A Productive Saturday

This past Saturday might have been one of the most productive wedding days we've had since we started planning.  I mean, I thought we got a lot of things done before, but this was just great.  Jack and I started our day with a quick run to Starbucks and then headed to City Hall to apply for our marriage license (see Jack's blog about that here).  Afterwards, we headed to the jeweler to pick up our wedding bands.  We had to try them on, obviously, to make sure that they fit.  Once I put mine on, I didn't want to take it off!

I then dropped Jack off so he could go to the gym and do some of his own things for the rest of the day.  I packed up my car and then headed out to Oak Brook to the Nordstrom Rack.  Occasionally they have what they call "Large Size Shoe Event", which is a nice was of saying they are bringing in more shoes for people with abnormally large feet.  Since I fall into that category, I decided to check out their selection.  I found a few pairs, but much to my surprise and delight, I found my wedding shoes!  I had been searching various stores and online shoe sites for some options, but could never seem to found just what I needed.  This pair though is just perfect!  I don't think I could have sketched a pair that would have worked any better.

After my shoe adventure, I headed to my parents' house and for the rest of the evening, my mom and I prepped the invitations to be mailed.  Because she has the most beautiful handwriting, she volunteered/I asked if she would address the invites.  She worked all last week to get them done since she knew I was getting anxious about getting them out.  Then together we numbered, stamped, and stuffed all of the invitations.  We ended up with quite a system.  And while I put the final stamp on the outside envelope, she licked every last one!  I will say though that I really enjoyed that we did this together.  It gave us a chance to chat and make jokes and just a relax a bit.  It definitely gave me the feeling that we are in the final stretch of plans and preparations, which makes me very relieved and very excited!  Thanks for all your help, Mom!  I hope your tongue and writing hand has recovered! :)

It Zipped!

My mom and I went to my first dress fitting last night.  Now don't get me wrong - I was very excited to get to see my actual dress and be able to try it on, but for whatever reason, I was VERY nervous.  I think I was afraid that my weight had fluctuated or something and the more I kept thinking that that is always possible, the more I was afraid that it would not fit.  I worked myself nervous enough that I thought maybe we would not be able to even get it zipped.  I cannot tell you the relief I had when it zipped all the way up with no trouble at all!  From that point, I was just totally excited to be in my dress! 

We knew that they would have to alter the dress on top since my top half isn't the same size as the bottom half of me, but overall, they didn't have to do too much and the price for it all came back pretty reasonable.  I was also pretty relieved to figure out that I can wear a "normal" foundation piece and that the alterations person can add a snap from it to the dress to ensure that it stays in place the whole day!  Whew - one less thing for my bridesmaids to have to check on all day.  And to top it off, I do not have to have the length of the dress altered at all!

The alterations person, Vicky, was extremely nice and definitely seems to know what she is doing.  She took her time and explained what she was doing and how that would change the way the dress would fit.  She would ask what we thought to be sure we were happy and she was just so pleasant and calm.  It was a great experience.  And I am just so glad that my mom is able to do these things with me.  It makes it so much easier to have her there, and also that much more exciting.  Thanks, Mom!

Tux Down

I had a second appointment on Monday to try on a few different styles of tuxedos.  This was a good idea.  Both Mary and I ended up really liking one of the new ones that I tried on and we decided to go with Formally Modern Tuxedos.  Of course, you'll have to wait until September 27th to see what we picked, but we're pretty happy with our choices.  If you're a groomsman, usher or father, time to get measured up!  I've already sent emails out to everyone, and opted to BCC all the significant others to make sure the guys take care of business.  Better safe than sorry :)

Also, while the tux selection process was fairly simple, there is definitely some advice I have for the guys that has absolutely nothing to do with style.  The first time we went, it was a night after work when we were running around trying to take care of all kinds of wedding things.  I was a little hot and sticky and not feeling particularly dapper.  I was also in desparate need of a haircut and shave.  Although the tuxes I tried on were nice, it was hard to get a good feeling for any of them.

The second night we went out, I was fresh from a haircut, shower and shave.  It really made a huge difference in trying things on.  Not only did I feel clean and fresh from my shower, but being recently groomed helped me get a better idea of how I might look on our actual wedding day.  So, my advice to all you future grooms out there (that's you Jay and Ken), whatever you consider to be your style, go to try on tuxes after a recent haircut, shower and shave!

My Dress

I got a call today stating that my dress arrived!  HOORAY!!  I am totally excited and also somewhat relieved.  The shop owner at Catherine Simms Bridal, Karen, had had such a tough time getting the manufacturer to send a fabric swatch for me that it made me a little nervous about getting my actual dress, but time after time, she reassured me that all would be fine with the dress.  Just so long as the dress that arrived is the right style and color, it'll be great.  I scheduled the first fitting for the earliest possible date, July 22nd.  Now I just have to find appropriate "foundation" garments. 

Tuxedo Shopping

Mary and I had our first trip to a mens formal wear store last night.  It went very good, and Mary gave me many nice compliments :)  The salesman briefly went over each of their tuxes, then Mary and I narrowed it down to a few for me to try on with different tie, vest and pants combinations.  They didn't have every tux on-site that I wanted to try, so we set up another appointment for next monday so I can try on the rest.  We may also check out another shop that was a recommendation from Rosewood.