Anyway, I’m going to try to post it on Craigslist and Ebay. We’ll see how much it’ll go for. Maybe the resale value would be a bit higher if I cleaned it…

We also stopped by Ikea and bought two clear jars for our candy buffet. I just need two more from Walmart to complete set. Thank goodness these will be reusable for food storage. We also bought 4 pillar candles for a dollar each to sit on top of the mantle. I wanted to get various sizes but couldn’t find any. I guess I’ll have to trek back over to Gardenridge or someplace else to find cheap candles. We also found a pack of 4 votives with tealights in orange and fushia at Ikea for 1.99. We thought it would be perfect to add to each table and we’d need 15 packs for each table. That only comes to 30 bucks, but I’m still hoping to find a better deal elsewhere. I might have to go back if I change my mind.

I still need to make those dang invitations. Arg. My brother is supposed to be translating the invites into Cambodian, so I’ll have to wait for him. Brian promised he would make a fancy schmancy map tomorrow, and I need to design the response card. I’m hoping to get this out to Staples this week. Let’s see of that happens.

Another HS friend is getting married on July 8th. Yay. I was completely surprised to hear from her since I haven’t spoken to her in about 4 or 5 years.

I miss my dress. She should be done with it in 2 weeks. I can’t wait to get it back. I also love the bustle we decided on. Click here for a sample. Since my train is a long chapel length one, we needed to do a 5 point French bustle. Even with the bustle, I’ll still have a bit of a train dragging, but oh well. I hope it’s not too bothersome. Even after looking at other dresses, I sitll love my choice of dress. My mom is trying to get me to buy another dress for the reception, which I’m also considering. I’m thinking of a cocktail dress that I can wear for the send off. We’ll see.

Also, the bridesmaids dresses are here. That was fast. Julie and Yi are picking them up, so hopefully there’s nothing wrong with them. The other night I had a dream that they both got the dresses, and one of them was orange and the other was jade. The two got into a fight about who gets what color. Arg. I’m sick of getting these dreams.

Everything is finally falling into place. I still need to find a florist and a church. Maybe I should give the Holy Cross Lutheran church a call. Brian said he didn’t like it that much. I don’t care. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. I want to get married in a church. Anyway, as soon as we finalize that, we can get started on the invitations. I guess I need to finish those by the end of July? I think one month is good enough, especially since it’s a holiday weekend.

Anyway, I’m tired.

Edit: The veil is in. It’s at the apt office. Too bad they close before I get home from work. I can’t wait to get it!! Now I need a crinoline. The ones on ebay are about 25 bucks plus shipping. I don’t know how much they cost at the bridal shops, but I definitely want a cheap one. When am I ever going to wear a crinoline or petticoat again???

Here are my lovely bridesmaids in the both the orange and jade dress. We decided to go with the jade since it looks more like a wearable color. I like them both. The orange was burnt orange and I though that was kinda hokey since Brian went to UT and all. These girls are tall and skinny. I’m gonna look like a frump next to them, what was I thinking?? Anyway, Julie (right) and I have known each other since the 8th grade. She was one of the original friends I made since transferring to Liberty Jr. High. Yi (left) and I have known each other since freshman year in college and she the first good friend I made in college, in fact she knows most of my secrets and stories about Brian. Both are extremely intelligent and interesting and I’m glad we’ve kept in touch and have remained friends throughout the years.

Now what to do about the final stuff:

• Veil – ebay for 20 bucks or Luong Bridal for 45 bucks
• Church – contact Holy Cross Lutheran (the most we’ll spend is 1400 for the ceremony, we have the option of doing it at the country club for 500 bucks)
• Flowers – contact florists for prices on 3 bouquets and boutinierres and corsages. (limit 400 dollars)
• Centerpieces – use half standard centerpieces offered by Brookhaven, the other half will use vases I bought with at least 4 stems per vase. Buy colored rocks to fill the vases at Gardenridge. Check out Sam’s or Costco for bulk flowers. (limit 100 dollars for bulk flowers and 20 more for colored rocks total cost to fill 15 vases – $10.50 each)
• Invitations – buy handmade paper and ribbon to complete the look ($1.30 each including stamps)
• Cake Table – order I Do letters (I priced it at 20 dollars)
• Candy Buffet:
  • Candy Jars (8) – Prices vary by size – saw some apothecary jars at Walmart for 6.99 to 12.99 for the massive ones. (Limit $40 for jars)
  • Scoops - (The Container Store, you can get 10 clear scoops for 11 bucks)
  • Candy – Bulk Candy website or Sam’s (limit ($50 dollars).
  • Bags ($24 dollars for 150 bags at Oriental Trading Co) Total cost = $125 bucks
• Dress – Alterations needs to be booked by July for bridals taken in August (I hope it doesn’t get too hot)
• Engagement photos - Book for end of April (on our 1 year engagement anniversary :-))
• Get Mother of Bride Dress with mom
• Book honeymoon through Expedia

Edit: Here is a snippet of the dress, click the image to view it full sized.

Well I knew it couldn’t be, but I pulled it off and set in the dressing room. I kept looking and found another dress that looked like it could be pretty. Yet after looking at all the dresses out there, I kept thinking about the one I pulled off. So I tried it on, and it fit like a glove. It’s a little tight, but heck I plan on hitting the gym to lose all that college weight anyway. Now I have a reason to…

So by next year, I might have to get it altered a couple sizes down, but I love it. I love the dress, it’s perfect. It’s not ivory nor is it white. It’s in between… she called it candlelight. It’s more off-white to me. There’s beading at the top of the bust and the bottom part of the bodice. The same strip of beading goes down the back. The back has a zipper, but it also comes with drawstrings or whatever. Too bad there isn’t a picture out there. It’s a BridesMart exclusive. Wah. Basically it had alllll the details I was looking for. The only bad thing was that the train was longer than I was looking for. But it didn’t bother me. I even tried it on a second time, and it still didn’t bother me. It’s not longer than some of the dresses I tried on. I do have to get it hemmed and get the bust altered, and hopefully take it down a couple sizes. Total cost $589 for an off the rack dress…. is it too much?

I felt guilty on the way home (mainly because I paid that much for an off-the-rack dress). I was hoping to not spend over $500. I’m guessing the alterations will cost another hundred or so… Damnit! Oh well, it’s a lovely dress, and the dress I’ve been looking for. It’s on layaway (something I’ve NEVER done before, and wish I would never do again, I felt like a cheapo)! But with gas prices these days, layaway is the best option, plus it’s not like I had to fill out paperwork!

Finally, the ball is starting to roll….

I made an appointment with this place called Le Renaissance today. It’s next to the Dave & Busters on Walnut Hill. It’s basically a reception hall. The price was decent, I think. It’s $5750 (up to 150 guests) for the rental which includes:

• Full use of our Chapel and Reception area for 4 ½ Hours
• Multi-Tiered Bride’s Cake
• Fresh Flowers for Bride’s Cake
• Groom’s Cake
• Tuxedo Strawberries for Groom’s Cake
• Wedding Punch, Gourmet Coffee and Iced Tea
• Fresh Vegetable & Fruit Trays
• Cheese Tray
• Fruit Carving Centerpiece
• Champagne Fountain
• Professional DJ for Four Hours
• Unity Candle, Tossing Garter, Guest Book
• Specialty Linen Tablecloths, Napkins, and Chair Bows in YOUR Choice of Colors
• One Hour Wedding Rehearsal
• Wedding Coordinator to oversee every detail
• Professional Uniformed Wait Staff
• Bubbles for your Departure
• Plus 10 bucks a person for food.

I’m not sure if this is worth saving a few hundred dollars though. The place is kinda drab.

I think in the end we might still end up with Brookhaven or CityPlace. AHHHHHHH!!

First off, you have to make an appointment to try on dresses. Which is fine, because most places do require that… but at least tell people.

Secondly all their dresses were ugly. Well, not all of them, but I just couldn’t find one that I liked. It just seems like I had to force myself to want to try on one of the dresses. Oh well. I know I won’t be getting my dress there. I still made an appointment though just in case.