Bride Reveals 'Awkward' Wedding Dress Shopping Moment When Whole Family Voted for Gown She Didn't Want (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Courtesy of Calyssa Richie-Fuchs

Courtesy of Calyssa Richie-Fuchs

A bride always remembers her “say yes to the dress” moment. But one woman will never forget when her family shopping entourage unanimously fell in love with a gown she knew wasn’t “the one.”

When Calyssa Richie-Fuchs, 24, went wedding dress shopping last November ahead of her nuptials to Josh Fuchs, 26, she experienced an “awkward moment” at Elite Bridal in Champaign, Illinois. A video posted toTikTokcaptures the moment Calyssa’s mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law and two sister-in-laws all rated a wedding dress she tried on a 10. Which was nice, except she didn’t feel the same.

Calyssa had already tried on around 30 gowns before putting on the family-favorite dress. She had a clear vision of what she wanted: an off-the-shoulder satin gown with buttons running down the back. This sparkly Martina Liana dress with fluttering 3D florals was not that.

“When I stepped out in that dress, the ratings soared to 10/10, and everyone was in awe,” Calyssa tells PEOPLE of seeing her family’s scorecards. “It was thrilling to see their reactions, but as stunning as it was, I knew it wasn’t ‘the one’ for me.”

Although Calyssa values her family’s opinions, she knew she had to stay true to her heart for her big day.

“It can feel awkward when everyone loves a dress that you don’t, but I remained unfazed because I was clear on my vision,” she says. “The lace and sparkles just didn’t resonate with my style. With my wedding theme being black tie and elegant, I couldn’t vision it. I wanted something more traditional. Plus, it was a popular choice on TikTok, and I wanted something unique. I still had 10 more dresses to try on, and I was confident my family would love my final choice just as much.”

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate SpencerCalyssa Richie-Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate Spencer

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate SpencerCalyssa Richie-Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate Spencer

Kate Spencer

Calyssa eventually had to choose between two dresses: an off-the-shoulder poofy dress with a long train or an off-the-shoulder dress that was fitted. The first choice was dramatic while the latter was more practical.

She ended up combining the flowy sleeves from the fitted dress with the poofy gown. Once her hair was styled into a bun and a veil was added, Calyssa says the entire look and feel of the dress transformed.

“Once the veil was in place, we all knew — it was the one,” she says. “Tears flowed, and everyone held up 10s on their scorecards; it was a memory I’ll cherish forever, and I’m so grateful that the women in my family were there to share it with me.”

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.Kate Spencer

She adds, “At the end of the day, while everyone may have adored the sparkly lace dress, they recognized that the one I picked was truly me and loved it.”

But Calyssa wasn’t done there. Because she had creatively fused the sleeves from the fitted dress onto the poofy one, she decided to get the fitted dress as her second dress for the reception.

“While many brides opt for short second dresses, I wanted to be different and have a long,” she says. “After all, how often do you get to wear a beautiful white gown? I wanted to feel like a bride all night long.”

Calyssa encourages brides to do what makes them happy and not succumb to the pressure to please others.

“It’s essential to choose the dress that makes you feel most comfortable, and that is exactly what I did,” she says. “However, I have to say that my idea of the scorecards added a fun element to the day, and having my six girls there to cheer me on made it an unforgettable experience. We laughed, cried, and toasted with champagne — I can’t imagine having gone through it alone.”

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs and Josh Fuchs.Josh Fuchs and Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.Calyssa Richie-Fuchs and Josh Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate SpencerJosh Fuchs and Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate Spencer

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs and Josh Fuchs.Josh Fuchs and Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs and Josh Fuchs.

Josh Fuchs and Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.

Calyssa Richie-Fuchs and Josh Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate SpencerJosh Fuchs and Calyssa Richie-Fuchs.PHOTO:Kate Spencer

Three years later, Josh proposed.

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When the couple finally said “I do,” Josh was “in awe” of Calyssa’s wedding dress.

source: people.com