Etsy Strikes Again

As you know my dress is being made by an Etsy designer (PantorabyAndrea). My headpiece was made by an Etsy seller mignonnehandmade . We decided on custom wood invitations through wood chick studios on Etsy. Here's some of their work.
We also recently decided on the bridesmaid's necklace.
by JenniferMoonDesigns on Etsy. I've looked for all manner of wedding related things (& bought some). More often than purchases what I get from Etsy is inspiration.

Here's the card box inspiration I found once I decided to do a bird's nest from whitetulipboutique

There's a lot treasures on Etsy like these:
(Etsy Seller TheGeneration). Wouldn't they look beautiful with my dress? I'm working on making something like it in my size for less than $78.

I also want to take a whack projects like these (I'm not sure of the sellers I was keeping them on my inspiration list):



.

Etsy is kind of like the enchanted woods of Midsummer Night's Dream full of beautiful things, a place you could lost in forever and not without danger.

Don't Judge A Vendor By Their Website

So, I try to be open minded and avoid the aesthetic manipulations of corporate America, but darn it I'm just such a girl sometimes. Of course I know that just because it's not a "wedding" vendor doesn't mean someone isn't the best choice. I also know quality of product and customer service are huge factors. Bigger factors than a pretty website.

That's all very rational, but I'm a snob. I live with a programmer. First impressions are important. It's like walking into a concrete floored CostCo style warehouse vs a potpourri scented, velvet cushioned chairs boutique. I want to deal with the people in the pretty store based on first impression regardless of whether they actually give me the best deal or service.

I Googled "wooden invitations" and the first hit on shopping was a place called LazerDesigns. The image was an alder wood invite so I clicked and found myself in a warehouse of a website. Tiny unembellished text, pages cluttered with information and no artistry. I left after glancing out at price info. I found an Etsy store with an adorable little logo and name. Now I was in the boutique! They only do wedding invitations and they provide fancy envelopes. I talked to Mike about both places (being desparing about the first), but he got excited about alder wood versus the lighter birch.

I begrudingly agreed to order samples from both places to compare. I emailed lazerdesigns and had a response the same day. They we very friendly and accommodating. They didn't charge for the samples and had them shipped out the next day. I was floored! I was even more impressed by their quick arrival and how pretty they were. I mean, wow. They continue to be friendly and prompt answering my subsequent questions too.

In the meantime I requested a sample from the Etsy store with the cute name on 8/30. I had a response on 9/2 asking me to pick a design and give them my exact wording so I can see how it would look. That was exciting. I poured over wording and replied on the 9/5. There was a holiday weekend and they're obviously a busy shop, but I've still had no response. I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to pay for the sample at a separate listing or if they already been shipped or even they've even received my info.

Mike also prefers the laser engraved design to the painted on and heat sealed ones he's seen online. I'm still pulling for the place with the cute name and I can't possibly decide until I've seen something in person. I am absolutely floored by the difference in customer service so far. I'm a little nervous about how much longer hand painting them will take if they have a week turnaround on messages and I have no idea how fast shipping will be.

The Cattle Call

Aka the Bridal Expo! It's a strange place. It reminds me of going to the big folk fair in Middle school, but instead of going booth to booth getting your passport stamped you go from booth to booth signing up to win engagement photos and bridesmaids jewelry.

The best part (just like the folk fair) is the food!

Here I sit happily sampling a cupcake and perusing their flavor options like “margarita and princess”. It was really yummy. They seemed really nice, but when I asked if they did custom flavors (assuming they did) they said No. Not just no, but "we only do the corporate mandated flavors." Lost a potential customer there, ladies. Too bad your such corporate tools. Of course I'd be totally conformist and trendy if I had cupcakes anyway, so pass. They did, upon seeing me shake my head and abandon the flyer, stammer "we can do different colors..."

Here's some beautifully displayed hors d'oeuvres. They even wore cafeteria gloves for my protection. I had something with garlic and goat cheese. It was good, but not amazing. Later I had a crab cake I can't stop thinking about. If that crab cake hadn't come attached to a hotel on the beach I would have been sold. Also, I already decided on a caterer that's special to Mike and I. That being said maybe we'll visit that beach hotel someday for crab cakes...

This bakery was trying to sell me on "wedding cookies" that was lost on me, but...

Aren't these mini pies adorable?

Don't you love pretty food?

Besides eating I talked to quite a few photographers (like this guy: Chi Photography). I still have my first choice, but I'm afraid he's so brilliant he'll be booked so I keep looking for acceptable plan b's (although, I think I found that already too). The other thing I was concerned about (I know it's early) is hair and make-up that will come to me.

The name of this place made me giggle. They gave me a coupon for a "$30 Blow" no kidding. They're an express salon which means no cuts just styling. They were too pricey for me in the end which is too bad because I would have loved to tell the maids to meet me at the Blow Bar.

These lovely folks were doing a demonstration of their hair skills. It's a supervised hair school so their rates are super reasonable. The bridal up do includes a trial in the price and they gave me a 20% coupon. The downside is they obviously can't come to me.

There were all manner of vanity-centric businesses there, but you have to giggle at this:

"What did you do today, Hank?"
"Went to the convention center and got my teeth bleached"
I prefer privacy when altering the hue of my chompers, maybe I'm alone there.

I got a lot of SWAG, but by far my favorite was this little beauty:


Squeezy stress bride, oh yeah. Love it. I squeezed it all the way home thinking about all the hissy fits I've endured with 8mo until D-day. Of course when I brought her home Riley claimed Mommy's "doll" for her own. It was about 30mins before my squeezy stress bride looked liked the estranged halves of a magicians assistant. Poor thing. Mike said "now you have one for each hand!"

There were a few odd booths like ADT security, really? When I think of weddings I think panic button. Also, Costco...

Here's me pointing out the Costco brochure has 20ish pages and only one half page of wedding stuff. Scheisters. Not that actual wedding vendors are much better.

Gatherer Instincts Meets Wedding Planning

My brain is abuzz with all the possibilities, but my rational side is screaming about the time ticking by. What have you gotten done? Well, sorry to disappoint, but girls are hard wired to be gatherers. I needed to have tangible objects to make me feel in control and the beginnings of preparedness. All the green ones are clicky to show you pictures in new tabs.

Wedding purchases so far:

1. Alfred Angelo Gown-Goodwill-$70-4 years ago
2. Pattern for Flower girl dresses by Simplicity-Goodwill-.50-June 2011
3. Second Hand Dress for Reception-Goodwill-$30-June 2011
4. Lantern-Ikea-$4-June 2011

Hand-Me-Downs
Assorted flower girl baskets, ring pillows, cake server set, bridal book, magazines. I even had one of my amazing friends offer me her wedding dress to cut and alter as I pleased as long as I return some of the fabric to her. I have amazing friends.

Stuff I tried to buy, but the universe denied me:

1. Fairy cake topper-$30-Online Wedding Place-OUT OF STOCK (until Sept)
2. Corset-?-?-Haven't found the one, but not for lack of looking
3. Bridal Headband- Etsy-$N/A + $6 shipping (unless I buy two items)-Indecision/lack of confidence

Decisions Made:

1. Venue-It's unanimous!-Sunken Gardens
2. Theme/Colors-Midsummer Night's Dream/Enchanted forest, Emerald and ivory with accents of lavender
3. Flower Girl Dress Inspiration-Now if only fabric/color were so easy
4. Officiant-It's going to be a beautiful ceremony
5. Wedding Party-You guys are amazing!
6. Bridesmaid Dresses!-This one was all me, much to groomzilla's chagrin. He's been the color police insisting certain shades of green (like emerald and sage) will clash and "ruin everything!"
7. Caterer-Another Unanimous Easy Pick-I'll post all about it when they're booked.
8. Florist-Friend of the family and absolute wonder woman. I can't wait to work with her.

If I made a list of what was left to do I'd probably throw up. Our date remains in limbo, sadly. Once that mess is resolved we'll have date, venue and caterer resloved in one masterful stroke. Do you see how dramatic being in limbo makes me? This has to end. Our cake maker is waiting to see if her husband's job relocates him in the next month before we're good to go, fingers crossed for staying put. We have a second choice for cake, but really doesn't every bride want their first choice as much as possible? I'm also waiting for word from my day of coordinator who I've begin to think of as my unofficial right hand even before she's excepted the job.

I've also begun pondering kid wrangling, vows, photography/videography, Mike's attire, the groomsmen attire, bridal accessories, flowers and music. All the details and logistics come and go in my eager-to-be-selfish-for-even-a-second mom brain.

We did sit down as a couple for 4ish hours over the weekend and work on our kick ass save the dates. They still need tweaking, but we're darn close to a prototype (and me hand cutting 40 sets of magnets). Have you ever noticed that when you tackle a project in photo shop you always go in thinking the images and editing are going to be tricky, but then we just add the text. Yeah, right. Deciding which font out of countless billions that are download ready (or in our case multiple fonts) and then the exact right shade and hue of the exact right color. The size and storke. The placement and semantics. Anyway, we'll get there and I expect to post about it by week's end.

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.

Retail Therapy

I went "wedding shopping" today and came home empty handed. I was feeling kind of down about life in general and still not having a date. I thought going shopping (even if it was just a fact finding mission) would cheer me up. I invited my mom to go see what we could find at the mall.

First, I found this cute little dress. However, they did not have it in my size and it was on sale so it's doubtful I'd be able to get my size. I thought, "Hmmm...I could handle this as a reception dress." So, I tried it on to see if it would fit.

Cute right? Cuter if it fit a little better.
Here's a close-up of the top:

This is the detail below the hem:

Maybe a little too low key for the reception, but it would have been good for the rehearsal dinner or something. Anyway, it didn't fit quite right. I sadly left it behind.

I soldiered on with my mom looking for anything she could wear, the maids could wear or I could wear. I looked in all the department stores, Victoria's Secret and Hot Topic. I was thinking if I found a corset/bustier I could wear it as the top of the reception dress with the tulle skirt from the thrift store wedding dress. It would be pretty and already fit. Apparently, there's slim pickings in my size. I found a beautiful option at VS, but the smallest size it came in was a C and I haven't been a C cup since I weaned Riley.

At JcPenny's they had one option, you heard me uno. It was kind of pretty, but again a size too big. It looked like this:

Nothing spectacular, but pretty. It was too big, which is a real self esteem killer. If your trying to shop as a means of cheering yourself up don't try on underwear that's to big, it has the opposite effect.

In hindsight neither were exactly what I was looking for. It's just a bummer when I'm already sad and I get a reminder that world isn't built for little people. Onward and upward, mom and I are hitting the racks at a boutique tomorrow to see about a dress for her and investigate bridesmaid options.

What to Wear....

Let's talk about the dress, shall we? I thought it would be simple because I knew exactly what I wanted. Let me tell you, wedding dress shopping and simple don't exist in the same universe. I wanted an ivory ballgown with a fitted bodice and a floor length skirt with ruching on one side and no train. Something like this:

I decided finding a dress was priority number one because whatever I bought would need a lot of alterations. I had high expectations for dress shopping. I brought Mike (told you, I'm non-traditional) and his sister who's one of my bridesmaids. She bought her camera and got some beautiful pictures. The sales lady was skeptical about my budget, my far off date and my size. I was struck with dread as I browsed the plastic bags hanging on the racks. They all looked poofy, over complicated, and a few sizes too big.

The sales lady was rather troll-ish in stature, demeanor, and appearance. I asked her if she had any dresses without trains and she looked at me like I had three heads. After a long pause I was informed that she didn't have any samples like that, but any dress could be altered that way (with a tone that implied I was nuts). Here's the three dresses closest to what I was looking for at David's Bridal in summer 2008.

Dress One: Very plain bodice with a green sash and tons of ruching.

Dress Two: Sparkly bodice, less dramatic ruching on skirt.

Close-up on dress two. This is by far favorite picture of the day. I look like a princess who was just asked to dance.

Dress three: Boning and embroidery on bodice and full ruched skirt. This one made me cry. I also like the veil with tiny pearls in it.

Needless to say, I didn't buy one that day. I continued my search that summer at a more upscale boutique, but still came a way empty handed. The old adage about finding things when you aren't looking for them held true for me:

I was at the thrift store on half price day and among my treasures I had a wedding planning book. One of the employees of the store saw the book and informed me they had wedding dresses. Familiar with the usual yellowing 80's atrocities hanging in the dress section, I nodded dismissively. She sensed my hesitation and added "a boutique went out of business and donated all their remaining stock." I perked up, but what were the odds two wedding dress retailers with thousands of dresses didn't have anything, but Goodwill did?

I meandered over to check the rack and found this beautiful Alfred Angelo dress in the right silhouette in a small-ish size. It was marked WAY down and half price so I figured even if it wasn't perfect it was a good starting place for alterations or at least good material in the worst case scenario.

The dress.

Closeup on the bodice.

The back.

I have pictures of me in it, but I'll save those for before shot when I get into the alterations. I love the design on the bodice that looks like a Celtic knot, but there are too many sequins. Also, the train has got to go and I need a bit of green somewhere. Love the raw potential.