Taking the plunge

Talking about running the gamut of highs and lows over the past 24 hours, we've got lots to catch up on! I hope you've got a good chunk of time to read up on my adventures!

#1 - Our first official planning session at the Payne-Corley House was last evening. Have I told you lately how much I love this place? Because I really do. Every time I walk into it, I just feel so at-ease. It really is our place and the perfect venue for us. It's funny, I thought I had everything about the ceremony set in my head...until Krista started asking us questions. And I was surprised at how many times I wanted Bryan's opinion (I know - I asked for it!!). I was more surprised at how many times Bryan didn't have one! Maybe he just wasn't prepared for me to actually ask?

Krista: Are the bridesmaids going to walk down the aisle by themselves or escorted by a groomsman?
Me: I like it either way, do you have a preference, honey?
Bryan: Uhhhhh.....can I decide later?

Krista: Are you going to have programs?
Me: YES!!!
Krista: Where are they going to be? Are you going to have someone handing them out? Do you want them on the chairs?
Me: I like the idea of someone handing them out. What do you think, honey?
Bryan: Uhhhh....I hadn't thought about that.


Anyways, there were things we had definite answers to and some things we still have to think about. We set up the timing on everything throughout the ceremony and reception. I think things will run along very smoothly. As we were talking, Krista even offered an extra half-hour for us to keep dancing the night away! So our reception is now officially from 7:30pm - midnight!


We did settle on the menu and I don't want to give everything away, but there will be three choices for guests (chicken, salmon, and a vegetarian option). You'll have to let me know ahead of time on your response cards (or else I pick for you - mwahahahaha!) Just kidding, actually, I'll probably just call and harrass you about what you want to eat. These things are important to me!


Our session was extremely productive and I'm so happy with how it went. The rehearsal is going to be at 6:00pm on Thursday for everyone in the wedding. Then the rehearsal dinner for bridal party and all out-of-town guests will begin at 7:00 pm at a place that is yet to be determined (I know, I know - that's our next project!).


#2 - Moving along (because I really could go on about Payne-Corley all day)...today, I went back to my nemesis - otherwise known as David's Bridal. This was fun. I thought I was going to simply order the bridesmaid dresses with the sizing information I had gotten from the bridesmaids themselves (since David's didn't record sizes the last time everyone was there). I tried to make this as simple as possible. I printed out an Excel spreadsheet that listed each Bridesmaid's name, size, the style number and color of the dress. The last two are all the same, so this shouldn't be hard, but my gosh, I have zero faith in them at this point.


I was informed they've recently, as of this week, gone to a new system where rather than relying on traditional sizes, they use actual measurements. The manager encouraged me to ask the bridesmaids to return to David's for another fitting. I'm not quite sure what she was smoking before she came to work, but there is NO WAY I was sending anyone back to the store a third time. Really? Cleverly, she converted the sizes to measurements from a chart. But let's be honest, this could go any way - tie-dye dresses, oversized dresses, who knows.

What was even better was the news that there was no way to lengthen Bridesmaid Lindsay's dress even though I was told in JANUARY this was absolutely do-able. This is not a typo - we began this process with David's in JANUARY. (The M.O.B. has since asked me how I thought it was possible to lengthen a dress, and I GET IT; but this blog's namesake is after a Tomboy that knows nothing about sewing or alterations!). The manager suggested I get the dresses cut tea-length. You should've seen me stifle the words that wanted to come out of my mouth. Some dresses apparently can be ordered extra-long, but this isn't one of those dresses.

Again, information that would've been appreciated in JANUARY!!!

To add insult to injury, the delivery date on these dresses is AUGUST. THREE MONTHS!? We had previously been told eight weeks. Fabulous. Oh, David's, I don't know how you're still in business. But, please, don't jack this up. I'd threaten a visit to your corporate offices if I thought anyone actually worked there.

#3 - After a stressful visit to David's, I strolled over to La Belle Weddings (http://www.labelleweddings.com/). Talk about night and day experiences. I had called La Belle on my way up to David's since I knew it was in the same area (they're actually in the same strip mall!). The associate I worked with, Tanya, was awesome. I told her all about my invitation hang-ups. That I haven't really liked anything I've seen so far after looking at thousands of invites, but I'm looking for something elegant with a dang monogram on it. I gave her a swatch from David's and she picked out the perfect invitation. It's simple, classic, integrates our theme and colors. Done. Oh, wait, I have to bring Bryan in to get approval. She offered to let me look through her millions of other invitation books. No, I like it. I'm good. No muss, no fuss. I think Bryan will love it, too! I'm aiming to get them ordered within the next month after we get back from our fantastic Pearl Jam excursion and another Hoey wedding (the 4th within one year!)


I opened up the floodgates by asking about the other services at La Belle. They do EVERYTHING! This is a one-stop shop: invitations, flowers, decor, guest books, linens. I was in Heaven. Of course Abby is doing our flowers (www.abbysfloraldesigns.com) and we're super happy with her work so far!!! I definitely think La Belle may be able to put little extra touches into the wedding that would also be great as well. Now I've just gotta convince Bryan we need more pine cones!!!

Final thoughts of the day as I head off to the gym: yes, I know I said I would give commentary on the physique I'm hoping to have for our nuptials. I could go on and on about this, but it comes down to this: whenever my thighs are getting too close for comfort...you know...to each other...that's usually my body telling me to lay off the chocolate. I never thought this was something I'd be even remotely vain about, but I'm realizing that we're spending thousands of dollars for someone to take pictures of us and thousands of dollars on all the things we'll be surrounded by and...well, hot damn, I want to look good!

After eating like a champ the last few weeks with parties and birthdays and showers and visits home...oh my, do I need to cut back a bit! I don't know if I've just gotten carried away or if my body is starting to realize how old it actually is and rebel just a tad. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm grossly out-of-shape and I should clarify that I don't equate looking good with necessarily being skinny (because honestly, I actually like to have a little curve to rock my wedding dress!) but Peachtree Road Race season is upon us and I'd like to really run this thing! Usually I'm out there kind of hanging out and having a good time, I'll run comfortably. I think I'll turn it around and actually look at running as training! Let's see what these old bones can do!

Until next time...