50 days to go! Where did all the time go? This week the invites have been sent out to our guests. They look fantastic and I got my stationary designer to make stickers for the envelopes and lolly bags.
In two weeks the bridesmaids get another fitting, we still haven't sorted out what kind of jackets they'll be wearing yet. Jackets or Cardigans? A shawl perhaps or a little bolero. Whatever we decide it'll look nice, the dress maker is helping us out with it. We were going to get ties made up for the boys in the same colour as the bridesmaids' dress but I've decided just to get pocket hanker chiefs instead for the boy's suits.
I'm organizing a DJ finally for the reception so that will be booked in soon. Then after that I just need to get the small things like a guest book, lolly bags, lollies for the buffet. I also need to finalize things with the florist soon and the final fitting for my wedding dress which is coming along really well.
Also the bridesmaids have got everything ready for the hens night, and it turns out the bucks will be the same weekend! I hope we don't do one of those awkward meet ups on the night. Us girls will be staying in the city that night, we'll be starting at club retro and then moving on elsewhere. I'm really really really excited about it all now. It's nice to finally sit back and take some time out now from wedding planning. I'm going to spend my weekend watching game of thrones and playing video games. And eating burgers... yum.
Check out http://www.bellastationerystudio.com.au/ - Belinda does amazing work.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Yesterday I got some information on gift registries and I had a good look at David Jones and Myer. David Jones has a great range of Kate Spade home wears so I'm sold. Cookie was worried that a David Jones gift registry would be too hard for some of our guests, because there isn't a David Jones store in Frankston, to which I replied if it's too hard then they can contribute to the wishing well. Bam! Problem solved.
I also trapped Cookie into helping me with the invitation wording. As soon as he saw me reach for my pink wedding folder he knew his relaxing afternoon was all over. And I found out that he hates wedding planning which explains why he's done nothing - even trying to make up an excuse to no longer make the card box. The one thing he has to do for the wedding (other than turning up) and he doesn't want to do it anymore cos it's too hard!
So the invitation mock ups will be ready for us this Friday! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see what they'll look like. Oh and today I'm shoe shopping a little with my mum. Going to check out Tony Bianco and Novat shoes in Preston. There is a pair of shoes I have my eyes on at Tony Bianco, but this is my first physical shoe shopping trip for myself. I've been looking online so long it's time to actually try some on.
I hope I can handle the day, drank too much wine last night. I'm feeling very very tired. And I should go to the gym this morning.......I should.
xo
I also trapped Cookie into helping me with the invitation wording. As soon as he saw me reach for my pink wedding folder he knew his relaxing afternoon was all over. And I found out that he hates wedding planning which explains why he's done nothing - even trying to make up an excuse to no longer make the card box. The one thing he has to do for the wedding (other than turning up) and he doesn't want to do it anymore cos it's too hard!
So the invitation mock ups will be ready for us this Friday! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see what they'll look like. Oh and today I'm shoe shopping a little with my mum. Going to check out Tony Bianco and Novat shoes in Preston. There is a pair of shoes I have my eyes on at Tony Bianco, but this is my first physical shoe shopping trip for myself. I've been looking online so long it's time to actually try some on.
I hope I can handle the day, drank too much wine last night. I'm feeling very very tired. And I should go to the gym this morning.......I should.
xo
Friday, April 20, 2012
Quick wedding update for you all. Hair and make up trial is booked in for May. I'm really excited it's gonna be great. I'm currently trying to get my head around wedding invitation wording. I'm going to spend tomorrow working it all out so I can send it to Bella @ Bella Stationary Studio. Also I've been on line doing some wedding reading research and I'll post a blog about that soon.
Heaps more to do next also like sort out the boys suits: hire or buy? And then of course the candy buffet! I need to get the lollies for it and should I do noodle boxes or lolly bags? So many hard decisions to make!
It's such a good feeling though paying off my wedding dress. I was in Mariana Hardwick last weekend making a payment on it. It's so exciting that soon I'll have my wedding dress paid off and made. Also I'm still looking for shoes! I've stopped going crazy over it and may also go shoe shopping this weekend. I feel like it's time for a shopping trip instead of just sitting on my computer and looking at pretty pictures. It gets a bit much sometimes and I tend to get a bit lost and obsessive over doing it.
I'll post again soon till next time xo
Heaps more to do next also like sort out the boys suits: hire or buy? And then of course the candy buffet! I need to get the lollies for it and should I do noodle boxes or lolly bags? So many hard decisions to make!
It's such a good feeling though paying off my wedding dress. I was in Mariana Hardwick last weekend making a payment on it. It's so exciting that soon I'll have my wedding dress paid off and made. Also I'm still looking for shoes! I've stopped going crazy over it and may also go shoe shopping this weekend. I feel like it's time for a shopping trip instead of just sitting on my computer and looking at pretty pictures. It gets a bit much sometimes and I tend to get a bit lost and obsessive over doing it.
I'll post again soon till next time xo
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Wedding Update 12/2/12
Okay, well it's been awhile since my last post. Time to let y'all know what's been happening on the dress situation. Well you'll be happy to know that all my dress drama is over and I have finally picked a dress! Hallelujah!
It came down to two choices and my final decision was based on a few things:
1. What was the look I was after? Was it modern and sleek and a little bit sexy? Or was I going to look like a pretty decorated cup cake?
2. How comfortable do I want to feel on my wedding day? Do I want a dress that's a heavy full skirt and will require me to hold it up all day but I can sit in it, or a dress with a lighter skirt but I can't sit in it.
3. Cost. Which let me tell you is important because everyone should have a budget and try to stick to it. Now when you first try on dresses, most places you go to won't have price tags on the dresses so it's not till afterwards that you find out how much it's going to cost. I think some bridal shops do it just to trick you into falling in love with a more expensive dress and hopefully you love the dress that much that you'll spend $5000 over your budget just to have it.
4. What kind of styles of dresses I was attracted to. I love tulle, I love a fitted corset bodice. I love a drop waist. I didn't mind lace, not a big fan of satin but I love pearls. I also love draping and mermaid dresses. I like a light skirt, nothing too heavy. And I love a sweet heart and some bling! So for me I was trying to combine everything I love about so many dresses into one perfect dress.
I was super excited on the day I went to Mariana Hardwick (my third time there!) and I took my grandma, mum and sister along with me. I put on thestunning drop waist princess dress first. Massive tulle skirt, pearl beading all over the bodice. Really nice dress. Everyone approved. Then I tried on the dress I couldn't stop thinking about all week. The dress that my friend Natalie found by accident just sitting on a dress rack. When I tried it on I loved it from the first moment. Draping, fine tulle, light skirt, sweet heart. Add a belt and the dress became something special. It was simple, modern, sleek. And I felt like a Hollywood screen siren in it. That's how I want to feel. This dress ticked all the right boxes.
SO when I tried it on for my mum and grandma, the reaction I got first was "OH YOUR BUM" Which was not what I was expecting.
Luckily my sister was on my side, she was the only one at that point supporting my decision. I felt upset, they weren't seeing what I was seeing. They couldn't see past the slightly dirty sample dress I was wearing that has probably had a few 100 girls before me in it. It was big in all the wrong places, but you're not buying THAT one. You're buying a dress that will fit you perfectly once it's made exactly to your measurements. You need to look past the sample's imperfections and picture the final product. Because I'm going to look stunning in that dress. In the end my grandma actually really liked what I chose, my mum probably would have gone for the other one. But she came round to my thinking because the dress I picked really is sweet, modern and me.
So I picked dress number 2. Because I loved it. It was exactly what I was looking for in a dress. It had all the elements I loved and I felt great in it. Sure I was nervous about the decision, it's a really expensive decision. Do I regret my choice...well I guess it would have been nice to have the cup cake dress but I'm also super happy and excited about the dress I chose. And I'm not about to start living beyond my means just so I can have pearl beading on my dress. My wedding will be just one day, one day out of my whole life! Now I can go to sleep at night not worried about spending almost $5000 on a dress. Because what I saved on getting the slightly cheaper dress I can now spend on accessories and shoes. And I am going to rock that dress hardcore.
Now I just need shoes. Let the search begin!
It came down to two choices and my final decision was based on a few things:
1. What was the look I was after? Was it modern and sleek and a little bit sexy? Or was I going to look like a pretty decorated cup cake?
2. How comfortable do I want to feel on my wedding day? Do I want a dress that's a heavy full skirt and will require me to hold it up all day but I can sit in it, or a dress with a lighter skirt but I can't sit in it.
3. Cost. Which let me tell you is important because everyone should have a budget and try to stick to it. Now when you first try on dresses, most places you go to won't have price tags on the dresses so it's not till afterwards that you find out how much it's going to cost. I think some bridal shops do it just to trick you into falling in love with a more expensive dress and hopefully you love the dress that much that you'll spend $5000 over your budget just to have it.
4. What kind of styles of dresses I was attracted to. I love tulle, I love a fitted corset bodice. I love a drop waist. I didn't mind lace, not a big fan of satin but I love pearls. I also love draping and mermaid dresses. I like a light skirt, nothing too heavy. And I love a sweet heart and some bling! So for me I was trying to combine everything I love about so many dresses into one perfect dress.
I was super excited on the day I went to Mariana Hardwick (my third time there!) and I took my grandma, mum and sister along with me. I put on thestunning drop waist princess dress first. Massive tulle skirt, pearl beading all over the bodice. Really nice dress. Everyone approved. Then I tried on the dress I couldn't stop thinking about all week. The dress that my friend Natalie found by accident just sitting on a dress rack. When I tried it on I loved it from the first moment. Draping, fine tulle, light skirt, sweet heart. Add a belt and the dress became something special. It was simple, modern, sleek. And I felt like a Hollywood screen siren in it. That's how I want to feel. This dress ticked all the right boxes.
SO when I tried it on for my mum and grandma, the reaction I got first was "OH YOUR BUM" Which was not what I was expecting.
Luckily my sister was on my side, she was the only one at that point supporting my decision. I felt upset, they weren't seeing what I was seeing. They couldn't see past the slightly dirty sample dress I was wearing that has probably had a few 100 girls before me in it. It was big in all the wrong places, but you're not buying THAT one. You're buying a dress that will fit you perfectly once it's made exactly to your measurements. You need to look past the sample's imperfections and picture the final product. Because I'm going to look stunning in that dress. In the end my grandma actually really liked what I chose, my mum probably would have gone for the other one. But she came round to my thinking because the dress I picked really is sweet, modern and me.
So I picked dress number 2. Because I loved it. It was exactly what I was looking for in a dress. It had all the elements I loved and I felt great in it. Sure I was nervous about the decision, it's a really expensive decision. Do I regret my choice...well I guess it would have been nice to have the cup cake dress but I'm also super happy and excited about the dress I chose. And I'm not about to start living beyond my means just so I can have pearl beading on my dress. My wedding will be just one day, one day out of my whole life! Now I can go to sleep at night not worried about spending almost $5000 on a dress. Because what I saved on getting the slightly cheaper dress I can now spend on accessories and shoes. And I am going to rock that dress hardcore.
Now I just need shoes. Let the search begin!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wedding dress update
So today I arranged an appointment for myself, my sister Aubrey and for my mate Nat to come to Mariana Hardwick and see my dress choices and so I could try on a few dresses that were perhaps more in my price range.
I've been really worried about the expense of a dress. Should I really buy a dress that's over and beyond my budget? Especially something I will only wear for 4 hours? But after talking it out with a few people, I realised it doesn't matter as long as I'm happy with my decision. I'm not buying anything outrageous - not the Brownlow dress a previous post - that dress is out of bounds. But I need to find something I'm happy to wear that makes me feel special. As they say "you only get married once".
I would love to put up pictures here, but if you're smart enough you can find my stash of inspiration pictures on the net that you can peruse to get an idea of what I like. I don't want a certain someone to find them - but luckily the dresses I tried on today are not on the Mariana Hardwick site so there is no problem of the wrong person finding them.
So back to the shopping - again more of me stripping in front of a stranger and getting into corset-like dresses. I tried on a few different simple dresses, which you can make more glam by adding a sparkly belt or Chanel inspired flowers. So now I'm down to three dress choices, one of my original dress choices has been simplified and has come down in cost because of it. So I'm feeling really good about my choices right now. I feel relieved now. I was so worried about dress buying that I was losing sleep over it and that shouldn't happen. I think I was feeling guilty about the cost - but fuck the cost. I'm buying a dress for myself (and maybe a little for Cookie, cos he has to marry me).
I think it was good having Nat and Aubrey there. Mum just seemed to like almost everything I wore (but she was honest with me on a few). But on that point, I don't mean to sound crazy and self-obsessed(but deal with it) almost every dress I have tried on has looked pretty good on me (I work out). I've had more hits than misses. I thought that finding a dress would be more clear-cut. I would have more that I didn't like or that looked horrible, but instead most of the dresses I've tried on so far look good. I was trying to find "the one" when there is more than one! So I guess now I weigh up my options, decide which look I want and if I good or bad about spending over my budget.
I've pretty much resigned myself to Mariana Hardwick - I guess I'm just sold on the brand and the romance they are selling. They are so pretty and traditional but you can add a modern twist - and they have so much tulle. The Baccini & Hill "Jade" dress was amazing and within price range(sort of) but I swam in it there was so much skirt, although it had pockets which I thought was awesome.
So now I want to take Mum and some how get her to convince Grandma to come with me. Because of Grandma's history at Mariana Hardwick she's a little reluctant to come in. Which is weird, I think she feels awkward and doesn't want to run into anyone who remembers her. But you should see her face when she talks about her time there as a dress maker, her face lights up. She really loved working there I think, don't think she misses it, but her time there meant a lot to her.
I wasn't going to have one, but I think I'll ask Grandma to make a veil for me. Just for the chapel bit, after that no veils!
I've been really worried about the expense of a dress. Should I really buy a dress that's over and beyond my budget? Especially something I will only wear for 4 hours? But after talking it out with a few people, I realised it doesn't matter as long as I'm happy with my decision. I'm not buying anything outrageous - not the Brownlow dress a previous post - that dress is out of bounds. But I need to find something I'm happy to wear that makes me feel special. As they say "you only get married once".
I would love to put up pictures here, but if you're smart enough you can find my stash of inspiration pictures on the net that you can peruse to get an idea of what I like. I don't want a certain someone to find them - but luckily the dresses I tried on today are not on the Mariana Hardwick site so there is no problem of the wrong person finding them.
So back to the shopping - again more of me stripping in front of a stranger and getting into corset-like dresses. I tried on a few different simple dresses, which you can make more glam by adding a sparkly belt or Chanel inspired flowers. So now I'm down to three dress choices, one of my original dress choices has been simplified and has come down in cost because of it. So I'm feeling really good about my choices right now. I feel relieved now. I was so worried about dress buying that I was losing sleep over it and that shouldn't happen. I think I was feeling guilty about the cost - but fuck the cost. I'm buying a dress for myself (and maybe a little for Cookie, cos he has to marry me).
I think it was good having Nat and Aubrey there. Mum just seemed to like almost everything I wore (but she was honest with me on a few). But on that point, I don't mean to sound crazy and self-obsessed(but deal with it) almost every dress I have tried on has looked pretty good on me (I work out). I've had more hits than misses. I thought that finding a dress would be more clear-cut. I would have more that I didn't like or that looked horrible, but instead most of the dresses I've tried on so far look good. I was trying to find "the one" when there is more than one! So I guess now I weigh up my options, decide which look I want and if I good or bad about spending over my budget.
I've pretty much resigned myself to Mariana Hardwick - I guess I'm just sold on the brand and the romance they are selling. They are so pretty and traditional but you can add a modern twist - and they have so much tulle. The Baccini & Hill "Jade" dress was amazing and within price range(sort of) but I swam in it there was so much skirt, although it had pockets which I thought was awesome.
So now I want to take Mum and some how get her to convince Grandma to come with me. Because of Grandma's history at Mariana Hardwick she's a little reluctant to come in. Which is weird, I think she feels awkward and doesn't want to run into anyone who remembers her. But you should see her face when she talks about her time there as a dress maker, her face lights up. She really loved working there I think, don't think she misses it, but her time there meant a lot to her.
I wasn't going to have one, but I think I'll ask Grandma to make a veil for me. Just for the chapel bit, after that no veils!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wedding Dress Obsession
I have a severe problem. It's my obsession with myself and wedding dresses.
I can't help it, I can't stop thinking about it. Sure I'm selfish sometimes, but this is just ridiculous!
I'm actually looking forward to going back to work so I can think of something other than myself. It's annoying, I'm annoyed with myself.
I've been having dreams about wedding dresses, that's what crazy about all this. It's become worse than that time I watched all 4 seasons of the Kardashian's in 3 days and I would close my eyes and I could still see them. Or that time I was obsessed with playing "Wario's Woods" (an old SNES Tetris/puzzle game) and every time I slept I dreamed of blowing up sheep and awkward looking fish.
I must be stopped.
From here on out no more looking at websites, no more magazines. I'm having a wedding dress black out! It's the only way to cure me of this sick addiction.
And I can't listen to Taeyang's Wedding Dress either. But you can!
I can't help it, I can't stop thinking about it. Sure I'm selfish sometimes, but this is just ridiculous!
I'm actually looking forward to going back to work so I can think of something other than myself. It's annoying, I'm annoyed with myself.
I've been having dreams about wedding dresses, that's what crazy about all this. It's become worse than that time I watched all 4 seasons of the Kardashian's in 3 days and I would close my eyes and I could still see them. Or that time I was obsessed with playing "Wario's Woods" (an old SNES Tetris/puzzle game) and every time I slept I dreamed of blowing up sheep and awkward looking fish.
I must be stopped.
From here on out no more looking at websites, no more magazines. I'm having a wedding dress black out! It's the only way to cure me of this sick addiction.
And I can't listen to Taeyang's Wedding Dress either. But you can!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Day 2 Bridal Shopping
Yesterday I visited Simonelli and Baccini & Hill. Both are beautiful couture designers with a great range of made-to-measure dresses.
I bought along my mum, sister and grandma for this trip. My grandma was a dress maker for many of the top bridal designers and she knows her stuff. She still works as an on call dress maker even though she's in her 80's! Her knowledge is hardcore, she knows how a well made dress should look and when we were at Simonelli in the morning she got very picky on the samples. But samples are just that - samples. They are not a true representation of the finished product.
Simonelli is in Fairfield right next to the train station, definitely a weird spot for a bridal shop. They have a beautiful range of dresses. After trying on dresses at Brides of Melbourne you can tell the difference in quality. A well made dress just fits better and feels better. I like a dress that holds me in. I really liked the corset feel I got from Mariana Hardwick's dresses, they just suck everything in and hide any of your imperfections so well. Simonelli was similar but not as full on. There were a few stand-out dresses. One in particular which is the white version of Nadia Coppolino's 2011 Brownlow Medal dress:
It's an amazing dress - but not within my budget right now. If I had $8000 lying around then sure I would totally go for that. But I don't and I need to be realistic about this. The reason why it costs so much is the silk and the drapery, it would take hours and hours to hand sew this.
I found a few other dresses, one my grandma and mum liked a lot - but I disagreed. Aubrey, my sister, sat there looking at me very quietly. She really didn't give me a lot of input like I thought she would. And as everyone says, at the end of the day it's my choice. The one dress I did like everyone else found reason to nitpick it because of one tiny thing on it that could be easily changed. Everyone forgets that because it's made-to-measure you can do whatever you want to the design. You can change bling, colors, the train, how much skirt layers you have etc. It's not what you see is what you get.
So in the afternoon my mum and I traveled to Armadale to Baccini & Hill. Great service, not as big as Mariana's but the choice and the price of the dresses was very good. Baccini really caters to a lot of tastes and budgets and I'm sure that's why it's so popular with brides. I tried on several dresses that I had picked out from my research online and we started there. Two dresses stand out for me, both are very different. One is slinky and light and very Grecian and the other is so Dior with a full skirt and is very sweet.
So there's the run down without giving anything away (hopefully). I'm going to take a week off from dress shopping because I've found 4 dresses that are great. But I think I was expecting something to really jump out at me and yell "THIS IS THE ONE". I think I've got some great options and any dress I choose is a winner. But is there such thing as "the one"? The one dress to rule them all? How do I know which dress is "the one"? What if I make a mistake and regret it?
Am I thinking about this too much? YES
I bought along my mum, sister and grandma for this trip. My grandma was a dress maker for many of the top bridal designers and she knows her stuff. She still works as an on call dress maker even though she's in her 80's! Her knowledge is hardcore, she knows how a well made dress should look and when we were at Simonelli in the morning she got very picky on the samples. But samples are just that - samples. They are not a true representation of the finished product.
Simonelli is in Fairfield right next to the train station, definitely a weird spot for a bridal shop. They have a beautiful range of dresses. After trying on dresses at Brides of Melbourne you can tell the difference in quality. A well made dress just fits better and feels better. I like a dress that holds me in. I really liked the corset feel I got from Mariana Hardwick's dresses, they just suck everything in and hide any of your imperfections so well. Simonelli was similar but not as full on. There were a few stand-out dresses. One in particular which is the white version of Nadia Coppolino's 2011 Brownlow Medal dress:
It's an amazing dress - but not within my budget right now. If I had $8000 lying around then sure I would totally go for that. But I don't and I need to be realistic about this. The reason why it costs so much is the silk and the drapery, it would take hours and hours to hand sew this.
I found a few other dresses, one my grandma and mum liked a lot - but I disagreed. Aubrey, my sister, sat there looking at me very quietly. She really didn't give me a lot of input like I thought she would. And as everyone says, at the end of the day it's my choice. The one dress I did like everyone else found reason to nitpick it because of one tiny thing on it that could be easily changed. Everyone forgets that because it's made-to-measure you can do whatever you want to the design. You can change bling, colors, the train, how much skirt layers you have etc. It's not what you see is what you get.
So in the afternoon my mum and I traveled to Armadale to Baccini & Hill. Great service, not as big as Mariana's but the choice and the price of the dresses was very good. Baccini really caters to a lot of tastes and budgets and I'm sure that's why it's so popular with brides. I tried on several dresses that I had picked out from my research online and we started there. Two dresses stand out for me, both are very different. One is slinky and light and very Grecian and the other is so Dior with a full skirt and is very sweet.
So there's the run down without giving anything away (hopefully). I'm going to take a week off from dress shopping because I've found 4 dresses that are great. But I think I was expecting something to really jump out at me and yell "THIS IS THE ONE". I think I've got some great options and any dress I choose is a winner. But is there such thing as "the one"? The one dress to rule them all? How do I know which dress is "the one"? What if I make a mistake and regret it?
Am I thinking about this too much? YES