Kelly’s

Bridal & Formal

Experience

I was in a terrible car accident a few years ago, resulting in severe scarring to both my legs and arm, along with some loss of function. Unsurprisingly, this left me a little self-conscious about how I looked in a wedding dress, to say the least. I did not have high expectations going into my wedding dress experience. I felt anxious about finding a dress that covered my scars and made me feel beautiful. I knew I wouldn’t have the wedding dress experience I once dreamt of. I initially shopped in Chicago with my bridesmaids and bought a dress there. The dress felt “safe.” It was pretty enough and, most importantly, would cover my scars. I brought it home and cried when I opened the dress bag. I continuously tried to accept that the dress I had dreamt of was nothing but an unrealistic dream. Two months before my wedding, I decided to give it one last desperate attempt. I would try on some off-the-rack dresses. The first shop I went to was Bridal and Formal.
Feeling extremely disheartened with my expectations even lower than the first time around. Everything changed when I met my consultant, Mariah. She came to me with the most warm welcome and eased my anxiety about the entire experience. She was confident she could help me find the perfect dress in time for my wedding. I was initially skeptical, but to this day, I still cannot believe how she transformed my experience. With her, I truly felt like a bride for the first time. She made me feel beautiful for the first time since my accident. She was so passionate and intentional in everything she did. She is a lovely person inside and out, and I cannot thank her enough for helping my dream come to life.