My mother organized a nice brunch here with my aunts and sister and close friends about two weeks before the wedding. It was a nice chance to get to see everyone before the wedding day, and answer questions about the dress and the flowers. The 411 ItalianCafe we went to is wonderful. I've been there before and the food is really delicious. Because we went for brunch, we had the option of pancakes and waffles with pecans and omellets. We also got dessert. They have some amazing gelattos, and I really recommend the homemade strawberry gelatto with real strawberry chunks. It's amazingly good. 411 is part of a chain of restuarants in the area, and they are all really good. I bring my out-of-town friends to their restuarants all the time. As a bridal shower, I would have to say that this place is maybe the nicest.

We had a his and her bachelor party, mainly because so many of our friends are couples and it seemed more fun to do things together. The Flying Sauce is also one of our favorite places. They have a great selection of beer, and the food is really tasty but not exactly healthy. Because we were going to be a group of more than 40 people, we contacted the manager and let them know ahead of time. They were able to set aside some tables for us. The way we planned it was that we started off with dinner, then beer, and then we just talked and laughed and had a really good time together. The Flying Saucer has a great atmosphere, the staff is really great, and we always have a good time when we go there.

I know it's a tradition for the brides to give her bridesmaids a small present, especially after all the bridal shows and dress shopping I make them go through. On the weekend of my Bridal bunch I gave each one a box of their truffles with a really nice note thanking them for all the energy and sweetness. We are all big fans of chocolate, and really love good chocolate! The boxes are prepared beautifully, the chocolates are delicious, and I know I got them something they love and will definetly eat! I really liked the idea that I got them local artisan chocolates rather than regular chocolates.

Contrary to what most people think, it's not expensive to take dance lessons. A one hour lesson for two people is about the same price as going to the movies, but the benefit of dancing is that your gaining some valuable social skill. We both love to dance but we don't know any dances, and I think we both wanted to learn how to do a nice waltz or the rumba for our first dance together. We finally settled on the West Coast Swing, mainly because our wedding song was rather upbeat. The instructors we had over the course of four months were great. They understood our goal was to look good, but not to win medals. They alo make it really fun for the dancers. We always looked forward to the dances, and we looked great for our first dance at the wedding.

It was no big surprise that we were going to get married; our parents and friends had joked with us for years, and I guess Mike and I were just waiting until it felt right. Well, as soon as we announced that we were engaged our mothers got together and started to make a list of possible wedding reception venues. The Fearrington Barn was their first selection, and Mike and I really liked it, but given that we were having a smaller party and didn't need as much space we opted for the Garden Terrance. It's the whole wedding package, which means that everything from flowers to the cake to the food was taken care of by the staff. Nothing extra needs to be brought in. I loved how simple and lovely everything looked, the staff was amazing at making it all come together. I really like the Garden Terrance also because people can walk around and mingle. Our pictures from that day were also beautiful, and I'm so happy that this was where we got married.

Just like their name says, they are very classy! Actually, this might have been one of my favorite parts of the wedding. First, Mike was super excited about getting to choose a car. I think he would have rather driven the car than have been driven, but he loved it nonetheless. We arrived at the church in two different cars, but we left together in this really fancy car called the Excalibur. It's this really cute looking convertible, it's really classic looking! My big suggestion is to plan ahead and to book the cars you want ahead of time, because they are very popular. I think they're one of the best companies in the area, they are very professional and everyone wants their cars and drivers at their weddings and proms.

I really loved both my make-up and hair experience at the eSTeé salon. I think the staff is great there, and they were a big help on my wedding day. My big recommendation for all brides with pale eyelashes is to consider getting fake eyelashes for your wedding day! At my make-up consultations I went to at eSTeé salon I was told that fake eyelashes would look better and be less messy than putting on eyeliner and mascara. I had never thought about fake eyelashes as an option before, but it was absolutly brillant. The change was immediate, my eyes looked more defined right away. Also, I didn't have to worry about mascara getting smudged on my face because of tears or sweat from dancing. eSTeé salon was excellent about this suggestion. The other excellent suggestion that was made to me was to have my eyebrows threaded instead of waxed, because it pulls less on the skin. I have had my eyebrows threaded ever since at eSTeé salon, I love the shape that threading gives to my eyebrows. I also find it lasts longer and that its much more clean.

We made appointments a few months ahead of time, and then went in once about a month before the wedding date for an actual consultation. We talked about my hair and my dress, and my bridesmaids hair and dress. I went with a simple formal up-do, because my dress was simple and really elegant. My bridesmaids had their hair down. We all looked good. I really appreciate how efficient they were with planning, because we explained what time the ceremony was at, and they made sure I had more than enough time to get from the salon to my house, and then to the church. I also want to say that having a simple hair up-do made me less worried about my hair. At the other weddings that I was a bridesmaid in, the bride would get something really beautiful but she was afriad of moving her head. Simple is better.

I really loved my invitations. I knew I could have made them myself, but I also knew I wouldn't have the time or patience or skill to create something nice. I knew about Paperwhite Press because one of my best friends used them for her own wedding. The prices are a bit more expensive that what I had originally budgeted for invitations, but I really love the look of letterpress. My husband and I set up an appointment, we walked in with a draft of what we wanted and an idea of potential styles. Knowing what you like and how many cards you need saves time at the consultation, so it's worth it to come prepared.

I heard about this company from a bridal wedding page I had visited. I read that Vista Prints was having a sale and would print up 100 postcards for free. The shipping and handling was only $7.00, so we really felt like we had nothing to lose by ordering free cards. We were able to choose from a bunch of templates online, and we made a really cute Save the Date card. The cards arrived two weeks later, they were super cute and we put them in the post to our friends and family. This was a cheap and easy way to let them know that we had a date set.

I have been to so many bridal and trunk shows over the past few years! I would have to say that I always enjoy the smaller trunk shows, mainly because it feels less like a crazy zoo and more social. I think the vendors are fine, it's the other brides at the shows that scare me! The Southern Bridal Show is great because you get to see what vendors are in the area, and get great ideas about locations for the ceremony and reception. I got lots of great wedding theme ideas from wedding sites like mywedding.com, but it's at the shows that I get to know about all the different vendors in the area.