We picked the bridesmaids' dresses

My maid of honor, step-mom and I traipsed all over Phoenix this Saturday looking at bridesmaid dresses. Megan (my MOH) gets two gold stars -- one for trying on tons of sample dresses and another for wanting to put dresses she didn't like in the "maybe" pile. However, all three of us love the dress we picked, After Six style No. 6506. Go here to see the dress.

While we (well, Megan) tried it on in the pictured ivory/black combo, we're going with the black-on-black. Over at the After Six site, you can see what the dress would look like in black. Unfortunately, you can't see the back detail too well in the online picture. It features small pleats that look really great when moving and minimize the booty. I did find this sketch of the gown to give you an idea. Overall, the dress is classy and should be very flattering on all the 'maids. I'm definitely happy.

Apparently this dress is pretty popular. All the stores we went to had it available, and at the third place various ladies had to take turns trying it on (us included). We ended up selecting the Wedding Accessory Superstore in north Phoenix to order the dresses from. We received good service there and the store offers 20 percent off bridesmaid dresses. So, it costs less than at the other shops with better services and on-site alterations.

We had a horrible experience at the Azteca Bridal Plaza in downtown Phoenix. We received no service (and the dressing rooms were, um, disappointing), and then when we asked them to write down the number of the gown we liked, we were given a hard sell. The woman said that we shouldn't be writing down, but measuring and ordering because there was no way we'd get our dresses in early enough for the wedding if I didn't order that day. It wasn't true, and she was really rude about it. The ladies at the Wedding Accessory Superstore said we're right on time for ordering and have a couple weeks for ordering to provide time for any alterations.

So, we're ready to go. Now, I just have to get the other 'maids to call in their measurements, and we'll be good to go on that front. I love making progress.