Simply Bridal wedding gowns.

I got my wedding dress about 18 months before my wedding. I just knew it was right.

It was one of those things where I found it online, saw it in person, forced myself to try on 4 other dresses first,

but ultimately chose the dress that I knew I wanted.

You know how on Say Yes to the Dress, some brides just say "you'll know when it's right".

For me? That was totally true.

It was easy.

For other brides, it's not that easy.

They're torn, maybe unsure, or it feels like a hassle.

Some brides don't like to try things on, some brides don't want to have this whole additional show in the middle of the store.

I loved the show (in fact, I continuously posed in the middle of the store and thoroughly enjoyed other people telling me how I great I looked -- to each their own).

So if you're not like that, and don't like the whole deal of gathering people up, and forcing them to sit down to watch you try on dresses so they can "ooh" and "aah" at you in public I would suggest checking out Simply Bridal.

Here are some sweet things about this company.

- you can browse their dresses online, from your own couch

- they tell you how to measure yourself, so the dress fits when it arrives

- if you're at all unhappy, they accept the dress back and refund you 100%

That's totally my kind of online shopping. What about you?

The thing is, when you go to all these bridal stores there are a lot of people that need to get paid.

From the designer, "down the chain of command" if you will, straight to the person in the room zipping you up.

[it's a little embarrassing, now that I'm remembering it all].

So, a nice aspect of buying a dress straight from an online retailer like Simply Bridal:

They're able to keep their costs LOW. By cutting out a bunch of the middle people.

And right now, they're offering dresses at 75% off.

The dresses I've been ooh-ing and aah-ing over are marked down from the $600s to the $200s.

Now, that's a great deal.

And, it's not like they're old dresses, or out of season or out dated. 

They're hip, and stylish, and designer.

Here are some of my favorites:

source, source, source

I'm a sucker for poofs, sequins and lace.

Their website is easy to use, and all the reviews I've read are super positive.

I mean, I'm not currently in the market for a wedding dress... but if I was I'd totally be into this.

I am in the market for some bridesmaid dresses, so I couldn't help but look at what they offer.

I mean, it's not up to me or anything, but I can't be blamed for just browsing.

Here are two of my favorites:

source, source

I also love ruffles and bows. :)

Brides can also choose from 28 colors for all their bridesmaid dresses.

There's definitely great opportunities to put your own touch on the dresses.

And to pick through their veils, and jewelry and accessories.

Ahh, it's just making me what to do the whole dress thing again. I LOVE it.

If you're in their area (NYC or LA) you can go to them and have fittings by booking appointments.

But for all of us who don't live in that general area online shopping is the way to go!

AND, they're offering YOU an additional 15% off with this coupon code: SBL138LJ

It's good through May 7th and I highly suggest somebody use it to get a great deal on the most important piece of clothing you'll ever buy.

I mean, mine is so important it's literally still in the same spot I hung it the day after my wedding.

For real.

Partly because it's so big it doesn't fit anywhere, but mostly because I'm in love with it,

and want to see it every time I enter that room.

You can also enter one of your photos in their best shot competition, and if your pic gets picked,

you win a dress! 

I wouldn't mind winning a wedding gown just to wear around the house.

My husband may think I've really gone crazy...

The Ceremony:

I blogged and blogged about our letter in a wine box ceremony that we were doing. So here it is:

The box: (from Home Goods)

The inside of the box with the glasses (Crate & Barrel, engraved at Things Remembered), the wine and our love letters:

The box with the ribbons for our Celtic tying the knot ceremony:

When I first starting to take the walk down the aisle I was nervous. I was nervous because I don't walk well in heels and my shoes were high! I was nervous because 140 people were staring at me and I was nervous because about half-way through my walk... there were 3 measly steps I had to take. Steps UP that is...


And I tried to take those steps. But... I got stuck.


As in, I LITERALLY couldn't move. My dress wouldn't allow my legs to bend. :) So my daddy had to lift my dress for me. And when I got to the top I sighed a huge sigh of relief -- comic relief that is... and it came at a perfect time because my Groom... well, he was losing it. :) But after my little "incident" he smiled.


While we were standing up there, it was weird to me that I hadn't gotten a chance to greet our guests yet! I had been hidden, remember? So, I found myself making eye contact with guests and smiling and mouthing "hi!" but then I thought... hmm, this is a little serious "LET'S FOCUS". haha. Our officiant was amazing and the reading we chose was perfect -- and something I'll definitely share, but in another post.

We said our vows (and neither of us stuttered)... and exchanged rings:


And after that (literally it was like 20 minutes, maybe shorter...) and a couple "I do's" it was done:


And we kissed:


I took my flowers back... aren't they pretty?


And this time, my HUSBAND had to help me on those steps:


And then came the formal pictures during cocktail hour.

I won't be blogging the formal pictures because those are shots I'd rather wait for our professional pictures to share. So tomorrow will be the start of the reception and the beginning of all my DIY projects. Are you pumped? :)

Waiting around...

After I got all dressed and ready, there was still a good amount of time until the ceremony start time. Originally, Sean and I were planning on doing a first look. But the day before the wedding we decided that we wouldn't do that. Honestly, I thought I would really want those pictures but the feeling of waiting to see him was much better. :)

And because we had "scheduled" our first look in the early afternoon we had some free time. So I took pictures:

my bridesmaids (all my cousins) and my grandma.

me and my mom.

me and my dad.

After about an hour of waiting around, taking pictures, and pacing -- I realized... I had to pee. So, I literally jumped out of my dress:


And then, jumped back in :)

Tomorrow: the ceremony!

My look.

I don't have any pictures of the shuttle ride. But it was quick! When we got to the venue I caught some glimpses of the entrance way, the ballroom, etc. and it looked amazing! But it wasn't finished, yet. So, we all filed into the bridal suite. It was decided that the girls should get dressed first that way in the pictures of me getting ready... they'd be all done up! I think that was a great decision.

So... this is what I did while they changed:


And, admired my flowers:


And before I knew it... it was time: TO PUT ON MY DRESS. :) :)

I feel like I could write a novel about my dress. Literally. But I won't... of course!

Let me just say that when I first put this dress on (at David's Bridal) I knew it was the one. Actually, even before that, when I was browsing the David's Bridal website the week after being engaged... I knew it was the one. There was never a question in my mind. Ever.

But, just to be safe, when we went to the store to try on dresses, I tried on 3 others first -- and "saved the best for last". But when I put it on... there was no doubt in my mind that it would be the dress that I would wear while walking down the aisle. I bought it Jan. 1, 2010 and every time I tried it on after that I felt the exact same way. It was perfect.



Ooooh. I just love it. I wish I could put it on right now...

Anyways --

So, I got dressed and that's kind of when it hit me. I wasn't feeling "nervous" but I was feeling something that I can't even put into words. I don't know that I'll ever feel it again -- in my entire life. I was anxious, excited, and mostly wanting it to start but not wanting it to end. Maybe you have different emotions to describe the feeling?

Here are some shots from getting ready:

I don't know why I look so serious?

My mom's wedding necklace & my "something borrowed".

This bracelet was a wedding gift from Sean :) and my "something new".

:) I was ready... but still had an HOUR before the ceremony. Find out what's next tomorrow!

Bachelorette!

I've had a very busy week/weekend.

I got my nails done yesterday:


Bright? :) Well, I think they are very "bachelorette party" worthy -- which is exactly what I did this weekend! We went into Boston and stayed at the Onyx Hotel ate lots and lots and saw an improv show -- which was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen! It was so much fun and I'm so glad I was able to go!

Also! I finally had success at finding a rehearsal dinner dress (and jewelry to match!):


And the shoes:


Remember how excited I was to check the 10 day weather forecast?! Well, that stupid app stressed me out for 3 days when it kept showing this:


See that? That 60% chance of rain and lightning bolt icon. WELL, luckily that has since changed to sunny with a 20% chance of rain. Ughhh. I just need to stop checking....

Sean started giving me my wedding presents ;) the first one:


It's a book he specifically made (words and pictures). It's the cutest thing and one day (soon) I'm going to do a in-depth post about it because it's really amazing!

It definitely feels like the wedding festivities have begun. It's busy and hard to keep up. But fun. Really fun.

Successful Day.

It was very hard for me to decide on a dress for my bridal shower, which is now in about 13 days!

I didn't know if I wanted to go really fancy or relatively casual... bright colors or dark tones... patterned fabrics or just something solid. It was so difficult! I kept going back to the mall, checking stores and looking online. Nothing seemed right.

But today I told myself that I was going to find something. Anything. And I wasn't leaving the mall without a dress. It was hard especially since the mall was so crowded! And I guess it's time to go prom dress shopping because the dress sections were packed.

I ended up in Express and (basically) bought the outfit on the mannequin (I love doing this!). So here she is...


I think it's "spring-like"! But, I mean, this is Massachusetts. So I bought a violet cardigan to go with it. I don't want to freeze...

While searching for a dress for my shower I came across this dress on modcloth.com...


...and I'm pretty sure I need it. Rehearsal/rehearsal dinner? I think it's perfect! Wanna know what's not perfect? It's out of stock in my size. =(

And look at this...


I would love to change into this toward the end of our reception. If I can squeeze it into the budget... I'll own it pretty soon. I L.O.V.E. it. So much.

Aside from dress shopping/stalking I bought more bridal party gifts. I've come to the realization that whenever I want to buy something for my bridesmaids... the stores are never prepared for my purchases. Anytime I attempt to buy something... they only have 5 of what I need. EVERY TIME. But I need 7. Seven is the lucky number in this situation. Which means, most of my time is spent going to the same store - in a different location in search of the 2 items they're missing. It's not really that fun... I wish stores just had what they sell. All the time.

If I'm feeling up to it tomorrow maybe I'll try on my shower outfit and take a picture. Maybe...

We have a dance class tomorrow, I heard from our videographer yesterday ;) and we choose invitations in eight days. It's becoming real!

6 months.

6 months. SIX MONTHS!

We paid our first payment (besides the deposit) to our venue on Friday. Craziness!

And I think I found someone to do my make-up! I hope to have a trial on March 19th, which happens to be my bridal shower. Oh.my.goodness.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the mall to look for a shower dress. =)

This is what I want:


But this is the east coast, and March isn't necessarily warm... But it's cute, right?!