Why I almost got married in my swim suit (and why it almost didn’t mater)
I remember the week leading up to our wedding—sun-soaked mexico days with friends and family, a catamaran party that still lives rent-free in my mind, and a surreal sense of peace knowing I was about to marry my person.
But when people asked me, “What was the most stressful part of planning your wedding?”
My answer was simple:
I almost got married in a swimsuit.
Let’s rewind.
Like many brides-to-be, I had this vision of the dress. The feeling. The tears when the veil goes on. And to be fair, I kind of had that! I went to Grace Loves Lace with my best friend—who also got her dress there—and had a beautiful, affirming experience. I fell in love with the Bella gown. The ivory silk, the comfort, the effortless elegance. It felt like me. Or, at least, it felt like the version of me I wanted to be on my wedding day.
Scroll to see some of my favorites, and the last photo that sealed the deal for me below:
Fast forward six months.
What showed up on my doorstep wasn’t silk. It felt like polyester. Like someone swapped my dream gown with a $30 Amazon dupe.
Cue panic.
I was heartbroken but held onto hope. Grace Loves Lace is known for sustainable practices and elevated customer care, right? I emailed, I called, I even tried to work with the store to get the sample I tried on. Eventually, I was able to dispute the charge with my Chase Sapphire Credit Card benefits—but by then, the wedding was around the corner.
And that’s when I realized something that shifted everything:
We put so much pressure on “THE DRESS.”
But what if the dress isn’t the main character?
I ended up wearing a resale gown. Was it flawless? Nope. But did I feel like a bride? Absolutely. I was sun-kissed, surrounded by love, and yes—part of me still wanted to be in a bikini by the pool until it was time to say “I do.”
Image by my amazing wedding photographer, Moises Diez // Casa Angelina, Zihuatanejo
If you're planning your own wedding or elopement, here’s your gentle reminder: the moment matters more than the material.
That’s a big reason why I started I Do Adventure Co in the first place—to help couples focus on meaningful memories, not just perfection. Whether it’s a mountaintop proposal or a barefoot beach ceremony, you don’t need everything to go according to plan for the day to be perfect.
Sometimes, the best love stories are the ones that leave room for a little chaos—and a backup dress.
