Don't look..DREAM

Those first few minutes are very, telling. After introductions and formalities, I can sense her demeanor. She's been blissfully mesmerized by beautiful, gowns dancing in her head or frantically frustrated with exhaustion, or thoroughly confused?  Has the search been a joy or a task?

Stylists in our industry should be adept at reading where their client is emotionally and provide options available to ultimately find her the gown she wears down the aisle. Whether a bride walks in our boutique relaxed or tense, I always ask if she is willing. Will she try on a dress I recommend even though it doesn't appeal to her on the hanger? Will she tell me her thoughts when she's wearing the gown? Will she not look for a moment or two in the mirror and..dream?

I realize asking a bride NOT to look in the mirror wearing a wedding gown may seem odd and counter intuitive. Sometimes mirrors agitate and confuse even the calmest of brides. So many thoughts race through the mind to like it, love it, hate it, compare it... Take a step back with eyes closed and think of you and your groom standing together on your wedding day. Just those few seconds to regroup may provide the clarity you need to savor the moment and make your decision.

Being a bride in the 21st century certainly has its advantage as every generation is inherently more sophisticated than the one before. Somehow modern sophistication and expectations lead to that nervous hand I briefly grasp when I meet a bride. Surrender yourself to the meaning not the look of your wedding day. By doing so, you'll find what your heart truly wants and your dress will be one that dreams of are made of.