Lions and tigers and gowns, oh my!

While preparing to leave work and begin the start of a fun-filled weekend, Joi (a BFF & Patrick's sister) asked me to go and look at some gowns at the boutique where she found her wedding gown.  Although I had not planned to go looking at gowns on a Friday afternoon, she stated that there was a gown that had my name written all over it!

We arrived at the bridal boutique, where luckily, Joi squeezed us in on the appointment book.  The assistants were very attentive and seemed extremely interested in the details of my wedding in order to assist me in my search for the perfect gown.

After being escorted to the dressing room, the bridal attendant entered with a gown.  I adhered to her instructions and did not peek in the mirror before stepping out onto the bridal floor "stage."  I'm so glad I did!  What a gorgeous gown!  I said to myself, "And here we go again...falling in love with the first gown I try on."  This is exactly what happened at the first bridal boutique I visited.  We continued to try on gown after gown, but nothing came close to encompassing all of the classic, southern elegance that the first gown captured (although I did find a runner-up gown to the first choice.)

As every bride knows, it takes time to finally "say yes to the dress," but when you do...and it lingers in your mind, you know you've made the right choice.  So, I am down to a total of two #1 picks and two #2 picks at the boutiques I have visited thus far.

Here's to "Happy Dress Hunting!"

Bridal Basics #101

The day after the engagement, while I was basking in the glory of being a shiny, new "bride-to-be," Patrick's beloved sister (and one of my besties), Joi, wasted no time in providing me with the necessary materials every future bride needs:  bridal magazines!  She came armed with a variety of magazines, calendars, sample china settings, bags, etc.  I was now ready for "headpiece-to-garter" battle against the wedding that had yet to be planned.

Although I have been a part of weddings since I was old enough to smile and wave, being an actual "bride-to-be" is literally the icing on top of a 5-tier wedding cake!

Of course, as a girl, everyone has their own special "wedding in their head."  But, in reality, when the moment arrives, that "dream vision of your wedding" no longer consists of a Barbie pink princess gown and matching tiara with a 20ft train and 10 attendants to carry the thing down the aisle!

I'll admit that I, as well as every other girl I know, have longed for the moment to plan my special day.  Now, the moment has arrived (and I've finally snapped out of shock!), I am learning what I call the "Bridal Basics!" Since I wasn't the girl who had a secret stash of wedding magazines or a dream board covered in color swatches and diamond ring cut-outs, I'm starting from scratch!

So, here's to this journey to wedded bliss with my handsome husband to be.  May the good Lord keep me from drowning in fondant and tulle along the way. ;-)

- Blessed Bride To Be