For those of you who know me, I am brutally honest and that is why you love me. For those of who you don’t know me well, I tend to sometimes be a tad offensive. But with this honesty, also comes a genuine heart. Usually, if I offend you it is because I have told the truth. I have opinions. Strong opinions. I don’t plan on apologizing for my way of thinking or my personality. And normally, I do not care if I’ve offended because I’ve been true and authentic to myself, but today something needs to be addressed.
When I posted about The Costco Bride, it was not to be snobby. It is to point out the loss of ROMANCE when picking the most important dress you’ll ever wear. I think most things are ridiculously overpriced including wedding dresses, but the market knows you have to get one so you’ll pay. I get it and I agree… it’s boosheet. But I also disagree with Costco. They’ve taken away your experience. It is NOT about the money, thank you. It is about a bride having THAT time in her life that she’s dreamed about! And if you haven’t dreamed about trying on a wedding dress, well then good for you. It consumes me. It is going to be wonderful and I will cry because that is what I will wear when I become a Wife. A wife. Big. Damn. Deal.
With that being said here is my response to your comments:
Dear Anonymous (1),
Thank you for taking time out of your lovely day to comment on Perpetual Perfection. I love hearing from you. I am thrilled you were pleased with your wedding dress you purchased from Costco, and I would love to take a look at it. I would love to even feature you and your special day! I would also like to note that although I talk a big game about my wedding, I will not be having a million dollar dream wedding. It will be highly DIY and creative. It was not my intention to point out that it is discount, I am all about a freakin’ discount. I just hope your experience was special and lovely and filled with tears and champagne. Please let me know about your experience and I will post it. Clearly, we have some interested readers.
Dear Anonymous (2),
I’m sorry I’ve offended you. I agree your wedding is about being with the one you love and that day being the most special it can be. With or without a large budget. It is about making it work. DIY. I also agree it is not about the label. I was not posting about the label. It was the experience I am offended by. Thank you for your opinion and voice.
Dear Anonymous (3),
This is not a blog about talking down to people. I was not talking down to anyone nor would I. Thank you for judging my blog so incorrectly.
Dear Anonymous (4),
Thank you for the bible verse. God does know my heart. Every inch. He also knows my humor. He created that too.
Dear Anonymous (5),
I was also raised by a single parent and have worked really hard. Pat on the back for both of us. I am not intentionally making fun of anyone. A little humor and perspective goes a a long way. I am not ashamed of myself at all. I still feel like Costco is taking away from your special day. I am ashamed of Costco.
Dear Anonymous Supporters, lovely loyal readers, and TRUE friends,
Thank you for your support. Thank you for knowing I meant this post with humor and fun and no intention of offending or hurting anyone. You truly make blogging worth it, and I love y’all to pieces.
I hope I’ve cleared the air and we can move forward with fun any happiness from here on out. My dry sense of humor will still be in every post. I am not changing who I am or what I stand for. I stand for lovely things. Being a Christian Lady. Making you laugh. And striving to become perpetually perfect.
BRAVO!!!!!!Standing Ovation!!KUDOS!!!!ALSO DITTO!!!I was married for the second time late in life,had my dress hand sewn from a small boutique wedding store that a friend of my mother owned.The dress was not very expensive,but every time I went for a fitting it was special because everyone there was so excited for me finding true love and happiness.These friends had known me my entire life and knew my struggles and were so excited for me and my family!It was a celebration each time!Also,we have so hilarious stories about the bridesmaids dresses we all still laugh about!A couple of years later at a party I hosted,the owner of the shop was there and so was my neighbor,they saw each other an screamed and hugged,my neighbor had purchased her dress there too and so many great memories of her dress,her wedding.That is what you cannot get at Costco.The love that goes into the entire experience at a small boutique.The owner of the small shop attended almost every wedding to deliver and dress the bride,no charge!This is what happens when large big box stores carry designer wedding dresses,small stores cannot compete and have to close their doors.My friends shop closed a couple of years ago.I am all for American capitalism but there are true American traditions and customs lost in when the small family owned businesses lose their customers to large outfits like Costco and the customer loses the relationship,the friendship,the experience,the true value of someone knowing you!
First, I cannot imagine what those anonymous comments did to your emotions yesterday.
Second, it is YOUR blog. If they don't like what you say, correct me if I am wrong, they can leave.
Third, I applaud your responses to all of these, especially the person who had the audacity to quote scripture to you implying that you do not have a Christian heart. You responded to each stab with class.
Fourth, I thought it was apparent that you were disgusted by the idea of the dresses being at Costco (venue), not the price or the dress itself.
I'm not a billionaire, not even close. I am all too familiar with the term "Budget" and consider TJMaxx and OldNavy just as good as Saks. That being said, I do not and will not plan be getting my wedding dress from the same place that sells Taquitos,tires, and economy size boxes of Tampons.
Please continue to speak the truth and humor me daily Cat!
good work, cat.
You have a beautiful heart; don't let them get to you. It's YOUR blog. Keep it up, I love reading all your posts! xo g
Aaaand this is why you are going to be a sasspot lawyer. Proud of you for your mature damage control! I may be more of the gentle and quiet confident type, but 'tis true that controversial blogging reaps loyal followers. Way to stick to your guns (as if you've ever been any different)!
Ummm are they joking!?! Shopping for a wedding dress is such an EXTREMELY special thing to do… I got mine for a bargain at a wedding boutique… Probably just as cheap if not cheaper than Costco. I wouldn't even look at Costco, not because I'm a snob, but because this is the one time in life I can justify trying on a bunch of ridiculous foofoo dresses and everyone in the near vicinity must admire me regardless of how absurd I may look! I wouldn't trade my experience for the world even if it had been a bit more money because there is nothing like standing on a little pedestal being admired for one moment in life.
Cat, I seriously cannot believe that you responded to those ugly comments that people wrote yesterday, you are a much better person than I. I would just tell them, via John Wayne quote, "I never apologies, its a sign of weakness."
When I read your post on the Costco bride my first thought was, "Thank goodness I am not the only person that thinks this is wrong!" If a girl is on a budget she doesn't need to go to Costco, there are other places that sell reasonably priced gowns with much better customer service. Also girls can shop the sales and buy sample dresses as well!
Wow, those anonymous comments ticked me off, and would like to remind them that there is the first amendment and that it was their choice to read it and to be offended. And that in five years (when were both lawyers, ha!) I have no problem of tracking down where the comment came from and suing them for slander and liable for you!
Keep on doing your thing, it's not your fault people take things way to seriously. Plus your blog is an amazing escape from school!
See ya in class, Jennifer B.
I found your post yesterday to be honestly humorous. I was giggling while reading it because of course I thought about going into costco to get the usuals with my mom: toilet paper, double jif peanut butter, deodorant, and the occasional snack….and then looking at wedding gowns. How absurd. I loved the post, and not once did I think "wow she's so offensive" It is all about the experience in finding the wedding dress, not the label (do people actually notice anyways?!)
I applaud you for replying back to them in such a nice manor (and a little sarcastic)
I appreciate good sarcasm, as I am painfully sarcastic too
Cat-
I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the way you handled this whole situation. I love that you put yourself out there and you are not afraid to voice your opinion. I think that you are such an amazing, and classy girl and I am proud to call you a friend.
You have such a beautiful heart and I know that God smiles every time he thinks of you.
love you.
madi
Go Sis!! Way to be a badass. Keep on being your sassy self because it is 100% who you are and you should never change that. I love you bunches and bunches. <3 Rachel