The One

Greetings everyone!

This post is going to be about my Wedding dress Hunt, non makeup related.

So please continue reading if u are keen!

Now that the wedding is over, It is time to share my thoughts about doing this wedding and the preparation.

Lets start with the wedding dress hunt.

I went to the Tanjong Pagar stretch because all the wedding studios are there. So this is like a hit many at one go location. I had in mind, something like a peach/ pink undertone dress, but after a few tries, and advice from my hao jiemei ( a fellow ex bride, a married woman can give me the best and most objective comment ). I decided on a white dress instead of a coloured one.

I had a number of photos for dresses, with a sleek cut of white fabric and lace design on top, the polished look but none of the studios offered that. Mostly I went for lacey dresses. I went with a thought in mind that I will look awful in a mermaid dress so i only picked like A line gown or ball gowns (heavy bottom wtf). I was very decisive as I know it will take a long time for this gown fitting.

This is what I had in mind.

But they are designer cutting and brands, tbh I know that my budget really cannot get something so sleek and classy.

Nonetheless, I went in search with a tiny glimpse of hope in mind.

The Famous Rico Bridal

My first stop at Rico, where i made an appointment many days before. The first impression of the place was that it was DAMN CROWDED. like close to 5-8 bride trying at one go. there was sufficient staff but the brides had to share a changing room. which i feel is abit cramp.

However to be completely honest, their gowns are mind-blowingly beautiful. I tried 2 evening gowns and 3/4 white gowns. It was the designer serving me cause the other ladies were very busy, she mentioned to me and changed my mind about mermaid gowns, saying that having curves will then flatter the look for the gown. It was a really good chat with her as she had all the info I wanted, from fabric to design to collection inspirations etc.

Photo credits to Rico website.

I went in and showed this photo to the lady, she helped me into this gown and when i look at it in the mirror. I was completely blown away. I had no words to describe that feeling. That was the moment I realized that I was getting married and going to be a bride. That open curtain moment. *WOAHHHHHH*

Maybe it was because that was the first gown I tried, I'm absolutely in love with it. I was this close, THIS CLOSE to confirming this gown * CRIES IN HAPPINESS* (shown below but I took picture secretly, not suppose to take any photo tbh)

Front view. pardon my armpit fats. its terrible. lol.

Side view, check out the lace at the side panel. sooooo gorgeous!

Especially the backview, this was the photo that blew my mind. like that OMGGGGG moment. *secretly taken*

See how it hugs my curves and that nudish peach layer under the white lace, the beautiful row of buttons the stunning train..... the photo doesn't even do it justice, but I'm in complete awe, how come a gown can look so gorgeous to this extend!!!! *faints*

but the price was on the steeper side. which is the main reason I walked away. I texted my man and decided I needed to be Rational. *stabs self*

And so I walked away from Rico with a sad and disappointed feeling, thinking that I would never be able to get one piece from elsewhere that looks similar to that piece, cause they design their pieces by their in-house designers. I walked straight pass TGW & Z Wedding cause I wasn't keen on them.

CangAi Wedding Singapore

Then I came into my beloved Cangai wedding Singapore , recommended by 2 of my friends, who actually took their package and had good things to share.

First impressions, the shop had ample space and staff were all very friendly, I had the entire fitting area to myself, no need to share. which I feel really helps to get a better picture. The rico experience, I saw alot of very bored hubby sitting around, I can imagine that J will also be waiting for hours with me at fitting sessions lol. Thankfully their prices were within my budget and they also had a great variety to choose from. But it was actually the experience and their friendly staff that made the push for me to sign with them. After signing with them, you are free to take many many photos. :)

I had 2 fitting sessions in total.

So I only rent one gown, its considered ROM package, only on knee length gown allowed to be chose, tbh that was abit upsetting and choices were rather limited. I started off with this, that has a slight train and that high low slim legs cutting.

The top part (off shoulder had very good and flattering design, but I didn't like the see through padding design. )

The second piece I tried was a boat neckline short gown and the see through back I envisioned.

1st one I went with a fellow female friend with no Bridal gown experience, and I really couldn't find anything I like after 2-3 hours. But the staff was very helpful, throwing in ideas to alter the gown to my preference and even resorted to throwing in the long glistening train (as below) to confirm with them.

The long train in this photo is detachable, I wore a knee length dress inside so its like a highlow cutting and 2 looks in one outfit kinda deal.

Second Visit

I head home and thought about going back again with J and my other Jiemei. This second session was fortunately a successful one, we head to level 2 ( they have more gowns hidden upstairs) but they were the premium range, which means I needa top up abit more to choose the ones at level 2. And at level 2, we manage to make some final proper decisions. My man chose tried and chose his suit, where I also found the dress I wanted.

We narrowed down to 2 dresses, where my jiemei and J ( convinvced by her, she is very persuasive like me ) prefered the former n I prefered the later Dress 2. The former gown has that classic elegant and sexy feel according to her, but for me, it looks abit matured and not flattering at the front. J has a very young boyish look, so I wanted to look young and youthful as possible, afterall we are the same age lol.

Dress 1

I cannot deny the fact that the low back is absolutely gorgeous and the lace is beautiful. but the cutting is just not my style. too matured.

Dress 2

The latter has that slim cut and flattering bustier front and the shape at the back just looks BEAUTIFUL. :)

Check out the details upclose.

love the sequins and the beading.

So here comes the decision making....

After much consideration, and lotsa photos taken, I chose this sequin piece that has a flattering cut, and I love how slim I look in this beautiful gown with an appropriate train, not too long, not too short.

Despite our difference in opinions, I am so glad I chose to bring this Jiemei along, as an old birdie, she gave very constructive comments and because her style is so similar to mine (her character is also unbelievably similar to mine like J said), she knew exactly what I will wanted. SO thankful for her time and help.

Not bringing too many people really helped as I wanted to avoid the too many opinion situation. Honestly speaking, their views and comments actually do affect you at that point of time. It really matters who you bring along with on your fitting day.

So to narrow it down, bring the right people and go at the right season (where new arrival gowns come in normally during spring/summer which means after CNY) to make the best of your time and enjoy your wedding dress hunt! :)

Love,

Wing