Milieu: The One

After spending this weekend working at the Hawaii Bridal Expo, I have come to a realization. In regards to love, we women have to search not once, but twice for "the one." This is not meant to be disheartening. In fact, it is meant to inform you of the exciting fact that there are two "ones" out there waiting for you! (Married gals, sit back, relax, love your husband, nd be there to cheer on those in the midst of finding true love!)

For most women, your love story may look a little like this: First, we wait to be swept off our feet and tossed onto a white horse by the love of our lives. However, after the pony ride has ended, and Prince Charming has gotten down on one knee, we once again find ourselves face to face with yet another search.

Do you know where I'm going with this?

That's right.

It's the dress.

The wedding dress.

The next biggest commitment you will make as a bride-to-be, after saying "yes" to your fiancé (squeal!)

The one most important garment that will accompany you in your shining moment as a bride.

The one piece of clothing you will not settle on.

The aspect of your wedding that you will think about for days.

The only time you will return to the store to try the same thing on, over and over again (and that's ok!).

The one thing in your closet you'll try on over and over again before its public debut (and that's ok!).

The one item which will never be returned (not because most sales are final, but because once you have it, you won't want to part with it).

The one purchase which will never end up in your "Goodwill pile"

The one. The dress. The most beautiful piece of clothing you will ever wear. Making you the most beautiful girl your groom has ever seen.

Photo by What a Day! Photography

(Bride is styled with accessories from Milieu!)

As I stated earlier, I spent the weekend meeting brides and grooms at the Hawaii Bridal Expo. I was filled with joy as I spoke to a variety of different brides. They were young, they were...ahem...less young. They were tall, they were short. They were petite, they were curvy. They were traditional, they were off-beat. They were all a little stressed. They were all a little blissful.

What made me so happy about these brides is that, as different as each one was, I just knew there was a bridal gown out there perfect for each of these lovely ladies. No longer does each girl need to try on the same style A-line gown that her best friend wore the previous year (unless she wants to, A-line remains the Queen of Flattery for every body type). No longer does a bride have one color choice (white) and one choice of length (floor).

No matter if you're a Mermaid Princess or an apple-chomping Snow White, there's a dress out there just for you, princess.

Here are a few of my favorites for 2013

For the Vintage Chic Bride.