How do you know when you find "the one"?

I don't think every bride has the "say yes to the dress" moment. Not all cry. I didn't. I had also looked at David's Bridal and fell in love with a dress online. I was heartbroken because by the time I had the money to put down on it they no longer carried it and I couldn't find it anywhere. I chose the second dress I tried on. I didn't like it on the website! I didn't like it on the hanger. I loved the fit when I put it on, and my niece insisted I try it on because she loved it. We didn't cry, but she did let out an audible gasp. I looked it the mirror and felt like "me" but more beautiful.

My handsome stepsons giving me away

Yeah, not everyone bursts into tears over their dress. You sound more logical and thoughtful, so you'll probably just go with the one you know works for you. Does it make you feel beautiful? Do you feel radiant? I knew mine was the one because I didn't want to look at others - I just wanted to admire the one that I picked. You just need to feel good in it - that's what matters. Take some time to think it over, maybe look st other salons. Then go back for that one if its still the one.

Real bride here, I am more pragmatic than emotional so I like to think on big decisions. I did not have an over the top reaction but thought it was the best option and checked all the boxes. I tried 3 places and came back a few days later after I had thought about it. I would recommend you do the same!

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I'm glad your niece insisted you try this dress...you look beautiful!!

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I definitely felt good in it. I think you're right though, I just need some time to think about it. Thank you for your advice!

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I definitely have to think on big decisions and I felt like this was too important. I do have a feeling I'll end up back there to buy that dress though. Thanks for your advice!

I very much agree with PP's that not every bride has that "omg this is the one!" over-the-top emotional moment. I was discouraged while dress shopping at David's Bridal because while I liked a few, I hadn't felt that "feeling" we're all expecting. I asked the fitting room attendant if every bride that comes in has that moment and her response was very honest.

She said: "Honestly, no. We do have brides who have that TV like reaction when they find their dress, but not every bride is that type of person. You seem like a more logical, down-to-earth person to me. Think of it this way, do you ever get super excited when you find a specific piece of clothing in everyday life? If not, then it's not really fair of you to expect that of yourself just because you're "supposed" to feel that way with a wedding dress."

While her words did convince me to buy a dress I didn't love (because I was convinced I wouldn't find one that I did), I still think what she said was very true. I ended up returning the dress I bought that day because it just didn't feel like my style (I only got it cause it was the best of all that I tried on) and when I found my second dress I was a lot happier with it. Still no "omg this is the one!" moment because I believe that I'm just not that type of person, but I do feel beautiful in it and I'm very excited for FH to see me in it

I got super excited when I tried on my dress. Did I cry? Nopers...not that serious lol. Honestly it may come down to what dress can you see rocking on the day, do you like it and is it within your price range. As long as you can see yourself wearing the dress on the day of that is what is most important.

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Those are very good words of advice. I asked the consultant how I was supposed to know and she asked if I could see myself walking down the aisle to marry my fiance. I did get a little emotional when she asked me that and I think she thought it was because of the dress but it was really because the thought of getting married makes me emotional sometimes lol Thank you for sharing that. I'm glad I'm not alone with these feelings!

I have been in love with long sleeve, full lace, sheath gowns from the minute I started my dress search.

Saturday I went with my MOH to try on gowns. The first one I tried was the gown I have been eyeing and just knew would be my gown...once I got it on I hated it! I felt so defeated that it just wasn't what I thought it would be. Thankfully my MOH stepped up and told the consultant to bring ANYTHING she thought I should try...after 5-6 more gowns I found "the one" it was the only one I felt like a real bride in and also the only gown that put a smile on my face once on! It was the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted, it was not full lace, it A line, and strapless!

When my consultant asked if I was saying yes to the dress, I couldn't! As much as I loved it I just could not commit to it!

I am going to make another appointment to go back and see if I get the same feeling as I did the first time.

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That's kind of my plan as well. Give it some time and go back and see if I love it as much the second time around!

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That's exactly what happened to me! She asked if I could see myself marrying my fiance in the dress I ended up getting and that's what made me tear up, not the dress You're definitely not alone in these feelings, you'll find a dress that makes you feel absolutely beautiful and your FH will LOVE it!

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I definitely could see myself wearing it, and it was comfortable too, which is important. Thanks for the advice!

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Girl then get it! LOL. I think once you wear it day of all done up you may have some more excitement and comfort is a beautiful thing ha ha.

I totally understand how you feel! I ended up loving the very first dress I tried on at my very first bridal appt. It made me doubt myself so much because I was like "how could it be the first dress??". Also like you I didnt cry but I did it feel inside, I felt so happy in the dress and found myself comparing every dress to that 1st one and also just feeling super excited to get back into that 1st dress. I was actually having doubts again recently and I went back and tried on my dress again and it just reaffirmed that this is my dress no tears required but nothing compares to the way I feel in it. My consultant also said so many brides get wrapped up in what they've seen on television that they doubt themselves and end up going to a ton of stores and trying on a ton of dresses and just ending up more confused.

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I could totally see that happening. That would be so overwhelming. I'll just have to go back and try it again!

I am also very indecisive! i had the same fear. but honestly i chose the second dress i put on. i tried on so many other ones. but i came in knowing just about what i wanted. i kept coming back to that second dress, i got it down to two that i LOVED. my grandma found a nice veil and when they put it on me and gave me a bouquet i instantly started tearing up, as did my mom. i knew it . i couldn't leave without it. i had SO much dress regret in the 13 months after i purchased it, but after the alterations i loved it just as much as i did the first time. you will know!! you very well may come back to that dress at DB. there's nothing wrong with looking around some more

Pronovias Dracma

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That dress is beautiful! You look stunning! I'm like you, I have a pretty good idea of what I want and this dress checks all my boxes. I'll most likely end up with that dress when all is said and done.

I only went dress shopping once (with my mom and my MOH), tried on 8 dresses, was overwhelmed with choices and left without buying anything. A week later I realized there was one dress in particular that I couldn’t stop thinking about (dress #8, actually). It was totally opposite of my original “dream dress” idea. But all week every time I thought about the wedding I was picturing myself in that dress. So I knew I was going to be super upset if I didn’t end up getting it. I told my mom and my MOH separately that there was one dress I couldn’t stop thinking about and before I even had a chance to mention which dress it was, they were each like “oh the last one, right? Yeah you have to go back and get it.” Hahaha. I went online to find it and turned out it was on clearance and exactly ONE dress was left in my size. I was literally in class at the time (I was in my last semester of college) so I frantically texted my mom and she called David’s bridal and ordered it for me 😂

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That's an awesome story! Sounds like it was meant to be!