Real Brides: Annaliese

We matched on the dating app Hinge in February 2022, while he was in progress moving from Missouri to Virginia (where I lived). We became official in April 2022 when Ryan visited Virginia to finalize some things with his upcoming move, and then he officially moved here that June! We got engaged in November 2023 at Norfolk Botanical Garden, one of our favorite spots. He is my best friend, and I am so lucky to be married to Ryan!

Full story of how we met is on my blog in this post!

I wasn't excited about wedding dress shopping. Even though I love fashion and have been blogging about it for over a decade, the idea of finding a dress felt more like a chore than a magical experience. I worried I wouldn't find anything I loved within my budget and that I'd either have to settle or overspend.

I planned to shop solo with my mom on Facetime since she couldn't fly down due to expensive flights. I booked a few appointments at local boutiques for February and intended to schedule more.

However, everything changed when I attended a bridal expo with my future mother-in-law. I had heard there would be a sample sale, but I wasn't expecting much. My mom encouraged me to check out the dresses first, and to my surprise, I found several beautiful options in my size. I decided to try one on that closely matched my Pinterest inspiration.

The moment I stepped into the dress, I knew it was the one. The waist fit perfectly, and it felt like it was made for me. My mom and future MIL loved it too. I tried on one more dress for fun, but it didn't compare. I didn't even bother with the third.

I never imagined I'd find my dress at a sample sale, especially one I might not have considered at a boutique. The whole experience felt like fate. I'll need some minor alterations, but I couldn't be happier. My mom will visit during my engagement party, and we'll go to the boutique to choose accessories and a veil. I can't wait for her to see the dress in person!

Full story of my dress in this blog post and this one!

Photo Credits: Vinluan Photography