BANDS

My hunny and I have looked at wedding bands online a few times.

When we were in Halifax, we stopped into a store we don't have here and had a look at what they were offering. I believe it was called Bogarts? It was downstairs in the Halifax Shopping Center. When you come in the doors closest to the Sport Chek, there's a luggage place across the clearing and a little kids store. I think that's where it was.

Either way, we went in and both found rings we liked. Unfortunately I have no pictures to show you. It didn't seem appropriate to ask to take photos at the jewellery store.

I was really pleasantly surprised at the ring I liked best, and it even fit my finger! I believe it was the nicest ring I have seen yet for me, and not what I expected. I thought that I would choose a very plain, simple band. However, where I am not planning on wearing my engagement ring with the wedding band, when I put on one that had a little design to it - I thought it looked really pretty!

My hunny stuck with the metal he already had decided on, but they had a different ring there than we had seen online. It was very nice and looked like him.

I think it's a good thing we don't have them yet, I would want to wear them!

Xoxo.
Leslie

Personalization Possibility

Sitting here this morning, watching the animals sleep and sipping my tea, I began to peruse The Wedding Shop website. They have alot of stuff on there!

This morning I seem intrigued by the personalized napkins. Now this generally would have fallen under a category of unnecessary expense. Why pay the money when you can get some normal napkins and no one will notice?

 These can be ordered in any color (NAVY!) with any color writing (Silver or White!). I also felt like the price was reasonable: $12 for 50 napkins. I know closer to the wedding it might seem like alot more money but that's one of the reasons we planned so far ahead. So we can buy things here and there and they would eventually add up to everything we would want to have.

Just an idea!

Xoxo.

Leslie

DRESS FOUND!

I'm so excited!

So this morning Miss Peggy and I went over to a store across town that was closing out of the bridal business. In return, they were offering 70% off all remaining bridal gowns in stock. Plus we figured we had nothing to lose. I'd already been to the boutique in Halifax (I showed you the pictures), and although I liked those dresses alot I didn't love one enough to buy.

Before I went to Halifax, Miss Peggy and I went to a local store and had a peek. I actually found myself getting so nauseated that we left and I didn't try anything on.

I also have a white dress downstairs that one of my favorite people gave me, saying I was more than welcome to it.

So either way there were lots of options, and no pressure.

But Miss Peggy called up this closing out store yesterday, got their hours and asked about sizes and what they had left. Turns out they had quite a few little sizes in stock, they hadn't been all that popular.

We didn't tell anyone we were going, just met there like a secret rendezvous.....

These are the other two dresses that I loved. Keep in mind they might not've fit well but there were always alterations - they were all on sale!

I really liked this one, and especially loved the straps! Generally I don't like that style neckline, but I think where it was higher, it was pretty. I also wasn't prepared to like a dress with color in it, but the shape of this one was really nice.

The downsides were that the color was the wrong color for the wedding, as we have them picked out now. It wasn't even really a color I would switch to, as I'm happy with the navy and silver we've decided on.

Also it was a whole lotta dress!

And here is the other dress I really liked..

This was the most photogenic of the gowns I believe. All the pictures of this one turned out nice (other than silly looks on my face!)

Another thing really nice about this one is the train actually came off the dress~!

However, it was still alot of dress. Peggy picked up on it first, I couldn't seem to get comfortable with my hands and all that poof. I am not against some poofiness but there was alot of dress here..

Plus, even though this one was really nice, the one I really fell in love with was on the mannequin when we walked in.

It was just so pretty.

and the minute I put it on, it felt like a princess wedding dress.

So I bought it.

Here it is!

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You didn't think I would ruin the surprise and show you?!

You'll just have to wait and see for yourself!

Busy Front!

I had a request for the front of the dress that I posted the back of

I would like to note I did not take the pictures - the lady from the store did.

Also, if you're wondering what the black things are on the photo of the back, they are clamps. All the dresses were sample sizes, and had to be clamped in properly to show what the effect would be if they were ordered to fit me.

Xoxo.

Leslie

Save the Date

So, I was thinking that when this Christmas rolled around, we would send out a 'save the date' in our Christmas cards. I want people to have lots of notice of our Wedding Day, so that they can make plans, but not have to send out our actual invitations super early.

There must be a million ideas I have come across for this. Everything from magnets for the fridge to engraved pencils.

Last year we sent out a family photo of us in some Christmas cards to people we thought might appreciate them. I was thinking perhaps this year we would do the same but print our wedding date on the bottom or in the corner of them. This way, it would be an updated photo of us AND a save-the-date all in one! Plus unlike pencils or other fancy items, photos would be more cost effective and not extra postage. We are sending out the Christmas cards anyway afterwall.....

So with this in the back of my mind, I've been trying to snap some family photos of us and the animals. Trickier than you'd think, especially given that my mouth is generally open like a fish and by about the 3rd attempt no one is smiling anymore... haha

What would you think of this photo?

I'm really happy with how well the photo turned out - I'm just not sure if the background canon portrays much feeling of love... haha.

Knowing me I will keep trying!!

xoxo.
Leslie

Dress hunting has begun

Well, as some of you may know, we just returned home from visiting my family in Nova Scotia. While there, mom and I had a chance to try on a few wedding dresses. I have already decided that I won't be going with any of these, so I don't mind sharing some photos with you.

However, it was a very great opportunity - I learned that I like a different style than I thought I would! So I'm glad we had this chance.

This one we pretty, and we were pretending to add little lace cap sleeves (apparently they could order it that way).

This one was wild and fun, but not what I'm looking for in my wedding dress... haha

I'm just too traditional for this type of feather thing!

It had pockets!

No pockets but the shape was pretty - the price wasn't.

I just really liked the back of this one - but the front had alot going on

This was pretty as well, and they offered to have a train put on the back, but it was my first time with a veil on my head.

I have to take a moment to say that Christa at Felicity Bridal in downtown Halifax was amazing. Anyone going dress shopping in that area should visit:

http://www.felicitybridal.com/

DECORATIONS

There haven't been a whole lot of developments since I last wrote to you.
However, I was feeling like it had been too long.
Now that the hall is book and we have an exact date, it seems so much more real.

Here is where we stand.
Church: Not booked, still unsure
Reception Hall: Booked
Decorations: Through Maid of Honor -Miss Peggy, I may have found a way to actually rent alot of the decorations. This works out perfectly for me. A lady got married last year, and used the same reception hall. She purchased her decorations and still has alot of them left. Her wanting to keep them works perfectly for me, because I don't want to have to figure out what to do with them when it's all finished. So, it looks like I'm going to rent alot of items from her. This is also cheaper than buying things myself. Hello candleholders....

Also, on a decorations note, when I go home for a visit this year I'm planning on looking around to the craft and fabric locations for deals on tulle. Where we are going to be buying quite alot (if we can afford it), I'm hoping a larger location might offer bulk prices. Crafts Canada, FabricVillage... look out! Could be dangerous....

We also have to figure out how we will most cost-effectively get our paper lanterns.

Thank goodness we have lots of time!

Xoxo.
Leslie

DATE IS SET

I wanted to let you know the date has been set.

October 6, 2012.

The reception hall is officially booked.

The church or ceremony site has not been.

More to come.

Xoxo.
Leslie

LANTERNS

Here are some fun ideas with paper lanterns...


(source: thedcladies.blogspot.com)


(source: lucydylanweddings.com)


(source: nuwoo.blogspot.com)


(source: my-wedding-reception-planning.com)


(source: chelseagetsmarried.blogspot.com)


(source: classifieds.weddingbee.com)


(source: feteny.com)

I think that the paper lanterns can be a marvelous way to set atmosphere. To soften the space.
Lets see what we can do!

Xoxo.
Leslie

CEREMONY CRISIS

I thought it was settled.

We would have the ceremony at the Citadel down the road.

However, the last time that we went we both left feeling less than positive about the experience.

Then I worked a bunch of sundays.

So, this sunday past I suggested we go over to the Temple. She hadn't been there yet and perhaps that was where we should have decided to have it all along.

Lets just say we didn't have the best experience there either.

And I have begun to question whether or not to have the ceremony in a church at all. I always pictured myself walking down the aisle of a church, but I'm not going to do that without feeling I'm a member of that church. Or at least attending every once in awhile. Neither of these last two experiences made me want to make it a habit of attending. In fact, this past sunday, if two of my great-aunt's weren't behind us I'm pretty sure we would've tried to sneak out.

I have no idea how to not have the ceremony in a church. My dad has made it clear that it doesn't matter and isn't important where it happens. I'm pretty sure my hunny's mom will be happy enough not to go to the Salvation Army... haha.. although she's said more than once she didn't have a problem with the wedding being there.

But I don't want it to be outside, it's in the fall and that's just asking for trouble.

and I can't think of anywhere that's within our budget that could handle both the ceremony and reception. For example, we might've considered renting a bar and grill for the reception, but I'm not having my ceremony and vows there! Eeeesh.

Do you have any sites or suggestions??

STAR

Anyone that's knows me, knows I love stars. Was thinking if we took this star dish ($2 at Dollarama, $1.97 at WalMart), partially filled it with something like navy fish gravel or sprinkling some navy sparkles, and then a tea light or two - would be beautiful!

Mind is always going.... Hehe
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

OUTSIDE

People that get married outside are nuts.

Although, I did read yesterday that Calgary is the sunniest city, boasting sun on 330 days of the year.

I'm pretty sure here in Corner Brook we get overcast with drizzle or flurries for 330 days of the year.

HA.

So maybe it just depends on where you live.

So, perhaps it's just people that get married outside in Corner Brook are nuts!

PHOTO IDEAS

This far in advance, there aren't alot of concrete things to talk about. However, there are always discussions of ideas, and looking at photos over tea. I always appreciate your thoughts :)
Retro menu cards, highlighting the buffet items, were tied to casual tea towels.
Hello Dollarama! LOL

(source: http://www.theknot.com/)

Mark created a game guests could play during dinner, a photography scavenger hunt. One item to capture: the “cutest older couple.” I really want to put the disposable cameras on each table, because as everyone knows - I LOVE photos. So this is an idea to put with them....

(source: http://www.theknot.com/)

Dozens of six and four inch votives were peppered on the tables to create a romantic vibe. Miss Peggy already has the tea lights!

(source: http://www.theknot.com/)

Many family members were unable to make it to the wedding, so Neddy created a family tree in their honor. Great idea for photo displays, however perhaps in our case not to remember the dearly departed.

(source: http://www.theknot.com/)

The goal for the reserved table cards was to make them as bright, colorful, and quirky as possible. Tahni painted and collaged them together with fun fabric and paper.

I think that these are really nice, but it's the type of artsy I wish I was but unfortunately am not... haha

(source: http://www.thesource.com/)

The couple displayed old family photos and pictures from their 7-year relationship on bulletin boards covered with burlap. I definitely want to do some sort of photo displays, however burlap won't really fit our theme. Thought it was nice though!

(source: http://www.theknot.com/)

During the cocktail hour, guests wiped their mouths with napkins printed with unknown facts about the couple. Perhaps these napkins aren't very budget friendly, but I like the idea of incorporating quirky facts somehow. FUN!

(source: www.theknot.com)

For an ultra-personal touch to their wedding decor, Josh wrote down 20 things he loves about Laura. Laura then typed up the sentences and made a “she” graphic underlay. The completed work was framed and placed on the sign-in table at the reception. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Except I would put it as some sort of 'station' around the room that people could choose to look at whenever they'd like. Of course, I'd do a version for him as well :)

(source: http://www.thesource.com/)

The couple wrote up bios of everyone in their wedding party and placed them, with black-and-white headshots, in frames on a side table. I like this idea. Maybe not displayed so formally, but would make for another great 'station' around the room.

(source: http://www.theknot.com/)

Darnit! I gotta stop, go get dressed and walk Remy in that -26deg windchill out there ..... brrrrrr...

Hope you all have a great day!!

Xoxo.

Leslie

RANDOM PHOTO IDEAS

(source: mjdecorations.com)
I love lights!


(source: plansandpresents.blogspot.com)
I love the blue with the white on top. I wonder if we could find a nice navy for this idea? Also, I like the size of the tables. Big tables would be really nice! Um, is that a cake in the middle of the table?


(source: shoponline2011.com)
I love the look of the dark blue glasses on the white table. I think that's lovely! And silver plates even, gee - those are our wedding colors! Haha although, those plates don't look budget ... and actually neither does that centrepiece....haha


(source: caesarsweddingfavors.co.uk)
Who doesn't love balloons?!!


(source: ecrater.com)
Who doesn't love bows? I love bows! I think this is a great use of colors.....


ok gotta go walk Remy and get ready for work.....

Xoxo.
Leslie

ALTEENS - BAD EXPERIENCE

I'm finally ready to blog about it.

Now, I know that I can be a bit sensitive... however.... this happened on tuesday and I was still upset about it yesterday.

I had a bad experience.

On my day off, cutie roomie and I decided we would go and have a look at some wedding bands.
Where my hunny and I researched them online, I felt inclined to go have a looksee for myself.
Plus, if we could get them locally instead of ordering them online that would make me happy.
(Provided they aren't 4x the price).
Plus the internet doesn't offer layaway - and I'd rather be concerned about spending the next 20 months making sure I get the ring I want to wear for the rest of my life, not just the one I can afford at buying time.

Seeing as how it was my day off, I wasn't kean on going to the mall. The only other jewellry store in town is Alteens.

(source: http://www.alteensjewellery.com/)

Now, up until tuesday if you had asked I probably would've told you it was my favorite jewellery store in Corner Brook.

It's spacious and well lit. For some reason, it reminds me of my grandfather, and I've been there with my dad for reasons too.

So I wasn't prepared for what happened. I was happy to be there.

(source: http://www.alteensjewellery.com/)

Cutie roomie and I went in, and located the wedding bands.

Under glass of course.

We were asked if we needed help by one of the three ladies not serving any customers.

I just automatically said no just looking. We wandered the store.

But of course we went back to the wedding bands.

After getting someone's attention for some assistance, a lady came over.

She never took one ring out of the case for us to see, at any point.

I was asking questions, trying to get the information out of her. After my second inquiry, I realized that I actually knew more about the materials than she did with only one night of googling. I didn't let that on though. Just let her talk.

She finally looked at me and decided to ask ME something...

"Do you even HAVE an engagement ring?"

Honestly.

I'm 28 years old, looking at wedding bands. I'm not here to waste your time.

Who wastes time looking at wedding bands anyway? They aren't exactly glamorous.

Plus I had my hand on the counter, without gloves.

So I know she saw it, or could easily have if she cared enough to look.

A good salesperson probably would've looked at my finger first.

Unless she was just trying to make a point.

Yes it's a blue sapphire. Not some big diamond bought at your store.

That doesn't mean I'm not worth your time.

Either way, she then proceeded to inform me what I could not purchase if THAT was my ring.

She never asked if I planned on wearing my engagement ring next to my wedding band.

Just that I could not buy the metal I inquired about.

She never even pointed them out in the showcase for me.

Either way. I'll end my story here but I left upset.

All I could hear in my head after I left was her voice

"Do you even have an engagement ring?!"

and the feeling of being chastised like I was a child.

Needless to say, last night at work I made a couple inquisitive calls around the mall.

I spoke to a nice gentleman at Charm over the phone, who was more than willing to relay all sorts of information over the phone to me.

And he was genuinely really nice.

I didn't reach Robertsons, I believe they were closed.

Will keep you all posted.

On a positve note, cutie roomie and I did go and scope out a few decoration ideas!

I love that we can all take our time with this, and don't have to feel rushed.

Xoxo.

Leslie

BANDED!

So, last night we were doing some research on wedding bands.

These days, there are so many materials being used that we needed more information.

Various Gold, Silver, Stainless Steel, Tungsten, Platinum, Titanium, Ceramic.....

So, my hunny and I began googling the pros and cons of each one.

What do you wear?

We have to take into consideration our lifestyles, particular requirements and likes.
What will last forever - like our marriage!
(Actually, I got that cheesy line off a website we came across... hehe)

I believe we have our options narrowed down to: Titanium, Tungsten or Stainless Steel.
All of these are within our price range (at least online), are a look we would like and have properties that interest us.

Have a look at : http://www.myjewelrybox.com/ - that's the site I was perusing for images and ideas.

Will keep you posted! I gotta run to work....

Xoxo.
Leslie

IDEAS IDEAS

So, last night while we watched Hawaii 5-0 (my lover's favorite show), and he doodled ideas for a woods camp him and his father daydreamed up, I flicked through photos.

On theknot.com (the site cutie roomie Jess signed me up for), they have an endless supply of information, including a section called DIY Ideas.

I just clicked on the full sized photos, each with a description of what was done, and began clicking next....next....next.... through all the ideas.

Some of them were RIDICULOUS. Alot of them involved aspects of wedding and reception I hadn't intended on using, such as 'escort cards', ' place cards' and 'table naming'.

<a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/74972/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&type=3&id=74972&STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&specific%20detail=DIY&pageIndex=1">Real Weddings - A Laid-Back Mountain Wedding - Button Bridesmaid Bouquet</a>

<a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/47351/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&type=3&id=47351&STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&specific%20detail=DIY&pageIndex=7"> Real Weddings - Ann & Peter: An Outdoor Wedding in Lincoln, NH - The Ring Bearer</a>

<a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/71732/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&type=3&id=71732&STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&specific%20detail=DIY&pageIndex=1"> Real Weddings - A Vintage Wedding in Morris, IL - DIY Ribbon Boutonniere</a>

Luckily for you guys, I'm not going with any of these ideas. Perhaps lucky for Miss Peggy too, because she won't have to sit and help me make them!

But of the thousands of ideas I went through, I got a couple potential good ones out of it.
All it takes is one sort of neat idea, to create a better, more you idea in your head.

Xoxo
Leslie

THE KNOT DOT COM

So, cutie roomie has signed me up. Well, us up but pretending to be me.

One of the features of this website is you put in your budget and a few basic pieces of information about the wedding-to-be, and it spits out at you an approximate budget. How much you should spend on each feature, so that you stay within your budget.

Now, given that we are going to move these numbers around based on our own personal priorities... some of them were a bit silly.
I know, it's just putting them through an equation but here are some to make you chuckle:

BRIDE'S ACCESSORIES: Shoes, necklace, purse, earrings etc: $16.00
GROOM'S TUX: $9.60
TOTAL CEREMONY COST: $41.60 (Isn't this the most important part?!!)
WEDDING DRESS: $96.00 (I'm pretty sure I won't be paying alot more than this actually)
BOTH WEDDING RINGS: $32.00
ALL ATTENDANT GIFTS: $16.00 total

Either way, I don't think that this will be how we lay things out. I'm confident that we can stay within our budget, but perhaps this website won't be helping us. Made for larger dollar figures I think. Hahaha.

Xoxo.
Leslie

INVITATIONS

Got em!

Now, I hadn't really put alot of thought into these yet. With so much time ahead of us, what's the rush? Plus, as an attempt to save on the budget, I had sorta imagined that we would be having nice, cute, homemade invitations.

Some sort of combination of card stock, heart stamp, insert of information, pretty envelopes. Done deal.

Well, did I come across something this week!

Carleton Cards - leftover boxing week sale.

Wedding invitations, originally $12/pack now $1.19/pack of 10. At that price, I figured even if my hunny didn't like them - well - we could at least use the silver envelopes.

and they are cute!

I bought the whole works of what they had - 6 packs.

We don't know yet how many people we are inviting, other than it will be small.

I know, a relative term.

In fact, hunny's mom mentioned to me today that soon her and I should sit and start trying to jot down a list of names.

I already know my list is tiny, but their family is HUGE.

I mean. m a s s i v e .

We will just have to wait and see.

Will keep you posted.

What do you think of the invitations? I'm pretty excited!

xoxo.

Leslie

LOCATION SCOUTING

So cutie roomie and I had a mission this morning, doing a little location scouting.

My hunny has said that he doesn't really mind where the "I Do's" happen, so that means we can do it at the Salvation Army! He's Catholic, but I was always raised Sally Ann. If the wedding were going to happen in Halifax, I would do it at the Fairview Citadel, without a doubt. That's where my brother got married:

However, we live in Corner Brook, Newfoundland - so we are getting married here.... at home.

The Salvation Army Temple was always our traditional family church here. However, it's quite large and our wedding will not be. Food for thought.

(This is a borrowed photo, hence the no snow)

This church is located on the other side of town from our house. Which, really, is only about 5km away but still to be taken into consideration.

There is, however, another Salvation Army in Corner Brook. The Salvation Army Citadel.

 

In fact, that is the back of my head - as cutie roomie and I just walked down the street and snapped these photos ourselves.

Yes, we live that close. In fact...

If you look at this photo, taken from the church parking lot, you can see our little red race car parked in front of our house just down the road.

Seriously. The church is THAT close.

So this morning, cutie roomie and I decided to go to church.

I will admit that perhaps I haven't gone as often as I should.

We walked down the street, in through the door and were made to feel more than welcome.

There are no photos of the inside, how rude would that be?!

So here's the low down:

Temple:

Located across town

Holds hundreds of people and with a small wedding I envision myself walking down a long empty aisle

BUT is traditionally our family's church, going back generations.

It's where I went as a kid, and on visits here after we moved to NS.

Citadel:

Located about 2 houses away

Cutie roomie and I estimate the main area holds 120 people comfortably, and thus is a cozier atmosphere

My first time there was this morning, but they made us feel loved and welcome

Do you have any thoughts to add?

On a side note, I would like to say that I was happy to be there this morning and am actually planning on walking my butt over there for service more often.

Perhaps not every sunday, as I work some and sometimes life gets in the way.

But fairly often, so that I become more of a familiar face, instead of a new visitor.

I'm leaning towards Citadel. Big time.

and getting excited!

Xoxo.

Leslie