Through the handful of times I have watched TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress" I have found much more entertainment in all of the crazy drama displayed by the bride and mother of the bride than in the actual choosing of the dress. The story of finding my bridal gown is far from typical!
"Here Comes the Bride"
If you're anything like my dad, who asked in his usual blunt tone, "Did I miss something?", I will assure you, I am not engaged, nor do I have any reason to be out purchasing wedding gowns, but...
I was at a thrift store last week and, since I often buy clothes from thrift stores to resell on eBay, I looked through the wedding dresses as I looked through everything else. In the past when I've looked at the wedding dresses, they are all way outdated with huge sleeves or they're around $100, which I think is a little bit too risky to hope that I could sell it for much more on eBay.
But this time, I found an elegant, classy dress for only $29.96, and it just happens to be my size. I looked all over the dress for any problems, and I only noticed a few tan dots at one edge of the train, but I think they will come out with a bleach pen. There are so many sequins and pearls and the train is really long. I found a similar one online and it was $1000.
When I got home, I showed it to Mama and she encouraged me to try it on. It fits perfectly! I haven't decided if I'm going to sell it on eBay or save it, but for now I think I'll hold on to it for a while...
In the years that followed since writing the entry above, I have seen a plethora of bridal gowns when shopping with engaged friends, yet I continually fall more and more in love with my inexpensive thrift store dress!
Over the years, when I would try the dress on just to make sure it still fit, I would gain a renewed confidence that, in the same way that God provided the absolutely perfect dress for me (which fits as if it were custom tailored specifically for me), in His timing He would also provide a husband who would be perfectly suited for me. He truly did!
14 comments:
Mere,
I am so happy that you found the perfect dress that fits you like a glove. I still remember the picture you sent me. :) You looked beautiful in it then, and I know you will be absolutely stunning on your wedding day!
I definitely hope you consider keeping your dress...I regret now that I decided to sell mine after the wedding because I thought it was too expensive to have it preserved and I didn't have much room for it in our tiny house. I really wish now that I hadn't! But at least I still have pictures to look back on and can be grateful knowing that someone else was able to use it on their wedding day!
You are incredibly classy and inspiring, Meredith. I can't decide whether you or Stephen is marrying "up." :)
You both are so well suited to each other, each so amazing in your own way. It makes me long for the day that God brings my man along. Be encouraged, Meredith...You are a rare young woman who is mature and beautiful. You are dedicated, determined, and desire Godliness. Even though you may struggle with focus from time to time (don't we all), your heart desires the right thing.
It feels odd saying this because I've never met you and probably never will, but I do love you Meredith, and your ministry has blessed and encouraged me more than you will probably ever know.
Here's a big hug!! :)
Leah
What a blessing! :) And it's amazing that you found it so long ago and that it still fits perfectly! :)
I agree with Leigha - keep your dress! I kept mine and even though it takes up a little space, I am glad to have it to pass on to my daughter (even if she doesn't end up wearing it)!!
Oh, I loved reading this! GOOD FOR YOU for being so thrifty!! Can't wait to see pictures of it...someday. ;-)
That's a fantastic story, Meredith. Isn't God's providence always so amazing, and so perfect.
As for keeping wedding dresses, well - I've kept mine, but both my girls are taller than I am (as is almost all of known womankind!), so it's probably not going to be of much use to anyone. Still, the girls have had fun over the years trying it on (I didn't mind allowing them to, knowing it was never going to fit them 'in real life' anyway)
Blessings, Anne x
God is so good and kind to us! I love to hear how He lovingly provides for His children. What a blessing that you have a dress and I hope we'll be able to see pictures of you in it very soon! :) :)
Blessings,
Brooke.
this is so exciting!! i also bought my wedding dress a few years before i was even dating my husband. i actually bought it at the salvation army's .99 sale!!! i love reading your blog, keep up the great work!
How wonderful! I was a bride that could not imagine spending a lot on a wedding dress. I got mine off the rack for $200. It was a great bargain for me. I still have it, and I am happy about that. Another idea is to sew a baptismal gown for your baby from your dress. (I am not sure if you do infant baptisms though, we do in my church)
This is awesome seeing you write about your experience of becoming a bride...soooo happy for you...Can't wait for that "day" and to see the pictures....God Bless you
I love how you got the dress at a THRIFT SHOP! That will be me if and when I get married!
Your little sister in Christ,
Jamie
Meredith,
I've been reading this blog for about a year now, but have been too "shy" to comment, but I wanted to share that I bought my wedding dress at Goodwill this summer!
I too, am a big thrift-shopper, and have always wanted to buy my dress second-hand. It truly was, not to be cheesy, a "magic moment". The dress fits as though it were made for me. I never considered what I wanted in a wedding gown other than very generally, but the dress is perfectly what I wanted ;D
I share in your sentiments, that it is a small picture of God's faithfulness and what he has planned for the future.
Sincerely,
Lydia
I got my dress at a consignment store, too. What is really funny, is that I was surprised it fit me so perfectly in length because I'm very short and have to have everything hemmed. Well, when I looked online later to see if I could find a picture of the dress to show people, I discovered it was actually a TEA LENGTH dress! Yes, that's how short I am. It fell just to my ankle!
Love your blog, and can't wait to see the wedding pics!
I love that you are sharing all these delightful details Meredith! I cannot wait to see you in this beautiful dress on your special day! You are so elegant and classy! And what a great blessing you are to your family that you thrift and save so well! I am so so so so so excited for you!!
Much love sweet friend!
~ Elizabeth
That is a wonderful deal on your dress, Meredith! I'm so happy for you! I cannot wait to see you in your dress on your special day! You are going to look simply stunning! I'm already getting excited for you.
Much Love,
Emily
Post a Comment