My parents flew into Florida yesterday morning, mainly with the intention for my Mom and I to do some wedding dress shopping together but also to spend a few nice days at the beach!

This morning my Mom and I headed to my appointment at a local bridal salon here in Fort Walton Beach. I went into the appointment VERY nervous, but also extremely excited. I had an idea of what I wanted, but was open to trying all sorts of styles. When I arrived I sat with my consultant Kelsey (also an Air Force Fiancee) and we went over everything and the plan for the appointment. After a quick little discussion we headed down to the bridal room. She picked out a dress in each style for me to try on so I could easily decide what shape I like and don’t like. That helped to narrow it down pretty quickly.

After that I think I tried on almost a dozen dresses, picking out things I liked and didn’t like about each. For a few minutes there  I started to worry that this process was going to be a frustrating one for me where I just couldn’t truly fall in love with something.

Then, she had me try on a dress that I never would have imagined myself in. I put it on and was blown away by how beautiful it was. I walked out to show my mom and she absolutely loved it. At that point, it was the dress to beat, and in all honesty I was pretty much sold.

We tried on a couple other dresses after that, but I just couldn’t get my mind off my favorite. I tried it on again, my consultant put a big beautiful cathedral veil on me, and I instantly welled up. It was STUNNING. It was NOTHING like what I was originally looking for. And in all honesty anyone that knows me well wouldn’t look at this dress and say “oh that’s so Mattea.” Because of this my Mom and I kept chuckling to ourselves, blown away by the fact that THIS was my dress.  But I was positive, this was it.

After that, I officially said YES to my dress! I’m so so excited to put it on again (in October… when my it comes in). The dress is beautiful, it’s beyond perfect for our Vermont Winter Wedding, and I’m also so grateful for the professionals who really know what they’re doing- otherwise, I think I’d be a frustrated, stressed mess.

Now, check that off the list, and I just want to marry my best friend already!!