Brides Against Breast Cancer

I have THE DRESS. Yes darlings, THE dress that I shall be wearing when I glide down to the altar to meet a ravishing Evan that will be more head-over-heels in love with me because I shall look so fine.

So where did I get this fabulous dress? Well, let me tell (and show) you.

There was an event called Brides Against Breast Cancer that came to Cleveland this past weekend and when I found out about it, I knew that if I could, I would get my dress there. All the proceeds go toward granting wishes of terminally ill breast cancer patients. It is an wonderful cause, PLUS all the dresses were marked way way way down since they were all donated.

My dress (which shall not be show) was about 35% off the original price and is GORGEOUS!

Of course, I want you to see some of the runners up and get an idea of what my day was like. My MOH(maid of honor) Adriane drove up early Friday morning to help me out. She was incredibly awesome zipping, buttoning, poofing, bustling and generally being a great friend. She even brought a little snack, which was very needed since we spent about 3 hours trying on around 20 different dresses.

But enough babbling, here are some pics:


Don't I look so pious?


Ta da!


Hmm...


Where am I?!


Karen?


Oh, there you are Adriane!


Yes darling, here I am.


We have good taste,


some how we found the most expensive dress in the place!


I loved it...


...but it wasn't meant to be!


The six layered train.


I don't know, what do you think?


I got one! I got one!


And I LOVE it!

Blizzard Weddings

I know of two weddings that are this weekend, one in Cleveland and one in Columbus. I found out the Cleveland one had to be moved to tomorrow. The bride had to call all the vendors and move the whole thing. Luckily for her, they were are very helpful and hopefully tomorrow the roads will be clear.

That is the danger of a winter wedding. I am hoping that Evan and I won't have this severe of weather for our wedding. A little snow is okay, but really, this is ridiculous!

Here are some pictures from earlier today:


Yup, the snow is much higher than the edge of my little clog.


I think my car is under there...


The snow is lovely dark and DEEP!

Possibilities

Evan & I are going to contact a few places that are possible reception venues. The struggle now comes with staying in a budget while having the guest list that we want. In order to have a clearer idea, we have drawn up a list of all the people that we would like to be there and it is quite extensive. This list doesn't even include our parents' friends.

So, now it comes to finding a place that is 1.Big enough to hold all the people we want 2.At a price we can afford. It also raises the question of having either a smaller guest list with a full meal and open bar OR having a larger guest list with hor'dourves, sandwiches and/or soup and dessert (still with open bar of course!). Would this seem cheap of us or would people just have a jolly time drinking and eating smaller fare while dancing the night away? Since the wedding is earlier in the day and the reception would be mid-afternoon I think this wouldn't be an ludicrous notion.

Your opinion is welcomed! Go vote on the side bar.

In other news, I have been looking through all the wedding books, magazines and websites getting a clearer idea of what I would like as far as decor. Since it is a winter wedding, I would like to get all the winter stuff that goes on sale this spring, so decisions should be made soon. Here is a possible centerpiece:


Imagine white roses or carnations in the vase surrounded by rose petals or kisses!

Date: Check! Time: Check! Church: Check! Sanity: MIA

Yesterday it was set that we would get married on our preferred day next January! Can I tell you how much better I feel now that it is set? A weight is lifted...but of course the weight of planning the rest now replaces it. The hardest part? I cannot please everyone and I am learning the art of compromising with the families and especially with my fiancé.

But for the moment, I am THRILLED about the church! Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure, but keep in mind it was dark when I was taking the picture so I tried to lighten some of them, but these don't do it justice.


A side view of the alter.


Looking down the aisle (Evan's future view).


Looking toward the aisle (Karen's future view).


The beautiful ceiling.

Side view of the windows!

Wedding Book Crazy

Since Evan and I haven't yet picked anything out, besides our bridal party & our town location & the fact that we want to marry each other, I have been going crazy. If you know me, then you know I am the kind of person that loves to plan. As a high school student, I would plan out my study schedule by the minute, including time to eat, rest and shower. Actually, I still do that.

But my point is that when I get in planning mode, I jump all the way into it. While I can't seriously start looking at flowers, colors, cakes, etc. etc. etc. at real places, I have begun to look in another way.



I have order dozens (no joke) of books from the library ranging from:









Perhaps it is bad thing that I live by one of the best library systems in the nation where I can get this many books on just the subject of weddings.

So, while I can't do anything physically regarding my wedding, I am going to start planning how to look and to find out as much advice as I possibly can to be prepared.

Though, I think that Evan and I are going to try to book the church before the end of the month.

Cleveland here we come!

Okay, yes, I said I would like to have it in Columbus and after going back and forth and back and forth, Evan and I sat down and realized that we would be happy having it anywhere and it would be better for both our families to have it in the Cleveland area.

So, that being taken care of we are now looking at churches and Evan insist on having it in an older church with one long aisle in the center, as opposed to the newer churches like my home church. Also, we are looking into venues to have the reception. This is a bit tricky.

My mom, we have found out, knows a least one person for everything wedding. She knows:

-two photographers
-a cater
-a dress maker
-a flower wholesaler
-a calligraphy person
-multiple priest

Meanwhile, my dad knows:

-a band (though, we want to see if we can get a certain band up here...)
-a cake maker
-a videographer

and as they keeps talking with people, they finds out more! So, we are looking for a place where we can bring in our own cater in possibly and I would like to bring in our own alcohol (which would save money). However, this also raise the question of cleanup and hiring people to do that, etc. Lots to think about.

And Evan and I are still haggling over the color sceme. Help us decide by voting on the side*!!!!

*your vote probably won't count towards the ultimate decision, much like voting for Ron Paul as Evan's sister says constantly much to Evan's dismay.

Father of the Bride

Evan came over this weekend to talk with the parents about budgeting and planning etc. For lunch, we met up with two of my dad's co-workers who have done weddings in the recent past and had lots of suggestions as we begin our planning. I will show their advice in a later blog.

But after all the discussion that evening, we watched Father of the Bride, which Evan had never seen! It was the perfect movie to give us prespective!



When figuring out who to invite...



The Wedding (my dress & my BM dresses aren't going to look like that! I promise ladies!!!!)


My dad says he will see me at sometime during my reception unlike what happened to George.



Okay, not Father of the Bride, but another great wedding movie!!