“Hey, Isla! I’m so excited to help you today! Mrs. Isaacs explained what you are looking for, and I already pulled everything that fits, plus one that I think you might like in particular. Now that I’m looking at you and your style, I really think you’ll love it! If you’ll follow me, your guests can sit on that couch right there, and we will come out here to show them the ones you like. Who all is with you today?” she rambles on, apparently as high strung as Chris.
“Well, this is my daughter, Vivian. My grandmother Emma, Ellenis my soon-to-be mother-in-law, and Chris and Nathan will be my bridesmen.” I point out everyone as I name them.
“You're going to help my mommy look like a princess? She has my baby sisters in her belly. I get to wear a pretty dress too!” Vivian hops around with her information overload.
“Oh, my! You’re pregnant with twins?” Ashley asks nervously, since I’m sure she is worried about a dress fitting months from now.
“Yes, I am. Twin girls. The wedding is in thirteen days, on the twenty-eighth. I know it’s super quick, but my men and I aren’t getting any younger,” I chuckle.
“Girl, I get it! How about we go try on some dresses and see if we can find your dream dress, shall we?” She waves her hand toward the dressing room I’ll be in.
“Let’s do it” I head in the direction she pointed out and open the door, and all I can think is ‘Wow’.
“They are so beautiful and there are so many! I didn’t think I’d have that many options for a black dress.”
I’m stunned. There has to be at least ten dresses. All of them are either straight black or mostly black with a hint of color. All of them have different bodices, skirts, and fabrics. Some have long trains, some don’t. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to try on a bunch of dresses.
“Okay, so pick out whichever one you think you want to try on first. There is a robe right there on that hook if you want to undress to your underwear and slip into it. Just knock when you're done, and I’ll help you slip into the gowns, if that’s fine with you? It’s normally easier with extra hands,” Ashley explains, pointing to where the robe is.
“Oh, yeah, that’s fine. I’m sure I’ll definitely need help,” I assure her.
“Sounds great, I’ll just step out and give you a second.” She pulls the door shut, and I quickly change and slip into the robe, then take a second to really look at the dresses and decide to start with the one I’m not sure about. It’s mostly black with white flowers, has a sweetheart neckline, and lots of beaded detail all down the gown that flows into a huge fluffy skirt.
“I’m ready,” I call out, pulling the door open to find Ashley standing there. “I think I want to try on this one,” I say, pulling the gown in question. “I’m not too sure about it, though.”
“Let’s get you in it, then you can tell me why you aren’t sure about it.” She pulls the ribbons to where the top of the dress is open enough I can step into it. Once I have both feet in, we pull it up to my chest. I can already tell I don’t like it. It’s way too much. Once we have it in place and she has it clipped up to the proper size, she fluffs out the skirt.
“Yeah, definitely not my thing. It’s too… uhhh… much? I don’t know, just too fluffy and blingy.” I’m turning back and forth in the mirror. It’s definitely a no-go.
“Do you want to show the others, even if it isn’tthe one?” Ashley asks, adjusting the fit of the bodice one last time.
“Yeah, why not.” I turn towards the door, and she helps move the dress out the way. I make my way to the middle of the show area, and everyone is sitting on a semi-circle couch facing the wall of mirrors with the platform in the middle.
“That dress is beautiful, but how do you feel about it dear?” Maw-Maw asks.
“Honestly, I don’t really like it. It’s too poofy.” I glance at her through the mirror.
“Yeah, hon. I think I agree. It’s not you. It’s too much like a Disney princess trying to be edgy, when you are way more Wednesday Addams,” Chris says, walking over to get a closer look with Vivian running up to me.
“Mommy, you look beautiful!”
I squat down as much as I can. “Thank you, baby! Go sit with Maw-Maw and Noni, and after I find my dress, you get to try on some too, okay, princess?” I ask, kissing her head.
“Okay, Mommy.” She skips back over to the couch.
Chris steps up next to me. “Obviously the color works for you. It really brings out the colors in your tattoos, plus it looks great with the hair. I’d try… something with a more form fitting look. You have an amazing body, and this is your wedding, so you should show it off.”
“Oh, yeah, sweetheart, I agree. Definitely flaunt it since you’re going to pop soon with the twins,” Ellenagrees, nodding along with Nathan.
“I think you’re right.” I smile at the man who is quickly becoming my best friend. I look over at Ashley. “Ready for the next one?”
“Sure am, I think I have the perfect one in mind.” She helps hold my dress so I can walk back to the dressing room.
Once we get into the room, she undoes the clips holding the dress and helps slide it down. I step out of it, so she can hang it back up.
“Okay, here we go. I think this one is closer to what you are wanting.” She pulls out a beautiful mermaid style dress that has off the shoulder sleeves, a sweetheart neckline similar to the first dress, and beaded appliques all over.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” I breathe.
