Macy’s Bridal Salon Sample Sale Coming Soon March 31, 2009

Last year, I attended Macy’s Bridal Salon Sample Sale in Minneapolis and I was NOT disappointed. After sitting in line for about a hour, I entered the room full of dresses — I imagine there were at least 1,500 dresses — ranging from $200 to over $7,000 (prices were after discounts). I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there wasn’ as much catty behavior as I’d expected, and most women were fairly calm.

Anyway, I walked away from the sale with a lovely ivory Vera Wang gown (that I’m not able to wear) and a few dress options for my mother (bridesmaid and MOB dresses were SO cheap — I think they were 2 for $50).

Anyway, my sources are suggesting to me that the next Macy’s Bridal Salon Sample Sale is going to take place…

Not Giving Up on Ranunculus March 30, 2009

I’ve been planning to use ranunculus for our wedding (centerpieces, bouquets, etc) for some time now. Last year, I was thrilled to see 150 stems at Costco for $129 (figuring I’d need 300 flowers) and figured that I’d be SET for our wedding — especially since I was able to find a florist who would arrange all my flowers for a fee (rather than having me purchase them through her).

Before finding her, I met with a handful of florists, whose range for the centerpieces, bouquets and bouts/corsages ranged from $550 to $2,700 (same request/different vendors — now THAT is a range).

Since my centerpieces were to be fairly simple (mason jars with ranunculus and some mixed texture greens) I figured it wouldn’t be a problem.

Well, it’s become a problem. 2 of the florists I’d gotten quotes from have contacted to me to let me know that the ranunculus would be more expensive than previously quoted, I figured that wasn’t a problem. Then, issue #2 — Costco isn’t carrying ranunculus! I can only find 2 bulk florists who are carrying them this year and… of course they’re FAR more expensive than last year.

I just can’t decide now… spend a bundle more (probably double) to get the flowers that I really want, keep the budget where we planned it and trim the centerpiece size or scrap the idea of ranunculus and find SOMETHING else that I won’t hate.

Sigh.

here are some pics of ranunculus… now you can feel my pain over their beauty, too.

Just Loving Our Photographer March 18, 2009

I knew that our photographer was the right person for us as soon as I saw her blog. Then I met her, and I was so completely sure, there was no question that we’d be hiring Laura.

We ended up losing a $750 deposit because of her awesomeness, but… I know it will all be worth it.

Check out these great pics from my friend Rachel’s wedding to her love, Aaron.

Laura did such a fabulous job capturing the sheer joy of their day, that I just had to share.

Both R and I are beyond excited to work with her in less than 2 months!

My Wedding Hair Inspiration March 13, 2009

I found this gallery online and just fell in love with the hairstyle that one of the brides is wearing. Their fabulous photographer (Closed Circle Photography) actually captured it at several angles, so it shouldn’t be too hard for my stylist (the amazingly fabulous Michelle J.) to replicate (of course with our own little twist).

I have a feeling it’ll look amazing with my modified-birdcage from Myra Kim!

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See more photos of this wedding here

Preppy Wedding? Cheap/Cute Dress for Your ‘Maids! March 11, 2009

I haven’t really spent any time on the David’s Bridal website, but my mom sent me a link to a MOB dress she was considering, and I snooped around a bit. Um, how cute is this bridesmaid dress in yellow/green?! The fabulous part is the price: $39.99! Find it here.

Planning our Mini-moon March 10, 2009

R and I decided months ago that we’d like to take our “real honeymoon” about 9 months after our ceremony and reception. Living in Minnesota, we were hoping for quasi-good weather for our big day, which equals out to be weather we really don’t want to escape!

After our trip to the Dominican Republic this past Thanksgiving, we decided that we’d really like to escape the COLD, so we’ll be taking our honeymoon in February of 2010.

Lucky me, I managed to talk R into the idea of a mini-moon, which we’ll take right after our wedding day.

Where will we go?

Right now, we’re torn between Playa del Carmen (we loved the beaches here), Saint Maarten, Antigua or Jamaica. We both know that we’ll spend the majority of our time at our resort, so we’re looking for somewhere all-inclusive with a fabulous beach. Have any resort or destination suggestions?

Lessons in DIY March 7, 2009

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to make my own invitations myself. I planned to letterpress them, and figured I’d save myself some money. Turns out I was wrong.

Here’s the list of items I bought to D-I-Myself…

Crane Crest Pearl White envelopes = $49 (with shipping)
Crane 4-Bar envelope = $36 (with shipping)
Crane Lettra paper 20 23×30″ sheets = $90 (with shipping)
custom embosser from Etsy = $120
custom stamper from Etsy = $28
letterpress studio/guidance = $180
paper for lining envelopes = $25
paper for belly bands = $12
bakers twine to wrap envelopes = $18
adhesives, cutting tools, etc = $12
FedEx Office/Kinkos printing of ceremony cards = $32
custom letterpress plate from Boxcar Press = $48 (not even counting the 2 previous plates on which I ordered, then we changed details and had to re-order).

After all these expenses, I lost steam on this project twice. I’m finally mailing them today.

My lesson-to-self, Just because you want to do it and think you can do it, sometimes it’s better to leave it to the pros. I did get some help from a fabulous letterpress shop (Dick & Jane Letterpress) that let me help print, without putting all the stress on me to do it right.

Lesson-to-self #2: stretching the cost out over a longer period of time can make it difficult to keep the expenses in check.

Has anyone else done a DIY that ended up costing more than getting it done by a professional?

More Drama from our Remodeling Contractor March 6, 2009

It has NOT been a treat working on our remodel. Our contractor frequently changes his story (first: “yea, we can do that,” second: “well, we never discussed that, but I guess we can do that, you’ll have to pay for supplies” third: “I’m going to need you to pay $500 labor for that.”

Lesson learned: get everything in writing. We try, we really do, but if we were to actually do that on this project for every promise, we’d probably not even have the framing done!

So, here’s the latest bit of annoyance: we found the lights we wanted and asked him to order them for us (there was a $600+ line item in the remodel budget for lighting). We found lights that came to $578 for 3 pendants and an over-table light. We gave him all the information about the lights, and he said that his girlfriend would order them for us. After 2 weeks of waiting, R checks on them, and the contract says that they have been ordered by girlfriend. 2 more weeks pass, R asks about the lights, and contractor says, “I dropped the ball on that, I’ll order them now” (this is after he asked US to pay for them, and for that line item to disappear from the contract). Another 10 days pass (to today) and R and contractor have ANOTHER discussion about the lights, and contract says that he ordered them, but that the fixtures will be in sooner than the shades, and that they should be installed shortly.

I decide to call the lighting store to verify that they have indeed been ordered, and *surprise* — there has not been a single order placed under his name or ours.

The store also told me that it’d all arrive at the same time, not as fixtures first, shades later (like liar contractor told us). So I wonder if he was planing a switcheroo with some less expensive lights, hoping we wouldn’t notice?

R said that he’ll need to see the receipt before any installation happens, thank goodness, but aside from that, what should we do?

Seriously… this is getting so old.

p.s. live in the twin cities or western Wisconsin and want to avoid this awful contractor? Please send me a message, and I’ll send you his contact information.

Wedding Details Coming Together: the Mason Jars March 6, 2009

One thing that we’ve know since the beginning of our wedding planning, we want our reception to feel casual and comfortable for our reception.

Since we’re bucking the trend and hosting it at a park, rather than a ballroom, one small detail that fits in perfectly with our plan is the “mason jars as candleholders” look.

I found 50 of these blue quart jars on Craigslist for $1 each (score). Then I found another 10 in pint size, for only $5. So, my $55 investment will serve as our vases (20 of them) and candleholders (aside from our big old order of votive holders from Quick Candles).

Now, I just need to figure out how to decorate them (ribbons? baker’s twine?)

Wedding Dresses for Less Than $200 March 4, 2009

I know brides who are on all sorts of budgets. One friend is trying to keep it under $5,000. Another friend set a $50,000 budget.

I’ve been to a few $100,000+ weddings and while some of the extravagance was lovely, there aren’t any specifics that stick in my mind that make those weddings “better” than the smaller-budget weddings I’ve attended.

With that in mind, I’ve got a few “under $200″ options that I’ve stumbled upon, for those brides who are keeping their budgets tight and who can’t imagine spending over $1,000 on a gown.

These two beauties are from a store that I probably wouldn’t have even searched for, but what a surprise!

And the always lovely Nordstrom comes through with this fabulous Calvin Klein number:

And this Cachet beauty?! Wow.

And, David’s Bridal does have an anstonishingly-large collection of dresses online (bonus — you can return them, and you don’t have to deal with the DB experience).