Because I can't help myself

I'm still looking at bridesmaids dresses, even though I told all the ladies they could order what ever they want. (Just trying to be helpful:) Here's a couple that I found that I think would be awesome.

First, from Target, how cute is this one shoulder number? And it's $39.99!


This Mori Lee dress is available locally at the Wedding Shoppe on Grand and comes in a great plum color. It's pretty resonable at $116.


This pretty silk J.Crew dress may be $165 retail, but right now it's $24.99 on Ebay


The fun has already started, because I think one bridesmaid already ordered this lovely frock in a nice plum from Eden Bridals.


And, my Mom told me she found a great dress over Mother's Day weekend at Macy's visiting my brother in Fargo. But, before that, I thought this pretty satin shirt dress from Nordstrom was fun and not too matronly.


Maybe, I'll get one of these for myself to wear to the rehearsal dinner:)

Ties that don't suck

Anthony's going to wear a tuxedo for the wedding. But, I want him to have fun with what he wears and not just be a generic tux. So, this was the first draft with Men's Wearhouse's fun Build-a-Tux.

Pretty boring and regular. Purple tie & vest.

I'd also be interested in a navy suit or even tan.


I'd rather do a real tie and no vest (is it no longer a tux without a vest?). Especially if it's an awesome handmade tie from Etsy. Anthony likes these and I'm thinking the other groomsmen would think they are pretty cool too, so we could give them as gifts.


And how 'bout some awesome socks?


And maybe a little note inside his jacket.


***Update***
Wouldn't a boutonniere made of guitar picks be rockin'? From Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres

Dresses that didn't make the cut

I ordered my super-duper wedding dress over Easter vacation and am now waiting for it to be made. While I wait here are a few dresses that I tried on in my two dress shopping adventures.

First in Bemidji with the Up North Bridesmaids, Amber & Angi and Mom:








Then, a week later in Woodbury with the Metro Bridesmaids, Melissa & Jessica and Auntie Lisa and Andrea the baker.










So hard to choose:)

Oh, J. Crew. You are such a tease

You make the most beautiful bridesmaid dress. But only in TWO colors!

Neither of which is plum. Arg.

Cakes

I always thought that I'd have a big white wedding cake. But Anthony's not too crazy about cake in general and with his sister as our baker, we have so many more options.



I'm thinking a single or two-tiered cake to cut and for those who want cake. Maybe red velvet or something yummy with filling and buttercream frosting with fondant flowers.



I love these fondant peonies on the cover of Real Simple this year.



Since it will be Fall, apple pie would be lovely. And my parents can freeze enough rhubarb for plenty of pies too.


Image from A Backyard Wedding

And perhaps, I can talk her into a cheesecake, maybe even a pumpkin one.


And if I'm really nice and say pretty please I can get some pretty purple (and accent color to be determined) macaroons out of the deal.

Going for something like this

Except in purple. I found this wedding on Style Me Pretty where the bridesmaids wore completely different dresses, long and short, in similar colors.

See, it does look awesome. And so much less stressful than trying to please everyone's budget, shape and skin. I'm even going so far as to let them choose whatever shoe they want - color, style and heel height.

I made a little mock-up of some color combinations and ideas on polyvore:

Bridesmaids by julesmae featuring Dorothy Perkins jewelry

Bring Your Dancing Shoes

Photo from Altmix Photography

Anthony and I don't agree on a lot of things about planning the wedding. But the one thing we pretty much always agree on is the playlist.

In fact, it may be the thing that we are both most excited about. Every time I think about dancing to a fun song at the reception I just get so happy.

We've picked our first dance song - Lori McKenna's, "Witness to Your Life". I knew that I loved Anthony for real, when I put this song on a mix for him and he became as obsessed with it as I was.

I'm thinking "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn for my dance with my dad. It's a good 80s country song that makes me think of my childhood. And one of my criteria was something we could two-step to and this definitely fits the bill.

Beyond that it will probably be lots of fun stuff that we like. Jimmy Eat World - Sweetness, Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger, Miranda Lambert - Kerosine, Needtobreathe, Kenny Chesney - Ticks, Dan Wilson - Free Life. And lots more that I just can't think of right now.

Should we put a song request line on our RSVP cards?