I don't think you're going to find anything local that specializes in wedding dresses. Just stuff like Goodwill and Salvation Army. At least Brides Against Breast Cancer does a sale every year in the Triangle.

8/30/2011 9:21:00 PM

yay! planning!

8/30/2011 9:28:38 PM

Finally going to pick up nikki's dress this weekend. Last weekend a Irene kept us from heading down to little Washington to get it.

8/30/2011 10:53:14 PM

Quote :

"The biological grandparents get seated first because they are "more important" than the step-grandparents. Same reason your mother would get seated before your step-mother. "

My thinking with seating my mom last is that she's "more important"...I mean, no offense to my stepmom, but I would think they kind of lead up to the biological grandparents/parents. Ehh...I guess I'll ask the venue coordinator and possibly the DJ, too.

8/31/2011 9:44:17 AM

have you asked what your parents/grandparents thought???


what do YOU think???

i think that would be more important than whats traditionally done.

[Edited on August 31, 2011 at 5:24 PM. Reason : however this is imho, take it for what it's worth-my bridesmaids wore white. ]

8/31/2011 5:21:10 PM

^ apparently it was tradition for bridesmaids to wear white - at least maybe the maid of honor but not the matron of honor?

pippa wore white too looked fucking stunning

8/31/2011 5:37:09 PM

^hahaha i actually read that before


my reasoninf lied in that i wanted the girls to have some form of unity but still retain identity (hence they picked any dress they wanted and they could have their hair and makeup done anyway they wanted-look at kelseys faux-hawk!!! ) .
and i wanted to thwart any attention (yes you heard me ) from me to them.
i really really REALLY wanted them to feel absolutely gorgeous up there.


also funny thing-when pippa wore white my planner and i freaked out because i had been planning on the girls wearing white before william and kate even got engaged!!!!

[Edited on August 31, 2011 at 5:43 PM. Reason : ertet]

8/31/2011 5:42:36 PM

Quote :

"My thinking with seating my mom last is that she's "more important"...I mean, no offense to my stepmom, but I would think they kind of lead up to the biological grandparents/parents. Ehh...I guess I'll ask the venue coordinator and possibly the DJ, too."

i'm late to the convo, but the mother of the bride should always be the last one seated.

the traditional order of special seating is
groom's paternal grandmother/father
bride's paternal grandmother/father
groom's maternal grandmother/father
bride's maternal grandmother/father
mother of the groom/father
mother of the bride

fill in step-whatever whenever appropriate with them preceding the biological grandparent/parent

while that's the traditional way...you can do whatever you want. your wedding, your call.

[Edited on August 31, 2011 at 6:08 PM. Reason : ]

8/31/2011 6:06:37 PM

Quote :

"what do YOU think??? i think that would be more important than whats traditionally done."

True, true...and thanks elkaybie for posting that order. Here's what I think I'll do:

stepmom's stepmom
stepmom's mom
my dad's mother
my mom's mother
groom's stepmom
my stepmom
groom's mother
my mom

9/1/2011 8:42:59 AM

I know this thread is mostly traditional wedding planning, but does anyone have experience with eloping / courthouse weddings? Specifically I'm trying to find a justice of the peace who would be able to marry us on a Saturday at the Jefferson memorial (we live in NoVA) instead of having to go into the courthouse on a weekday.

Aaand I bought an ivory lace dress (the Mad Men collection one from Banana Republic, to be specific) to get married in, but I have to say that since it's such a non traditional wedding I'm definitely considering returning it and getting something that's more my typical style that I can wear again. I'm digging the idea of a dark green retro styled dress with black lace tights. Our planned date right now is October 22, and it will probably be chilly by then.

9/4/2011 8:34:59 AM

^ Congrats, and I'm super jealous of your wedding. Also, October 22nd is my birthday. And that's all I have to offer.

9/4/2011 8:59:59 AM

I think a Jackie O style fitted dress or suit (very 50s/60s and fitted) would look awesome for that occasion, tartsquid!

9/4/2011 9:17:22 AM

I bet if you called around to different justice of the peaces and I bet you could find someone that would be willing to do it for you.

If I knew someone up here I'd totally help you out, but alas I don't

9/4/2011 10:12:47 AM

That's an awesome idea, tartsquid... It will look very pretty (I love green and lace)

Ps... I made these for my sissys bridal shower




[Edited on September 4, 2011 at 8:52 PM. Reason : .]

9/4/2011 8:49:51 PM

^ Beautiful presentation!

9/4/2011 8:56:46 PM

^^ Gorgeous!

I think I found someone in DC who specifically officiates elopements at different historical sites around the city. My bff is also thinking about flying down from Chicago and marrying us because she was ordained online for another friend's wedding, so I think I got that stuff covered at least!

We're not really having a reception - we're planning to do the wedding with about 10 people, then hit up some museums while we're in DC before heading back to Reston or maybe Sterling for dinner. I do want to find a place that will let us have a wedding cake, because I'm planning to surprise Matt with something like this:



I bought this button bouquet for me and boutonniere for him:





So now I just need to pick out a dress. I definitely wasn't impressed with the ivory lace one that I ordered, and I'm leaning towards darker colors because ivory and white just wash my pale self out. I'm vaguely going with a pastelish UP inspired theme for what little decorations we have (planning to bring some balloons!), so I think I've moved on from the dark green and black lace. I can't decide if black is a great backdrop for the bouquet and stuff, or too severe for a wedding. Kind of have my eye on this one:



[Edited on September 5, 2011 at 10:58 AM. Reason : derp image code]

9/5/2011 10:55:55 AM

most nicer restaurants will allow you to do your own cakes. i work at clydes in tysons on the weekends and they're totally fine with you bringing your own cake and won't charge you extra or anything like that. the clydes at reston town center is nice

and that cake is AWESOME

9/5/2011 11:02:05 AM

OMG I AM IN LOVE WITH THAT UP CAKE

where did you find that?!?! Love all your ideas


And thanks guys I was worried with how they would turn out but they came out exactly like I pictured them and my Sissy got me a cupcake book, neat frame, and Coach wristlet as a thank you gift

9/5/2011 2:18:56 PM

It was actually from a birthday party post! http://www.hostessblog.com/2010/11/real-parties-up-themed-birthday-party/

I convoed the etsy shop that made the original to see if they'd make it for me, but if they don't I'm going to see what my local bakery can do.

9/5/2011 9:33:23 PM

^ where's your local bakery.... curious what one in the area you'd want to talk to

9/5/2011 9:36:32 PM

Closest to me is Edibles Incredible in the Town Center, but I haven't actually talked to them yet.

9/5/2011 9:43:07 PM

oh okay.

i think there are a few places in DC that might be able to do that kind of work. lemme know if they can't.

9/5/2011 9:47:11 PM

Survived my bachelor party in New Orleans. Almost a month out.

9/5/2011 9:47:42 PM

^^ Thanks, if the etsy thing doesn't work out I might be interested in one of the DC places! Especially after I figure out what we're doing with the "reception" stuff since we will actually be in DC most of the day.

9/5/2011 9:50:42 PM

Where all did you go in NOLA, Wadhead?

9/5/2011 9:59:41 PM

Stayed at the Sheraton on Canal.
Restaurants: Remoulade, Deanie's, Bourbon House, Cafe de Lis, Cafe du Monde
Bars: Can't remember
Harrah's Casino
Aquarium

Think that's most of it...

9/5/2011 10:22:06 PM

My wedding is Saturday. We are getting married in Murren, Switzerland on a mountain with just the parents. We have a family reception when we get back.

In the middle of planning the wedding I got a new job in San Francisco so we've been packing and planning that the last few weeks to. Don't recommend that

9/6/2011 8:15:36 AM

^ please post pics.. That sounds amazing

9/6/2011 9:07:54 AM

quick question, how many newlyweds have insurance on their wedding/engagement rings?
is it worth it (up to what value) or a scam.

9/6/2011 3:01:01 PM

I don't but our wedding bands were like $30. If I lose it I'll just buy a new one

9/6/2011 3:07:17 PM

^^ Why would you NOT have insurance on an engagement ring? Depending on the value of it obviously, but if you have one that's appraised at a significant value it makes no sense not to have insurance on it. The amount you pay per month is miniscule to what it would cost to replace the ring should something happen to it.

9/6/2011 3:11:57 PM

^this, and with state farm they replaced it for basically any reason, lost, stolen, damaged, whatever.

9/6/2011 3:12:50 PM

srsly, like a $15k ring added to your homeowners is like $70/year.


how you'd even consider not doing it is just silly.

9/6/2011 3:45:59 PM

I haven't yet b/c I've been lazy getting it appraised by a 2nd party

BUT...he bought a warranty with it, and as long as I get it inspected they'll replace the diamond if something should happen.

I still need to get it appraised and added though.

9/6/2011 9:19:20 PM

My mother's engagement ring and wedding band were stolen when our house was broken into some 20 years ago. It wasn't difficult for my husband and I to decide to add our jewelry to our homeowners, especially since I have some antique pieces. There's no reason not to do it.

9/6/2011 9:24:55 PM

I heard back from the etsy seller about the UP fondant decorations - she said she won't ship the house because it might melt (even in October) but the balloons can be done. I guess the balloons would be recognizably UP related if I had some Dug cupcakes and an Adventure Book.

9/6/2011 9:43:07 PM

Quote :

"$15k ring added to your homeowners is like $70/year"

who do you use? damn I'm getting ripped off from state farm for $100+/year for $7K ring.

9/7/2011 2:39:18 AM

how many policies do you have with state farm? I had car and renters through them when I had my ring and it was practically nothing to add my ring with the multiple policy discount.


That was a few years ago, and the ring wasn't really expensive, but the policy covered up to 10k.

[Edited on September 7, 2011 at 7:24 AM. Reason : .]

9/7/2011 7:24:00 AM

My ring insurance only costs like $70 a year I think... it's not $7K but around there

9/7/2011 8:18:24 AM

I am excited about this

9/7/2011 1:29:50 PM

^ dude that is awesome.

as a tennessee alum i'm jealous... maybe when/if i get married i'll get one of those

9/7/2011 1:31:41 PM

Haha I was actually hoping you'd like it!

9/7/2011 1:34:08 PM

Quote :

"who do you use? damn I'm getting ripped off from state farm for $100+/year for $7K ring."

american strategic insurance corp. looked back at the records, the $70 was the prorated for the rest of the billing period after i got the rider added. it was actually closer to $140/yr.


i'm totally about to have the entire honeymoon booked, before we even have settled on a caterer or cake provider.

i guess i know what part im most excited about.

my manager gave me a weird look when i told him i was taking a two week honeymoon.

dealwithit.gif

9/7/2011 1:49:20 PM

awww, really?? the wolfpack cries for the vols garter

9/7/2011 1:51:41 PM

Well, I looked for one, did not see one. And we are close to the date and this one is is guaranteed to get here in time. And it goes with our colors. So, Vols it is.


Plus the garter is more for him anyways, and we all know how he feels about them.

[Edited on September 7, 2011 at 2:02 PM. Reason : .]

9/7/2011 1:58:30 PM

9/7/2011 2:23:24 PM

Quote :

"i'm totally about to have the entire honeymoon booked, before we even have settled on a caterer or cake provider. i guess i know what part im most excited about."

me too! i booked our honeymoon 14 months in advance...now there's a little over a month until we set sail

9/7/2011 2:50:47 PM

hahaha we havent even gotten tickets for our honeymoon yet.

and we were married in june

9/7/2011 2:56:02 PM

also

what the hell are two people nearing 30 who've lived on their own for 5+ years supposed to register for?


[Edited on September 7, 2011 at 3:01 PM. Reason : next april.]

9/7/2011 2:56:18 PM

A margarita machine

Duh

9/7/2011 2:56:50 PM