No Tiaras!!

Okay, I am too old to be wearing a tiara for my wedding. It's a wedding, not a pageant, for Pete's sake!

So, I am going though a few options. I want this effect with my veil, because the veil is very classic/simple.
I found these two options. I am still looking around, but what do you all think?

Hilarious Wedding Photos

Just a sidebar funny for the day. I ran across this HILARIOUS post on another blog! ENJOY!!!

Hair and MakeUp Trials

So, yesterday, I had my first hair and makeup trial with my FAB-U-LO-SO stylist, Michelle. Michelle and I always get together and chat about EVERYTHING and act like two sisters that haven't seen each other in four years (LOL). She is a GREAT hair stylist (and is into hair CARE, not just styling) and is a FABULOUS makeup artist (she is a licensed makeup artist and used to work for M.A.C. and a few others).

As for my hair, I knew I wanted my hair up and off of my neck (hey, late May in Mississippi + humidity = a BIG, CHAKA KHAN hair do for your wedding day.......not happening!). I wanted an elegant "bun". Not anything too high where I looked like I was carrying a sack of curls at the top of my head and not anything too "stiff" looking. I wanted the front part of my hair to be combed-down and have a silky look to it. For the back, I wanted something elegant, overall. See below for some of the styles I like. The one in the top left corner is my fav, for the rear view of my hair and I love the sleek, laid-down look of Tia Mowry's hair in the upper right corner of the pic.

QUESTION: Can someone tell me WHY elegant hairpins cost so much??? WOW! I was thinking about doing 3 or 4, but as I started looking at the prices, I'll forgo the hair pins and just have my hair! LOL... My veil is VERY simple. It is a single layer veil with very small crystals and rhinestones lining it. It does not have a blusher. It falls about mid-back length (I didn't want nor need a long, intricate veil).

As for my makeup, I am a minimalist, anyway, but I do want to look finished (not made up) on my wedding day. I'd like a smokey (not too dark) eye and a neutral/light lips. I'd like highlighted cheeks, also.

Michelle and I played around in my makeup, but it was obvious....another cheek color is needed as well as a concealer. I never knew what a DIFFERENCE concealer made until last night! WOW! I guess age, stress, etc., are starting to get to me and I sometimes have dark circles under my eyes.

I'll post the pics of my trials when I upload them later. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: I get the IDIOT award!! I accidentally deleted my photos because I thought I'd already uploaded them on the computer!! DOH!!!

Pattern Selections

Ed and I chose our formal china, crystal and flatware patterns back in the early winter. We chose Lenox's ENGAGEMENT for our formal china pattern and Waterford's LISMORE NOUVEAU for our flatware and crystal patterns.

Someone asked WHY did we even choose a formal china pattern, crystal and flatware since "people don't use them any more". Um, I don't know about you guys, but I was raised in the deep south and EVERY Sunday dinner, holiday dinner and any time you entertained guests, the formal china was used. It was my job (and still is, when I am home) to set the table.

Whether it was for our daily dinners or for Sunday dinner or holidays, I always asked to set the table, CORRECTLY. Any time that I had a question about what went where, my Mom would pull out this REALLY OLD (I'm talking 1950-ish) Betty Crocker Cookbook and in the front of the book was any and every table setting you could think of. She would tell me, on occasion, where items were to be placed, but most of the time, she'd tell me to look in the book (that is what I get for having 2 teachers as parents!).

I LOVE a formal table. Reminds me of being HOME and having friends, family and good food around. So, when someone else asks me WHY I chose a formal pattern? Read above! I LOVE to entertain! I LOVE a formal table when entertaining!

Bridal Earring Choices

My dress is strapless. I will not be wearing a necklace or heavy/thick bracelet. I do want a pair of elegant earrings to wear. I came across these beautiful earrings, below, and I am deciding between the three. Yes, I know, you'd probably need to see my dress to decide, but er, eh............that ain't happenin'! LOL.... (Click on the picture for a larger view of the earrings). My personal vote is for the first pair due to the length and slimline-look (not as short and stocky as the second pair). Then, again, the second one is very simple and elegant, too, and not as long. The third pair gives me the length and simplicity that I am looking for and has a vintage look to them (which I LOVE).

Hmmmm, decisions, decisions.....

Invitations Are Back and Heading Out in the Mail!!

I received all parts of my invitations last week. Some of my attendants assembled them the day before my shower in Atlanta. I think they came out FABULOUS!

This is what the completed invitation looks like. Instead of using an inner envelope, I am going to use this letterpressed band to address what, normally, the inner envelope would say (that is a magnolia flower letterpressed on there). These will be mailed in an off-white envelope with the return address letterpressed on the flap in orange. Here is what the upper portion of the pocketfold looks like:

Here is what the lower portion of the pocketfold (with inserts) looks like:

Here is what the entire invitation looks like, open: It look us A LONG TIME and A LOT OF ADHESIVE to get these together! BUT, I am VERY happy with the way that they turned out!

My Choice Of Ceremony/Bridal Shoes

I've chosen my wedding shoes. Me likes.........a lot!

Due to my foot surgeries last year, I didn't want anything TOO strappy, but I also didn't want anything ORNATE. I think these are a good mix of elegance and comfort.