Free Bridal Gowns on Facebook? Sign Me Up!

You know those creepy Facebook ads that cater to your interests and your latest Internet searches?

Well, for the better part of the year my right-hand Facebook rail has been eerily dotted with all things wedding — ads about bridesmaid dresses, honeymoon trips, wedding shoes and, of course, bridal gowns.

To be clear, I don't spend all my time searching for the latest and greatest wedding ideas. Seriously. OK, maybe I do spend a little too much time on it, but finding the right deal is essential when you're a bride on a budget. And in my world, nothing beats free.

A few weeks ago, I came across a Facebook ad that I couldn't resist. It was a lovely sketch of a bride's gown with a link to the L'Atelier 36 Facebook page, promoting a contest of sorts for brides tying the knot in 2012. They were looking for real brides to model their new 2012 collection.

"It is a collection created for today's bride — more mature, confident and sophisticated, she is fashion-conscious but value-conscious, and is looking for high style combined with practicality," the L'Atelier 36 Facebook page read.

I had never heard of the bridal collection before but when I read the description, I thought, Well, I am a 2012 bride and this is a lot more fun that struggling with the seating chart for our April 14 wedding....

All I had to do was answer a few questions. Sounded deceptively simple, in that creepy Facebook ad way that makes me leery, but what the hell? I could win a free wedding gown! 

Sure, that could be me, I thought. I love being fancy, especially when it only costs me gas money. Plus, I'd get to have some fun trying on wedding gowns and meeting other brides-to-be. So, I decided to try my luck. I filled out the form that asked me questions about my wedding date, plans for the big day and why I wanted to participate.

Much to my surprise, I was selected along with 14 beautiful brides to join the contest. All I had to do was get to Nordstrom at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus for a photo shoot today, where judges will identify three winners. If you are one of the lucky three, you get to keep the professional photos — and could win that free gown!

So I'm heading to The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom this afternoon with mom, sis and friend Paula in tow. I expect them to provide lots of cheering. Isn't that what you do at modeling events? I don't know. This will be my first.

Regardless of how the day goes or who wins, you better believe I'll be posting photos on Facebook. After all, you never know how it might change those creepy ads that pop up on the side. Here's hoping to see one for free shoes. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll even have the dress to go with them!