9 Months to Go...

The Knot has so kindly reminded me that today we are 9 months from our wedding date!  Here's a short list of some of the items I've been working on/thinking about lately.

• Wedding shoes - still haven't ordered them but I am also still liking the same pair.  I'm pretty confident I know what I want, but I am nervous about the heel height.  We'll see.  I have a feeling I'll choose fashion over comfort.  (I can always take them off to dance, right?!)
• Bridesmaids dresses - I have no idea what I am going to go with at this point.  There are so many pretty dresses out there.  I have decided to head in to a bridal store to look at and feel some of these fabrics.  I HAVE decided to go with a dark shade of purple and lighten it up for a summery feel with accessories and flowers.
• Music - we have our DJ but I've been listening to songs to dance our first dance to, dance with my dad to, and for James to dance with his mom too.  This is so much fun!  I am so sappy and sentimental - I am looking for just the right song.  Everytime I think I find what I like, I hear another song that's great!  I have a feeling this will be a decision that will change many times in the next few months - good thing we have that time.  Have I told you who we chose for our DJ? Amanda with Fat Cat DJ and Karaoke - NO we will not have karaoke at our reception, so don't get your hopes up!  :-)
• My Accessories - I got my dress in August (YAY!) and then went on a search for the sash and veil.  I was so frustrated with the cost of these items in stores - it increases the cost of the bridal fashion by HUNDREDS of dollars!  I was on a mission to find these items at a reasonable rate while still getting the look I want.  I found just that at a factory direct website - Wedding Factory Direct.  The site is associated with a bridal store in MA and this portion of their business provides the accessories and other products to bridal salons.  I'm not sure the site is intended for individuals, but I was able to place my order without problem.  I received my items and love them!  When it's all said and done, I estimate I saved over $250 by finding and using this website.  I recommend you check them out!
• Readers - we need people to read at our ceremony.  I'm not sure where to go for these participants - cousins?  Aunts/uncles?  Friends?  I thought of my Godparents, but I'm not sure either would be comfortable reading in front of that many people.  We're putting that together as we go along.

I think that's about it for the past few weeks.  Having school start back up is a definite distraction from wedding planning.  I'm glad we got a lot of the "major" things out of the way this summer.  Still to come - cake tasting, bridesmaid dress shopping, showers and bachelorette party, lighting, and then details, details, DETAILS!  I'm still having fun with this and I hope it continues to be fun instead of stressful. 

What It's REALLY About

In the midst of all the wedding planning, it's easy to get caught up and forget what this whole time is about - James and I are getting married and starting a life together, it's not just a big party.  Don't get me wrong, it will be a big party, but that's not the most important part.  The past few days have really reinforced the life part.  James's grandfather passed away.  He was buried and his life celebrated yesterday.  I am lucky enough to already feel like a part of the Barr family.  His parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles/cousins - everyone - have been so welcoming and loving.  Much of this is because of the example set by Roy Barr, Grampy.  He was interested in everyone he met and valued the good in all people.  I loved the opportunity to get to know him and I know he is excited for our marriage.  (And I know he will be there with my grandparents, watching over and blessing the event.)  James and I hope to follow in the example that he and Grammy set - married for 58 years and dedicated to what really matters - love, family, education, travel, and knowledge.  I feel blessed to not only welcome James into my family but also to be a part of his.  I think of stories people tell about their terrible in-laws and feel so fortunate that that will never be the case for James and me.  Thank you to be Barr and McElfresh families for loving me and for so completely welcoming me into your families.  To my family, thank you for loving and welcoming James.  

The Shoes!

Since I found my dress, I have been thinking about the shoes.  I want to wear some pretty amazing shoes on our wedding day.  I love the pics of the rings on the bride's heel, or on the shoes somehow.  I love pics of the bride and groom's feet - bride's fun shoes and groom's fun socks.  But to find the right shoes - the right color, cute, embellished, manageable heel (I'll be wearing them for HOURS!) - it's tough!  I have been looking at a variety of websites and can't decide between ruffles, bows, and crystals.  I think I've found the "perfect" pair, but then I think I have 9+ months left!  That's a lot of potential shoe finds!  I am also a bit worried about the height of the heel.  There is a hidden platform, so that helps, but even then the heels are 3.25 inches.  I am leaning towards buying these shoes and if I find something else I like better, I can return them later.  (I have checked the return policy and I have a year from purchase to return...so no worries there)  Here are a few of the shoes that have caught my eye...

These are in a variety of colors, but I am looking for purple!  My favorite (right now) is in there, but I won't tell you which - I do that a lot, not be be annoying but so that I don't worry about pleasing everyone and second guessing my own preferences.  I don't want to feel like people will think about what I could have chosen.  Instead, I want them to see what I have chosen and just love it - no other options to compare it to!