Changing settings

Idle hands to idle things, I guess. Since we've finalized a bunch of things and the newness of the ring has kind of worn off, I've been a little wishy washy about the ring setting. Sometimes I love it, other times I wish it were different. I was perusing the inflight duty free catalog on my flight back from my business trip, and I saw this set of earrings that seems to have all sorts of possible jackets/ configurations. I wish rings were more like that.

I've gone back and forth about the stone setting on the ring. Finally got it switched out today for a much more simple style setting, and it was almost like night and day... 

Found our venue, getting things done!

Found our venue, and we are slated for a Thanksgiving weekend wedding! It's going to be held at V. Sattui Winery in Napa Valley, so the ceremony will only start at dusk, after the winery has already closed to the public. This is fantastic, I'm starting to visualize everything, and I think it's going to be unique and intimate with light and votive candles really setting the ambiance... I just hope the photographer can capture this well, because I have a feeling that smartphone photos will be either blurry or overexposed. Pulled some pictures from the internet of V. Sattui in the evening, and I've started experimenting with things that would glow/shine/glisten through the evening. We might go with flameless votive lanterns for the bridesmaids in lieu of bouquets. And maybe a rhinestone trinket bouquet for me. I got some ideas initially from etsy, but I really couldn't afford a $750 crystal and rhinestone bouquet. So I headed to the craft store and basically grabbed everything that was 1) sparkly or shiny and 2) totally on sale.

V. Sattui Courtyard

Barrel room where reception takes place

Votives for the bridesmaids (maybe)

Bunch of stuff glued on a styrofoam half sphere... Kind of weird close up, but fiancé called it "so bling"... Exactly what I was going for... Haha. I dunno!

Paper invitations?

The last RSVP card I dropped in the mailbox today was routed over from my old apartment. I went through all sorts of anxiety when it hadn't arrived. I even toyed with the notion that maybe I actually wasn't invited to the wedding after all. Like many others, over the years I've started to disregard postal mail. Nothing essential ever comes in the mail, except traffic fines and medical bills, and those have little incentive for me to receive.

Yesterday over dinner, InHan and I were discussing wedding invitations - should we do them, should we do them for only people who ask for them, should we do them only for people who don't have email or internet, should we skip the whole thing?

I used to collect wedding invitations. I always thought I would have one for my own wedding, but maybe I should pull myself into the current year and go without. Save the trees?

Where does one find this?

If only I could get my hands on this 2010 Rosa Clara. Pockets on a wedding dress that looks like origami? So fantastic.

Uh oh... bridezilla tendencies

Decided that the dress I was making is totally not my style. I have no idea what I was thinking with the lace, beads, and flowers! Ended up ordering a dress, and it arrived today. I like it a lot, but it needs to fit me better. I called the alterations department and they said that they generally don't do alterations until 6-8 weeks before the actual wedding. That makes me really nervous. I mean.... what if something horrific happens with the alterations and I end up looking like a clown in a trash bag?

Anyway, I scheduled an appointment for alterations this weekend. The lady on the phone seemed surprised with my request, as if I'm the only bridezilla that she's ever met.

Heard back from the venue we really want. Still pending. Seems to be a real test of patience, but maybe all good things are worth waiting for. Furiously and heavy-heartedly text spammed the fiance today about the non-news from the venue...  So we won't know until mid-April. As an emotional reflex, I sent out another 5 or so RFPs to a bunch of places. Somehow having the other venues email me back generic .pdfs of their wedding packages was cathartic.

Badgley Mischka Thora Silk Ruffle Pump

Ahhh I love this.

Reminds me of a paper project I did last year for kicks :]

Engagement photo :)

Probably the most efficient photo session ever... 15 min and we were done. The weather was so beautiful, we finished with an afternoon stroll in the beautiful city we call home (for now :)).