Bridesmaids dresses

Well, we're another step into the wedding process, although this may have been the most difficult step so far! Just kidding, ladies, but it was the most stressful for me; I just wanted everyone to be happy with my choices. Looking back I shouldn't have given so many, because between color and style it seemed no one wanted to be the odd 'man' out. As most of you know, especially if you know me well enough to be reading this blog, I'm traditional in some ways, but pretty off the wall in most others. This does make wedding planning a bit of a conundrum.
In an ideal world every girl in my wedding would have looked great in the Sadie dress in Olive, but that's not realistic, so I said they could choose style and color. Whoops!

The good news is, it looks like it's all going to work out! Everyone will look beautiful! Having received the swatches and with almost all the girls taking advantage of JCrew's additional 30% off sale, the bridesmaids have their attire! They are wearing Olive, Geranium and Espresso in strapless, wide strap, halter neck and Jackie O styles! It's a bit ecclectic, but I love it! And as you can see from my photos. the colors look very fall, and very good together!
Thanks girls! Now, we'll deal with shoes, ahhh! What do we wear on the beach? Oh, and NO, flipflops will not do...

Kilts for Everyone!

Ok, maybe not EVERYONE, but yes, for the wedding!
Today Matt and I enjoyed a lovely day taking care of more wedding details. After visiting Donegal Square on Main Street to inquire about kilt rentals, we headed to Phoenixville where we stopped in at USA Kilts. Kelly and Rocky, the owners and kiltmakers, were most helpful. They explained all of our options regarding styles of kilts, types of materials, jackets, waistcoats, socks, flashes (the plaid, ribbon-like things that stick out of the top of the socks!), as well as prices.
We decided to think about things a bit so we walked around the cute downtown and ended up in the local brewery, of course. It was ironically similar to our Brew Works, but called the Iron Hill Brewery. Matt also got to enjoy the end of the Villanova game; there's no such thing as too much basketball. Over a pint and some soup, we decided to go for it!
Upon our return, Kelly announced that the Buchanan's were back and we started with the measurements! Matt and Dad will wear them for the wedding, but I got one, too, for special events like Celtic Classic and St. Patrick's day. Why not, right?
Apparently traditional Scottish weddings allow for everyone to wear their own kilt; according to Kelly this makes for very colorful weddings. Since I don't think anyone else has a tartan the groomsmen will rent the blackwatch plaid, which for a decent price includes all the belt, vest, and coat trimmings.
With this decided I can now move on to bridesmaid dresses, flowers and decorations for the reception hall. Here's a sneak peek of the tartan I chose. I believe this is considered the ancient version as opposed to the very bright modern or very dark hunting version. I think it will look fabulous in the fall, especially on the beach in the late afternoon!

Wedding Dress time...plus a follow-up

Well, the hunt for a gown has officially begun! My sister phoned in an awesome tip that a local bridal store was having a sale. With such a busy weekend I didn't get there until Monday, but, boy, was I excited! I called up Emily, who also had me at her bridal store trip, and Calliope to meet me there. Did I mention I was excited?
Anyway, Emily made it just after I had finished with the sale rack. I was disappointed to say the least. There were only four dresses or so to look at! Serves me right for thinking I could get a dress on sale, right? I guess when I find it, I'll know, and nothing there was what I wanted. Soo, I'll keep looking, but we did get some ideas for bridesmaids!
Don't worry girls, I'll make sure it can be worn again, and just for Brewster - lots of ruffles, beads, and lace! :)


Ok, here's the update... Last night I think I found my dress! It was the original one that I looked at back in September, but we'll see what happens when I actually get it on! I marked some favorites online too, so I'll keep looking, just in case.
Also, this weekend Matt and I are headed to USA Kilts in order to pick the plaid for his kilt! This way I can make a final decision on color for the bridesmaid dresses! And I guess that leads to flowers, invitations, cakes and stuff, right!?

Saturday Morning!

Great morning today! Matt and I got the chance to sleep in! This will be one of my last now that track season has started, so I relished the idea. Then we headed over to another great new spot that has opened up in Bethlehem. While dining at Nawab, an Indian restaurant, over on the south side by Lehigh, we saw an English Fish and Chips style pub had opened. Being supporters of local "Mom and Pop" shops, as Matt likes to call them, we committed to checking it out.
Our breakfast was pretty good, a little pricey, but worth it. Over easy eggs, toast, mushrooms, a toasted tomato slice, bacon, sausage, and Heinz beans completed the meal. The place is adorable with surround sound and nice big flat screens to watch soccer matches!
We agreed to head back some time to catch a game, and try their Shephard's Pie!
Next up is finally putting away all the Christmas decorations, or else they'll still be up in May when my season ends! :)

Family Christmas, number #3?

Yesterday Matt and I had the wonderful pleasure of getting together with my Dad's side of the family for yet another family Christmas. My aunts and uncles as well as quite a few of my cousins were all present, with their children too. We met at the Berkley Heights rescue squad building so no one's house would be subject to the wrath of 12 grandchildren under the age of 6, I think.
It was a great success! While the kids got to play outside or at the park or even under their "table fort" together, the other adults were able to enjoy conversation or just watch the game and talk. I think we should do it like this every year. It sure beats someone's house having to brace for a tornado!
I was also able to share some wedding thoughts with cousins and aunts. I was even happier to hear that they too are looking forward to a weekend away at the beach for our wedding in October. They understand why we prefer an adults only weekend. If most of my cousins think back, they didn't have children at their weddings either. Since that has been one of my most pertinent causes of stress lately I was happy to have support that we should have the kind of weekend we want instead of feeling pressured into something I might be resentful of later. I also got some great wedding ideas, but I'll wait to reveal them in October.
I'm grateful to have such a wonderful extended family that is able to get together for such a nice day! And, I can't forget to mention, especially after the funny message from my sister that, while we watched the results of the Eagles game at our friend's house, she and her family made it home safely despite her husband celebrating the game-winning field goal as he listened on the radio driving the family mini-van! Love you guys!

Marry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ok, I know that it's Merry Christmas, but I liked the pun when I used it before, and thought it was a fitting title. My mood has changed quite a bit in the last week off. So I'm choosing to reflect on those feelings now.
With missing Thanksgiving and feeling so far away from everyone upon my return, I must admit that I felt out of place and disconnected to some of the things that are really important to me.
Having just spent the last week with my family and closest friends I feel that is all behind me now.
I got the most wonderful Christmas gift from my future mother-in-law, a carriage for the wedding, and having talked to so many of our closest friends about the wedding, I'm back in planning mode! Reservations, flowers, dresses, the bachelorette party, invitations, OH MY!

Matt and I are currently taking care of the hotel planning for our friends and family that are staying at the Inn with us and I'm soo excited!
This is going to be a great year and I look forward to more planning with close friends, and family! Happy New Year!