Monday, August 20, 2007

All Dressed Up


Once I had a vision for the setting of our wedding, I was ready to find THE DRESS. By then I had purchased probably ten or twelve bridal magazines, and I was disappointed that there was so little variety to choose from as I looked through them. (BTW, I am fatigued by bridal magazines at this point and I look forward to discarding them and never purchasing another one!) Everything is strapless these days - everything. I didn't think I wanted strapless for a November wedding, so I was in search of something with sleeves, even if that meant I wore a lace jacket with my dress. Well, after visiting two bridal salons and trying on about 25 dresses, I began to realize that strapless actually looks good on me, and for the price I was willing to pay for my dress I was probably going to go strapless. It wasn't until the second day of shopping that I found THE DRESS. My mother literally gasped when I walked out of the dressing room wearing THE DRESS, and she proclaimed that Michael would react in a similar way when he saw me in it.

Okay, Joannah! So, show us THE DRESS already!!!

Well, dear readers, I cannot. I have not been able to swipe a picture of my dress off the designer's website. They seem to have some sort of technology in play that prevents one from doing so. However, if you're willing to take a couple of extra steps, you can see THE DRESS here. Once you get there, choose United States, and then find the box that says style # in the lower right hand corner, and enter 1614.

What I love about my dress is the vintage look the netting and beading give it. With that in mind, my sister (Matron of Honor #1) began searching for bridesmaids dresses, and she found this number at Nordies. My other MOH (they are both honorable and wonderful women, so I'm calling both of them MOH), Teresa said it's one of the best bridesmaids dresses she's ever been asked to wear. I haven't seen the dress on my sister yet, but Teresa modeled it for me last week and it looked beautiful on her.

While we were up in San Francisco at Union Square, we began to shop for a suit for Michael, but we didn't find one in our budget - what a surprise. We're not having the guys wear tuxes. It's a semi-formal, afternoon wedding, and we thought dark suits would be appropriate. We found Michael's suit on the way home at the Cam@rillo Premium Outlets at the B@rneys New York store. It was about five minutes before they closed, but we just had to see if they had any good deals. We found a beautiful black suit at a great price there, and we picked up a new white shirt and a champagne colored tie to complete the look. I think his tie will coordinate nicely with the sash around the waist of my dress. He doesn't know that though. I just told him he had to have THAT tie!

So, the wedding party is just about outfitted. We need to scout out some rental suits for Michael's guys, and I need to shop for some accessories for myself and the MOHs. My dress should come in late next month, and I've got to purchase my shoes and a bustier before that first fitting. So, more shopping to come.

21 comments:

Tammy said...

Congratulations on finding THE DRESS. You will be a beautiful bride!

I've bookmarked your 'NEW' BLOG and look forward to cheering you on as you walk this new path in your life. Sometimes life has things in store for us that are too great to imagine - namely, marrying your best friend.

May God continue to bless you and Michael.

C's Mom said...

That dress is stunning and so very, very you!

What a fabulous wedding this will be.

Shelley said...

Okay, did you hear me gasp? What a great dress. Very tasteful and gorgeous. Oh yes, I agree with Mom ...Michael's going to love seeing you in that.

And love the bridesmaids' dress! You are a kind bride to give them something so lovely to wear that they could wear to many other nice occasions without looking like a poof of cotton candy. :)

It's all coming together very nicely, isn't it?

Shell

Donna said...

I love that dress and now that we've met, I can say for certain that you'll be gorgeous in it. The bridesmaids dresses are so elegant too. I'm sure your friends will greatly appreciate that you didn't make them wear a great big lime green satin bow across their bottom too!

It was fun meeting you today. I wish you only the very best things and something tells me that all those things will seek you out!

Donna

Sugar Cookies And Hope said...

Joannah, that dress took my breath away! It looks so beautiful and comfortable all at the same time. It looks as though it moves gracefully as well. Sigh...so sweet. :)

Sandra said...

That dress is GORGEOUS! I absolutely love it...

Sandra
http://www.jazzieandtahlia.typepad.com

Kayce said...

BEAUTIFUL dress! I love the vintage look of it! Have fun shopping!!!

~Kristen said...

Oh Joannah, That dress is gorgeous!! You will be a stunning bride!

4D said...

That dress made me gasp and I love it. From seeing you in pics and seeing that dress, it is perfect for you! SO lovely.

The MOH dress is wonderful as well. What colour is it going to be?

Sigh...making me want to plan another wedding...a renewing of vows perhaps?!?

Keep smilin!

Joannah said...

Doris, the MOHs dresses will be chocolate brown.

:-)

redmaryjanes said...

GORGEOUS dress. I really love it. The bridesmaid dresses are beatiful too. I like the style. Brings back memories of when I got married. Fun isn't it?

Glinda said...

Most assuredly THE DRESS!

Pixel Fairy Princess said...

OMG ~ That dress is stunning! Perfect :D

Jacquie said...

Wow The Dress is stunning!

The MOH dress is also really nice.

Paulette said...

That dress will look great on you. Beautiful I can see you in it for sure.

Catherine said...

What a beautiful dress! Looking forward to seeing wedding pics in the future.

Shannon said...

Wow, what a gorgeous dress. PERFECT for you!!

Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

Anonymous said...

Not that I'm a big follower of wedding dresses but I have always liked Alfred Angelo. That dress is beautiful and will look lovely with your pretty dark hair!

Kim :) said...

Your dress is perfect! I absolutely love it!! Thanks for sharing... can't wait to see pics of YOU wearing it...

Kristin said...

THE DRESS is absolutely beautiful... you are going to be a gorgeous bride, Joannah!