The Dress!

Hey everyone! I am totally frantic, trying to get myself together to leave the country for a month! I leave TOMORROW! This is probably going to be my last "live" post for a few days. I do have some other stuff planned to auto-post, but I never feel like those are my best work. Y'know?

At any rate, y'all know that my dress arrived about a week early, which was the best wedding news EVER! I met Sharon, my photographer's wife (we've become fast friends!) at Arzelle's on Saturday morning to simply try the dress on. I brought my veil along too.

I'd had two cups of coffee that morning and had also stopped at Starbuck's for an indulgent Grande Skinny Hazelnut Latte, extra hot, no foam (it took me a year to learn exactly what I wanted AND how to say it). Sharon had run into unexpected road work so was running a little late. I was pacing in Arzelle's like a caged animal, I was so excited! I did get to see other brides trying on gowns and that was pretty fun.

Sharon arrived and I hopped into my dress FAST! It fits! Well, all except the boobs, but that's totally expected. I don't think I'm going to have to worry about a weird bra or those even weirder fake boob bra things. I'm pretty certain they can build some pads into the gown and all will be good.

I put on the veil and Sharon actually got a little teary-eyed. It was so sweet! I felt like I was going to pass out. It was all really REAL, if that makes any sense. I didn't think much about the dress or the veil or the moment, I was just sort of freaked out. Nervous. I think I'm going to be a nervous bride. I don't want to be a nervous bride. I want to be a happy bride. Maybe an early morning yoga class the day of The Big Show would help the nerves. Hm. Food for thought.

So, I know you all are dying! Here's the photo op of the first try-on!

I think I was talking to Sharon when she snapped this one.

Here's my self-portrait!

Sharon snapped a few pics with her mac-daddy camera and I hope to post those before I leave. I know that she and Jonathon have been crazy busy with photo shoots as of late. They are so popular!

So, I think the alterations will simply need to be in the boobs and maybe a little taken in at the hips. The dress is just about a quarter inch too large right at the top of my hip and it makes one of the pleats across the front stick up, but I may be looking too hard. Also, one of the straps was constructed twisted, so they will need to repair that. The length is perfect, almost too short! I tried on a pair of three inch heels and they were too tall for the dress. I'm definitely going to need low heels. Boo. :( Probably good for my knees and feet though! In reality, the dress is near perfect-fitting. Hooray!

I've scheduled the actual alterations appointment for the end of July. I get back the first weekend in July, but I thought it best to wait a few weeks prior to the fitting. I tend to lose weight overseas and don't want to alter it too small if I do lose prior to a fitting. It would suck if my dress was too small the day of.

I am just so relieved to have my dress in and know that it's on its way to perfect for The Big Show!

Next time I post live, I'll either be in Manila (The Philippines) or in Hong Kong, depending on how busy Manila ends up being. Keep your fingers crossed that I avoid the H1N1 virus (the mayor of New Orleans is currently quarantined in Shanghai) and that my A330 doesn't have the same Air France issues.....yikes!

Make sure to leave me some comment love. The Internet, Skype and email is my touchstone home for the next 24 days!