Round Two - Shoes ordered (again)

I actually had to go outside the US to find these shoes. A bit more than I wanted to spend... but nothing like a pair of Christian Louboutin Bridal shoes (Maybe one day and I will stop talking about these shoes).

I would love to have a pair of high end designer shoes, but with the average heel being 4 plus inches... my feet just can't take that kind of heel all day long.

The shoes I found are by Pura López and are entitled Alis. Pura López is a Spanish shoe designer who "believes that shoes are much more than a mere accessory: she sees them as a key means of expressing a sense of femininity and seduction, and which marks the difference between vulgarity and elegance." And I whole heartedly agree. This is the perfect ladylike pump... a perfect bridal pump! I love you Pura! You rock...

The website selling her shoes is http://www.footlux.com/! Check them out... they have an awesome selection of shoes!

I have had a blast tracking my shoes on the UPS website as they make their way from Madrid, Spain to my little feet in Memphis!

Keep your toes crossed they are all they can be!

Advice from a wise wife - Make the future special too!

I came across this suggestion today and I loved it! It reminded me of a conversation I had earlier this summer with a married friend of mine. I asked her if she had any suggestions about the wedding or any thing she wish she had done differently. They have been married almost 10 years and wouldn't change anything.... but she did regret that they had not paid enough attention to anniversaries. She wished that they had done something special for each one.

Well, I found the perfect idea to insure you do make those first anniversaries truly special.

Toast to Tradition

What it is: Like the true oenophiles you are, mark the milestones of the first few years of your marriage with fabulous bottles of wine, surrounded by the loving tributes of your friends and family.

How it's done: At the reception, set out five bottles of vino, one for each of your first five anniversaries. Tag each bottle with the specific anniversary that it will commemorate. Start with a great champagne, and then include four special vintages that will improve with age until their scheduled opening time. Gather a bunch of pens that write on glass (silver and gold Sharpies work well), and then invite your guests to cover the bottles with their well-wishes for that anniversary.

Tip: Be sure to store the champagne cork up, and the other four bottles on their sides in a dark, cool environment (a wine cellar or dry basement is best) until you're ready to enjoy them.

Crane's Etiquette is a most...

I am trying to finalize the wording on the invitation. Who knew there are so many rules to follow. A wise friend pointed me to Crane's Etiquette. Thank yo so much! If you are trying to find the perfect wording for your invitation definitely look to Crane's.

Visit the website at http://www.crane.com/etiquette.aspx?C=WeddingEtiquette&S=WeddingInvitation&I=Date_Line

I hope to have the finalized version of my invitation this week. As soon as it's done... I will definitely be posting it.

Wedding Night Booked!

Where to stay? Why does getting married require answers to so many questions? First it was Bridemaids dresses, then invitations, and last but not least... Shoes. During this whole time, I have also been considering where to stay on our wedding night. You would think this would be an easy decision. All you need is a decent hotel with clean sheets and no bugs, but for once... I will be arriving in a Wedding Dress! Not the day to plan on staying at the Hotel 6 or the Red Roof Inn.

You need a hotel with style, a grand entrance, valet parking, and close to the reception site. I have had several hotels in mind.

1. The Madison - www.madisonhotelmemphis.com
2. The Doubletree Downtown Memphis - http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/MEMDNDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Memphis-Downtown-Tennessee/index.do
3. The Peabody - http://www.peabodymemphis.com/home.cfm
4. The Inn at Hunt Phelan - http://huntphelan.com/

Well... some are now not available. All booked up and others have irritated me (no surprise here... Hunt Phelan!)

We have decided on the only one left - The Peabody!

An interesting fact: My maternal grandparents and my maternal great grandparents both spent their wedding nights at the Peabody! Both had wonderful marriages! I can only hope for the same.

Peabody here we come!

I decided to go with traditional my grandparent and my great-grandparents both spent their wedding night at the... (wait for it)... The Peabody!

Seriously... It's a pair of shoes!

As I continue the hunt for what have envisioned as the perfect wedding shoe, I have stumbled across many a shoe website. And being a good girlfriend, I thought I would pass them along to you. I have seen some phenomenal shoes at even better prices!

www.like.com - I can not recommend this site enough. Very user friendly and a whole lotta shoes... The site even has a "visual search". I love all the search able options they give you. Perfect when you know exactly what you need. (like wedding shoes) You will also notice $15 shoes listed beside $595 shoes. Very wide selection.

www.makemechic.com - Really cute fun and funky shoes. This site is a bit young... but aren't we all young at heart. The prices can't be beat. Definitely keep an eye on the shoe details. Some of these aren't always as new as you might like them to be. Also, if you are phobic about your shoe boxes, this might not be a site for you. Some shoes do not come in their original box! Heaven forbid! Anyway... just FYI. Oh... this fall I will be buying some of the fun boots they have!

www.zappos.com - I have purchased and returned shoes from this site. Very friendly and very professional. It's not my favorite site for getting around in, but I can't stress how easy returning a pair of shoes was. You can buy and feel comfortable knowing that if they don't fit, don't look right on your feet, aren't the right color... so on and so on... You can ship them back (at no cost to you) and they will credit you back for the full price! Love no pressure buying.



Happy shoe buying!

It's Forever - Engraving your rings

It's time to order our wedding bands and I started thinking about what to have engraved on Joseph's. As usual, I took a casual poll at work of who's ring was engraved and with what. I was surprised by the number that weren't engraved and I was really surprised by the number of husbands that didn't remember what was on the ring. Several had to actually take off their rings to read it to me.

I have flipped and flopped on this quite a bit... sweet or funny or sweet & funny.

Here are some of my favorites....


You complete me (date)
I love you... Now put the ring back on!
Nothing else matters
It's me and you honey bunch
Lets grow old together
You are SO mine
Soulmates (date)
Do or do not, there is no try
I made a wish and you came true.
You’re the music!
I'm not done with you yet!
Mine, all mine!
My dream came true...
A lifetime is all that I need...
Wrapped around you forever
Resistance is Futile
Everything I've ever wanted
Home is where we are...
Forever isn’t long enough...
If removed, alarm will sound.

Pamperring yourself for your big day (Cue the Fish)

I couldn't help but pass this along!

I found this on "OurWeddingDay.Com Blog"

So called “fish pedicures” have been stirring things up lately. Originating in Virginia by John Ho, owner of the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon, this treatment allows fish to nibble the dead skin cells right off your feet.

Some people swear by it, claiming it makes their feet smoother and prettier than a traditional pedicure ever had!

I don't know if I will be trying this out any time soon, but it does make for an interesting picture to include in your Wedding Scrap book!

Bring on the fishies... please no piranhas! Thanks...

Full AP article: ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hzJgRAaYCJMvjh98hAk45as3DPgwD9226PM80

Any advice on planning a wedding?

There are so many little things that make for a great wedding. I have tried to remember them all, but I haven't attended that many weddings and know I have missed most of them.








Here is a short list of little things that make for a great wedding/happy bride:

1. Bunny Toss - Tossing a small stuffed animal to the younger reception attendees.


2. The Wedding Dress Label - Having a personalized label made with your full name or maiden initials with your wedding date embroidered on the ribbon.


3. Monogrammed Drink Sticks - Drink sticks with a flat head that have been manufactured with your initials - Bride's first name and the Groom's first name.


4. Antique Bird Cage - Instead of purchasing a card box or money bag, you can use an antique or reproduction Bird Cage.


5. Perfect Bridal Shoes - Christian Louboutin's! (Just another excuse to mention these awesome shoes yet again!)


6. Dancing Shoes Available - Offering dancing shoes to your guests. You are guaranteed to have all your guest dancing if you offer comfy flip-flops in various sizes next to the dance floor!

What are the some of the little things you have noticed at a wedding?



Any advise you have to pass along to me would be worth millions to me. Speak up!

Wedding linens - Monogrammed Cake Table Runner

I thought this was just gorgeous and something that never crossed my mind when I started planning my wedding.

There are various sites out there that offer these runners or table clothes.

Filligree Monogram Designs has a great selection of fonts and other coordinating items such as napkins. www.filigreemonograms.com

I am still on the search for monogrammed hankies! I do love a hankie.

The Battenburg Lace shop has some of the best handkerchiefs I have ever seen (thelaceshop.stores.yahoo.net/wedhan.html).

Dillard's & Tabasco

I was excited to receive a call from a great friend at Dillard's. Unbelievably, Dillard's has a whole table dedicated to Tabasco products - hot sauces, glasses, lights, plates, other decorative items... Very cool.

The display even brought out the idea of having our personalized mini Tabasco bottles tied with a ribbon and favor tag hanging for a small tree on Christmas ornament hooks. The base of the tree would also have various Tabasco bottles as well as the favors!

How cute! I can't wait...

For the perfect "hot" personalized wedding favor, hit http://www.tabasco.com/ and visit the country store. They have everything Tabasco!

Wedding day lingerie - possible websites

I have found the following sites that look promising for both Bridal lingerie.

I am so hoping I won't need to be stuffed into my dress using every ounce of spandex and bodyshaper technology on the plant! I would also love to not have to wear control top panty hose either...

I found these sites which each had some great items. Some were a bit more expensive than others. $100 thongs? Ouch!

Also, I hope Joseph never googles "Bridal Lingerie" because... well, just never let your man search "bridal lingerie". I feel a bit dirty. The models are incredibly thin and look great in the lingerie! I know that's great marketing but... I will never look that good in it.

These sites offer nice selections:

Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie (www.pamperedpassions.com)

Lingerie Diva (www.lingeriediva.com)

Bare Necessities (www.barenecessities.com)

And of course, Victoria Secret's (www.victoriasecrets.com) I actually found a nice sweet "Just Married" undies on this site that I am highly considering.

.... is this appropriate blogging material? Maybe I will switch back to Cake Toppers and stuff.

The perfect bridal shoe... where are you?

Recently, I purchased online a pair of very cute bridal shoes. I was happy with them, but they were a bit too big and well... I had doubts... maybe even a regret or two. The website (http://www.zappos.com/) has a wonderful return policy and I took advantage of it. I returned my shoes. I would highly recommend this site for shoes. I just know if buying shoes online is for me personally. Definitely check out the site, it's worth the visit.

This might be a purchase that needs to be made in person.

SO.... Help! Keep an eye out for ivory peep toe pumps in town. I would like to try and purchase my next pair in person. And... I have a time limit. My first dress fitting is on Saturday, September 6th.

NOTE: For your first fitting whether the bride or a bridesmaid, you will need to bring the shoes you will be wearing along with the lingerie for that day. Also, it's nice if you are at the weight/size you will be at for the big day.

No food for a month for this bride. I am about 15 pounds short of my goal. Ideally, I would reach my goal prior to my first fitting, but ideally, I would have the Christian Louboutin's in hand as well. We will have to see which one I actually get.

Do I smell another reason to post a picture of those shoes.... YES!!!!!!!

Reminders are just a click away

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Click on the link!

Measurements taken... time will tell!

On Friday, I had my measurements taken at the gym! Bust, hips, waist, thighs, arms and calves! Time is running out for me. My first fitting for my wedding dress is on September 6th!

No more fried food and bring on the cardio!

I plan on getting my measurements taken each Friday. I will keep you posted and long live protein!

It's a Bunny Toss!

How many weddings have you gone to that when it came time for the Bride to toss the bouquet, the average age of the participates was 10 years old?

I have been to more than 4 weddings wear the bouquet was caught by someone under 10!

What... They are going to get married before me?

How depressing it that?

Last summer I went to a wedding and the bouquet was caught be a 12 year old BOY! Thank goodness my mother wasn't there! She would have given up at that point.

I made a promise to myself 6 years ago (yet another awful bouquet toss) at my wedding, there would be an age requirement! I have found another way... A Bunny Toss!

Instead of only tossing the bouquet, you start by inviting all the kids on to the dance floor and you toss a stuffed animal. After that, you invited all the single women out for the actual bouquet toss. This makes for happy bridesmaids and happy mothers!