From the start it was a complete disaster! I'd
found a really cute white dress, vintage Mattel (the makers of Barbie) imported from Japan but every time I looked at it, it didn't feel right. I'm really sentimental! And it has to feel right, there's no other way to explain it.
Then, I bought my wedding dress online! Never again. The picture made it look like something straight out of a fairy tale, when it arrived it looked like it was made from crusty white cardboard, absolutely awful! And that's when the panic started to set in. I realised I was getting married in less than a month, everything was ready, except the dress!
So, I took a deep breath, swallowed my pride and told Aaron about it. You see, Western tradition dictates that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the big day, that's why I kept Aaron out of it, but there's no such thing in Korea. In fact, a lot of fiancé’s accompany the bride-to-be when she buys her dress.
My lovely Aaron made a list of wedding boutiques, I was being picky and annoying. Nothing seemed to fit my style. He remained patient and understanding and finally he found a wonderful shop called "Veils." A lovely place in Mokdong - the purple line on the subway, exit 1 or 2. He spent ages waiting to make a reservation online, every time he clicked it said "sorry fully booked," but 100th time lucky! He was able to make a reservation and this weekend we went wedding dress shopping.
In the days leading up to it I was more nervous than I'd care to admit. I've always been petite but next to the average Korean lady I might as well be a giant! I'd also heard and read horror stories. One woman told me the shop assistant had said to her "please leave this shop there is nothing in here that will fit you," another lady ate nothing but lettuce and tomatoes for 10 days straight because "I need to fit into my swimsuit otherwise my husband will cancel our trip to Japan..."
I even had a student fall asleep in class because "my mum wakes me up at 5am every day to climb a mountain to lose weight!"
This is their normal. Agree or disagree with this attitude and way of thinking is up to you but I live in Korea now and although I believe everyone size is beautiful, I have come to understand the Korean way of thinking. It still shocks me and I'm always telling my students they are beautiful exactly as they are, but it is what it is.
So, I went into Veils, fully expecting them to tell me there was nothing in my size but it was the complete opposite. They were warm, friendly, caring and attentive. They asked us questions, what kind of style I was after, helped me try on everything, listened and made me feel beautiful and comfortable.
In the end, alls well that ends well :) And I left the shop beaming and no longer "wedding dress-less."
*the picture isnt the dress I went with, its just one of the many ones I tried on!"
If you are thinking of going to Veils I would suggest going with someone who speaks Korean. The website is also in Korean. Papago can help but it would be better with someone who speaks the language.
Delightful story. The happy ending you so deserve! Lots of love, Caren