Good And Grown Bride

I saved these pictures from when I saw this online Essence article about the wedding of Essence Atkins.  I loved what she and her husband had to say and I found the article very inspirational.   And plus she is looking great!  Anyway, look at her face…now that is an assured and satisfied (and gorgeous) woman.  Those are the looks that I plan to wear in addition to my big cheesy smile on my Big Day. 

If you have any pictures of any other Good And Grown Brides (YOU INCLUDED), let me know.  We should all be showing off!

Sugar Shock

So I’ve been co-planning a baby girl shower that finally went down this weekend.  I’ve been obsessing with candy buffets for months and finally mine came to fruition.  I would’ve loved to do more with it and to it but I think this is pretty darned cute.  I should’ve took an after picture because that candy buffet got mauled!  Everyone loved it including the very beautiful mommy-to-be.  My sister co-planned with me and her creativity truly surpasses mine.  Peep the cake she made below.  She also made the lollipops at the bottom of the buffet picture, the table decor, favors, and more.  All in all the decor was pretty rocking, folks!  And I’m sure Tresvant is glad that I’m done talking his head off about pink and green candy and vases. 

I was thinking it was over and cliched by now but apparently that’s only the case in Blog World because everyone was so tickled by the idea of the buffet.   Anyway, I definitely want a candy buffet now.   I was losing sleep about the candy because the shipping cost nearly as much as the candy ordering online.  If there’s a local candy store or warehouse in your hood, go check them out because I got better or the same prices going to a brick and mortar.  Anyone else doing a candy buffet?

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

I just realized I never blogged about my Save The Dates.  Ordered quickly and easily and received in like 3 days later from VistaPrint.  I can’t sing their praises loud enough.  I love how these turned out, they came quickly, plus they are always having a sale!  I got 100 postcard savers (sorry I just can’t call these STDs without chuckling) with that speedy shipping for about $38 and have been mass sending them out with the exception of the few addresses I’ve been unable to wrassle up so far.  The response has been great!  Except for a peripheral family member fussing the hell out of me for not being sent her own personal invitation…???  Uhm, did your dad’s saver not say “And Family”?  I mean I get it but spare me.  Back to the positivity…check us out!!!!  Obviously, I haven’t decided how anonymous I need to be yet…

Mr. Postman

I’ve been stalking to mail man for like a week and FINALLY my invites have arrived!  Yitidee!!!!  Here’s a lil peak…I want Tresvant to see them at least first…lol.  I ordered these from Zazzle when they recently had a 30% off sale.  Tresvant made the decisions here mainly because I couldn’t decide and he’s the graphic designer, not me.  LOL!    Be sure to always check their sale page for discounts.

After seeing TIH’s response card, I just ordered some new ones to deal with those special guests who think your wedding is a chance to invite their own guests as well…NOT!  Also, although we put “sorry, kids” on the website we did not put it on the official invite, so I added that to the card as well.  I find this slightly tacky but sometimes all formality must fly out of the window and this is most definitely one of those times :0). 

You will see me blogging more because dude…I’m getting married in like 60 days!  Yikes!  I have so much to do.  So far I have a venue, caterer, outfits for me and my boo so we will at least be able to look good and eat.  What else matters?  HA!

Still UN-Veiled

Yup, still veil searching and almost desperate enough to make my own.  Okay, I’m kidding because I really don’t feel like it.  But I am in love with this Sara Gabriel Drew veil .  It most likely can’t work with my dress and it looks very expensive?  Y’all should check her out though.  Do you have your veil already?  Am I the only one having a hard time narrowing it down?

Gotta Be The Shoes?

I think I found my shoes- Via Spiga ‘Opal’ Pump.  Three inches though?  I don’t think I will be able to do it.  Why am I fooling myself?  I love these shoes though.  How long will I really have to stand at my wedding though?  Lemme stop!  Y’all have your shoes yet? 

Nordies Anniversary Sale is on and popping, ladies!

Sorry, Kid

A few weeks ago, a wedding blog that I enjoy (look on the side for the (Formerly) Unemployed Bride) had a flurry of commentary on the very controversial topic of kids at weddings just as I was trying to make that decision for myself.  My comments from that blog and another blog inspired by that discussion are as follows:

“im so going through this right now. if i let all of the children of invited guests come i will have 39 kids, 13 teens, and 6 babies at my wedding. i thought of hiring someone i know who is a child care professional and maybe a colleague or two of hers to watch the kids in a separate yet adjoined area with some activities. the thought of even planning that out is way too much for me right now though. anyway, what *YOU* want is what goes…period.”

“i definitely understand that black children need to see more weddings in our community but planning a wedding is no picnic and trying to find things to entertain another group of people may just not be the bride and groom’s cup of tea. i love children and all of the children in my life are very important to me as is family and community but the thought of planning baby sitters and activities for 39 kids, 13 teens, and 6 babies is more than i can bear at the moment. i keep waffling but right now…unless they are in the wedding…you’re gonna have to stay home- and there are abt 8 kids in the wedding ((yes im crazy)).”

“i also think that most times weddings are not fair to kids. they cant touch anything, they have to sit still and be quiet, they cant play…there are really just too many cants going on. so unless i can provide some entertainment for them, i’m doing us all a favor and having them stay home and play the video games they’d rather play in the first place.”

I understand both sides of the argument and I never thought I’d have to make this decision but I’m not gonna be able to do it!  I contemplated having a special area for kid activities with official Fun Specialists on hand with a kid-friendly menu but when I started breaking it down my pockets and my mind got tired and I just had to scrap it.  I love kids, I’m the fun and crazy auntie/godmommy/cousin who plans kid road trips and vacations every summer, I baby/kid sit often, hell- my wedding is going to have like eight kids in it!  All that extra stuff though, no.  I can’t.  I still love you, pumpkin pookies though. 

Now that I’ve made the decision, the fun part comes.  I have to let everyone else know.  I just did my invites and reaaaaaaaaaaaally could not figure out the best way to do this.  I know I can’t put it on the actual invite, so we now have a wedding website to convey that message along with hotel info, directions, etc so it doesn’t look lonely….lol.  I’ve learned that a friend recently received an invite with NO KIDS on it and I wish, but I’m not that bold but I am firm in my decision.  And today, as I look at my to do list…I’ll say I’m happy with that decision.  I think…ugh.

Time Out.

Maybe it’s just me but wedding planning isn’t always that fun.  Sometimes you have to just schedule in relaxation lest you drive you and your betrothed crazy.  We’ve spent the last two weekends just *NOT* thinking about weddings for the most part and just enjoying ourselves and getting back to US.   I didn’t realize how crazy this could get and how Wedding-Minded we could become.  It’s all everyone asks us about and started to become all that we talked about but no, man…we can’t go out like this.  When I went to drive twenty minutes to two other post offices because they had UGLY stamps that I didn’t want to grace my Save The Dates, I knew that I needed a time out.  I refuse to go Wedding Crazy!

Farewell, My Friend

Well, I went dress shopping and I got a new dress (post coming soon)!  I absolutely loved my first choice of dress but it was really difficult trying to find a veil to match it plus it needed some alterations.  I felt very pretty in the dress but I didn’t feel like a bride yet.  I thought the veil would help that but again…if anyone can point me to a plain veil without a whole bunch of flowers and sequins on it and doesn’t cost more than my shoes…let me know.  I mean who knew tulle and a metal comb could cost so much.  I’m a few steps away from making my own at this point but I’m so stressed I really don’t need another project on my huge To Do List. 

Anyway, all that to say…this was my dress and I loved it but I started to feel like Adrianna Papell One Shoulder Twist Charmeuse Gown wasn’t The One (Uhm, or was it?  Yikes.).  If you have a curvy figure and you’re a fluffy gal like me this dress is amazing.  It feels great on as well.  I’m a shorty though so if you’re under 5’4 you might want to get the petite if you don’t have alot of time for alterations.  The picture above is the petite version.  I actually ordered the regular version which made it looser and about 3 to 5″ longer so there would have been alterations but I definitely wanted it longer.  As a bonus, here are some other pretty department store dresses that I was considering.

A. Sue Wong Drop Waist Lace Gown, $588
B. Dalia MacPhee Strapless Taffeta Mermaid Gown, $298
C. Tadashi Shoji Asymmetrical Pleated Jersey Gown, $398
D. JS Collections One Shoulder Mesh & Jersey Gown, $198

Let me also add that I had a wonderful experience with Nordstrom in ordering this dress online.  It was cheaper at Macy’s but I did not have a good experience with Macy’s and instead chose to make my purchase elsewhere.  The price matching was not difficult, the service reps that I dealt with were very helpful and my dress arrived relatively quickly.   We’ll see how this return goes *fingers crossed*.

Is This *THE* Dress?

I’m sorry yall.  I’ve been drowning in a pool of Other People’s Opinions and my indecision and I just had to take a break from it all.  If only I had the luxury of time…haha!  Anyway, I did meet with a wedding planner and get our Save The Dates done and some other stuff that I will share soon but one thing is bugging me…is my dress *the* one?  It’s not a traditional wedding dress but it is very me, very sleek, and I thought it could be made right with a veil.  Now, I’m not so sure.  What veils go with those types of dresses anyway? I think I’m gonna head out and try on some dresses tonight and report back tomorrow.  Anyone else feeling like this?

Also, this is a current discussion that we’re having…do you need servers at a buffet?  I’m a picky eater and would prefer to make my own plate.  I even get annoyed at Chipotle when I have to tell dudes TWO scoops of corn salsa let alone tell a chick to add some more rice pilaf and almondy green beans to my place because I don’t eat meat.  Anyway, where do ya’ll weigh in on this?

*This isn’t my dress but it’s about as casual.  This is from David’s Bridal, the Charmeuse Dress with Softly Draped Strap Detail Style INT1049.