I went to my first dress fitting and it went really well! (Once we got to see the seamstress - long story...) My dress actually fits - and I mean it fits. It doesn't need to be altered for size at all - not taken in or even a hem! Unbelievable, right?! I am taking off and adding embellishment, but that's it. And of course the bustle. The seamstress thinks she will need 9 hook and eyes - that seems like a lot to me so I hope Laura can figure it out! Fortunately, both of my Lauras will be with me for my second fitting so they should be able to get it under control. We also took the opportunity to narrow down jewelry selection and confirm that I like my shoes. So, wedding day appearance seems to be coming together and I love it!
Invitations went out and we have steadily been receiving RSVPs the past few days. It is SO MUCH FUN to check the mail now! I love seeing who is coming, and unfortunately who is going to miss our big day. I don't want to think about the disappointment I'll feel on the days we don't get any back! This will inevitably happen, but right now it's so much fun.
I had my hair trial today. We decided to do it today so I could wear my hair up to my bridal shower and see what people thought. My fabulous stylist Katie did exactly what I asked for and I loved the back...but honestly, I wasn't so sure about the front at first. I have straight hair but I thought that I wanted something with texture and shape, not just my hair straight back then put into a fancy bun. Problem was, I'm not used to seeing myself that way so I wasn't sure about it. The look definitely grew on me and looking at pictures, I love it. I think it will look really beautiful with my veil and dress on our wedding day. Here's what it looked like (forgive the glasses/no makeup look):
Finally, I spent the afternoon being spoiled by friends and (soon-to-be) family in Virginia. My VA bridesmaids - Kay, Sarah, and Catherine - planned a wonderful bridal shower: fun games, delicious food, and great people. I couldn't have felt more special and loved. Thank you too everyone who attended. I can't wait to get married!
Check out pictures of the event at Wedding Snap! Use event code: VAShowerApr27. Have pictures from the event? PLEASE add them to the album!
Up next - the tough stuff: seating chart (dreading it...) and place cards, programs, and a million other little details that I need to iron out. I started making a list to be sure I don't forget anything... I can't believe we're two months away!
As I look at most of my blog posts, I realize that I have been pretty positive about the whole process - and it truly has been going really well. But recently, I have been stressed and a bit tired. I have been frustrated by having to find a new hotel for the guests - it was a process the first time (meeting with sales staff, touring hotels, reading contracts, etc) and even more of one the second time - hotels are more booked for the weekend now and less willing to hold 30+ rooms for us - we live in a tourist town and are getting married in the summer. We did find our hotels - The Woodlands and The Williamsburg Lodge - and I am really happy with them, so yay. Next is the invitations - what a tedious and repetitive process! Address the RSVP envelopes, stamp the RSVP envelopes, address the invitation envelopes, return address the invitation envelopes (YES I know I should have had this done when I ordered the envelopes, but I didn't...lesson learned), stamp the invitation envelopes, stuff the envelopes....BLAHHHH! Oh, and then seal all the envelopes... It's now done, and all that's left is to MAIL the invitations. I have to admit - I'm a bit anxious about that part. I was even anxious to seal them...I was sure I forgot something or that I would want to add something or change something.
Finally, while I am madly in love with James and so excited to spend the rest of my life with him, I feel like he hasn't been much help during the whole planning process. He has offered, with the added statement "...but I probably won't do it the way you want it done or how you'd do it." Well, what help is that?! Why would I want you to do something that I will have to go back and redo later? I'll just do it myself! Grrr.... Part of me feels like he thinks it will all just get done and fall into place - of course it will, because I'M DOING IT! He has been supportive though, and participating where he can. (He went and ordered the groomsmen attire and did a wonderful job!) :-)
***I do have to acknowledge that many people have offered to help and do things for us but I just don't like to ask for help...! I also decide to work on things at random times. Invites are a great example. I just sat down and worked on them when I felt like it and I took breaks when I needed to. So THANK YOU to all of those people, although I don't always take you up on it, I appreciate the offers!
So, up next - dress fitting (next weekend!), another bridal shower, BACHELORETTE PARTY and confirming all of our vendors and plans. Finally, what I am dreading the most, organizing the RSVPs, creating the dinner seating chart (I've already had requests for who people what to sit next to - and who they DON'T!), and finishing the place cards. We're 76 days away! AHHH!
We are very close to having our hotel block confirmed for the wedding - again. We have had a great experience working the people at Colonial Williamsburg to secure the hotel rooms for our wedding guests. It's been a bit of a challenge at this point - 3 months out in a tourist town, it's not easy to find one location willing to block 30+ rooms for the wedding. We've had a few turn us down and others split us between locations. None are as convenient as the Hospitality House was, but we can't dwell on that - too good to be true. In the past two weeks we've weighed cost vs proximity to our events vs proximity to local tourist attractions. It's hard - some of our guests have never been to Williamsburg so proximity to the tourist locations would be nice. Others of our guests visit regularly, so that isn't as much of a draw. Regardless, cost has been a consideration. We think we are in a best of both worlds place now - these are some of the best rates we've found, at least for the standard rooms; the best locations for events and tourist locations; nice/clean rooms. In the next day or so, we will have the group booking codes for our guests - so stay tuned and check the wedding website: www.barrthompson.ourwedding.com
