This last weekend, one of my (only) girl friends, Kimmy, (you might remember her from her live music-playing bohemian dream wedding) took me out for a day of wedding dress shopping. I knew she was taking me to a dress shop in LA that is filled with non-traditional dress options. But what I didn't know is that she made a surprise appointment for me at Monique Lhuillier.

Now, like anyone with eyeballs and an appreciation of the art of fashion, I loves me some Monique Lhuillier. But ME, a ratty little tomboy, in a Monique Lhullier? The thought made me laugh.

In fact, I felt like an interloper as I sat in the waiting room for the attendant that was eventually going to kick me out of the store for my pants not being of the fancy varietal... and probably for saying "fuck" too much.

But, what happened really surprised me...

It was so much fucking fun.

We spent hours trying on dresses with an attendant who... I won't say didn't stumble at bit at first, but then she rebounded and went in for a few sweet slam dunks.

After I told her that, no, I'd like to keep my black boots on, because I'd likely be wearing them or something similar, and then corrected her when she assumed I'd be carrying a bouquet instead of my iPhone in a super-cool new case (or something), a lightbulb seem to go off and she said, "Have you ever heard of Offbeat Bride?"

Oh, HAVE I EVER! 😉

After much squeeing was had, she went on to tell me how Offbeat Bride saved her on a few occasions. She particularly found the ceremony scripts, and my advice about mothers really helpful. But mostly, she immediately got what I was going for.

And she found me some dresses that I really liked!

I'm not sure where the hell they came from, because they certainly weren't displayed in The Room of White Fluff and Beading, but when she re-appeared, she brought back a lot of really cool alterna-wedding dresses.

There was one that was an awesome dark grey with cream flowers. I loved the silhouette on me, but I wasn't crazy about the flowers and the fabric of it all...

There was a two piece that I think I looked super-sexy in. But, if I'm gonna rock a corset top, I'm gonna rock a corset from one of our amazing vendors ...

I even indulged my girliest of girl friends, Kimmy, and put on a dress fit for a fairy princess. It had glittery thread. It had the thinnest of straps. It had the whispiest of tulle. It also had these weird nipple flowers...?

Then there was one I loved the most. It gave me some strong Khaleesi vibes! (This statement lost on both Kimmy AND the bridal attendant. Sigh.)

While I totally didn't find THEE DRESS on this outing, I did pick up a ton of ideas that I never had before.

Including...

• The concept of "breakaway skirts" - a big poofy tulle skirt that you can just tie around your waist and then remove for the reception.
• I don't like giant floral patterns for me.
• A hi-low dress may be the way to go.
• Dove grey looks great with purple hair.
• I think I might want to rock a birdcage veil.
• Monique Lhuillier makes some super-cool alternative styles!
• I do not want nipple flowers.

Anyone else find themselves at a more traditional bridal shop? Was your mind blown by it? Or maybe not "blown" per se, but did you find some unexpected inspiration?