The Countdown

Less than five months away and I think it's starting to hit me how soon it yes, yet I still yearn, I want it to be the day, like I would be waking up knowing today is my day. I can't wait for it to be official and we can start the next chapter in our lives.
Yet I am still holding back enjoying this time getting to plan out that day. I'm enjoying going on dates and talking about what our life will be like as we're older, what our kids will look like, and what our families will be like. I enjoy getting to dream.
Scary thought about how fast we're growing up.. and all those times parents and other adults told us not to grow up too fast. But you can't help it, you can't help enjoying each day and living life.

I will admit I am nervous. I've never been one to stand in front of so many people and be truly comfortable. All I think about it how many eyes will be staring at me. Though I know and I have been reaffirmed that the only thing I will think about as I walk down the aisle is him. I look forward to it.

We're starting to take care of all the little details including the centerpieces, other decorations, favors, bridal party gifts, etc. The only major thing not finalized is the food and that is only due to the crazy game we are playing with adding more and more guests to the list. Its crazy to think how many people we want to share our day with, how many meant that much to us. It is too much but I will trade a bit of my pay check in to have them there on my day.

Linens and Things - Part 2

So as far as the last linens and things post, I recall ranting about the situation of what I was to do. Let's recap...

The average price to rent linens in Atlanta for the size I need is $15 per table - let alone the fact that most places don't offer blue linens. On the other hand if I purchase the linens, they would be as low as $11.25. Problem is what am I supposed to do with 40 plus linens after the wedding. Some suggest to rent them out, others to straight forward sell them to someone else.

Well.. turns out I went with the latter.. I went ahead and purchased the linens in hopes one day I will sell them back somewhere... Lets see what happens!

But for now, one more thing to cross off my list!! :)

Dress for Success

Oct 1 turned out to be a spectacular date with the majority of my bridal party. It began Friday night. I had prepared a little gift for each of the bridesmaids, something they could hold on to - turns out they scrapbook!

KSU celebrated its annual homecoming finale with a celebration known as Owl Prowl. The events comprised of a parade from campus organizations, a fall festival, and a concert. This years performance was by The Maine - who turned out to be a pretty fantastic band! Regardless, Kim and Lauren drove up after class on Friday to celebrate and have a good time. We enjoyed an afternoon of festivities, giggling, talking, and all the little things girls do. I also presented them with their gifts receiving gracious smiles in return :)

Saturday morning we woke at 10am to meet Megan and head out to our first destination - Bel Fiore Bridal in Marietta. The shop was a smaller size but had a lot to offer. We arrived for our 11 o'clock appointment 5 minutes late and had to wait for my mom and Alison to arrive, but the attendants were also really friendly and accommodating. We were taken to the back section with the bridesmaid dresses and asked specifically for Bill Levkoff.

The day I returned for my dress fitting, Jessie tried on a Bill Levkoff that was flattering and elegant. So the brand stuck...

We looked through and found chiffon fabric, full length dresses and had a selection of about 6 to try on between them and the sizes provided. I can tell you it was an experience listening from the other side of the curtain at all the difficulties in putting on the dresses. I couldn't help but laugh! We had a great time and found 3 dresses we liked including the original Jessie tried on. One in particular looked absolutely phenomenal on Kim. It was a strapless, sweetheart neckline black dress. Even mom thought it was jaw dropping on her.
We got the information from the dresses and thanked our attendant. There was one more place to go...

If anyone has ever seen Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta, they've heard of Bridals by Lori. Well it was our next stop! It was a surprise treat for the girls and a guilty pleasure for myself!

We were like little girls in a toy store.. we got out of the car and took pictures of everything and all the signs! Kim made a comment about how crazy the lady at the front desk thought we were and I wanted to prove her theory correct. As we walked in, I asked her if every girl came in taking pictures and she laughed stating how true it was.

I filled out the information card and we walked right back into the bridesmaids dress section. It was huge, and there were so many things to look at.. We found the Bill Levkoff section again and they had even more styles that the other shop! I had the girls try on more dresses including the ones we liked for mthe other shop to compare. Our attendant was great. She gave us a larger room for the girls to change and our own pedestal to show off the dresses. She even dragged a bench for me to sit on and judge the dresses! It was a truly fun experience. The store also provided for other size dresses so some could try a dress that may not have fit at the other store. We finally narrowed down to two dresses. One had a sash similar to my dress, while the other had a delicate bow giving a simple elegant feel - which is what we were looking for. Though the specific color we want was not in stock, we decided on the one with the bow! It seemed to match best with all the body types and they agreed it was indeed very comfortable.

I saw the dress Kim tried on at the other place again too.. and YES I made her try it on again! If she hadn't before she definitely fell in love with it this time - not even wanting to take it off!
The prices at Bridal's by Lori were also cheaper than the smaller shop which surprised me due to the fame of the shop.

We had decided on a dress and shoes - later found online $20 at Payless :)

The dresses we found were also sold at the shop where I bought my dress. With my purchase, their dresses were given a 10% discount which brings the cost down to a manageable price (that will not be posted!!). It turned out to be perfect timing too. If we had waited to long, they would not be in before the wedding!

Anyway, the day was completed with lunch at Shogun (Japanese Hibachi Grill), girl time for couple hours, Nick & Scott joining us for dinner at Big Pie, followed by an amazing KSU Hockey Game vs. Alabama (and that ended in a victory 4-1!).

Now that's what I call a successful, productive, and downright awesome day!