Wedding Dress Shopping, Here I Come

NO.  

I haven't been shopping for a wedding dress recently.  Nor have any of my children (that I'm aware of).  But Mauri HAS decided what she wants to be for Halloween, and it involves a wedding dress.

We've had the "Halloween discussion" ever since we realized that it would be on Sunday this year.  I remember the last time it was on Sunday.  I thought, perhaps, that there would be a few trick-or-treaters that would stop by on Saturday, keeping the Sabbath Day holy (it IS one of the ten commandments, you know).  I had my candy ready.  I was home.  I waited.  Nobody came.  The next day we cordially passed out treats to the costumed children who came knocking.

After apparently much thought and contemplation, Mauri told me she would celebrate Halloween this year by attending the ward trunk-or-treat, her class party, and the school's Fall Festival.  (And she eagerly volunteered to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.)

She would need a costume, even if she wasn't trick-or-treating herself.  She has those other events to attend, you know.  

For years I have diligently and carefully preserved Halloween costumes so, perhaps, there would come a year, at some future time, when what I already had would suffice.  An easy year.  A frugal year.
Unfortunately (for me), Mauri does not want to be a ninja, turtle, ninja turtle, CareBear, pig, shark, 70's girl, pop star, or witch.

A few days ago, she had a revelation.  She would be the Corpse Bride. 

Oh-so-helpful Taylor (who desperately longs for purpose in this time of limbo) quickly googled it on his phone and showed it to me.  Oh yes, that's what she looks like.  Skeleton bones, blue hair and all.  A lot of detail. 

The next day we googled it again... Target carries a Corpse Bride costume... but you can only get it online (in "large" or "small"...that's it.  No "large adult," or "small child," no sizing chart or explanation), it's pricey (but chintzy, if you know what I mean), and it doesn't include the wig or veil.  No thank you.  

You can buy one here, for an arm and a leg (literally).  Not even a consideration.  Ever.  Even if I was rich.  Double no thank you.

Then we found a blog with a great do-it-yourself Corpse Bride get-up here.  So cute, but lots of work and running around to find what we need.

So I'm in the market for a cheap wedding dress (hello, Goodwill).  I'll cross my fingers that my make-up skills will measure up to expectations.  I'll pray that, once all the effort and exertion has gone into it, no one will ask Mauri, "Who are you supposed to be?"  Gratefully, I have only one child to help get ready.  The days of costuming and make-upping (how's that for a word?) five ultra-hyper kids all at once are in the past.  I won't miss that.