SOO much to do...so little time! With less than 3 months to go before our big day, I find myself unbelievably calm. There is so much to be done, but for some reason I am still coasting on my new job high! Thank goodness I have a 3 day work week this week so I have 4 days to get the invitations for the destination wedding done and sent out to guests who have confirmed their reservations and are definitely coming to the Riviera Maya.
Creeping up right behind invitations would be my Bridal Showers. Right now, there are 3 being planned. I hope to get atleast 2 more registries going this upcoming week as well. I have got to do a better job of getting my address and email lists compiled.
I know I've been saying this, but I really need to kick my workout plan into overdrive. When I bought my dress, it fit like a glove and I was told not to lose or gain. I do want to look good on the beach, so I have my own personal goals that I will have to work hard on in order to see some results in less than 90 days.
The end of March also brings the confirmation of our caterer for our at home cocktail party as well as the finalization of the wedding menu. Both of these events are going to have some amazing food, drinks and desserts! I also need to get on Pinterest and get some drink ideas for our signature drinks as well as some trinket ideas.
I am a little all over the place, understandably. I have had an amazing year filled with change for the better! I am so thankful for fabulous friends who have stepped in, volunteered to take care of tasks and are keeping me on track. I need to be kept on track.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The dress.
I booked a fitting at David's Bridal in November to try on wedding dresses. It was never my intention to walk out of that place with a dress. I was simply going to try on different styles and get my measurements taken. As a matter of fact, I already had an idea of what my wedding dress would look like. I had long ago made the decision to get this dress made in China:
Because my style is "different," this dress, to me, would go right along with what everyone would expect to see me in. I found someone (on Ebay) who could make it for me for right under $300. $300 would be my budget as I had made my mind up that THIS was my dress. Done deal. Really no need to search, right?
So I go to David's Bridal with my sister in law and my good friend, Desiree. Both of who would be brutally honest with me. On this wintery day in November, I got stuck with a consultant who was probably young enough to be my daughter and would be of no help to us...other than the fact that she was sugary sweet and used to be a student of my SIL. Bless her heart. Oh, and heaven help her!
The dress consultant was running over with her prior appointment. Everyone who knows me knows that I will not wait more than possibly 20 minutes when it comes to my food or service that I am paying for. At the 21 minute mark, my Desiree and I got up and began pulling dresses ourselves. The manager politely and quietly just got us a fitting room without asking any questions. We were on a mission!
The young consultant would only have to pull 3 dresses for me by the time she was available. We pulled 4, one being a dress that was on clearance that looked plain and simple through the protective bag and another, very similar to my dream dress, with lots and lots of ruffles at the bottom.
With my Wendy and Desiree in place, the fitting began. I picked these ladies because they are very matter of fact and would not let me think that I looked beautiful if I didn't nor would they tell me what they thought I wanted to hear. They both also LOVED my dream dress and would stay focused. Easy pezzy. Or so I thought.
The fitting began. It was brutal. "No ma'am, take it off." "That dress is hideous." "Uh, uh, nope." *Silence* Poor dress consultant. She didn't stand a chance. They tore her selections to pieces. LOL. They went on to show her the picture of my dream dress. She, too, was reeled in at this point. However, once I tried on a dress with all the ruffles at the bottom, it completely swallowed me. I was a disappointed. Other than the side strap, the ruffles were the beauty of my dream dress! As she started to go away to put up the dresses that had gotten the thumbs down, there was still that one left for me to try on...the plain and simple one I pulled. She told me, "They are not going to like it, but you can try it on." I took one look at the price tag and did just that.
When I appeared from the dressing room, there was silence...A different sort of silence this time. I turned and looked at myself in the mirror and I was speechless as well. Not only did the dress fit like a glove, but it was not so plain and simple after all. It was a trumpet with a different neckline...strapless, but not sweetheart. It was my exact length with my heels on and would need NO alterations what so ever. The dress consultant immediately added a sparkling sash around my waist and a fascinator on my head. Both critics chimed in together, "That is your dress." I rang the bell...it was indeed my dress.
I couldn't believe I walked out of the dress store with a dress! If I told you how much I paid for it, you wouldn't even believe me! Let's just say both the sash and the fascinator were more expensive than my wedding dress. I ended up buying a Vera Wang cocktail dress for my at home reception, the sash, the fascinator, my wedding dress AND a hot pink dress (for no reason at all) all for under $600! WINNING!
Because my style is "different," this dress, to me, would go right along with what everyone would expect to see me in. I found someone (on Ebay) who could make it for me for right under $300. $300 would be my budget as I had made my mind up that THIS was my dress. Done deal. Really no need to search, right?
So I go to David's Bridal with my sister in law and my good friend, Desiree. Both of who would be brutally honest with me. On this wintery day in November, I got stuck with a consultant who was probably young enough to be my daughter and would be of no help to us...other than the fact that she was sugary sweet and used to be a student of my SIL. Bless her heart. Oh, and heaven help her!
The dress consultant was running over with her prior appointment. Everyone who knows me knows that I will not wait more than possibly 20 minutes when it comes to my food or service that I am paying for. At the 21 minute mark, my Desiree and I got up and began pulling dresses ourselves. The manager politely and quietly just got us a fitting room without asking any questions. We were on a mission!
The young consultant would only have to pull 3 dresses for me by the time she was available. We pulled 4, one being a dress that was on clearance that looked plain and simple through the protective bag and another, very similar to my dream dress, with lots and lots of ruffles at the bottom.
With my Wendy and Desiree in place, the fitting began. I picked these ladies because they are very matter of fact and would not let me think that I looked beautiful if I didn't nor would they tell me what they thought I wanted to hear. They both also LOVED my dream dress and would stay focused. Easy pezzy. Or so I thought.
The fitting began. It was brutal. "No ma'am, take it off." "That dress is hideous." "Uh, uh, nope." *Silence* Poor dress consultant. She didn't stand a chance. They tore her selections to pieces. LOL. They went on to show her the picture of my dream dress. She, too, was reeled in at this point. However, once I tried on a dress with all the ruffles at the bottom, it completely swallowed me. I was a disappointed. Other than the side strap, the ruffles were the beauty of my dream dress! As she started to go away to put up the dresses that had gotten the thumbs down, there was still that one left for me to try on...the plain and simple one I pulled. She told me, "They are not going to like it, but you can try it on." I took one look at the price tag and did just that.
When I appeared from the dressing room, there was silence...A different sort of silence this time. I turned and looked at myself in the mirror and I was speechless as well. Not only did the dress fit like a glove, but it was not so plain and simple after all. It was a trumpet with a different neckline...strapless, but not sweetheart. It was my exact length with my heels on and would need NO alterations what so ever. The dress consultant immediately added a sparkling sash around my waist and a fascinator on my head. Both critics chimed in together, "That is your dress." I rang the bell...it was indeed my dress.
I couldn't believe I walked out of the dress store with a dress! If I told you how much I paid for it, you wouldn't even believe me! Let's just say both the sash and the fascinator were more expensive than my wedding dress. I ended up buying a Vera Wang cocktail dress for my at home reception, the sash, the fascinator, my wedding dress AND a hot pink dress (for no reason at all) all for under $600! WINNING!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
All that glitters...
Last month I received a phone call from a TLC producer. She left a message and I called her back, hesistantly, thinking someone was possibly playing a cruel joke on me. The producer told me she pulled my information from a wedding database. She went on to give me details on an upcoming destination wedding show that she wanted us to be a part of! She asked many questions about us...how we met, what we did for a living and asked about our families. In return, she didn't have many specifics about the show other than it was new, would be televised on TLC and should offer us many incentives in return. I remember getting off the phone with her with mixed feelings. Why? Because part of the deal would be that we change our location to Puerto Rico. The other part of the deal would be that we move our wedding date UP to April. Yes...as in next month. YIKES!
I waited for Chris to come home that evening to spring the news on him. To my suprise, he actually seemed interested! I would speak to this producer a few more times before the obvious would be determined.
In talking to our travel agent, we would lose all of the money we had already put down on our wedding in Mexico. Additionally, all of our guests would lose their deposits as well. You see, the wedding would be held on an island that isn't much travelled. My guess is that this wedding show would increase tourism and boost the economy.
I told a handful of folks...all who were very excited at the possibility. TLC wedding shows are over the top and amazing! Who wouldn't be excited about that?
Needless to say, it didn't work out. As I compared the Riviera Maya to the Island in Puerto Rico there was actually no comparison. Not only was Mexico more beautiful, but our resort is breathtaking and the Puerto Rican Island couldn't offer the same. When it was determined that we were much too far in to turn back, I rolled full speed ahead.
To date, I am currently picking the menu and I've booked my photographer. We are going to be paid in full by the end of this month. After that, I will pick my flowers, linens and begin working on my playlist for the reception in Mexico. By the end of March, the invitations for the at home reception should be stuffed, addressed and ready to go in another month. I am also currently registering.
I can honestly say that I am SO very glad I decided to go with a destination wedding. I couldn't even begin to wrap my mind around trying to plan a wedding here in Houston.
I waited for Chris to come home that evening to spring the news on him. To my suprise, he actually seemed interested! I would speak to this producer a few more times before the obvious would be determined.
In talking to our travel agent, we would lose all of the money we had already put down on our wedding in Mexico. Additionally, all of our guests would lose their deposits as well. You see, the wedding would be held on an island that isn't much travelled. My guess is that this wedding show would increase tourism and boost the economy.
I told a handful of folks...all who were very excited at the possibility. TLC wedding shows are over the top and amazing! Who wouldn't be excited about that?
Needless to say, it didn't work out. As I compared the Riviera Maya to the Island in Puerto Rico there was actually no comparison. Not only was Mexico more beautiful, but our resort is breathtaking and the Puerto Rican Island couldn't offer the same. When it was determined that we were much too far in to turn back, I rolled full speed ahead.
To date, I am currently picking the menu and I've booked my photographer. We are going to be paid in full by the end of this month. After that, I will pick my flowers, linens and begin working on my playlist for the reception in Mexico. By the end of March, the invitations for the at home reception should be stuffed, addressed and ready to go in another month. I am also currently registering.
I can honestly say that I am SO very glad I decided to go with a destination wedding. I couldn't even begin to wrap my mind around trying to plan a wedding here in Houston.
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