New Website Design

Since WeddingWire added some new templates, I decided to pick another template more in keeping with the colors of our wedding.

McCausland Wedding

Tid Bits

Martha Stewart Weddings has a wedding expo a few weeks ago. I attended for one of the two days and got some terrific tips and ideas. I'm FINALLY getting around to documenting them.

For The DRESS:
-make sure when shopping for the dress you keep in mind the location and time of year of the wedding. You wouldn't want to get a heavily threaded dress for a beach wedding.
-normal dress appointments are 1 and 1/2 hours.
-the budget on your dress should included accessories, fittings/alterations and the dress.
-shapes that are good for most shapes are A-line and Princess-line.

COLORS:
-2 to 3 colors in your color palette is normal.
-use shades or "tones" of those colors.

POSSIBLE DISGUISE FOR THE HOT TUB:
- a "softwall" show at Taylorcreativeinc.com. I thought this might a good option and I really stumped them with this question. LOL I was pleased they had a possible solution.

MAKE-UP:
-the best brushes to use are synthetic brushes
-Really good video on the website called "Getting Gorgeous" although I can't seem to locate it on the website now. Figures.
-use better foundation due the length of time you'll be wearing it and all of the photographs that will be taken. Opt for more of a covering foundation.
-The order in which you want to put your make-up on is:
1) Foundation
2) Eye shadow (don't save for last)
3) Eye liner (use a liquid brown)
4) Mascara (obviously use WATERPROOF in Dk. Brown or Black)
5) Bronzer on forehead, cheeks and under jaw bone. Blend into ear. Use the shape of the #3 for this movement on forehead, cheeks and jaw bone.
6) Blush (pink) on the apple of the cheek. 2 shades darker (?)
7) Lips
8) Individual Fake Eye Lashes if wanted. Might have some issues with my glasses, but would like to try these.

RECEPTION FOOD:
-a buffet style allows people to mingle. We're opting for this.
-sit-down doesn't. Although with the size of our reception I have a feeling people will mingle anyway.

ENGAGEMENT RING:
I was embarrassed to ask this, but they were great. I wasn't sure what I do with my engagement ring during the ceremony. Do I wear it on my ring finger? Do I put it on later? I was told it could be worn on my RIGHT hand during the ceremony or there is such a thing as a "ring enhancer" that I could wear.

Balloons vs. Flowers

Another good idea that would be a less-expensive option than all flowers for decorations is to use balloons. Preferably helium-quality ones.

Filling a room with flowers isn’t the only way to set the scene. Creatively displaying colorful balloons can also transform a space -- and for a fraction of what you’d spend on a large floral display. On average, a couple will spend 10 to 15 percent of their wedding budget on flowers. Imagine what else you could to do with all that cash you’ll save!

I think balloons are sounding a little better now.

Wedding Dress: Strike #2

I really wanted to try a wedding gown on without having to deal with all of the store and shopping situation because I wasn't really sure how I'd look in one, so I found a really nice dress online. I was refusing to purchase a gown online because it's very risky, but I'm able to return it, so I thought "why not".


I found this at RomanticGowns.com. I like that it was simple, but elegant and wasn't technically strapless. I was looking for an A-line gown. I liked the sweetheart neckline and the soft English net embroidered with a cotton lace overlay.

Well, it came in the mail via FedEx in a regular plain old brown shipping box. I have to say I was a little disappointed it wasn't even in a wedding gown box, but oh, well. I shouldn't expect TOO much for a dress that was originally $999 and marked down on their site to $329. Only $29 over my price limit, so I didn't think that was too bad. I'll have to pay the charge to return it, but still better than spending $1,000.

I did love the dress however and it gave me hope that I'll find one I like out there. I liked how it fit and looked in the bodice, but it was far too long and the arm holes were horribly small. Wow, have my arms gotten huge!! I guess I better start toning up. And it was a beautiful ivory and the embroidery was really, really pretty.

Wedding Photographer Booked!

Very excited! After several months of searching and only finding a few photographers whose photos spoke to us, I found a link on a catering website to Coni from On Location Photography out of Olean, NY.

Dave and I both found her photos beautiful and full of life. She has mailed out the contract and I look forward to seeing the photos she'll take of our special day.

A Test Favor

Last night I picked up an inexpensive bouquet of carnations to try out the idea I have for part of my wedding favors/table assignments.

I'll want to get darker purple flower and perhaps LARGER ones as this one pail took about a dozen carnations and that could get pricy, even for only 20 people.

It's a start!