Dancing Shoes

My love of shoes is not a secret. Although, oddly enough, I only ever wear flip-flops. Anyway, there is nothing I love more than a sexy pair of high heels. And I do mean high. So I was a little disappointed when I realized that I could go no higher than 3 inches on the heel of my wedding shoes. Lower, if possible, for my dress to fall correctly. And, you know, so I have some good dancing shoes.

Right away, I found a pair of dyeables online that came in both white and ivory. They were cute enough, and the heel height was on 2 1/2 inches. Perfect. I almost ordered them in ivory to match my dress, but then it occurred to me. I could dye them black! The girls are wearing black dresses. I originally wanted a colored shoe peeping out underneath my dress. So I ordered the pair in white, planning on dyeing them later.

When they came in, I was not so happy. They weren't ugly. They just didn't really do anything for me. Damn. But really they weren't going to show that much, and the heel height was the important part. Plus, I was already on my second set of shoes (along with the second dress). These would have to do.

I dropped them off to be dyed black, hoping I would like them more when they weren't stark white anymore. I also did a little dance and prayer that they wouldn't ruin my shoes. So far, my luck is crap. I have no faith in anyone anymore!

I went today to pick up my shoes...and I loved them! Dyeing them black made all the difference (especially when they dye job was done so well).

I might have put them on with my old wedding dress (I knew I kept that thing for a reason) and danced around the house a bit just to see how they would look underneath a real dress.

Swaying to the Music

Kenny has been a good sport about all things wedding. A really good sport. Although, for the record, so have I. I know that everyone thinks the girl just loves all of this, but I wouldn't go so far as to say love. I want things a certain way. I have a certain vision, and therefor all of these appointments and things are necessary. I can't say I skip around joyously every time my day is booked with wedding appointments, though. Except the cake day. That one I skipped joyously to. Hello. Lots of free samples. And Kenny? He has been right there for everything (minus the dress stuff) without complaint. Even when I say things like, "Let's take dance lessons," and he hates to dance.

Last night we started our now weekly dance lessons. Me? I loved it. Our instructor basically spent the first lesson determining how far he thought he could take us. He kept trying this step and that one and this turn and that one to see how quickly we caught on. Kenny was a bit frustrated, I think. Just when he would get something, we would move on. But the reality was that we both caught on really quickly (although, I do have an unfair advantage with a background in gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance. Not to mention that I have actually taken ballroom dancing lessons before!) The instructor basically ended saying he could get us to a level that we could do some pretty cool stuff.

No seventh grade swaying to the music for us.

No Longer In The Business

The original florist has officially cancelled. After many phone calls and emails from me, she finally responded back with a rather short email. She simply stated that she was now pregnant and no longer in the business. Oh really? When exactly were you planning on telling me? When you didn't show up for my wedding. A week prior when my money was actually due? How incredibly professional of THE POSH PETAL to handle it this way. One would think she would honor the contracts they already have, but apparently not. Thank goodness I happen to be anal, and wanted to square everything away early (I have paid all the vendors except the band and the restaurant already).

On Tuesday, Kenny and I are meeting with two potential new florists. One came recommended by Holly (THANK YOU!), and I am pretty sure just by talking to her that she will be the one we go with. The other randomly happens to have done my future-sis-in-law's wedding. I say randomly, because it was five years ago IN ANOTHER CITY. She has since moved to Houston, and opened her business here. I had already contacted her before I discovered pics of sis-in-law on her website.

In the meantime, I started thinking I could just do my own flowers. I actually don't doubt my abilities.

A pomander (my first!) I attempted to make this weekend!

I just doubt my ability to find the time. I don't want to spend my wedding day running around like crazy, so off to the florist we go!

PS My first dress was ruined, my florist has cancelled, what more could go wrong. Did I mention our wedding date is smack dab in the middle of hurricane season?

One problem solved...

...and another one arises.

I found a new dress in two days. I LOVE the new dress. I am trying to look at the positives of having my dress destroyed. I did change venues after I purchased the first dress. I decided the new venue could use a different style dress. So that is exactly what I did. I got a different style dress. Problem solved.

Then I tried to pay our florist. And? I can't get in touch with her. She will not return my calls. She won't respond to my emails. I would just take it easy and assume something was going on right now. However, we only have two months. It took me two months to find a florist I liked in the first place! If I have to find another florist, I am in trouble!

Sewing 101. Screw that. Remedial Sewing.

I think I have lived every brides horror story.

Bride finds dress. Dress needs alterations. Bride drops dress off. Bride goes to pick dress up and discovers rips on the fabric, the worst, uneven seams a person has ever seen, needle marks all up and down every seam from the multiple attempts to get a straight seam, darts on the OUTSIDE of the dress with both thread and knot showing, halter cut at least four inches too shot ON EACH SIDE. The dress is ruined.

One very uneven dart on the outside of the dress.

Did a four-year-old sew this? My eight-year-old could have done a better job. No, really. She sews a pretty damn straight line. I am appalled that the person who touched my dress even operates a business. It wasn't like it was one, little mistake. There were so many amateur sewing errors, like the darts folded onto the OUTSIDE of the dress. I have never seen anything like this. Obviously a dress like this, a project like this, was far out of this person's expertise. Instead of saying so, though, she still attempted it....with my wedding dress!


I cancelled payment on the check for the alterations. I am also asking, nicely, for only half the cost of the dress. She should pay for the whole thing, but I almost feel sorry for the idiot. If she doesn't offer up half the cost, I am going to take her small claims court for the full amount plus my court costs.



In the meantime, I have been out shopping for a new dress. Anita happens to know the owner of Marry Go Round, a consignment bridal shop. On my limited (dress number two) budget, we found some great finds. Plus, you know, I was super excited to go to the store that was on Peter Perfect. It was like meeting someone famous! My mom, Anita, and I are headed back today for a second look at a dress plus on to one other shop. Hopefully I come up with something!

Stage One

I got the call today. Stage one of alterations is complete. I go on Friday to try my dress on. I will know then if it is all going work out.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Just a little off the sides. Or a lot.

I dropped my dress off for alterations this past week. It needs to come down 4 whole sizes. Major alterations. I am scared about how it will turn out. It was really hard for me to leave it. Is it wrong to be that attached to a bunch of fabric?

I don't think so. But I am also known to talk to my shoes. I often tell them how pretty they are.