My original thought was to simply pass out business cards and gift certificates to the masses of brides who would be waiting in line to snag one of hundreds of drastically discounted designer wedding gowns. But, as I tend to think best as it gets later in the evening, I suddenly decided to create a hand out package of over $3,000.00 in gift certificates, stuffed in neat little Christmas cards, some attached to DVD copies of the film "The Wedding Singer", all of which would then be stuffed in a huge 'princess' bag lined with pastel balloons. I also added glow bracelets to the mix of handouts, threw on my Scorpio Entertainment tshirt, and filled my pockets with hundreds of business cards. I finally finished this arrangement around 2am. I then showered and packed up in my parking lot in Reston. Before getting on the road, I quickly scribbled on my Jeep. Off to DC, I'd go.
After hours of plotting and not allowing myself a powernap to prepare for the long morning ahead, I arrived at Mazza Gallerie at 3:30am. The excitement of seeing the line of brides already wrapped from the mall entrance to a 1/4 of the way around the block, was just the jolt to get me fired up for the festivities to come. I scored a prime spot at a meter just next to the main sidewalk and inflated a few more balloons for my Jeep.
As I prepped my vehicle further, I began to see SUVs pulling up with plates as far away
as New York and New Jersey. I quickly ran into two team members of Team Bridal Domination, supporting Bride-to-Be, Kim. These two were amongst the more energetic bodies at 3am.
as New York and New Jersey. I quickly ran into two team members of Team Bridal Domination, supporting Bride-to-Be, Kim. These two were amongst the more energetic bodies at 3am.As I stood next to my Jeep going over trivia questions...oh wait, I guess I forgot to note that part of my little plan involved giving these gift certificates out by making the bridal teams answer a trivia question correctly. My categories ranged from pop music to the Bible and from DC trivia to vocabulary. The trivia idea, more than simply handing out business cards, quickly became a hit...more on that shortly. So, as I stood next to my Jeep, I noticed some brides joining the line from blocks away, carrying sleeping bags, bedding, and pillows. Numerous others would quickly jump out of drop-off vehicles, many of which were being driven by sleepy or soon-to-be-off-to-work grooms. At 4am, I headed around the building to greet the bridal team sitting at the front of the masses.
At the front of the line I found bride-to-be, Elsie Ariola, along with about ten of her party team,
Team E & Co, who had arrived at Filene's at 1:30pm the afternoon befor...by far the earliest arrival! I asked Elsie to tell me about her engagement proposal. Her fiance (there were very few grooms to be found at the event), who was sitting nearby, began to tell the story, at which time Elsie commented, "oh, go ahead...I've never heard you tell this story." Turns out it was Elsie's 30th Birthday and he presented her with a cake containing the lovely ring. Elsie wouldn't let me get a picture of her group (most of the brides at the front of the line were catching up on sleep at 4am), but allowed me to snap one of their team tshirt. I proceeded to make my way through the line of brides, asking each various questions about the events surrounding their big day, the proposal, and other questions. Some answers were typical, some quite interesting.
Team E & Co, who had arrived at Filene's at 1:30pm the afternoon befor...by far the earliest arrival! I asked Elsie to tell me about her engagement proposal. Her fiance (there were very few grooms to be found at the event), who was sitting nearby, began to tell the story, at which time Elsie commented, "oh, go ahead...I've never heard you tell this story." Turns out it was Elsie's 30th Birthday and he presented her with a cake containing the lovely ring. Elsie wouldn't let me get a picture of her group (most of the brides at the front of the line were catching up on sleep at 4am), but allowed me to snap one of their team tshirt. I proceeded to make my way through the line of brides, asking each various questions about the events surrounding their big day, the proposal, and other questions. Some answers were typical, some quite interesting.Dana Murrell, bride-t0-be with Team M&M (many of which drove up from Hampton, VA), 
says that her groom began rambling one evening about insurance as they walked through their apartment complex. Quite confused and not sure where the conversation was headed, he soon popped the question, which took Murrell completely by surprise.
says that her groom began rambling one evening about insurance as they walked through their apartment complex. Quite confused and not sure where the conversation was headed, he soon popped the question, which took Murrell completely by surprise.Tanaya Stewart says that her groom, also long-time boyfriend, took her out to Washington, DC's Loreal Plaza, a seaboat tour, and then a tour of the new Gaylord National at the new National 
Harbour, where he eventually popped the question. I asked if they'd be celebrating the big day at the Gaylord, upon which the bride responded, "...oh it's nice...definitely nice...but I don't know about that."
Harbour, where he eventually popped the question. I asked if they'd be celebrating the big day at the Gaylord, upon which the bride responded, "...oh it's nice...definitely nice...but I don't know about that."
Lacretia and Nicole sat together in one little corner of the busy sidewalk in the long bride line. They arrived at Filene's around 6:45pm the evening before. Nicole had a busy day at job #1 before proceeding to part-time job #2. She says that her fiance prop
osed in the middle of the night and she accepted. She thought that he might propose during the Christmas holiday season leading up to the evening that it finally came out. Nonetheless, she's wearing a beautiful engagement ring. Lacretia's fiance asked the question before seeing the new musical, The Color Purple, in Chicago. When asked if she could focus on the production after receiving such pre-show news, she responded, "...oh yeah, it's my favorite musical!"Team H came down from Baltimore and said that they did their research on t
he event via YouTube, so they've got their game plan in check and were ready 
to roll. 
Rachel Rifat (and I'm sure I'm misspelling her name) is from the DC area, but now spends her time in Hollywood, CA. Her wedding is just around the corner in October of 2008, yet she still has to finalize her lighting, chairs, and invitations. Filene's event is her thirds stop in search of the perfect wedding gown. Her groom, she says, proposed over corndogs in Santa Monica, CA. The site of a corndog these days takes her back to that special moment.
Team Silly, led by bride-to-be, Susan, arrived at Filene's around 11:30pm from Silver Spring, MD. Her wedding is scheduled
for May of 2009, but she's already gotten her venue, photographer, and cake taken care of! I must note that I am blogging and watching the evening news and though I wished each bride the best of luck when they got into the store and encouraged them to stay on their feet, I believe I saw poor Susan trip at the start of the mad dash. I hope you're okay Susan!
Jennifer Burns of Deleware and Pennsylvania says that her groom is home sleeping as she hunts for her gown. She says that she'll be excited the day after her wedding when everything's over. Her big date is 9/12/09.I met the very pretty and pleasant, Tameka Lundy, playing solitaire on her laptop. Her fiance was home sleeping as she quietly enjoyed the bridal
festivities in her own little world. I asked if she was stressed over the entire planning process to which she responded, "not at all". This is actually her second engagement to her fiance and says that this time around is quite special. She's most excited to share the experience with her family.
festivities in her own little world. I asked if she was stressed over the entire planning process to which she responded, "not at all". This is actually her second engagement to her fiance and says that this time around is quite special. She's most excited to share the experience with her family.The next bride that I met had, by far, thee most interesting story of any of the brides I got to chat with. I won't mention her name and, obviously, won't post her pic. You'll understand after reading this. My first question to this bride, like most, was "when's your wedding date?". She hesitatingly stated, ''uhm, May...April of next year." The bride then tells me that her fiance is driving up from North Carolina and has no clue that she is attending the Filene's event. "He thinks I'm in bed right now," she said. That's cool, I thought. While most other grooms were in bed, he's on the road heading towards DC. She then tells me that he hasn't actually proposed to her yet, but she thought she would go ahead and find her wedding dress. I asked if the proposal was something that would be taking place later that night, upon which she responded "yeah". I then asked if he knew that he'd be proposing. She responded, "yeah, he'll know." I left the conversation assuming that she would be surprising him with the gown upon his arrival to the capital city. Maybe it's just me, but that could make for quite an awkward weekend...no? Moving on down the line...
As I tried to skip around the line and head around the corner to the back, I was summoned by an energetic group of blue tshirt wearing ladies, all supporting the bride-to-be, Sonia. Sonia, however, wasn't with the group at the time. One of the mall security guards had just alerted the brides that McDonald's was now open, so many of them headed inside to hop on line. Nonetheless, I continued to talk to Sonia's contingency. They were a mix of friends from NYC, GA, MD, and DC. I asked if they had a plan of attack for the dress grabbing to commence. "...elbows, knees...mama said knock you out!", responded the charming Glenis. I continued towards the back of the line and rejoined the ladies to find that Sonia had returned from McDonalds, her chicken biscuit already scarfed down. I asked the lovely bride to tell me about her engagement day. Apparently her fiance decided to pop the question while they were attending church. "We were taking a picture after our child's christening and he suddenly turned away from the picture to ask." One of Sonia's friends comments, "we were like, why are they turned away from the picture?" Sonia says she's most looking forward to the running of the brides portion of her wedding planning.
Team Leslie featured another energetic bride. She was in attendance with family from Charlotte, NC as well as the Ahoskie, NC area, including her mother, grandmother, best friend, and cousin.Sarah was a very cute bride from Rockville, MD. Her team name
was Trophy Wife/Team Camou. Each of the ladies was outfitted in military fatigues. Sarah says that she was "being a brat" during the process of her fiance popping the question. She was dressed to attend a formal that evening, as her soon-to-be fiance suggested taking her to a state park. Sarah says that the entire time he was talking in this park, she wanted to get out of the park. Naturally, her mood changed once he'd asked the big question. Both moms of the bride and groom, who were in line, said that it was great news to their ears. Sarah is also most looking forward to the running of the brides event. She even came prepared with her own mirror with built in dry erase board atop and a neat little party hat.
was Trophy Wife/Team Camou. Each of the ladies was outfitted in military fatigues. Sarah says that she was "being a brat" during the process of her fiance popping the question. She was dressed to attend a formal that evening, as her soon-to-be fiance suggested taking her to a state park. Sarah says that the entire time he was talking in this park, she wanted to get out of the park. Naturally, her mood changed once he'd asked the big question. Both moms of the bride and groom, who were in line, said that it was great news to their ears. Sarah is also most looking forward to the running of the brides event. She even came prepared with her own mirror with built in dry erase board atop and a neat little party hat.
Next, I finally got to meet the alusive bride Kim. She was in the restroom or maybe McDonalds when I last checked in with 
Team Bridal Domination. Kim will be tying the knot in July of 2009, after getting engaged on the 4th of July of this year. Her wedding day will be even more special because her parents will be celebrating their 30th Wedding Anniversary and renewing their vows.
Trina and Jackie were part of a quiet little group amongst the hundreds of ladies in line. Trina's finance buried her engagement ring under a rock while they were camping. She says the originally thought the box was a GeoCache (I just now learned what that is). Trina's mom said that he'd called her to ask for permission. "I started crying", she says. Jackie said that she thought her fiance was going to get sick before he popped the question.
Another Bride, Jessica, sitting next to her friend Sharon, looks forward to her Hotel Monaco reception down in Old Town Alexandria after a ceremony which will take place in the courtyard of the newly redesigned hotel. She also says that she looks forward to her honeymoon, which will hopefully be set on a French speaking carribean island.Susan is from Kansas, met her fiance in Chicago (he's from Philly), and lived in DC. Her fiance
just proposed two weeks ago on a dock in Annapolis, MD. Their focus at the moment, besides hunting down a gown, is to nail down a venue. One vendor she won't need to worry about is a florist. "My mom is a wedding florist," she says.
just proposed two weeks ago on a dock in Annapolis, MD. Their focus at the moment, besides hunting down a gown, is to nail down a venue. One vendor she won't need to worry about is a florist. "My mom is a wedding florist," she says. 
I asked if I could get a photo of Leah's neon-green group. One of the women responded, "...where is this being posted?...I ditched work today." Leah's proposal story features another park incident. She says it was quite simple, in Ohio, on the bay, and that she knew it was coming. She's looking forward to her honeymoon. I was a big fan of her tshirts and friendly aunts!Marvie's wedding is in June of 2009. Her proposal story was quite simple and took place at 
home. She's looking forward to her cake tastings.
home. She's looking forward to her cake tastings.I asked Robin if I should take a seat after she responded to my proposal question by saying, "well it's a long story how he did it." 
Her story actually turned out to be one of the more creative ones. She mentioned how she'd wanted to see a sunset, while the two of them were away on business. He pulled her away one evening and took her to a beach to watch a sunset, as he put it. However, when they got to said beach, the moon was out. Also, out on the beach that evening were tea lights illuminating against crashing waves, spelling out "will you marry me?" Robin says that she responded with, "Are you serious" and then, she says, "...came the ugly cry." She says that her fiance is looking forward to the food tastings during the planning process and that she is looking forward to finding her gown.
Her story actually turned out to be one of the more creative ones. She mentioned how she'd wanted to see a sunset, while the two of them were away on business. He pulled her away one evening and took her to a beach to watch a sunset, as he put it. However, when they got to said beach, the moon was out. Also, out on the beach that evening were tea lights illuminating against crashing waves, spelling out "will you marry me?" Robin says that she responded with, "Are you serious" and then, she says, "...came the ugly cry." She says that her fiance is looking forward to the food tastings during the planning process and that she is looking forward to finding her gown.Love is all around and weddings bring people together, even people who don't know each other. 
Morgan, Sherry, and Erika just met in line, though you'd never guess that they'd just met given their comradery. Morgan says that her engagement happened just after she and her fiance had a fight. The fight was over some 'missing' money. Turns out the money in question was being used by her fiance to purchase her engagement ring. Sherry says that she needs to focus on saving money during the planning process. Erika says that she's both looking and not looking forward to friends and family member's opinions during her planning process.
Morgan, Sherry, and Erika just met in line, though you'd never guess that they'd just met given their comradery. Morgan says that her engagement happened just after she and her fiance had a fight. The fight was over some 'missing' money. Turns out the money in question was being used by her fiance to purchase her engagement ring. Sherry says that she needs to focus on saving money during the planning process. Erika says that she's both looking and not looking forward to friends and family member's opinions during her planning process.Okay, so I found a Starbucks and got my caffeine fix as more and more brides joined the line. Other wedding vendors, including photographers, florists, and wedding planners began to show up and hand out their business literature. Local radio station, Hot 99.5 showed up, set up shop and handed out doughnuts (not the best thing to eat before trying on your wedding gown) and coffee. Groups of 50 were being led into the Mazza Gallerie entrance around 7:30am. Doors to Filene's were scheduled to open at 8am. I thought I'd cut out before the mad dash and check the video footage on the local news. I began my blogging around 10am, took a much needed nap, and arose to the evening news and images of all of the awesome brides I'd met...stampeding over one another. I hear that the gown racks were completely empty within minutes of the rush! Fun times!
Here are a few remaining photos from the morning, before I headed out.
