the same store. Only some allow you to take photos and others don't since they think people will copy the designs. I just want to look at me in the designs at home! None were absolutely perfect on. There is always some problem!! How do people just find the perfect dress?

I would not worry about the dress sizes they always run small. But when I ordered mine, the one I tried on fit fine. (so I thought) but they said for the skirt to flow correctly I need to go up one size so I did. Now I need to have it altered everywhere, the alterations are going to cost me about the same as I paid for the dress. I would just look for something that you are comfortable in and make sure of your measurements.

And just to give perspective, I normally wear a size 2 at most (US designer) in formal dresses, but was told I'd be a size 8 (UK designer), so really doesn't reflect normal sizes at all. Totally off and you should simply love the dress and the fit.

the dress sizes are clearly wack! i have had size 4 dresses fit like a glove, i am a tiny girl too. but i had to order my dress in a size 10 just because i have wider hips and my dress wold be really unforgiving if i didn't get that the right fit. i know i will have to have lots of alterations. it sucks.

but i still love my dress!!

NYLALANY- if your wedding is may 4th you may not be able to order a dress in time. i bought mine last month and i won't get it until the first week of may, giving me like only 20days for alterations. yikes.

the stores are claiming i will be fine and that they will come in march. i hope this is true! one of the designers i'm looking at, amy michelson, is in LA, so maybe that helps? and i have appts today, thurs, and sat to look at dresses so i guess i should just make a decision after that!

Thats crap! I'm hoping I will find one I like that happens to fit me well everywhere, but I know I will need alterations for hemming either way. Why do designers think petite means small everywhere? To me it means fat butt, short legs!