Real Brides: Brandy

Photo by Annalisa Joy Photography 

My husband, Brett, and I met working in a retail store in a mall almost 9 years ago. We became friends almost instantly! I never even thought about dating Brett because we are total opposites...we laugh about that now! Brett stuck it out for 3 whole years in the friend zone. Total "Jim and Pam from The Office" situation. Finally one night, he asked me out to sushi (this was a big deal since he doesn't like fish). I couldn't say no. He was so selfless. After that night, it instantly felt right. After 6 years of being together we have moved across the state together for corporate jobs, have 2 fur babies, and love to keep learning about each other's interests every day. Brett proposed on my favorite beach, Laguna Beach, on our 4 year anniversary. 

Dress shopping was not the dream I always thought it would be. I had always imagined all 8 of my bridesmaids and family to be there, you know, like how it is on "Say Yes To The Dress." However, Covid had other plans. I was moving ahead with my April 2021 wedding and had to go shopping in the height of the pandemic in June 2020. Luckily stores were open at the time, but I could only bring one guest (my mom) and of course were masked up. There was so much uncertainty if the wedding would even happen. I went in knowing I wanted a princess ball gown, but store after store I was getting more and more frustrated as none of them seemed like "the one"! I felt like I was a little kid playing dress up. Then, 7 stores later, the bridal assistant asked if she could put me in a form-fitting mermaid dress. I was so exhausted by this point I agreed. As soon as I put it on, my mom started crying. I instantly felt like a soon-to-be married woman wearing a beautiful dress, not the dress wearing me. It was such a special moment between my mom and I that I ended up being glad it was just the 2 of us! Funny how things work out.