We got quite a shindig goin'
Scroll to the bottom for wedding recap!
The formality & dateInitially, I had expected to plan a casual wedding. All signs pointed to "casual". Our budget is only $10K, we're only inviting family, and the venue we fell in love with is very rustic. Then I realized I was awfully bored by the casual-chic gowns, invitations, centerpieces, etc. I had an epiphany: I am not a casual person. I am over-the-top loco. WTF am I doing planning a casual event? Doesn't match my personality or my tastes. To hell with casual! I'm going SEMI-FORMAL!
And that's the very moment that I realized...we don't have the funds for a semi-formal wedding. Unless...unless the blushing bride to be get her hands dirty. Then I crunched some numbers. I realized if I DIY everything besides the food, the photographer, and the DJ...we could have a fabulous semi-formal wedding UNDER BUDGET! Every bride's dream...to say that they are under budget... Our wedding will be on May 26th, 2012. We had originally picked the closest Saturday to our anniversary (in March). My father, who's offered to pay for the venue, objected. What? Why? Where is his spirit of romance? you may ask. He's not lacking in the spirit of romance, but he did notice how ugly the foliage is in March. This venue's best asset is it's spectacular surroundings. In March, the place doesn't look too great. The next best date? We ended up picking the week after my classes end. This way, I'm not cramming for finals AND we can go straight on our honeymoon. And guess what? It falls on Memorial Day weekend. Instead of celebrating the three-day weekend by getting hammered at the lake, my guests can celebrate the three-day weekend by getting mildly intoxicated at our wedding! |
The theme and colorsAhh butterflies. Who doesn't love butterflies? With their flip-flappity wings, their carefree flight, their delightful colors...
Our theme is "On Wings of Love" to symbolize us being gently carried on the wings of love, into matrimony. Pretty hippie-ish. My parents dig it. My mom said it was "far out" Our colors are bright, bold colors that are normally seen at prom, not at weddings. But I have a plan to change the way fuchsia (hot pink) and lemon yellow are seen in the wedding world! I can, and I will, make these colors work without having it look like a quincenera! I chose these colors to symbolize how we like everything in life; big, flashy, bold. Subdued colors do not fit our outgoing attitudes and hard-to-ignore personalities. Not only do these colors represent our confident demeanors, they also portray our cheerful and vivacious relationship. |
Attire
Bridesmaids
My girls chose a gorgeous satin Alexia gown, with asymmetrical pleating around the body, and vertical pleating on the bust. Their gowns are accented with a romantic bow beneath the bust, with a small broach in the center of the bow.
Groom & groomsmen
The groom will be wearing a classic black tuxedo with a black bowtie.
The best man will wear a black tux with an ivory vest and ivory tie.
And I just chose this picture because it made me laugh. We all know what tuxedos and suits look like, so I thought I'd skip it and put something humorous.
The best man will wear a black tux with an ivory vest and ivory tie.
And I just chose this picture because it made me laugh. We all know what tuxedos and suits look like, so I thought I'd skip it and put something humorous.
Mother of the Bride
My mom will be wearing a very romantic Alexia gown, featuring vertical ruching on the bust, and a wide band of lace around the torso. When we get it altered, we will use the leftover material to create cap sleeves.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...
The Bride!
I had originally chosen a David's Bridal mermaid style gown. The reason I had chosen that gown was because of price. I was able to buy that gown for $120 on ebay.
That was a full 15 MONTHS before the wedding. Then I started having bad experiences when I would put the dress on. It seemed as though every time I wanted to try it on and feel beautiful, something would happen to dampen my mood.
So I sold it on ebay and got my dream dress - Maggie Sottero's Decadence.
I had seen this gown in magazines and on the web, and couldn't get it out of my head. I also liked Sabelle and Ambrosia, but Decadence was the one that stole my heart. When I tried all three of them on, Decadence had me shed a tear or two. I knew it was the one...
HELLO! It's five months before the wedding, you can't order it in time! Oh SHIT! What's a girl to do?? Buy the sample, that's what. So what if it's four sizes too big. So what if it's ivory. It's MY GOWN and I must have it. There's no way I'm going to settle a second time. So we're going to have plenty of alterations done, and we're going to get rid of any decorations that are white, and turn them ivory.
Problem solved. My dream dress is in my hands, and I don't have to worry whether I'll feel beautiful on my wedding day.
That was a full 15 MONTHS before the wedding. Then I started having bad experiences when I would put the dress on. It seemed as though every time I wanted to try it on and feel beautiful, something would happen to dampen my mood.
So I sold it on ebay and got my dream dress - Maggie Sottero's Decadence.
I had seen this gown in magazines and on the web, and couldn't get it out of my head. I also liked Sabelle and Ambrosia, but Decadence was the one that stole my heart. When I tried all three of them on, Decadence had me shed a tear or two. I knew it was the one...
HELLO! It's five months before the wedding, you can't order it in time! Oh SHIT! What's a girl to do?? Buy the sample, that's what. So what if it's four sizes too big. So what if it's ivory. It's MY GOWN and I must have it. There's no way I'm going to settle a second time. So we're going to have plenty of alterations done, and we're going to get rid of any decorations that are white, and turn them ivory.
Problem solved. My dream dress is in my hands, and I don't have to worry whether I'll feel beautiful on my wedding day.
Wedding Recap
The morning of the wedding, I spent 3 hours at Ulta getting my hair and makeup done. By the time we got on the road to the venue, it was already 2 pm - I was 2 hours behind schedule! This, of course, made me a nervous wreck.
After everyone had their dresses on, I looked at my phone and lo and behold, it was 3:30! Time for our no-look first look already!
Once that was done, my nerves had settled slightly...and my stomach growled ferociously. My bridesmaids were a little too preoccupied with themselves and forgot to remind me to eat.
My Aunt Shirley stopped in to say hello...and drop off my Something Old, that everyone had kept secret from me. It was my grandmother's (who I'm named after) rosary from her First Communion - about 80 years old.
Then it was time to get to the ceremony! I spend a few moments with my mom before she joined the processional...
And something I'll hold in my memory forever - my dad rounding the corner, spotting me, clasping his hands to his face, and taking a few steps back. He teared up instantly, and told me I looked stunning.
We shared a few moments together - with plenty of hugs. Then we had to get going! We hid behind some trees...
...and then made our way down the aisle! I was so wrapped up in the moment, I stood on the wrong side! Whoops.
The wedding was spectacular, everything that I dreamed it would be. Except for some uncooperative plastic snaps on my elegant cap sleeves...
I panicked a little, whispering frantically to my bridesmaids, who stood there frozen, "Get them off of me, get them off of me!"
Then the sleeves were off and we could go on with the show!
Our wedding was a pretty standard wedding. we had a few small twists: A ring warming ceremony, where all the members of the bridal party warm our wedding rings with their blessings...
...and after our vows, a poem by Dr. Seuss, entitled Oh, the Places You'll Go! It was my little surprise for my honey.
Congratulations! Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’ em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do,
to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact,
and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kids, you’ll move mountains!
Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Congratulations! Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look’ em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do,
to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact,
and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kids, you’ll move mountains!
Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Then we were announced husband and wife!