Bridesmaid Dresses

Finally. It's chosen. David's Bridal names the color "Canary" but it looks more like a buttercup yellow to me.

This isn't my pic, but shows the color and overall design of the dress.

I went to DB to try it on for myself. Unfortunately, they only had a size 8 in the yellow. They clipped it in the back, but it still looked kinda big on me.

Below is the dress on the model in the clover color. Not sure what to do with that extra flap of fabric in the middle of the dress. It's really a nice chiffon fabric and very light. It MAY need to be hemmed because it was already a little long on me and I think I'm the tallest one amongst my bridesmaids.

Below is a picture of a real wedding using this dress. It's a good depiction of the color of the dress.

RSVP's are rolling in

I was able to reach my deadline for sending out invitations. On exactly January 31st, 2011 I mailed all those suckers out. All of them, that is, except for the international ones.

I must be the laziest person in the world who can't walk 5 blocks to the post office to mail the international invitations out. I cannot physically make myself get up, put on my boots and coat, and trudge down to the post office before it closes at 4pm. First of all, with my staycation ongoing I can barely wake up by 12 noon.

However, the RSVP's have been coming! Every day there's been at least one little envelope in the mailbox. I get giddy everyday when I put the key in the mailbox. I was totally confused the first time I saw an RSVP envelope for some reason. I think it was because I saw my name and address written in my own handwriting and I got discombobulated for a second.

I know this is bad, but with a long guestlist and a limited amount of space, I am actually relieved when someone declines on the RSVP.

The count so far is approximately 35-40 confirmed.

Here are the invites:

Reception - Part 1

In some ways I'm organized about planning this thing and in others I'm a complete mess. I'm hoping putting all my ideas down here will help me when figure things out and make it easier for me to reference things. I don't even know what that last part means.

So, this is some thoughts and ideas for the reception.

ON THE TABLE:

For the tables, the main part is the centerpiece, obviously. However, I'm keeping it pretty simple. Below is a sample from my florist of what Gregg and I had in mind:

It will be three clear vases with white flowers composed of peonies, rancunculus, tulips. The vases will be surrounded by votive candles. I will be providing the votive candles instead of the florist. Cheaper that way. I'm ordering 72 candles from Amazon: ($14.99)

http://www.amazon.com/Hour-White-Unscented-Votive-Candles/dp/B001D8QJXK/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_b

72 candle holders ($26.99) from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Clear-Glass-Votive-Holders/dp/B001D90HZK/ref=pd_sim_k_1

This way it'll be approximately 58 cents per candle with holder. 4 candles for 12 tables = 48 candles. 24 candles left over for cocktail table, placecard holder table etc.

Yellow maracas for each place setting. On the plate or next to the forks. http://www.amols.com/catalog/product/MX750Y

$1.95 a pair. Approximately 100 needed = 50 pairs. $97.50 total.

Need tags for the maracas. Vistaprint?

Need menu.

Need favor. Tabasco sauce?

Presence/Presents

Gregg and I did the whole registry thing just because it was sort of an expected thing to do. We don't expect any gifts at all because we feel that people are already spending a good amount of money just to be at the wedding in the first place. Plane tickets, hotels, other transportation - it all adds up. So if people come to the wedding, we'd already be overflowing with gratitude that they're there in the first place. Their presence already IS a present.

We don't expect anything even from guests who can't make it.

So it always comes as a nice surprise when we receive a package in the mail from one of our registries. We've gotten two so far, both from Crate and Barrel. I think it's so much better because it's so unexpected.

One was from Kevin and Katie, Gregg's younger brother and his gf. Their package came as a total surprise because it arrived in October and they're both already going to the wedding, Kevin being a best man and all. They said they didn't want to have carry the gift all the way down to Mexico.

The other was from Gregg's friend and gf who wouldn't be able to make it. It was a wine-inspired gift with wine glasses, wine stoppers and a wine rack. Perfect for my wine-loving fiance!

As I said, we don't expect any gifts but it does come as a pleasant surprise when we receive one.

Bridesmaids Gifts - Check!

I was so happy to have found my bridesmaids gifts this weekend. I was so excited when I found the gifts. As soon as I saw them I knew I just HAD to buy them for the girls. Yay!

(Final?) Dress Hunting Day 3 - 1/18/11

It was an overcast, wet and miserable kind of day to go dress hunting. BUT Eunhye and I slogged on over down to Kleinfelds to make my 1:30pm appointment. Mom tried really hard to make it, but the Philippine embassy, the weather, and the car all collaborated against her. I'm going to make another appointment so she can get the whole experience.

Anyway, the lobby and the showroom were very elegant. The dressing rooms however, were not as chic or fancy as the one in Pronovias. And unlike Pronovias, you could NOT take pictures unless you "say yes to the dress". Grrr. As usual, this rule did not deter Eunhye and despite my attempts to dissuade her, she was able to take some pictures of the dress we loved and another we really liked.

This dress we LOOOOVED. It was raw silk, so lightweight, and was very elegant and streamlined. It looked AWESOME with a birdcage veil. It was a light champagne color which you can't see here. The pictures absolutely do NOT do it justice.

The picture below is me yelling at Eunhye to put the camera down before the bridal consultant came in. Look at my face!

A closer look at the dress without the distraction of my contorted face.

This other dress was just as structured and made my waist look tiny! Didn't love it as much as the one above, but it was also really nice with a touch of lace on the bottom. It would have also looked really good with a birdcage veil.

Sadly, I just couldn't say yes to either of these dresses. It was waaaay over my budget. But it was nice (and also a little cruel) to try them on.

Next stop: David's Bridal. My mom met up with me and Eunhye where I think I eventually found the dress thanks to Mom's eagle eye. It's not THE dress, if there is such a thing. But it was close enough and I'm happy with it. It's within budget and fits me wonderfully so there won't be much alterations done.

It has a lace bodice, which months ago I swore up and down I would never wear. However, it's a modern style lace not the old vintage style. There's also some flounce on the bottom which adds a little something, but Eunhye just thought was ok. I will make mom happy by wearing it with a traditional long veil, and I may add the birdcage veil later on during the reception. Yay!

As soon as I make the actual purchase I'm returning that Nordstrom dress. I'm so relieved I've finally found a dress! Thanks everyone for all your help!!

Dress Hunting Day 2 - 1/13/11

A really fun day with Mom, Rich, Eunhye and Jen at RK Bridal. We weren't allowed to take pictures but Eunhye managed to sneak some in. We all liked this dress. We didn't like the price. Click on the pics below to see a larger image.

There was another one we liked even better. Unfortunately, the price was even worse. However, it was here in RK Bridal that we realized the awesomeness of the cage veil.

Too bad we didn't get a picture with me wearing one. The picture above was a real wedding done in NY that was mine and Gregg's original inspiration for yellow and light gray. Click here to see more of their pictures.

It was also at RK Bridal that I realized I was getting further and further away from my initial idea of the kind of dress I thought I was going to wear. I had wanted a super simple chiffon gown that just fell down, no structure at all. But in the end, I found that I really liked how I looked in a fitted dress.