"During my time at Bridal Guide, I've had the opportunity to browse thousands of gowns in our online gallery, editorial fashion spreads and designer ad pages. But nothing could prepare me for the surreal experience of actually trying on a wedding gown for the first time. One of the key things I learned was that trying on a variety of styles—even ones I never thought I'd wear—helped me a great deal. It also helped to have my go-to BG fashionistas, Rachel Dichter (fashion sales associate), and Noelle Gharbi (multimedia marketing coordinator), provide real, uncensored feedback. Here's an account of my dress shopping adventure through their eyes."

Congrats to Amy Rauch, Bridal Guide’s digital marketing director, on getting engaged!

You’d think that when one of our own “says yes,” she’d know exactly what kind of wedding gown she wants, right? Wrong! When you work at a bridal magazine, you become overexposed to thousands of gorgeous white options. That’s why we went straight to one of our favorite NYC bridal salons, Designer Loft, for help.

When we arrived, our sales consultant, Eileen, sat down with Amy and asked her questions to get a better feel for her bridal likes and dislikes. We determined that Amy is drawn to lace styles, sweetheart or illusion necklines (hot trend for 2013!), and fit-and-flare or trumpet silhouettes; nothing satin and nothing with a long dragging train. Then, Eileen suggested a few styles and allowed us to walk around the salon and choose the dresses we thought would suit Amy's preferences best.

Designer Loft not only carries exquisite gowns, but the bridal salon also provides exceptional service. The dressing room came fully-equipped with shoes, undergarments and accessories, ensuring a comfortable and easy fitting for any bride. Having forgot her own, Amy was provided with brand-new bridal shapewear to try on with the gowns. Eileen even suggested hair accessories and belt options to complement Amy’s gown choices. Talk about personal attention!

Here’s a look at some of our favorites:

Paloma Blanca
This ivory lace V-neck trumpet style by Paloma Blanca (Style 4305) emphasizes the waistline and accentuates curves. Its crystal belt adds an extra hint of elegance. One of our favorite aspects of this gown is its timeless nature and how well it photographs!

St. Patrick
Amy’s visit to Designer Loft opened her eyes to a range of styles she never thought she'd consider, including this new stunner from St. Patrick (Style Arona). She tried this drop-waist ballgown on for fun (and because we begged!), but to our surprise, when she stepped onto the platform and looked in the mirror, she exclaimed an emotional "wow." We admired the bedazzled illusion neckline, form-fitting bodice and dramatic, fluttery skirt.

Rosa Clará
This romantic lace Rosa Clará fit-and-flare (Style Isabella) comes with removable straps and has an unbelievable train! The subtle beading woven into the lace adds the perfect amount of sparkle to this already exquisite gown.

Thanks to Amy’s shopping experience at Designer Loft, she’s been able to narrow down her selection of gown styles. She said she wants to explore a few more options before making a decision, but we'd love to get some feedback from you! Which dress do you think Amy should wear on her wedding day? Leave a comment below with your vote! Don't see one you like? Make a suggestion and include a link to your pick!

— Rachel Dichter and Noelle Gharbi

Amy Rauch is digital marketing director at Bridal Guide Magazine. She and fiancé Richard Schweitzer, who are explorers at heart, had their first date at the Bronx Zoo on July 4, 2012 (talk about memorable!), and it's been a romantic whirlwind ever since! With a desire to start their lives together as soon as possible, Amy and Richard are determined to pull off a fabulous NYC-area wedding in 6 months or less.Their mantra is clear: "Why wait? When you know, you know."