As is my life now, anything bridal I do can be completely random or unexpected, just as easy as it might be planned. I might be strolling down the street, on my way to Campisi's, and just happen to fall into a bridal store on the way. (Steven didn't know where I'd gone, but he found me soon enough gazing at tubed beading and Swarovski crystals... wedding to me is like pizza to him. it's just the best)
So needless to say, when my mom and I were driving down the 114 and saw a huge sign that said BRIDAL BOUTIQUE, I mean, how could we not stop in?! First Flag: it was in a strip mall. But the thing with being a happy bride is that I don't tend to see these things immediately. All I saw was a store filled with white... and happy people inside... and it's like the light to heaven... you just can't say no! So on this rainy, dreary day in Texas, we found an activity that will not only procrastinate my gym workout but we found an activity that will have multiple people telling me how beautiful I am while I excude happiness and love on a pedestal. (sigh)
We walk in and no appointment was necessary!!! (flag #2) A nice girl, we shall call her Amber, could have toned down the makeup and worn more of a figure flattering suit, but she was so sweet. She handed us a handful of orange clippy things and directed us to the area that would fit my rapidly shrinking "back side", if you will. (well, i told her it was rapidly shrinking, we will see) (we shall censor offensive words for my mother) :) The cloud I have been floating on seems to start to become gray and fill with some light showers, although I haven't sensed this yet... This was the beginning of what we now call The Good Will for Wedding Dresses.
I search and I search, and I search... do I just have unreasonable taste or is there really NOTHING here I like??? Searching for something I'd actually put on my body was like looking for a virgin at the Theta house! :) (kidding!) It was very difficult, but not impossible... I found 3 dresses that I would try, but only because my mother whispered in my ear "we cannot leave without trying on somethin.... come on Casey, it's not like you have to get one!" Ok, this mini pep talk led me in the direction of, Why Not? Let's OWN this polyester!!! (i will refer to said polyester later)
Amber takes the dresses to the back as my mother and I follow her... let me set it up for you... We are led to the back, visually directed by the crimson red floor runner, flanked by the 70's color gold surrounding carpet with a lovely split pea green wall and matching green accented flowers sporadically strewn about the floor. Oh. My. Gosh. This. Is. Bad. The room is smaller than my closet and they have actual mirrors randomly placed about the room that I swear they purchased on craigs list. ( I mean for goodness sake! they were on rollers!)
Amber ushers us to our room and says, "holler at me if you need anything". Well, the thing with the room is, there are no mirrors in the room and only me and mountain of white fabric can fit into this room! So here I am, half naked, outside of my room, with my mother literally under the Belle from Beauty and the Beast Dress (you know... the yellow one? yeah, i tried it on in white) just dying of embarrassment... and no, not embarrassment because i'm naked with strangers, but embarrassment because I am in this store. It was bad. We finally get the dress on, and i'm REALLY trying to give some positive words for Amber. "i really feel like a fairy tale princess, but it's just not the dress.." Amber says "Oh! don't worry! i know exactly what it needs!" What? what does it need? To be put into the secret incinerator in the back?! She comes back with some sort of hoop like skirt to "floof" up the skirt. ok, so... we are going for cake topper now... what the heck! bring it on!
Amber says, "well, we should've put it on first but don't worry, i have an idea". This is wear I start to lose it... my eyes teared up because sweet, clueless Amber, who REALLY wants me to buy this $150 dress, drags a FOLDING CHAIR over and tells me to stand on it! I know every single one of you reading this have tried to stand on a folding chair... now, try to imagine wearing the Belle dress with awkward dyeable shoes and toe hose and then standing on a folding chair. I swear, I am not kidding... I actually get on the chair, looking at mother with fear and terror while my new "friend" Amber gets up under my dress and then asks me to stand on one leg so she can get the floofy thing on!!! i start tearing up... i can't do this. But i must stay strong for Amber... (please remember that i am not the most, how do we say this, 'graceful' of them all... I frequently run into door frames, so balancing on one foot, wearing a wedding dress with a strange girl under my dress all on top of a freaking FOLDING CHAIR is just really not ideal...)
PHEW!!! we did it!!! i didn't die! So now we head over to the one pedestal in the store that doesn't even have a 3 way mirror. Wait, there is a line to the pedestal.. WHAT?! I have to keep this dress on longer!? OH! and look at that! Another girl has THE SAME DRESS ON AS ME! um, akward! I finally make my way to the top of the pedestal, take a look, and start crying... 2 other moms start clapping and say to each other.."oh! that must be The One!!!" I am in dismay... have they SEEN the dress on me?! its not good...not good at all... done and done... i head back to my hole of a room, drag my mother in there and just cry a little... I understand how this sounds but you don't understand. It was horrific. I can't even believe i put this fabric on my body. I could make a better dress out of dried up baby vomit... we check the label and sure enough, the dress is 100% Polyester. That's it. I'm out of here.
We tell Amber that I am not ready to purchase "my dress" and I will have to come back with my sister. (if anything, it would be really fun to go drink some champagne, wine and/or vodka and head back to the store... that would be worth it). Amber says "OH! you have a sister? Let me show you, before you leave, our 2 for 1 section!"
ok. I can feel that now you don't believe me. I swear on all the MAC eye make up I own, this is true... My mom and I can't leave without seeing this! She takes us to the back of the back and the deal is, Buy One Dress, The 2nd Is Only a Penny!!! oh sweet wedding god, what is this!? the dress aisles are so tight, I kid you not, I lost my mother. I could hear her, but I couldn't find her. It was like the Polyester just gobbled her up! Swooshing through the white, extremely flammable, fabric, I feel my moms foot and I make my way to her. I grab her arm, look her straight in the eye, and say "Mom. Out. Now."
Those were the last words we spoke that day...Until we discovered a fancy cake store that just happened to have a cancellation for a tasting... We looked at each other, hugged, and I just knew that we were back in the game.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
My First Wedding Crash
I believe that the band totally makes or breaks a party. You can spend tons of money, have the coolest people there, but if your band sucks, nobody is ever going to trust anything you say again. You have officially branded yourself as Person With Really Bad Taste.
Once I had semi-surfaced back on Earth from being in the clouded haze of staring into my shiny diamond ring at all times, I realized that the first crucial step in planning my wedding was choosing The Band. Forget the church or the reception venue, I needed to make sure a fantastic band was available for my celebratory party. (and if you did not understand from my previous blog, I am not considering a DJ... they are so hit or miss... mainly miss. just my opinion, but obviously the right one.)
So began my search. I have develped an attitude that amongst the "things Casey absolutely has to have" list, are things I absolutely have to have and the Wedding God has been on my side so far, so this was going to be a piece of Princess Flavored Wedding Cake. So I worked with Absolute Entertainment (best of the best for this stuff) and they helped me narrow my search down to 3 bands. I listened to the demos, subconciously rated them from 1 to 3 and let My People know that I needed to know when and where they were playing so I could check them out in person. (from here on out, i will refer to My People as anyone on my team that gets things done for me. They are held in the highest respect.)
Band #1: This band was my 3rd choice of the three so I went into this with and open mind, but very unattached. My fiance and I went to a great dinner with our friends Kevin and Megan. We invited the 2 of them to come Wedding Crashing with us. We figure, no big deal, we are just going to sneak into the reception, have some wine, maybe some vodka, and judge the band that was first on our list.... Oh, no, no... the reception we happened to crash, not only was the only Jewish wedding I've ever seen in Texas (we witnessed a Money Dance) but there were only 50 people in attendance at this wedding. Needless to say, when we walked in, everybody knew. The band was alright, but I didn't have that "have to have them" feeling that I am so comfortable with. We left very quickly but not without a party favor that consisted of a travel toothbrush. (note: something NOT to have my wedding)
Band #2: From the demos, this band is The Band. I loved them right off. So the next event that we are headed to, I am a little attached but I try to again have an open mind. Steven and I think we have got this crashing down. No more awkward walk ins so we decide to go by ourselves. We dress up and we both look good. Cocktail Style, nobody would know we weren't invited. We were the ultimate Couple at the Wedding. Au Contraire... We head into the hotel where this "private party" was taking place. We note from the noise, that the reception must be going on upstairs, although we don't see any signs that say "Blah/Blah Wedding --->". No big deal, we are feeling good. This is our second wedding to crash so we are going to breeze on in...
We make it upstairs and are directed toward a very large room where the doors are closed. We open the doors... we hear the band, they sound great... there is a white sort of dome-like tunnel that we must pass through to get to the main area... band still sounds amazing, we are ready... then we enter the ballroom...
Not only were were the only white people in this room, but we were the only people not dressed in a superhero outfit. I kid you not... my first look around the room and I see Wonder Woman, The Rock Guy from Fantastic 4, Spider Man, Super Man and tons of 'things' that only the Marvel Comic Fans know about. We had walked straight up into a Comic Book Convention. Well, it's not like we could turn around, this band was The Band. So Steven and I boldly walk to an empty table and take a seat... It was soo much to take in.
We were laughing and dancing at the table because that is what this band inspired inside of us... it didn't matter that we were the White Wedding Couple amongst all of the Super Heros, we were there for the band and in this journey discovered that there really are, in fact, people who think they are super heros. Good for them. I will also never again assume that "private party" means "wedding"... there are so many things it could mean... kind of like when a co-worker calls some celebrity "hot" and you take a look at Nick Nulty like you never have before, still think the worst and yet you love that co-worker for having a unique type, although you will never assume that when they say 'hot' that it's a good thing. Like when she told me I looked pretty the next day... I immediately went into the bathroom to see what was wrong with me because someone who thinks Nick Nulty is hot obviously has horrible taste. I digress...
A day later, I emailed My People and told them to book My Band, Done and Done!!! I received a disturging response email saying they were already in a contract and the other party had 2 days to get a deposit down. If they did not, then the band was mine. This is how I know that Wedding God is blessing my marriage... I prayed that this other party would fall through but only because it wasn't the right thing for them... I never mentioned myself in the prayers or the benefit that would befall upon me due to their very timely demise. I was doing a selfless act.
And the Wedding God opened his arms and beckoned me to him... He was granting this prayer of mine. I ran to him, filled with the excitement that any young bride-to-be would feel at hearing that the date she wanted at the church just opened up because the other bride's groom went to Vegas and.... well, lets just get excited that The Band is mine. It just feels so right.
Once I had semi-surfaced back on Earth from being in the clouded haze of staring into my shiny diamond ring at all times, I realized that the first crucial step in planning my wedding was choosing The Band. Forget the church or the reception venue, I needed to make sure a fantastic band was available for my celebratory party. (and if you did not understand from my previous blog, I am not considering a DJ... they are so hit or miss... mainly miss. just my opinion, but obviously the right one.)
So began my search. I have develped an attitude that amongst the "things Casey absolutely has to have" list, are things I absolutely have to have and the Wedding God has been on my side so far, so this was going to be a piece of Princess Flavored Wedding Cake. So I worked with Absolute Entertainment (best of the best for this stuff) and they helped me narrow my search down to 3 bands. I listened to the demos, subconciously rated them from 1 to 3 and let My People know that I needed to know when and where they were playing so I could check them out in person. (from here on out, i will refer to My People as anyone on my team that gets things done for me. They are held in the highest respect.)
Band #1: This band was my 3rd choice of the three so I went into this with and open mind, but very unattached. My fiance and I went to a great dinner with our friends Kevin and Megan. We invited the 2 of them to come Wedding Crashing with us. We figure, no big deal, we are just going to sneak into the reception, have some wine, maybe some vodka, and judge the band that was first on our list.... Oh, no, no... the reception we happened to crash, not only was the only Jewish wedding I've ever seen in Texas (we witnessed a Money Dance) but there were only 50 people in attendance at this wedding. Needless to say, when we walked in, everybody knew. The band was alright, but I didn't have that "have to have them" feeling that I am so comfortable with. We left very quickly but not without a party favor that consisted of a travel toothbrush. (note: something NOT to have my wedding)
Band #2: From the demos, this band is The Band. I loved them right off. So the next event that we are headed to, I am a little attached but I try to again have an open mind. Steven and I think we have got this crashing down. No more awkward walk ins so we decide to go by ourselves. We dress up and we both look good. Cocktail Style, nobody would know we weren't invited. We were the ultimate Couple at the Wedding. Au Contraire... We head into the hotel where this "private party" was taking place. We note from the noise, that the reception must be going on upstairs, although we don't see any signs that say "Blah/Blah Wedding --->". No big deal, we are feeling good. This is our second wedding to crash so we are going to breeze on in...
We make it upstairs and are directed toward a very large room where the doors are closed. We open the doors... we hear the band, they sound great... there is a white sort of dome-like tunnel that we must pass through to get to the main area... band still sounds amazing, we are ready... then we enter the ballroom...
Not only were were the only white people in this room, but we were the only people not dressed in a superhero outfit. I kid you not... my first look around the room and I see Wonder Woman, The Rock Guy from Fantastic 4, Spider Man, Super Man and tons of 'things' that only the Marvel Comic Fans know about. We had walked straight up into a Comic Book Convention. Well, it's not like we could turn around, this band was The Band. So Steven and I boldly walk to an empty table and take a seat... It was soo much to take in.
We were laughing and dancing at the table because that is what this band inspired inside of us... it didn't matter that we were the White Wedding Couple amongst all of the Super Heros, we were there for the band and in this journey discovered that there really are, in fact, people who think they are super heros. Good for them. I will also never again assume that "private party" means "wedding"... there are so many things it could mean... kind of like when a co-worker calls some celebrity "hot" and you take a look at Nick Nulty like you never have before, still think the worst and yet you love that co-worker for having a unique type, although you will never assume that when they say 'hot' that it's a good thing. Like when she told me I looked pretty the next day... I immediately went into the bathroom to see what was wrong with me because someone who thinks Nick Nulty is hot obviously has horrible taste. I digress...
A day later, I emailed My People and told them to book My Band, Done and Done!!! I received a disturging response email saying they were already in a contract and the other party had 2 days to get a deposit down. If they did not, then the band was mine. This is how I know that Wedding God is blessing my marriage... I prayed that this other party would fall through but only because it wasn't the right thing for them... I never mentioned myself in the prayers or the benefit that would befall upon me due to their very timely demise. I was doing a selfless act.
And the Wedding God opened his arms and beckoned me to him... He was granting this prayer of mine. I ran to him, filled with the excitement that any young bride-to-be would feel at hearing that the date she wanted at the church just opened up because the other bride's groom went to Vegas and.... well, lets just get excited that The Band is mine. It just feels so right.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Bridal Show Ridiculosity
Against my better judgement, i am going to share with you my thoughts and experiences of a certain event that I attended with my mother. The reason I am hesitant is because you might judge me, as I would definitely judge you.
It has not been 2 months into my engagement, and I have secured every vendor needed for my wedding, with a 50% deposit. With all of this under my belt, my mother and I decided to venture to the Dallas Bridal Show and see what it was all about. No commitments needed to be made, no stress, and just wanting to fill our energy and spirit with other brides who are as excited about weddings as I am.
The first clue that this was the cheese of the cheese, came to me that Saturday morning while my mom and I were at the seamstress discussing how she was going to remake my vintage mantilla style veil. (it was my moms!) I mentioned to the amazing Bea that we were headed to the Dallas Market to check out the Bridal Show. I kid you not, she looked up at me, her eyes as big as my heart is filled with love for Steven (which is huge) and said..."oh... that's interesting". Immediately I began my questioning: Why? What's Wrong? What should I expect? Very classy, she stated, "Its just a little corny, thats all". Understatement of the year.
I'll give you a few experiences that make this day amazingly full of memories. First of all, if you are having a hard time finding a DJ for your wedding, look no further than a Bridal Show. I have never in my life, been so acosted by so many old men in trashy tuxes, using low voice changes to lure me into their booth to discuss "what they can spin". (um, you're not spinning, you are pressing a button on a track that someone else gives you).
Second, be aware of the tasty treats lying around. There are multiple cake vendors who have many options of cake for you to try. Most of them are delicious, except for the one vendor, i will not mention, that had beautiful display, but the cake was so bad i literally spit it out into a napkin. My mom couldn't believe it was so bad so she actually went in for a second try!!! NO GRAYLENE! DON"T DO IT!!! she did. it only got worse, she said...
On the same note as above, there are caterers around displaying their talents and menus and generosity at sharing some mini treats. Well, beware, because one certain caterer had some delicious looking quiches on display. I picked one up and popped it into my mouth... it was chillingly cold and it's all i can do to chew it up and swallow. That's when a 'nice' lady came up to me and, a little curtly, explained that I had just eaten a Display Quiche. REALLY?? um, put up a sign! g.r.o.s.s. I ate a display.
All in all, the show wasn't that bad. Just uber corny with vendors really excited about me being there (which I adore).
Let's quickly move on to the people... Excuse me. Did I title this section Baby Show? No, I didn't. I have never seen so many teenagers, with strollers as big as their large behinds, carting around babies. Babies were everywhere! They hindered my walking, my maneuvering to booths, and just my mood in general. I mean, i love babies, but not at a Bridal Show. At a Bridal Show, it's all about the Bride, aka Me, so move on over little "baby we planned you but you just came 10 years too early".
This posting has become longer than expected, but i cannot leave without discussing the Fashion Show. Ohhh....yes... you read correctly. There was a Fashion Show. Let me create a vision for you... picture this: A large room at a convention center only using 25% of the space... a T shaped runway flanked by shiny polyester drapes in all sorts of pink and white hues accented with a plastic fern...and in the center of it all, to get us brides in the mood, a 50 year old saxaphone player, complete with shades, red t-shirt, and a bald headed low pony tail... it was too much for one day. It is now confirmed that my mom and I can speak to each other with our eyes, because both of us knew exactly what the other was thinking.
Graylene and I left in good spirits. This show reinforced the fact that my mom and I are not only on the same page as far as style, but we that we really do have great taste. :)
It has not been 2 months into my engagement, and I have secured every vendor needed for my wedding, with a 50% deposit. With all of this under my belt, my mother and I decided to venture to the Dallas Bridal Show and see what it was all about. No commitments needed to be made, no stress, and just wanting to fill our energy and spirit with other brides who are as excited about weddings as I am.
The first clue that this was the cheese of the cheese, came to me that Saturday morning while my mom and I were at the seamstress discussing how she was going to remake my vintage mantilla style veil. (it was my moms!) I mentioned to the amazing Bea that we were headed to the Dallas Market to check out the Bridal Show. I kid you not, she looked up at me, her eyes as big as my heart is filled with love for Steven (which is huge) and said..."oh... that's interesting". Immediately I began my questioning: Why? What's Wrong? What should I expect? Very classy, she stated, "Its just a little corny, thats all". Understatement of the year.
I'll give you a few experiences that make this day amazingly full of memories. First of all, if you are having a hard time finding a DJ for your wedding, look no further than a Bridal Show. I have never in my life, been so acosted by so many old men in trashy tuxes, using low voice changes to lure me into their booth to discuss "what they can spin". (um, you're not spinning, you are pressing a button on a track that someone else gives you).
Second, be aware of the tasty treats lying around. There are multiple cake vendors who have many options of cake for you to try. Most of them are delicious, except for the one vendor, i will not mention, that had beautiful display, but the cake was so bad i literally spit it out into a napkin. My mom couldn't believe it was so bad so she actually went in for a second try!!! NO GRAYLENE! DON"T DO IT!!! she did. it only got worse, she said...
On the same note as above, there are caterers around displaying their talents and menus and generosity at sharing some mini treats. Well, beware, because one certain caterer had some delicious looking quiches on display. I picked one up and popped it into my mouth... it was chillingly cold and it's all i can do to chew it up and swallow. That's when a 'nice' lady came up to me and, a little curtly, explained that I had just eaten a Display Quiche. REALLY?? um, put up a sign! g.r.o.s.s. I ate a display.
All in all, the show wasn't that bad. Just uber corny with vendors really excited about me being there (which I adore).
Let's quickly move on to the people... Excuse me. Did I title this section Baby Show? No, I didn't. I have never seen so many teenagers, with strollers as big as their large behinds, carting around babies. Babies were everywhere! They hindered my walking, my maneuvering to booths, and just my mood in general. I mean, i love babies, but not at a Bridal Show. At a Bridal Show, it's all about the Bride, aka Me, so move on over little "baby we planned you but you just came 10 years too early".
This posting has become longer than expected, but i cannot leave without discussing the Fashion Show. Ohhh....yes... you read correctly. There was a Fashion Show. Let me create a vision for you... picture this: A large room at a convention center only using 25% of the space... a T shaped runway flanked by shiny polyester drapes in all sorts of pink and white hues accented with a plastic fern...and in the center of it all, to get us brides in the mood, a 50 year old saxaphone player, complete with shades, red t-shirt, and a bald headed low pony tail... it was too much for one day. It is now confirmed that my mom and I can speak to each other with our eyes, because both of us knew exactly what the other was thinking.
Graylene and I left in good spirits. This show reinforced the fact that my mom and I are not only on the same page as far as style, but we that we really do have great taste. :)
The New Me, The Bride to Be
I am obsessed with my wedding. In the past, i have never really cared about weddings. The only thing about them I cared about was the fact that if some of "these" girls were getting married, then I sure as hell could do it. Anyway, a little background as to how i got here...
I originally started this blog, awhile ago, with the intention of regaling my followers with the adventures of my dating life, which, if you know me, was no doubt going to be stories worth telling...well, telling to my friends, not my mom. (just kidding graylene!) I then started dating my boyfriend, who became my fiance and the dating blog fire died...
Well, im back and I am more than inspired. What with all of the Bridal Shows, opinions I have, and my amazing vendor bargaining skills, it would be a travesty to not share my experiences with you all. And let me just reiterate that if planning my wedding was my job, I would be the best in the world. Although I kind of already am. :)
I originally started this blog, awhile ago, with the intention of regaling my followers with the adventures of my dating life, which, if you know me, was no doubt going to be stories worth telling...well, telling to my friends, not my mom. (just kidding graylene!) I then started dating my boyfriend, who became my fiance and the dating blog fire died...
Well, im back and I am more than inspired. What with all of the Bridal Shows, opinions I have, and my amazing vendor bargaining skills, it would be a travesty to not share my experiences with you all. And let me just reiterate that if planning my wedding was my job, I would be the best in the world. Although I kind of already am. :)
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