This is a long over do review. Growing up, I would fantasize about my wedding day for hours on end. “What will I wear? Where will it be? AND WHO is my Prince Charming and...will I ever find him?!” Well, surprise! I found him! While being a “Yub...a City Native” I thought there would be no way I would find my dress in the small town I grew up in. I was on the hunt for not only the dress I was dreaming about but I also so wanted to have that “tv moment experience”
So, I made appointments everywhere in Sacramento. I wanted to try everything I possibly could. My first time trying on was in downtown Sacramento. I heard such incredible things about this place but my experience was extremely underwhelming. I felt pressured and rushed during my appointment. I felt like the girl helping me sensed I wasn’t feeling it and told me my time was up and needed to pick. I went from “who will I marry to....will I ever find a dress?”
I was at dinner with my fiancé and I was explaining how I felt defeated and I was dreading going again. A gal next to me overheard our conversation and asked me if I visited A&E Bridal. I chuckled at her and my response was “if I couldn’t find it in Sacramento I sure wouldn’t find it there!” She explained she purchased her dress, tuxedos, bridesmaids and flower girls there! If my jaw would have dropped any lower I think it would have broken!
I called A&E to schedule. Gabby answered the phone and I could just feel her smile and warmth through the other end. My mindset changed I was excited again! While chatting she asked if it would be my first time trying on dresses and I explained I went to other places but was lost. She started to prepare me for how our appointment would go. That really stuck out to me because I didn’t get that from those other places, I felt like she really cared.
Fast forward to my appointment! We walked in and to my surprise, Gabby, the sweet girl on the phone, was also the one helping me today! She remembered my phone call and gave me a big hug. We went to my area and before we started trying on dresses she said, “the feeling of finding your dress is like the feeling of falling in love, let your heart guide you, not your mind.” That gave me the biggest butterflies but I needed to get out of my head and let my heart take control.
She told me she wanted to show me my vision first and then she would sneak in some “wildcards”. when my wildcard came in I wanted to cry looking at it.. I thought to myself “this is it..it’s about to happen” It was nothing I thought I would ever try on. She turned me around to the mirror and I was speechless. Gabby’s face exploded with excitement and said we need to show mom! My mom instantly started crying and I started crying. Gabby asked me if this was the dress I wanted to say “I do in”. I of course said YES! I then felt relieved. I felt amazing. I didn’t feel pressure and I was excited all over again. Being with Gabby felt so calming, she was patient, knowledgeable, and so friendly.
I know this is long winded, but I just wanted to say many things stuck out to me about my time at A&E and I wanted to say thank you. No other store “went the extra mile.” she sent me a thank you text and even sent me a card in the mail. What I thought I was going to have for my “tv moment” exceeded every single one of my expectations and I will remember Gabby at A&E for a lifetime! ALSO, Gabby!!! I hope to see you on “Say Yes To The Dress” one day! You are amazing!