Appointment for a Bridal Gown!

During the third or fourth week in June, my mom and I will be making the trip to Low's in Brinkley, Arkansas to look for my wedding dress.

Can we just hope I lose 10 pounds before the appointment rolls around!

Even though I did check... the wedding dress can be sized down up to 4 dress sizes!

Sounds like I am golden on that... of course... there is no room to size up!

Don't feed the Bride!

Things you learn going to other weddings!

So I totally invite myself to be any one's date when I find out they are going to a wedding! I mean it's research! And this time I really did take away something I hadn't thought to inquire about...

What happens when the drunk guy on the park bench just won't leave before your outside wedding starts... the guests have fun taking his picture!

Bride note: Ask that all "uninvited" guests we escorted off property 30 minutes prior to the wedding!

Why tailgating at the Bridal Shop is suggested!

Because you'll find the perfect dress and get the perfect picture!

The Bridal Party Dines at The Brooks

The Bridal party went to lunch at the Brooks last week. Cheers were made by all. The lunch was a bit...

ahhh... lacking which was very surprising. We are hoping it was just a bad day for the chef and kitchen staff at the Brooks.

We did get an awesome picture! Big smiles on everyone... or was that because we had the first alcoholic drink of the day in hand!

Before the reception we will definitely be hitting the Brooks again for lunch! Keep your fingers crossed...

It better be absolutely fabulous!

Bridesmaid dress selected!

A sassy Ashley shows off her bridesmaid dress on my front porch!

After many many trips to various shops in Memphis, we all got together and took a trip to Brinkley, Arkansas - the home of Low's Bridal!

After a bit of tailgating in the parking lot, we took Low's by storm! Dresses were flying and our "Sales Lady" was a frownin'. I am sure we picked upwards of 30 dresses to try on. After only about 3, the sales lady spoke up and suggested we try the specific dress - brown and strapless!

After minutes of excited whispering from the changing room, the bridesmaid excited ALL wearing the bridesmaid dress!

And a dress was picked and one was even purchased. Thanks to Miss Ashley we have photos of the dress on an actual bridesmaid. The dress also came with a shawl in the same chocolate brown fabric which she graciously let me have!

Great looking dress!

Wow... on to the next decision!

Sample Invitations - Why Bother?

After hours and hours of searching on the Internet for the perfect invitation... I found one! I liked it so much I printed off the picture from the website and asked the cake lady to duplicate the pattern on the invitation on the cake! I was even so excited I decided to drop the $10 and order a sample invitation....

Well thank goodness I did! So not happy with it. And no... it's not just me. I have shown the example to several different people and they too were left feeling disappointed!

That has got to be the best $10 I have spent so far on the wedding. I am so glad a took the time and the cash to order the sample! Well worth it.

If you are ordering invitations online, take the time to order a sample!

Save The Date Cards - To send or not to send?

I had thought to pass on the "Save The Date" cards, but I have actually had people ask about them. It wasn't the money that really turned me off about "Save The Date" cards, but the need to all your address (or at least the majority) confirmed!

If you are getting married... or possibly throwing a big party in the future, start collecting addresses now! It's time consuming so start early. I have had the hardest time getting all the address together. Of course, a helpful groom does go a long way.

So... back to the "Save The Date" cards. I am thinking after such a wonderful turn out with the engagement party invitations, I might just hand make these as well. I haven't' been able to find exactly what I want and they are pricey at about .75 cents to a $1 each.

By hand making them, you can cut that cost in half.

Engagement Party - Handmade Invitations

Last week, I had my first experience with handmade invitations. Ms Tommie Hayes took the time to go supply shopping with me and to later sit down to demonstrate how the process works.

We visited Hobby Lobby! Now how I made it to my current age without ever being in a Hobby Lobby is beyond me. Love this store. We spent many minutes looking over all the various styles of scrap booking papers. They have hundreds of styles and colors. You will need to pick two - one will be the background with the second being the printed page.

Now it's time to select the ribbon which holds the two pieces together. You can use two if not three type of ribbon if you like. Then it's on to embellishments.

I think the whole process took approximately 4 hours (when you deduct all moments of ADD).

The invitations turned out to just be the cutest thing! Thanks to Ms Tommie Hayes!

I would have posted a picture, but Joseph has let someone borrow my camera and hasn't gotten it back yet...

Will post soon... If not, you will get on in the mail!

Invisalign Video

Here's something you don't see often, a closeup computer pic of a friends teeth! Ha... yes, those are my teeth.

The doctor also gives you a video of how your teeth will look as the weeks go by. The video is broken down into three different views. One is the view shown here. The other two are bottom and top only!

Click on the website below and find out more information about my teeth than you ever cared to know!

http://www2.orthosesame.com/dweiss/sesame/pi/demo-inv.cgi?SESSONID=17917842!81!1210457933!10037623

One month down... Five to go!

I just completed my first month with my personal trainer! The scale hasn't moved much, but I think my clothes are fitting better. He's focusing on my arms and my hips/tummy area. Areas which need major work.

Aimee (yes, you are the only one reading this!) and I have been doing better these last few days (not quite weeks) about eating correctly for lunch. I must say... we (yes, Aimee I am now talking for you) highly recommend the SlimNTrim Smoothie King smoothies.

We have noticed when we keep to the "very expensive" smoothies the pounds seem to melt away.

I feel good about how I will look come October 25th. How do you feel about how you will look?

Flowers By Regis

Two weeks ago, Brandon and I interviewed Flowers By Regis. It was pretty scary talking about what I wanted for my wedding... I mean my wedding... holy cow!

I think I had an idea of what I wanted, but thank goodness Brandon was there to help translate for the florist. I might have been babbling a bit.

We definitely went with the fall color theme. We add a twist by adding chili peppers (Joseph loves all things hot... like me! lol)... a touch of feathers (which I adore), I know it sounds strange, but I think we can pull it off. Brandon wasn't freaking out so I can only assume he thought so too.



We also decided on a cast iron arbor which will decorated with the fall theme for the church. The neatest idea came from the florist who suggested I purchase the arbor for the ceremony so we can keep it! Imagine... my garden will have the arbor under which I was married! Very cool...

I have pictures of arbors he has done in the past. I will try to scan those in for sharing.

Some of the flowers we picked are:

Mango Calas






Brown Orchids








Orange Roses








Deep Red Roses








Rose Hips






Chili Peppers









Feathers






Visit Flowers By Regis website at http://www.flowersbyregis.com/Weddings.htm

Advise from an Expert

Several years ago, Eric, a high school bud, moved in 7 house down the street from me. As all good neighbors do, we have a tendency to harass each other when yard work is being done.

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving by Eric's and noticed he was doing lots and lots of yard work. I couldn't help but stop and ask when he was going to start on my yard. During the conversation, I mentioned I had gotten engaged. After congrats were give, he offered his wife's help. Lindsay works for Southern Bride Magazine!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, needless to say, I took him up on his offer last week. Lindsay came over and we spent over 2 hours talking everything wedding. She was even sweet enough to bring over "reference" materials... more magazines! And some awesome hardcover books! (very expensive books)

After taking diligent notes, I felt better about where I was on planning the wedding! Her help and advise was definitely invaluable.

We discussed everything from Cakes to Limos, DJs to Dresses, Reception Menus to Flowers...

As one not to take advantage of others knowledge, I picked and picked her brain and her resources.

With her help, I have begun calling some of the remaining vendors I will need to contact to arrange their services.

http://www.southernbride.com/

Signing Back On!

So... as only one person has probably notice (thank you Aimee!), I have been very bad at posting stuff lately. Well, I am signing back on and have every intention of keeping the blog updated!

Lots has happened over the last month... So read on...