the process so far and kleinfeld….
I don’t think I’ve ever talked about my upcoming wedding on the blog yet, but since I’ve been so busy planning for it I thought I might share a bit of the experience so far with you.
I got engaged in Monte -Carlo after a week long visit along the French Rivera. We stayed at The Hotel de Paris and he proposed at the restaurant Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse
Hotel de Paris
Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse
We decided to get married in Scotland because most of my family lives in the U.K. and he has never been (not sure that a wedding is the best time to explore a new county, but that’s my man). Luckily for us I’ve been to Scotland numerous times and my family has been super helpful with the organization so far. We chose a small castle just outside of Aberdeen which we have taken over for two days.
The Dress
For most people this is the hardest part. For me it was the easiest. I went to two places to try on dresses the first being White in Toronto. I absolutely loved it there! They have such an amazing array of dresses from some of the best designers in the wedding dress game. I instantly fell for an Oscar de la Renta dress but couldn’t get my head (or my wallet) around the $10,000.00 price tag. I was equally smitten with a more affordable Jenny Packham dress but it seemed like my wedding was so far off (I went almost immediately after we de-planed from France) that I wanted to give it more time.
White. image from toronto.com
On a last minute trip to New York for Kiki’s birthday my ladies surprised me with an afternoon at Kleinfeld. Up to that point of my life I had yet to see an episode of TLC’s ‘Say Yes To The Dress’, but the girls had and they were convinced that this was THE spot. And they were right!!!
We were welcomed when we walked into the romantically lit waiting area full of ‘brides to be’ anticipating their 3pm appointments. A few minutes later we were greeted by Erika our brilliant bridal expert. She brought us into what can only be described as The Grand Salon. The girls and I were advised to look around and as if on que, they all started crying – I love my friends. The Grand Salon is a large bright room with dresses organized in sections around the perimeter and various seating areas surrounding mirrors and podiums.
my besties in the waiting area
After Erika let us play for a while -loosing ourselves in the miles of organza, silk and tule- she asked me a few specific questions about my taste, my wedding (location, date) and ultimately my style. I showed her a few that had initially caught my eye and she then disappeared for a second time only to return to guide us to my fitting room. The room was small – well small for 5 people and some massive dresses – but since I’m not shy, especially around my besties we got to trying on the dresses that I had picked along with a few that she had gathered.
me in a 'no' that's falling off. lol
Let me interrupt here to say Erika was like a friggin Wedding Dress Whisperer. The dresses she picked out were absolutely beyond perfect. After trying on two, I -and my handy wedding dress trustees- were sure I had my dress. Once we all agreed ‘it was the one’ we were ushered out to The Grand Salon (lol, love calling it that) and Erika led me atop the podium in front of the 3-way mirror where I could see my dress from every angle. This was the most interesting part about the whole thing. We realized later that you can’t just wear any dress out into the main room and onto the podium, it pretty much has to be ‘the one’. Once out there you’re exposed to all of the other brides-to-be and all of their entourages. It kind of feels like your at an involuntary fashion show or beauty contest where strangers are judging you on your appearance and dress choice. Luckily for me, we picked one that the room approved of which meant that we were met with a warm reception – so warm and approving that I literally got the dress whipped off my back for another bride to try on…
Erika AKA The Dress Whisperer
saying 'YES' to the dress!
The dress I chose (unbeknownst to me) was actually a creation from the designer who was having his trunk show that day. Bonus! I got 13% off the dress and they threw in my alterations for free! Woop! I also got to meet the designer -Lazaro- who was the sweetest man. He did a sketch of the dress for me and signed it.
Love him!
me and lazarro and a dress that doesn't fit yet... lol
Just as we were about to leave a bride down the hall had a strange request. She was a 5’1 blonde and for some reason she wanted me to try on her perspective dress so that she could see someone else in it…. Why she chose me, a 5’8 brown skinned brunette, is where it gets strange. Nonetheless, I obliged 1. because I was having a blast trying the dresses on and 2. I had seen her in the ‘Salon’ trying the dress on and it was the only other dress that I was crazy for. I put it on and trucked back out to the podium and for a second and a half I was double guessing my decision. But I took a deep breath, dug down for some conviction and declared for the last time that nothing was going to make me waver, I have chosen my dress! (nothing to do with the fact that it was $12,000.00… AHEM.. )
The experience overall at Kleifelds was amazing. The staff are delightful and their selection is beyond. After watching the show I discovered that they have a full basement of thousands of dresses. How Erika was able to mull through them all and find a winner in 2.2 seconds is still blowing my mind. Just goes to show how good you have to be to work there!
Thanks Erika for being the best ever in life!
Lots of love to my ladies for surprising me with an appointment at Keinfelds and being there with me for that awesome day!
xoxo,
coco
p.s. that was kind of fun. maybe I will do some more posts on wedding stuff…
