The Bridal Show

On Saturday my mom and I went to the Dallas Bridal Show. I had very mixed feelings when going, because the whole "Wedding Industry" really annoys me. Even though I am willing participant at this point, I don't really like to wallow in it. However, I have to admit, Mom and I did end up having a really good time.

So the good:

1. We found a DJ. This was something I have seriously been fretting about for a while. I met with a DJ a few weeks ago and left the meeting feeling... meh. My requirements for a DJ are not to crazy. The wedding is during the day, so I don't need dance-floor lighting. My family is not shy (at all) so I am not too worried about people getting up and dancing. But I feel like the DJ kinda runs your event so I really wanted to find someone I felt comfortable with. The guys I met seemed really professional and I felt like the cheese-factor was low.


2. I picked up a bunch of cards for florists and got a bunch of ideas for flowers. We also found a glass vase wholesaler that has a studio very close to my parents house.


3. I came face-to-face with a few of the makeup artists I've been looking at. The impressions you get in-person are much different than what their websites portray. Hopefully some of the meetings I have scheduled this week will be more comforting.


4. I got to listen to the string quartet we are having at the ceremony and get a few last questions answered.


5. I got to taste a bunch of different cakes from every different cake company. This is awesome because when you make an appointment to do a cake tasting all you are tasting is ONE bakery's cakes. We also got to eat other stuff from different caterers. We don't need a caterer, but who doesn't love a sample.

And the bad.

1. It was hot.


2. I was forced to admit that I was not the only bride-to-be in the universe because there were about 1,000 other bride-to-bes in the same building as me. This is especially hard for me... because I truly enjoy my delusions.

Thoughts before bed...

#1. Check out Michelle's guns!












#2. I really don't want to get up and swim in the morning. With work, school, and planning my wedding, I have decided to switch to AM workouts. This hard for me because it is sooo easy to stay in my oh-so-cozy bed that has a comforter AND great-grandmas quilt. (I seriously think goose-down and nostalgia are the main ingredients in World Peace.)

In order to get to work by 8:00, I need to wake up and either get to the gym, or get outside.

#3. I wonder if Michelle is a yoga or a pilates kinda gal?

Don't forget to have fun!

Ladies and gents, I am sorry to disappoint you but there will be no birdcage veil at my wedding. I absolutely love the birdcage look (combined with ruby red lipstick) for a more non-traditional wedding... possibly something outdoors. But given the traditonal setting of our cermony, I am going to keep it simple. Plus, Aunt Joyce told me that I looked like I was "trying to escape from a bag of fruit in the produce section."

She and Catherine and Audrey joined Mom, Aunt Val, and me for trying on dresses weekend before last. It was so fun. I remember going with Aunt Joyce when she tried on dresses. Hopefully I will look as beautiful as she did at her wedding.

Later that same day I ordered my dress!! I amy very excited to see what it will look like when it comes in my size. I also fell in love with a veil but I am trying to rationalize paying the price I saw on the tag for a piece of tulle with a few crystals and comb.

Commence Extemporaneous Venting:

I am getting fed up with the wedding industry already. When looking at the bottom line of my budget worksheet I feel major guilt. I can't believe the parentals are spending such an exorbitant amount of money on me... for one day. However when I contact vendors and mention the pricepoints in the aforementioned budget, I find out that I am in the "budget" category. This makes me sad... not about my "budget" wedding, but about the misaligned values of our society.

Oh well. Speaking of misaligned values, I'm off to order fabric-covered buttons, b/c I simply HAVE TO have buttons on my dress!!!

An important lesson I've learned thus far: Ask for what you want at the price you want it. It has worked for me with a few vendors so far.