AugustfourthBride's biography
I am marrying my best friend. The one who makes me laugh, cry, love and give thanks.......................
We met in March 2008, as I was arriving to work. My FH and I both work downtown DC in different areas of the federal government and anyone who has ever been to DC knows how fast paced it is. However, we still were able to slow down enough to recognize one another. We would smile and wave at each other as we passed by, then one day my FH decided to make a move and the rest is history. We started officially dating in May 2008, he proposed in July 2011 and we have been on this roller coaster of loving and planning ever since.......
We share a one year old daughter together, plus I have children from a previous marriage, so there have been some very emotional roads financially and we have determined that alot of ideas may have to be omitted. But as long as I am walking to the man of my dreams on that day, I will not sweat the small stuff!
WEDDING- August 4, 2012
Theme- Tiffany & Co./Bling
Style: Chic meets Classic
Colors: Tiffany blue, White and Silver
Please follow me on my journey............................................................................
The Proposal
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer during my pregnancy in 2010. She has since been through 2 surgeries, chemo and radiology and is better than ever. She even grew her back longer than it was before. That being said, it didnt surprise me when she called me and told me that she wanted to try new things that she had never done before and she wanted me and my FH to accompany her on her journey. I have been told that when people face near death experiences, they like to live life a little different during their second chance. I was expecting her to say she wanted to skydive or go snorkeling but she said that she wanted to go to a karaoke club to sing. Now, the thought of my mom singing in front of strangers tickled me to death. Between her overwhelming shyness and her........lack of vocal experience (I'm being nice-I get my singing voice from my father), I knew this event would serve as a priceless moment.
On July 5, 2011, my FH, mom and myself went to a club in Alexandria, VA reminding me of a quaint pup where everybody knows your name. We had already been there for an hour when I began to get frustrated because my mom hadn't signed her name to the list. She promised me that once my FH or myself signed up she would follow. Before the impeccable live band (which we may hire for the wedding reception) went to break, they announced a special event that would happen after intermission. My FH and I went outside to stretch and once the band reconvened, we came back in to take our seats, and to my surprise the MC announced my FH's name. I was shocked because he hadn't signed up to sing and they didn't announce anyone else by name. He went on stage (my mouth opened in shock the entire time), and began singing his heart out. He looked into my eyes the entire time and sung Y.O.U by Avant with such emotion that I began to cry. Then he summoned me to the stage, which I obliged hesistantly. He got on one knee (still singing adlibs)pulled out the ring (as the live band still played in the background), and then said those famous words most women love to hear, "Will you marry me?" The crowd remained silent until I answered "YES", then the crowd roared with exitement. We hugged and kissed and all the friendly strangers began giving their group hugs to us as my mom stood by with joyousness written on her face. I couldnt embrace my moment because everyone began rushing us with congradulations. To my surprise, most of the regulars at the club knew what my FH had planned before I did. Everyone was so wonderful, it was as if I was around family. I smiled all the way home! :)
The Engagement Ring
This is a total of 1.72 carat cushion cut diamond ring in a white gold setting. The clarity is amazing. It is G as far as the color and VS2 for the cut!! So what it lacks in size, it makes up for perfection. I love it. I couldnt have asked for better quality. I couldnt even take the pic in certain lighting cause the camera wouldnt focus because of the glare. I think my FH deserves an applause. :) In the words of my FH, "It took alot of overtime buying that ring, you better never take it off!" lol
Engagement Shoot
DIY Card Box
This was not as easy as I thought it would be. The third box from the bottom was made by taking my satin fabric and wrapping a shoe box the same way I would wrap a present. It took me 3 days to get it as tightly as I wanted. So my FH and I did the other 3 tiers differently by cutting out a template as if the box was laying flat. It resembles a cross. Then we cut the fabric to match the template. There were a few glitches here and there but it turned out ok. Overall, I refused to pay the going rate for buying it from a company. What do you think?
DIY fondant covered "tiffany & co." themed party favor cupcakes
This is the first time that I tried to make these fondant covered cupcakes. I plan to perfect it by August! I am going to put it in a clear cupcake box with our labels looking through the window. I will upload an updated picture when i finalize it.
Guestbook
I wanted something different other than the traditional guestbook, so I designed a guestbook with a "yearbook format" so my guests can sign-in give well-wishes.
This is the Sottero and Midgley dress called "Adorae" that I wish to try on. Here it is January 31st and I havent even began to try on dresses. Shame on me!! But I have fell in love with this dress. It is a fit and flare dress with an accented belt. Everything I want in a dress. Sofistication at its finest.
This is the dress on the model
I cant wait to try this on. I hope it looks good on me. I will update once I try on.
Update-
So I tried on and purchased this dress on February 7th, and it should arrive around June 29th. The sample that i tried on in the pics below was too small (size 6) so I could barely breath in it. But the other sample the bridal consultant had was a size 16 and too big. She said she rather me take my pics in the too small sample so I can see the fit better. The consultant owns the shop and is a fashion designer and seamstress, so she is going to "make the neckline deeper and make sure the dress fits me flawless!"(her words). I will be hiding the stomach pouch my lovely babygirl gave me as well. I plan on wearing the dress with the full mermaid slip.
This is without the mermaid slip....................
Both pics are shown in size 6 showroom dress. Too small for me but it was the only size they had in the showroom. Yikes!
This is with the mermaid slip.............
Which one do you like???
MY DRESS CAME BACK!!!!!!!!!
My dress finally came back!! Size 8. It is too big at the bottom, so the seamstress will be taking the sides in so that it will have more of a fitted look like the one on the model. I chose to go with the slip. I cant wiat til the alterations are done! Yeah
Jordan Fashions (all dresses will be in color:Aqua, their version of Tiffany Blue)
I am having a small wedding. Both of my besties will stand next to me and my teenage daughter will be my junior bridesmaid. Each of them will wear one of the dresses above. They have already been purchased, just awaiting their arrival. Surprisingly, it wasnt that hard to find dresses in Tiffany Blue as I thought it would be. I was disturbed to know, after the girls had already purchased their dresses, that David's Bridals has a color close to Tiffany Blue called "Mermaid". I didnt find that out until I began coordinating the men's vests and tie at Men's Warehouse. Awww well, hopefully since Jordan's is pricier than DB, the dresses will fit superb! We will see.
I plan on getting some inexpensive dyeable shoes from DB, getting them dyed "mermaid" and then blinging the shoes out myself and adding ribbon as well to achieve this look. I REFUSE to pay top dollar for designer shoes that I am probably going to take off in about 30 minutes anyway!
The first picture was my 2nd choice for my wedding cake. Since the very beginning of planning, I wanted to have the cake in the 2nd picture. I wanted it to be all white, crystal cake banding and crystal monogram just like in the picture. Since my Tiff blue theme also incorporates bling, I thought it was a perfect cake. However, my Groomzilla didnt want the cake to be all white. He wanted it to be Tiffany blue. I didnt think the cake in the 2nd pic would look good in Tiffany blue.....so, my search began, still trying to maintain the elegance of the wedding cake, without it looking like a bridal shower cake. That is when I found picture#1. This cake will be in Tiffany Blue but the ribbon will be white and I still get my bling. I will also still be using the crystal cake topper for the top of this cake. See, my FI and I are already compromising.
The fellas will be wearing this Calvin Klein tux in grey. The groom will be wearing a white vest and tie, to separate him from the rest. The bestman and groomsmen will be wearing "mermaid" colored vest and tie. The ring barriers who are 3 years old will even have this tux on. They will be wearing bowtie's instead of euro ties. My son who is 5 years old will be walking me down the aisle, he will be wearing this tux as well, with silver bow tie and vest.
I bought an invitation kit from Target on sale and upgraded it with rhinestone buckles and ribbon to create a Tiffany & Co. themed invitation.
This is the invitation inside the box mailer. The top of the box mailer is to the right.
Once you open the pocketfold, this is what my guest will see:
P.S. All the tiffany blue colors match in real life but the photos make them look different colors.
This is one of the DIY projects that I created for my Tiffany & Co. themed wedding. I created the Jones & Co. boxed centerpiece, blinged out the vases and made my own escort cards. Yes!! I was a bride on a budget and I am not afraid to say it! lol
My invitations were another DIY project of mine
BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Me and the GIrls
My hubby and his fellas (They drunk too much BEFORE the wedding!!!!)
The little men
THE CEREMONY
THE BRIDAL PARTY
PARTY TIME
The hotel made the cake, so it was included in my package. I jazzed it up by upholstering a slab of wood with blinged out mesh as my cake stand, blinged monogram topper and a blinged brooch on the white ribbon, for this economic Tiffany themed cake.
During reception setup (check out my circled DIY table menus)
