Wedding Countdown

The Wedding Countdown has truly begun now. This Saturday Arthur has her first bridal shower, for BF's side of the family and friends, then the next Saturday is her shower for our side of the family and friends, and then the following Saturday is her and BF's 'Couples' shower, and then the next week is the shower from her friends at work.

I have finally found the dress I am wearing at the wedding. It needs some slight alterations, which may or may not happen. Arthur has to try on her gown again next week to see what alterations are needed. I need to call the bridal shop and inquire into the delivery of the brides maids dresses. Hubster wants a new suit so we've got to find time to go suit shopping. Courage and Krumm have got to get their shoes.

Arthur still has to make another trip to the bridal shop to pick out a veil and shoes.

Arthur and BF got their engagement session photos e-album today. Now they have to decide which picture to publish in the news papers and have framed for the wedding.

Arthur, myself, BF and BF's parents have really worked hard to make this a nice wedding...on a shoestring budget. For reasons I won't mention, we have really had to tighten the belt and spread things thin as possible and make do and cut corners. If you ever need to plan a wedding on a very skinny budget, ask us for some tips! Most everyone we have talked to have stated that their wedding, or their son, daughter or grandchild's wedding started at $25,000.00. I can tell you this, if we had 1/2 that amount to spend, we would have been happy. We have had to really scrimp, but I truly believe this is going to be a beautiful wedding. Mostly, because everyone involved has really poured their hearts into making this a special day for Arthur and BF. Here are some ways we have saved:

*Bought the wedding gown "off the rack". Literally. She chose a dress off the rack at Formally Yours in Lilburn and the lady said if we took THAT dress and didn't order it to be made, we would receive a nice discount. The dress Arthur chose fit her, but had a stain on the back where a rack had rolled over the train. But that was remedied with special cleaners and work from the expert seamstress employed by the bridal shop. How many brides do you know who are that EASY GOING??????????? Most brides turn into BRIDEZILLA and insist on a made to order gown. This has been my biggest bragging point for Arthur. Some dresses she tried on were upward of $5,000.00 but Arthur's was only about 1/5 of that with the discounts we received. She chose the most beautiful dress in the store without looking at price tags, and we were blessed that it was in our budget and fit! Of course now that she has lost close to 40lbs it may have to be altered!
*Arthur's sister made the Wedding Invitations in her spare time and they turned out beautiful!
*We have purchased a lot of the items such as the toast glasses, cake knife and server, wedding favors at discount stores.
*Arthur and BF agreed on a very reasonable package from the photographer and stated if they desired a package upgrade they would pay the difference themselves.
*The couple have been shopping for a good deal on a cruise for their honeymoon and have saved and scrimped to pay for it themselves.
*They agreed on a small number of bridesmaids and groomsmen in order to save $$$.
*Arthur took BF's mother's advise to use a bakery and florist that BF's mother is acquainted with and used for her daughter's wedding, therefore getting very good prices for both!
*The couple agreed to pass on an expensive reception, instead opting to have it in the church fellowship hall. BF's denomination does not allow for dancing or alcohol, so why did we need a big dance floor or bar??? Also, BF's church family are taking care of the food at the reception. What a blessing!
*BF's mother is personally catering the wedding rehearsal, again being held at the church.
*They are being married in BF's church and his grandfather will officiate. More savings!

These are only a few ways we have kept the wedding budget very low. Some things you can't scrimp on though. The night before the wedding our family has rented a bed and breakfast all for ourselves. $$$$. The morning of the wedding the bride and bridesmaids are getting the royal treatment from a salon owner and her assistants. $$$$. We still have to purchase the jewelry for the bride and bridesmaids. $$$$ ????.

To sum it up, the three things I think typically cost the most, the gown, the photographer and the reception, have all been secured on our little budget, and will be sufficient, and will make Arthur and BF happy.

That's all that matters.

No BRIDEZILLAS here!

Today was a fun day! Arthur, myself and SisterSister (Arthur's other sister by her dad), spent the morning with Arthur trying on wedding gowns and SisterSister trying on brides maids dresses. It was so much fun! And there were NO BRIDEZILLA tendencies from Arthur! She was actually quiet calm and relaxed throughout the entire morning!

I think a lot of that was due to the fact that SisterSister was so helpful and thoughtful! As soon as she got the idea of what type of dress Arthur wanted (not too plain, not too fru-fru, some beading, not too much lace, no strapless gowns) she began pulling dresses off the racks for Arthur to try on. They both went into a dressing room and SisterSister helped Arthur pull on dresses. I waited on the other side of the door, holding my breath.

The first dress she put on was gorgeous! The second dress she put on was...gorgeous. And well, the last dress she tried on was, well, gorgeous! Arthur's weight loss was very evident in these form fitting gowns. She looked beautiful in them. The last dress she tried on looked absolutely stunning on her, and that was her final choice. It is hard to believe she found a dress she loves on her first trip to try on dresses. We placed our order with the lovely Ms. Madeline at Formally Yours in Lilburn. She and her assistant were absolutely wonderful. They were so sweet and helpful.

Next, SisterSister tried on several dresses from the brides maids collection. SisterSister is sooooo tiny! One sample dress was a size twelve and the shop girl had to clip the dress in several places to make it fit her size 0 body! She made the dress look wonderful! That was the one Arthur chose to be part of her wedding 'bouquet' as Ms. Madeline described it.

Now, we just have to get the other three bridesmaids fitted and all the dresses can be ordered.

Next, we all three had lunch at Johnny's Pizza on Sugarloaf Parkway, where you can get pizza by the slice. It was fun to have lunch and all three of us just sit and talk and get caught up on every one's news and lives. It was fun to be a part of all this!

Here is Arthur and SisterSister after shopping...see the smiles!