Small Update

Here's what I have been up to lately:

• Working on our wedding website.  It's not done yet, but it's getting there!
• Booking blocks of rooms at 3 hotels for our guests
• Continuing to arrange flowers (more pics to come soon!)
• Taking just-for-fun cheap couples pictures at Walmart for my birthday.  They were just as hilarious as I thought (and hoped) they would be.   
• Watching the movie Bridesmaids for the first time
• Creating our Honeyfund registry
• Making plans to attend the Rose City Bridal Showcase in Portland on October 8 & 9.  I like bridal expos so much, I will probably go to the Portland Bridal Show in January too!
• Getting catering estimates from the Grand Forks Cold Stone Creamery to make my wedding ice cream dreams come true.  :)

Trip to David's Bridal

I signed up for a David's Bridal appointment when I was at the Eugene Bridal expo to get a free Shutterfly coupon.  I decided to use the appointment to take another look at bridesmaid dresses and maybe a special occasions dress for myself.

I probably wouldn't be looking at dresses for myself at David's Bridal, but my roommate has a credit for over $100 that she has offered to give me.  She says she won't buy anything there, so I might as well use it!  I hope she is able to transfer the credit to me.  :)  Since I bought my dress at David's Bridal, I also get an additional $20 off each dress I buy. 

Here are some of the dresses I tried on:

The black one-shoulder dress ($99) is by far my favorite.  However, I got the most compliments from other shoppers when I came out in the white dress ($159).  By the way, I hate the fluorescent lighting at all the David's Bridal stores.  So unflattering.

I found a necklace that might work with my dress.  My dress has really chunky beading on the belt, so I think whatever jewelry I go with should have similarly-proportioned jewels.  Here's a picture:

While at the store, I decided to browse the bridesmaid dresses.  I came to some very important conclusions while shopping!  Here they are:

1) I like the cotton sateen fabric best.  This fabric feels like a cotton sundress, which would be perfect for a July wedding.  Also, the cotton sateen has very cute styles!

2) I definitely will have my bridesmaids pick their own style of dress.  Everyone will be happy!  :)

3) I love the color MALIBU!  I made a decision, and this IS the color!  I just talked to Lee, and he likes this color too.  Yay!

Here are the current cotton sateen Malibu dresses (plus a lace Malibu dress):

I was so excited about figuring out the color, that I had to try a Malibu dress on while I was in the store.  I did a test run of the top right dress with black accessories.  My camera made the blue color a little different, but you can get the overall idea.  What do you think?  Black accessories on the bridesmaids, or silver?

I also bought a swatch of the color.  Does this mean it's "official"?!

Boot Camp and Hairstyles

I found out yesterday I won a two-week pass to Eugene's "Boot Camp" from the bridal expo.  I went to the workout class for the first time tonight.  It was really fun, and I will not be surprised if I am sore tomorrow!  The pass is good for ten sessions over the next two weeks. 

I am not sure how I will want to wear my hair for the wedding, but I am leaning toward having my hair half-up.  I will need it either half up or all up so I can somehow attach a veil.  Here are a couple of inspiration hairstyles I have found:

What kind of hairstyle can you imagine me wearing?  :)

Bridal Expo

I went to the Eugene Bridal Expo today, and I had an amazing time!  Did you know for around $750, you can have an actual arcade photo booth brought into your wedding reception?  Instant souvenirs for guests!  Too bad that option is out of the budget.

I tasted lots of food, entered many drawings (crossing my fingers!), and got a few free goodies to take home.  Just for attending, I received a one-year subscription to Brides magazine, a $20 Shutterfly gift card, and a $600 gift card for tungsten wedding bands.  I also got to see a bridal fashion show and collected ideas for my own wedding.

I took pictures of some of my favorite things I saw:

Cakes

 

Table Settings

 Flowers

After my "budget" post, a few great things have happened.  My mom booked the XL93 DJ, and we ended up getting the $100 deposit waived.  Also, the photographer we want offered us a free engagement package (with 50-60 free digital images) if we booked our wedding with her.  Along with the free wedding band gift card I acquired today, these things help the budget out!

Because I got my dress at David's Bridal, I received a coupon for a free hardcover photobook (valued $60).  The coupon expires in June, so instead of making a book with engagement pictures, I am going to fill it with pictures from when Lee and I first met up until now.  I am looking forward to working on this in my free time. 

I didn't mention this last post, but I got my ring back from the jeweler after having it sized.  It feels much better to have a ring that fits perfectly.  I missed wearing it the week I didn't have it!