Warning: Some discussion of body image.
It was upon getting lunch with one of my editors, when I'd asked her to print out a return label for one of the many wedding dresses I'd returned, that I thought, "Hey, maybe this whole experience wasn't quite what I'd imagined" — i.e., the Say Yes to the Dress moment where my loved ones weep over my beauty in a well-lit room.
I knew I wanted two things: a short, simple courthouse dress and a more traditional, sleeved ceremony dress. I had a pretty good idea about what I wanted for the latter, given that I have pics of wedding dresses on my phone dating back over a decade.
![Bride in lace gown smiling as person adjusts her veil by a mirror, surrounded by wedding dresses](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/3330b190862d/sub-buzz-16653-1712949498-2.jpg)
So, here's what I learned on my quest to say yes to...two dresses:
1. Sample sizes can be a struggle.
![Person in a bridal shop trying on a lace dress with off-shoulder sleeves, another person seated in background](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/b02f4147b367/sub-buzz-1672-1712948429-2.jpg)
2. Some dress styles can go out of stock very quickly.
![Person in a fitting room wearing a white lace dress with sheer sleeves and black boots, standing in front of a mirror](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/224a40c7cb87/sub-buzz-492-1712948457-1.png)
3. You (probably) need to make an appointment.
![A person tries on a pleated dress in a mirror, another person seated in background](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/224a40c7cb87/sub-buzz-492-1712948507-3.jpg?crop=1573:2387;0,0)
4. It's okay to be a lil' stressed.
![Woman in white dress examines her reflection in a full-length mirror](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/0733144ea1aa/sub-buzz-1670-1712948870-6.jpg)
5. It's good to try on a wide variety of dresses.
![Person taking a mirror selfie, wearing a white vintage-inspired dress with ruffle details, holding a phone](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/c713aa6b82c6/sub-buzz-6268-1712948650-8.png)
6. People will probably think you look good in a lot of things.
![Person in a white short dress with a ruffled hem and a sheer veil, standing indoors](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/db8c75c47f1a/sub-buzz-511-1712948819-1.png)
7. You can wear whatever you want.
![Woman in a dress with heart details taking a mirror selfie](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/16/14/asset/004f7dbcbb00/sub-buzz-4941-1713276685-3.png)
8. The online wedding dress market is pretty amazing.
![Person in mirror taking selfie in a white v-neck wedding dress with a high slit](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/070f1b057c7c/sub-buzz-520-1712949443-6.jpg)
9. Return policies are your friend.
![Person in a white dress takes a mirror selfie, phone covering face](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/ef28a9b2c9ed/sub-buzz-498-1712948698-1.png)
10. But being overwhelmed by choice is very real.
![Young woman in a white strapless wedding dress, smiling slightly](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/96c4660d4ad2/sub-buzz-1379-1712949260-2.png)
11. It's worth going to a tailor to get your measurements professionally taken.
![Summary of a measurements list including bust, waist, hips, bicep, sleeves, skirt length, and height for potential wedding attire sizing](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/3330b190862d/sub-buzz-16641-1712949208-4.png)
12. I did have a moment where I tried on the dress that made me feel amazing — but it was in my room, shortly after an earthquake.
![Bride in a strapless wedding gown with layered skirt browsing dresses in a bridal shop](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2024-04/12/19/asset/b02f4147b367/sub-buzz-1729-1712949572-1.jpg)