Wow. Our wedding day is going to be here before we even know it. I'm keeping a good pace though (in my own opinion), so hopefully all DIY projects I want to do will get done.
From the 22-26 I visited PA. Josh could only come up for a little over a day since he had to work Sunday, but I got SO much done.
Bridesmaid Dresses/Girls Day
That Saturday 4/6 of my bridesmaids, my mom, Josh's mom, my moms best friend, and I went dress shopping.
First, we had lunch together at the Pizza Hut in New Stanton. It was a good place to meet up and this way we only had to take 2 vehicles. It was nice to see everyone getting along pretty easily and a good friendship/relationship built throughout the rest of the day.
We then headed to the 1st shop and it was just a nightmare. I had called The Esquisite Bride in Murrysville ahead of time to see if they had a specific dress that we wanted to see and they were the only place in the area that said they did. When we go there though we found it to be crowded and then when we let the person at the front desk know we had an appointment they rushed us upstairs and pushed us aside. We looked around a bit, but there was little to no room with all the people there. We waited and we waited and when no one came to help us after about 10-15 minutes we approached a sales associate on our own, explained to them the situation, and they went to look up THE dress. When the sales associate comes back she tells us that they don't even have the dress in their system! Wow. Just wow. I've said it before early in the planning, but I REALLY hate being lied to. So as we left there in an instant my mother let them and the rest of their customers have a few words and we stormed out. Can you blame us though?!
So we left there and headed to our 2nd appointment, Davids Bridal. Now I've heard SO many good and bad reviews of DB; however, one of the good ones have been the one in our area. We explained to them the horror story we had experienced and even though they were really busy they made me and the rest of the girls feel special. I had called ahead of time and told them about my dress and how I purchased it for $50 at a goodwill that was donated by them and they were more than happy to accomadate us. All I wanted was to put it on all together with my veil, shoes, and necklace and see it with the girls' dresses once they picked it out. They we're so nice and couldn't believe the deal I got on the dress. As we waited for a dressing room to open up (we were an hour early) we looked at some dresses and their catalog. We found a dress that everyone loved and then realized that it would not come in either of the wedding colors or color that in anyway came close to the colors. Boo. So we kept looking.
The first dress that Aleece, future sister in law/Maid of Honor, put on is the one she's actually going to get. It looks fantastic on her! Here it is, only it'll be in "Holly" (close to our Emerald Green).
Although everyone seemed to like this dress they kept looking and tried on another dress. While they were changing my mom was helping me into my wedding dress. Just when I was about done the past theknot.com bride met up with us here and Rochelle, FMIL, purchased life like faux floral calla lillies and petals from her. She was so nice and it was really a great deal. When I came out the girls were just so in love with this dress, how could I tell them no, I loved it too! So we decided MOH would be in a different color and style (same fabric though) and the bms would be in pink. They both have pockets too, which they all love.
Alexis is holding a few of the faux callas we purchased
Just when we were about to leave we convinced my mom to try on dresses. The first one we all really liked, but we convinced her to try the next and Oo my! It's BEAUTIFUL on her! Absolutely stunning! =) She was upset since she wasn't able to buy it then and there so Aleece and I with the convincing of moms best friend, Suzy, went and put the dress on lay away without her knowing. Between Aleece, Suzy, and I we'll have it paid off in no time! So worth it to see my mom's reaction and know she'll feel good too on the big day. =)
After a very satisfying trip to David's Bridal we headed over next door to Men's Warehouse, where we had yet again another pleasant experience. I'm guessing it had been awhile since they had that many women in the store, haha, but it really was a good time. I'm pretty sure we got it all figured out for the men.
We're 99.99% sure Josh will be wearing this. =)
Luke, Josh's best man, will be wearing this. We decided to nix the coat and tie since 1. It's July 2. They'll be off later anyway
This is what the rest of groomsmen will be wearing
And, I believe this is what we're going to have his dad, my dad, and my pap wear.
They'll all be wearing "shoies" as well. Haha. Only the girls from the day we'll understand that. After MW, we went to CiCi's for dinner. It was a really good time and everyone enjoyed theirselves. I can say for the first time that day, I trully felt like a bride instead of just a planner. =) A great day, with great people.
Hair Trial
That night Aleece and I arranged for Nicole, their cousin, to come over and do a hair trial with the both of us. She did Aleece's hair first and I took pictures and sent them to the rest of girls. Every single one of them loved it and this is how their hair will be on the big day. =)
After she did Aleece's hair, she started on mine. It's very similiar, but the front has a "poof" and my hair is higher up. And, let's not forget mine has a veil in it for part of the night. =) I plan to take it out after all the "activities" at the recepiton...i.e. first dance, bridal dance, ect.
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping Part 2
The next day the rest of my bridesmaids and I met up at Davids Bridal to have them try the dress everyone else loved the previous day. Great news, they loved it too!
After another great experience at DB we were pretty hungry so we ended up going to Max & Ermas, which was pretty delicious. It was great getting to see the both of them since it's been MONTHS since I've seen either of them.
After all this I ended up going out with the same girls from the night before and a few other people to get some yummy wings at Dino's. It was a post-bday celebration for Alexis, who turned 16. We were there fore about 3 hours..as before a wonderful time. Aleece even wrote each of them a letter that I wasn't able to read..boo that, but it's great that they are all becoming so close. =)
Caterer
The next day was pretty much strictly wedding business. I headed to our Caterer's location and took her my deposit. We talked for a bit and I'm so excited to have them on the big day. They're so passionate about their work. =)
Holiday Inn Express
From there I head to the local hotel that is only 1.7 miles from the reception location and 13 miles from the ceremony site. After talking to them I blocked of 25 rooms (15 Double Beds, 6 Kings, 2 Double Bed Smoking, and 2 King Smoking). I might call and block a few more. After that I decided to book our room. We're getting a King Jacuzzi Room, there was a room that was a "suite;" however, it was $30 more and only because it's 2 rooms and had a fridge and microwave. No thank you! Ahh, I'm so excited! =)
I believe we're going to see about arranging a shuttle from the reception to the hotel from 11pm - 1am. That way we don't have anyone even thinking about drinking and driving. I'll have to get on that and quote some limo services soon.
More Fake Flowers
I found more flowers on craigslist from someone in PA, so I went to pick those up. 57 fake calla lillies. =)
This was the most productive visit yet. It was so great to get so much done. I can't wait for the next visit, but I can't believe we'll only spend 15-20 more days in PA before the wedding is here. Oo boy!
Oo well. I can't wait and so exciting to see everyone else finally getting trully excited as well. =)
