I wish I could quit you...

**Update**

Well, a late update that is. I got the dresses and tried them on. The material was really nice, light and flowing. But...the color was very marigold, almost school bus yellow. You might be able to see in the photos below. So, we trudge on. I guess it wasn't meant to be between me and ol' J.Crew. I'll stick to purchasing their lovely assortment of cardigans and corduroys.

I can't get away from JCrew. Even though I was disappointed with the first dress I ordered, I am bound and determined to make one of their bridesmaids dresses work. This time though, I ordered a swatch firs--the swatch came today and I really liked the color. So I went ahead and ordered two different styles in the marigold chiffon. I found a free shipping code, so what the hell. We'll see what they look like in 5-7 business days!

(Silk Chiffon Twist Tank Dress)



(Silk Chiffon Juliette Dress)

Blast from the past...

For Christmas, my Grama gave us all some old family photos. I got a few of my Mom and Dad from their wedding along with one of them from my Uncle and Aunt's wedding. Check the fashion. Especially my dad's platform kicks in the first photo and his enorme bow tie in the last. I have to say though that I think besides the fact that my Mom's wedding dress had long sleeves, it's a pretty classic dress. Unfortunately, it did not stay so nice over the years or I would have tried to use it for myself. I might try to see if there is anyway to salvage some part of it for my "old" or "borrowed" though.

For the record, I have never seen my Dad in real life without a mustache.

Let me take your picture...

We've knocked another big item off the list. We decided on a photo booth company!

Even before we were engaged, we knew that when we got married we wanted two things for the wedding: cupcakes and a photo booth. We love photo booths, but who doesn't? When we first thought about having the booth, we had decided that we wanted a vintage booth, one that would print photos like these:

Then we went to our friend's wedding and they had a digital booth set up, with the guest book and everything. It was so fun and such a nice idea for the guest book. The photos actually printed out in a 4 strip similar to above, but I can't find that picture, so this one will due:

(oh short hair...I miss you)

Although we liked the idea of the digital photos, we were still looking for an actual retro looking booth, as opposed to the man made digital booths. So we started doing some research.

We looked at three different companies:

Memory Snaps Chicago provides a vintage retro booth, just like in the dark corner of your favorite bar. I was referred to this company by meetings and events person who works with my Mom and who had a bride who used them for her wedding. Very cool--we actually almost went with this company, but it only prints out one strip at a time and we want people to be able to print one for themselves (as their "favor") and one for the guest book and we want to cut down on the time it takes to do this so that everyone can get a chance to enjoy the booth during the evening. If you are looking for a regular vintage booth, I would recommend contacting Sam, as he was very easy to work with and answered all of our questions.

Photo Works Interactive offers both digital and vintage booths but we had a very hard time getting someone to respond to our inquiries, so we looked around for another retro digital booth company.

In the end we decided to go with 312photobooths.com. They offered a vintage booth with digital photos for the best price out of all three. We get the double strips, the guest book, two attendants and a copy of all the photos online and on a DVD. Sean worked with Anthony, who was very accomidating and helpful.

I think this is probably one of the things I'm most excited for. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Hmmmm....

Perhaps the designers at David's Bridal have been peeking at the Jcrew site lately? I see a lot of "inspiration" in David's new modern line. David's dress on the left, Jcrew's on the right.

What to wear, part 1.

When I tell people how many dresses I tried on before I decided on mine, I think they are kind of surprised. (I went to seven stores and I think I probably tried on about 35 or 40 dresses.) Well, I'm not surprised at all that it took me that many to know that the dress I chose was the right one. I'm totally indecisive about everything, so why would making this purchase be any different? I won't lie, even after we plunked down the deposit for my dress, I got the "Oh my God, did I chose the right one?" willies. Of course I am confident now, but at the time, it's a lot of money and it's a pretty final decision. No returning this baby for a full refund if you change your mind.

So, as you can see, it was very important for me to try on just about every dress in the styles I was going for--as a few others--that I could get my hands on before making the big choice.

I was going back and forth about posting photos of me in the dresses that I did not choose, and I decided not to. I will however show you what they look like on a model, which is of course ten times better than they look on any mere mortal in a wedding shop, sunburned and standing under fluorescent lights while reassuring themselves that their arms will not look like this on the wedding day and that by God, they will stop eating cheeseburgers twice a week in order to get rid of that kangaroo pouch.

Well, I still eat a lot of cheeseburgers, but I'm working on it!

Anyway, I digress. Please enjoy an assortment of rejected wedding gowns on very nice looking airbrushed ladies.

The first place we went looking was Macy's on State Street. I'm so glad that my Mom and I went to Macy's, even though we kind of knew we wouldn't be buying from there. ( I live in the suburbs and it's inconvenient to go to the heart of the city for fittings, etc.) I tried on quite a few dresses, but I only wrote down the two that I liked the most. I had a good experience at Macy's. The consultant I worked with was Marina, and she was really knowledgeable and I think it was a good place to start.


(Romona Keveza L805 without the bolero)
"The Romona," as I refer to it, was the runner up. I tried it on first at Macy's and later at another salon in Geneva called Veiled in Elegance. I know, it's pretty much exactly what I was looking for, and it made my behind look pretty nice, seriously...look, I'll even show you a real photo:

(photo of my behind at the shop in Geneva)

But, in the end, the Ivory coloring just wasn't as flattering as I wished it would have been and the white was "too white." (I'm assuming if you are reading this, that you care about the difference between Ivory and White...if not, this is probably your queue to move on to something less "bridey.")


(Lazaro LZ3659)
When I just looked this one up, I was surprised that I had written it down on the "short list." Maybe it wasn't as poofey when I tried it on? I don't remember what it looked like on me and Macy's doesn't allow you to take photos of the dresses.

Looking at the detail though, it has the lace work that I liked and the back is really pretty. So, I'm assuming that is what drew me to it.

After Macy's, we went to a few sample shops in the city, Weddings 826 and White Chicago. I didn't really find anything at Weddings 826, but Suzi, who was my consultant, was really great and the shop is really cute.

White Chicago was a completely unique experience. The place is really cool and they have a lot of great sample and once wed gowns. Ursula, one of the co-owners, was my consultant and she was so cool. I would HIGHLY recommend checking this place out, they have some great designer gowns at a fraction of the retail price.

(Judd Waddell)
I tried on quite a few gowns here (I honestly may have tried on the Romona again too) but the one I liked the best was by Judd Waddell. The picture isn't very clear above, but I have a photo of myself wearing this one and looking back, it just wasn't a flattering shape on me. Not the dress for me.

So, that was day one of the search for the dress. I have t0 say the one thing I wasn't prepared to do was strip down to my underwear in front of someone I had just met. Needless to say, we got real close, real quick. I don't know why I didn't even think about how I was going to get in and out of the dresses! Good thing I wore decent undergarments!

I'll save a few more for another post. I won't be posting my final decision, but you'll see it soon enough!

What to do...what to do...

I was at work the other day, avoiding doing any actual work, and I thought it might be a good idea to come up with a "to do" list for the next 8 months--it's also called a "to pay" list if you ask me.

I know, many wedding Web sites have their own check list, but I decided to put good old pen to paper and this is what I have come up with. I'm sure I'm missing something and when I cross reference with said Web site, I'll find that I'm actually waaaaaaaay off. But never the less here we go, in no real order of importance or time crunch:

Save the Dates (soon!)
Photographer (soon!)
Invitations
Flowers and Reception decor
Sean's attire
My accessories (shoes, jewelry, etc.)
Hair and Makeup peeps
Car Rental (Sean's thinking vintage Cadillac, me likes)
Hotel Rooms
Welcome Bags for hotel guests
Bridal Party gifts
Bridesmaid dresses and accessories
Marriage License
Programs
Rehearsal Dinner arrangements
Ceremony and Reception music
Reserve the photobooth, which will serve as our guestbook and favors
Honeymoon arrangements

So, what am I missing? Do tell...

At least we have the big things out of the way, Reception and Ceremony locale, Officiant, my dress.

I'm standing up in my cousin's wedding on Nov. 15th and I think after that, I'll be kicking it into high gear and really focusing on the wedding, seeing as we have like 8 mos. left. Gah!

365...

One year ago today.

I received some baked goods.

and this gem...

I know I've said it in like every post lately, but I can't believe how fast the last year went by.

I leave you with this:

(Sean, Me, Nathan and Stephanie's lower half)

The reason I love Jeremy Lawson's work and why I wish he was our photographer. Alas he is not available on our date. But, enjoy his blog. He shot our friend Andrea's wedding on 10.5.08 (where the photo above was taken).

No pictures...

Finding a photographer is a lot more work than I thought it would be. There are so many talented people in the Chicagoland area. But I must say, I am so sick of looking at other people's wedding photos. I will be very happy when we finally nail down a photographer and hopefully it doesn't cost me my first born child.

We met with Molly Grace from Vrai last week and we are meeting with Kris Kasperek (iklikphoto) tonight.

But I just found more photographers via the wedding photojournalist association. Le sigh.

I trudge on.

I need to start working on the Save the Dates. I can't believe it's almost November.

Comments...eek!

Okay, quick note...I think I need to buy a "blogging for idiots" book or something, because I have had people comment on here (okay, it was like 4 times, but still!) and I didn't even know it! I apologize if I didn't acknowledge any comments from past posts, but thanks for speaking up! I need to figure out how to get a "nudge" when I receive a comment in the future!

I'm glad someone is reading this! Keep the comments coming!

Gah. It's October already!

Well, not just yet...but almost!!!

Nothing against October, I actually love it. It brings crisp weather, pumpkins, Halloween parties, decorations and Halloween candies (...and last year it brought me cavities from eating too much of that candy), my Mom's birthday and most importantly it marks the anniversary of our engagement. I know I keep saying that I can't believe it has been a year already, but seriously...I can...not...believe it!

In the last few weeks though, I have made some ground. We found the location for our ceremony. After looking for a place for about the last 11 months, I discovered that the hotel where we are having our room block has a nice outdoor location and is willing to do just a ceremony and the "inclement weather" back up ballroom is actually not terrible either. It will be nice for our guests, because they will be able to come to the hotel, attend the ceremony and then if they are staying at the hotel, they can just check in right afterward (or perhaps even before?) The location fee is less than what we were going to pay for the Schram and it's pretty much exactly what I wanted all along.

Well, this is pretty much my perfect location, but I don't live anywhere near anything this amazing:

(I don't know the exact source of that photo, but I'm pretty sure I pulled it from marthastewart.com)

But like I said...it's almost perfect.

Here are a couple photos I took when we went to look at the location.

I can use these chairs, or they have white garden chairs which I may use instead.

As you can see there are a few big trees in the area that provide shade which is very nice, especially in July. (eek!)

The coordinator at the hotel said she can set the site for at least 200 people, which is nice to at least have the option. Not sure how many we should expect yet.

I'd like to use some flower pom poms (my nice technical word for them). Either from real flowers or fake, depending on how much the real things would run.

(source)


(source)

I also would like to hang something from the trees if possible, but I don't want to run the risk of looking gaudy. Maybe a couple of paper lanterns or something. I haven't really looked into that yet.

Only other thing I have been considering is having a chuppah. Sean is Jewish and though we technically aren't having a Jewish wedding, it would be nice to honor that part of him with some traditional aspects. He will be breaking the glass at the end of the ceremony (spoiler alert: it's actually a light bulb! I guess it has better pop?)

Well, I guess that's all I have for now.

I'm still looking for the right photographer, I thought I had found him...and then another him...yet both were already booked. More on that next time. I bet you'll be living on the edge of your seats until then!

Where does the time go?

It's been a month...lot's has happened, and then again, not a lot has happened.

It's mostly been research. Researching photographers, photo booth companies, still looking for the perfect ceremony spot (which is becoming one elusive beast!). But we did make some progress yesterday. We met with the officiant we will be using, Toni Maddi. She was so great. I felt totally on the the same page as her and I'm really looking forward to her performing our ceremony. We also went and visited our reception venue last night as they were setting up for a reception. The main purpose was to see where they set up the photo booth, but it turned into a great opportunity to take Sean's Mom and her boyfriend Ted on a tour of the venue and then they treated us to a delicious Tapas dinner! The place looked great all set up and the location of the photo booth is prime. We'll definitely be using that as our favors and guest book.

All in all I felt pretty accomplished yesterday!

My Mom is going to look into us possible having the ceremony at Indian Lakes, where she works. Toni has performed ceremonies there before and suggested it. I never even considered it before, but at this point...I'm going to try to exhaust all resources.

The search for the photographer continues. There are so many great photogs in Chicago, I didn't know it was going to be this hard of a choice! I just hope that by the time we choose to meet with someone they are still available!

I can't believe it's already mid-September. Next month we will have been engaged for a year. This makes me nervous and also makes me wonder what the heck I've been doing for the last 11 months!!!

In order to make myself feel better, I'm going to watch the Coco Channel movie on Lifetime and eat some Toblerone.

ta ta.

Well...it would have been nice.

I got the dresses from Jcrew in the mail and as soon as I ripped open the box, my heart broke a little bit. The color is not at all what I was expecting--a cheery yellow as portrayed in the photos on the Web site. Instead it's more of a mustardy/muddy yellow which in some lights almost looks limey. I showed two of my girls last night and my Mom the other day and they all agreed it wasn't what we were expecting. I also tried one on just to see what the shape was and it just wasn't as cute as I thought it would be. Plus, now that I have found my dress (more on that later), I think I will need something with a bit richer fabric texture.Wah Wah....back to the ol' drawing board. I'm sure I will find something that is exactly what I want, it's a good thing I started early in the game!

I guess I've learned my lessons--always request a fabric swatch and if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

I'll take some photos and post them later.

It's allllll happening!

I just ordered the dresses for my girls! We decided to go with the JCrew dresses I posted about here. After hearing from JCrew and getting the good news that I would in fact be able to return or exchange the dresses, I decided to e-mail my girls and I'm so happy that they all really liked the dress!

I hope that they are just as adorable in person and that everyone likes them on. I know it's difficult to forecast sizes, etc. this far out, so I'm really greatful that everyone was so totally flexible about it.

Things are starting to get rolling--very exciting!

Okay, back to work.

She Comes in Colors Everywhere...

Well, I never heard back from JCrew about the final sale policy on the dresses below. So...I guess it's not meant to be. I'm sure they will come back around. They seem to have a lot of the same stuff every other season.

So, I've been going back and forth about colors for well...about 9 months now. At first I really wanted to do jewel tones:

(source)

I found the board above and really liked the colors. I also found some jewel tone inspiration in other places too. Oddly enough, my Christmas tree ornaments were one.

Then I started reading wedding magazines and wedding blogs and wedding web sites and was changing my mind on a weekly basis.

First I loved Aqua and Emerald a la Martha, but alas I need more color than that:

(source)

And then I really liked the cranberry and orange combo, but later decided that was a bit too much like fall:

(source)

Then I was thinking brighter shades, maybe pink and orange?


(source)

or maybe a more subdued version:


(source)

I really like the pink/orange but I feel like it could be a little overwhelming. So then I thought about yellow and pink with small amounts of orange. I have been seeing a lot of things that I like in this area.

Some marigold and fuschia

(source)

So, I'm pretty sure I'll end up with some variation of these colors. I love these flowers:


Here are a few more yellow (and little pink) favs.


(source?)




(I'm pretty sure this is a Martha)

(Source)

I guess it's never a bad thing to have so many great ideas to choose from and so many resources to tap into! Some day I will have enough time to update my links section to include the gazillion blogs and sites I visit on a daily basis. Hey, I only have 11 months left to drool over all things wedding, I'll do it all day if I want!

GAH!

JCrew is having a sale and one of the dresses I really like is included:

It was originally $260.00, now $179. Normally, this would be great, right?

Problems would be:

A) it's only onsale until Friday.
B) my wedding is still 11 months and some odd days away.
C) you can't try them on.
D) and most importantly, it says you can't exchange or return!

Waaaaaah. Waaaaah. I e-mailed them to see if problem D can be worked around at all. I really think these dresses are so cute and even though $179 is not cheap-o, it's almost as much as I've paid for dresses from David's Bridal.

Le sigh. I don't know what to do.

The count down is on...

I hate those internet count down clocks. But, I thought it was worth mentioning that I'll be getting hitched in like 364 days and some odd hours, minutes, and of course...seconds.

woo.

Dum, Dum, Dah, Dum....

No, I haven't found a ceremony site or an officiant yet. Thanks for asking though.

and why YES! I WILL BE SHOPPING FOR A WEDDING DRESS ON FRIDAY!

That's right. I'm totally putting boring things like finding a place to actually get married on the back burner for now and moving on to some of the fun things in the planning process. I'm ditching work on Friday and my Mom and I are going to do some damage in the city.

Sidenote: My Mom is my new assistant. I hate making phone calls. She doesn't mind. Nice.

So, she scheduled appointments for us at the Macy's Bridal Salon, Weddings 826, and White Chicago.

I'm sure I'll see things that are waaaaaaaay out of my price range, but I'm going to try them on regardless. Because I'll never be able to do it again.

I've already seen some dresses online that I know are not within reach, but I love them anyway.

Amy Kuschel:

(Astaire Nosegay)

(Ilsa)


(Astaire Kaleidescope)

We're going to Macy's first--I can almost guarantee that I won't end up getting something from there (because of prices) but they have a great selection of designers and I guess they are having a 10 percent off sale this week...so we'll see. So I can get all the sticker shock out of my system right then and there. Then we will eat lunch and head over to Weddings 826 and then end the day at White Chicago. I'm excited to go to the last two places because they sell samples and White Chicago also sells consignment dresses.

I hope I will be able to take pictures, although I don't know how keen I would be about posting them on here...maybe the rejects.

I'm really excited. I hope I find dresses that I like, but I'm also afraid of finding the dress that I want to buy because I want to be able to shop some more. Silly, I know...but this is one of the things I'm really looking forward to doing.

I hope the next two days fly by.

I've officially seen it all...

Well, almost:

Seriously, WTF does a naked dude have to do with me looking for a wedding gown? I mean I get that the end result of your wedding day will probably end up with nudity...but come on. Put some pants on. It's like a Calvin Klein commercial gone totaaaaaaaaaaaally wrong.

So bizarro.