I'd rather have a mammogram....

....than shop at bridal stores. The big ones are simply horrific in terms of the employees and the whole ambience. I feel incredibly retarded in every way as soon as I walk in. Feh.

We did find a smaller shop that had the right designer in stock, PLUS had sensible, normal employees. The woman--Sarah--at the other place was freaky and horrid.

ANYWAY. Elizabeth has semi-kindly gone with a designer who designs separates, so rather than buying a full dress, we'll have a top and a skirt. This is good as my bottom and top don't match. She also is trying to be helpful and has strongly suggested tea-length skirts. So we tried those on today. Yuck. They are the perfect length to show off our...my...enlarged calves and ever-thickening ankles, plus, as the assistant reminded us, we will HAVE to have amazingly wonderful shoes on our feet since the world can't help but see them. Katherine and I both want a longer skirt. We'll have to convince The Bride, and quick, so that we can get the damn dresses ordered. This week. Yes, you have to order by March 10 for a July 7 wedding. This allows time for {{groan}} fittings.

This whole wedding thing is such a racket.

So. Here's the top I chose: Katherine will either wear the same one or possibly this one:Here are the two skirts:

So, what do the rest of you think?