Red Carpet Ready! My Journey to Finding THE Dress (and All the Feelings)

Okay, you guys. I actually chose a dress! I still can’t freakin believe I’m going to be on a red carpet, like, ME?! It feels so surreal and a little bit crazy, but also so exciting and I just had to share all the behind-the-scenes with you. This whole thing has been such a whirlwind, and honestly, a little bit intimidating, but I’m trying to just embrace every single second of it. It’s not every day a girl from Utah gets to walk a red carpet, ya know? I just feel so grateful for all of you who made this even possible, bc without your love and support, none of this would be happening. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Now, let’s talk dresses!!

The Initial Panic (and Excitement!)

When I first got the invitation, my jaw literally dropped. A red carpet? Like the ones you see on TV with all the fancy people and the flashing lights? My first thought was, “OMG, this is insane!” and my second thought was, “WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?!” hahah. I immediately called Tanner, and he was just as excited as I was, which honestly helped calm my nerves a little bit. He’s always my biggest cheerleader, even when I’m freakin out over something silly like a dress. But this isn't just *any* dress, right? This is a red carpet dress. It felt like such a huge deal, and I wanted to get it right, but also still feel like myself. That’s always the hardest part for me – balancing feeling fancy with feeling authentic. I didn’t want to wear something that felt like a costume, you know? I wanted to feel beautiful and confident, but still like Lo.

The Search Begins: A Dress for Every Mood

So, the hunt began! I honestly had no idea where to even start. I’m usually a comfy clothes kind of girl, or if I’m dressing up, it’s for a family dinner or a date night with Tanner. A red carpet is a whole different ballgame. I started looking online, just scrolling through what felt like a million dresses. There were so many beautiful ones, but also so many that just didn’t feel like “me.” Some were too sparkly, some were too plain, some were just… not it. I even tried on a few at home that I ordered online, and let’s just say, they looked a lot better on the model than they did on me. Ngl, there were a few moments where I felt a little discouraged. I was like, “Am I ever going to find something?” I kept thinking about Stella, Ozzy, and Cherry, and how I want them to see their mom feeling good about herself, whatever she’s wearing. That always helps me refocus.

Enter Sarah Bee: My Fashion Fairy Godmother

This is where my girl Sarah Bee comes in! If you don’t know her, you need to! She’s seriously a lifesaver. I was feeling a little lost, and I reached out to her, and she was just like, “Don’t even worry, Lo, we got this!” She totally understood my vibe and what I was looking for. I told her I wanted something elegant, maybe a little unique, but still comfortable enough that I could actually enjoy the night. I didn’t want to be tugging at my dress all night, you know? We talked about colors, silhouettes, and what would make me feel my best. She has such an amazing eye for fashion, and she just gets it. I swear she can read my mind sometimes! It’s such a relief to have someone like her in my corner, especially for something as big as this. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders just knowing she was helping me.

The Fitting Room Saga: So Many Options!

Then came the actual trying-on part, which is always an adventure hahah. Sarah had pulled a bunch of options, and let me tell you, they were all stunning in their own way. I tried on everything from sleek black gowns to vibrant colored numbers, dresses with intricate details, and some that were super simple and elegant. Each one felt different, and with each one, I tried to imagine myself walking down that carpet. Would I feel confident? Would I trip? (That’s a real fear, btw!) Tanner was there too, being his usual supportive self, giving his honest opinions but always making me feel good. He’d be like, “Oh, that one’s pretty!” or “That color looks amazing on you!” He’s the best hype man a girl could ask for. It’s funny, sometimes you think you know exactly what you want, and then you try it on, and it’s just not quite right. And then sometimes, you try on something you never would have picked yourself, and it’s like, “WHOA. This is it.”

The Moment I Knew: Finding THE Dress

And that’s exactly what happened! I tried on so many beautiful dresses, and they were all great, but none of them gave me that “THIS IS IT!” feeling. You know the one? The one where you just know. And then, I put on this one dress. And honestly, it wasn’t what I initially pictured for myself at all. It was a little unexpected, but the moment I put it on, I just felt… right. It fit perfectly, it moved beautifully, and it just felt like me, but elevated. It was elegant, it was unique, and it felt comfortable enough that I knew I could actually enjoy the night without feeling self-conscious. I looked in the mirror, and I just smiled. It wasn’t about being the fanciest or the most blinged-out, it was about feeling good in my own skin, celebrating this incredible opportunity, and just having fun. Tanner’s eyes lit up too, and he was like, “That’s the one, Lo. That’s absolutely beautiful.” And I just knew. :,)

The Little Details: Making It Mine

Once the dress was chosen, it was all about the little details. Sarah is helping me with accessories, hair, and makeup, so everything comes together perfectly. I’m thinking something classic and elegant, nothing too over-the-top, just enough to complement the dress and make me feel polished. It’s crazy how much thought goes into all of this! But it’s also really fun. It feels like I’m getting ready for a really special night, which it totally is. I’m so excited to share the final look with you all! I can’t wait for you to see it. It’s going to be such a memorable night, and I’m just so grateful to experience it. I keep pinching myself, like, is this real life?!

Embracing the Moment (and the Nerves!)

I’m not gonna lie, I’m still a little nervous about the actual red carpet part. All those cameras and people! But I’m also just trying to focus on the excitement and the gratitude. This whole journey, from getting the invitation to finding the dress, has been such an experience. It’s taught me a lot about stepping outside my comfort zone, trusting my gut, and leaning on the amazing people in my life. It’s also a reminder that sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them. I’m just a girl from Utah who loves her family and sharing life with you all, and now I get to walk a red carpet. How wild is that?! I’m just going to soak it all in, enjoy every second, and try not to trip hahah. Wish me luck! I’ll be thinking of all of you when I’m out there. Love you guys sm! ❤