Dress dilemma....

Does anyone else have problems committing to a gown?  On a few occasions now, I think I've found the dress- only to go back, take a photo and have a resounding "THAT IS  NOT IT" when I flip through the photos. 

Le sigh.

I'm told that this is the month I have to order my gown too- only adding to the stress of- you need to make a decision...soon/now.  The time constraints are tricky since my fiance and I have two children.  Dress shopping cannot be done at a drop of a hat or leisurely.    Additionally, our second child was just born in June- giving me 4 months to "bounce back" and another 9 to potentially lose another 20 pounds and make the dress I order...potentially obsolete or a major recut.

No wonder I haven't made a decision.

It's also hard to imagine yourself in a gown that, as a sample size, is smaller than the size one (or many) would normally wear. Not only that but wedding gowns, for some reason that defies logic, typically run 2 sizes smaller than regular clothing.  Sorry average size 14 women- you're going to need to order an.... 18???!!! WHAT.  That doesn't add to any pre-existing stress or self-confidence/ image issues that so many women have already either. 

No wonder so many women go on diet binges at the time of their wedding- the size on the label is freaking us out because, maybe- hopefully, most of us are comfortable in our skin and confidently say "YES- I am a size 'X'" - only to be completely thrown when we are looking at a size chart with a consultant who is about to shatter our comfortable world and tell us that we are two sizes larger than we are accustomed to believing we are.

I had thought, as someone who had previously worked in formal wear- that my life experience would provide me with some extra insight, comfort, level of understanding---something to that effect that would soften the blow of knowing I will definitely need to order larger than my post-baby usual size 14.

It's a conspiracy- I swear.  No wonder shows such as Bridezilla and Who's Wedding Is It Anyway? AND Say Yes To The Dress are so popular- all the brides out there- they just want to be comforted and know/see that they aren't as bad as some of the women featured.  After all, they might have told me what larger size I need to order- but at least I'm not as crazy as "THAT" bride.

I should stop now- before I start talking too much more in circles.