Web address: http://geocities.com/dna2dancers/wedding.html

After shopping at bridal stores throughout California, I headed straight to the source. My favorite designer was having a "sample sale" at her Melrose Avenue boutique, so I drove 150 miles to be there.

After trying on 10 gowns, I found it: a natural-white duchess silk-satin ball gown, with halter bodice and jeweled strap. The strap is faux pearls and Austrian crystals, hand-beaded in India. The Italian silk-satin is amazingly luminous. The covered silk buttons down the back of the gown lead to a gathered waist and a sweeping chapel-length train.

The saleswoman was attentive and had great knowledge of fabric and design. In fact, she helped me choose my gown above all others. Only after I left the store did I realize I hadn't been imagining things -- I'd recognized her picture from her web site. The woman who'd helped me choose my gown was the designer herself!