Something Surreal This Way Comes

Elegant wedding dresses on display at Bridal Reflections boutique on Fifth Avenue, NYC, with a coffee table nearby featuring a box of tissues and a Mark Zunino book.

There is something surreal about selecting your wedding dress on Fifth Avenue in New York City. I recently had the opportunity to shop at Bridal Reflections on Fifth Ave, and while my experience wasn’t magical, it was realistic and the best I could have imagined for myself.

A few things to keep in mind: I am meticulous and research everything, so I made sure I already knew what I wanted and had a clear idea to work from while dress shopping. Now, with that said, I didn’t actually know which dress I was going to pick. But I did have a few ideas of the ones I wanted to look at, and I made it clear that I was open to other dresses from different designers. However, ever since I saw the Isadora dress by Kim Kassas, I knew my dress would be designed by her. I’m also not getting married until October 2028, so take that with what you will.

But that moment when you finally see the dress on you, or in my case at first, in front of you, is something special. See, because I am a plus-size bride, it isn’t exactly easy to find things in my size. The same goes for fancy designer dresses that usually come in sizes 12 or smaller. (Not saying all dresses are these sizes; they do come in larger sizes, but Kim Kassas’ dresses run smaller.) However, my sales associate, Vasiliki, made bridal magic happen today, and I was able to “wear” the dress I had been beaming at. She brought in one more dress for me to try, then went back to THE dress. She had unlaced the back of the dress completely, put it against my body, then pinned it with a stretchy band and positioned the bottom around the back of my body so it would look like I was wearing the dress. She said every bride deserves to see the dress on, not just hold it up against themselves. 

I believe they couldn't have chosen a better shopping assistant for me, as she truly made the experience feel magical. She selected a veil and brought me a bouquet, completing the look, and I felt like a bride. More importantly, I felt like a bride—regal, elegant, beautiful, and prepared for the wedding.

The experience was beautiful and even left me a little teary-eyed. Even my bridesmaid, who joined me for my dress appointment, teared up; bridal magic is real, and it was created today. I was also pleasantly surprised that the dress I selected was under budget, and my wallet was thankful. Ya girl loves a good deal. I made my down payment, set up a measurement check for a year from now, and placed the order. I can’t believe that I am getting married in just a couple of years to my best friend and partner in crime. We have always joked and said that we were each other’s yin to their yang, which is honestly pretty true. He has the patience of a saint, his name is Raymond, and “Everyone Loves Raymond.”

If you are on a similar journey as a bride, I hope you find the strength and happiness you deserve. The path to becoming a bride is filled with emotions, from excitement to stress over decisions. Embrace every moment, as each step contributes to your unique wedding story. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who can uplift you during doubts. Prioritize self-care amidst the hustle to maintain inner peace and enjoy joyful moments. Hold on to the love that brought you here, guiding you to your happiness. Celebrate small victories, like finding the perfect dress or venue, and cherish the love you share with your partner, the foundation of this beautiful journey.

—Destany

Destany Stevens and Ray Kohutka sharing a loving moment under a tree, lost in each other's eyes with warm smiles.