It’s time to find, or build, our perfect gowns

Yesterday I accompanied my daughter for a bridal gown fitting. It was her third appointment; during it, she tried on the muslin. A muslin, made from inexpensive fabric, is used to test the construction and fit of the gown. Changes are made to the muslin, which is more cost effective than making changes to the actual gown. Once the muslin fits perfectly, the gown is sewn. 

When I first married, 32 years ago, I too, had a gown made exclusively for me. But, on the third visit to the salon I took my gown home.

Times have definitely changed. Then, there was no internet. We looked through the bride magazines — and by magazines, I mean two, not the dozens that are out today. We chose the style we liked and brought it to the seamstress. Hopefully the gown came out looking somewhat like the picture you brought in.

I remember my first visit to the bridal salon. I informed the sales girl that I wanted bows on the shoulders. Big bows. Big bows to go with the big shoulder pads on my shoulders, connected to the big sleeves (think giant cream puff), which would match the big 80’s hair on my head, which was under the small hat adorned with the big bow on my head. What was I thinking — and why? Big shoulders and sleeves were in style (think Princess Diana — but I wasn’t a princess!).

Once I took the gown home, I decided the lace on the train needed a little more oomph, so I painstakingly sewed hundreds of tiny pearls onto the lace that adorned the train. Can you imagine a bride doing that today? 

Today you can search the internet to your heart’s content. My daughter and I searched what seemed like thousands of gowns. Then we schlepped to many salons and she tried on dozens of gowns (some weighed more than she did). Each one had something special that she liked, but not one did she fall in love with. That’s when my daughter and I decided, to have the gown made from scratch. A gown that she would love every aspect of. After all, it’s her big day.

Meanwhile, there’s own gown situation. I, too, searched the internet and narrowed it down to two choices. I tried on what seemed like countless gowns. None of them excited me, so I, too, decided to have my gown made. But after reviewing my choices, I’m not so sure.