I Can Do That!

I have a jam packed next few weeks before school starts, and I'm stoked about it!

Tomorrow

I'll be meeting with a DJ, going to see some chairs {and hopefully like them!}, and I hope to be signing the catering contract. And, somewhere in there, I'm supposed to be meeting up with my MOH for a coffee date!

Saturday

Mr. GrapeJuice and I will be attending a marriage workshop through the Catholic Diocese of Nashville. It is an Engaged Couples Retreat at Scarritt-Bennett. If you want to read about it, you can click here. We have to fill out a Myers Briggs personality questionnaire form. I hate filling them out because I always get nervous that people will judge me and that I'm answering the questions wrong! {so silly.}

Next Saturday

Mr. GrapeJuice and I will be heading over to Street Tuxedo to check out their suits and tuxedos. I'm hoping to convince him that a gray suit would be the way to go. They look so sleek and would fit into the style of our wedding so well! Hopefully, he'll go for it.

The Last Saturday in July

My ladies from NC are coming in, and we are hopefully going to find a bridesmaid dress! Sadly, my sister won't be joining us because she'll a little newborn to take care of. {I'm going to be an aunt soon!!}

Plus, during all this time, I'm supposed to be setting up my classroom and getting it ready for the next school year. I haven't been able to go in yet though since they're in the process of replacing all of the flooring due to the flood at the beginning of May.

photo :: lolcars

Bridesmaid Dress

Long ago...

in the summer of 2009...

in the prime of my engagement...

I thought the dress below was absolutely perfect.

Now...

when I look at it...

it looks terribly structured and uncomfortable.

I have now found the dress below.

It looks sooooo comfortable and New-Years-Eve-party ready!

The criss-cross pattern echos the similar style on my gown.

And, I think the little flower on the shoulder strap is super sweet!

The dress also comes in gray, but it's not as va-va-voom! as the dress is in blue.

photos : david's bridal, moonlight bridal

Wishful Wednesday

I wish...

I knew what to wear for out photography shoot on Sunday.

We are having our free photo shoot downtown around sunset.

I'm not sure what to wear though.

Any recommendations?

I'm trying desperately hard NOT to buy something new.

Please help.

p.s. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

p.p.s. This is my 200th post! [yay me!]

 
photos : anne ruthmann photography, squidoo, blogged down at the moment

Wishful Wednesday

Photo : Bryant McGill

So...

I totally didn't want to get sucked into this because I see so many wedding blogs do it,

but I just can't help it anymore!!!

There are so many things that I'm wishing for wedding-wise.

I beg you.

Please forgive my copy-cat-ness.

{yes, indeed, I did just make up that word.}

Here is what I'm currently wishing for:

My Dream Day Attire

1. This Sophia Tolli Gown {Y1919 Georgette}

2. This Lulu Splendor Necklace {Sabine Luxe Garden Party}

3. This Pair of Butter City Pumps (Turquoise with Black Bow)

4. This Lori London Waterfall Veil {Ribbon Edge}

5. This David's Bridal Gown [for the reception] {Galina #VC9832}

6. This Powder Blue Bijoux Fascinator

7. These Absolutely Audrey Shoe Clips {Maxine}

p.s. Please don't forget to vote in my little poll in regards to yesterdays post! thanks.

Internal Debate

If you didn't know, I have fallen in love with the color gray. Not just any gray - pewter and slate gray. It adds drama to any color scheme, and I think it would look wonderful with our light and flowy wedding colors. Don't get me wrong, I still love silver and think it's a great accent color, but I would much rather have a dramatic feel with the slate or pewter.

Photo : Wedding Paper Divas Blog

See? Absolutely divine! Right? I think so.

Here's the hitch though...

Mr. GrapeJuice is not as in love as I am.

Mainly because of the tux idea I came up with {which I think is genius and he does not}.

Here is what we had originally decided for him and his men {and this is what he still likes}:

It looks good. I don't have a problem with the way it looks.

My love of gray has just overwhelmed my ideas lately.

Here is my updated look with gray:

 

Now that you've had a chance to look at both, we'd like to know your thoughts. Plus, we'd like you to vote in the poll that I've set up. I'm going to keep the poll up until Friday, November 20th. Let us know which you think we should go with!

All Suit Photos : Men's Warehouse

More Dresses {{I can't get enough!}}

I know that I've posted dresses that I've tried on and dresses that I really, really want to try on.
I was a little bored...so I began looking for more dresses. The great thing is all the designers have new collections coming out for the fall season!!

Here's what I've found that I like and want to try on...

Allure 8678

Allure 8628

Mori Lee 2401

Maggie Sottero Charmaine

Let's Be Honest

So, earlier this month I posted some pictures of dresses that I've tried on and love, and I still do. But, in true indecisive and picky bride fashion, can you guess what I've done? You probably can. I've started thinking that maybe those dresses aren't everything I need/want in my wedding dress. I was browsing through some designer dresses back in June and found Sophia Tolli. And, I am still in love, love, love with her!!! I'm kind of nervous about trying on any dresses of hers though without knowing what price range they fall in. Does anybody know??? I would really appreciate some help on this. Here are some of the dresses she creates that ooze gorgeousness and perfection.

*~Sassy Bride~*

The Budget Breakdown

A couple weeks ago, I posted a budget breakdown of what the average person in TN spends on a wedding. It was heartbreaking because I know I won't be able to afford something considered "average" for a wedding in TN. However, to make the most of my budget, I have spent the entire day so far trying to maximize my budget by applying different percentage strategies to my it. On the plus side, I am getting better at percentage math. Now I can successfully pass 6th grade! Yay me!

I do have a positive note to post along with this though, courtesy of Real Simple Weddings. They have an article about how to save money while planning your wedding. It happens to be very specific too, which is something we brides definitely need in our lives!!

1.The Timeline

• Shorten the wedding-planning timeline. Don’t wait a year to get married and it will be easier to simplify the wedding. “A recent trend I’ve seen is that couples are saving money by planning a more last-minute wedding, rather than the traditional 11-month runup,” says Alan Fields, coauthor of Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget. “The shorter time horizon will force you to streamline and keep you, by necessity, from getting sucked into the vortex of elaborate weddings.”
• Or give yourself even more time. That way, you can take advantage of seasonal sales. “For example, you may be able to stock up on silver decorations at 75 percent off before the Christmas holidays, or pick up your ring bearer or flower girl’s outfit on sale at Easter,” says Sharon Naylor, author of 1001Ways to Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding (McGraw Hill, $17, amazon.com)

2. The Date

• Schedule the wedding in off-peak times. When there’s less competition for dates, you can have more negotiating power. “You can shave 20 to 30 percent off the cost of a wedding by planning it for November, or January through March―except for Valentine’s Day,” says Fields.
• Choose any day other than Saturday. "That’s the most popular day to marry," says Anna Post, author of Do I Have to Wear White? Emily Post Answers America’s Top Wedding Questions (Collins, $15, amazon.com). Ask about rates for Friday- and Sunday-night weddings. They’re becoming more common, so you won’t have to deal with quite as many guest grumbles.

3. The Venue

• Consider choosing a nontraditional venue. “Where you have the wedding often drives the cost,” says Fields. Rather than a dedicated wedding reception hall or country club, check out less expensive facilities, from city-run spaces like zoos and civic gardens to restaurants or more offbeat locations that have some meaning for you, from a beach to your parents’ yard. One caveat: If the space is not equipped to cater a party, calculate extra costs for bringing in tables, toilets, or even a kitchen.

4. The Wedding Dress

• Shop designer or sample sales. Find out the dates of well-known annual sales at places like Filene’s, where you might snag a $2,000 dress for $249, or the sample sales at Vera Wang. “You can save up to 70 percent on gowns, headpieces, veils, and shoes at a sample sale,” says Naylor. “Look for the touring list on your favorite designers’ websites, or get on the mailing list at bridal gown salons.” You may even get to shop before anyone else and have first pick.
• Consider renting or borrowing a dress. “Or buy one secondhand,” Post says. Chances are, it’s only been worn once! Look on eBay or craigslist for postings. Oftentimes, if the bride changes her mind about her dress or has to postpone the wedding, you might be able to score a deal on a never-been-worn gown.
• Or combine self-interest with philanthropy. Says Fields, "Buy at one of the sales of donated new and used gowns" staged in many U.S. cities by bridesagainstbreastcancer.org. Or look for a vintage or consignment store that carries wedding dresses. The Bridal Garden in New York City (bridalgarden.org), for example, features designer-donated dresses, and a portion of the proceeds go to charity.

5. The Food

• Make it a daytime reception. “It’s always cheaper to serve lunch or brunch than dinner,” says Fields.
• Try a combination plate. Eliminate a choice of entrée to save on your food bill. “Serve a couple of grilled shrimp with a couple of beef medallions," Naylor says. “This cuts down on the cost, since the chef doesn’t need to buy enough of all the entrées to allow for people to change their minds.” Or serve an inexpensive dish like chicken and pasta and let the chef shine by creating great sauces.
• Avoid the traditional sit-down dinner or buffet meal altogether. Instead, host a cocktail reception with cake and punch or cake and cocktails. Or have a potluck reception, which makes for a less formal, more intimate wedding with a nice feeling of community.

6. The Liquor

• Serve signature cocktails. “Alcohol is one of the biggest expenses of a wedding and can burn a hole in your budget fast,” says Fields. Since most reception sites charge for every bottle opened, even if it was for just one drink, consider offering a limited bar. Choose a signature cocktail (or a series of signature cocktails) that use one type of liquor. Then, ask to stock a few other bottles based on the wedding party’s preferences (i.e., if your dad drinks only scotch). Another option is to serve just beer, wine, and enough champagne for toasts.

7. The Wedding Cake

• Add finishing touches yourself. “The cost of a wedding cake is all about the labor,” says Naylor, “so forget sugar-paste flowers or matching the lace from your gown in fondant.” Instead, try using real lace or satin ribbon wrapped around each layer. It costs almost nothing; just pin it on and it looks lovely. Or use a few real flowers here and there, scattered artistically. Also, go low, says Fields: “The more height, the more money―it takes more labor to build a taller cake.”
• Have a small cake. You can have a wonderfully decorated, yet smaller cake on display that’s used for cutting, and then have a sheet cake in the kitchen for serving.

8. The Flowers

• Make your own centerpieces. This is definitely a time commitment, so consider making the centerpieces for the cocktail tables or the rehearsal dinner. “A lot of people are using freshroses.com and other websites to order wholesale flowers to make their own centerpieces,” says Fields. “You can order enough flowers to do 15 for about $300, then check out how-to sites for DIY instructions.” (See Turn Supermarket Flowers Into Beautiful Bouquets) Or go online to check out the wedding flower packages from Costco―have bouquets and centerpieces shipped to you for huge savings.
• Choose seasonal and local flowers for your reception. “This not only brings the season into your event but it also cuts costs, because your florist won’t have to import any exotic or out-of-season blooms,” says David Tutera, an event planner. (Learn what will be blossoming on your big day with the Wedding Flower Finder Tool.)
• Use one kind of flowers in your bouquets and arrangements. It’s a budget-friendly move because your florist will need to place only one bulk order. “This brings a chic monochromatic look to your event,” adds Tutera.
• Avoid cascades. Like cakes, the hidden cost of flowers is the labor. “Order or make small, hand-tied bouquets for the bride and attendants―cascades require a lot of wiring, and more labor means higher cost,” says Naylor.

9. The Photographer and Videographer

• Try a less-expensive package. "Photographers usually offer packages based on the hours they’ll work," says Naylor. To buy a less expensive (shorter) package, she suggests, “do your at-home, getting-ready pictures as candids. Cut the cake early so you can release the on-the-clock shooters, and let your guests supplement your album with candids.”
• Talk to former brides. To help you decide whether you’re really going to need the 1,000-picture package or whether 500 will do, find people “with similar sensibilities to yours and see what their experience was,” says Naylor.
• Consider hiring a photography-school student. Make sure you check out his or her portfolio, with examples of portraits. Though, Fields says, “it can cut the bill in half,” it’s not worth the savings if photos aren’t in focus.

10. The Invitations, Programs, and Favors

• Take advantage of the talents of the bridal party and other friends and family. Anything you can make yourself becomes a fun shared effort and can save a lot. “My aunt did her own invitations and program for her wedding because she wanted the personal touch,” says Post.
• Make some items do double duty. To save the cost of printed place cards, add guests’ names to the favors and set one at each place, or print the names at the top of your menu cards.
• Make your own favors. If you have time, whip up your grandma’s famous macaroons or make your own chocolate-covered almonds. “Edibles are the most appreciated,” says Naylor. “Especially for nighttime weddings―a bag of cookies will be gone before the guests hit the car.”
• Skip favors. Place a bowl of candies on the cake table with a note saying, “Please enjoy these candies. In lieu of favors we’ve made a donation to charity.”

(source)

*~Sassy Bride~*

Perfection

I love this shoe!! I think it would be perfect for a wedding shoe. I really despise wedding shoes. They are so plain and boring and offer no excitement to a wedding day. My sister wore beautiful dark red shoes at her wedding this year which made everything pop - her dress, the flowers, the reception decor, etc. Plus, I think it'd be pretty sexy for the wedding night. {{Oo-la-la!}}

(source)

*~Sassy Bride~*

My Addiction

I have a problem with latching on to new things. For example, whenver I get a new song on iTunes, I play it over and over again because I can’t ever get enough! I’m pretty sure that will be my problem here. I don’t think I’ll be able to tear myself away from my new blog. You can tell because it’s only been a few hours since my very first post. I guess this will keep me from being bored since I am currently unemployed.

Here’s what I’ve discovered that I love so far…

• The Knot – I love the budgeter on this site. You can input your amount, how many people you’ve invited/are attending, and the female and male attendants. It also gives you a breakdown of how much you should spend per person on food, favors, and invitations.

• The Cathedral of the Incarnation – This ceremony site is breathtaking. R and I are Catholic, as are our families. It is important to us to get married in a Catholic Church. It has a beautiful aisle and altar that almost any bride would fall in love with.

• St. Henry’s Catholic Church – As with the Cathedral, this ceremony site is absolutely beautiful. It has the same features that the cathedral does plus more. I love it’s circular foyer/narthex and astonishing stained glass windows. They are so vibrant and would be a great addition to any bride on her wedding day.

• The Cannery Ballroom – This reception venue seems very sleek and modern with a Southern twist. It has great opportunities for many different kinds of decorations wether it be DIY projects or hired lighting with drapery.

• aVenue – I like this reception venue because, like the Cannery Ballroom, it has a nice open feeling. I really enjoy the raised portion of the room which I envision showcasing the DJ and cake so that neither gets bumped into with some crazy dance moves.

• Union Station – I absolutely LOVE this place! I think the decor alone speaks for itself – both outside and inside. It’s just so classic and elegant like I’ve always dreamed. I would love to have my reception here if I could afford it.

• Nashville City Club – I think it looks very crisp and clean, which makes it perfect for any kind of color scheme. It is a major plus because it has a beautiful view of the Nashville skyline, which I love. I’ve been to a wedding where I could see the Charlotte, NC skyline from the roof and LOVED the ambiance created by such a surrounding.

• Loveless Barn – This is looking like a great possibility for R and I. It is very open and seems easy to decorate with candles, lighting, and small flowers. The outside is definitely deceiving. I’m not a country girl by any means and do not want to echo my sister’s Old Spencer Mill wedding, but this place is so divine inside that I can’t get over it. It’s been stuck in my head for awhile now. (Maybe that’s a sign?)

• Casablanca Bridal – Yes, I know that my wedding is 2 years away, but what girl doens’t like trying on bridal gowns. I feel so glamourous and beautiful in them. I have found two from this designer that I love – 1881 and 1938. The even greater thing is…they are under $1000 and aren’t discontinued.
  • 1881 – From the moment I saw it, this dress spoke to me. R wants me in a white dress but I just love the two-tone for this dress. Yes, I know that I can get it in one color, but I’ve seen it that way and do not like it as much. Plus, I love the bling. It’s just enough to give the dress that extra edge. AND, another bonus, it can be made into a halter dress. I’m kind of busty so I would like some extra support for my girls.
  • 1938 – This dress is beautiful too sans the flower. Once on, it shows all the right curves in all the right places. That’s what I love about the new pleated/rouching style – it’s absolutely figure flattering!!! The only thing missing is some shine, but that can easily be added with a necklace and earrings.

• San Patrick – While I cannot post the link to my absolutely favorite dress from this designer. I can give you the name – Eliseos. If you go to the website, you can see the gown. The shop near me – Cherished Memories – had just gotten the dress in when I tried it on. I was very impressed and so were the sales associates. I was the first to try it on and all of us were stunned. I didn’t think I would like a dress with those design elements, but I was pleasantly suprised.

Any pointing in the right direction or opinions on what I have discovered so far would be welcome. I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sorry for the cliche. I just seemed to be frustrated all ready and haven’t even begun to do the BULK of my planning yet. Help…

C.