Bridal Shop - Part One

Any store or business that deals with weddings and other large, important events is making insane amounts of dough.  For example, a bridal chain which is very popular for most modest individuals monetarily raped me when I was planning my big day.  I had purchased my wedding dress, along with all of the bridesmaid dresses, the mother of the bride dress, and even tattoo cover up from this joint.  I was in their system—lucky me.  They have to keep you in their system so they know to call you if, I mean, when, your over-priced garments are available to be picked up.  This call that you will receive will always depend on the date of the event. For instance, if you plan your nuptials for early December and it is only February, chances are, the over-priced garments will  not be ready at least two weeks to one month before the actual date.  I know this from experience.  

My bestie and I were planning our weddings simultaneously.  Mine was in April, hers was in June.  We were each others’ maids of honor.  Not difficult to follow if you were at one point, a high school student.  It became apparent to me that in the event garment business, this must not be a common occurrence.  It was obvious to my friend and me that these individuals who specialize in the garments worn at special events were definitely not trained in this specific area.  We went to the bridal shop together and explained to them our situation.  “Hi.  We are both getting married.  We are each others’ maid of honor.”  The lovable girl at the counter looked at us dumbfounded.  “What do you mean?” she asked.  Amanda and I looked at each other and we too, were dumbfounded.  I know that we explained that as simple as we could.  I know that there was no other way to say it.  Amanda repeated the exact same sentences that were said before.  “We’re both getting married and we are each others’ maid of honor.”   The brainiac bridal “specialist” stared blankly at us and went to get the manager--and there he was.  “Hi Ladies, how can I help you?”  The sentence was spoken for the third time.  Then we saw the light bulb go off about 10 seconds later.  

When you’re an educator, that light bulb is a gratifying feeling, but when you’re a customer willing to pay for someone’s expertise and it takes three times for the light bulb, you don’t really feel that gratification.  It’s not rewarding when apparently competent adults finally “get it.”  Now, I use the word “competent” very lightly.  Competent in this situation is waking up, getting dressed, going to the bathroom when your body tells you that you have to go, and getting to work—but that’s just my opinion.  Finally someone got it.

We began to look at dresses and tried some on.  When it came time to order, there was yet another issue.  We decided to order for me first since chronologically my wedding was first.  I said my name, my bridesmaids’ names, and the date of my event.  I showed them two different dresses.  I wanted my bestie to feel important so she got to wear a dress that was unlike the others.  This was very complicated for the specialists.  They just couldn’t seem to match her name with the dress number.  

I honestly don’t know how these people function in the real world.  It wasn’t difficult to request dresses for my other bridesmaids.  I was almost to the point where I thought I was going crazy, but I could read Amanda’s expression and then I knew it wasn’t just me and I wasn’t going to have to go to an institution.  It came time to order for Amanda’s wedding and that was pretty much a breeze.  She didn’t throw them for a loop like I did.  She didn’t want me to feel important, so I had to wear what the others wore.  It was a lovely choice, though.  My breasts looked fake in this dress and they aren’t, so I was happy.  This story is not over yet.  To be continued......