9 On Your Side reporter Ally Kraemer got engaged in November. She will be writing about her wedding planning experiences until her wedding on Aug. 19. Expect to see the good, the bad and the bridezilla. (Just kidding!)
CINCINNATI -- What's the difference between a sheath and a modified A-line?
Do I want white or off-white or cream or ivory?
When it came to wedding dress shopping, I was clueless, but now I'm a pro.
Something borrowed
Former WCPO anchor Julie Dolan actually offered to let me borrow her dress. (She was a stunning bride and I love her dress!)
Before I opted for her gown, though, my mom and I went to the Reading Bridal District to browse.
And then we both fell in love.
The search
Almost all of my bridesmaids live out of town, so I didn't bring an entourage to look at dresses. My mom and I thought we would go just to get a feel for what's out there and what I like.
We started (and ended) at Bridal and Formal. I felt like it had the most dresses of any boutique in the Tri-State. There's nothing like starting with the most overwhelming spot!
Ally Kraemer's runner-up wedding dress. (Provided)
Most of the dresses are in plastic bags, which I thought was weird. The dresses are so heavy that pulling them apart was a workout. It took only a half-second to decide which dresses I didn't like. I have classic style and wanted something conservative.
Runner-up
I fell in love with this dress really quickly. It's simple with clean lines and doesn't weigh 70 pounds. The only problem: It's a little low cut! I wanted something a little more conservative; it doesn't have to be a turtleneck but something a little less revealing. Even with it pinned in these pictures, it's not me.
Saying 'yes' to the dress
We landed on a dress that I loved. I tried on several more but just couldn't stop thinking about the dress.
(Provided)
I put it back on, and they glammed me up. A veil and some of the earrings definitely helped me picture how it will really look. (And reminded me I desperately need some highlights.)
Did I have that teary-eyed moment that you see on TV? Nope. And because mom and I weren't crying, I wasn't sure if it was really THE dress. Shouldn't I feel differently, I wondered? I thought everyone cried!
Well, those feelings came more in the form of excitement, I was giddy -- and proud that we actually had found a dress.
Want to see the dress? Keep dreaming! It's not a giant secret -- I showed a few friends and family members -- but it's still a surprise for my fiancé, Jake. It might take so long to get here, though, that I'll probably forget what it looks like, too!
What's next?
Now that I've found my dress, it's time to find bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits. I'm always looking for advice! If you have some to share, send me an email at ally.kraemer@wcpo.com.
