Let's face it, for many brides-to-be, one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is choosing the all-important dress. But who says you need to be engaged (or even in a relationship) in order to go wedding dress shopping?
While Shayla Quinn, 36, may have been single for the last 18 months, she certainly hasn't given up on finding love. And when that time comes, she's already got a gorgeous wedding dress in her closet for that very special occasion.
Indeed, Quinn, of New York City, saw the sleek halter-neck Kyha Studios gown while she was visiting the sample sale where her friend was working. Quinn told Newsweek that she felt she "had no business going to a bridal sample sale," but as soon as she saw the dress, she couldn't take her eyes off it.
Trying it on wouldn't hurt, she told herself. (That's always a risky approach, and you can guess what happened next.)
"Honestly, I just thought 'wow, this dress is gorgeous,'" Quinn said. "When I saw it hanging on a rack marked $100, I felt like it would be silly not to try it on. It's a simple, timeless dress. It has a halter neckline and open back into a fit and flare skirt."
The price tag of the dress added to the temptation, as it was just $100, despite usually retailing for around $4,500.
Of course, Quinn's mind wasn't instantly made up on the idea of buying a wedding dress. She's single and not actively dating. Just being in the pop-up store made her feel silly at first, but when she considered the facts, there was really only one answer.
Quinn said: "I kept thinking, what am I doing trying on wedding dresses when I'm so single? It took me a while to even agree to try the dress on, but once I did, I came back to the facts. It was a beautiful dress that normally costs thousands of dollars; it fits perfectly; and I felt amazing in it.
"I realized I don't need to wait for a milestone to have something that makes me feel good. I didn't go looking for the dress; the dress found me. Once I let go of the fear of judgment, buying it just felt right."
So now, Quinn is the proud owner of a gorgeous wedding dress that she bought for a fraction of the usual price. She posted a video about her exciting new purchase on social media (@shayla.quinn on TikTok), joking that "it had to be done."
Internet users are obsessed with this novel idea, leading to the video going viral with over 1.5 million views and 157,300 likes at the time of writing. Quinn has also shared a follow-up clip to reveal the dress of choice, much to the internet's delight.
Buying the dress was more than just a prime example of girl math; it also symbolizes a significant shift in Quinn's outlook on dating. Regardless of how long it remains in her closet for, Quinn told Newsweek that the wedding dress represents her decision to do what feels good and right for her, regardless of what society thinks.
Above all, it's a tangible reminder that she still has hope and faith in what she deeply desires.
"It felt like a declaration to myself that partnership and marriage are things I want," Quinn said. "It's less about the dress itself and more about the energy behind it. Doing things in my own way and on my own timeline has always been very on brand for me.
"Dating can be discouraging, especially as a woman in my thirties who wants marriage and a family. It can be easy to slip into thinking maybe this just isn't meant for me. Trying on wedding dresses unexpectedly shifted that. It reminded me that just because something hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't happen at all. I left feeling excited, hopeful, and re-energized about dating."
If anyone else sees the perfect dress, tux, shoes, or accessory, Quinn's message is to go for it. There shouldn't be any rules because everyone has their own timeline. Don't let the fear of judgment hold you back, as the decision to buy her wedding dress prematurely has been nothing short of liberating for Quinn.
After all, you don't want to choose your wedding dress and wish you got the one you found years ago.
"For me, it wasn't about buying a wedding dress while single. It was about allowing myself to hold onto hope, embrace possibility, and trust that my timeline is unfolding exactly as it's meant to. I've loved seeing how invested people have become in this story and the conversations it has sparked. Who knows, maybe this dress is just the beginning of the story," Quinn said.