Brides Against Breast Cancer

My wedding dress cost $250 plus a $200 entry fee to the opening night fete of this year's Brides Against Breast Cancer event in New York, yet it feels like a million bucks. Or maybe two.

BABC is a traveling wedding dress bonanza that raises money for Making Memories, a non-profit organization that grants wishes to metastatic breast cancer patients. Some dresses are donated new, while others are gently (and hopefully merrily, lovingly, and memorably) worn.

Jen, a good friend and fellow journalist, sashayed down the aisle in an exquisite pre-worn gown in July, and she convinced me to try my luck at BABC. I was reluctant, as the idea of being one amongst a sea of New York brides nearly gave me hives. She mercifully offered to join the fray.

I knew I wanted a lace dress, and as occurs on many of my shopping expeditions, when I couldn't at first find what I was looking for, I wanted to run screaming out into the fall night. But once I tried on a handful of dresses and began to spot even better ones on other people's clothes racks and bodies, I rallied a little. We finished round one with a few almost-maybes, but found nothing in full lace.

After taking a cupcake and champagne break, Jen convinced me to go in for round two. She found a few more dresses, and right before I joined her in the fitting room, I grabbed a dress I'd tried on before after seeing it on the girl next to me. It was only partially lace, but the lace was high quality, and it had the A-line cut I wanted, a gorgeous train and bustle, a sweetheart neckline, and a low back. When I tried it on again, something in me clicked, and I knew it was my dress.

Today I'm going for my first post-alteration fitting, and I can't wait to see my dress again after a month apart! When I brought it home, I realized it really is the perfect one for me, for the way it makes me feel, and for the price and cause. I am proud of my dress, and pleased with how it gently, beautifully, reminds me of my Mom.

Though I know it will be hard to part with it, after the wedding I have every intention of donating it back to Brides Against Breast Cancer, to continue the cycle of giving, caring, and fighting.