Progressing

I've been pretty successful in the wedding planning department lately.

After a bridesmaid's dress minor breakdown, and my wonderful bridesmaids talking me down from the ledge, I finally made the decision. Oh, and I even consulted a wedding message board (low point, definitely) to get outside opinions. This stuff ain't so easy folks.

But here we have it:

A good choice, if I don't say so myself. I ordered it to see it in person, even tried it on and it looks great! Now that's one more thing to check off the list.

As of last night, Taylor and I picked out our wedding bands. After eating dinner at Pepperoni Grill in Penn Square mall we had an impromptu stroll by Helzberg's where he bought my ring. It was so cute seeing a ring on his hand : )

Today, I made a cake tasting appointment. I discovered this bakery has 40 cake flavors and 30 icing flavors. Whoa. I'm so pumped!

Oh, and one of my favorite activities to do now is wear my hair piece around my apartment when I do things like clean my room. I just makes me happy and I can't wait for it to be in my hair in 161 days!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I wouldn't be me (or a girl for that matter) if I didn't change my mind a few times. Especially on what's supposed to be the greatest day of my life.

So, I've changed my mind on a few things, well, one big thing mostly.

The colors.

Originally I wanted to go with a ice blue, black and white theme. Well, those days are long gone.

Taylor and I both really like blue, so I would have liked to use it. Finding it is another story...

I was searching for the right blue. The perfect blue. Not baby shower blue; not cobalt; not navy. A magic blue that would compliment every one's skin tone and would come with a low price tag.

I'm here to tell you that blue doesn't exist. At least within my realm of research- and believe you me, I exhausted The Google many, many nights.

Then there was the whole thing of using a 'winter' color in an August wedding. A little "bass akwards", as my Grandma Betty would say. I thought about using black bridesmaids dresses, but decided against it.

Now, ladies (no gentlemen here, I'm sure) I bring you the new colors:

purple and apple green.

(not Barney, though.)

Ideally, this picture. I just love it. Fun, vibrant, classy.

Purple is quite possibly my second favorite color, so it works out.

Oh, and if you're wondering what Taylor's input was, it was short and sweet:

"No orange."

A true OU fan through and through.

Do Over

Last night I had my first wedding nightmare. And it was a doozie.

Taylor and I got married at the top of a cement stairwell.

In pitch black

By the wrong minister (it was a woman instead of Taylor's uncle.)

I wasn't certain that the photographer was even there. I did see a flash a few times, though.

I attempted to write my own vows, but couldn't read my handwriting so I made them up on the spot. (And they sucked.)

It was just awful. I know there is zero chance any of this will actually happen, but just seeing it in my dream made me mad!

Why can't brides dream about a fabulous honeymoon, instead?

I Knew the Way You Know About a Good Melon

After watching countless episodes (multiple times) of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, you might say I'm a pro at "trying on" wedding dresses.

I know Kleinfeld's Fashion Director Randy's do's and don'ts for brides (stop looking after you've found "the one", don't try things on outside your price range, don't bring the entourage, etc.) and tried to follow them when shopping for my own wedding dress.

And, as you can see the purpose of this blog post: I found THE dress!

After only two stores and two days I said yes to my dress! Thankfully, the search didn't have to continue cause it seriously gets exhausting! Even for the person trying on the dresses. I stood for over three hours Saturday, had my body corseted into many dresses and wasn't able to breathe at times...what joy!

But my dress (THE dress) is just perfect. It's something I've pictured myself in, something very "me". It even matches my ring! : ) Bonus!

It was the first dress I tried on at the second store, and when I came out I just felt like a bride-something I was missing from the first few I tried on at the other store. The veil and other special touches just put it over the top and I KNEW Taylor would absolutely love it.

Also, to other/past brides: this whole white vs. ivory debate... I chose ivory. Does this make me less of a bride? It looked SO much better with my skin tone. At this point I guess I don't need advice (the dress is already on order), but I'm just curious!

To future brides,

Get a dress that you can see YOU in! You don't want your guests to see the dress first and not the beautiful person in the dress! I had this debate with a frillier, more feminine dress. I loved it, but it was almost too trendy compared to what I pictured myself in. I knew I had found my dress when both my mom and I both started tearing up. It was a special moment for the both of us! You'll have yours and you will just know, kind of like when you know your fiance is the one! (Cheesy, but true.)

*Title brought to you by When Harry Met Sally

Bling Story

So, since being engaged I've had many opportunities to show off the ring.

Graduation, Christmas, work friends, friends I didn't see over break who came back to school, people I just met....

While I think my ring is beautiful, I do understand that it's not everyone's taste.

One of the best compliments I received was that "It was the best ring I've seen go through a candle lighting in a long time." (This is mostly thanks for my fiance, because I did not pick it out)

However, the responses I don't like from people (usually ones I don't know) are as follows:

How UNIQUE

How INTERESTING

How PRETTY (Her voice rose which means she was lying. She also looked like she was lying so I'm allowed to say that)

These phrases usually fall from an older crowd (the marquise and yellow gold generation), so I understand.

What you probably don't know if exactly how perfect this ring is for me.

Why yes, it's a beautiful ring, but it has a special meaning.

The center stone is sort of a family heirloom. This is a weird story, but I have a weird family, so bare with me...

The stone has been worn by two women in my family: first, my mom in the form of an engagement ring from my father. Then, by my grandma when she was married to her second husband.

Now, it is in my possession and moving on another generation! My grandma always wanted me to have it since it was from my dad, and it has such a special meaning to me every time I look at it!

Taylor gets credit for the rest of this ring, and he did such a great job! : )

Paying it Forward

So after reading and commenting on Cara's blog, I found myself involved in a bit of a predicament.

Yes, I'll admit I wanted to receive some handmade items.

(Who doesn't love free, hand crafted with love things?)

But I was sucked in. I'll admit it.

"I promise to send something handmade
to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.
To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,
offering the same thing to 3 other people.
The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it
must be sent to your 3 people *sometime* in 2011."

Who can say no to that, right?

So bloggers, 3 of you can comment and receive some form of craft from me.

It may not be the best thing ever, but I'll assure you I will try my darndest!

Comment away, friends!

Let's Discuss

Fellow brides and past brides, lend me your ears

Well, I'm officially in wedding planning mode. It's constantly on my brain, I just can't help it! I been thinking about this day for so long, and now I can actually act on it - not just dream. Weird concept, because sometimes your dreams don't exactly align with reality, but I'm getting on the ball.

Things I have done:

1. Ceremony venue deposit - MRCC

2. A unofficial date - Aug. 6, 2011

3. A few bridesmaids

4. Tried on dresses

5. Been to a bridal show (and won $250 to a bakery to get my cake done!)

6. Checked into photographers and found a few I like that are within my small budget.

7. Surfed The Knot and WeddingBee entirely too often.

8. We have colors! - black, white, ice blue/aqua

9. A reception venue I haven't put a deposit down for

10. Some honeymoon research has been done

11. Changed my mind so many times not only my head is spinning, but so is my fiance's.

Things I need advice on:

1. Do I really need to do 'save the dates'?

2. How do I pick a photographer? (especially on such a small budget...)

3. How much do flowers cost?

4. What's something cool I can do at my wedding that isn't a photo booth or a candy bar?

5. How do I know when I've found "the" dress? What are good places to shop at that don't rip you off?

6. What costs came up that you didn't anticipate?

Fellow brides and past brides, lend me your ears. Any vendors and advice would be appreciated!

Discuss amongst yourselves.