When I got engaged to my now-husband, Lance, in the fall of 2021, I couldn’t wait to go dress shopping. For years I had a private Pinterest board dedicated to all things wedding – arbors, tablescapes, color schemes, and, of course, dresses.

I originally envisioned myself in one that featured lace – a nod to my mom’s wedding dress from thirty-plus years ago. (I tried hers on, but it was too small!) I knew I wanted to steer clear of ballgown and mermaid styles. Or dresses that were strapless. And no beads or sequins. With that framework in mind, I set off to Mashpee Commons on the Cape to a boutique called Head Over Heels.

I had been wedding dress shopping with friends before and, in those instances, the bride-to-be would show photos of dresses she liked to the stylist, who then disappeared into some secret room to grab options. None of us were allowed to browse. That was not the case for my appointment.

Owner Tracy Russell encouraged my group to look at the options on display and to pull anything they thought looked good. They all happily did so. Alone with Tracy in the dressing room, staring at a pile of styles I wasn’t sure I even liked at first glance, she reassured me that I didn’t have to try anything on if I didn’t want to. But, she said, “I always encourage brides to step out of their comfort zone, because they never know when a style they hadn’t previously thought of could actually be the one.”

With that in mind, I started trying on dresses. As I stepped into one that featured lace, I quickly realized that the style I had pictured myself wearing for years did not work for my body type. I was sad, but not discouraged. I tried on a few more, none of which made any sort of impact. Then I got to a gown my mom had pulled. When I first saw it, I had written it off as boring. My mind quickly changed as I put it on.

I walked out to gasps from my friends and tears from my mom. None of the other dresses had garnered such a reaction. I stood in front of the mirror and fell in love with what I saw: the cap sleeves, V-shaped neckline, ruched bodice, and A-line skirt created the perfect silhouette. In that moment, I finally understood the feeling people said they got when they knew they had found the perfect wedding dress.

Looking back on that day, I’ll admit that I went into the process thinking it would be easy. And while my journey to find my dress was certainly easier than others, I can acknowledge how some people can become overwhelmed with the process. But you don’t have to go on that journey alone.

Last spring, I met Francesca DiSpirito at the Martha’s Party Wedding + Event Conference on the Island. She told me about how, as a bridal stylist, she guides brides-to-be through the search for their dream wedding dresses. You can read about her on page 20 of this issue.

During the conference, I also met Marie Hunt. Her business specializes in refurbishing vintage veils and headpieces for the modern-day bride. Read about her work on page 46. While I couldn’t fit into my mom’s dress, I wish I had thought to repurpose it in some way to wear on my wedding day. If you’re having the same thoughts, perhaps Hunt can provide a solution.

Whatever stage of wedding planning you’re in right now, this issue is full of inspiration and vendors that can help you through the process.

Good luck on your journey!