Our Married Life

Everyone tells me they like the orange and jade the best. So I’m going to stick with that.

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

I stopped by DSW yesterday bc my current “dress” shoes were looking frumpy and outdated and instead bought my wedding shoes. They’re about 3 inches high, clear with rhinestones across the toes. I took pictures and will upload them tonight.

I get to pick up my dress today. Yippeee. I am elated. I wanna leave work NOW!!

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

So I left work today at 3. I wanted to go dress shopping considering we haven’t done anything else. I wasn’t determined to buy anything, I just wanted to see if there was anything new in stock. All the dresses I tried on were blah, except one. I stopped by Bridesmart off LBJ, I think this is my third trip there. I walked around and found THE DRESS.

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!!

I saw the dress in person. The Maggie Sottero one that I wrote about. The ones with the ruffles. Me likey!I stopped by Mockingbird Bridal again. This time I made an appointment. The dress is 780 dollars, a bit out of my range. We will see.

David’s Bridal sucks -

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.

Today while Brian was at work, I decided I got bored and went dress shopping. I think I may have found the dress that I like. It’s an A-line ivory strapless dress. There’s beading on the top and the train. Very elegant. Very pretty. I was looking for a ballgown type dress, so I’ll still look for that. But for now that’s my number one pick. The price is pretty high, since I’m looking for something under 500. This one is 700. Why pay gobs of money for a dress you’re going to wear once? Hopefully by the time I’ll make a purchase it’ll go on sale… I took pictures of it while I was trying it on with my camera phone, but since Brian isn’t allowed to see it, I won’t post it.

Again with the ruffles… This one from Justina McCaffrey really caught my eye, and has the style that I like.