Winter weddings are the best excuse for a long sleeve wedding dress. I don't think I could ever pull it off, but to those that can, may I suggest you go for it. Southern California doesn't exactly get cold but how beautiful is this satin dress. I am a firm believer that you should try on every different style of dress and keep an open mind when trying on dresses. As many experts may have advised before you may end up with something that you never expected (I did). You also may end up with the exact dress that you thought you wanted (a good friend of mine). Regardless, this is your one (hopefully) and only chance to try on wedding dresses. You are a bride and you should take full advantage of that. Try on every dress in the store. Go on your own and go to every store in your area. If the shop only allows you an hour to try on dresses to to a smaller boutique, they will let you stay and have fun as long as you want. I wish I had taken my own advice but I was only home for a short time and I wanted my mom to be there. I may have ended up with the same dress in the end but now when I go with future brides I always look on with envy. I always want to ask, Can I try on that dress over there?

My maid of honor (I am so lucky to have her in my life) selected this Casablanca 1977 dress that I fell in love with but would have never picked for myself.

A good friend of mine knew she wanted this Maggie Sottero Bree dress before we even got to the store. No matter how many dresses I made her try on she knew this one was the one and has never looked back.