My Wedding

By Janette Korrell

Shopping for my femme wardrobe had been difficult for me over the years. Trying to be coy and secretive, I frequently embarrassed myself when a saleslady would approach and ask if I needed any help. Finally, I developed the attitude that I didn't care what they thought, if I wanted a new dress or some pretty panties or whatever, I ought to be able to get them without problems. And that is how I shop now. I'm not belligerent about it, but I'm open and up front that the things I'm looking at are for me.

In almost all cases, this works wonderfully! I've gotten great receptions, and even had salesladies help me get fitted for my bras. Trying on a dress or jumper in a woman's specialty store is no longer any hassle, although in department stores I usually have to take them to the men's fitting rooms. But shopping has become FUN!

That is the attitude I used when my partner, Eric, and I decided it was time to have a commitment ceremony. Eric is a tall, strong man and has no interest whatsoever in the feminine world, except that he expects me to be as lady-like as possible, especially in my attire. When not at work, I am almost always in a dress or skirt and blouse, even when we are out and about. So, right from the start of our planning, we decided to have a traditional wedding. We would have the ceremony in a chapel and I would be the bride, wearing a formal bridal gown. I would have bridesmaids and he and the best man and ushers would all wear tuxedos. We would have traditional wedding music and a full reception with dinner and dancing.

So, to begin with, I had to get my gown. I wanted a special dress, not just one I could get out of a catalog. This meant that I needed a bridal salon where I could openly shop for the gown of my dreams. While very forthcoming about shopping, I knew I was venturing into new territory to shop for a wedding gown. I'm never looking to cause a scene, so I didn't want to just show up at a bridal salon and announce that I wanted a dress, very possibly getting into a situation where I wasn't wanted. Instead, I decided to make some telephone inquiries. I sat down and just started calling salons in town. I asked to speak to the owner, and told her that I wanted to get a gown, headpiece and accessories for myself, and asked if they would mind if I shopped at their salon. I received similar reactions at the first two stores I called, polite but firm refusals. On my third call, the manager with whom I spoke was very interested in having me shop there, but said that she didn't own the store and the owner would not be receptive. Going on to my fourth call, I found a most delightful lady who not only was willing to have me as a client, but actually wanted me to shop at her store. I made arrangements to come in the very next day.

The following morning, my best girlfriend, Sheila, who would be my Maid of Honor, and I went to the bridal salon. We were met by the owner and one of her bridal consultants who were both absolutely fantastic about the whole thing. They never even brought up the fact that I was a guy. To them I was a bride-to-be, which in fact was exactly what I was! The helped me determine the styles of gowns that would look best on me, and then we picked out a few gowns off the rack for me to get started trying on.

First, they got me a strapless longline bra to put on along with a bouffant petticoat. With Sheila helping me into the bridal underpinnings, the ladies began to get the first gown ready for me. The next two hours were simply fantastic! I tried on over a dozen gowns before we began to narrow the selection down. Finally, after trying on four gowns over and over again, I chose my dress. Everyone agreed it was really me and I felt a shivering sensation as I looked in the mirror and saw myself in the gorgeous dress. It was a beautiful white, satin gown with a lacy bodice, long fitted sleeves and a V-cut back. It had a very full skirt and a medium-length train that fastened up to the back waist in a bustle effect for dancing. The bridal consultant helped me pick out a traditional headpiece with a chapel-length veil which we could get in the same lace as on my dress, and then we sat down to make up the order. I got white, satin pumps, a petticoat and longline bra, embroidered bridal pantyhose, garters and even the necklace and earrings I would wear for Eric's and my wedding.

Eric and I made out the guest list for the wedding together, but it was my responsibility for most of the rest of the arrangements. After all, a wedding is mostly for the bride, and that was surely the case with us. I had so much fun even though it was nerve racking to get every detail worked out. From flowers, to catering, to valet parking for the guests at the chapel, I wanted every detail perfect. Eric did insist that we do it all, even to having a rehearsal at the chapel and a rehearsal dinner afterwards. It indeed was going to be a complete, traditional wedding.

My gown came in about six weeks later, and then I had the fittings. It took a couple of times to get my gown to fit perfectly, but when the seamstress was done, it fit wonderfully. The bridal salon owner had the dress pressed after the fittings, and I picked it up and took it to Sheila's house. I didn't want Eric to see me in it until I walked down the isle as his bride. I couldn't hardly wait to wear it in my wedding. The anticipation of being a bride was almost too much for me to handle!

Our wedding day came upon me more quickly than I ever imagined. I was indeed a nervous bride and if it hadn't been for Sheila's cool, calm manner, I think I would have gone crazy that morning. But she took over and had everything in check. I surely would have forgotten things had it not been for wonderful Sheila. Instead, that morning, she and I, and my other bridesmaid, Caroline, had a fun and relaxing time at the beauty shop getting our hair and nails done. Afterwards, we were off to the chapel where we met my mother and sister. The four of them helped me get ready for the wedding. I was so thrilled to be the center of all the feminine attention. There was no hint of masculinity in me that day!

We had about seventy guests for the wedding, including some of both our families, but mostly dear and close friends. As the Wedding March ("Here Comes the Bride") began, first Caroline, then Sheila walked down the isle in their beautiful green taffeta gowns. Then as the organist played, I took Mom's arm and we proceeded down the isle as I nervously clutched my bouquet. I was indeed the beautiful, blushing bride! Mom gave me away to Eric, and then we exchanged the vows we had written ourselves. The minister pronounced us "Husband and Wife" and Eric kissed me as the guests applauded. I held his arm tightly as we walked back down the isle to the music of Trumpet Voluntary and then had a receiving line. Before going to the hotel for the reception, we stopped at a local park for some outdoor pictures. The photographer had selected a perfect place for the photos, then we were off to the hotel.

The reception lasted hours and hours. I was so involved in it I hardly had a bite to eat. Eric and I danced and visited with our guests. Then I danced with most all the men and some of the women, saving the last dance for my Mom. It was a day I'll remember forever.

Eric surprised me with reservations at an elegant downtown hotel. We spent two nights in the bridal suite before we left for a week-long vacation in Mexico as our honeymoon. I had never planned on a real honeymoon and we had never discussed it, but Eric wanted this to be complete and special for me. He's wonderful!

Eric and I have a lovely home in the suburbs. We have definite roles in our relationship, and I have most of the household duties, as I want! I really do love being his "wife". On our first anniversary, Eric had another surprise for me. He had my wedding gown, which I had preserved and boxed, cleaned and pressed and had it in our room when I got home from work. He had me wear it and had dinner reservations for us at a wonderful restaurant in town. It was such a thrill to be wearing my gown again and being seen out as his bride. And it's such a thrill to be Eric's wife!


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