It's all in the details

Now that all the big to-do items are completed, I've been spending my time on the smaller details including invitations for family and close friends, the wedding website, and much more.

Yesterday, we went to Stanford Shopping Center and registered for a few things that will round out the stuff we already have.  You can go to the Williams and Sonoma website or Macy's to see our registries.  I almost felt bad during the Williams and Sonoma registry.  The woman helping us kept directing everything to me.  I still feel that this whole event is about me and Robert as a couple.  I don't like the whole focus on the bride only thing.  I will be trying to figure out more ways to focus on both of us as a couple.

There is still so much to do, but for a few days, I will set aside wedding planning details and focus on my parents 30th anniversary party!  It just never ends!

4 months to go...

I've been quiet on this blog for awhile because Robert and I have been grieving the loss of our sweet pup, Darby who left us May 3rd.  Its been rough planning for the wedding all the while knowing she won't be there like we had planned.

With exactly four months until the wedding, I am slowly starting to get back into the swing of planning.  Robert, however, still feels like there is plenty of time left.  Can anyone share with him that four months will go by really quickly and the tasks I have assigned him should really start getting done...like gathering his groomsmen?


So lets see, what have we done since the last post?  At the end of April, we had a friend take some fun engagement shots for us.

It was fun getting all dressed up.  There are more engagement shots, but these were my favorite by far.  

Coming up June 29th will be the next DIY night and I will have plenty of projects to work on if anyone would like to come help!  

See you in four months!!

Craft night fun!

One of the things I really wanted for the wedding is to have craft nights with friends and family.  I think it gives the wedding a personal touch, plus saves money on decorations.  The first DIY night took place this past Friday evening and it was a ton of fun!  We started on my ambitious project of chinese lanterns covered in coffee filters, painted some wood cut out letters, painted wine bottles with chalk board paint and sanded and primed my old toy chest which will be used for props and costumes at the photo booth.  Here are a few pictures of everyone that came out to help that night!

My cousin Jen and Robert working on my old toy chest.  My friend Adena will be painting it in the near future.

Narineh, Lucie, Jan and Charlene working away on the paper lanterns.   We got three of them finished that night and two half way done.  Still have four more to work on!

Kim and Ju painting initials and wine bottles.

Buster P., my moms puppy came and helped out too...and by help I mean distracted everyone!

My Matron of Honor and Flower Girl, Laetitia and Zoraya painting wine bottles.

Ju, Robert and Nar taking a snack break!  Get back to work you guys!

Laetitia joined in on the fun of the paper lanterns!



A big thank you to everyone who came out and helped that night.  Not pictured are my mom and my friend Brandi.  Looking forward to the next night!!!

One step forward, two steps back

Last weekend, we gathered a group of friends together to go and have dinner with a caterer we were trying out.  Everyone was very excited and we all arrived at 6:30.  However, when we arrived, the doors were locked and the chef was no where to be found.  I gave her a call and it turns out that she has two calendars and only wrote our appointment in one and not the other.  She has offered to waive the tasting fee of $200 for her mistake, so I have rescheduled the dinner for next weekend.  In the meantime, I am contacting other caterers.  Not sure how much I trust this one, but we shall see if we can find a better deal elsewhere.

The food is the last big item that needs to be found.  After that its only the details.  This upcoming Friday, a bunch of friends are coming over to start working on some of the decorations.  I will post pictures next week!

We have a dress!

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for me in dress shopping!  My mom and my Matron of Honor, Laetitia drove up to San Francisco to Marina Morrison Bridal Salon.  Walking into the place, I knew that it was where I would find my dress.  The fact that they carry Claire Pettibone's line of gowns was just a bonus.

I tried on about 6 or 7 gowns, and they were all gorgeous and lacy and romantic.  The second dress I tried on though, was 'the' dress.  Its very simple and romantic and perfect for the garden wedding.  In four and a half months will be my first fitting for the dress.  I can't wait!

Say 'yes' to the dress...or just 'maybe'

The dress shopping process has begun.  While there are several gowns that I have seen pictures of and really liked, there has been a voice in the back of my head saying "But how does it look on you?".  So today, I attempted to answer that question.

I am not a big fan of the popular strapless, mermaid, flair style that is out there in all the magazines.  I've always been attracted to more of a vintage, whimsical style.  Several years ago, I stumbled across Claire Pettibone.  I immediately fell in love with her "Forget Me Not" dress as well as several others.  When I found a San Francisco boutique that carried her line, I knew that when I started shopping I would have to go to this shop and try some of the CP dresses on, which I will be on April 13th!!!

Ms. Pettibones dresses are rather expensive, so I decided to try and look into a few other designers that were whimsical like her.  There really aren't that many out there, but I was able to find a boutique in San Mateo called, Nouvelle Vogue.  This past Friday, my mom and I headed over there to try on some dresses.  Here's what I learned:

Empire waists with a plunging neckline are very flattering on me.  I tried on 6 or 7 gowns and only two really flattered my body type.  One Jenny Packham gown had the empire waist and was chiffon and silk.  A very romantic style that was very comfortable.  It was definitely a dress that I could imagine me walking down the aisle in, but it didn't say "this is it!".

The other dress was a fun ruffled skirt that could be adjusted to show some leg, with a fitted bodice on top also by Jenny Packham.  It definitely showed off my curves and was very cute on me, but I decided that I didn't want to be wearing a corset all night long.

The ladies that own the shop were trying to make the sale and pressure me into making the purchase that day.  After reading several articles and talking to friends who have recently gone through the dress buying  process, I knew that I shouldn't feel pressured into making a decision, plus I still have my appointment at the San Francisco boutique.  If I can't find anything that speaks to me (and my pocket book), I will probably go back to the romantic empire waisted Jenny Packham gown.

Since I have less than 6 months, the pressure is definitely on for finding the gown, but I am going to really try to not rush into anything.  Cross your fingers for me!  The hunt continues!

Checking off Wedding To Do's

Slowly, but surely we are getting vendors lined up.  We have a magician for the cocktail hour, a DJ, and a photographer.  This week, I am calling more caterers to try and find a better deal and hopefully, I will start making appointments for the wedding dress.

We are also planning all the pre-wedding festivities like the engagement party, the bridal shower and of course, the batchelorette party!

Thats really all there is to update right now.  According to my check list on TheKnot.com, there are 180 days left!