A "Thank You" with a POWERFUL message!!!!

I vividly remember the day that Stephanie came in to the shop here at Heartfelt Bridal.  I had no way of knowing the impact that she would have on me and the growth she would foster in me.  I KNOW that this is one of the reasons that I am in this business... you all have so much to teach me!  Please, please, please... read this important thank you letter I received from Stephanie.  It is powerful and I know that she isn't the only bride-to-be who has felt the way she did.  Here is her letter...

LeAnn,

I wrote and rewrote the story a bunch of times because I wasn't sure what should be kept and what should be removed... I decided to keep most of it so everyone could hear how truly awesome you are!

Here is the story of my gown:

I had been looking for dresses for a few months from a distance because I was embarrassed to try anything on. I would frequent shops and pretend to be looking at bridesmaid dresses- only to leave with my eyes lingering toward the actual bridal gowns. I have pretty bad anxiety coupled with a bad body image, which is disastrous when looking for the dress that is supposed to make you feel all of the gushy feelings that come with everything wedding. I couldn't picture myself in a dress that fulfilled that seemingly impossible feeling. 

I had been forced, by my mother, to the major shop in town and had an absolutely terrible experience. I went to smaller shops in town and had even worse experiences. Each time I left with more of a time crunch and less self worth. I wasn't a size 2, 4, 8, or even 12. This is a huge bummer when looking at wedding gowns because, well, brides aren't big... or so it seemed. When I went to a big name store I was told that I could only fit in certain dresses. The associates put me in the biggest size they had available, which happened to be the oldest, dated looking dresses that I'm pretty sure they had special ordered for 80's themed weddings. I wear a 36 EE and was told that I needed to fit into the store's 38 B bustier to try this monstrosity on. Needless to say- it didn't fit. I put my clothes back on in shame and came out of the dressing room defeated. My mother asked if I wanted to go and I just nodded. As we left the associate told me "Don't worry... I'm sure you'll be able to find... something." I was beyond mortified and vowed to wear a pant suit to the wedding.

A month or so later my mother insisted that we "get my dress situation figured out." She took me to a smaller shop in town who looked me up and down as I walked in the door. The girl was nice. She showed me the dresses and explained that they don't carry over a size 12. I looked at the dress that I had already decided would hide me best, and gave up. The woman assured me that I would be able to order my size. However, the catch was that I would never be able to try on that type of gown... or any gown that was even kind of to my liking prior to purchasing. So basically it was a shot in the dark as to whether or not it would even look decent on me. Not wanting to be stuck with a $1200 Franken-bride Halloween costume for the next 30 years, we left empty handed. 

Finally, after my mother's constant reminding that we needed to order my dress, I reluctantly agreed to look at bridesmaid dresses at Heartfelt Bridal. I had the sneaking suspicion that my mother had ulterior motives. When I met LeAnn I was so worried that she was going to have the same reaction to me as all of the other shops. I was 100% wrong. She told me I was silly for thinking that I wouldn't find a dress. I thought she was silly for thinking that I would. LeAnn and my mother spent the next hour or so conspiring against me. They had me try on multiple gowns and look through all of the dresses (even the little ones!!) to see which ones appealed to me the most. I won't sugar coat it. I picked dresses that I thought would hide my boobs and my gut... and my arms, my back, and if I could get away with it- everything else. I was then instructed to try on a mermaid gown by my mother- who obviously hadn't received the memo about the rules. LeAnn agreed with my mother and I reluctantly, and awkwardly walked into the dressing room to try on my worst nightmare. Everything was tight. Too tight. My arms were bare, my shoulders were bare, and I didn't want to face myself in the mirror. I came back into the other room and prepared myself for the horror. I looked in the mirror and you know, I didn't look nearly as bad as I thought. LeAnn pulled and pinned this dress into a shape that began to look human and, dare I say, feminine. LeAnn and my mother went and grabbed a dress that I had eyed, but never had the guts to say I liked, that was in size "way too small for you" then brought it back to the room. 

From then on, LeAnn knew that this was the type of dress that I needed. She let me try on this dress and pinned me in to show me that I can look any way I want for my wedding. She built up my confidence and showed me how to accessorize. I can't believe there is such a hidden gem like her in this town. I have never felt so special (other than my wedding day! Lol) than when she was taking care of me. I was so impressed and thankful that my entire bridal party needed to come to her to receive such royal treatment.

When my dress finally arrived I needed a dress that was 4 dress sizes smaller. Any other time I would have lost my mind because a tight dress that isn't so tight anymore is not really a look I can pull off. LeAnn had an answer. The perfect seamstress! Between LeAnn and Eve at Transformations, my dress was beyond anything that I thought I would ever have. I have never felt better than in that dress. There is nothing quite like finding the dress that stifles the nagging voice of self doubt so you can enjoy everything about your special day. I would not have found this dress or the confidence to wear it without LeAnn. She. Is. The. Best!!!!

Thank you!!!!

Steph