I'll Never Desert You: Putting on the White Dress

After opening my gift from Mr. C, it was time to get dressed! Unfortunately, I had made the mistake of asking my bridesmaids to get dressed at the wedding venue. I thought it would be fairly simple as Cloverleaf Farm has a large bridal suite with great mirrors and several bathrooms. This was actually a big mistake! There just wasn't enough time or room for all the girls: nine in all including Mr. C's "groomsladies" (his three sisters). Future brides, learn from my mistake and have your wedding party get dressed at the hair salon or elsewhere! 

I spent most of this time sitting on the couch in the bridal suite feeling really numb and overwhelmed. Everything was happening so fast. After such a slow and relaxing start to the day, time was suddenly speeding up! People were buzzing around me, floating in and out of the room. I recall staring blankly out the windows, not sure when I was going to put my dress on or get ready. Nothing felt real. At last all the ladies were dressed and it was time for me to don the Jim Hjelm gown that had been purchased nearly a year earlier. A lot of brides get really emotional when they put on their dress, but I was relatively calm and collected. I was just happy to finally putting on the dress I had waited a so many months to officially wear!

The photograph above is a really special one for me. It shows my mom and stepsister adjusting my dress. It's significant because it shows those two previously separate parts of my life (my mom and my dad's new family) working together for the first time. If you recall from my rehearsal dinner post, my mother only just met my stepmother and step-siblings for the first time. Again this image is symbolic of those two sides finally joining for the first time! 

There was lots of adjusting and fiddling with the sash so that the bow looked just right. I had no idea what was going on, so I just stood still while I let my mom and lovely bridesmaids do their work! 

Soon enough I was handed my gorgeous bouquet of garden roses and delphinium, given a few more adjustments, and then it was off to meet Mr. C for our first look! 

And now a peek into the groom's suite to see what Mr. C has been up to! He actually got dressed before the present exchange, but all the same here are some great photos of him getting ready. I was able to find a tie to match my sash at Macy's! I'm so glad I could find a color that watched so well! 

What a dapper gentleman I married!

Hugging his best man and brother-in-law.

Mr. C's mother pinning his boutonniere.

I love this sweet photo!

Up next is our emotional first look! 

Previously on The Camel Wedding Recaps: 

1) Getting Dressed & Exchanging Gifts

I'll Never Desert You: Getting Ready & Exchanging Gifts

Hello again readers! The official Camel wedding recaps have begun! I hope you guys are ready for wedding photography overload, all thanks to Christopher Helm Photography. Let's get this party started! 

We'll get to this special moment in due time!

After a very emotional rehearsal dinner, all of my bridesmaids spent the night at my apartment. The idea was to have an old school pre-wedding sleepover. I've known most of my bridesmaids since elementary or middle school, so of course we have a long history of sleepovers, usually involving viewings of The Last Unicorn or Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail. Mr. C stayed at a hotel in downtown Athens with his best man. There were still a few little wedding tasks to tie up (literally) such as tying thank you tags to each individually wrapped macaron favor. This could not be done ahead of time because the macarons had only just been picked up that afternoon from the bakery in Atlanta. The seven of us made short work of the thank you tags and soon we were off to bed. 

I went to bed a bit later than I had planned. Surprisingly I didn't have much trouble falling asleep, but honestly I was exhausted from all the emotions and tears I experienced earlier in the evening. At around 8:00 am my stepsister (bridesmaid J) shook me awake. "You're getting married today!!" I was groggy but I knew there was a lot to get done (and a lot of girls to get ready) before we could leave the house. We had a 9:30 reservation at a local restaurant for a bridesmaid brunch, courtesy of my sweet grandmother. Once there we were served hot slices of cheese and spinach quiche with freshly baked biscuits, butter, jam, and fresh fruit. It was absolutely divine and such a calm, leisurely way to start the big day. My bridesmaids, mom, two aunts, and grandmother were all in attendance and we sat outside under the shade of some trees, catching up between sips of coffee and orange juice. Honestly, this was one of my favorite parts of the day! Then it was off to the salon. 

Getting my hair done by the amazing Olive at City Salon and Spa.

We had six bridesmaids, three groomsladies, and two mothers getting their hair done at the salon. This took at least a good three hours with three different stylists working nonstop. Then there was me, of course, and I was also getting my makeup done. This all took place at the fabulous City Salon and Spa in Athens, Georgia. We had a great time though and came prepared with champagne and orange juice for mimosas and my amazing matron of honor K and bridesmaid J ran out to grab Panera Bread sandwiches and salads for the entire bridal party.  

Some bridesmaids and groomsladies waiting for their turn at the salon chair.

Mr. C's three beautiful sisters (from left) with my good friend the lovely bridesmaid S on the right.

After hair, makeup, and a quick in-salon lunch we were off to the venue, Cloverleaf Farm. The weather was absolutely perfect. It's been raining nonstop this summer in Georgia, which is great since previously we had been experiencing a drought, but it certainly made me nervous leading up to the wedding day! By the middle of May we had already received more than our monthly average of rainfall and it didn't seem to be stopping any time soon. But as luck would have it, we had a gorgeously sunny day with low humidity. Humidity is another thing you need to worry about in the South as it can make even moderate temperatures miserable (and destroy your hairstyle).  

Arriving at the venue with bridesmaid J, feeling like a rock star.

I called one of Mr. C's groomsmen ahead of time to ensure that he was not wandering around the venue when we arrived. Then the girls were all whisked upstairs to the beautiful bridal suite to get ready. While my bridesmaids were rushing about to get dressed, I was delivered a present from Mr. C's youngest sister. You see, Mr. C and I decided to follow the trend of gifting each other wedding day presents. I couldn't wait to see what he had picked out for me, as he had been giving me little hints leading up to the big day. I could tell that he was proud and excited for me to open my gift! 

Mr. C's youngest sister and niece look on as I read the card.

First of course there was the heartfelt card where he told me he couldn't wait for me to become his wife. Then I opened the present. When I tore open the white paper I found a Little Prince music box. This was perfect as we chose a reading from the Little Prince for our ceremony. Apparently he had it imported from France! When I opened the lid, I found a teal box wrapped in white ribbon: a sight that many a lady longs to see. Who could mistake a box from Tiffany & Co.? 

And inside the Tiffany's box was an elegant pearl necklace. It has a decorative silver pendant that evokes the art deco style of the 1920's. This is very apt as it is from Tiffany's Ziegfeld collection commemorating Baz Luhrman's film The Great Gatsby. Mr. C and I both love the book (but we have not seen the film), so once again he found the perfect, symbolic gift! I wasn't planning on wearing a necklace for the wedding, but this gift was just too perfect not to wear. I swear, Mr. C is one amazing guy. 

Now that I had opened my gift, it was time for Mr. C to open his. I was really at a loss as to what to give my future husband. He doesn't wear suits often so cuff links were out. I had just recently bought him a really nice watch to wear, so a timepiece wouldn't work either. He would never use something like a money clip. Recently his beloved iPod had died and I realized how much he missed having it in his car to listen to music, so I bought him a new iPod, matte black with our initials and wedding date engraved on the back. It's so hard to get a man a sentimental gift! But I did find a really cute pop-up Little Prince card where I inscribed my wedding day message of love for him. 

After opening our presents, it was nearly time for our first look! But I wasn't even dressed yet. Next up, the girls and guys get dressed and ready for the big event. 

My Wedding Dress Reveal

If you recall, from months and months ago, I never actually shared pictures of my wedding dress with you. I wanted it to be a surprise for the family and guests who had yet to see it. Plus the model shots of the dress aren't very convincing and I hated all of the blurry cellphone pictures of me wearing it in a fitting room. Well, now I am very happy to finally be able to share my dress with the hive!

All photographs are by Christopher Helm Photography.

The designer is Jim Hjelm and the style is #8105. The model shot does not do this dress justice. For me, it has everything I ever wanted in a wedding dress: A-line, natural waist, romantic, soft, whimsical. It is comprised of layers upon layers of ivory silk chiffon ruffles. My absolute favorite part is the train, which stretches back behind the dress like the foamy trails of a water nymph.

This is actually the very first wedding dress I tried on, strangely enough at a very posh bridal boutique in Pasadena, California. I was there with three of my bridesmaids and honestly, 99% of the dresses in that shop were not my style and not within my budget, but one of my bridesmaids had once worked there and she was the one who kindly booked the appointment. Everything there was a little too over-the-top for my style and personality. But I figured it couldn't hurt to try on a few dresses. My bridesmaids kept saying they wanted to see me in lace or a fit-and-flare gown but those things just aren't my style. Lace isn't me. Then I saw this Jim Hjelm number, which reminded me of a more elaborate version of BHLDN's Cascading Goddess gown which was my favorite dress at the time.

So I tried on the Jim Hjelm and it was a hit, but of course you never give in after just the one dress. I tried on several more, but in the end I went back to this dress for a final look before we headed off to another bridal salon. But first, it needed a little something extra.

The dress originally had a flowery sequin applique attached off-center to the waistline. I knew I wanted to remove it and for some reason I was inspired to have a wide sash tied around the waist with a large bow in the back. Luckily the salon had a sash I could try on and the moment the bow was tied in the back I was totally sold. My bridesmaids oohed and aahed in approval. My stepsister had tears in her eyes. I had to have it and it had to have a massively long sash with a big bow in the back too. But I had made a very tragic mistake. I didn't ask for the price before trying it on, and it being a designer gown, it definitely had a price tag to match. I left the salon crestfallen, but I thought I might find something better (and more affordable) in the future.

Alas, I did not find anything that captured my heart the way the Jim Hjelm did. But luckily I was able to find a salon back in Georgia (Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique in Roswell) that carried this designer. I grabbed my one Atlanta bridesmaid, made an appointment, and went to try it on again (and was hoping for an Atlanta price rather than an LA price) but unfortunately they did not have a sample available. I was so disappointed. We were just about to leave when suddenly the saleswoman had a thought. They did have this dress but their one sample was for sale in their clearance room. What luck! In just moments my dream dress became a reality, as it was available for a much more reasonable price. Talk about fate!

I bought this dress in June 2012 and I got married in May 2013. I had a number of people tell me that I bought it too early, that I would see something else I liked more and develop the dreaded wedding dress regret. But I have to say that after nearly a year of stalking every major wedding blog you can name and of course the dress forum here on Weddingbee, I never did find a dress that I loved more than this one.

It wasn't until later that I discovered what I believe to be my subconscious inspiration for the giant blue sash. When Marie Antoinette started to spend more time at the Petit Trianon (her small, personal palace outside of Versailles) she wanted a new type of gown that was more natural and easier to wear outside in her private gardens. As you probably know, most 18th century French women (of wealth and status) wore very elaborate, heavy gowns that required corsets, stays, and cumbersome hoops to support the weight and shape of the gowns. I can only imagine how hot and uncomfortable these types of dresses must have been! But Marie Antoinette wanted freedom from her typical restrictive wardrobe and the result was the chemise a la reine - a gauzy white muslin gown that was tied at the waist with a colored sash. This gown quickly caught on and all the most fashionable ladies were wearing them, even if they were likened to underwear or lingerie in comparison to the typical fashions of the day. 

Image source via: The Dreamstress (the last portrait is Marie Antoinette herself)

I think these images must have been floating around in the back of my mind when I suggested wearing a sash with my wedding dress. The sash itself was custom made by my own mother. I bought the fabric in that lovely blue color that so often reminds me of Marie Antoinette, and had her make it extra long so that it trailed the ground behind me. I definitely struggled with whether or not to wear the sash. I realize it is a little unconventional and I didn't want to look back on my wedding photos with regret. Now that the wedding is over, I have to say that I love it and I can't imagine my wedding day look without that big blue sash. It added just a touch of uniqueness, a little dash of me. Plus it tied in so well with our wedding theme. 

Well, that's the story of my wedding dress! And now it sits hanging languidly in my closet, taking up way too much space. I am thinking of having it cleaned and reselling it, because as much as I love it, I feel bad that it will spend the rest of its days gathering dust in the back of my closet. 

What were you looking for in your dream dress? Do you (or did you) plan to sell your wedding dress after the wedding?