Idesbride

So, I still can't decide...should I wear my glasses for the ceremony or not? I'm near-sighted and can't wear contacts. I just don't know. I can and have "gone blind" for things, especially performances that called for a non bespectacled face so I don't mind it, but also, why not just be able to see? Wanna know why? Because I think I look better without them. I've gotten used to them and I love these frames, but I still prefer my face with my hair down and my glass off. *shrug* I'll figure it out soon enough.

In just 5 days, I'll be getting married. There have been some fairly bumpy roads in the path, especially lately, but all in all, I think things are okay. I just got my period, which hasn't made the last few days very pleasant, on many accounts. But I'm trying like hell to keep everything together. It's so close. So fucking close. I'm kinda nauseous thinking about how close and how much still needs to get done. I mean, I've been crossing stuff off the list right and left, but new things keep finding their way on it. It is finally, slowly, getting smaller, though. This is good. The favors are still in a state, but I'm hoping to fix that tomorrow or, at worst case, Thursday. The marriage license is tomorrow. We had some snafus trying to get it sooner. I hope everything goes well tomorrow.

I hope it all gets done in time. It will all get done in time. And then the honeymoon. I'm very much looking forward to that. Luckily, I had a beautifully wondrous respite this Saturday when Jeremy saw to it that I had my spa day. I can't possibly thank him enough, but I'm gonna try. Because he rocks my world. I relaxed so much and everyone was so nice and everything was so soothing.

Anyway, I should get some rest. It's been a very busy weekend and it's going to be an incredibly crazy week.

So, my aunt was kind enough to buy me a rehearsal dinner dress. It looks like this, only in chocolate brown. It's gorgeous. I've never owned a brown dress, nor a chiffon one and I love it. Anyway, the clerk recommended accenting with gold. Similarly, I don't own much gold, let along the gold strappy shoes she recommended. I've been a black and silver gal and this makes accenting this dress a bit difficult. I thought I found the shoes that would be perfect at Avenue, only when we went to the Avenue at Blue Star plaza, they didn't have my size. The store called Woodbridge, the other Avenue in the area that carries shoes, and they didn't have my size either.

So, now I go looking for other shoes. Since I'm shoe-illiterate, what do you guys think about these?
Option 1, I like but they feel a bit dowdy.

Option 2...doesn't feel like the right look for the dress

Option 3, which are cute, I just wish they, like, had more straps. Like up around the ankle or something, because I feel like sorta classically Greek when I'm wearing the dress.

These are cute and strappy and inexpensive

Cute and elegant, kinda

Hott! Gladiator sandals!

Roman sandals!

While getting my Offbeat Bride fix, I was led to this LJ post, which I found quite brilliant.

In other news, Danielle, George and my sister Christie threw me an excellent and superfun bridal shower this past Saturday. There was fabulous giftage, an interesting mix of friends and family, a fun game that was lovingly (LOVINGLY!) put together by George and Danielle, and much tastiness (sammiches, mint tea and a delicious Baby Shower cake, oh my!)

I got to stay over with my sister in her hotel room after the shower, which was a much needed R&R. We had a blast. X Rated mixed drinks and vending machine snacks were had and then there was the talking and bitching, trying on dresses and corsets, watching "Save the Last Dance" and helping her with an essay for a contest. It was pretty much an awesome night of sisterly bonding that was just really missing, like, doing each other's hair. In the morning, we had breakfast with our aunt and then did more Bridal shopping. Afterwards, I pretty much went home, ate and conked out.

Over the next few days, I must tie up loose ends and do all the stuff that hasn't been done yet. Bridal shower thank you cards written and mailed and registry updating to be done this week. Over the next month, I've arranged for a night to make favors, a night to go over make up, a day to clean my rooms at my dads, some time to make/buy gifts.

I cleaned more than half of the centerpiece bowls at 2am this morning when insomnia was hitting me hard. I just have to finish the rest of them.

Need to do practice runs of the bouquet and boutonnieres.

Need to order my stockings and check on cake. Also need to pick up gorgeous rehearsal dinner dress my aunt bought me and go shopping with her for shoes.

Photographer got back to me again today. Deposit secured; all is well. Need to check in with people, send emails tonight. Spark had to step out of wedding party status and Katie has graciously taken his place.

There's more, I know there is...

Oh, need to schedule a time to drop off application for apartment to apartment complex now that Michael and Danielle have their SS cards. Need to schedule time to apply for marriage license.

Need to breathe. In 9 minutes, it'll be April. That's the actual month of the wedding. That makes me hyperventilate.

*deep breath*

I think I really, really like this one and it's totally in my price range...

Thoughts?

For refresher, this is my dress.

In my more devious plans, I could see wearing this as a wedding necklace...

The bowls made me angry.

Seeing this cake makes me insanely happy.

That is all.

So, I wanted these pretty bowls as my centerpieces.

Great price. Great size. Perfect. I added the requisite number to my order, put in the birdcage...only to find out that the 17" birdcage that I wanted isn't available.

I dash out an email to Michael to get his opinion. Will 13", the one that's available, be too small? He emails me back very sweetly, very promptly, saying the 13" seems perfect; any bigger might be too big.

I put the 13" birdcage on the order. Go through the order steps. Get the second to last page with the order summary with the added shipping charges.

Now, let me just say that I knew there'd be an extra charge for shipping the bowls. That's fine. Do you want to know how much the shipping was?

SEVENTY FIVE DUCKING DOLLARS, that's how much!

$75. Seventy five dollars. That's just the shipping charges. To ship twelve $3 bowls.

*headdesk*

I didn't complete the order. It felt wrong. Should I look around for reasonable substitutions or should I just suck it up and pay the obscene shipping charges? Because if I find bowls at Michael's or something (I've been looking in physical stores like Michael's, Dollar Stores, Big Lots, etc) it would have to be less than like, $10 per bowl to make it worth it. If I can't find something that's less than that, it's not worth it.

So. Fuck centerpieces! Who's with me?

*headdesk*

Ow.

Fuck you, Richard. And you, too, Michael.

Because all y'all're right.

It's strange. I'm hammering out the hotel room block info. I'm emailing with the sales manager about meeting with her and touring the hotel to see where my guests'll be staying. And I think, "wow. This is happening. Somewhere along the line, I turned into an adult." Granted, I still have lots of growing and learning to do. But again. It's a process. A journey. Not a destination.

I feel a little bit less stressed. Good talking with Michael helped. Moving forward and making calls, even though I was intimidated, helped. Ironing things out with my sister, not that they were very wrinkled, helped. Sleep REALLY helped. All the awesome, helpful comments and love I got from my last post helped so massively. THANK YOU.

It's starting to go faster. It's so close. I'm nervous. But I also know, somehow, it'll be okay. I'm doing what I can and will ask for help when I need it.

Now, I have to decide what underthings to get. And what jewelry. I have a corset that I bought at Wicked Faire. Underbust. Black. Gorgeous. I thought briefly of wearing it over my dress. I think it would look smashing, but I prolly won't. But I still have to try it on under the dress to make sure the cinching doesn't spoil the lines of the dress. And then I have to order undergarments accordingly.

If it does spoil the lines, I was thinking this. It's got the bra, garter, and tummy control I need, plus it's the lacy like Michael likes. It's hella 'spensive, though. However, it'll prolly be reusable for Burlesquing. But when I think like that, I want to order it in black. :( Anyway, it's not that expensive when I think that I'm getting a garter belt, a bra and tummy control all in one. Because if we look seperately, we get this:

Longline underwire bra. Actually what I tried the dress on with, originally. I'd then prolly go with this garter belt, which is SUCH an adorable model!!! Again, it sucks that all of this is gonna be ordered in white, specifically this, because my old black garter belt is breaking (I've had it for 7 years) and this one has 6 straps...what I've always wanted! I just don't know if I can hide black under the dress and I'm running out of time to order.

Stockings and panties will be white though. I'd show pics of them, but they're fairly run of the mill. Sheer and lacy, respectively.

I still haven't settled on a necklace or a purse, though. :-(

I love this one, though, I'd prolly not get it.

This is actually kinda the closest (except it doesn't have any pearls in it) to what I had in my head.

As for purses, these are the closest I've found so far:
Out of stock in the color I want

Cute, but I think it's too small. It's too bad. It'd be great for Burlesque.

This is the biggest and still cute. I dunno, though. What do you think?

Cake tasting and hotel meeting on Thursday. Invitations going out in days. I need to do a massive shit-ton of ordering this week. Centerpieces, candles, cage, underthings, jewelry, purse maybe.

Marry this, bitches — Five ways to save your sanity
February 14th, 2007 · Offbeat advice · 14 comments

Marry this, bitches!

I’m totally burnt out on even THINKING about my stupid wedding. It’s non-stop drama and I’m totally overwhelmed! My clever theme has become irritating, and the prospect of getting my family together sounds like the dawn of WW III. Help! —Danica

Yeah, it can all start to feel like a bit much sometimes, can’t it? There’s a whole chapter in Offbeat Bride dedicated to ways to preserve your sanity when planning a wedding (STAYING SANE: How to keep your proverbial shit together), but that was only the tip of the iceberg. Here are five more ways to lift your spirits when you feel like your offbeat wedding is coming apart at its DIY, craftsy seams:

1. Enjoy this bridal catalog photo of a model awkwardly posing next to a vulva sculpture. (via kvetch)

2. Write it out. Sit down and write the nastiest, most graphic letter you can about everything that’s gone wrong with your wedding planning and how it makes you feel. Curse out your vendors, describe in detail the ways you’re going to beat each of your guests senseless with the handcrafted favors your aunt has told you aren’t good enough. Spare no detail, and when you run out of rants, start drawing. How about a lovely picture of your prudish officiant’s blood splattered on the sacrificial altar? How do those wedding magazines make you feel? Get it out! Once you’re really REALLY done, take your awesome, violent letter out to the backyard or an alley and burn it while waving your arms around and chanting “fuck that shit, fuck that shit.” This is performance art therapy!

3. Bury yourself in world news. Nothing like a little attitude readjustment to slap that wedding angst right out of your mind. Oh, I’m sorry: was I just freaking out about my velum paper while people are being burned alive in small villages across the globe? Why, hello there, perspective! It’s nice to see you again.

4. Masturbate. A fail-safe solution for many breeds of emotional turmoil and angst, it works for wedding planning stress, too.

5. Get organized. A lot of wedding anxiety is the result of feeling like you’re forgetting something or don’t quite have a handle on what’s still left to do. Take a few minutes to get all your ducks in a row. I loathe theknot.com, but they do have a helpful wedding planning checklist tool, that’s extra awesome for offbeat brides because you know you’re not doing a bunch of the froofy shit on it and you can immediately check those things off. It’s infinitely helpful though to have a solid idea of what you’ve done (yay, accomplishment!) and what’s left. In my experience, not knowing what’s left to do is more stressful than having a big to-do list. It’s like being swarmed by invisible bees, as opposed to swatting flies one by one.

So, I found an inexpensive, nifty card holder.

I also found the bowls I was looking for for centerpieces, also not for lots of monies. These are Good Things. I will order them very soon, if not tonight.

For centerpieces, I only now need to order the floating candles and maybe buy mirrored plates at the dollar store to sit the bowls on top of to add more light dispersion and pretty. I don't know if I should go traditional round or with the neat square floating candles I just found. Other than that, the bowls will be filled with water (yeah, hence the floating...). I then wanna wrap ivy around the base and sprinkle yellow rose petals around that. This will be sitting on a purple square of cloth atop a white clothed table. I think it'll all look really pretty together. Plus, people will be able to see across the table and across the room cause the centerpieces is teh low.

Still have to get more favors and actually find out how/where to print the insert booklets. I've been doing some research but haven't found anything conclusive. Does anyone know where I can get CD insert booklets printed for hopefully cheap? About 80 of 'em?

Still need to order some underthings and jewelry, but I'm waiting until after Wicked Faire to do that, since I might find stuffs there. Ye gods, I'm so looking forward to this weekend!

Need to get on the ball with wedding party outfits. I've been trying to get it all together, but with a mix of men and women, and David's Bridal not having what I'm looking for this time, it's harder.

Cake tasting is in two weeks. Initial makeup appointment and facial is in one week. Hair cut coming shortly.

I got a tiara/headband that I may use. It's really pretty, but simply so. It's zig-zag silver with single "pearls" in between each zig and zag. And then at the top point of each zig and zag is a shiny clear stone. As Maureen put it tonight on the phone, I "gotta have the bling." That was a nice phone convo.

Hotel room block is a signed contract away from being secured.

Rehearsal dinner is being planned. Meeting with DJ is in late March/early April. Need to keep compiling music to be played, and also finalize the Important music like the processional (got it mostly under control), the recessional (no idea, although I'm sure George and I talked about that and have it written down. I should check those papers he gave me), the formal presentation of the wedding party and the newly married couple (us! - that I've got the first half of). I know what we're dancing to, but I don't know if there're be any other traditional dances.

Oh! I still need a purse. I'm thinking of this one, but I think it'll be too damned small. *whines* But I could totally use it for SalonCon after the wedding, see?

If only I could justify a Brighton purse as a wedding purse. I don't know when I turned into a name whore (have I mentioned how much I fucking love Vera Bradley, too? Cause holy hell, her Pink Elephants line is phenomenal. And they're totally white elephants with pink trim.), but anyway, I just rediscovered Brighton and adore their stuff. There's a new Brighton store in Bridgewater Commons and I near bout went berserk when I went in there the other night. I may actually bite the bullet and buy myself a "real" purse while I'm shopping for a wedding purse, because the vertical canvas briefcase that I've been carrying and the gonzo canvas purse are nice and all, but I want something more...nicer. Yeah. More nicer. :-)

It's not my usual style, but that's kinda neat in this case, or rather, bag.

Anyway, yeah, I need a wedding purse. Preferably one that is a hard case, but I'll take something soft and more traditionally "purse" like. But I'd ideally like it to be at least 7 or 8 inches wide. We'll see. Maybe Wicked Faire will have my purse, too!

Anyway, I think that's all I can think of right now. Things are happening. Yes, they are. And somewhere along the lines, I turned into an absolute girl with all these preparations.

*adopts a falsetto* Oh, I have to pick a wedding purse, I have to pick jewelry and find pretty centerpieces with "light dispersion".

When did this happen?!

...and why am I enjoying it?!!


...I need to wash something.

Okay, so things are Getting Done.

The menu is picked out and planned. I decided to not go with something that the PLayhouse baker decided he (seriously, he wouldn't make anything with buttercream, cream chees or chocolate icing. Donethankyou) wanted to make and so I'm going to have a cake that at least I like, dammit. Blayre, the banquet manager at the playhouse recommended a CIA graduate who seems to have incredibly reasonable rates for cakes and is open for my wedding date and allows tastings! We're in the process of setting up a tasting.

Since I'm not getting a cake through the playhouse, I don't get refunded that, but Blayre is going to throw in a selection of petit cakes and such for free and the cutting and serving of the cake I'm bringing in is included, as well. This makes me happy.

I emailed the photographer and since the artist I was working with refused to get back to me, I think I'm going with a really cute idea my sister found. I need to get back to her on that.

I need to figure out centerpieces, tablecloth and napkin colors. Went window/inspiration shopping yesterday and have some ideas but don't know how to bring it in within my budget. I need to figure out the rest of my delicates, but I've a pretty good idea that most things are coming from Lane Bryant or Hips and Curves. I emailed DFP about getting a corset. I'm also waiting until after Wicked Faire to order things like jewelry and under garments because they have a wicked selection and I wanna support the vendors.

Emailed the photographer to touch base and firm up details.

Trying to plan honeymoon outfit(s) is going well. Need to figure out financing for said honeymoon.

George and I are gonna hammer out the seating chart soon.

I've already begun working on the favors, but need to get that more done. Also need to stop by Big Lots to see if there are anymore CDs.

Need to confer with George about music. Meeting with DJ in March to nail down details of music and give him music that he doesn't have.

As soon as I get the hotel info in the mail from Maureen, I'll reserve a room block. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner are all set up.

There's more, there's more, I know there's more but this is all I can remember right now.

I just have to keep telling myself that it will all come together. It's all coming together. Things are Getting Done.

It will all come together... it will all be awesome...

Let's look at necklaces. What do y'all think?

Right now, let's look at necklaces. I can't decide which one to get:

I think this one's pretty but overdone-
http://www.topearl.com/fn733-45mm-pink-freshwater-pearl-necklace-with-purple-hear-crystal-beads-metal-chain-p-2056.html

Cute, simple, romantic and re-usable-
http://thesilvernet.com/ynewitwosihe.html?productid=ynewitwosihe&channelid=NEXTA

Pretty, but I think it might be Too Much
http://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Silver-Amethyst-Quartz-Necklace/dp/B000ARFN32/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1200637097&sr=8-27

Simple, but errs a little too much towards the red side of purple, which I don't like-
http://www.stellajewels.com/Products/cnk710.htm

Very cool, but might be too dark-
http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Tarnish-Sterling-Silver-Marcasite-Necklace/dp/B000FXR6A4/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1200904626&sr=8-2

Elegant-ish, but not sure it's me-
http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/pagebuilder/lane_bryant_product_page?item=1088418&pagesize=3

Simple and elegant, but maybe too sparse?
http://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Silver-Genuine-Y%252dChain-Necklace/dp/B000N9KJC2/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1200904626&sr=8-3

I like this more than I care to admit, for it being all clear and stuff-
http://www.necklacesochic.com/site/1397149/product/A961

So, I spoke to a DJ today that my dad recommended that he saw at a friend's wedding recently, who knows my dad too. He's willing to cut me a break for that, which is nice. He seems very nice. AND he has three Dresden Dolls' songs in his database! And he'll work with me to add more, and I think I might go with him. But if I do, it might mean cutting my photography budget. So, I don't know what to do.

On the plus side, the check for the reception joint has been mailed to the playhouse. Not only the first non-refundable deposit, but the second one that isn't due until January 15th; I'm actually ahead of the game and officially have a venue.

There are still a million things to do, though.

I'm talking with someone a co-worker recommended for invitations. That's going well. But here's the list that I can think of so far:

Finalize invitations: secure payment, mass produce them, address and stamp envelopes, send
Make decision about photography and DJ
Make decision about cake
Talk with venue about menu and dietary restrictions
Ask for cake tasting at venue
Shop for rings
Get passports
Start & finish Crate & Barrel registry so we can finish Target registry
Figure out transportation
Figure out rehearsal dinner with Maureen
Figure out hotels with Maureen
Reserve room block
Schedule date to have pictures taken by uncle for favors
Buy favor ingredients
Assemble favors
Create seating chart with George
Centerpieces
Linens? (optional, but I really wanted purple table cloths)
Finish attire shopping (shoes, purse, veil, headpiece, stockings, garter belt, corset, bra, lingerie, jewelry)
Spa?
Bridemaid's Luncheon
Gifts
Something about a Bridal Survival Kit?
Talk vows with Michael
Finish figuring out music selections with George/Michael
Order book about Niagara Falls
Discuss and decide on officiant with Michael

That's what I've got right now, and that's prolly not the end of it. Who am I kidding, that's prolly just the tip of the iceberg.

But I must sleep now. It's funny how talking to the DJ today and mailing the check felt like such big accomplishments, and yet drafting that list of doom above just makes the accomplishments of today seem so trivial...

Ah well. Sleep time now. Tomorrow's another day rife with opportunities to obsess!

I've slept through half the day, which has made me feel much better (as has the medication). Now I'm looking around online because there isn't terribly much to do when you really shouldn't go out and no one's home. So let's go virtual shopping!

I think I'm going to try ordering these shoes.

And I was on the page, looking around and I think I'm gonna wind up ordering a purse from there, too. It's a little old-fashioned, but also fairly modern and cute. I like it. Plus, the site has free shipping and free returns, if I don't like either or the shoes don't fit or something.

What does everybody out there think?

Michael, Danielle and I went to a tasting at the Playhouse today. It was quite nice and tasty. I felt a little odd just sitting down and getting free food, but what the hell? As Michael said, they're trying to land a multi-thousand dollar deal; of course they're gonna wine and dine us. Since I'm going for an hors d'oeurves reception (with two chafing dishes), we had a selection of the horses doovers. I found the mini lobster quiches and the beef Wellington to be the nummiest, with the coconut shrimp and bacon wrapped scallops a close second. The pumpernickel and raisin bread was quite delish and Danielle mentioned that the tea was exceptional. Our waiter/helper was quite nice and I want to ask if we can request him as our bartender.

After the tasting, we toured the grounds and Michael approved of the location. It was quite lovely, what with the crisp November air that's finally upon us and the lake and the changing colors of the trees. Quite lovely indeed.

I believe I'm going to drop off a deposit sometime this coming week.

So, that's a major thing off the list!

Next on agenda is getting Willow color samples, going with Michael to pick out rings, filing for our passports, creating registries and showing Danielle the gown. Oh, and finishing the organizing of my bridal notebook so I can be together and neat and stuff.

Oh, and since it's late and I should be going to bed (I'm in bed; it's close enough, right?) of course I'm surfing the web looking for accessories. I'm still looking for the right shoe...

So there's this one, which I think is adorable. And the name of the shoe is "on stage" and the venue is a playhouse and I'm in a theatrical dance troupe...c'mon, is it kismet or what? :)

I find these to be quite adorable and so very inexpensive.

I could always go the character shoe route, since they're good to have. Granted, I'd be getting them in white, which is far less versatile, but still. Although, I do prefer the ones with the t-strap and I can't seem to find those in white.

I think these might be my favorites so far, aside from the "Stage" pumps above.

Okay, now I'm going to sleep!

Ribbon shoes! My feet wouldn't look right in them, but someone has to have ribbon shoes! They're so nifty!

Okay, so I know that I don't do many things "by the book" and who should expect my wedding to be any different? The people who do things by the book, obviously. Like the people at the Bridal Show I went to tonight with George. Plastic people abounded, telling me about photography or spa treatments or mortgages with a bucket too much enthusiasm. I knew going in that it might not be the most appropriate place for a bride such as I, but as I told George, I didn't want to close any door and I might win something or find something I might not have otherwise found.

But man, if one more person tells me I'm "running out of time" to book things or that "the spring is coming up quick", I'm gonna hafta strangle someone with gold organdy. It's just how it's gotta be. There were many points at which I knew I didn't belong in this place. It could've been the fact that I was the only woman there with a gonzo purse and a "Gay Best Friend" (which George helpfully put on his name tag). Or maybe it was when I saw the woman in the crowd wiping tears away a during a song in the medley to end all medleys by the rushed wedding band. Or maybe when I realized I prolly couldn't afford most of the vendors I was talking to. Perhaps it was the personality-less wedding singers belting out of their vocal range (incidentally, at least one woman sounded so much better when she stuck with alto-range songs, although, that being said, she did a capable "Think of Me" from Phantom). Maybe it was the overwhelming expanse of creme and soft lighting. I don't know. But it was fun being there with George. And I got a Bridal Bad of Doom(TM) chock full of business cards, flyers, brochures, packets, and fun little things like coasters advertising bridal accoutrements all of which I can't afford. Yay!

Granted, now that I've fulfilled my quota of overly animated douches, as George so aptly coined, I feel like I can cross that off my life list.

Anyhoo, George and I also went to see another venue today that might be the place. It's pretty, over looks a lake, has a gazebo, and we can hold the ceremony and reception there. Check it out here. You can take tours of the atrium, which is where the reception would be, and the outside, which is where the ceremony would be. Open bar is included, as is 10 passed hors d' oeurves, 2 chafing dishes, and the cake. However, weird thing with the cake. The pastry chef is an older German fellow who refused to use fondant (like I care) and buttercream. Buttercream. Refuses to use buttercream. What kind of baker refuses to use buttercream? Which means that if I choose this place, I prolly have to get a cake somewhere else. Which is fine, really, it's just I don't get a refund for the cake price if I get a cake somewhere else. Danielle told me to ask if they'll include a different dessert or set of desserts for the price of the cake I might not be getting.

I have a week to decide. Which would be perfect, because I really want to tell Michael's parents that I have both a dress and a venue, and therefore a specific date. And therefore, lots of the planning done.

Side note: man, I wish I could afford the mega stretch bus for the wedding. That was, like, the coolest fucking thing at the Bridal Show. Sure, from the ourside, it doesn't look like much, but from the inside, it's so frickin' cool! You can walk in and walk to a seat without stooping and you can sit like you're in a regular seat instead of curling your legs to the side of you. One day, I will rent a mega stretch bus!

I need different shoes now, since I'm going with a different dress than what I had originally thought. Oh, right, picture of the dress is here. Keep in mind, the picture of the model looks way different than how it looks on me.

So, shoes. I like these a lot because the style fits my foot so nicely and is great to wear for long periods of time (I have a similar pair in black that were my transie shoes and also are my standard Burlesque shoes when I'm not wearing black stilettos.

I could wear purple shoes.

I went to David's Bridal today with my sister. I tired on a bazillion dresses today at Davi'ds Bridal with my sister. I bought a dress today at David's Bridal with my sister.

Yes. I bought one. My first time going to a bridal store for a fitting and I bought it, right off the rack. With 2 inch heels, it doesn't need alterations. I get it steamed 6 weeks before the wedding. I'm feeling kinda overwhelmed.

I don't know if I made the right choice. It's gorgeous. It's just so not what I was originally thinking. I originally thought, "I want to wear a Victorian style dress, prolly off white or cream, with a corset, a pearl and quartz necklace and leather Victorian styled boots."

Today, I bought a very simple, A-line, halter dress with crystal beading and a modest train. I tried on one with a 6 foot train. Jeebus, that was fucking long!

Anyway, this is so not what I had in mind at all. However, I did make what I think was an informed, rational decision. I'm just scared I was wrong. See, the corset is still a possibility, butt his dress... I don't need one! It gives me a waist, does lovely things to my cleavage and posture... all without feeling like I can't breathe! I could sit in it. Not lounge, but sit. And it was just so...gorgeous. I tried it on three times. Twice after I'd gotten completely undressed and back into street clothes. Damn, there are so many layers under those dresses! I thought I'd just slip on the dresses over my bra. No, they have you put on a bustier and a full crinoline. Okay! 12-14 dresses later, I was in a dress size that was two smaller than what I thought I'd be in (which was awesome) and I was talking to my sister about walking out with a dress. It was on sale. It did wonderful things to my body. Danielle and Michael liked the pictures we sent. My sister and the attendants and the other customers endorsed it. And let me tell you, there's nothing like little girls telling you you look like a princess or grown womens' eyes softening at the sight of you to boost your ego and make you feel like, well, a princess.

But I'm still scared. The idea of what I was going to wear has changed so dramatically. Prolly not going with boots, cause I don't think they're look good with this style. I do have some shoes in mind. Certainly not the stupid strappy jobbers they gave me for the fitting. Strappy = bad for me.

Holy crap, I have a wedding dress. The thing is, I don't remember what it looks like until I either try it on or see pictures. Because it so doesn't look like anything I'd choose, either on the rack or on the model. On me, though... on me, if felt and looked ... um, amazing. My sister said I looked better than the model. Which I will post. But it just looks so weird inthe model photo because it doesn't look really like my dress. It looks so different. Gah.

I keep hearing Michael and the attendant today in my head. Michael's telling me not to stress myself out trying to make everything be "perfect". If I really loved this one, then that's good. The attendant, when I asked her what happens if I find a dress I like better said, in her experience, once you find a dress you love a lot and looks good on you and you buy it...you stop looking." Yeah, sage advice, both. So I found a dress I love that looks good on me that I bought. I guess I stop trying to make everything absolutely "perfect" and stop looking. because I am happy with the dress. I'm just also a bit stunned...

I bought a wedding dress!!!!

So, I'm looking through the hotels that have waterparks and I was wrong, it's 4 (not a measly 3) that have indoor waterparks. Anyway, I was looking through all of them, and they had some pretty nice king sized bed rooms, but the Americana is the bestest by far.

Copy = "These open concept spacious suites are tastefully decorated offering a king size bed with double whirlpool in the bedroom. The living room area has double sofabed with gas fireplace and television. Suites are also equipped with fridge, microwave, coffeemaker and hairdryer. These suites will suit a couple looking for a romantic getaway as well as families looking for a larger room and upscale atmosphere. Includes up to 4 passes for Waves Indoor Waterpark."

Didja get that last part? About the free passes to the waterpark?!! And a fireplace, and an in-room whirlpool. Gah! Honeymoon be there, ple-as! Oh, and the picture I yoinked from the website:



*swoon*