Bridesmaid Dress Search #2

Tonight I went with Sarah to search for more bridesmaid dress options.  I'm still not in love with the color of the dress we found the first day.  I refuse to put Allie in bubblegum pink....or anything remotely close to it.  I fell in love with a cute cocktail dress I saw at this store when I picked up my dress.  It's very modern, cute, and sassy.  I'm just not sure it meshes that well with my dress.  But it does have this adorable little belt.  I'm going to send the photo to my girls and see what they think.  After all, they're the ones who will be wearing it.

Bridesmaid Dress Search

Today Allie, Deena, Sarah & I went to look for a bridesmaid dress.  My hope was to find something that all of them would be happy to wear....and that would flatter all figures.  I want my girls to look amazing, and be comfortable in what they're wearing.  The search for a sassy bridesmaid dress began at MB Bride in Greensburg.  We tried on MANY dresses, and finally decided on one that all three were happy with.  I sent a picture of the dress to Allison, Jamie, and Shanna, and all three approved.  The only problem with it is I'm not totally sold on the shade of pink it comes in.  As Allie is a redhead, I promised her I wouldn't put her in red.  Luckily, she looks good in the shade of that dress....I'm just not sold on it myself.  We decided we'd keep looking, but it's definitely a consideration.

After shopping, we went to dinner together.  We looked at some possible dates for the shower/bachelorette, and made some more pre-wedding decisions.  I am so lucky to have girls who will use their days off from work to come shopping, and give their time to me.

                                                           Deena, Allie, me & Sarah
I have such pretty friends :)

Cermony music

Last night Jamie and I went out since she's home for the holidays.  We went to Atria's for dinner, then out for some drinks.  Conveniently, we ran into Jess (MOH Allie's younger sister) and I was able to ask her if she'll sing at our wedding.  I've known Jess for years (the Reynolds family refers to me as 'the 5th sister') and she has an absolutely amazing voice.  And by amazing voice, I mean she tried out for American Idol online, and out of 40,000 people, she was 1 of 40 chosen.  She'll add so much to our ceremony, and whatever she sings will be beautiful.  She's currently at school in Philly, but she said just give her the date, and she'll be there!

Cross that off my list!

Pops picks the place

So tonight at the restaurant, I was talking to my favorite Lamplighter employee, Dinah.  I've known her ever since I can remember, and she's always been really generous with my brothers and I.  More than that, she's the only employee I can say is "close" with my Dad....and will let me know when he's not feeling well or even what he wants for Christmas.  :)

Anyway, today she told me a story that happened earlier this afternoon.  The health inspector came for a regularly scheduled visit.  She checked everything, and toured the building with my Dad.  Once she was done, they had this conversation in the dining room, which Dinah overheard:

Health Inspector Lady (HIL):  Well Dan, everything looks great!  I'll be back to see you in a few months.

Papa Ferri (PF):  Okay.....But don't come see me in May.

HIL: Ummm...okay?  Why?

PF: My daughter's getting married in May.

HIL:  Oh, how exciting!  Does she know where she'll have the wedding?

PF: This place called Springwood.  It's in Verona.

HIL:  Wow, Daniel.  That's really exciting for you!

....conversation probably carried on, but that was the important part.

So, let's review:

1. It's not exactly protocol to tell the health inspector when a visit would be convenient for you.  Visits are scheduled depending on the month, and how well you passed the last time.  Not to mention, it is standard for them to do surprise visits, unscheduled.

2.  No, I did not set a date yet.

3.  While I did really like Springwood, I had not officially said that's where I'll have the wedding.

The good news is: my Dad is involved!  And apparently likes Springwood enough to announce that's where it will be held.

All in all, great news for me....since I loved Springwood :)

Today I bought a wedding dress

Yep.  It happened.  I found a dress I love, and I bought it.  There were only two in the state available at stores to try on.  So my Mom and I drove out to New Castle to see it in person.  It.  Is.  Amazing.  I fell in love instantly.  After trying on tons of Maggie's at the trunk show in January, and again a few days ago with Sarah, I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for.  Each dress I tried on looked beautiful, and I liked them all for different reasons.  Until I started looking, I had no idea how difficult it would be to pick one dress.  They're all gorgeous, white, and designed to make you feel amazing. 

But thankfully, I found the one.  Luckily, I found a store who ordered one (in the exact color, and size, I am looking for) as their sample.  It ships in a week, and it will be mine when it arrives.  So, not only do I have to take the time to place the order, but I also don't have to worry about watching the calendar for my ship date.  Score!

HUGE task crossed off my checklist.  Go me.

Wedding dress shopping

Today I went wedding dress shopping with Sarah and my Mum.  A local bridal store was having a Maggie Sottero trunk show, so I made an appointment to see the gowns.  I've known for a while that when I did eventually look at dresses, Maggie was where I wanted to start.  She makes gorgeous gowns, unique and individual.  I tried several on, but unfortunately they didn't carry the gown I would really like see.  I found it in a magazine and instantly fell in love.  All I have to do is see what it looks like on me.  I did find a gown that would be a second option, if I can't find the one from the magazine.  Seriously, trying on gowns is SO fun.  I can see why it takes some girls so long.  Talk about decisions!  Too bad I can't wear three :)

Wedding Venue #2

Today I took my parents to see Springwood Conference Center.  It's amazing.  Gorgeous property, amazing and intimate building...definitely a unique venue.  Photography is HUGE for me, so I need a place that is beautiful in its own, without needing much to dress it up.  Also, we'll need a place we can hold the ceremony and reception.  There are several different areas to choose from for the ceremony.  I really liked the stone patio.  Simple, but would be great for photos.  Also, there is a huge outdoor wooden deck, perfect for the cocktail hour to entertain my guests (while I take hundreds of photos).  Dinner would be in the atrium...with a gorgeous chandelier hanging above.  I want an evening wedding, so watching the sun setting from inside the atrium....I get chills just thinking of it :)

My parents both really like it, as does Fred.  My only complaint is that they don't allow candles.  Which is really disappointing, since all along my theme was an evening, candlelit wedding.  (Everyone looks better in candlelight, right?  Not to mention, talk about romantic).  However, if that's the only thing I don't like about the place, is it really a reason to pass on an otherwise perfect venue?

We still want to look at a few other places, but it's definitely number one so far.

This is where we'd get married.  Gorgeous, right?