I know I said a cake one would be next but I decided to type about the Bridal Show I went to on February 19, I am specific on the date because most likely this is posted on a different date. Originally I was against going to a Bridal Show, I knew where I wanted to get my dress, what I was going to eat, and where I was going to eat it. But things change and my original idea won't work because I will be doing it on short notice, if I get the date that I want. But I decided what they hey, I'll go to one. So naturally I dragged Anna along to carry everything :D
It was alot smaller than what I was expecting. It cost $6 but Anna rocks and found $1 off coupons online. Parking was $7 (even though we would have been better off just getting the stub to pay for the time we used, I will explain further). But first we pulled into a parking building that said "Event Parking 7.50," the show started at 5 but the guy in the booth told us we couldn't park there until after 6 (that the time the bank closes that is near by), so why put the event sign out if you can't park there yet, I'm not the only one that make that mistake. So we parked at the one next door. It was a little farther than I hoped.
At this point I should probably mention that I am on crutches. I had knee surgery in January and still have to wear an immobilizer but I am able to put pressure on it. I know, I know, what the heck am I thinking going to a Bridal Show where you have to walk around when you are on crutches. I had been getting around with 1 crutch but because I knew we would be doing a bit of walking I used 2. So as we are crossing the street there it said to stop for pedestrians, Anna starts making me laugh, I don't remember why but I couldn't stop laughing, and I was trying not to fall. Below is the path to get to the bridal show, starting at the bottom of the picture, near the road. The regular blue is the first floor and the light blue is the second floor. After we got out tickets we took the evelator to the upstairs (the escalator seemed like not the brightest of ideas). We had to go to the 2nd floor to get to the bridal show because part of the boat show was in the grand gallery area. I was annoyed that they didn't just block off a path to take over there, but then again I wouldn't have been as annoyed if I wasn't on crutches. So then we had to take the elevator back down to the 1st floor to get to the show (pink dot).
The inside set up for getting to the room with the Bridal Show was even farther than what I wanted, the distance it took to get there was more than doing a lap around the booths. There was also a boat show going on. Below is what the set up kind of looked like, it isn't exact, especially when it comes to the number of booths but it gives you a general idea.
There was a spa booth for Beauticontrol. They were very nice. We got a free hand treatment with sea salt and oils that we rubbed on our hands, they pours water to rinse it off then gave us lotion to seal it in. It felt so good. They actually would come to your house to for in home spa treatments.
There were only 3 places that were offering samples. I was disappointed with the options of cake, but I did get some very good red pepper humus with a pita chip. I won't go too much into catering now, I'll save that for a different place. I will mention 1 though, Reflections Catering, www.reflectionscateringbyalex.com. He is very nice, and told me that even if it wasn't on the menu he would make whatever I wanted and take it to where ever I wanted, he has been all over the state for catering.
There were a few different DJ's there, we stopped at 2 of them. The first one was really cool, his name was Bill and he was from Sound Productions, www.soundproductions.com. He was funny and friendly and is a top pick for my DJ. Sound Productions also offer a party bus, hidden camera (of the dance floor), bubbles, keepsake portrait video, confetti, photo booth, LED lights, and a fog machine. The second one was a pain. I would avoid him as a DJ, he is from Complete Music Dis Jockey Service. I didn't really feel like a long story, all I wanted was a booklet, so I get a booklet thanked him, and turned to go and he stopped me to push me to put a deposit down, even though I don't have a set date (and he knows that) we say we aren't going to so we thank him again turn to leave, he stops us yet again to try to get us to make an appointment. I get that he is trying to get us to have him as my DJ but it was the pushy annoying sale. When you are selling stuff if you shouldn't push to annoyance, and if you do you should have the common sense to back off. He obviously didn't. If he didn't push and be annoying I would have suggested him for my sister. I am going to tell her about the first one he was awesome. He and the cute younger guy helping him (who said he would dance with Anna) invited us to go to the BOB after the bridal show. Sadly we declined, if I wasn't on crutches I might have dragged Anna there, but probably not, the only time we hang out in bars is after a show to watch fellow cast members make fools of themselves with karaoke.
We were there for about an hour. (there I explained) so we didn't stay for the fashion show, we would have had to wait around for over an hour to do so. But there was some "models" I say it like that because they were actually real people wearing dresses and tuxes, from Men's Warehouse, Davids Bridal and there was a stand that had about 8 dresses on mannequins to view. It probably would have been cheaper to pay for the time used in parking building oh well. It was still a fun experience but honestly I think I would have had more fun at the boat show. I did get some good stuff out of it.
There is a huge variety of cake topper just as there is a huge variety of what you can choose for cakes. I was originally going to have cakes and cake toppers in the same post but because of the stuff I found I thought it deserved their own post. I found all of these are www.amazon.com and I just searched for wedding cake topper. Below are some classic toppers. They can be made of almost anything, like plastic or porcelain. As you can see by the 2nd and 3rd from the left there are some they come in white and in color. (click the pic if you want it to see it bigger)
Who said it had to be classic, you could go for the fun, character cake topper. Below are some Presious Moments, Micky and Minnie, and even Cinderella and Prince Charming.
There are some well differnt shapes. Which can be very unique, like the 1st one on the right, it is a bride and groom holding each other but it also gives the appearance of wedding bands.
Some are a little less than appropriate but if that's what works for you I say go to for it. Personally out of those I like the 2nd one from the right the best ;)
The funny ones are always, well funny too see. For some of these I think Adam would like. Such as the nerd 2nd on the right, or really any of the ones of the bride dragging the groom. But I think out of those I like the 1st on the left, the ball and chain.
Or I wouldn't be surprised if Adam was ok with a sports themed one. Below are a few of just that. The 2 on the right, aren't sports but I thought they were fun with the beach theme and the James Bond.
And now the moment you have been waiting for, MY TOP PICKS, in order from left to right. Now yes they are in order but that could quickly change because of I thought they were close.
Next will be Wedding Cakes, and what Adam and I will be eating :D
When I say smartly priced, what I really mean is cheap and that isn't always a bad thing. There are some very nice dresses at Goodwill. If you know where to look and how to haggle you can get some very nice used dresses.
Before I type a little more about Goodwill dresses I would like to type about Anna (maid of honor) she also has a blog www.charactress.blogspot.com which she uses to blog about her theatre experiences (I am totally hooked on it) and part of her blog was about how she was Cinderella in well, Cinderella.
Back to Goodwill, she found a wedding dress that she was going to try to use in Cinderella, but the costumer was a moron and said no but the dress is GORGEOUS and she looked fabulous in it.
(taken from her blog, a post title "Cinderellas Ball Gown")
"I got the cashier to take the price down from $79.99 to $24.99. I showed her the zipper (which has come undone a bit at the bottom), a few stains (just some darker places in the fabric that will come out if I dry clean it), and a couple places where there are beads coming loose. Since I'm a seamstress, I can fix all of these things easily. The cashier who helped me wouldn't let me have it for anything less than $50, but the next cashier over came over and asked what I was requesting, and then said, "oh, give it to her for $25." So, the cashier grudgingly gave it to me for $24.99. Thank you, other saleswoman!"
That is a great price, even if she didn't know how to fix it herself she would still be spending less than $100 for the overall dress. And unless you know it most dresses you can tell they came from Goodwill. Anna loves costumes so naturally she has more than one wedding dresses from Goodwill, shown below the first 3 on the left are the 'Cinderella' dress the one on the right she has used to be Gisela from Enchanted on Halloween and in a play called Plaza Suite.
I am really starting to like JC Pennys, they have some very nice stuff and some very good prices. In a previous post 'The "Mini Me" ' about flowers girls there are some very cute flower girl dresses all under $50.
Below is a wedding dress option from there, only $99, yes that is right $99. It is simple yet elegant, and if they have it in store I want to try it on. Another reason I like the swirl is of the beading is that it is like the swirl on my engagement ring.
And below is the oddly similar part. They have the colors and length I want a bridesmaid dress in. It is the same pattern as the bridal gown above, expect a short version and in color. And they are only $89. (If you click on the picture you can see an enlarged version)
Not only do they have the colors that I like for the bridesmaids, they have a dinner dress. Not every women but quite a few have a different dress that they wear while they eat. For good reason I might add, I can be sloppy and I don't want to risk slopping on WHITE dress. So whatever dress I wear to the rehearsal dinner will be the dress I will at the actual dinner. Of course I would change again before the dance, and I will add that I will be eating cake (in my case apple pie, that will be discussed later) in my wedding dress. Below are the options I would go with if I went with the dresses above.
I think I would lean toward the purple more than the black. I am considereing having a few of my bridesmaids try it on just to see how it looks. Now I am saying this will be my wedding dress, in all likely hood it won't but I thought the idea of dresses being similar was interesting.
For my bridesmaid their hair will be all up, since mine will be partially down, I thought it would be a good contrast. Below is the type of hair style I am thinking for their up dos. It is called a "french twist." My bridesmaids hair varies in length as well as thickness, I think that the french twist is a good way to have them all uniform.
As for Anna's (maid of honor) hair will be slightly different in comparison to the others. Below is some examples of the french twist with flower in the hair. I really like this look. So what I leaning toward is having flowers in everyones hair, but have Annas flowers slightly different and in a different spot. The 1st and 2nd hair styles on the left would be for just the bridesmaids and something like the 1st and 2nd on the right would be for Anna.
Beautitul is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to picking a hairstyle. You could say that oh this hairstyle would look great but then you have it and you ask yourself what the heck were you thinking. But at the same time there are some that would love that hairstyle.
Below are a few hairstyles I find unusual, and not necessarily in a good way. The first one on the left isn't bad but I find it plasticy looking. The middle one to me is a scary bun, but if you like the big bun and big hair then that is your preference obviously not mine. The third one is nice but they way they have the curls makes me think of noodles.
Below is a few examples of hairstyles and the use of real flowers. In some cases less is more when it comes to flowers but it all comes down to preference. I love the light touch of flowers in the 1st one on the left, as will as the 3rd one from the left, the side pony tail with the bold color of red is gorgeous. If I used flowers in my hair (as of right now that isn't what I am thinking) the colors would be out of the following, not necessarily all or just 1 of them it just depends on if I come up with something I really like, royal blue, greenish teal or white. Now that I think about it the flower would be a white roses, less than 5, small, with the tips brushed with my colors. I'm not saying that is what I am using but that is what I would be most likely to use.
Below are some buns, not of steel or bread ;) I have heard that Buns are the best option when your gown is strapless that they add a degree of elegance to your look, whether you wear a sleek and high chignon on your head, or an, off-center bun on the nape of your neck. Personally my hair isn't think enough for a bun that would look good on me.
I have thought about extensions but I think looking back at the pictures when I would look at my hair I would think extensions. Not that my hair is short by any means, it is just past by bra line on my back.
Above is what I would want as my hair do. Loose curls, slightly pinned back away from my face, leaving the bangs down like the 1st one on the right. I won't go into other accessories right now that will come later :D
Thanks for reading about this hair-raising situation. :)
This post will about flowers. Theses are the flowers I have chosen for the wedding. White Roses, Blue Hydrangeas, White Lilies, Blue Irises. Flowers are sooooo expensive. The brides bouquet is average 50+ alone. I have seen some bouqets that are over 200 :0 yes that is correct $200.00+.
Below are some real flower options for bridesmaids (or at least that is what I would use them as).
I haven't decided yet if I want to have the bridesmaids bouquet real or fake errr I mean silk flowers (yes that sounds/reads better). For the bridesmaids I am leaning toward fa- silk flowers, and there are a few good reasons for someone to make it themselves. You will know exactly how it is going to turn out, you have control over how it looks and you can brag you did them. Plus I like making creative things.
If you are wondering why I haven't shown images of what mine will be, well hold your horses I am saving it to the end, so if you are in a big hurry to see it well guess what you can skip ahead but make you come back to read the ;)
Also for the bridesmaids I have been considering whether to have them all have the same boquet or da da da daaa they all have their own boqet with one of the flowers, like Anna would have the white lilies (frosted blue around the tips) and the Josh (Adams best man) would have a white lily (frosted blue around the tips) as his boutonniere, then Andrea (sister) and Mark (Adams brother) would have the blue hydrangeas and so on and so forth.
Also the bouquets would become the centerpieces at the wedding party tables. So either I would spread the bouquets out through the table (obviously my bouquet would be in front of Adam and I) or I would buy/ make more to go in the vases to be more symmetrical. Like the white lilies would be on both sides of my bouquet.
Our parents and Grandparents will all have real flowers. They will be different but the pairs (mom & dad, grandma and grandpa, etc) will be the same. Below are some examples of what I mean.
The wedding ceremony (I'll you specifics later) I will use silk flowers on the benches following down the aisle. As for the reception (see previous ( ) ) I don't have to worry the place I am thinking is pre-decorated, and for the center piece I want to do a veggie platter.
As for my bouquet, yes I know this is what you were waiting for, and if you weren't oh well ;).
These are two examples of what I am thinking, I am also considering a white rose bouquet. And no I wouldn't being walking down the aisle with the vase ;) but that it would it would be like as a centerpiece but the vase would be shorter, because well, I am not known for my height. Actually I take the back I am but is more for lack of. I am only 5'2 and I wouldn't want it to get in the way of the view/pictures/etc. I am not going to want to toss it, well could always toss my maid of honors bouquet instead ;)
