27 dresses

Dresses from katherine heigl's 27 dresses:

27 Bridesmaid Dresses

Some of these are really fantastic!!

I really think my bridesmaids would love the square dance dress. :-D



The Peep Dress


The Vampire Princess... love the collar :-D


Little Bo Peep


Miss Scarlett


Tangerine Dream


Pastel Explosion


Square Dance


Lace

Bridesmaid Dress Shopping Invites

I want to take all the bridesmaids, if possible, on a shopping trip to Sacramento to find bridesmaid dresses once and for all. I also don't want anyone to complain that the dress is ugly, unsuitable for them, not the color they wanted (oh well about that one though) and etc.
So after talking to a few people, I found a good date to go. I don't know if my cousin will be able to go because of the baby .. but we'll see. I think if I give everyone ample notice (a months notice), they can request the day off work and make arrangements to be there.

We are going February 2nd... even if its just me and Maya..

Here are the invites I just mailed to everyone:

In case anyone is wondering - I got this paper at Walmart today for 1.50!! for 20 sheets. Can you believe it?

This is the actual invite with the date, time, where to meet - I blurred out addresses because its not my address anyway


I also included for people's own reference - the list of the shops with addresses, hours and phone numbers. I also made a rough itinerary, and included a few bits of advice.. Like to wear comfy clothes that they can easily change in and out of and to bring a camera if they wanted.

I also asked anyone that couldn't go to send me some measurements to be sure the dress comes in their size, because some dresses run weird and i don't want to get a dress to find out that even though they go to size 24, size 24 is equal to a size 6. Okay it won't be that bad, but I've seen some that due to some measurements - like big boobs or tummys, they need 6 or 7 sizes bigger than normal. Another bridesmaid and I needed a dress 6 sizes up for my sisters wedding. Which we didn't know until we went to order it.

Yeah, so I think they came out nice. :)

I also included maps to my my maid of honors house that we are meeting at, personalized from yahoo maps from their actual address.

So yay.. One thing down. :)

Choosing sides

So I ran over to walmart to get some cat food because I ran out, and I was in line with my cat food behind some woman with a 1,000 items and someone grabs my basket. So I look up and its my uncle pat. So I'm standing there talking to Pat and he said Grandma is around somewhere. So I asked him if he was still going to come to my wedding if mother wasnt going to come. He said:
"Why would her not coming have anything to do with me?"

So at least I still have someone in my family who thinks my mother not coming is not the end of the world.

While I'm talking to him, I told him that I had called my brother to ask him about the wedding and that he had hung up on me and said not to call again.

He said that he could care less if he never saw my brother again because thats the way he is.

My uncle lived with my mom and brother for awhile so I'm sure he understands what I'm dealing with.

So while we are standing there, my grandma walks over and I say hi, then i ask her if she is going to come to my wedding, and she said "I have to think about it, I don't know"

My uncle said, that the question was a simple yes or no question and she should be able to answer it.

So she said that "Its a long time away so she shouldn't have to answer now."

so they left and my uncle gave me a hug

I just wish that my grandma would come because while my mom annoys me and I dont care if she goes, I really care if my grandma goes.

but I'm not going to risk that my mom is going to come and cause a scene like she did at jenns wedding.

Why do people have to choose sides? its not like its anything new that my mom and I dont get along. I think the fact that my mom isn't coming is between my mom and me. I don't think people should start taking sides. This is a big event in my life and if they want to miss it, then so be it. I just wish it just didn't make me so upset. I should be happy that I'm getting married. Its just a big mess.

Much needed help

Yesterday Kerry called me and accepted my invitation to be a bridesmaid. So now I have a full bridal party - I think. I have not been able to get a hold of my brother. If I don't hear from him soon, I am going to assume, he's not going to be in the wedding. He can't even call me back? or email me back? or anything? ugh.

Anyways, so I was talking to Kerry and she was talking about all the stuff that the bridesmaids help with - like addressing invites and stuff. It just makes me happy because my family hasn't had time or want to really help with anything.

So now I have help and thats what I needed and wanted.. I'm so excited. :)

Yarn

A picture of my Little "Angels"

William and Harry playing with yarn.. check out Harrys face! Priceless.

dress hunting

So I was looking on the website today to get the style number for the dress I like. I figure if i could call around and see if anyone could give it to me for cheaper.

Well its no longer on their website anymore, which makes me wonder if its just gone? or what the deal is with that?

http://www.venusbridal.com/cgi-bin/description.asp?dress=K003W&dressline=VenusWoman

Soo..

While clicking through pictures looking for the dress, I found this one:





Its oh so pretty. :)

Happy Anniversary

Happy 4 year anniversary to me and Aaron. Today is the anniversary of our first date.

:)

We went out to dinner on a rainy December night (and its raining right now too), I was running late of course. Then we watched Bruce Almighty.

maybe not

I sent Aaron how much the dress would cost, and he said he has to "think" about it. He said he would pay the difference between what Jenn would pay and I hope he doesn't back out.

Dress decision

I sent my sister all the information and I think I'm going to get this dress.





I'm worried about a couple of things though -
1. What if going up a size doesn't fix the whole cleavage thing? Do I really want that much cleavage on my wedding day. Its much worse in person
2. I don't really like the butt ruffles.

I think the dress looks nice on me though :)

Bridal party - check!

How I chose the remaining bridesmaids. I didnt really do it by who I've seen the most or who I've been friends with longest. I chose the remaining two by who was most excited and happy. I do not regret this decision because I need some people around me at my wedding and in the planning that is excited and happy for me! I asked Kerry and Rachel who went dress shopping with me on Saturday. Kerry has gone several times already, and Rachel was really excited about going and now is super excited to be in the wedding. I forgot to give Kerry her card when she left on Saturday, so I mailed it to her. I didn't want to give it to them when I was with them, so that they didn't feel pressured to say yes. Especially with other people around. So I gave Rachel her card when we dropped her off and I meant to give Kerry hers when she dropped me off, but I forgot because we were running late and etc. So I mailed it to her. So as of right now I have 4.. and hopefully Kerry will be the fifth one.

Right now I have:
Maya - Best Friend who is making my life hell by insisting on Black Dresses.
Jenn - Sister who lives in New York, so she can't help with anything
Donna - Cousin with a new baby - almost a year, so she has no time at all
Rachel - My next door neighbor in the dorms and friend who is genuinely excited for me
and hopefully Kerry.

I went back and forth about asking Kerry, because I was friends with her friend Chrissie first, but honestly, I haven't seen Chrissie as much as Kerry lately. I know Chrissie has a daughter in 3rd grade and she never has any money, but I know she'd would still be a bridesmaid if I asked her... So I didn't know if I should ask Kerry, but I did. So hopefully Chrissie isn't upset with me. I could do the processional this way and have an extra bridesmaid:

Jenn and Mitch
Donna and Tom
Chrissie and Andy
Kerry and Shaun
Rachel and Dave
Maya and Isabella

or Isabella (flower girl) walks in alone
and Maya walks in after her.

It might be a good idea to leave that option available if Maya needs to walk Bella in.

Then again Dave (Aaron's Dad) could walk in with Aaron and we'd still have a bridesmaid left to walk alone in the processional?

I think the girls should buy their dresses in February. The lady at the shop said it takes 3 months for their dresses to come in, This way, they would get them in May and have all summer to figure out where to get them altered. They would also have a good leeway to make sure that if something happens to the dresses, like what happened to mine for my sisters wedding (it had to be sent back and fixed), they would have ample time to get it fixed, not be rushing last minute - like I was with my sisters wedding.

Checks!

7 months down - 10 more to go...

I think we've done a lot in the last 7 months. Can you believe that it has been 7 months already?!?!?

I think a lot of what we have accomplished has been in the last month. Mostly it is just finalizing things. We have been shopping around for this stuff for months.

Here is our list of things we have finalized.

Most recently:

Caterer - Medittereanean / Greek Food
Cake - 3 tiered round cake with 1 layer of white and 2 layers of chocolate with various fillings.
Dress - I found one I like, I still have to order it though... I'm waiting to hear back from my sister about the cost. The total with tax and everything is a little over her budget, so I'm kind of anticipating that Aaron might have to pitch in some.
Attendants - I finally have all 5 of my bridesmaids to match all 5 of Aarons.. I think. I sent out little cards to people and we'll see if they all respond favorably.


Also done:

Venue - Charming Vineyard with a garden and gazebo
Bar - The venue provides an open bar for 4 hours
DJ - We have a DJ that works with the iPod to provide an affordable option for music
Minister - We booked a Pastor from a local community church. He's non-denominational and won't make the ceremony religious.

Done but not booked:
Florist

Left to Do:
Decide on Ceremony Musicians
Photographer
Decide on a cake design
Decide on a floral design
Decide on Bridesmaid Dresses
Decide on colors
etc, etc...

Bridesmaid Dress shopping

Pictures from today of my friends trying on Bridesmaids dresses.

Kerry
1


2

3

4

5

6

7


Rachel:
8


Rachel and Kerry:
9 and 10

11 and 12

Dress shopping in San Jose

Pictures of wedding dresses from today at Bay Area Bridal

Dress #1 - Mori Lee




Dress #2 - Venus

Maid of Honor problems resolved

Maya had the day off today, so I called and asked if I could come over after school so I could talk to her. She said she was sick and didn't feel like getting out of bed. I wanted to ask her about all the wedding stuff. She is making everything difficult. She doesn't want to wear a bridesmaid dress, and keeps complaining about colors and frankly I'm just sick of it. I'm sick of everyone bailing on me..etc. So she said that if I forced her to buy a dress she would as long as it wasn't super expensive. I don't know what she means by super expensive since most of the dresses are $150. So she's still going to be in the wedding.. which is good. So I can stop worrying that I have to find someone else to be maid of honor. So now I need to ask one more person. I haven't really decided on who yet.

Aaron has 4 groomsmen. I have 3 bridesmaids so far. I have a couple of people I want to ask. I was thinking well who cares if I'm lopsided, I'll just ask them all and have a bigger side than Aaron... but then again, I've already padded Aaron's side with my brother and my friend Andy. I could pad it with one more - my sisters husband. This would 1. Get my sister off my back about including Mitch and 2. irritate my mom to high heaven. So the party would be up to 5 total for Aaron's side.

I could ask Christian, but I know she wouldn't be able to afford the dress. I kind of want to ask Kerry since she's been really involved with everything - esp dress shopping with me - but her best friend Chrissie is also my friend and I think she might feel left out ..etc. I was thinking of maybe asking Kerry to do a reading or having them be the candle lighters for the unity candle. I know its traditionally the mothers, but Aaron doesn't have one and my mom isn't coming, so... thats out.

On Saturday, I'm going dress shopping again to take a better picture of the last dress.

I've found some people to go with me... so Yay. I just needed to expand the people I asked. Rachel moved to San Leandro, so she's not too too far from the shop, we'd pick her up on the way and Manjit lives in Sunnyvale now (near SJ) and Kerry is driving down from Sacramento to go. So yay. Lots of people to go. That makes me happy. So happy.

Yay!

So I am soooo super excited!

I know everyone keeps flaking on me when it comes to dress shopping.

After Liv flaked on me for dress shopping on Saturday, I sent a mass email to some of my friends asking if anyone wanted to go. I expected 1 person, what I got was 3!!! I am so excited. Its so hard to get people to even consider going. Its like I'm asking them to go get a root canal...

I just talked to Rachel tonight and made plans about where to meet her. I'm getting more excited as the days go by. I can't wait.

I think I'm going to try on some extra dresses, just to make sure what I want, and get some opinions. Maybe I'll see if I can make an appointment at another shop too. yay

TV makes everything look simple

So I was watching Brothers & Sisters - I love that show.

So Kitty (Calista Flockhart) is getting married. She's with her sisters bridesmaid dress shopping and she looks up walks over to a rack and is like - This is the one! I love this dress. Without trying it on or anything. Then she goes back a few days later and its magically on the clearance rack.. and she buys it.

Yeah. Thats TV for you. I've been looking since MAY. Its NOVEMBER. I still have not had that moment where I'm like OMG this is THE dress. I like some dresses. I even love two dresses, but then I start picking it apart. I like this but I dont like this..etc.

Augh..

If only life was as easy as TV is sometimes

cake .. check ... caterer.. check!

Aaron and I booked our baker yesterday. We were going to drop off our catering check too, but when I called to make sure the owners were at the restaurant, they told us not to. One of the owners said they would prefer to get the deposit after the first of the year. I know that the cost won't change because we've already got our proposal and everything for cost. They said its for bookkeeping, which kind of makes sense. If our wedding is in 08, it might be easier to do keep everything together in 08. They are just really laid back. I asked my venue about them and they said they are great, they've been there before and they have never had a problem. So I'm not really worried. I know they are probably really busy because they are opening a new bigger restaurant in town soon. So they probably have a lot going on.

Anyways, so we booked our cake yesterday. I didn't put in the design yet, I forgot pictures. I am thinking that these are pretty:

I can't decide what I want.. There are so many pretty ones out there. I probably have another billion pictures saved too. I don't know if we want square or round. I know that its going to be stacked and not on tiers/columns because:

1. I don't like those column things
2. I don't want to spend the extra money to get something (flowers/ribbons) to hide those column things.

I like how the stacked ones look in the pictures.

Bending the rules

I really liked that last dress I tried on at Bay Area Bridal.. but that stupid no picture rule.

So I called them today because my sister asked if I had anymore pictures... and I didn't. I think its a ridiculous rule that you can't take pictures anyway. So I thought I'd call and see if they would let me take pictures of me in the dress.. of this one dress because I'll probably end up buying it through them anyway, considering I can't find a shop online that sells it. Its only $660. So its not too bad over budget. My sister did say she wasn't going to argue with me over $100. So really its only $60 over budget. Anyway, I think she might buy it because she really likes it too... but I kind of would like more pictures of me instead of the ones with my head cut off holding the dress up so it doesn't fall off..etc.

They said they would make an exception if it was just that one dress. So I said okay. So I want to make another appointment but I can't get a hold of Liv...

Dress shopping

A day of dress shopping..

Liv and I met up in San Jose and went dress shopping at Bay Area Bridal in San Jose. I guess I got the time wrong because the place didn't open until 12:30 and we got there at 11:30. I got there at 11:30 but Liv got lost. My consultant wasn't there, but, Liv got me into the first dress and was able to take a few quick shots in the dressing room. After that, the consultant was there and she wouldnt let Liv help me in the room alone. This was the one we liked best anyways, there was another one.. but we didn't get a picture...

This is the one we got a picture of me in:
#1 - Venus Bridal

Me in the dress - but we hadn't zipped it up yet.. Liv kept getting the zipper stuck, so we had to ask the consultant to help us zip it up. It did get zipped up. If we go up a size so it actually fits, the cleavage will not be as pronounced... but it won't be that much higher.



From the designer website:
Back:

Detail

#2
The dress we didn't get a picture of:



This one didn't fit at all. So it was a little hard to picture. The only thing is the pleats in the front were really pronounced. So that if I turned, they stuck out a lot. It looked all glittery as I walked out of the dressing room though.

Just for reference.. these are the other ones I've tried on:

#3 - ABC Bridal (went out of business) - this is a Davinci dress


#4 - David's Bridal

#5 - Bonny Dress at House of Fashion in Sacramento

#6 - Moonlight Dress at Maxine's Bridal in Stockton