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Home » Wedding

My "Say Yes To The Dress" Story

Modified: Sep 28, 2024 · Published: Apr 19, 2017 by Jenna Urben · This post may contain affiliate links
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All about finding my dream wedding dress and my "say yes to the dress" story!

say yes to the dress

As the title implies, this post will be all about the time I said "yes" to my dream wedding dress. After trying on the same dress 3 times, I was finally able to confidently commit! Did you spend weeks or months searching for your wedding gown or did you say yes on day one?

I've always been obsessed with weddings. I love the happiness and joy they bring, how they bring everybody important to you together, and of course what they stand for. That being said, before Zack and I were even engaged I already had a few ideas of what type of flowers I like, my thoughts on invitation suites, and a slight obsession with wedding gowns.

Hello, TLC... I know I'm not the only one watching all those shows plus browsing on Pinterest! But since this only happens once, I wanted to remain open-minded throughout the entire wedding planning process, including choosing my bridal look.

The first time I went wedding dress shopping it was just me and my mom. My parents live in San Antonio, TX so over a holiday I flew down and we went to Bella Bride Boutique. At that point, I had no idea what type of silhouette or fabric I wanted so I tried on a mix of mermaid, A-line, ball gown, and trumpet with satin, lace, and tulle fabrics.

I quickly learned I was infinitely happier in ballgown style gowns with flowing layers upon layers. I was also immediately drawn to the Hayley Paige collections because I love her use of tulle and horsehair!

Once we left the boutique, I was torn between these two gorgeous gowns! (On the left is a Blush by Hayley Paige gown and on the right is Mikaella by Paloma Blanca.) I went back and forth for weeks but ultimately decided against the Mikaella. I loved the "latte" color and sparkly belt but there was just something about the "ivory" dress I couldn't get over... I probably could have said yes to the dress on the left right at that point but I wanted to include more family and friends.

A few weeks later I invited my mom, four bridesmaids including my sister, future mother-in-law and sister-in-law to StarDust Celebrations in Plano, TX. I tried on several gowns, including the Maisie Gown from the Blush by Hayley Paige Collection that I tried on before in San Antonio.

Saying yes to the dress

I fell more in love with the dress because I was able to find some embellishment to add to the belt. Some brides opt out of wearing the belt but the bow detail made this gown for me! The added sparkle just made me fall more in love. (Also, do yall see that horsehair trim?!)

Thankfully everybody saw my happiness and agreed this was a great gown. Looking back, I definitely could have said "yes" to the dress at this moment but we had a second boutique to visit. There was a specific gown I wanted to try on at Circle Park Bridal in Addison, TX.

I wasted no time at Circle Park and jumped right into the Essence of Austrailia dress I had been eyeing. Here's where it got a little tricky because my "entourage" was then torn between the two gowns and made their honest opinions heard. While I appreciated everybody's input, I knew deep down the Essence wasn't my gown.

Still, I went back and forth between the two gowns for weeks. Then one day I finally decided on the Blush by Hayley Paige Maisie Gown was going to be mine!

I made another appointment back at Stardust for me and my sister to go back. I slipped the gown on again and it just felt right. I was so ecstatic but at the same time very peaceful. We sipped on champagne, then made it official!

Blush by Hayley Paige Bride
Hayley Paige Bride

Have you said yes to your dress? When did you know you had found the one? Let me know in the comments section!

Featured Image by Celina Gomez Photography.

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About Jenna Urben

Jenna Urben is the recipe developer, content creator, and storyteller behind The Urben Life. She has over 10 years experience adapting family favorite meals to fit allergy-friendly diets. Join Jenna as she shares delicious dairy-free recipes that are easy to follow with plenty of tips and alternatives.

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  1. Irich photography says

    December 04, 2024 at 2:08 am

    Good blog

    Reply
  2. Sugarholic says

    April 23, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    Beautiful! I love it!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 24, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  3. diadarling3 says

    April 21, 2017 at 11:00 am

    I love the belt! I have yet to say yes to the dress, or yes to the question that will require me to pick a dress but one day. Beautiful dress.

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 21, 2017 at 11:38 am

      Thank you so much 🙂 Good luck in the future!

      Reply
  4. Crystal (@BusyMomDiary1) says

    April 21, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Congratulations. You look so happy. I'm glad you found the dress.

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 21, 2017 at 8:55 am

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  5. Lisa says

    April 20, 2017 at 11:18 am

    It was 29 years ago when I fell in love with my wedding dress. I still have it and my daughters pull it out now and again. Your dress is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 20, 2017 at 11:27 am

      Awww, thanks for sharing 🙂 How special!!

      Reply
  6. lisa says

    April 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

    Aww these are all so fun to see! I love this post! I remember how fun it was to find the perfect dress with my gf and mom! Such a sweet moment!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 20, 2017 at 11:14 am

      Aw, thank you!! 🙂 Yes, I'm glad you treasure those memories!

      Reply
  7. Stephanie Jeannot says

    April 19, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    IO remember this being a process because you want the nice dress that appeals to you and some are nice but not as nice as the one you decide is the one. Please put as much thought and heart as you did to making your wedding day great as you do in making the marriage just as successful. God bless you in your union.

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Absolutely, thank you 🙂 God bless!

      Reply
  8. All Things Blair says

    April 19, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    This is so cute!! Love the story!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      Awww, thank you!!

      Reply
  9. laceedoeslife says

    April 19, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Very pretty dress! I tried on about 5 dresses, but when I found my dress I knew it was the one. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      Thank you very much 🙂 Awww yes, that's awesome!

      Reply
  10. mamafishsaves says

    April 19, 2017 at 10:54 am

    Congratulations!! Your dress is beautiful! Have fun with all your wedding planning 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 11:05 am

      Aww, thank you!

      Reply
  11. Chloé Arnold (@ChloeBArnold) says

    April 19, 2017 at 10:30 am

    Ahhh yay!!!! I loved that show when I was engaged! So fun! All the dresses you tried on are beautiful, but I'm loving the one you chose! Cheers to marriage!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 11:06 am

      Thanks so much!! 🙂 Ah yes, such a great show haha

      Reply
  12. Ivy Neal says

    April 19, 2017 at 10:00 am

    Wedding dress shopping has to be one of the most fun and special experiences! I found mine in the first store I tried, because I had a pretty definite picture in my head. Kinda thankful I got married before Pinterest...I think I would have been overwhelmed!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 11:07 am

      Yes, it was so awesome!! That's great 🙂

      Reply
  13. lschertz says

    April 19, 2017 at 9:25 am

    Aww, that's such a fun story! I'm glad choosing your dress seemed pretty stress-less to you - it was obvious to you when you made your choice! I got married last year, and I chose my dress at the 2nd store we went to on the first day - I knew I wasn't going to like anything better, and I don't regret my quick choice at all!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 11:08 am

      Aww, thank you! Yes, absolutely 🙂 That's so great!!

      Reply
  14. sweetfrivolity says

    April 19, 2017 at 9:25 am

    What a beautiful dress! Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Jenna | The Urben Life says

      April 19, 2017 at 11:08 am

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply

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