Rae, I'm so sorry I haven't been following your wedding dress plight, but in case it helps, here's the story of my wedding dress.
1. Take a break from studying for college finals, hop on the streetcar and go downtown to a big department store (now departed, but used to be along the lines of a slightly fancier Macy's.)
2. Try on two dresses. Actually, one dress and one ivory skirt-and-riding jacket suit.
3. Ask opinion from total stranger.
4. Buy the suit.
High five to you for recognizing that the whole dress hunt doesn't have to be an all-consuming, savings-draining, crazy-making experience.
Best wishes with your search -- you will look lovely in whatever you choose!