Oh my goodness, I bought a wedding dress last week! It was so much fun and so special! I went to Vera's House of Bridals in Madison, WI, which is where my mom bought her wedding dress back when my parents got married, which was so special! My favorite aunt/godmother also bought her wedding dress there when she married my uncle. I had such a fun group with too! It was my mom, sister, aunt/godmother, and both my grandmas. I was so glad Oma was there! She's been in a nursing home since last fall and has been showing her dementia more. But, she was so excited to be there and it seemed like she had a good time. Mom said Oma giggled when Mom asked if she wanted to come along and said it sounded like fun. Then when Bumpa was reminding her earlier that day that she was coming with us, she didn't seem too excited (but that's how she is with my grandpa) but when Bumpa was telling the nurse what Oma was doing that day, Oma started giggling again! She is so funny sometimes! I'm so glad she was there to see me in my wedding dress! I'll give a recap of the whole day now:
I started out for Madison around 9 (I think) and went and picked up my other grandma (Grammy) on my way to Bumpa's, where Mom and Amanda were staying. We got there around noon and I think we were thinking about having lunch there, but I guess we forgot! We left from Bumpa's to Vera's and got there just as Tante Ruth and Oma were arriving. Mom arranged for a transport vehicle for Oma so she didn't have to get out of her wheel chair and Tante Ruth rode with her. Tante Ruth had brought wedding magazines for us to look at while we were waiting at different points. We went inside and checked in then we were looking around at different displays they had downstairs. We saw some adorable flowergirl dresses, cute bridesmaids dresses, but we spent most of the time looking at mother's dresses. Mom saw a few styles she might like! She has a while, though, before she needs to get one. Our consultant, Jenna, greeted us there and I introduced her to my family members. She took us back to our room on the first floor (since they didn't have an elevator and Oma can't climb steps). It was actually an alterations fitting room, which made it a little different. I explained to Jenna the sorts of things I like and she took notes and such. Then she took me with her upstairs to look at a few dresses they had on display while she pulled a couple more from the back. I saw one that I sort of liked. It was sort of funny because there was a mom looking at that same dress and wanted to show it to her daughter before I took it with me. The daughter liked it too! Well, we got it first ;) and took it down to try on. Things got ever-so-slightly awkward from there because I had to change in front of my family. It was just a moment of... Oh! Okay then! I didn't mind, because they're all family and they've seen me naked before... except that I was much younger then, lol! I changed as modestly as I could, but they still got to see my undies. Oh well, it's just family!
The one I picked out I actually really liked. There were just a few things that were a bit eh, but otherwise, it was gorgeous! I tried on several more that were just so-so too. There was one that was one of the last I tried on that made Tante Ruth gasp and say "ohhh!" and I could see she was getting a little misty! It was a beautiful dress. It was form-fitting, and had embroidery/sparkles all over it. It was very pretty... just not quite right! Jenna then took me upstairs with her again and we looked through the stock in the back. Jenna could tell exactly what I wanted and she showed me one that would have fit everything.... but it was about $400 over my price range... nope! I pulled one out and Jenna pulled out a couple too and we headed downstairs to try them on. The last one I tried on... it was PERFECT! At first, I thought... oh maybe, I dunno... because it wasn't what I thought I wanted. But as I looked at it more and more, I realized how beautiful and perfect it was! Jenna asked me, "would you like to try on a veil with this one?" YES!! She brought one one and we put up my hair and put it on. Beautiful! We fluffed out the train, took it to the 3-way mirror and walked around with it. We also put a crinolin (sp?) on under it and it looked even better! It was decided!
I started out for Madison around 9 (I think) and went and picked up my other grandma (Grammy) on my way to Bumpa's, where Mom and Amanda were staying. We got there around noon and I think we were thinking about having lunch there, but I guess we forgot! We left from Bumpa's to Vera's and got there just as Tante Ruth and Oma were arriving. Mom arranged for a transport vehicle for Oma so she didn't have to get out of her wheel chair and Tante Ruth rode with her. Tante Ruth had brought wedding magazines for us to look at while we were waiting at different points. We went inside and checked in then we were looking around at different displays they had downstairs. We saw some adorable flowergirl dresses, cute bridesmaids dresses, but we spent most of the time looking at mother's dresses. Mom saw a few styles she might like! She has a while, though, before she needs to get one. Our consultant, Jenna, greeted us there and I introduced her to my family members. She took us back to our room on the first floor (since they didn't have an elevator and Oma can't climb steps). It was actually an alterations fitting room, which made it a little different. I explained to Jenna the sorts of things I like and she took notes and such. Then she took me with her upstairs to look at a few dresses they had on display while she pulled a couple more from the back. I saw one that I sort of liked. It was sort of funny because there was a mom looking at that same dress and wanted to show it to her daughter before I took it with me. The daughter liked it too! Well, we got it first ;) and took it down to try on. Things got ever-so-slightly awkward from there because I had to change in front of my family. It was just a moment of... Oh! Okay then! I didn't mind, because they're all family and they've seen me naked before... except that I was much younger then, lol! I changed as modestly as I could, but they still got to see my undies. Oh well, it's just family!
The one I picked out I actually really liked. There were just a few things that were a bit eh, but otherwise, it was gorgeous! I tried on several more that were just so-so too. There was one that was one of the last I tried on that made Tante Ruth gasp and say "ohhh!" and I could see she was getting a little misty! It was a beautiful dress. It was form-fitting, and had embroidery/sparkles all over it. It was very pretty... just not quite right! Jenna then took me upstairs with her again and we looked through the stock in the back. Jenna could tell exactly what I wanted and she showed me one that would have fit everything.... but it was about $400 over my price range... nope! I pulled one out and Jenna pulled out a couple too and we headed downstairs to try them on. The last one I tried on... it was PERFECT! At first, I thought... oh maybe, I dunno... because it wasn't what I thought I wanted. But as I looked at it more and more, I realized how beautiful and perfect it was! Jenna asked me, "would you like to try on a veil with this one?" YES!! She brought one one and we put up my hair and put it on. Beautiful! We fluffed out the train, took it to the 3-way mirror and walked around with it. We also put a crinolin (sp?) on under it and it looked even better! It was decided!
At that point, Oma and Tante Ruth had to leave because the transport would be coming back soon. So, I gave both a hug and they headed out.
The next question, however, was whether to order it in ivory (like the sample) or white. I had always wanted a white dress and I thought the ivory looked dirty. However, Amanda and Mom both really liked the ivory. Grammy thought I should get whatever I wanted regardless of anyone else's opinion. I kept going back and forth, though. Jenna even brought down a similar dress in white to compare. We then thought about yellow bridesmaids dresses and would that look better next to the white or the ivory. Jenna brought down a bridesmaid's dress in yellow that I had been eyeing up. It ended up being not quite the right shade, but either way, it definitely looked better next to the white. It was decided and it was now picture time! When you find "the dress" at Vera's, they pose you on their beautiful staircase and take your picture. Then they print one out for you to take home! They also let Amanda take some with my camera while I was there.
The next question, however, was whether to order it in ivory (like the sample) or white. I had always wanted a white dress and I thought the ivory looked dirty. However, Amanda and Mom both really liked the ivory. Grammy thought I should get whatever I wanted regardless of anyone else's opinion. I kept going back and forth, though. Jenna even brought down a similar dress in white to compare. We then thought about yellow bridesmaids dresses and would that look better next to the white or the ivory. Jenna brought down a bridesmaid's dress in yellow that I had been eyeing up. It ended up being not quite the right shade, but either way, it definitely looked better next to the white. It was decided and it was now picture time! When you find "the dress" at Vera's, they pose you on their beautiful staircase and take your picture. Then they print one out for you to take home! They also let Amanda take some with my camera while I was there.
I love the picture they printed for me, though. It's so handy and I've been showing everyone, especially my co-workers! I was being really silly during the pictures, though... had to do some "vogue" shots!
Then, it was time to take my dress off! :( Jenna took my measurements and we decided on a size and I signed off on it. While that was happening, another consultant came in and took the dress away and I said, "Bye, dress!" Then it was time to put down the money. The deposit was half of the total cost. I asked what the average alterations cost was and she said around $250. I get a free bustle, though, and it'll probably be less for me since it would only need to be taken in a little and maybe hemmed depending on my shoes. Then, it was time to head back to Bumpa's! The plan was to have some yellow-themed snacks (cupcakes, cheese, etc) but we were SO hungry, we just went out to eat. We waited for Tante Ruth and Madeline to show up, then I had a special surprise for Madelne! I asked if she would be my flowergirl! She gasped and said "YES!" I gave her a book about being a flowergirl and I read it to her.
She was so excited and was my buddy for the rest of the night! Unfortunately, at dinner, I started to feel sick because I hadn't eaten enough that day and then I got a migraine :( I picked at my food, but when Madeline declared she only wanted a taste of the sundae that came with her kid's meal, I ate the rest of it. It was the only thing that actually tasted good. We went home and I snuggled with Mom for a bit trying to feel better. She gave me some Alieve she had in her purse too. Wow, that stuff helped! Within an hour, I was talkative and cheerful again! I guess that's a good reminder that I should make sure to eat lunch on my wedding day! I felt so bad, though while I wasn't feeling well! Tante Ruth had made little wedding dresses out of marshmallow fondant to put on the cupcakes. She showed them to me and they were so cute! She asked if I wanted to try one and I said no thanks because my tummy was still hurting. Mom told her though that I wasn't feeling well and she understood. She and Madeline had to head out and we did hugs and stuff (I barely remember it though because of my migraine) Shortly after I started feeling better, Mom and Amanda had to head home that night and I went and stayed with Grammy.
The next day, I decided I didn't really have to be anywhere, although I had told Andy I'd probably leave around noon, which led to some confusion. Grammy and I had breakfast then sat around talking until lunch! I learned so many things about my family history, and some things I'd always been curious about but didn't want to ask. We went to Subway and split a bacon turkey avocado sub and ate it at a nearby park on the lake. It was such a nice day out and perfect for sitting around and talking! I finally headed out around supper time. It was such a wonderful weekend (despite the migraine!) and I'm so glad to have the special memories from those days!
Since last weekend, however, I have had wedding on my brain! I've been thinking about all I have to do and all I want to do and what I can do next! I've decided that florist is next and I'm going to start working on some DIY projects as I can get supplies on sale!
I'm sure this was an obnoxiously long post already, but I just wanted to share a couple of things I bought today during a really good sale at Michael's! I was checking out their flyer and they had one of those "get 50% off one reg price item" coupons. I knew that could make a great deal for an item, plus they had a ton of other supplies I had been thinking about on sale, so I headed over while Andy was at the gym. I didn't pay full price for a single item because they were all on sale! Here's what I got there:
The next day, I decided I didn't really have to be anywhere, although I had told Andy I'd probably leave around noon, which led to some confusion. Grammy and I had breakfast then sat around talking until lunch! I learned so many things about my family history, and some things I'd always been curious about but didn't want to ask. We went to Subway and split a bacon turkey avocado sub and ate it at a nearby park on the lake. It was such a nice day out and perfect for sitting around and talking! I finally headed out around supper time. It was such a wonderful weekend (despite the migraine!) and I'm so glad to have the special memories from those days!
Since last weekend, however, I have had wedding on my brain! I've been thinking about all I have to do and all I want to do and what I can do next! I've decided that florist is next and I'm going to start working on some DIY projects as I can get supplies on sale!
I'm sure this was an obnoxiously long post already, but I just wanted to share a couple of things I bought today during a really good sale at Michael's! I was checking out their flyer and they had one of those "get 50% off one reg price item" coupons. I knew that could make a great deal for an item, plus they had a ton of other supplies I had been thinking about on sale, so I headed over while Andy was at the gym. I didn't pay full price for a single item because they were all on sale! Here's what I got there:
Acrylic paints and paintbrushes for when I make my monogrammed aisle runner! The paints were 2/$1 and I used my 1/2 off coupon on the paintbrushes.
Two kinds of ribbon, both were on sale. The green was 3/$1 and the white was 2/$5. The white I'm going to practice making ribbon roses and I'll use those for various things. The green I'm not sure how I'll use yet - probably tie to bubbles or something. But, it's just the right color of green!
I also got a storage organizer to put the paints, paintbrushes, and ribbons in.
And, last at Michaels, I got these 8x10 picture frames for the DIY picture card box I want to make. I'll need some more supplies and I may ask my dad to help me put it together since it may involve power tools :) These guys were marked down to $5.99 each, then I had a coupon for 25% off all picture frames, etc. So, I basically got one for free!
I also thought about getting bubbles while I was there because all wedding stuff was 25% off. They had 2 kinds: one was a pack of 36 for $9.99 (reg price) and the other was a pack of 100 for $19.99 (reg price). Obviously, the pack of 100 would be a better deal, but I liked the way the pack of 36 looked better. I'll probably still go with the 100 pack because of the difference in price. I'll need 3 packs of the 100s for over 200 guests. I decided, however, to wait until they weren't on sale and I could use the 50% off coupon to get them (one at a time lol) because then I could get 3 for $30 instead of $45 - every little bit helps!
I also went to Target for some other things, but while I was there, I picked up a few white frames that I want to use for table numbers. The size on these is 5x7. I'll need about 28-30, depending on how many people end up coming. I picked up 5 for now and I'll continue to pick some up whenever I'm there until I have all I need. They're about $3 a piece. Not the best quality, but whatever. I figure after the wedding, I can use them as gifts to parents, grandparents, etc with a wedding picture in them.
I also thought about getting bubbles while I was there because all wedding stuff was 25% off. They had 2 kinds: one was a pack of 36 for $9.99 (reg price) and the other was a pack of 100 for $19.99 (reg price). Obviously, the pack of 100 would be a better deal, but I liked the way the pack of 36 looked better. I'll probably still go with the 100 pack because of the difference in price. I'll need 3 packs of the 100s for over 200 guests. I decided, however, to wait until they weren't on sale and I could use the 50% off coupon to get them (one at a time lol) because then I could get 3 for $30 instead of $45 - every little bit helps!
I also went to Target for some other things, but while I was there, I picked up a few white frames that I want to use for table numbers. The size on these is 5x7. I'll need about 28-30, depending on how many people end up coming. I picked up 5 for now and I'll continue to pick some up whenever I'm there until I have all I need. They're about $3 a piece. Not the best quality, but whatever. I figure after the wedding, I can use them as gifts to parents, grandparents, etc with a wedding picture in them.
Well, this was long, but worth it! Bye for now!
To dos for this summer:
-Book florist
-Register (3-4 places?)
-finalize guest list
-schedule engagement pictures for fall
-start some DIY decor!
To dos for this summer:
-Book florist
-Register (3-4 places?)
-finalize guest list
-schedule engagement pictures for fall
-start some DIY decor!
RSS Feed