Ask anyone who has gone through it, wedding planning is full of surprises. Ashley had a clear idea of what she wanted to wear. But sometimes the dress chooses the bride. “My wedding dress was everything I never knew I wanted,” she says with a laugh. Here, Ashley shares the details about her Monique Lhuillier gown and personals.

Part 2: Saying Yes to the Dress

The first visit to a bridal boutique can be overwhelming. Pressure mounts in the search to find ‘the one’ amidst rack upon rack of gorgeous designs. Any anxiety Ashley was feeling on the way to her appointment at Monique Lhuillier was quickly put to rest the moment she stepped through the door. “My sales person, Frank, told me that this was a journey and we were going to go on it together. He couldn’t have been more right.” She started pulling dresses that met her criteria – long sleeve and completely fitted with all-over lace. The sparks just weren’t flying when she looked in the mirror though. Then one particular dress caught her eye. “It wasn’t lace, it wasn’t long sleeve, and it definitely wasn’t fitted. But there was something about it that stood out to me.” Ashley put on the dress and immediately knew it was ‘the one.’ “The reaction from my Mom, sister, and best friend helped seal the deal. I tried on a few more looks. But at the end of the day, it was this gorgeous and completely unexpected gown that stayed with me.”
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