my dress

[pisces2473]

It's in!!!!! A David's Bridal lady just called me to let me know that my dress came in!

I have to go get it w/in two weeks and then like 3-4 months before the wedding, I'll take it back to have it altered. I was kind of surprised...I thought they would hold it. Guess it'll go to my parents' house. YAY!

[weary]

yay jen!!! how exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :) :exclaim:

[WorkInProgress]

YAY! Very exciting!

Are the loops for the bustle (does it bustle?) already there, or do you have to have that done separately, when it's fitted/altered?

[pisces2473]

Uhhh, I have NO clue, WIP!

[CityGal]

Congrats! I've been reading how excited you are about your wedding. I am sure you'll look lovely.

[SmilesSoSweet]

Yay!! That is exciting.

I'm actually a little excited to get my MOH dress next month! I'm definitely not going to get it altered until about April or May since the wedding isn't until July. :)

Oh and DBs will also nicely box up your dress (kind of like a shadow box) after your wedding for about $100. My SIL had that done with her dress since she knew she was going to hold on to it for a bit, but didn't just want it shoved in the back of her closet!

[WorkInProgress]

Uhhh, I have NO clue, WIP!

I just asked because my cousin ordered her dress from DB, and her dress didn't bustle in any one particular way, so she decided that from her different options.

And my friend who just got married had never seen her dress bustled before we got to her reception and had to figure it out there.

[pisces2473]

Yeah, the lady was like, "About 3-4 months before the wedding, come in and we'll alter it." I'm excited to go down to pick it up! I want to try it on when I'm there.

I think mine doesn't bustle in a particular way--I get to pick how I want it. I'm not sure yet.

[Kitty]

Cool! We want photos!

[tina1979]

awesome!! I know that has to be exciting!

[shimma]

FUCK! I need to get one too.

I wanna see pictures, Jen!!!! How exciting!

[pisces2473]

Obviously, I can't post pics here. If you talk to me off the boards, I will be more than happy to share ;)

[coll214]

LOL Yay!!

[shimma]

Obviously, I can't post pics here. If you talk to me off the boards, I will be more than happy to share ;)

What, you think someone would figure out who you are, call up your job and start badmouthing you or something???

Oh wait....

[pisces2473]

HA! Actually, I was thinking about C. He lurks here, and I wouldn't want him to see my dress!

[WorkInProgress]

HA! Actually, I was thinking about C. He lurks here, and I wouldn't want him to see my dress!

He's gonna have no idea what it looks like?! Wow!

[wordsmith]

Both my SILs did that.

[WorkInProgress]

I'd have such a hard time not talking about it.

[SmilesSoSweet]

He's gonna have no idea what it looks like?! Wow!

My brother didn't see my SIL's dress until she walked down the aisle. And the friend that's getting married next summer is doing the same thing.

That's one tradition I'd like to keep too, no matter what kind of wedding I have. :)

[wordsmith]

I'd have such a hard time not talking about it.

M showed her dad, and he cried. But she didn't show my brother.

[weary]

ha. i'm so weird i think i'd want my SO to GO SHOPPING with me for my dress if i ever take the (marriage) plunge.

[WorkInProgress]

ha. i'm so weird i think i'd want my SO to GO SHOPPING with me for my dress if i ever take the (marriage) plunge.

Well, I think that would be fun for me, but not so much for him.

It's just that I know me and clothes (and talking about clothes), and I'm thinking it would be so very hard for me not to talk about it at all.

My dad'll cry too. He's such a wuss for a tough guy.

[EmberMae]

My brother didn't see my SIL's dress until she walked down the aisle. And the friend that's getting married next summer is doing the same thing.

That's one tradition I'd like to keep too, no matter what kind of wedding I have. :)
I don't really get that tradition at all.

ha. i'm so weird i think i'd want my SO to GO SHOPPING with me for my dress if i ever take the (marriage) plunge.
ditto...I don't think it's weird though. I never really thought about it, it just seemed natural to me.

[weary]

there are some wedding traditions i think i'd totally be in to, and others i'd probably totally forget about or not care about.

a GF of mine got married a couple years ago and she and her SO were already living together. the night before the wedding they went to bed as usual, had breakfast in the morning together as usual, then went to the hotel where the wedding parties were meeting up/getting ready before the ceremony. when they arrived, everyone else was whooping and hollering all, "what are you doing TOGETHER?!!!...you're not supposed to see eachother before the ceremony!!!"

they (the couple) were like...BFD. :rolleyes:

[Kitty]

I was just kinda browsing dresses online and it's impossible to find dresses with sleeves. I'm sorry, but I am not doing the whole strapless or halter dress. That does NOT look good on me. Do they even make dresses with sleeves? Or at least thick straps?

[wordsmith]

My mom's had sleeves, but that was circa-1971. I'm not sure sleeves are easy to find without going retro...the only other sleeved ones that come to mind are the ones that feature Renaissance styling, which I know is not your thing.

[NewMrs.]

HA! Actually, I was thinking about C. He lurks here, and I wouldn't want him to see my dress!


I kept my dress at my future husband's house because at the time I lived in a basement/ ground floor apartment and I thought that the dress would be safer at his house. He promised not to peek, and I'm pretty sure that he didn't. However, I have a habit of accidentally spilling things on myself. My husband confessed to me later that he scotch-guarded my dress with his eyes closed.

[NewMrs.]

there are some wedding traditions i think i'd totally be in to, and others i'd probably totally forget about or not care about.

a GF of mine got married a couple years ago and she and her SO were already living together. the night before the wedding they went to bed as usual, had breakfast in the morning together as usual, then went to the hotel where the wedding parties were meeting up/getting ready before the ceremony. when they arrived, everyone else was whooping and hollering all, "what are you doing TOGETHER?!!!...you're not supposed to see eachother before the ceremony!!!"

they (the couple) were like...BFD. :rolleyes:


Actually, a few weeks before my wedding my husband's parents told me that there is an old Polish tradition that the groom picks up the bride on the day of the wedding and takes her to the church. My FIL took my MIL to the church on their wedding day. So my then-fiance and I went to bed together the night before our wedding and woke up together. I went to get my hair done and then get dressed at his house, and he got dressed at his parents' house. He came down to pick me up from his house and he drove me to the church for our wedding.

[winneythepooh7]

My dress looks nothing on what it looks like on the DB site so even if M saw a pic, it wouldn't be the same. He was also shocked when he saw me this weekend all done up for my FSIL's wedding. I had my hair and make-up done and looked nothing like me "in real day to day life". He liked it though.

Speaking of which, I will need to consult some of you down the road regarding wedding hair. I got a lot of compliments on my updo, but also some people told me they prefer my hair down. *Sigh*.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I don't really get that tradition at all.

Well the way I look at it, my future husband to be would probably have seen ALL of me already, so why not surprise him on our wedding day with a dress he's never seen me wear. LOL

[WorkInProgress]

My husband confessed to me later that he scotch-guarded my dress with his eyes closed.

That is really adorable.

[Kitty]

My mom's had sleeves, but that was circa-1971. I'm not sure sleeves are easy to find without going retro...the only other sleeved ones that come to mind are the ones that feature Renaissance styling, which I know is not your thing.

IT doesn't even have to be sleeves..it just needs to at least have straps (preferrably thick straps). My body type just doesn't look good in halter/tube type dresses. My thinnest body part is my waist and then my lower body..my arms and back are my LEAST flattering body elements...so, a dress that highlights those parts is not exactly ideal.

[WorkInProgress]

Kitty, you've had no luck looking at the dresses on the Knot?

[EmberMae]

Well the way I look at it, my future husband to be would probably have seen ALL of me already, so why not surprise him on our wedding day with a dress he's never seen me wear. LOL
Yeah I guess I can see that. My fiance isn't really in to the whole poofy dress thing, I doubt it will impress him much, either way. I think instead I will surprise him with some hot lingerie on the wedding night, esp. since I never wear that stuff (assuming my mom doesn't schedule up so much of our time we actually have some time to do something besides sleep :rolleyes: )

IT doesn't even have to be sleeves..it just needs to at least have straps (preferrably thick straps). My body type just doesn't look good in halter/tube type dresses. My thinnest body part is my waist and then my lower body..my arms and back are my LEAST flattering body elements...so, a dress that highlights those parts is not exactly ideal.
I'm struggling with that as well...there's a few dresses out there that have cap sleeves but most of them are really light lace. You can add spaghetti straps to a lot of the dresses but that doesn't really solve your problem.

[cheshrcarol]

Kitty, I'm not sure if this is your style, but a friend of mine got married in a dress like this (http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2293&prodgroup=10).

[wordsmith]

Here's one with a wider tank strap styling: http://www.belchertownbridals.com/images/mll.jpg

And another where it's more boatnecked: http://www.belchertownbridals.com/images/msl.jpg

Not my fave, but a little diff, might look nice on the right bride: http://www.belchertownbridals.com/images/1628l.jpg

http://www.belchertownbridals.com/images/marl.jpg

[Kitty]

Words - I like the first one you posted.

Yeah, the sleeves look stupid...but the thick straps look nice, IMO.

I have a vision of what I want in my head..now I need to find it!

[Kitty]

Oh, found some I like:

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/casablanca/kncasaf061831m.jpg
http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/angelsanchez/knasanf060177m.jpg
http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/carolinedevillo/kncdevs06faitm.jpg
http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/yolanda/knyolas060726m.jpg

[wordsmith]

I like the second to last best.

[Kitty]

I don't like the poofy skirts. I want something simple (not too much lacey crap) and that emphasizes my waist...with straps. Those are my requirements.

[pisces2473]

Kitty, I'm not sure if this is your style, but a friend of mine got married in a dress like this (http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2293&prodgroup=10).
Ha, Carol, I tried that one on, and my mom and the saleslady LOOOVED it. I? did not. I cannot do lacey sleeves--too itchy.

Mine is strapless, which I was VEHEMENTLY against going into look. I started trying them on, and they looked good. Apparently, women with bigger chests and arms look good with strapless b/c it doesn't cut up the skin. There's a clean line, if you will.

Kitty, I could totally see you in those dresses that you posted!!! I liked a lot of dresses that looked like that.

Winney--what about wearing your hair half up? I think I'm wearing all of mine up, but really loose.

[pisces2473]

He's gonna have no idea what it looks like?! Wow!
Yeah, why would he see it?





BUT, I will be picking out tuxes with him. :evil:

[pisces2473]

I kept my dress at my future husband's house because at the time I lived in a basement/ ground floor apartment and I thought that the dress would be safer at his house. He promised not to peek, and I'm pretty sure that he didn't. However, I have a habit of accidentally spilling things on myself. My husband confessed to me later that he scotch-guarded my dress with his eyes closed.
Aww, that's cute! Wait, you guys didn't live together, but you spent the night before you got married together???

I'm leaving my dress at my parents' house. I don't know what I'd do if we lived far from family...

[pisces2473]

Actually, a few weeks before my wedding my husband's parents told me that there is an old Polish tradition that the groom picks up the bride on the day of the wedding and takes her to the church. My FIL took my MIL to the church on their wedding day. So my then-fiance and I went to bed together the night before our wedding and woke up together. I went to get my hair done and then get dressed at his house, and he got dressed at his parents' house. He came down to pick me up from his house and he drove me to the church for our wedding.
I just told FI about this (I'm Polish) and he was like, NO WAY IN HELL. LOL

[NewMrs.]

Aww, that's cute! Wait, you guys didn't live together, but you spent the night before you got married together???

I'm leaving my dress at my parents' house. I don't know what I'd do if we lived far from family...


The lease on my apartment didn't expire until a month after our wedding. Rather than break my lease, I kept my apartment. It was nice to have some time and space to myself at times. Also, my old apartment was alot closer to my workplace than our house is. I didn't spend much time there at all in the weeks leading up to the wedding. My husband was originally going to spend the night away from the wedding away from me. His house was down the street from the church, so he was going to let me have the house and he was going to stay elsewhere. However, there was absolutely NO room for him at his parents' house since they had out-of-town guests. He was gong to get a hotel room, but I thought it would be dumb to spend the extra money on a hotel room for him when we could just spend the night together for free.

We boxed up all of my stuff and moved it afer the honeymoon. Most of my stuff is still in boxes in our spare room.

[NewMrs.]

I just told FI about this (I'm Polish) and he was like, NO WAY IN HELL. LOL


I was happy to hear about the custom, because it was a really good excuse for us to get away with seeing each other before the wedding.

We took a bunch of wedding photos of us at our house before we went to the church.

[coll214]

One of my friends just kept her dress at her MOH's house so that way her fiancee never saw it, and they slept at different friend's houses; BMs at the MOH's and the groomsmen at one of the ushers houses. think sleepovers with the bridal parties :D

[EmberMae]

I was happy to hear about the custom, because it was a really good excuse for us to get away with seeing each other before the wedding.

We took a bunch of wedding photos of us at our house before we went to the church.
You don't really need an excuse. We're taking most of the photos before the wedding, for 2 reasons:
1. it's going to get dark soon after the ceremony.
2. I don't want to be standing there taking pictures while everyone else is eating.

[pisces2473]

I thought about the pics before the ceremony too, but C is dead set against it.

Mass will be over by 3:30, we'll do pics immediately, and the cocktail hour will start around 4:30 or 5, just in time for us to show up! I am NOT missing my cocktail hour.

[winneythepooh7]

I thought about the pics before the ceremony too, but C is dead set against it.

Mass will be over by 3:30, we'll do pics immediately, and the cocktail hour will start around 4:30 or 5, just in time for us to show up! I am NOT missing my cocktail hour.


Honestly, it doesn't take THAT long to take pics. This weekend, the photographer spent some time taking pics of us helping the bride get dressed, then some of her and us bridesmaids, her and her parents, her and her aunt & uncle in front of the house. I think it took maybe like a half hour TOPS to do that. We had an hour to kill when we got to the place before the cocktail hour so the rest of the pics were taken then. Mostly everything else is during the reception anyways (or at the church).

[EmberMae]

I thought about the pics before the ceremony too, but C is dead set against it.

Mass will be over by 3:30, we'll do pics immediately, and the cocktail hour will start around 4:30 or 5, just in time for us to show up! I am NOT missing my cocktail hour.
So what are your guests going to do for an hour? My cousin did this same arrangement at his wedding and I have to say as a guest I found it very disagreeable to have to go back to the hotel and twiddle my thumbs for an hour in my nice clothes.

My parents actually missed their entire cocktail hour at their wedding, and everyone was already eating dinner by the time they showed up. Lame.

[ExestentialHaze]

IT doesn't even have to be sleeves..it just needs to at least have straps (preferrably thick straps). My body type just doesn't look good in halter/tube type dresses. My thinnest body part is my waist and then my lower body..my arms and back are my LEAST flattering body elements...so, a dress that highlights those parts is not exactly ideal.

They do make some decent dresses with sleeves and not renissance looking. Oval shaped necklines closer to the neckline would probably look awesome on you with sleeves or thick straps. I have the same problem, I have broad shoulders and thin straps look like crap. I bought a dress one year for a xmas party and it had thick straps and a corset top, and full base. I felt like a princess and it flattered my body and I got people asking me if I lost weight. Jessica McClintock has some nice dresses with thick straps.



and Pisces....Congrats on your dress....have you got a veil too or a hood? I hear hoods are back in for some reason.

~Haze

[pisces2473]

So what are your guests going to do for an hour? My cousin did this same arrangement at his wedding and I have to say as a guest I found it very disagreeable to have to go back to the hotel and twiddle my thumbs for an hour in my nice clothes.

My parents actually missed their entire cocktail hour at their wedding, and everyone was already eating dinner by the time they showed up. Lame.
Just my opinion, but you seem really upset for some reason in your posts.

The guests have to drive from the church to the reception. It's about 20 mins, and I'm sure people will get lost, too. An hour is NOT too bad. I'm Catholic, and for a Saturday wedding, the latest I can get married is 2:30. Most reception places only do weddings from 12-5 or 6 to 11. If I had my reception at one of these factories, the guests would be sitting around for about 3 hours.

Luckily, where I'm having my reception only does one wedding a day.

What do you suggest then? If we have the reception start almost immediately after the Mass, we miss cocktail hour getting our pics taken. So there's really no time for pics then.

[EmberMae]

Just my opinion, but you seem really upset for some reason in your posts.

The guests have to drive from the church to the reception. It's about 20 mins, and I'm sure people will get lost, too. An hour is NOT too bad. I'm Catholic, and for a Saturday wedding, the latest I can get married is 2:30. Most reception places only do weddings from 12-5 or 6 to 11. If I had my reception at one of these factories, the guests would be sitting around for about 3 hours.

Luckily, where I'm having my reception only does one wedding a day.

What do you suggest then? If we have the reception start almost immediately after the Mass, we miss cocktail hour getting our pics taken. So there's really no time for pics then.
I'm not upset. I'd find, in general, in the process of planning my wedding I find it kind of disturbing how most people adhere to tradition without a lot of questioning or critical thinking about the meaning or practicality thereof, and the pressure/expectations for me to do the same or at least have a "good excuse" not to. I'm not talking about anyone in particular, here, but I do feel the need to be the voice of dissent saying you don't HAVE to do it that way just because that's what everyone else does.

It's unfortunate that the church has such restrictions on the times. My personal opinion is it is the right thing to do to provide something for your guests to do between the ceremony and the reception, whether that means having a longer cocktail hour or somewhere else for them to go or what. Sure, deduct whatever time you think it's going to take for them to get there, but I personally don't think it is right to leave dead time, esp when people are traveling from out of town and all dressed up.

[pisces2473]

It's unfortunate that the church has such restrictions on the times. My personal opinion is it is the right thing to do to provide something for your guests to do between the ceremony and the reception, whether that means having a longer cocktail hour or somewhere else for them to go or what. Sure, deduct whatever time you think it's going to take for them to get there, but I personally don't think it is right to leave dead time, esp when people are traveling from out of town and all dressed up.
A lot of places won't do a longer cocktail hour and if they do, it's $1000/hour.

If we coordinated something in between, that would also be more money. It's just the way things are. Fortunately, most of my guests are Catholic and used to this.

I also want to be at my reception for the ENTIRE time. Not this "come in right before dinner, and leave right after cake" deal.

But like, I said earlier, we have the place the entire day, so whatever I tell them for time, they will do it.

[winneythepooh7]

Keep in mind, it's also the BRIDE's day. Most bride's and their families (that I know at least) bend over backwards to accomodate everyone. But you still get people that complain about a damn hour? C'mon...........

This weekend, the ceremony was at 3 and lasted an hour. We actually took the limo to the hotel, after the ceremony, checked in ourselves and most of the guests, then went to the place for the last hour for pics and stuff. Cocktail hour started at 7PM.

[winneythepooh7]

A lot of places won't do a longer cocktail hour and if they do, it's $1000/hour.

If we coordinated something in between, that would also be more money. It's just the way things are. Fortunately, most of my guests are Catholic and used to this.

I also want to be at my reception for the ENTIRE time. Not this "come in right before dinner, and leave right after cake" deal.

But like, I said earlier, we have the place the entire day, so whatever I tell them for time, they will do it.


Yuppers. I also want to be at my cocktail hour, because that's a really good way to get most of the greetings to the guests out of the way, so I can relax and enjoy myself somewhat (not that I will actually be able to relax, but you know what I mean...........). I am having my ceremony at the place, then it goes right into cocktail hour. I am going to take a lot of pics in the morning with my family and the girls. I'll have to spend probably about 15 or 20 minutes during the cocktail hour taking some pics, but what can I do? I ain't gonna stress it though. These things usually work themselves out.

[pisces2473]

Keep in mind, it's also the BRIDE's day. Most bride's and their families (that I know at least) bend over backwards to accomodate everyone. But you still get people that complain about a damn hour? C'mon...........

This weekend, the ceremony was at 3 and lasted an hour. We actually took the limo to the hotel, after the ceremony, checked in ourselves and most of the guests, then went to the place for the last hour for pics and stuff.
I know, Winney. That's how I was feeling--like, an hour people? Will it really kill you???

[winneythepooh7]

I know, Winney. That's how I was feeling--like, an hour people? Will it really kill you???


I know some brides do really stupid and selfish things, but this is so not a big deal. If anyone arrives early, mingle.

[pisces2473]

I know some brides do really stupid and selfish things, but this is so not a big deal. If anyone arrives early, mingle.
Yeah, like if the bride got married at 10am and the reception wasn't until 7pm, then that's stupid.

It's already costing us more than we wanted to spend for the reception b/c of the whole church timing thing. If we could get married when we wanted to, we'd have the reception at a cheaper place.

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah, like if the bride got married at 10am and the reception wasn't until 7pm, then that's stupid.

It's already costing us more than we wanted to spend for the reception b/c of the whole church timing thing. If we could get married when we wanted to, we'd have the reception at a cheaper place.


Did I mention already I want to go to Vegas and get married by Elvis?

[pisces2473]

Did I mention already I want to go to Vegas and get married by Elvis?
No! What's going on, stressful planning?

We're on a total hiatus--have been since early November. No planning til 2007, lol.

[winneythepooh7]

No! What's going on, stressful planning?

We're on a total hiatus--have been since early November. No planning til 2007, lol.

No. I'm not thinking planning either. Just after this weekend, I realized how close it really is, as well as how stressful it's going to be. I also so hate being the center of attention. Most of the stuff is planned, and my parents got to meet the photographer at R's wedding (we are using him too). I just know that bull-shit issues are going to probably arise with guests since the majority are coming from out of town. That's what I'm not looking forward to.

[pisces2473]

282 days for me...289 days for you!

[winneythepooh7]

282 days for me...289 days for you!


LOL. Haven't checked my Knot page in awhile to do the countdown.

[pisces2473]

LOL. Haven't checked my Knot page in awhile to do the countdown.
I haven't been to the knot in a loooong time. I check it here:
http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcount.html

[coll214]

Did I mention already I want to go to Vegas and get married by Elvis?
LOL, that's what my mother's been saying for years she wants me to do! :rolleyes:

[NewMrs.]

It's unfortunate that the church has such restrictions on the times.


Actually, churches have restrictions on times because they have other events going on at the church that weekend. The church where I got married has a 4:30 pm Saturday mass every week. Therefore, the latest that they would schedule a wedding is 3:00 pm so that they could get the wedding crowd out of the church in time to set up for and start the 4:30 mass.

Also, the church staff who is required to work at the wedding (such as the cleric, the church musician, the church's wedding coordinator, etc) may have other weekend plans as well.

[pisces2473]

Actually, churches have restrictions on times because they have other events going on at the church that weekend. The church where I got married has a 4:30 pm Saturday mass every week. Therefore, the latest that they would schedule a wedding is 3:00 pm so that they could get the wedding crowd out of the church in time to set up for and start the 4:30 mass.

Also, the church staff who is required to work at the wedding (such as the cleric, the church musician, the church's wedding coordinator, etc) may have other weekend plans as well.
Exactly. My church's Sat. Mass is at 4pm in the summer, and 5pm in the winter. I forgot if Sept. is on the summer or winter schedule, but it's a DIOCESAN rule that no weddings take place after 2:30 on Saturdays. That's so people are out by 3:30/4.

What is unfortunate is that these reception locations can't bend on their times. The wedding ceremony is more important than the reception, to me. We live in a highly Catholic area, you'd think the places would know this. My mom said, "If you had 500 guests, they'd let you have any time you wanted, because of all the money you'd bring in!"

[SmilesSoSweet]

My brother's wedding was at 1:30. And I think there was a wedding before and a wedding after his.

The reception was at 6, but cocktails started at 5. Fortunately because the location of the reception and the hotel where we stayed were one in the same, people that needed a place to crash for a bit were able to hang out in the rooms. Then they just walked downstairs to the reception hall.

It also allowed for people to drink more since we didn't have to drive back to the hotel. :)

[WorkInProgress]

Did I mention already I want to go to Vegas and get married by Elvis?

That's what my dad's saying. Seriously, I think after every wedding he attends, he get back and says, "VEGAS and ELVIS." My mom would freak, though.

[wordsmith]

I think neither of my parents were too keen on the idea of elopement until they had their two sons' weddings within 11 months of one another. I think the writing was on the wall that if it was that much planning, craziness, and expense and you're the GROOM'S family, imagine what it's like when you're the family of the bride.

[WorkInProgress]

Mom'll still freak (and SHE eloped). And there's only two of us altogether, so it hopefully won't be so bad. My grandmother would be very disappointed as well. And I'm definitely (you know when/if it happens) going to get a planner so that person can worry about the details.

[wordsmith]

I'd really like family around to share, so I wouldn't actually probably elope, but I'm sooo doing the smallest possible ceremony, when/if. Not fussy, very simple.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I think neither of my parents were too keen on the idea of elopement until they had their two sons' weddings within 11 months of one another. I think the writing was on the wall that if it was that much planning, craziness, and expense and you're the GROOM'S family, imagine what it's like when you're the family of the bride.

I do know that there is one custom that my family tells me about. Supposedly no two siblings can get married within the same year mainly because the stress of having more than one wedding in a year and the cost of it.

Though I've heard other reasons, one being that each sibling should have their "own" year. My dad had to wait another year because his sister was got married in 1973 so my mom and dad were married just days after the new year in 1974.

My brother was the bridezilla in his wedding, so I really don't know what I'd be like or what my sister would be like if either one of us got married. Though my sister is more likely to get hitched in Vegas or just in court since she doesn't want to deal with relatives.

As for me, I wouldn't mind a traditional church wedding, with a really fun reception. I think my brother will be my wedding planner. LOL :p

[asm198]

I do know that there is one custom that my family tells me about. Supposedly no two siblings can get married within the same year mainly because the stress of having more than one wedding in a year and the cost of it.

Though I've heard other reasons, one being that each sibling should have their "own" year. My dad had to wait another year because his sister was got married in 1973 so my mom and dad were married just days after the new year in 1974.

My brother was the bridezilla in his wedding, so I really don't know what I'd be like or what my sister would be like if either one of us got married. Though my sister is more likely to get hitched in Vegas or just in court since she doesn't want to deal with relatives.

As for me, I wouldn't mind a traditional church wedding, with a really fun reception. I think my brother will be my wedding planner. LOL :p

You know, I had NEVER heard of that custom until I was planning my first wedding. My fiance's brother had gotten engaged, but refused to get married in the same year as we had planned. I thought it was nuts, but they didn't set a date until we had broken up. They got married the same year we were supposed to, but had initally planned to get married the next summer.

I told them repeatedly that I didn't care if they got married in the same year as us, or the same month, for that matter. But they refused. We broke up 3 months before our wedding and they were married 6 months later. However, I am still a bit annoyed at his aunt, who decided that our exact planned wedding date was the perfect and only day SHE could get remarried. I know it was difficult for my fiance to attend a wedding on the exact day that we were supposed to be married. And I think it was in very bad taste for her to pick that particular date, considering she knew it was the day we had planned to be married and had the date set for over a year.


Anyway, I have my own good wedding news to share. We FINALLY have a solid date set!!! After being engaged for nearly a solid year and me having several minor breakdowns, we have finally booked a reception place!!! We had looked at a ton of places, but they were either too expensive or boring. Last week, we checked out this place that I had be eyeing, but wasn't sure about. We finally took a tour, LOVED the place, loved the owner, and it was just an amazing deal. It's a historic movie theatre that has been converted and restored.

The guy who owns it showed us around and is one of the most easiest going people I've ever met. Totally laid back and cool. I am thrilled to get to work with him and get to have my reception at this place. Before booking this, which we did the day after we saw it, I was completely regretting not getting married on our trip to Vegas this past Feb. Now, I'm excited about wedding planning, finally.

The deal we're getting is AWESOME. We get the facility for the entire day of the wedding, tables and chairs, linens, a reception coordinator, DJ, use of the projection system and 30 ft movie screen, two bartenders, and a fully stocked and customized open bar with practically any type of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage we could ever want. There's a lounge area with a pool table, huge dance floor, the walls and ceiling are draped with fabric and they can wash the walls with the wedding colors if we want. PLUS, if they get it done in time, they will have a separate upstairs that we can use, that will be completely lounge seating with flat screen tvs and stuff. Free parking AND our names on the marquee outside. And all of this is included in their base price; we didn't tack on any extras. Heh, can you tell I'm completely and totally excited about it?

The only other thing we have 'set' for our wedding is my dress. Which I'm not totally happy with and don't know what to do about. I bought a sheath like dress several months ago. I like it, but I don't love it. It needs some adjustments that aren't just alterations. I'm planning on taking it to a dress maker in a few months to see if she could fix it to my liking. I don't hate my dress, don't get me wrong. I wanted a very simple, chiffon dress. I don't like satin or silk. Much too shiny and 'stiff' for me. I wanted chiffon. However, this dress has only one layer of chiffon and a train, so you can visibly see the underlayer in the back. I have a lead on a kick ass dress maker, who hopefully can perform some magic and put on another layer of chiffon underneath to make it more flowy. And maybe make the bodice a bit sexier. Right now, it's a straight cut at the top and I'd like more of a slight sweetheart neckline, I guess.

I'm a bit of a seamstress (I make quilts), so neither fix is impossible. I can't do them (not my fabric expertise), but I'm betting it would be easy for someone who is used to handling chiffon.

Now the only minor stresses in my 'wedding life' are to find a cake baker, photographer, and getting the ceremony location. We are getting married in a local park and they only take reservations starting the 2nd day of the year you are getting married in, so we have to wait until then to book. Secondary stressors are demanding that my fiance FINALLY ask his bridal party so they can book those days off and forcing him to talk to his company about catering. I figure with the catering thing that he's got until the first of the year, then I bypass him and do it myself.

[asm198]

RE: the picture thing. We specifically planned our wedding with out of town guests in mind, since 99% of them will be from out of town. (We're getting married in the city we live in, not the one that we are from.) Our ceremony is less than 5 minutes from a touristy part of town and 15 minutes from there. We plan to get married at 5:30 and have the reception start at 7. I figured that our ceremony, from the bridesmaids walking down to us walking down, will be less than 30 minutes, so everyone will have less than an hour to kill. That's plenty of time for people to wander around in this touristy area of town if they want to kill time before heading over to the reception.

In all honesty, this touristy part of town is really nice and people who have never been to the area will be happy hanging out there if they need to. There's lots to see, do, and take pictures of around there, so I'm not worried. I go there a ton with friends just to wander around because it's so pretty.

I don't plan to have us see each other before the ceremony, but most of the pics will be done before the ceremony. I figure he'll do his pics with his family, groomsmen, my bridesmaids, whatever. Then, I'll do mine, etc. Then we'll get married and then do the group pics with us together. I figure that way we'll be able to fit in two locations in the city that I want pics at without making people wait forever.

[pisces2473]

So asm...when IS your date??? :D

[wordsmith]

I wonder if the "no two weddings within a year in a family thing" applies more when it's girls, who are going to be less apt to wanna share the spotlight. I guarantee that in the case of either of my brothers, they weren't too concerned over stolen thunder. I just think it's not as likely a guy thing.

Plus, the work is slightly less intense on the guy's end, in terms of preparation, so where it wasn't THAT tough on the family to plan two weddings in under a year, had it been girls, not guys, it would have been far more so.

[pisces2473]

I wonder if the "no two weddings within a year in a family thing" applies more when it's girls, who are going to be less apt to wanna share the spotlight. I guarantee that in the case of either of my brothers, they weren't too concerned over stolen thunder. I just think it's not as likely a guy thing.

Plus, the work is slightly less intense on the guy's end, in terms of preparation, so where it wasn't THAT tough on the family to plan two weddings in under a year, had it been girls, not guys, it would have been far more so.
Yeah, I think it's more for girls, since the parents of the bride pay for most of the stuff.

My friend and her sister were married about 18 months apart...I don't know how their parents did it. They have two younger brothers, too, so there were regular expenses, not just wedding ones, to think about.

[SmilesSoSweet]

Plus, the work is slightly less intense on the guy's end, in terms of preparation, so where it wasn't THAT tough on the family to plan two weddings in under a year, had it been girls, not guys, it would have been far more so.

My brother is the exception. He did more of the planning!! HE was the bridezilla. HE was the one that wanted everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) PERFECT!!!

[NewMrs.]

I wonder if the "no two weddings within a year in a family thing" applies more when it's girls, who are going to be less apt to wanna share the spotlight. I guarantee that in the case of either of my brothers, they weren't too concerned over stolen thunder. I just think it's not as likely a guy thing.





I do know two aquaintances from college that got married 4 months apart. They were good friends before their engagements. The girl who got married first had known the guy less than a year. The second girl was pissed at the first girl because she had had her date set for two years, long before the first girl even met her husband. She told the first girl how upset she was. That's stupid, you can't call dibs on a season.

My husband and I got married six months before his first cousin. Granted, it was a cousin and not a sibling, but we were the first ones in our generation of the husband's family to get married. I honestly didn't even KNOW that his cousin was even engaged until I met her a few months before our wedding, so I hope she didn't think I was trying to thunderjack her.

[asm198]

So asm...when IS your date??? :D

Ha, I didn't even mention that in the book I wrote, did I? We're getting married near the end of June. So, we've got 6 months to get everything together.

[pisces2473]

Okay, now I'm wicked pissed. I can't find my dress on DB's website. I bet they discontinued it........

[WorkInProgress]

I do know two aquaintances from college that got married 4 months apart. They were good friends before their engagements. The girl who got married first had known the guy less than a year. The second girl was pissed at the first girl because she had had her date set for two years, long before the first girl even met her husband. She told the first girl how upset she was. That's stupid, you can't call dibs on a season.

My husband and I got married six months before his first cousin. Granted, it was a cousin and not a sibling, but we were the first ones in our generation of the husband's family to get married. I honestly didn't even KNOW that his cousin was even engaged until I met her a few months before our wedding, so I hope she didn't think I was trying to thunderjack her.

My cousin's wedding was last June. They'd set the date maybe 6-9 months beforehand, and gotten engaged about a year before the wedding.

One of her bridesmaids got engaged after she did, set her date to a year and a month later, and then decided about 4-5 months before my cousin's wedding that her wedding was going to be one month later than my cousin's. While this is minorly obnoxious (particularly to one of my other cousins, who was a BM in both) on its own, what was VERY annoying was that the BM's whole attitude going into my cousin's wedding was that it was the walkthrough or practice for her own. The food, the hair/makeup, the reception hall, etc. NOT COOL.

[asm198]

Okay, now I'm wicked pissed. I can't find my dress on DB's website. I bet they discontinued it........

They have some DB dresses on the house of brides website.

[pisces2473]

I found it on brides.com, thankfully. I've got a picture for now, until Tuesday when I'm going to pick it up!!!!

[winneythepooh7]

My dress hasn't been on the site in awhile either.

[pisces2473]

Allison, brides.com says that mine is from the Fall 2005 line. :rolleyes: I'm so behind the times. lol

Did your DB make you take yours home? I really thought I was going to be able to leave it there until the wedding. I was shocked. Thankfully my old bedroom at my parents' house has an almost-empty closet!

[winneythepooh7]

Allison, brides.com says that mine is from the Fall 2005 line. :rolleyes: I'm so behind the times. lol

Did your DB make you take yours home? I really thought I was going to be able to leave it there until the wedding. I was shocked. Thankfully my old bedroom at my parents' house has an almost-empty closet!


Yup. And it actually came in TWO WEEKS after we ordered it (we thought it would be several months). My mom has it hanging in an empty closet, wrapped in a white sheet, and then in the garment bag.

I have plenty of time to worry about alterations at least.

[pisces2473]

Yup. And it actually came in TWO WEEKS after we ordered it (we thought it would be several months). My mom has it hanging in an empty closet, wrapped in a white sheet, and then in the garment bag.

I have plenty of time to worry about alterations at least.
They called last week, and when I ordered it, they told me it would be in at the end of January. So not too bad, a month early. The one I really really liked a lot (and looked great on me) was discontinued when they went to order it, so I'm just glad this one didn't have the same fate.

Yeah, I'm going to PROTECT that sucker! Are you going back to DB for alterations? I don't know what I'm gonna do yet...

[winneythepooh7]

They called last week, and when I ordered it, they told me it would be in at the end of January. So not too bad, a month early. The one I really really liked a lot (and looked great on me) was discontinued when they went to order it, so I'm just glad this one didn't have the same fate.

Yeah, I'm going to PROTECT that sucker! Are you going back to DB for alterations? I don't know what I'm gonna do yet...


I probably will only because they hopefully know the dress well for alterations.