The Bold and the Beautiful

I feel really excited about our color palette which Dan and I just solidified (at least in my mind) today.

Before I reveal any colors or ideas you all have to read our thought process and research. I don't want you all to skip to the colors and go "oh okay, goodbye blog. cya tomorrow." Hehe

So anyway awhile ago Dan and I were thinking of an accent color. We decided on one and perhaps a secondary color. Though we didn't have any ideas on how to incorporate the colors into the whole wedding. This morning I was looking for an invitation vendor. I'm very hesitant about the invitations but with try and accept that they're a necessity.

Anyway, I was looking at some invitation ideas and started thinking about colors and winter or almost winter weddings ideas. I liked some of the ideas that the invitation website had for winter themed weddings. Dan sent me some links that helped to get my head brainstorming. (Hey reader, is the suspense killing you yet?)

So I started thinking of how we could use these two colors to their fullest. I started thinking about table settings, dresses, tuxes and such. Trying to tie it all in. I was looking through some ideas of table place cards and it hit me.

While I want some element of surprise on the day I'm going to hide some of the actual details/ideas from you all. So the theme/color palette is Black and White formal affair with subtle but bold punches of red. The deepest red possible, think blackish red similar to blood red. Though don't take the blood red comparison to mean anything cryptic, it's just a very distinct color of red. Another smaller secondary color will be silver but possible a matte/tarnished silver. Not too bright to stick out too much. The eye catching color will be red.

I'll give you an example to demonstrate my idea. For me the bride I need to have these three colors in my outfit. White: Dress (how easy) Black: perhaps a purse or other accessory Red: Bouquet (I was already leaning towards a red rose bouquet)

With these colors in mind now I just have to incorporate them in all aspects of the wedding. Who knew I would be so matchy matchy but I really like this scheme and hope to pull it off in a simple and elegant way. If any of you have decoration ideas please let me know. I would love to hear your input.

10 days later?

Wait a minute. Didn't I just order the dress on Jan 16th? Yes, yes I did.

They gave me an expected date of Feb 26th but it came in after 10 days. I don't really know how an assembly line can make a dress so fast, not to mention ship it from China. We all know these dresses are not made in the US. I may skeptical but this time line doesn't seem to add up.

Unfortunately, I don't know if there is anyway to prove that this dress didn't come from another store. Though trust me if that dress so much has one single bead out of place I am denying it and either forcing them to get me a different gown or a full refund. I've heard a lot of horror stories from customer service at David's Bridal and I am regretting buying my dress from them. While everything has a good chance to work out right, trust me I'm going to worry until that day comes. It is in my nature to worry about everything until I am proven wrong.

So Becky and Shannon I call upon you two to get ready to inspect the dress with me. We shall become detectives in our own right with magnifying glass in hand. I don't want to miss anything cause we all know that once the dress leaves the store David's Bridal will no longer claim it is theirs.

All I have to say is ugh, I really didn't want to deal with this until late Feb. and not Feb5th. I guess the sooner the better in case something goes wrong.

What is the Bride's Trousseau?

The definition of this french word is the personal outfit of the bride: clothes, accessories and linens. I'm not sure what the linens refer to but lets just say a handkerchief for my tears of joy.

So the list of stuff I need to get is follows (this is in access of the dress)
headpiece and veil
bustier (corset just cause I'm adventurous)
pantyhose/stockings
garter
petticoat/slip (poofy for fullness of dress)
shoes
jewelry
wrap/cape/gloves (it's gonna be Nov so I gotta be prepared)
Purse (bc I didn't buy the dress with pockets)

Above all this I need something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

I am really glad all the books/articles I have seen give a guide to the brides trousseau. I can't believe how naive I was to think the dress was the hard part. I can't see myself trying on the bustier and jumping up and down saying "This is the one, oh my I have to have this."

Hopefully, I can avoid the HIGH gouged prices at bridal salons. I got a tip from Dan's mother about a lingerie store in Champaign. Perhaps they will have a great quality bustier for a reasonable price, I'm not paying $79 for a piece of crap David's wants to sell me.

I'm gonna try and go shopping this weekend to at least track down some of this stuff. I also hear the internet is a good source for wedding stuff.

P.S. Hair style is still not decided. I need to find someone who has experience with hair pieces. If I want the hair style that I like. I need to add fullness to my hair...why do I have thin and fine hair? My answer is a double curse. Extra hair added to the trousseau, I think I can do that?

Yogathon for Haiti

Dan and I exercised today. That is an accomplishment in itself. We did it for a good cause too and it was fun to watch Dan do yoga for the first time. I'm not really all that experienced but this was his first time.

We went to a local yoga studio (Amara) to get our body, mind and soul aligned and to participate in their yogathon. Amara hosted three one hour classes by donation. The donations are going to UNICEF to aid in the relief efforts for Haiti.

I really wanted to donate some money to help out the Haitians and thought this was a great way. Not to mention we got something good out of it for ourselves.

I hope that Dan and I will continue to participate in yoga and to also help those less fortunate than ourselves. Keep things in perspective especially when spending a lot of money on just a wedding ceremony.

Keep Haiti in your minds and prayers as they recover from this tragedy.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Well sorta anyway. I just booked a consultation with a hair stylist on Sat. I'm super excited to see what my wedding day hair could look like. This will also let me decide if I want a headband or hair comb. Also maybe Renee can help me decide the placement of a veil should I decide to get one.

If you are thinking, whoa she is moving fast with some of the smaller details, just hold your horses. I'm really excited to have my headpiece custom made for me with the flare and design that I want. So I need to decide which piece I want and start talking to the custom jewelry maker. I'm getting a great deal by having it custom made. One it will have the features I want and nothing that I have to compromise on. The woman has so many beads and crystals she lost me while describing what she could do. Also the base prices she quoted me for (with Swarovski Crystals) were so much less than the average price I could find. So I'm excited to have something that no other bride (up to that point) will have had. Perhaps it'll be my something new, a whole NEW design.

I hear Terre Haute is great that time of year...

It looks like I may have made too appealing of a joke answer to the poll.

Anyway, this last weekend was great and made me feel a lot better about the whole planning thing.  Photography was one of the big question marks for me before the weekend and now it is solved.  Now if only that would magically happen for decorations / flowers.  I want to echo Jeni's huge thanks to Becky for helping out this weekend, she reminded us (many times) to "Focus!" and startled us out of our glazed stares into the abyss of cakes and shiny things.
After missing a whole week of workouts due to being sick and traveling, Jeni and I got back on the slow-moving bus to health-town yesterday by working out.  We are planning to go again tonight.  We are also planning for the future to adjust our schedules in advance for travel weekends (theres gonna be a lot of those).

Oh where shall we go?

So this is a reminder to vote on our Honeymoon poll. If it were up to me, Dan and I would take a MONTH (!!!!) off work and just travel all over Europe. Though Hawaii / New Zealand also sounds awesome because it will be cold up here and warm there.

I think I can speak for both of us though that we are not lounging on the beach type of people. We need a place with some activities. So let us know what you think. If you don't want to comment on the blog then facebook either of us. I would love to hear what you all have to say.

If you choose Terre Haute, Indiana I will track you down. Grrr

Loves all and talk to you again soon.

Bridal Show Galore

Becky, Dan and I got our hiking shoes on and made the rounds at Madison's largest and grandest Bridal Show. From the first booth to the last we got so many good ideas, found vendors and even decided on some noes. To say the bridal show was a success is an understatement. Dan and I made a plan prior to going what vendors we wanted to focus on and stuck to that list. Plus Becky was an amazing note taker and kept Dan and I on track.

Instant replay brought to you by Jeni.

The first stand was a specialty chocolate confections vendor. While I'm not sure if we will use this vendor for anything I did have an awesome experience. They took my picture and put it on a lollipop. Now if you are think how they did it check back later and I'll take a picture and post it for you to see. I haven't eaten it yet so the chocolate may taste gross but hey I'm on a lollipop.

While walking around the outside we found some good photogs, some DJ's and cake places. Lots of cake, I'm talking every cake vendor (had to be 10-15) all had samples. What Dan and I learned from this... ICING IS GROSS. Whether it be fondant or buttercream neither of us liked it. Not to mention we don't really like sheet cake either. So we left cake as a no and we would find the only vendor selling cheesecake. The samples were delicious and I think *wink* this is our type of cake. The vendor gave us a really cool idea with ordering simple flavors and having a toppings table. That way all our guests can choose what kinda cheesecake they would like. Toppings ideas are fresh fruit, jams & chocolate sauce, really the sky is the limit. Well, our budget and Monona Terrace Catering abilities may really be the limiter. However, we decided we could perhaps buy the stuff ourselves and have the baker smuggle it in. Can you imagine a bill reading "Smuggling Fee $15"? It would be super funny.

About mid way through the show we happened upon an seamstress who specializes in wedding dress alterations. Let me tell you this woman was a life saver. She solidified my distaste of the Champaign David's Bridal and let me know why (THE EXACT REASONS WHY) my dress wasn't fitting my body. The answer is...drum roll please...a shorter waist than the average population. This was then confirmed later in the day with the Madison David's Bridal Alterations. With my mind being vindicated and also being more knowledgeable on the alterations needed. I was very happy. The woman at the show took the time to look at the photos and point out what needed to be changed. I was so grateful I'm almost inclined to use her for my alterations but will need to look in Urbana first. Having her in Madison is very inconvenient for me.

Towards the end is where Dan made a huge dent in our planning. While Becky and I were kinda tired and sick of the whole place, Dan landed upon an amazing (well we hope) photographing team. This husband and wife team were winners of theknot.com (our wedding helper) photographers of 2010. Who could ask for a better reference? Anyway he talked in detail with them and found great comfort in their style and how talented they are. Needless to say as of this morning they are our photographers. I talked in great length with Ben (the husband of the team) to get our questions answered. Since they were still free we had a contract drafted and signed and payed the deposit today. All I can say is Nov 6th they are now booked for the wedding extravaganza of the year.

This show was a blessing and kinda of last minute plan. When I decided to return to Madison to focus on my dress, Becky casually reminder me of the show. So we went and loved everything.

As a side note...Dan got so many compliments for being at the show as a groom and just so you all know I didn't have to trick or bribe him into coming. I just mentioned that I was going and I guess I assumed he would be there too. He was and it was a great to go there together.

P.S. Thanks again Becky for all your help during the show, organizing the shows pamphlets and dress shopping. Dan and I appreciate a ton all your efforts to help us along. :)

Say YES to the dress

So I tried on my dress again (third time) and got a final consultation on what size to get. After that I actually ordered my dress. I can't believe that I actually made that decision.

We will update you on the Bridal Show later when Becky, Dan and I are done looking through it all.

But alas I have a dress.

Back in Town

Dan and I made it to Madison. We are staying at Becky and Adrian's apartment for the weekend. Should be fun and nice to be in something other than a hotel room. Plus there is a HUGE TV!!!!
Thanks Becky and Adrian :)

I'm really excited to go to the bridal show tomorrow. Becky, Dan and I are going to trek there and try and find some of our missing vendors. We are also hoping to get some good ideas. I also hear there will be lots of cake. I'm going to take a break from my healthier eating and enjoy the delicious desserts.

Dan and I will try and update y'all after the show. Gogo vendors...sell me stuff.

Goodnight all.