A Kleinfeld blowout sample sale? February 2, 2008

Ooh.  Ooh ooh.  Ooh ooh ooh!  Up to 70% off on gowns and accessories?  Ok, so I’m not going to freak out and wish that I waited to buy my dress because 1) A “sample” sale means that they’re selling the samples that brides try on.  2) THE DRESS I tried on, loved, and bought fit, but it wasn’t perfect.  3) I’d rather have a virgin dress that no one else has had their paws on and is a perfect fit.

I still need shoes, a headpiece, and a purse.  Perhaps I’ll skip out of work early and make a trip!

Progress Report: Part III (the dress) February 2, 2008

I’ve come to realize that when people get engaged, the first thing women start researching is their dress. The fact that I’ve put this off until the very last minute makes me an alien bride. Or, maybe a Klingon. Ka plah plah!

This was easily the most painful part of the wedding process so far. Did you know that most wedding salons carry one sample of each dress and that it’s a size 8? And did you also know that a size 8 in wedding-ese means that it’s a size 4 in normal dress sizes? I think my thigh might fit into a pair of size 4 jeans, but the rest of me, not so sure about that.

I went to one wedding salon that carried boatloads of size 8 dresses and I got naked in a room with a woman who helped me leap into 35-pound dresses. I did end up finding a very pretty dress that I almost thought was THE ONE. But, I couldn’t really commit to a dress that couldn’t zip up in the back. Maybe I’m lacking imagination, but I just couldn’t really see what I would really look like in the dress. Pretty, huh?

The next and last place I went to is the mecca of all bridal salons: Kleinfeld’s. You have to make an appointment weeks and weeks in advance and you have to give them your credit card number. If you don’t show up, they can charge you $50 for wasting their time. Nice.

So, once again I got naked in a room with a woman (Lea) who helped me leap into 35-pound dresses. But these dresses definitely cost a heckuvalot more per pound. I had this vision–portrait neckline, fitted at the waist, ivory satin, not too much sparkle, off-the-shoulder–and I tried on dress after dress that fit this picture. None of them worked. Before bursting into tears out of frustration, Lea convinced me to try on a dress in a specific style that–before we even started putting dresses on–I stated was on my DO NOT PLAY list. At this point, almost 2 hours later, I was desperate and was willing to try on anything.

THIS was the dress. And I DO NOT have a picture of me in it. Apparently I was so excited and intoxicated that the camera in my purse got absolutely no action. Yes, I’m a dork. I plan on going back to try it on again and have someone take my picture. I even have a volunteer already! (Thanks, Ellen!)

So, once again, I popped open a vein and signed another piece of paper. (I think I might be establishing a theme here.)

Progress Report: Part II (the photographer) February 2, 2008

When all this wedding hullabaloo is over, Josh and I will have each other….and a big fat wedding album. Getting good pictures out of this day is one of the most important investments. Needless to say, I threw all my spare time into the effort of finding a photographer, and it took months and months and months to come to a decision.

Josh and I met with several photographers to talk shop. Many were very impressive and it was hard to decide. It was especially hard to make a rational decision when I met with the late, great Jeff Buckley’s photographer, Merri Cyr. It took every bone in body to put down my copy of A Wished for Song and NOT ask Merri for her autograph when Josh and I met her at the Union Square Starbucks to talk wedding photos.

In the end, we chose 5 West and couldn’t be happier. We clicked with our photographer, Spencer Lum, in a way that we didn’t with everyone else. He has an amazing eye for light, beautiful shots, and finding the right moments to preserve. His photos are gorgeous, so please do check them out.

5 West also offers videography, which is something we really want for the wedding, but haven’t made the commitment yet. Oh, if money only grew on trees….

Progress Report: Part I (the place) February 2, 2008

OK, so Saturdays seem to be my day to freak out about how much is left to be done. I think it’s high time I took a moment to assess what we’ve accomplished so far…

The Ceremony and Reception:

Josh and I will be getting married at the church I grew up attending–Our Lady of Lourdes. I’ve completed all the good Catholic sacraments at this church, and now it’s time for marriage!

We booked our reception hall back in March 2007 (for an August 2008 wedding), and even then I was freaking out that we waited too long. (Admittedly, I am a worry wart, but we’re also competing against Long Island brides who’ve been booking vendors for their wedding since I was in college.) It was love at first sight when I saw this room:

Shortly after the tour, I cut open a vein and signed a contract:

That’s me, holding up a very expensive piece of paper. The glow around my face is part fireplace and sunlight, and part Cloud 9.

Why are my images disappearing? February 2, 2008

Ok, so I just noticed that the photos I’ve been putting on the blog so far are disappearing.  They’re there one day, and then gone the next.  #$%^&#$%!!!!  Alright, please forgive the technical difficulties, the photos are coming back, even if I have to hold them up myself!