The Dress That Wasn't

I have 5 more posts as un-legally-married woman! Whoa. That being said there is so much to say on the subject of my wedding as I sit down to type my head spins. I broached the subject in an earlier post, but this is an incredibly specific incident. My bridesmaids dresses are beautiful Jim Hjelm Occasions (style 5007) in emerald green dupioni silk in a very classic 50's cut.

They became a nightmare because of where I chose to purchase them. The girls were given dresses two sizes too large and they all had to pay almost as much as they paid for the dress for alterations. I feel physical pain thinking about it. When I started I pictured black strapless dresses with green sashes, something in the neighborhood of $30 per dress. Once I had my wedding party assembled we decided against strapless and once I found the dress I decided against black.

I loved the classic 50's cut of it. It's fun, spring-y and figure flattering. However, the quirky asymmetry on top gave the seamstresses headaches, the color caused friction (and later doubt) between Mike and I and the cost of dress plus alterations became a problem. The other night I was watching My Fair Wedding and I saw the dress. The one I should have chosen. On the show it was black with a sparkly brooch. Mike and I gasped. Stunning. It's Aria style 121

Vintage, fun and simple. In black with the sparkly brooch just like on the show. That should have been the dress. I looked it up thinking it would be expensive and kick my rational brain into overriding the waves of sadness and regret. It's slightly less! They will ship you a sample to try on in your own home! (Face Palm) Mike said it would have looked beautiful on my girls. I agree. I love it.

When I really got sad Mike suggested that some time after the wedding I buy it for myself. It's a nice idea, but our bank accounts are hemorrhaging money as is it and as a mother of two spending more than $20 on an article of clothing for myself makes me nauseous with guilt. Anyway, heed my warning and shop around! I fell in love with a picture in a wedding magazine (steer clear of those!) and never thought twice when the girls agreed. Look around take at least one bridesmaid with you if you can and really think it over. Don't find the perfect style/color/hassle-free dress when it's too late.

MOB For Real

We have a winner! My mom found it at Kohls. It's purple which will look pretty with all the greens and lavenders. It's tea length. I'm very happy about that, spring time outdoor wedding certainly calls for shorter rather than longer dresses. Also, we're not very tall and tend to get swallowed up if there's too much dress. It's very soft, stretchy fabric, so it'll be comfy. It looked great on and was even on sale. We tried one or two others. but she had her eye on this one from the website.

While we were browsing we even found a great necklace with three strings of purple, clear and black beads to go in that pretty V neck. I'm happy that she found a dress she's happy with. I know she'll be radiant because not just because she is beautiful, but because she feels beautiful.

Dress Fitting Jr.

This:

Plus:

On this cutie pie

Equals

Both the dress and shoes are a size too big at the moment so they will fit exactly right (fingers crossed) in 3ish months. I think both girls are a fans of their attire. I think the flowers wreaths will be a beautiful finishing touch. I also think seeing it all together that skipping wings is the right call.

Surprise! Dress Fittings All Around

Yesterday had been a LOOOOONG kid heavy day and I was exhausted. I fully admit to calling one of my lovely bridesmaids crying because I was stressed out. I complained about how busy ALL of my bridesmaids are. I didn't fault them at all. In fact, I felt guilty placing demands on them at all, but I was dying to see my darn dresses. In what I thought was a completely unrelated move that bridesmaid invited me to dinner. She invited my family or so I thought.

That night she let it slip that she had her dress already. I waited on the couch for her to model it for me. I was excited and completely oblivious. Then she said "I like it, but I just don't feel like myself". I was panicking when a different bridesmaid stepped into the living room in her dress. Relief and shock flooded over me. They really got me. I thought no one had their dress or time for me. Here they were in their dresses.

Mike took my kids home and us girls prepared for a lovely meal. There was some bad news though. First of all, my third local bridesmaid had her car breakdown just blocks away and wasn't able to make it, poor thing. Second, everyone's dresses were a size too big. It was pretty funny actually. At least we have three months for alterations.

Before I show you pictures the dress color doesn't look right in pictures it's too bright and shiny with a flash and too gray without one. This is only an approximation of the color.

I even had Mike bring my dress over so they could see me in it. They loved it. In fact, despite the largeness of their dresses they seemed pleased. When pressed to give criticism the only remark made was "it would look better with heels" for obvious reasons that's a no go. They really are great sports, I'm so lucky. It was nice to see their dress next to mine. It felt so surreal.

It was a great night! Sometimes it's just good to check in with your friends.

Dresses for my Fairies!

They arrived Monday afternoon via UPS. The first picture is the dress in sunlight:

This is the dress in the middle of my dining room.

I think they are going to be gorgeous on my pretty girls with fairy wings. It is really starting to feel real now. I'm so glad my kids will be at my wedding. My favorite colors, flowers, food and people. It's going to be an amazing day.

Women and Children First

Apparently, some time last week my bridesmaids dresses came in. I found the letter in a pile of junk mail. I was told to expect them in January so this a nice surprise. I sent a text out for the girls to go pick them up and let me know when they have them. I haven't seen them in the right color (emerald dupioni silk) yet so I'm so excited.

With the kids attire all done (minus fairy wings) and bridesmaids dresses in it's starting to feel a lot more real. Any minute now I'll be getting married, which is hard to imagine this week with my broken hip. So, that's the women and children. Now we just have to nail down the men and we're all dressed. Woah.

Speaking of dresses I'm going to be making the final payment on my dress and hopefully receiving it right around Christmas. Can you imagine?!? The year is almost over which means the year I'm getting married in will be starting any minute.

I can't wait for all the girls and kiddos (including me) to try on their clothes. I'll probably share some pictures of the kids and the bridesmaids dresses in the right color, but I don't think I want to post any of me wearing my actual dress. Yay!

Flower Girls

A friend of mine who has been following the blog offered me a wonderful gift yesterday. She sent me a link to a website and told me to pick out my flower girls dress. I was so excited. I searched the site for about 15min before I had it narrowed down to my top two.

This one was my first choice. I'm not head over heals about the flower, but it's detachable if I wanted to lose it. I like the fabric and the cut of it. It's simple so they'd be comfy and it's flowy like a fairy.

I know this one went a whole other direction, but I really like it. It only comes in pink, red or silver. Not really my colors, but not awful.

After consulting the other flower girl mommy we were sold on my first choice we just needed to work out color. It came in champagne, ivory, sage and lilac. All valid options. My little guy will be wearing an adorable black suit with a lavender paisley bow tie. So, I was leaning toward the sage dress with the lilac rose. Maybe one girl in the reverse?

In the end we decided they should match so they'll be in sage with lilac roses.

Dress

Flower

So, now all my beauties need are shoes and fairy wings. I was sure I'd find wings at Halloween and I didn't. Maybe I'm being overly picky. I think it'll be easier now that we have the dress. I told my ring bearer he had his choice of shoe. I think sneakers would be cute. It's only fair when you ask a 2yr old to wear a suit. I think I'll find some cute slip-ons for the girls or raid their closets post Christmas and find some cute shoes. I'm not worried (any more). Thank you again, Jean.

Bridemaids Dress Fittings!!!

We've done it! All four bridesmaids dresses are bought and paid for. I was really nervous about logistics on this one. I was worried that we'd have major issues with fit or someone would HATE it. I was terrified that my sister would try it on and return the week of the wedding and it wouldn't fit. I was worried about the financial burden on the girls. I picked an expensive dress. A beautiful designer dress, but out of my normal clothes budget for sure. When I fell for this beauty I decided I would pay half if they all agreed to the other half. When they all approved of my choice: (Jim Hjelm style# 5007)and their half of the price I was elated. There were some concern expressed that my choice didn't really "go" with my whimsical theme. I felt a bit like a bride on My Fair Wedding for a moment. Then I considered my style and decided it is another part of my personality. I am both a fairy ballerina and an Audrey Hepburn want to be. Unlike the hapless, but sweet brides on the show these dresses are not cheap party store versions of something grander that I can not afford. They are simply another piece of me and if all the parts of my personality can co-exist so can these dresses. This classy number is also more likely to get re-worn (a bride can dream) than a flowy fairy-esque frock.

It'll be just like this (dupioni A-line tea-length bridesmaid dress, scoop neckline, gathered high-waisted skirt, side pockets) except in emerald. Again I applauded everyone for making it out on a week night. Best bridesmaids ever! The ladies at the boutique were sweet as pie as usual, I really love that place. They already had the dress in the fitting room. One at a time the bridesmaids arrived, tried on and got measured for their dresses. There was a lot of grumbling about sizes and measurements, but they all liked the dress itself. Jessie really enjoyed the sample color, stawberry pink. Not for my wedding, blah.

They told me they'd get all the dresses in January and I'd be notified. That works out great because I should have mine by then too. It'll be "dress month". They said they'd ship Jessie's dress FedEx to CA to anywhere someone could sign for it. I went ahead and paid her shipping costs and she gave them the address. It was a weight of my shoulders to know she'd have the dress 2mo before the wedding.

Everyone ponied up their share of the dress and I got a copy of each bridemaids order form to keep for my records. They emailed the designer for a replacement swatch because mine never arrived. I even checked the address on the card with my own eyes and found my address to be correct. The mystery of the disappearing swatch. My mom perused the MOB dresses again and found one she liked better for half the price. It's a tea length chiffon dress with a rhinestone embellished sash and gathering in the front in a darker shade of green.

My mom is a bit put off by the whole process. She asked me the other night, "So, how does it work? You go in and try on the dress in the wrong size and color. You pay for it and then you get to see it?!?" She's right, it is a strange way to do this. Coming from ordering my custom dress which will be paid in full before I ever lay eyes on it in person it doesn't seem all that out of the ordinary. She decided to think about ordering that dress, but is leaning towards going with one she can try on. I explained that the dress would be custom made in her exact size if she ordered from the boutique and offered to go halves like I had with the bridesmaids. In the end I want everyone to be comfortable, so whatever makes her happy.

All my bridesmaids have dresses in production and 3 out of 4 have shoes. They're pretty much done until hair and make-up time. Phew! Now to really begin pondering the menswear.

Dress Success!

Today mom and I went to look for a dress for her and bridesmaid options. We went downtown to a place I had a good experience with a few years ago. I called to make sure we didn't need an appointment and they warmly told me to come on down, anytime. We ended up bringing Riley, but she was an angel the whole time.

Upon arrival, I said "Hello. I'm the bride, this is my Mom and she needs a dress." We walked into to the Mother of the Bride area with purpose. Mom told the sales lady what color she was hoping for and a few options were pulled. I informed them I preferred she have tea length. That little comment caused the sales lady to pull this:

There was a collective sigh as my mom and I agreed it was lovely.

Here's the dress live and in person. I prefer it without the sash (so does mom).

Here's a close-up of the collar on the lace jacket. I love the lace jacket and mom loves the silk cuff and collar detail. Her dress will have straps in the same sage color as well. I think it's classy and color appropriate. I felt like her pervious picks were too ballroom formal. This is going to be so pretty on her. She held it up and put in arm in the jacket, but due to sample sizes being what they are she couldn't try it on. We'll be back to order it a couple months down the line, YAY! Watch out, Moms and Stepmoms you're up next for dress shopping with the bride.

As if that wasn't exciting enough, I found a bridesmaid dress! Here's the picture I showed them:

It's Jim Hjelm Occasions.

Here's a picture on a standing person. It's even lovelier in person. The sales lady pulled it for me and then wasn't sure it was the right one. I had originally been set on black strapless dresses with emerald sashes, but I reconsidered once I picked my maids. I love how 50's it is.

Here's a close-up of the beautiful detail on the top. It's so different. I have a bit of an obsession with asymmetry so I LOVE the top of the dress. It also comes with pockets! How fun is that?

All the pictures show it in strawberry pink, but I poured over swatches a long time today to make sure that had it in a color that worked for me. I originally loved mindori in swatch form, but when I looked at a dress in that color it looked lime green to me. She also showed me turquoise in the dupioni fabric, but it was too blue. Too blue, too yellow I feel like Goldilocks! I landed on emerald; it looks beautiful in the sunlight because of the shimeriness of the fabric. Here's the swatch against the dress:

It's not the best picture, but you can see it is a truer green. I wish you could see the shimmery quality in the green. In this one you can see the pink one turning to almost an orange.

The best part is it's going to look beautiful on all the maids! I texted them the style number immediately after I left the store and all the responses have been super enthusiastic. I am so glad because I'm in love.

Fairy Girls

So, over the years of being unofficially engaged, officially engaged and then postponed I started joking that I "had to grow a flower girl first." Even before Riley was born I pictured her being pulled down the aisle in a flower filled wagon wearing a pair of fairy wings.

Something like this image from my wedding notebook. (Thanks, Lara for photographing my notebook for the blog.) The baby is so tiny the wings are the length of her entire body. So, sweet.

We're past the point of needing the wagon at this point, but I'm so excited that my flower girl will be my beautiful Riley. I also decided I want her to share the job with her best friend Boo. They love each other so much. Now I picture them holding hands down the aisle and tossing petals. My beautiful girls.

Boo and Roo at the zoo (18mos). My little flower girls.

This was the dress I had to have in 2008:


Watter Girls collection, style #45970. I called about it the other day (after showing the picture to Boo's mom) and they told me it was discontinued in January 2011. I was so bummed. I hope it's not the first of many consequences of postponement.

The flower girl dress was the only attire I wasn't flexible on. Seriously, even my dress I have more of an idea of how it should look more than exact plan. I was completely deflated. However, I called Boo's mom to break the news and she said "oh, Katie you're going to find something better." She also confessed she found the dress a little plain for the fairies I'd described.

Shortly after the pep talk I found this dress :


It's also a Watters, style#46231. Having two flower girls, one who isn't my biological child, I hesitate to fork over $200 per dress. So, I'm looking for something similar or at least similar fabric. I love the color (they call this green apple), the spray of flowers above and below the sash and the tulle. Picture it on the two prettiest 2yr olds you ever saw with ballet slippers, fairy wings and flower wreaths on their heads.
This is the flower wreath I'm after. Maybe I’ll do one with lighter purple and one with darker purple flowers. Beautiful.

This is actually an ad for a photographer. Her wreath is all baby’s breath, but I love the shoes. It's a great picture of the sweet little flower girl surrounded by the bride's skirt.

It turns out Riley's already practicing for the shot:

(photo by Lara Coughlin) I didn't have a sweet little face peering out from under my skirt when I bought it. I think I like it better this way.