Wedding Dress Shopping!

I'm so glad I got to go to New York to go wedding dress shopping with Courtney! It was so fun! She had made three appointments at different styles of designers. 1) Leanne Marshall, a designer a friend introduced her to a couple of years ago with gorgeous fabrics and a cool style. 2) David's Bridal for a large selection and lower prices and 3) Floravere which came up on her Instagram feed when she was talking about wedding dresses and she really like their style too. Also in a good price point. She'd made an appointment to Kleinfelds ("Say Yes to the Dress") but then spoke to a sales rep who was a brat, so Courtney cancelled her original appointment.

Michael's sister, Becca, was able to join us for the first appointment and Carine and I were with Courtney the rest of the day.

The dresses

Changing Room

Mirror and pedestal for modeling

Leanne Marshall was a sparse loft/industrial vibe. We all browsed through the rack of dresses and found ones for Courtney to try on. We had our own stylist and the room to ourself for an hour. She would help Courtney get into the dress in the changing room, and then they'd come out and model for us. They were all beautiful and it was fun to get a sense of styles that Courtney liked. The stylist was super helpful in knowing how a dress could be altered to fit garments. (They have a stockist in Utah, so they were familiar with needed alterations.) We found a dress that we all loved. And a skirt that complemented a top (bolero) she'd purchased from a sale they had in November.

Next we walked over to David's Bridal which was so different. A huge store cram packed with people and racks of dresses. We had a dedicated stylist again but a long row of changing rooms that were all busy. When someone found a dress they wanted, they rang a big bell. It was fun to see their big smiles at having found their perfect dress.

Courtney was able to try on lots of fits and styles that were fun. But for the most part, the fabrics were not as light and silky as they were at Leanne Marshalls. Or what I would imagine any wedding dress should be.

Finally, our last appointment at Floravere. They had more of a pretty waiting room and only one other client there. We had our own "lounge" where Courtney would come to model her dress, so it felt very private and personal.

Entering Floravere.

Heading back to the dressing room with her stylist.

In our lounge -- the stand and mirror where Courtney would stand to model.

They also had shoes in all shades of blue to try on with the dress. It was super relaxing and fun. Another fun component was I could visit and get to know Becca (earlier) and chat with Carinne while we sat on comfy couches and waited for Courtney to emerge. So it didn't feel exhausting or uncomfortable.

Trying on headbands and veils.

She found a skirt that she really liked at Floravere. We went to dinner afterward to debrief and she chose one and is super excited about it! I'm not going to reveal which one here! That's a fun surprise to look forward to when she gets married!!!

After dinner we went to the Oculus to look for shoes at Stuart Weitzman and Sam Edelman. I think it's too early still as they didn't have any Spring/Summer shoes out. But at least she was able to say, "Yes to a Dress!"

Crazy taxi story on our way to the Oculus that I'll have to tell another time...

Meandering

I have loved yesterday and today. Really loved them. I told Dan it was a little bit alarming how much I enjoy not talking to people. But the thing about New York is you are surrounded by people and activity, but are anonymous. And that's nice once in a while -- especially when you live in Utah and it seems like you always are running into people you know. There's something fun about that too. But like anything, it's nice to have a change once in a while.

Yesterday my amazing walk around Central Park was so invigorating -- for mind and spirit. I'm not sure if there's anything I love more than Central Park. It's a daily must-do while in New York. Most times its where I get my exercise, so I'm jogging (or walking), with the intent to get in my hour of exercise then head back to the hotel in a hurry to get on with whatever is planned for the day.

But yesterday, nothing was planned until lunch at 1:00. And I'm not running, so I just walked and walked with plenty of time to wander and stop to snap photos. Rejuvenating!

I also listened to podcasts all day. Throughout my walk and then after I was dressed, I walked the 1.5 miles down to lunch where I was meeting Camille and Sophie who are in the city for Sophie's radiation/proton therapy for 8 weeks!

I listened to All In: "Don't Miss This" interview with David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman. Also an interview with Lola Ogunbote, a magistrate in London, originally from Nigeria, who left her job to become a youth soccer coach. Then today listened to "Leading Saints" interview with Diljeet Taylor, BYU's cross country coach "Empowered and Confident Young Women and another interview with Kim Partridge, "Strengthening Relationships with Young Women." It's like I'm at my own little self-improvement camp.

It was so fun to see Camille and Sophie! We laughed that we see each other back home 2 - 3 times a week, but somehow its different and exciting to see each other in another spot! So far Sophie's treatment is going well. She's tired, but still enjoying going out and about and Camille has got all sorts of fun sight-seeing for them to do. About three weeks in she'll start feeling stronger effects and become more tired. So they're maximizing their fun time for now.

I shopped all through discount stores Century 21 and Bloomingdales' Outlet looking for dresses for Marty's wedding, but didn't have any luck. Today I scoured real Bloomingdales and didn't find the right thing either. Online will have to come through for me! Fingers crossed.

In the evening, I met Courtney and we travelled down to Chelsea to meet Michael and have dinner at Black Barn with another wedding planner. He was very energetic and fun. Each of the wedding planners have had different strengths. It will be fun to see who they pick. (And find a venue and get a wedding date!)

The rooftop terrace at the Assemblage

Michael's offices were just a few blocks away so he gave us a tour of the space. It's at a space where a company rents "desks" for their employees but is shared space with whoever else rents other desks. It's got lots of green plants, couch seating areas for comfortable work, a library for quiet work, phone booths for longer phone calls (or confidential calls?), conference rooms, a couple of cafes, two beautiful rooftop terraces AND a yoga/meditation/cacao ceremony/ritual space (with a gong!). It was a super comfortable, welcoming, homey place to work. And a little bit hippy-ish too. I loved seeing it!

Today I skipped my exercise since I was walking across the park 2 miles anyway to get to real Bloomingdales. Then I walked down to Bryant Park to check out a potential venue spot at the grill.

It is freezing cold out and I'm wearing my beanie and coat everywhere. Glad I brought it!

This evening Courtney and I checked out the wedding shop at Anthropologie, then met Michael for pedicures and manicures (and a long visit with Lois, the healer/psychic/Nurse Practitioner, sitting next to me). Thai food after and now I'm home.

I love, love, love that you can walk out your door and have everything you need within walking distance in New York. Sigh. The whole world is filled with amazing places that I want to be! Each night in my prayers I am so grateful we have the chance to travel and pop over to places we love.

P.S. Michael's (Adair, not Petersen) favorite band from college (high school?) was widespread panic. They're here in concert at The Beacon right near me! I even saw one of their members (deduced by the people asking for a photo and him holding a musical instrument. Then saw a security guy wearing a jacket with widespread panic logo).

Took a photo for Michael (Adair, not Petersen).

Taking Time--Central Park