Redefining "Something Borrowed"

There has been a lull in the engagements, but I'm sure a monsoon is about to sweep in...and freak us other college women out once again.

There is nothing wrong with getting engaged so young (if you are ready), it's just not for me. I'm thinking this is a geographical thing, nearly none of my California peops are engaged...nor are they close (not a bad thing!), but in my first semester as a Pi Phi at Creighton we had a Ring Pass once every few chapter meetings...as if moving from California to Nebraska wasn't enough of a culture shock on its own! Now I am down in the South...Texas South to be more exact...and I've learned all about the MRS degree seekers and the fact that at 23 I am quickly approaching, if not already, an old maid. Let's not even get me going on this Army aspect of my life, that just stresses me out! Lucky for me, Alex has chosen a path that will let me drag my feet for a few more years!

So, I've established...this kid is not ready to get married. That being said, I still sit with my roommates (or my mother) and watch the marathons of Say Yes to the Dress, which generally leads to deep discussion on what is ugly, what is fabulous, and what "I" want. This is particularly fun to do with my mom...as every time we go to NorthPark (best shopping in the world for you non DFWers) we MUST go visit Oscar...of the de la Renta persuasion. There are always beautiful (the word doesn't do them justice) dresses in the windows...and always a wedding gown...of which my mother proclaims "this must be your dress"...momentarily forgetting that she is wielding the check book. Here is one thing I know about my wedding...the dress I want will not be in my budget. However, my mom proposed what I think to be a novel idea...others may think I am slightly unhinged.

Renting!!! Why not? Guys get to rent their tuxes...why can't we do the same? Not going to lie, at first I thought this was insane...I want to keep my dress! What if my daughter wants to wear it?! Valid. But reality check: ok first, I must produce a female heir(s), and second why on earth would she want to wear my dress...how many of you girls want to wear your mom's dress? I mean no offense to our mothers, but the late 70's and early 80's are so not in fashion...our potential daughters will probably think the same thing of our selections. I'm just saying I'd much rather rent my designer gown for a few hundred dollars (many shops tailor and clean it for you) than have to sell a kidney to get a dress the dress I want...and will wear once. ONCE! If you rent, you return the dress, get your deposit back, and they clean it. I realize that I'm going to get hauled all across this country, and I really don't want to have to schlep a bulky gown around with me. But what will my keepsake be? Answer: my veil. That will be my own, a veil would definitely have a better chance of being worn by a potential girl-child. In fact, I may wear my grandmother's after getting it retooled...who knows!

I realize this isn't for everyone, and there is significance in your wedding dress. Maybe it's my (extra) acquired skepticism from all my marketing and advertising classes...but I believe the significance is in the wedding and the experience, not in what you wear. Hopefully by the time I am ready to start this epic shopping journey, more rental option will be around. It seems to be slowly catching on. $800 vs $20,000? To me there isn't much of a question...and what to do with all that saved cheese? Christian Louboutin...here I come. One for each day of the week (and then some). Though I'm sure my mother would much rather me say something about a down payment on a house. Mom if you read this....we can share :)

Oscar, Vera, Monique...you all may be insight after all.

Rather than making this post longer than it already is, here is an interesting article that my mom showed me from the New York Times talking about "borrowing" your wedding dress. Let the persuasive argument begin!.