Becoming a "Bride"

Despite having been engaged for 3 weeks, (is someone keeping track? Why yes I am, how could you tell?) I am still only beginning to feel like a bride.

Everyone once in awhile, for a few moments during the day, I feel this exuberant excitement I can barely contain because in a little over a year I will be marrying the man of my dreams. I can think of myself, standing at the back of the church, waiting for the signal to begin my procession towards the altar with my father at my side. What thoughts will be running through my head I can't say, but I do believe that "Oh my God, this is really happening!" will be one of them.

And I am finally becoming more accustomed to these feelings. And in honor of that my post will be about one of the most important symbols of "bride-hood": the dress!

That's right folks, my first two bridal appointments are scheduled for the day I get back from winter break! Yeah... it'll be a busy day. But one of the things I'm most excited about is that our first bridal salon stop will carry one of my favorite designers! Maggie Sottero! I stumbled across their website a long time ago and have been in love with their styles ever since. So I thought I'd dedicate this post to a few of my favorite pieces which I hope to have the opportunity to try on next week!

You will be able to tell from the majority of my dress selections, but I am not much for the sleeveless look. I do not think it looks good on me, as a rule. As a result, I am focusing my dress inspiration mainly on sleeved dresses. Isn't this off-the-shoulder number gorgeous? A little simple, but very elegant.
The sleek lines of this dress would look amazing on my figure. I'm not sure about the silky fabric... it may be too unforgiving on my imperfect figure. But it is still a gorgeous dress and definitely worth a try!
Seeing as my wedding will be in winter, a bolero or wrap of some kind could look amazing and keep my arms warm during the festivities. Also the low waist will look particularly good on my figure since I have a long torso.
I've always liked "vintage" things and this dress screams 1920s to me. Thin man anyone? Also I'm thinking of a fairly vintage style hair-do which will be accented by a dress of this style.
This has been a favorite of mine from the beginning. Unfortunately, halters are not the beset look for me, but the simplicity of it is too gorgeous not to take a chance on.
Since this will be a formal evening event a more full skirt could look fabulous. Also the layers of skirt will keep my legs much warmer during outside pictures (which I totally plan on doing). Also, long torso will once again accent my figure.

I know most of the dresses I have up here are A-Line and relatively simple embellishment-wise, but that doesn't mean this mermaid dress with it's snow-flake-esque beading would not be a gorgeous addition to our New Years Eve reception?

Here is a dress with real sleeves. Even though most of the dresses pictured here have either cap sleeves or the tiniest sleeves possible. But that doesn't mean that real sleeves can't be gorgeous!

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing I think this dress is. Elegant, classy, stunning. My only concern is the waist, but I am DEFINITELY trying this one on.

Even though I said I don't like strapless as a rule, there are some that are too gorgeous to not give the benefit of the doubt. This is one such dress. If I was going to go strapless it would definitely be with a sweetheart neckline, and I just can't get over that detailing. I'm not much of a beaded sparkly embellishment kindof girl, but I cannot get over the way that fabric looks.

I am probably going to have multiple dress love affairs on these first two visits... I hope that's not a problem ;).