When I set out to buy my wedding gown, I was nervous. I am a second time bride, and I am older and much "curvier" than I was the first time around. But this time around, I found the real thing and we wanted a dream wedding to match our dream ...romance. But I'd be lying if I said I was not scared to death at the prospect of trying on wedding gowns. I am a street size 18/20 and I have heard horror stories from other plus-size brides. Determined not to have the same experience, I turned to the internet. I found The Curvy Bride on Facebook and send a message expressing my concerns. Michelle, the store's owner, responded that very night. She reassured me, "Come on in and leave your worries behind, this is a happy place!" I was going to give it a shot!
So I packed my daughter, my sister, my niece and my best friend into a car and headed out on a cold February day. We arrived at the small, but lovely store and were greeted warmly by Michelle. I was very impressed with the shop, comfortable, private, you would think it was an upscale store with gowns starting at over $2,500, but on the contrary, almost all gowns here were under $2,000. I was getting married in just 6 months, so I would be a rush order to boot. I think I tried every gown that could be ordered on a rush on, and to my shock, I liked several. I got to try them, walk out to the ooh's and ahh's of my family. It was more than I had hoped for. But I was undecided. When Michelle said they are a no-pressure store, she meant it. She said "go home and think on it." How easy it would have been to turn up the pressure to buy with my limited time frame, but she did not.
In the week after visiting Curvy Bride I visited two more shops ... one major retailer (nice dresses, but not great quality, the experience was like that of being in a sub-par department store) and another small shop with a limited plus-size section. It was at the later store that I found MY gown. You know when it is the one! While I loved the dress, I did not love the store or my experience there. So I called Michelle the next morning. She did have the dress I wanted in stock, but had not shown it to me because she did not think we'd be guaranteed delivery in time for my wedding. But she said she'd call. The same morning she called back, and very honestly said it could be ordered, but it would only be in about 4 weeks before my wedding date, cutting it very tight for alterations. I said, "Let's do it."
I went back to try it again, just to be sure. I brought my fiance along and he was treated just as well as the ladies were. All he wanted to know is "are you sure" and by my giddiness, he knew I was!
When I returned to pick up my dress (which came in a little early!) I was still not sure about a veil and headpiece. Michelle and Paige found the perfect accessories for me, and offered me an excellent price because I was buying off the rack.
It was such a lovely experience I was sort of sad when it was my last time visiting the store. I told Michelle, if I need a special occasion dress, I'm going back!
The selection is wonderful. The prices are reasonable. The customer service is bar none. Do yourself a favor, go to The Curvy Bride!