And the planning begins!

I'm back from my out-of-country vacation and have come to the realization of how much work I have to do. Besides painting my house this summer, there is of course the typical yard clean-up, vegetable tending, rose dead-heading, etc. that usually takes up my summer hours, but now I have to get things in gear!

My "wedding planner" (my aunt) went shopping while I was gone and has purchased plates for the reception among other things. She is also my officiant, and we have yet to sit down and organize the ceremony with her. I actually sat down yesterday and generously copied ideas from all over the world wide web and wrote up a ceremony which feels appropriately ceremonious.

I have also been officially measured for my dress, so my mom can get started on that. Of course, these measurements came in after the croissant-binging trip in France. Ha! At least, I don't have to worry about gaining weight. Shoes are proving to be problematic...details, details, details. I guess I'm wearing flip-flops.

My mother and I did some shopping and purchased more vintage plates for the reception. I did pause and question myself about this particular idea. What will we do with 50 some plates after the reception? Give them away as mementos? Return them to the charity organizations we purchased them from? I don't know. They are at least more eco-friendly than purchasing paper plates, right?

Last night, I nearly completed my veil, so I feel ready to marry Nathan. Who knows? Maybe I'll win that trip to Vegas and we'll surprise everyone! Constructing a veil was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I am pretty sure it doesn't look like I have a flower pot on my head, but I'm a little worried that it might look a little like that...

Boy, I sure wish all my aunties were here to join in the planning fun. You know you want to...

The Dress

Total cost: Under $200 plus the time my mother will spend sewing it

WARNING! This is top secret. I'm not always traditional, but in this I am. The groom shall not gain knowledge of "the dress."

My mom told me she wanted to make my dress; I thought she was crazy. I do not like sewing. My hems turn out crooked. The thread always snags. I like to knit. Knitting can cover a multitude of sins, but if you mess up on the cut of a dress, it is obvious. Anyhow, she wanted to sew my wedding dress. I couldn't deny my mother her wish.

I like pretty things. I like shiny things. I like pretty shiny things. I was a farm girl with dirt on my knees, but with a dress over my head. I knew what I wanted: something simple, comfortable, and elegant. The pattern I chose is a Butterick pattern. Looks simple enough. It's flowy and comfortable, right?

Now, I've watched those TLC shows in which the bride is at that huge store, and she spends hours and hours selecting just one dress. It seems easy enough. Well, my mother and I spent two hours alone selecting fabric for this dress. Granted, we were at a store called "Fabric Depot" and as its name suggests, it was pretty much a warehouse of fabric, but still! How difficult can be choosing fabric?

Very difficult, if you like pretty shiny things. Two hours of difficult. I only hope the sewing of it is not as difficult. Good thing I'm not the one doing the sewing, because I would hate to take those two hours of hard decision-making and turn them into an uneven, lumpy, frazzled dress.