Wedding Dress Update: PURCHASED!

So part of the reason I didn't post last week was because I went to New York Wednesday and Thursday to get my wedding dress.  I had fallen in love with it the first trip to NYC, tried a different version on in Chicago, and finally made the decision on Thursday morning.

Since my sister lives in Michigan and has a new baby it has been hard to have her present for most wedding planning.  This time, however, she was able to meet my Mom and I in New York, which made the trip THAT much more special.  (However, I was a little jealous of her all weekend because while our flight was delayed she got an amazing blow out and her hair looked better than mine all weekend #sisterproblems.)

When my Mom and I finally made it to the hotel, Melissa was waiting with gifts, what a way to kick off the trip.

  Melissa surprised me and got me my something blue!!!  It is a piece of fabric I will have sewn into my dress with my new initials and our wedding date!  Another special perk is my bridesmaid, Kate, had the exact same something blue (well with her date and initials but you get it) in her dress that her Maid of Honor gave to her.  I had never heard of this and was blown away.  She had it made at J. Crew if you want to purchase one.

The rest of the day Wednesday we shopped and just spent some quality time together.  Wednesday night was very special to me, my sister finally got to meet my bestest friend, Judi.  Judi is such an important person in my life and I just could not believe she had never met my sister!!

Thursday was just as I thought it would be, perfect!  My sister loved the dress and I just finally had that bride moment where I never wanted to take it off.  Seriously, I wouldn't get out of it and another girl was totally eyeing it in the store.  I obviously cannot show a picture but I couldn't even if I wanted to because I decided I didn't even want to take a picture of it.  No picture would do it justice, so I want everyone even my family and friends to wait for the big day! 

After our appointment, I celebrated like I always do.. with a giant bowl of spaghetti!

The trip was truely incredible and I have found my dream dress that I get to wear when I marry the man of my dreams!

Walk Down Wedding Lane: Matt and Carli

 

 

Today I wanted to look back at the beautiful wedding I attended over labor day weekend.  Matt and Carli were married at the Four Seasons Chicago and the party went ALL NIGHT LONG.  The energy was so high and everyone was just so excited for the bride and groom.  The best example I can give was how that the floor was literally bouncing during "Call Me Maybe" so as the last song they had to play it again! 

 

The room was so beautiful but the love that Carli and Matt have for each other made the night that much better.  I found a few professional pictures online so please note they were taken by Phil Farber / Photo Images, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Carli works for Bright Pink and holds the organization close to her heart.  The newly weds made a donation to the organization in leau of wedding favors. 



Carli showing off some Bright Pink love

On the right is Lindsay Avner, Founder of Bright Pink and the matchmaker for Carli and Matt. 

Beautiful Bridesmaids

Some Longhorn Love

Fancyyyyy



 



Happy New Year

Good Morning!  Wishing everyone Shana Tova, which means Happy New Year!  Whether you are celebrating Rosh Hashanah today, or it is  normal Monday morning, hopefully you are able to start the day (year) out on the right foot.  My new years resolution is to post as often as possible.  I apologize for last week, but I was super busy at work and then off on a mini vacay with my mom and sister to FINALLY BUY MY WEDDING DRESS!  I will be back this week with some recaps of two fabulous weddings I have attended and of course some more bridesmaid 101.

Have a wonderful day!

and a Sixpence in Her Shoe

Honestly, who knew there was a fifth line to this rhyme.  At first I was like well I will just do the four "somethings," but as I started to research the true meaning behind each one, I felt I couldn't just leave out the final line to the poem. 

I think the reason many American girls have never heard of this sixpence ritual is because is probably more of an English tradition.  A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967.  It was made of silver and worth six pennies.  A sixpence is placed in the bride's left shoe to represent wealth and financial security.  Although this may be an English custom, who is to say American brides can't follow this as well?  Who doesn't wish for wealth and financial security as they start a new marriage? 

Even though you may not have an actual sixpence, you could always use a dime or a penny to complete the tradition. If you want the real deal and want to use an authentic sixpence, you can find them at Silver Sixpence.

 

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I hope the history of the poem "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in her shoe" has taught you a few things you didn't already know.   I will be back next week on a recap of the beautiful wedding I attended this past Sunday.  Later today David and I are meeting with my Mom and the wedding planner to pick out some Save the Dates!

 

Have a great weekend and don't forget to VOTE for Spencer :)

Something Blue

"Something Blue" has been linked to weddings for centuries.  In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, fidelity and most importantly purity.  Before the late 19th century, blue was even a popular color for the wedding gown. Today, bride's still wear their "Something Blue" but it also represents individuality and creativity. 

Some traditional "Something Blue" options are a blue garter, blue flowers in the bride's bouquet, blue tie or bow tie for the groom.  However, I think there is much more room to add your personal touch on the something blue.  Nobody has to give this item to you, you can pick it out all yourself, so I think there is room to choose something that truly represents you and the wife you want to be for your husband.


Ring - Karina B / Eye Shadow - Nars / Shoes - Manolo Blahnik / Bobbi Pins - Ciao Nina / Earrings - Dana Rebecca Designs / Nail Polish- ESSIE / Thong - Hanky Panky / Clutch - Judith Leiber

Check back tomorrow for the last of the "Something Series" and also don't forget to VOTE for my main squeeze Spencer!

Something Borrowed

Good Morning, I am back with the "Something Series," and today let's focus on "something borrowed."  "Something borrowed" represents borrowed happiness.  It is usually an item given to the bride from a happily married friend or relative.  It is given with the hope that the good fortune in that marriage will carry over to the new bride.  It also symbolizes that the bride and groom can turn depend on their friends and family in time of need.  It is important that the bride makes sure to give this item back to the friend or family member that lent it to her.

My first example of "something borrowed" is what I will be using on my wedding day.  A while ago my Mom gave my sister (or she permanently borrowed) this beautiful flowered diamond cuff.  Melissa wore it on her wedding day and then our best family friend, Ali (one of my bridesmaids) wore the same cuff on her wedding.  Before my wedding my sister is lending it to two more of her best friends and I plan on letting one of my best friends wear it as well (Melissa do you mind?).  It is just the prettiest bracelet not too overwhelming, but so incredibly beautiful.  The fact that so many of my sister and my friends will wear this bracelet as their "something borrowed" makes this bracelet even more beautiful.  My parents have such a strong marriage as well as my sister, and I hope that everyone that wears this bracelet truly lives happily ever after.

Another "something borrowed" I hold really close to my heart is wearing the veil that one of your friends or family members wore to their wedding.  This could also be a good idea for "something old," but I saved it for today, because I was always hoping this would be another "something borrowed" I would wear at my wedding.  My sisters veil was the most gorgeous veil I have ever seen.  I can't find any photos that did it justice.  I was always planning on wearing her veil, but it really doesn't go with my dress. 

Some other "something borrowed" ideas:

• Pins/ broach from a friend's dress: You can put them on your own dress or on your bouquet
• Tiara/hair pin: If you loved what your friend wore in her hair borrow it!
• Purse: How about borrowing someones Judith Leiber bag.. Yes Please!
• Hair extensions: Hey.. you gotta look good and those things are expensive, may as well share the wealth.
• Flip flops: Obviously everyone wants their own pair of beautiful wedding shoes, but what about borrowing a friends white sparkly flip flops she wore at her wedding once your feet start to scream at you.

Some Jewish "something borrowed" ideas: (I try to not bring in religion often but this is just what I know and I want to share)

• Talis: During the Jewish ceremony the Rabbi wraps a Talis around the bride and groom, you can borrow one from a family member
• Kiddish Cup: Also during the ceremony everyone under the chuppa drinks wine out of a Kiddish cup, this can be borrowed from a family member

What else did you borrow?  What about other religious customs?  Please share!

DON'T FORGET TO PLEASE VOTE FOR SPENCER.

Vote for Spencer

 

Alright all my fabulous readers I need your help today.  My little Nephew, Spencer, is a contender in the Gerber Generation Photo Search 2012.  This means he is in the running to win a $10,000 Gerber Life College Plan.  Voting starts today and continues through September 24th.  I need all of you reading to vote everyday until September 24th, and get your friends and families to help out!  It will be easy because I will just provide you the link everyday:  VOTE HERE (must like Gerber Generation on Facebook one time).

If you are questioning whether you should VOTE for my man or not let me provide you with a few more examples:

 

 

I think I proved my point PLEASE VOTE!