After months of deliberating over color schemes, guest lists, dress codes, and table decor for our big wedding weekend, the bridal shower feels like a breath of fresh air. Don’t get me wrong—I have enjoyed every minute of this wedding planning season; but something about the simplicity of putting on a beautiful dress for a small springtime gathering with the most special women in my life sounds like a welcome pause in the midst of a very busy year. The best part? My lovely mother is hosting the event in my hometown, and with the help of a few family members and friends, is insisting I let them take the reigns. Which means I’ve turned my attention to (in my opinion) the best bit: finding the perfect bridal shower dress.
My Bridal Shower Dress Wishlist:
As with any event, the location and the time of year have been the two biggest determining factors for the direction of my dress. My bridal shower will be taking place at a historic inn, on a crystal blue Finger Lake in Upstate New York, at the end of April. If you’re familiar with the area, you may know that the temperatures in early spring don’t exactly make you want to dive into the lake. (I’ll be lucky if we have a high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of my shower!) With this in mind, I browsed mostly midi- and maxi-length dresses, and even tried on one or two that had sleeves.
I also wanted to stay true to the general themes that we’re incorporating throughout our wedding as a whole: Our ceremony will be very classic New England, with coastal colors and vintage-inspired pieces woven in. I didn’t want to stray too far from those timeless styles; plus, sticking to the overall design concept of the wedding ensures the bridal shower feels like a taste of what’s to come. After trying on dozens of dresses—and scrolling online for hours to analyze the endless options that exist—I finally found my perfect piece. Just in time, too: With only T-90 days left to go until the big day, I have one less item on my to-do list.
Read on to discover the highlights, the extras, and the one that stole my heart.
First up: this feathered Jil Sander beauty! When I spotted this dress from across the showroom floor, I nearly ran to grab it. I fell even more in love with it once I slipped it on—the feathers floated around my body, bouncing as I moved for a playful approach to bridal dressing. But it didn’t quite feel like the right fit for my venue, so I continued the search.
