Why should we be using bridal company pictures for our ads when we have the most beautiful Simply Elegant brides in the world?! So the search for our featured bride began. They were sent notices inviting them to enter the Featured Bride Contest. The winner would receive a 50% refund on the cost of her dress,
be used in our advertisements and on the
home page of our revised website. 10 brides entered, their pictures were posted in albums on our
FACEBOOK page and it was great fun to read the wonderful comments from their loyal friends! At the end of 2 weeks Charity had 11,970 points.
My Story
by Charity Davidson
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" is the passage of Scripture God has so mightily used in my life. We all make "new year's resolutions" and mine for 2010 was to simply trust the Lord for more; to have such a faith in Him that it would revolutionize my life. I even took it a step further. By faith, I claimed December 11, 2010, as the day I would marry the man of my dreams! 12.11.10. What a fun wedding date! And so the year began... All along God was leading me in His will. It wasn't that I just had to get married; no, no. It was believing the Lord and trusting that He would guide me in every aspect of life. And He absolutely did just that!
James' side of the story is that he had considered asking me on a date for quite a while, but was nervous because of my dad. Who would have guessed that a 6'6" man would intimidate anyone at all? However, he did finally muster up the courage to speak to me and invited me to go out one night with a group of friends. After that first ‘date’, I had such peace that James was the one God had saved for me. I think I even pinched myself to make sure it all was still real life! God truly exceeds our expectations!
I must admit that I was anticipating the day I could say YES to James. I thought I had to look my absolute best every single day because an engagement is a very big thing, you know! Friday morning, December 10, 2010, I woke up to the sound of the ringtone for my mom. She called at approximately 7:47 am and practically saved my life that day because for whatever reason I never heard an alarm! Fortunately, I made it to work only a few minutes late. Whew! What a long day this is going to be! James was off work so we planned to spend the afternoon Christmas shopping. I knew that was NOT the day James would propose because all that could potentially go wrong did, and the day I would get engaged would just have to be the most perfect day, so it was impossible!! So off we go making our way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to shop and look at the Christmas lights. We were having so much fun! Then came Primrose Walk. We stayed on that little lane for quite some time, and I was sure any minute my hands would fall off from frost bite! It was bitter cold! I asked him a few times if he was ready to start walking again, but he kept lingering looking at the lights on that little lane. We talked for a few more minutes then down on one knee he went! My first reaction was "Really? Are you serious?" Then he replied, "Uh, YEAH! Is that a yes??"
You would think the rest of the night went perfectly, but James hadn't been to Gatlinburg before and had gotten turned around because we had walked so far! It took us some time to finally find the car, but once we did we both began to tell the world of the wonderful news that we were getting married. Oh, and may I mention that although I wasn’t exactly married on 12.11.10 as I had hoped, I did wake up that morning with a gorgeous diamond ring on my finger. To God be the glory.
Next was to find that perfect wedding dress. The dress every girl dreams of wearing on her wedding day. James only asked one thing of me, and that was that we have a wedding that those involved be dressed elegantly but modestly. There are many stores to shop, however, Simply Elegant was the only option because it is the best option. I knew there I would find a dress that not only would be absolutely beautiful but modest. Dana is so very qualified in helping select a gown that meets your standard. She will do her best to fulfill your wishes. She certainly fulfilled mine! I fell in love with the fourth dress I tried on...it was just perfect! The detail and quality were exquisite. The feeling I had in that moment is indescribable. I had found the dress. I am so grateful for Dana and Simply Elegant. I highly recommend any bride looking for a modest gown to go to none other than Simply Elegant. Thank you, Simply Elegant, for allowing brides to have the opportunity to feel beautifully modest on their wedding day.
Both James and Charity graduated from
Crown College of the Bible and are currently serving in the youth ministry at their church.
I don't know if I ever shared with you but before I started dress shopping I started praying that God would provide me with exactly the dress He wanted me to have. Something that would honor Him and would also fit my desires and budget needs. I specifically prayed that He would give me the right dress for around $200-250. I know I was asking for a modern day miracle but I believe in praying specifically and that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think.
The back with the matching waist pleating.
The full backview with the lovely train.
