Page 61 of Trial and Error

I did make my board when I was seventeen, but I’ve haven’t touched it since, and as for my style, I haven’t really had to think about it, seeing as I’m single and definitely not engaged.

Farrah, the store manager, disappears and then returns, wheeling a clothing rack behind her. There are ten dresses hanging in protective bags, and from here I can see a few lace dresses that would’ve caught my eye a few years ago but not so much now.

She pulls out a design I’m not sure about, but we take it into the change room and she helps me into it.

I walk out and hear a series of gasps as I head toward the small podium which is surrounded by mirrors. The boutique is rather small and intimate which I love and it feels very comfortable.

The first dress is definitely not something I’d put myself in, but looking at myself in it is giving me some kind of God complex. I twirl slightly, enjoying the way the lace material swishes as I turn from left to right. The design is flowy with a sweetheart neckline and it cinches in at the waist before pooling out into a soft tulle skirt. It’s covered in Chantilly lace from head to toe, and while it’s beautiful, it’s not for me.

“You’re not sure,” Farrah states as she watches me take in my appearance in the mirror.

I shake my head. “It’s gorgeous…but not something I feel comfortable in.”

I try on a few more dresses, and Farrah can tell I’m beginning to get restless as she hands me one last one. She leads me to the dressing room one last time and as she pulls the curtain she looks over her shoulder and toward me.

“I think I’ve got one that you’re going to love. I’m not sure how you feel about satin, but I think it’ll look incredible on you. Not to mention, you’ve got the perfect body for it.”

I feel confident as I pull on the silky material, but the silence that follows me as I walk to the podium has me worried. The dress is my favourite by a long shot, and I find myself unable to tear my gaze away from my reflection.

This is the one.

The bodice is draped in ivory satin the bunches delicately over the corsetry boning which cinches my waist and pushes my bust up. The straps are soft and silky and sit daintily against my collarbones. The material curves around my hips and falls softly at my knees in a mermaid design.

As I turn, I see there is a small satin train which flows around gently as I move. There are many small and delicate buttons that run up the back, and I grin. If Elias is going to be taking this off, he’s going to have a whale of a time.

“That’s the one,” Helen breathes out from behind me.

I turn to face her and see her clutching her hand to her chest. Her eyes are teary as she looks at me with the proudest of smiles and it hits me then. Elias is exactly like her. So full of life and love. They are two of the most beautiful people I have met and I’m beyond lucky to have them in my life. My smile turns watery when I see a tear roll down her cheek, and I can’t help myself from stepping down from the podium and making my way over to her.

She laughs softly as she blots under her eyes with the tissue that Farrah has handed her. “Look at me.” I crouch down in front of her. “It’s not even my wedding and I’m the one crying.”

I take her hands in mine and squeeze. “I think this is the dress, don’t you?”

Helen nods and takes my hand in hers. “You look phenomenal, Bridget. My son is ever so lucky to have someone as wonderful as you.”

“Not as lucky as I am to have him.”

“You look lovely, Bridget,” Mom tells me from where she sits.

Helen gives my hand a squeeze. I stand from where I’m crouched and turn to look at Farrah. “This is the one.”

Farrah nods in agreement. “I knew it would be. Let’s get you changed and your measurements taken and then we can discuss payment.”

I walk back into the changing room with the widest smile on my face and I can’t help but twirl in front of the mirror inside. I pull my clothes back on and leave the dressing room feeling like a million bucks. I reach down and grab my phone, shooting off a quick text to my husband-to-be.

Me

Wedding dress secured.

Mom and Natalie say their goodbyes and thank us for the invite and then Helen, Isobel, and I leave. Isobel drops me off at my apartment and I don’t see Elias’s response until I’m standing outside my door with my keys in my hand.

Elias

I can’t wait to see it.

I let myself in and head straight to my bedroom and change into my pyjamas. I shoot off a quick picture of myself to Elias, knowing he’ll find the giraffe print on my pants amusing.

Elias