Oct 28, 2013

The engagement to this point has been a whirlwind of a journey. With three of my close friends married in recent years, I knew a few things: I didn't want to scramble, and end up paying for something I don't want, and I knew I didn't want to be a bridezilla, the result: attempting to find, book, and contract all pertinent services as early as possible.

How? I set a deadline for myself, December 31, 2013 to put things in perspective.

We're now 4 months into our engagement, with photographer, venue, videographer, make up artist, and hair stylist contracted, 3 of 4 bridesmaid dresses, and a wedding dress picked out. Save the Dates are scheduled to arrive today, and our engagement session is scheduled for next Saturday, not to mention we have some form of a finalized guest list, with addresses and contact numbers. Crossing items off the to-do list! 

What's next? We've been in contact with our cake vendor (venue preferred vendor) about design and taste, and over the weekend got confirmation from our venue that we are okay to move forward. We've picked a flavor and a potential look, we still have to finalize details and sign a contract. We have also been trying to get a hold of the preferred florist to get a feel for what we want as a table centerpiece, Jeremiah and I have a preferred floral design already, we still need to talk details, cost estimate, and maybe sign a contract.

Still waiting to: return call to DJ management, set up tasting with preferred food vendor, discuss beverages.

finding the wedding dress: I booked an appointment to see a stylist at a local bridal shop on the notion that "HEY! This is probably the only day that all of my bridesmaids will be in the same place at the same time... might as well." I had no intention of finding a dress, or had I thought that I was seriously looking for anything. Yet, when I scheduled the appointment, they asked if I had a shape in mind, and I said fit and flare. I was open to trying all types of dresses, with and without straps... and about an hour and a half of putting on and taking off just 4-5 dresses, my group had narrowed it down to two dresses, both fit and flare.

I do know what I look best in, instinctively... and the resounding approval only confirmed that. And, yes, I do have one picked out. I'm waiting to hear back from my consultant to see if the dress will still be in production early next year.

Angela had flown in from NV, Kris and Tracy had driven in from Sac-Stockton, and my Saturday had started early - 6AM wake up call. The schedule for the day:

6:00A - wake up call
8:30 - pick up Angela at airport (30 min drive)
9:30 - return home
10:00 - girls meet at my house
11:00 - tea party reservation (1.5 hour tea)
12:30 - 2:45P - bridesmaid dress shopping
3:00 - bridal dress appointment (1.5 hour)
6:00 - 10:00 - wedding party social at the boy's house

Extremely productive, and apparently everyone had a lot of fun. I'm glad for it.

I don't ever want to feel the way I do sometimes when I attend other brides' events, left out, so if it looked like I was not spending enough time, I would make an effort to move myself around. I just don't want anyone else at my event to have to feel that way.

Success! Love it.