When Everyone Says You Will Look Fugly On Your Wedding Day

Remember my dress? The one I loved so dearly and got a killer deal on?

Ever since my grandma offered to loan me an insanely amazing piece out of her jewelry collection that is so absolutely perfect it hurts, my original dress has been on the outs. You know when you see an over-accessoried person and your heart aches for their fashion disaster? I would have been the bride version of that had I paired the necklace with that dress and the supremely sweet flowered strap.

Cue a spectacular dress hunt of epic proportions on a measly budget! I scoured Nordstrom Rack, shamelessly considered knock-off dresses, begged local designers to work with my budget (which didn't work, sore subject), and searched "long white casual dress" in Google more times than I care to remember.

And then I found one within my budget, courtesy of Shopbop's newly unveiled wedding boutique. Hallelujah! In a move totally unlike me, and without consulting my crew of stylists (a la my friends and mother), I bought it without hesitation. OK, there may have been a bit of hesitation, but it was quickly squashed by a pretty stellar return policy.

After sending out a few mass e-mails, I eagerly awaited the responses. OMG HOLLIE, this dress is SO YOU! I imagined them replying with extra exclamation points and an overuse of capitalization. And finally, when I thought I could wait no longer, my phone pinged with a text message. From mom.

"Sorry Hollie, I don't like it. Hopefully it looks better on you."

Well, not everyone has to love it as much as me, right? After all, I'm the one who will be wearing it. And obviously it would look better on me, because the model looks forlorn and her hair is incredibly drab. A happy, glowing bride makes all dresses better. right?

Another text message came in. Again from mom.

"The more I look at it the better it gets. I'll reserve judgement until I see it on you...I'm sure it will be great!"

Even though I knew she was saying it just for my sake, I felt a little bit better. And as quickly as that feeling came, e-mails from friends started rolling in.

"I wouldn't say fugly, really, it would be cute as a night gown..."

and then,

"I just think that dress looks wayyyy to casual in a bad way. It would be a cute beach cover up or grandma night gown?"

OK. So there we have it. Everyone (with the exception of maybe two people) thinks it's so hideous I should return it and forget the whole purchase even happened. 

Have I piqued your interest? Are you dying to see the new dress? I should probably warn you that it may appall you, since that's the effect it's had on just about all who have seen it thus far.



The Odylyne Hummingbird dress, now sold out from Shopbop's wedding boutique. 
The back looks just like the front, down to the ruffle and the plunging V. HEARTS! 

  

There we have it. My perfect dress. Not so perfect in everyone else's eyes.

I'm not saying I'll keep it, but I'm not saying I'll return it, either. I'm just holding on to it until I can actually show someone and hear their distaste in person, which could potentially put me back at square one of the dress search.

Has this happened to anyone else? Did you flip everyone the bird and wear what you wanted to wear anyway? My friends and family are stylish folks, so a part of me wants to listen. But then again, I think I've got a measly bit o' style running through my veins, and this dress is seriously comfortable to boot.

Oh, crap. The wedding dress hunt may just be winning. I'll keep you posted.

 

Stay thrifty,
Hollie

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Comments

[Katherine {flower & honey}]

I say where what you feel beautiful in and what makes you happy. It's YOUR wedding :) be YOU

[Katherine {flower & honey}]

I meant "wear" - yikes, it's been a long week...is it Friday yet?

[Cindy @cindykrenek]

You should wear what you want! Have you talked to Dustin about it? I know you let him see the other dress. But it's your day so I say go with what YOU want!

[mismikado]

I see where your family is coming from that it is casual. But when I saw it, I was like "No, not for me. But I could totally see Hollie in that!" It really seems to fit into your style and your gladiator sandals would be so cute with it. It's a shame the other dress doesn't work though, bc it is beautiful!

[Breanne]

I think that on your day, everyone should be suppotive. That dress IS soooo you, and I know you will accessorize to the T. Not all weddings are princess ball gowns and black tie!!

[Nicole {Niche White}]

I think it's adorable! Seriously. But I really want to see your grandmother's jewelry, too. :) DO NOT let other people sway you - if you love, and I love it, and it looks good on you then it's perfect. {See how I acted important there?} Plus, it's sold out so that's gotta mean it's a killer dress, right?

[Jen (peachbride)]

If you love it Hollie, you are going to rock it. People will get it when they see you coming down the aisle. You're going to look absolutely awesome!

[naijamodel]

I'm a lurker that just "came out the closet" because of this post lol.

I think you should listen to your family. First, because the first dress is STELLAR, second - you immediately loved it when you tried it on, and third - you might be trying to achieve the impossible.

The first dress and your jewelry were not bought to match each other. It would be a miracle if they fit :) Since they don't, sadly, is wearing the jewelry more important to you than the dress? It is quite difficult to buy a DRESS to fit an ACCESSORY. There's a reason it's always done the other way round :)

If you didn't like your first dress, I would agree that you shouldn't listen to anyone else. But you DID.
Ok, now that I'm done explaining my logic - I feel like the second dress is not as "special", the fabric isn't as lush, and the first dress will photograph better.

[Hollie]

Katherine, you're a total doll. Thank you! Even though it's been a bit of a challenge, I'm trying to stay as true to myself as I possibly can. :)

(And guess what? Today's finally Friday! Hooray!!)

[Hollie]

I did show him the dress, but it was a teeny-tiny text picture since he's been traveling for work. And even though I don't think he was too keen on the dress, he did tell me to go with what I wanted...and I think I'll do just that! :)

Thanks Cindy, you're always too darn sweet!

[Hollie]

Thank you! I'm happy you recognize that everyone has different styles and tastes & the world won't end because of it. But AHHHH, I'm still so back and forth. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...might have to rely on a coin toss or something! :)

[Hollie]

Thanks for the sweet comments, shish. Hearts ya much.

And you should probably start a blog chronicling your wedding-planning adventures. JUST SAYIN'!

[Hollie]

I get the necklace next weekend, which I am very much flipping out over. Will post pics immediately! You don't have to act important, you ARE important, and your opinion matters very much. :) Thanks for the pep-talk!

[Hollie]

Thank you, Jen! I just hate the idea of judgey guests, especially when it comes to judging MY dress. Maybe I should wear it anyway & go Bridezilla on all opposing? Hmmm... ;)

[Hollie]

Thank you, my dear, for coming out of your secret closet and leaving a comment! Do you realize how much you've made my day?!

I totally see where you're coming from, but I just. can't. stop. looking. for that perfect dress to showcase my grandma's necklace. The necklace is super special, so in this case I WOULD be willing to say screw the first dress....IF I find another good one to wear instead.

Maybe I'm jumping into the second dress just because the front would be perfect with the necklace & it's all clouding my judgment? Gah. I don't know. This is a lot harder than I was bargaining for.

Come around these parts again soon! Your comment certainly made me thing & I majorly love that.

[Anni]

So here's the thing about family and friends: they envision you in something really specific. I'm convinced that must be it, because I've had "oh, that's what you went with?" comments from photos of mine (not on) all the time, and even downright "hmm, I really thought you'd pick something... (simpler, more elaborate, more elegant)" from friends and family.

But you know what? I know my dress is gorgeous. And I know plenty of people who agree with me, because I bought my dress used from a Bee, and plenty of people swooned over the dress. I love it, I can't wait to twirl around like a princess, and that's what matters! I know you will look beautiful in that dress, you just have to stay true to your vision.