The Dress Experience

Since Rita called me last night to tell me the first dress I tried on at David's Bridal was actually in the store with my size (!) I was excited! This morning I took my brother to class and my mom went to an Open House for one of our family friends. I told her that Rita called me last night and she said let's go! So I went by my parent's house and got my mom, cousin and brother.

We got there and the dress fitted like a glove. The lady gave me shoes to try on and then said that even with the shoes I needed to get it hemmed. I had looked online and noticed there were petite sizes so I inquired if we just order a petite size would I need to get it hemmed. The lady (not Rita) then asked another sales associate and she said that the dress would be better if I got a petite size. However, the saleslady was worried that since it fitted so well that I should just stay with the regular size and get it hemmed. However, she went to get the lady who did the alterations and with some measuring and her "expert eye" she explained that it was best to get a petite size because if I hemmed this one then it would look funny at the bottom.

So we did it! We ordered the dress, and got shoes, blusher, veil, and the tiara. The dress will be in December 30th and will take 2 months to alter. Which will give me plenty of time in case there are any hiccups! Let's cross our fingers that there aren't any!!! I can't wait and am SO relieved that I was able to find a dress that I love!

Expensive Dresses

So later in the day, Gianina and Kate went with me to The Ultimate Bride in Brentwood. A former classmate of mine, Mary, mentioned that this place had great recommendations. I liked it that it was quieter and there were mirrors in the changing room and that the room was HUGE so it was very comfortable. However, we really didn't get to see many dresses. The lady was great, probably because now Kate could articulate what I liked and didn't like in my dresses. I didn't know the prices of these incredible dresses until after I tried them on. Here's to the ones that I liked, but didn't like after I heard the price...


$2,500.00















$1925.00









$1200.00 (more reasonable, but still out of my price range)










I didn't try on any more dresses there as I realized I probably couldn't afford their prices!

Dress Shopping!

Thanks to Gianina and Kate for braving through a couple of bridal places with me. The first was was a little more intense because my mom was there. However, I just wanted to show a few dresses that were a definite NO!





I did not like how this dress was bunched up.












This dress was pretty..until it was on me. Not very flattering!












I didn't care for the sleeves, then I found out you can take out the sleeves. We took it off and I still didn't like the dress. My mom did though.















I liked this dress, but hated the back (sheer top with buttons). My mom said it looked light a nightgown. I think it was sexy but agreed that it did look like a nightgown. Probably for a beach wedding!










Very traditional dress, but very simple and pretty. Just wasn't for me!










Rita, the lady who helped us at David's Bridal called me that evening to tell me the dress I DID like was found in my size! More later......

Movin' in and Movin' On

Last weekend Eric moved in! It was all done and over with within a few hours. The only hard part has been unpacking.

You see I've been living in my apartment for about 3 years now with MY stuff. My goodness how stuff accumulates. I spent two days cleaning and sorting through things. I mean I found birthday cards from when I turned six and letters from a former crush. I recycled all of the things I no longer needed, packed up the things that we could sell one day (garage sale anyone), and things that I won't use now but will use when we get a house.

The biggest thing that has come with Eric is his TV and his electronics. I feel like we live in a tight space but after some organizing and unpacking I think the apartment will look a lot better if not better than before!

Eric and I really haven't experienced much difference since he has moved in since he usually lived here half the time. However, it has been nice to know that I now come home to a man that I love and care for.

Well, not much wedding planning has been going on for a few weeks since we've booked up for ceremony and reception site. This weekend my very good friend, Gianina (from my master's grad program) will pay a visit and accompany me to look at dresses along with one of my bridesmaids, Kate. Then Monday my parents are throwing us an engagement party. I'm quite nervous as this will be the FIRST time that my parents will meet Eric's side of the family. I'm excited though but I hope that everyone will have a good time to enjoy themselves. I just hope for good weather since it's outside. Hopefully we'll have some pictures!

I LOVE BABIES (Please don't write that on your med school essay)

Congratulations to Jessica and Jeremy Baker! Yesterday morning I woke up to a text message stating that Killian Baker has arrived! It was certainly a surprise. Then I tried to spend the next hour waking Eric up so that he could go to work early and get off early so we could see the Baker family. No success but he still got off a little early and we were able to meet her. Here are some pictures!


I think I'm a natural! :)








Here with Supermommy Jessica! She looked so good and healthy!












Good Job Jess! Welcome to the world Killian!

Reception Hall!

On Thursday, I went to the Reception Site (German Cultural Society) to pay a big fat deposit. Now that it's clean here are some pictures!

The top picture is showing the stage area. The dance floor will be right in front.

The bottom picture really shows how big it is! Maximum capacity: 400 people!

Nice to know we get the whole weekend to ourselves. So Saturday we get three hours to decorate the place. I'm going to need a lot of manpower and lanterns to decorate it!

Reception Site!

Eric and I arrived at the reception site on Sunday at 1 only to find it locked. Luckily Eric has internet access on his phone and was able to call the guy that was suppose to meet with us. He had written down the time that there was a meeting but couldn't remember what it was for! So he came about 15 minutes later while another man who lives on the site opened the door for us.

Well, we were a little surprised when we got in there. Many people would probably just left but since we've seen the place before we knew that it wasn't going to be like that. There was trash everywhere, sticky floors, and the smell of day-old food. It was terrible. However, we were able to see how some of the tables were arranged and envision how we wanted the tables, the head table, and the dance floor. It even has a disco ball!

Also, we were a little worried about there being a Saturday event. However, it looks like we get the entire weekend! Since our wedding is on a Sunday the tables and chairs will be set up on Friday by noon, Saturday we have three hours to decorate, and Sunday they will open the doors early for the "caterers" to come in and they will clean up afterwards as well. We are SO excited about the flexibility of this hall. There are 100 parking spots but also an overflow parking spaces across the street.

Things seems to be falling into place slowly. I just need to make the time to try on dresses!