Teddy and Kitty, together :)

Reconsidering a veil

bluepoet2007 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:22:00 GMT

For the past couple of days I've emailed back and forth with obridal.com. I sent them pics of an Alfred Angelo veil I tried, to see if they could reproduce it. Turns out they "can", with a few *changes*

Here I am wearing the original:

obridal.com would charge me $124 for the following: spaced seed beads and crystals along the edge (in any pattern of [my] choice), as well as approx 3 beaded flower clusters at the point of each scallop in front, attached to a 3.25" metal comb. (They can't reproduce the embroidered flowers on the AA veil.) Add in shipping, which would bump the price up.

I know it won't look like the AA veil. I don't know how much shipping would be, and I don't like the idea of a metal comb. I'm picky about accessories in my hair, so I know that would drive me crazy! I'm sure I could switch it out, but that would cost me. (Obviously, no such thing as a free lunch! )

Alfred Angelo wants $189. If I bought it from them, got their discount of 15% off again, it would be $160. Still more than obridal, but no shipping, and I'd get the veil I fell in love with. The combs they use are plastic, so they'd probably be more comfy. When I had it on in the store I didn't feel it at all. I bought my tiara from them already, which I love.

But I think I might just wear my tiara. I'm leaning toward a French twist to keep my hair off my shoulders, and I've seen lots of brides w/o veils. That way the tiara could sparkle by itself, and I wouldn't need to decide whether to keep or remove the veil for the reception.

Lots to think about. But I definitely won't pay for something I'm not going to love.

NWR, but anyway...

bluepoet2007 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:04:00 GMT

Will and I took a trip to Florida Mall yesterday, just to get out of the apartment. We wandered for most of the day, to the M&M store, and Godiva, and some of the department stores.

Then he asked me what my birthstone is, and said we should look at some jewelry stores. (I've been staying away from them because it's hard to get him excited about wedding bands just yet.) When I asked him why, he took me into one that was close by--Gordon's, I think--and started looking at their amethyst jewelry in white gold settings. He asked me if I liked any of it, and said he wanted to get me something "just because". *warm fuzzies*

We went to Bailey Banks and Biddle, and Zales too. (Zales was disappointing; at least 3 salespeople were crowded at one end of the store, and no one came over to ask if we wanted anything. At Bailey Banks and Biddle someone helped us, but hovered over us like a vulture. Yikes! The saleslady at Gordon's was pleasant, but they didn't have much in white gold.)

That was totally unexpected on Will's part! And even though I didn't find anything I liked, we still had fun looking, and made me laugh. He doesn't like pearls, so he made private 'gag me' faces every time we saw a set in a display case . Sometimes I don't think guys 'get' the allure of a nice set of pearls--they're not all for old ladies! But they're not my favorite jewelry either--I don't even own a set.

He was disappointed in the service we had yesterday, but there's always other places for jewelry. We went to dinner afterwards, and watched a movie at home. So we had a nice day together. I'm amazed at his little "surprises" sometimes

I ordered The Dress!

bluepoet2007 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:57:00 GMT

Today we finally got the money together, so Will and I went down to Alfred Angelo to order my dress and tiara. (I'll get the slip when my dress is closer to coming in.)

I'm sooooooooooooo excited! My consultant (Elizabeth) said it should take about 3 months to come in, but it may come in early. And as promised, here's some pics!

(Excuse the crumpled look on the bottom of it, I was walking around, trying to get used to my shoes.)

Here's a closeup of the beading on the train:

Checks: MOB's dress and my ceremony shoes

bluepoet2007 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:23:00 GMT

Yesterday I got my ceremony shoes (Alicia, by Caparros) at the DSW in Altamonte, across the street from Alfred Angelo. Big relief for me! Not only do I have them now, I got to see what they looked like with the sample of my dress.

Anyway, here's a pic:

I'm going to look for flip flops for the reception..but those aren't nearly as important right now. I can look for them anytime.

On another good note, my mom found her dress yesterday too! She won't order it for a while, but I'm so happy she found something she likes! She's ecstatic about it. It's Alfred Angelo also...the top is style 6578, skirt is MSKT-FZ.

The pic is in red since that's the only sample they had, but she'll get hers in navy:

Here is a closeup of the brooch on the side:

I tried to make the pics viewable without them being huge...sorry if they look weird.

Can't sleep! Too much dreaming about "my" dress

bluepoet2007 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:18:00 GMT

It's 3am here, and I can't sleep! I can't stop thinking about my dress....since I finally found it! I went to AA with Erin and Will on Monday, and posted some pics of The Dress on Facebook, it seems like all I want to do is daydream about it Good thing I'm finished with my weekly class assignment and I don't have much else to do this weekend!

I even made a 2nd appointment for next Thursday, to take Mom to Altamonte. That way she can see The Dress in person--I can try it on again!--and decide on a color for her dress too I should be able to order mine in about 10 days!!!!

I'm even getting superstitious about it. I've emailed photos to my mom and Mama Anne, and posted an album on Facebook, but that's it. I won't post anything on myspace or anywhere else--not even in here--for fear I might make it, y'know, disappear or something Most of my friends have commented that it really is perfect for me..so that makes me even happier! But...nothing will be put up here until I've paid for it...that way it's all mine, free and clear, and I don't have to worry.

I guess I should describe it, though, since there are no pics yet. It's taffeta with a lace overlay and a corset back, but it's surprisingly comfy! It doesn't have a "typical" neckline(no sweetheart or v-neck for this girl!). Instead the lace runs straight across my chest, and just below the bustline there's a small silver brooch that anchors two white satiny ribbons around the bodice.

The lace continues until about knee length, when it's sheared off at an angle, and the taffeta skirt peeks out underneath it. At the very bottom of the hem, there's beading and a little more lace. The more I think about it, the train is probably court style. When I was getting into The Dress, proper vocab was the last thing on my mind! It's just the right length for me, and it's also plain white, until you look around to the very back where there's more embellishment(beading and lace gathered right in the middle).

It's very light(which is going to be important for September in Florida!), and the skirt is soooo easy for me to lift! It's not going to be a problem to walk in at all, once I find the right shoes. I tried on closed-toed shoes with kitten heels at the store (since I forgot to bring my sandals), and they were just about perfect. I think flip flops won't be a problem either, which is great...since I probably won't want to wear my ceremony shoes all night! Also...with the bustle my consultant suggested, I'll be able to dance easily, but I won't "lose" any of the gorgeous design on the back of the dress.

I'm just so glad I finally got to go dress shopping! Seems like I've been waiting to do that since we got engaged. Erin told me immediately that I looked like a princess when I tried on The Dress...and if I could make that compliment into a feeling, I'd say that pretty much sums up how I've felt since Monday. It sealed the deal when Will actually said something to me in the store...with the others I tried, he kept telling me he'd pass judgment "later". He actually said he liked The Dress when I had it on!

Only 6 more days...and I really can't wait 'til it's mine for good!

P.S. I promise..pics will be posted the day I order it. I know I broke some "rules" letting Will see it, but everyone is different. He was actually an important part of the whole experience!

First dress shopping trip & other good vibes

bluepoet2007 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:25:00 GMT

Well, my mom finally met Will's family yesterday--Jessica, her boyfriend Jason, and Will's parents. The great news is, they really like each other! Will's parents were staying in Altamonte, since they just got back from a cruise out of Miami, so my mom drove up to meet us for dinner...

...and the first thing she did was hug Mama Anne and Mr. B :-) Off to a good start, and it got better at dinner. Everybody talked and laughed and took tons of pics, and everyone loved the food too (Okay, so it wasn't pizza, because Will and I took them to our favorite Japanese place....but the point is, everyone had a great time.

My mom drove back to Brooksville last night, but Will and I met his fam for breakfast before they left Florida this morning. Turns out their hotel was right next door to the Alfred Angelo company store! They weren't open yet, by the time Will and I got to breakfast or by the time we left(it was pretty early!). So I called this afternoon, and made an appointment for tomorrow. It looks like Will and Erin(one of my bridesmaids) are both tagging along. That way I'll get plenty of pics, and some really honest opinions

I'm really excited---I get to see what look good on me from their collection, and it's only the beginning! There will definitely be more trips in the future, to AA and other places .

**Update 7/16/08: Since I last posted, I've been to AA with Will and Erin(a bridesmaid) and not only found The Dress, but a possible bridesmaid style too! I posted some pics of The Dress on the CFL board---look for a post by bluepoet if you want to see them. It's style R1707, and I'll be ordering it in about 2 week. Pics of The Bridesmaid Dress are there too, under that specific heading.

In case something drastic goes wrong, though(as much I don't want to think that!)...style 754 (below) is The Standby .

It's my second favorite if plans for R1707 go awry.

I guess I'm superstitious--I don't want to post any more pics of The Dress, or even look at another designer's styles, until R1707 is mine! I'm so excited I found my dress on the first trip! (I know some Knotties here may disagree with my shopping tactics, but I don't care. I had that "it's the dress!" feeling when I put it on, even though it was the last one I tried on Monday.)

P.S. I guess I'm just being silly, but there are no pics of "my" dress online right now, except for the ones I posted on Photobucket. I feel like calling it R1707 makes it a science experiment, though! I gotta find something different to call it.

Good news on the bridesmaid front...

bluepoet2007 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:30:00 GMT

..Desiree got my email, and isn't backing out as a bridesmaid! She also said her mom called Henry(her fiance) and offered to pay for a wedding for them.

So I'm happy on two fronts: if she agrees to her mom's offer, she'll get the beautiful day she deserves...and I have one of my best friends right there with me on my day.

Turns out she'll be visiting Florida soon...so we'll get to see each other. I'm excited! Haven't seen Des since she and Henry had dinner with me and Will in Orlando a while ago. Yay!

I'm not a March bridesmaid anymore...but I certainly won't replace her!

bluepoet2007 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:10:00 GMT

Got a Facebook post from Desiree letting me know she'll have to scale down her own wedding next March....so, no WP or 'traditional' trappings. Possibly just a celebratory dinner, since she is starting a new job soon and, well, it's a money thing.

Then she went on to say she won't be able to participate much in the bridesmaid events I will have for my wedding...adding that she'd understand if I want to replace her and apologizing all over the place! Reading that just broke my heart , and of course my response was, no way would I ever do that! My understanding of the bridesmaid role is that you pick 'em because they're your friends and you love them..and that's exactly what I'm gonna do--just love her for who she is, and keep her as my bridesmaid. I totally understand money issues, and I'm trying my best to keep costs low for my girls.

I'm being lenient on hair, makeup, jewelry and shoes--they can do all that however they'd like to--because it's going to cost them enough to come down to Florida to be there at the wedding....and I told her this. All she's gotta do is afford one dress, and some time to share with me and Will.

Haven't heard back from her--and that's understandable since she's about to start that new job...but I hope she feels better about all this. So far she hasn't backed out of the wedding, and I hope she won't feel she has to. *crosses fingers* I love all my girls like they're my sisters..and so far it's been looking like they'll all be able to show up. Here's hoping it's true!