First Official E-Mail

Yesterday I sent my FIRST official wedding party e-mail to the lovely ladies who will be standing up with me. One of the girls, KLH just finished up the Virginia Bar Exam (YAY!) so I figured that was excuse enough to start sending frivolous e-mails her way. First order of business was, of course, the dresses. I'm not 100% set on the company yet. I want to see the dresses in person before saying, "yes, this is it," but I did want to show them what I was thinking of and what the price range we'd likely end up in.

^This is what I'm thinking, sans the flower girls and possibly sans the sashes. I love the chocolate brown and KLH, A, and College Roommate all look lovely in rich colors. From the Aria Photo Album

The plan (pending in-person meeting with said dresses) is to use Aria Bridesmaids because of their excellent reputation for quality and re-wear-ability. Aria offers so many style options, hopefully each of my friends will be able to pick a dress she really likes and will feel comfortable in. Plus they do petites!

^There's that pink and navy again! And the sash is a celadon color, it's a little hard to see in the small picture.

^This is kind of cool where each bridesmaid is wearing a different style AND color!

The price tag freaked me out a little at first, just the WIC* rearing it's ugly head, but after discussing with a few important people--the ones who have to buy and wear the dresses--I've been assured this is perfectly reasonable.

^Aria offers the contrasting hem on the top or bottom free of charge. Contrasting sashes can also be included free of charge.

ALSO, I LOVE RAW SILK aka silk shantung. It's a light-weight silk that has slubs (nubby bits) in the fabric and therefore a beautiful natural texture. It's very flattering and easy to wear and in October it will be perfectly weather appropriate too. Aria is one of the few places I saw raw silk dresses under $200. So as long as the dresses measure up in person, I think "select bridesmaids attire" can be ticked off the check list. Of course that still leaves fitting, ordering, receiving, altering, bridesmaids' dresses to go.

^This is my favorite style, #170. I like the empire waist and I think the tie straps are really feminine and elegant. I'd pick this one if I were my bridesmaid...haha.

How did you decide on bridesmaid dresses?

*Wedding Industrial Complex

Miss Capitol Hill Wedding Recap - Posed Photos

Once we had the big reveal it was time to take the posed family photos.  Don't worry, though, I'm not going to post most of those...I always found it kind of boring when people posted family photos cause nobody besides myself knows those people so it's not very helpful for other brides. But I will post some with the bridesmaids/groomsmen. 

All photos below the work of Linda Wallace 

^Before we went for photos we had to get the flowers!  This is my calla lily bouquet from Blue Ridge Floral Design and my purse!  I looooved my purse.  I don't know why I even wanted one, but I did, and I searched high and low and never really found anything that I liked that wasn't insanely expensive. I ended up buying something that was "o.k."  Then the day before the wedding I had a last minute errand to run and ended up at the Charlottesville shopping mall (which is tiny) and the only real department store they had was a Belk. Which is a pretty inadequate department store...but there on a sales rack marked down half off was my no name brand purse.  It matched my dress perfectly and was only $25!

^Here is one of the groomsmen's bouts, also from Blue Ridge Floral Design 

^Here we are with all the groomsmen.  Navy Blue, three button suits from Men's Wearhouse, navy blue ties with green shamrocks and groom's kelly green tie with navy blue shamrocks from Wild Ties.

^Socks from The Gap 

^Bridesmaid dresses from Maggy London at Nordstrom. Flowers from Blue Ridge Floral. Bridesmaid hair from Daphne Latham. 

^My cutie flower girl in her Rare Editions dress from Dillards. 

^Once photos were over we all began to leave for the church. Linda captured this great photo of my Dad looking on as fiance and I shared a moment. 

Vendors So Far:

Video- Monachetti

Photography - Linda Wallace

Hair/Makeup- Daphne Latham

Dress Designer - Vwidon

Dress Salon - Promise for the Saavy Bride

Shoes - Vera Wang new from Ebay

Bracelet- Carolee

Veil- Occansey Design 

Purse - Belk 

Flowers - Blue Ridge Floral

Suits - Men's Wearhouse

Ties - Wild Ties

Socks - The Gap

Bridesmaid Dresses - Maggy London from Nordstrom

Flower Girl Dress- Rare Editions from Dillards 

Baltimore Cupcake Company Comes to D.C.!!!!

YAY! I will be the very first to admit that I am a certified cupcake snob. I can't help it! And my very favorite cupcakes have arrived in D.C.!!

Photo by Martha Fitzsimmons via The Baltimore Cupcake Company

The Baltimore Cupcake Company has teamed up with ladies of Hitched Salon in Georgetown to bring their delicious and whimsical little cakes to Washington. Deliveries will be made daily, so you can stop in and pick up a two-pack or six-pack (I'm really liking this new meaning of six-pack) any old time you want.

How perfect for bridal showers or bridesmaids luncheons or birthdays or baby showers or Tuesday afternoon...I mean is there is really a time when cupcakes are not appropriate? You can also place a special order 48 hours in advance and pick up at Hitched. Just call The Baltimore Cupcake Company at (888) 990-0133 to place your order for any flavor and quantity.

Classic Baltimore Cupcake Company flavors like key lime, vanilla and chocolate will be available along with toasted marshmallow, and an exclusive new flavor, coconut framboise! YUM!

Photo from Hitched

It all starts tomorrow (Wednesday, July 9), don't be surprised if you see me in line for the first cupcake. ;)

Hitched is located at 1523 Wisconsin Ave.
Store Hours are Tuesday -Thursday 12pm-8pm,
Friday 11am-6pm & Saturday 9am-5pm

Baltimore Cupcake Company Cupcakes
available during business hours

Rules of Engagement: What You Need to Know

Who would have thought that getting engaged was something that you had to put on full protective gear for!  It's somewhat combative in nature due to the barrage of questions fired at you by everyone from your mother to complete strangers in the elevator.  So, take it from me - be prepared!

1. Know who's on the short list - who you are going to call in the 10 minutes after it happens.  In fact, outside of the parents, I'd recommend sending a text to siblings, other family members and close friends.

2. Turn your phone off!  Seriously, your phone will exploded with all the well-wishes, which are awesome, but...spend some quality time with your fiance basking in the excitement of the commitment.

3. Know the date - its the first question and everyone wants an answer right away.  So, don't be vague (my response was maybe May, June, or September of next year) - that doesn't satisfy people's curiosity and encourages unsolicited advice.  If you don't have a date - make one up.  Really. 

4. Know where you are going to get married - This should be an easy answer, but if for some reason its not been settled between you and your soon-to-be spouse, pick a place.  Any place. People will want to know, trust me. 

5. Have pictures taken.  Why? Well for one you'll want to remember the occasion, but also because your parents will want to submit the announcement to the local newspaper right away and a picture is a necessity.  You also want to have a general sense of what you plan to say, particularly if you have divorced/remarried parents, etc.

6. Know who you want in your wedding - and don't ask them.  Not yet anyway.  Even if you do know - don't ask anyone to be in the wedding in the midst of your excitement.  Let things calm down and then reconsider.  There are so many well-wishers and people you care about, its easy to get caught up in the moment, run your mouth and oops! you've now got 14 bridesmaids!!  So stay mum on these arrangements!!

6 1/2.  And the special bonus prize?  Know what your wedding colors are going to be.  Who would think that would be a questioned asked in the first week after getting engaged, but it sure is!  I still have no sense of what colors I want, but people keep asking!  I'm inclined to start saying in "pink and green" just to see the priceless expressions I'll get in reaction.  Hee hee heee.

But, seriously, these are a few of the things that I wish I had known to expect.  I'd typically say - lesson learned for the next time, but I don't plan on a next time!

 

Once Upon A Time In Mexico

Not only are the details of Demi & Frederick's Mexico wedding amazing, the photography from Parker J Pfister is simply breathtaking. I can't wait for his new site to be up and running.


^Although they look nothing alike I can't think of a bride that more resembles Grace Kelly then Demi does in this moment. Look at her elegantly gloved hands.


^Her dress was a classic


^Beautiful shot


^Don't think your bouquet has to be large to make an impact. The small size was the perfect compliment to her outfit and the bouquet brooch is amazing.

^Don't forget the bridesmaids. They all looked so elegant...and the bride's dress choice really did compliment all their figures.

^They each carried these simple yet elegant bouquets.

^Love that pop of blue. Very fitting with the Mexican location, but the white keeps it toned down and tasteful

Pink Week Tribute

One of the many wedding blogs I have in my reader is, of course, Elizabeth Anne Designs. All this week over there has been "Pink Week" so if this is your wedding color it's a must read.

Personally I'm not big on pink at weddings but if you have to go pink I think you should TOTALLY embrace it. Go all out!

So since today is Friday I'd like to post the below dress I saw today on Nordstrom.com in honor of a very fun and inspiring Pink Week.

It's a Kay Unger with pleated ruching, an obi style tie at the waist, and it is made out of multiple tones of iridescent silk taffeta. I officially declare it the most perfect pink bridesmaid dress in the world.

New JCrew Dresses are In

FYI if you are still looking for bridesmaid dresses or you are going to be a guest at a summer
wedding -






^ Polka-dot Rosette Dress - $168





^Portico Wrap Dress - $150


^Jillian Strapless Dress - $295



^Strappy Florence Dress - $250 and Strapless Florence Dress - $250

Merry Maids

Happy V-Day everyone! Or as my sister says "Happy Single Awareness Day!" But if you are reading this Blog you probably aren't single. Fiance and I don't have any crazy plans...just going out for a nice dinner.

Anywho, I'm happy to say a decision on bridesmaid dresses has finally been made. As I posted before, I was having trouble finding dresses. As a quick recap...I really wanted the dresses to be 1) in the right shade of a vibrant kelly green and 2) I wanted something that would be flattering and that they wouldn't feel miserable in because 2 of my 3 bridesmaids are full figured and full figured bridesmaids usually get the short end of the stick in the wedding world and 3) Didn't cost a fortune, which for me meant it had to be $200 or less and 4) I really wanted something that had a sleeve to it so my bridesmaids wouldn't feel exposed.

So these requirements basically ruled out any "typical" bridesmaid dress since 95% of these are all strapless, made for super skinny people, really expensive (usually for no apparent reason since most come in horrible fabrics and are simple designs), and none are in the right shade.

I scoured the internet daily for months, hoping to find something that fit these requirements. And in the end I didn't get exactly what I wanted but I came pretty darn close.

I saw this first dress in Macys and the color was AMAZING. So much more rich then the picture below. I decided to run it by my most fashion concious bridesmaid who is also full figured to see what she thought and she LOVED it. I knew if she loved it then we were on the right track.

^The dress is a sleeveless silk dress from Maggy London and it is in a color called "Absynthe." As we were looking at the dress we realized there were a few other dresses also from Maggy London and in the same "Absynthe" color. There were 4 dresses total so I've told my bridesmaids they can chose whichever dress they feel the best in and like the most.


^One of my bridesmaids adored this dress, ordered it, and loved it even better on. Sadly it's sold out now but she's thrilled that she actually LIKES the dress she'll be wearing.


^Another of my bridesmaids likes this silk chiffon halter dress best.


^My last bridesmaid is deciding between this surplice chiffon dress , the halter dress above and the very first sleeveless dress that I orignally liked. She's ordered all 3 to see which will look best.

I've also had a friend who was visiting Hong Kong pick up some white pashminas for the girls just in case they want to cover their arms/shoulders.

The best part of all of this? The price! Almost all the dresses were on sale. 1 dress was only $44, another is $74, another is $87, and even the most expensive one is only $140. That's not too bad!

I'm really happy that I was able to find a color that I loved, styles that they all loved and could chose themselves, and prices that wouldn't be too much of a burden on them. I also think the color will look great in photos.

In the end...it doesn't matter how cute you think a certain bridesmaid dress is...if your bridesmaids have layers of armpit fat hanging over the top of that strapless dress, have a color that washes them out and makes them look dead, have a fit that makes them so uncomfortable that they don't feel like dancing or even smiling then that super cute bridesmaid dress will just be ugly in pictures.

I know it's hard but do try to find something that everyone will be happy with even if that means you have to make some exceptions to your vision of what you think you wanted. Compromise is the best choice in the end. Your bridesmaids will thank you for it. Mine have.

Bridesmaid Bargains from CK Bradley

The below Tulip Dress from CK Bradley is a steal for $75 (marked down from $320.00!). They'd make really great bridesmaid dresses for a beachy or summer wedding. They'd also be really cute as a rehearsal dress.




The below Charleston Dress isn't on sale at all :( And at $295.00 it's a pricey choice but so many brides have chocolate and pink as their colors I had to include it.


Finally, the Lola Dress below in "Blue Calligraphy" silk dupioni and black satin is gorgeous. The good news is it's on sale. The bad news is it's still $340! But hey it's marked down from $425.00.

New J Crew Spring Bridesmaid Dresses

J Crew's Spring line of bridesmaid dresses is now on their site. It may be their Spring line but they are definitely channeling summer with colors like orange peel, sour lemon, bright berry, papaya, fresh aloe, and blue oasis. I can already see myself sitting beneath a palm tree drinking pina coladas. My favorites?
The black dress in the middle, the bright berry dress (3rd row far left), and I love the color of blue oasis (3rd row far right).

K.Amato Discount - 20% Off

K.Amato designs a wonderful line of reasonably priced jewelry that would make great gifts for your bridesmaids or for you to wear. Now they are an even better deal with 20% off. Just use discount code "PEOPLE" at checkout. She has a wedding line as well, but alas, it's special order and not avaliable for sale online.


^The Armitage. Originally $48, now only $38

^The Maple. Originally $60 now only $48

^The Barry. Originally $38 now only $30

^The Surf. Originally $70 now only $56

Subtle Fox

If the below designs from Foxy Originals are too bright for your taste make sure you check out her more subtle pieces. All available at Snazzy Girl.

Foxy Bridesmaid Gifts

I love this colorful jewelry from Foxy Originals. They would make great bridesmaid gifts and they come in so many colors it would be easy to coordinate. You can buy them at Snazzy Girl and I haven't seen anything over $40 so they are very reasonable.

Adorning Your Maids

If you are looking to coordinate your bridesmaids' jewelry (notice I didn't say match...let everyone be unique!) then you should check out Chemistry Bridal. They have different styles of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings available in 16 different colors. The best part is that prices range from $25-75, so giving these as gifts will not break the bank. The necklaces and bracelets can also be monogrammed with each persons initials. Each piece is made to order. They also carry gold, silver, pearl, and crystal colored jewelry so you might find something that goes with your dress as well.

Labor Day Sales

Labor Day marks the end of summer and the last of the great summer sales. If you are a Spring/Summer 08 bride then now is the time to get your bridesmaid dresses at a discounted price. You might also want to pick something up for yourself as well for all the parties, showers, and the rehearsal dinner.


^Photo by Echard Wheeler


^ JCrew Seersucker Dress in Lemon - 89.99 down from 250.00


^JCrew Lucie Heels - 99.99 down from 168.00


^JCrew Seersucker Dress in Blush. 89.99 down from 250.00