The waiting process begins. We sent out our wedding invitations a few days back, and now we play the waiting game. Though we have a fairly good idea of who can attend our wedding, it's still fun to receive the little "RSVP" cards in the mail. Only one real disappointment so far, (just because we were so sure she'd attend), but other than that - very exciting stuff!
We started working on the budget this past weekend, as well... (perhaps a bit late, but important nonetheless!). The good news is that we've already paid for a good chunk of it, and some has been "sponsored" by our families, which is quite helpful. :) Still, it's a good chunk of change!
I have my first alteration fitting on Saturday, and I'm a bit stressed. I haven't lost much weight (at all), since I first bought the dress back in January, though I was really hoping to firm up a bit more. I guess I still have some time, but... I gotta get off my butt and do it! That's the hard part. ;)
Getting ready to design the wedding programs, and we have most of the wedding favors planned out. Hoping Stinkerpants is available for the programs, too. Sara works wonders!!
Stay tuned!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I FOUND A DRESS!! I FOUND A DRESS!
... and of course it's much more expensive than I was hoping to spend!
My good friend Katy Haggerty had suggested that I check out the bridal shop that she went to for her dress a while back, and I finally decided to book a time and visit.
Today, Katy, her husband Thomas, Soren and I headed out to Berkeley to meet our friends Sara and Yorkey for lunch at Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley. Well, originally we were going to meet at Cheeseboard Collective - a vegetarian pizza place on Shattuck, but to our dismay is closed on Sundays!! Anyhoo, considering that Katy is vegan and Sara is vegetarian, we headed off to Cafe Gratitude instead. Sara and Yorkey had been here before - none of the rest of us had.
When we were seated, the waitress informed us that none of the food there is cooked. NONE. Wow... for us omnivores, that was a tall order. However, the stuffed avocado salad that I'd ordered was actually quite tasty, and the "milkshake" that Soren and Thomas had was actually really good! We were quite pleasantly surprised ... until we got the bill. $125 for lunch for 6 people, where everything was basically SALAD!! Wow. Eating healthy ain't cheap!!
So, after lunch, Sara and Yorkey went back to Castro Valley to continue planning their chicken coop; Thomas and Soren headed down the street to drink a few beers and watch the game; and Katy and I headed off to Kate's Kouture for the main event!
As we entered, we were greeted by the nicest sales person I'd ever met - very laid back and friendly. She informed me that we had about an hour and a half to look and try on dresses, but I must admit that I was already overwhelmed. Tons of dresses hung around the floor, and I didn't even know where to begin. She started to ask about budget, but I was so lost in the sea of champagne tulle, ivory bodices and sparkling beads that I agred to try on everything she brought me.
Let me remind you that when I started, I was thinking a ball park of $300-$500. Boy had I underestimated the prices of wedding gowns!!
She led us upstairs, we stepped behind a curtain, and I began to undress. She handed me the first dress, and I crawled inside. The body felt a bit big, and she informed me that it was a size 12, and that I was probably closer to a 10. (Yes, wedding dresses do run small, but ... a 10??!!?). As I pulled back the curtain, I saw Katy's face - and her incredible smile lit the room. "That's beautiful" she breathed. I stepped up onto the pedestal in front of the floor length mirror, and took a look. It was beautiful. And it was THE dress.
Just to be sure, I tried on about 8 more - all of which were equally beautiful in their special, sparkly way. But I knew the first dress was it. IT WAS IT.
I tried it on again, and without my saying a word, Katy agreed - "I think this one looks best."
I glowed!
We then tried on a variety of veils - so much to consider! Especially given that the Danish tradition is to TEAR the bride's veil... the thought of our guests destroying any of those beautiful veils just made me shudder! It also horrified Katy and Kate when I explained the tradition, and they agreed that I should look for a "cheap" ... or perhaps free? ... version to have the guests tear instead.
Once I placed it on my head and draped the front down over my face, I stood back and took a deep long look. Up until that point, I'd been very businesslike about the process, asking for prices and practicality (i.e. how can I dance in this dress; how can I sit, etc.?), but once that veil was down... my eyes began to well up. Kate brought over a box of kleenex, and I made a little joke about it being a very appropriate thing to have around in a bridal shop! She said that it was ususally more for the mothers, but I guess I really am just a big sap for wedding stuff! Heck, I bawled at our first wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised!! ;)
So, I said ... "I'll take it!," and walked out of Kate's shop with a bigger dent in our credit card, but my feet barely touched the ground.
4 to 6 months, she said... but she'll email to confirm the shipment in a few days.
Dress? Check!!
My good friend Katy Haggerty had suggested that I check out the bridal shop that she went to for her dress a while back, and I finally decided to book a time and visit.
Today, Katy, her husband Thomas, Soren and I headed out to Berkeley to meet our friends Sara and Yorkey for lunch at Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley. Well, originally we were going to meet at Cheeseboard Collective - a vegetarian pizza place on Shattuck, but to our dismay is closed on Sundays!! Anyhoo, considering that Katy is vegan and Sara is vegetarian, we headed off to Cafe Gratitude instead. Sara and Yorkey had been here before - none of the rest of us had.
When we were seated, the waitress informed us that none of the food there is cooked. NONE. Wow... for us omnivores, that was a tall order. However, the stuffed avocado salad that I'd ordered was actually quite tasty, and the "milkshake" that Soren and Thomas had was actually really good! We were quite pleasantly surprised ... until we got the bill. $125 for lunch for 6 people, where everything was basically SALAD!! Wow. Eating healthy ain't cheap!!
So, after lunch, Sara and Yorkey went back to Castro Valley to continue planning their chicken coop; Thomas and Soren headed down the street to drink a few beers and watch the game; and Katy and I headed off to Kate's Kouture for the main event!
As we entered, we were greeted by the nicest sales person I'd ever met - very laid back and friendly. She informed me that we had about an hour and a half to look and try on dresses, but I must admit that I was already overwhelmed. Tons of dresses hung around the floor, and I didn't even know where to begin. She started to ask about budget, but I was so lost in the sea of champagne tulle, ivory bodices and sparkling beads that I agred to try on everything she brought me.
Let me remind you that when I started, I was thinking a ball park of $300-$500. Boy had I underestimated the prices of wedding gowns!!
She led us upstairs, we stepped behind a curtain, and I began to undress. She handed me the first dress, and I crawled inside. The body felt a bit big, and she informed me that it was a size 12, and that I was probably closer to a 10. (Yes, wedding dresses do run small, but ... a 10??!!?). As I pulled back the curtain, I saw Katy's face - and her incredible smile lit the room. "That's beautiful" she breathed. I stepped up onto the pedestal in front of the floor length mirror, and took a look. It was beautiful. And it was THE dress.
Just to be sure, I tried on about 8 more - all of which were equally beautiful in their special, sparkly way. But I knew the first dress was it. IT WAS IT.
I tried it on again, and without my saying a word, Katy agreed - "I think this one looks best."
I glowed!
We then tried on a variety of veils - so much to consider! Especially given that the Danish tradition is to TEAR the bride's veil... the thought of our guests destroying any of those beautiful veils just made me shudder! It also horrified Katy and Kate when I explained the tradition, and they agreed that I should look for a "cheap" ... or perhaps free? ... version to have the guests tear instead.
Once I placed it on my head and draped the front down over my face, I stood back and took a deep long look. Up until that point, I'd been very businesslike about the process, asking for prices and practicality (i.e. how can I dance in this dress; how can I sit, etc.?), but once that veil was down... my eyes began to well up. Kate brought over a box of kleenex, and I made a little joke about it being a very appropriate thing to have around in a bridal shop! She said that it was ususally more for the mothers, but I guess I really am just a big sap for wedding stuff! Heck, I bawled at our first wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised!! ;)
So, I said ... "I'll take it!," and walked out of Kate's shop with a bigger dent in our credit card, but my feet barely touched the ground.
4 to 6 months, she said... but she'll email to confirm the shipment in a few days.
Dress? Check!!
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