Links, links, links

http://www.weddingquestions.com looks like it might be helpful, although it seems that you can't see other people's questions. Maybe you have to sign up to see them?

http://www.weddingvowsthatmakehistory.com/ is neat - for $10 you'll get a set of vows and stuff that talk about "this day in history" when you've chosen your wedding date.

Interesting dress on eBay

I've found something intriguing on eBay. There is a seller who has a dress that is similar to the floral Sincerity one in cut, and the fact it has pastel flowers on it. The Sincerity one has a zipper, this one is a corset (which I really like the idea of).

The eBay site is here or their website link for this dress is http://www.justthedress.com/dress/jade.htm and it comes in Ivory or White.

The eBay site lists it as $350 US, and the other one as $400 US, so I'm not sure why there's a discrepancy. $350 US is about $420 Cdn, so it's still not cheap, but it is about half the price of the Sincerity one.

They have another one called Eve that is shown on two pages http://www.justthedress.com/dress/eve.htm and http://www.justthedress.com/dress/eve2.htm that is similar again, but with a more of a sweetheart neckline, which generally doesn't suit me.

More links

A photographer Christine recommends:
www.bullockandkirstein.com

http://www.theweddingspot.ca/ looks like it has potential.

Some forums I've found (some are better than others):

• canadian bride
• confetti
• wedding tales
• money saving expert
• wedding bells
• the knot
• garden web

Dresses are hard

So, I've been looking at my photos of the all-white dress for the past week or so, and I realized that it is not flattering when viewed straight on. If I'm on a bit of an angle, or from the back or anything it looks great, but 100% straight-on, front view (which is how a lot of photos will be taken!) it loses my waist.

I kind of like my waist and I'd like it to show, so that's out. So I will keep looking...

I've posted a note on a bridal forum to see if anyone has the floral one in a size close to mine that wants to sell it. That might be a really good way to keep the price down.

Web links

Some sites that look interesting and that I will investigate more later...

• http://www.frugalbride.com/
• http://www.yourweddingcompany.com...
  for bouquet ideas. In fact, the whole site looks like it could be interesting.

Hey, neat. I've been thinking of either sweet peas or pink tulips in my bouquet, and look what I found: a pretty bouquet

More links to come, I'm sure.

Caterer

We met with Randy at the golf course today to talk about the catering. Everything sounds very reasonable, but the only thing they don't do is a taste-test ahead of time. He was surprised when I asked him about it, but three (of three) sources I'd checked right before going out mentioned getting a tasting. He did offer references, though, so when I get those on Monday I'll call around and see what people have to say.

Other than that, everything sounded very good, so unless the references come out poorly, we will book that as our location!

Pretty flower

I took some pictures of my garden the other day, and I really like how this one turned out. It's not wedding related at all, but oh well. :)

This is a lavatera bush that is growing in my front yard.

Dernit

So, the trying on of the favourites didn't go so well. I tried on the one at the first store that my dress-shopping helpers hadn't seen before, and I found that I wasn't as crazy about it as I was before, so that helped some. (It has navy accents, and a lot of people mistake it for black in the photos, and I don't want a black dress.) It does come in irridescent white, apparently, but I haven't seen any pictures of it in that colour yet.

Then we went to the second place to try on the other favourite, and they'd had the nerve to sell the sample dress to someone! And, of course, the more I think about it, the more I think that's the one I'd prefer.

Maybe they'd give the lady who bought the one off the rack my contact information, and if she wants to sell it after, she could sell it to me. Do you think the store would go for that? Me neither... why tell me where I could find a cheap one, when they could order in a new one for me at full price? :)

So now I'm not sure what to do....

Decorator

I found out what they meant by "choose decorator" -- they just meant the place where you would rent your decorations if you're getting into the tulle ceilings and mini-lights and such.  I thought they meant someone who would come in and hang up your decorations for you, which seemed a bit odd. (Isn't that what the bridal party is for?  That's what happened in the two weddings I was a bridesmaid!)

Although I suppose if you get fancy you'd need an official decorator to help you figure out what you want to rent, but I imagine that comes included with rental.  (I hope!)

Things are starting to come together

This past Saturday I went dress shopping (for about the eighth time, it's so much fun!) and found a dress that fits me perfectly, looks great, and has an incredible price.

The only "problem" with it is it is all-white. I have two other most-favourite dresses, and both of them have some colour in them. One has navy accents, and the other has pastel embroidery.

So now I'm in a bit of a quandary, because I love different things about all three dresses. If the price was the same on all three, I don't know how I would decide, but there's a $500 difference between the white one and the other two.

I'm going for one final look at the other two on Friday and will make up my mind then. It just occurred to me that maybe I'm doing it to say goodbye to the others! :)

So that's the dress. Next thing: the reception location.

We've found a nice location (a golf course) with decent prices. I've tentatively booked it for Saturday, May 13, 2006. Every other Saturday in May is already booked! I really wanted the 20th as I like the sound of "May 20th" and it's the long weekend, but the 13th will probably be better in the long run because Brooke will be able to remember it as his birthday is on a 13th as well.

This Saturday, we're going to meet with the Food and Beverage Manager at the golf course and talk about food and such. I have to make a decision by the end of the month at the latest, but it's only the 7th today so I have a fair amount of time. I imagine I'll probably make a decision right away after Saturday, assuming we're able to sample the food at that time.

The following checklist is from WeddingsWest.ca and lists things I should have done or be doing now.

To do 12-18 Months Before (Apparently I should already be finished this whole list. Oops)

• Announce the engagement. Done. We told everyone by phone. We haven't done any kind of formal announcement.
• Buy the engagement ring. Done, and it is gorgeous! What a talented man I'm marrying.
• Decide on a wedding date. Done, unless we change locations.
• Determine your budget. I've picked a number out of the air that sounds affordable. I haven't finalized it yet, though, by checking to see if it is actually possible.
• Make an appointment with your Officiant. Need to pick one. Will wait until we decide on our ceremony location.
• Decide on a ceremony location and reserve. Not started.
• Assemble your guest list, remembering to consult both families. In progress.
• Decide on formality and style of wedding. Semi-formal, feeling like spring.
• Decide on a reception location and reserve. In progress
• Choose attendants. Maid of honour and one bridesmaid picked, asked, and accepted. One or two more bridesmaids to go, but first, I must decide on whether it will be one or two! Groom's attendants not decided.
• Select Bridal Consultant. I don't plan to use one.

To do 8-10 Months Before (What I should be doing now)

• Shop for your wedding dress and accessories. Dress shopping nearly complete. Accessories to come after dress decision.
• Shop for bridesmaids' dresses. I saw one I liked, but too expensive. So not really begun yet.
• Select photographer and videographer. Not started.
• Select florist. Not started.
• Select musicians or DJ for ceremony & reception. Brent has offered his services.
• Enroll with gift registry. Underway/ongoing. And fun!
• Choose a caterer. In-house caterer at reception location.
• Choose decorator. A decorator? Are they kidding?
• Pick a Honeymoon destination. Check if both of you have a current passport and if any inoculations are required. Not really started.

So, that's where I'm at right now!

Initial Post

So I've heard of blogs before. I've even seen a few. But I've never had one. This whole deal about planning a wedding is getting complicated (and I've just barely started) so I thought to myself, "Self, maybe a blog would help."

I decided to give it a try. We'll see what happens.

Here's a picture of my ring: