Dear ESB: I’m torn about the dress

I’m torn about the dress. I was ALL over the place with what I wanted, and thought I’d land with something more offbeat than the usual long white gown, probably short-ish (my ‘maids are planning on buying me a killer pair of heels, so of course shorter would be great to show them off), possibly vintage. I never thought I’d be buying a gown from a bridal boutique. BUT I thought I’d found the one when I tried on a Marchesa sample- not what I was expecting necessarily, but STUNNING, and I fell in love. Without considering all the wedding day factors, like lots of other brides fault on too, I bought it.

This dress weighs approximately 20 pounds, and is layer upon layer of material, AKA thick as hell. It’s a total ball gown, basically, and I’m starting to freak- I’m getting married in southern California, in July, in a backyard (mind you this isn’t going to be a small picnic-y backyard wedding. It’ll be a big, not too casual party, but a backyard no less). Am I fully crazy for wearing a dress of that, er, caliber in July? I feel like it’s totally impractical. I might be sweating my ass off, and I wouldn’t call it the most mobile dress either for dancing or walking for that matter, especially on grass and around a pool. I don’t doubt I could sell it and find something amazing that’s more apt, and that I could love just as much,* if not more- but a few of my girls seem to disagree. They think “it’s MARCHESA, it’ll be worth it to make it work.” I know I have to go with what works for me because it’s my wedding, my dress, but now I feel blinded as to if selling it’s the right decision or not. My friends are making me question my judgement. HALP!

Xx,

-Fellow east side bride.