What's in the bag?
Shall we talk about the dress? After all, it is quite difficult to not be entirely giddy when you get to see this purple carrier bag in your very own hallway! And no, I am not showing you or telling you what it looks like. The bag will have to do as teaser enough.
The dress has been a giddy experience from the start. It’s actually a wedding present so that took a bit of the stress away, which I was grateful for after the wedding show experience when we first started planning.
Wait. I haven’t told you about the wedding show. Let’s start this entire wedding-blogging-thing properly then.
We’ve been engaged for quite a while — since December 2006. So you would think this meant we had plenty of time to organise everything! (There was no magic reason for such a long engagement but it worked rather well for us as The Boy’s brother got married last September and it was nice to have time to celebrate their wedding before we really had to get serious about our own.) But I did do the traditional newly-engaged tradition of going to a wedding fair or two. One was a tiny local affair with just one vendor from each category. Most of the people there were sweet but they only worked locally and they weren’t really our style…but it was nice to see what was out there. In most instances, our early planning involved deciding what we didn’t want rather than exactly what we wanted. We needed to narrow things down. A great deal.
It was the second larger wedding fair that broke me. A big London affair with a big enough whack taken at the door for the privilege of going in. Lots of vendors doing the hard sell and really pushing stereotypes. It wasn’t a hugely convenient time for everyone (and I quite like to shop alone when I am in thinking mode) so I went on my own and I couldn’t count how many times vendors asked to talk to someone else who obviously wasn’t there — the groom, the mother of the bride. Once would have been a fluke but repeatedly asking to speak to someone who clearly isn’t standing next to me just made me think that maybe I wasn’t supposed to be making these decisions. Just generally disheartening. And then came the kicker — I was grabbed on the arm by some sort of makeover vendor and used as an example in her speech to a crowd. And well…there is nothing like being used as an example of how not to look to make you never want to book a makeover artist for your wedding. I just started to type out what she said exactly but then I realised it ruined one of the little surprises of the wedding. So I’ll tell you that bit after the day. In short, it was a mostly rubbish day at the wedding fair and with one exception, I left feeling pretty dejected and thinking there was no one out there who catered to unique weddings. Everything was package a, package b or package c. And we kinda wanted package ‘Shim & The Boy’, which didn’t seem to be on offer.
So we essentially stopped planning for an entire six months.
When we hit a magical day where we looked at one another and said ‘We have to Plan This Wedding!’ we started again and didn’t waste time with any packages. We were upfront with vendors and said if package was the only option, we weren’t interested. We wanted to have one party that was exactly what we wanted and we weren’t prepared to dilute our ideas just because no one had done it before. And you know what? Suddenly we had great people on board who understood us.
The fabulous girls who made my dress? They understood. I’m actually a little sad not to be stopping by their shop anymore, even though I was probably a little terrified the first time I went in. But no one else has seen my dress, not even my maid of honour. It’s been our little secret and we’ve talked about handbags and vintage shops and all those little wedding conundrums that happen. And how apparently it is bad luck to make your own dress (and making three bridesmaids’ dresses has been enough to keep me busy anyway) and well…it is a lovely place.
And inside that bag is a very lovely dress indeed. To me, anyway.
xlovesx
Read more about: wedding
13 August 2008, 19:12
I’ve just been looking through the links and the dresses are beautiful = can’t wait to see what yours looks like!
13 August 2008, 19:21
The Right Dress! If the dress makes you want to twirl in front of the mirror and dance on your tippy toes AND Lights Up The Boy’s Face when you walk down the aisle then you KNOW it’s The Right Dress!!!
And wedding advice, do all that you can to make this the most perfect wedding for you both right up to bedtime on the eve of your wedding day then “LET GO OF ALL THE DETAILS” and just focus on Yourself-The Boy-The Day-The Vows-The Joy-The Future Together.
My Very Best Wishes for Your Wedding Day and Your Life Together OXOXOX
13 August 2008, 20:39
After looking at their web site I can’t wait to see your dress. And I agee with JudiW, focus on your day because it will be over in a blink of the eye.
13 August 2008, 21:16
I can’t wait to see your dress. That site makes me want to get married all over again. Then I could fly over and have them make me a dress.
I’m glad that you are planning a wedding like you want. When I got married, everyone kept telling me I had to do it a certain way. Boy, did I prove them wrong. I did it the way my husband and I wanted.
13 August 2008, 21:42
squee and such- what a lovely purple bag. yeah and squee and oh my goodness you are going to get to wear that dress so soon. :)
13 August 2008, 22:36
How exciting! Can’t wait to see your dress, Shimelle :)
14 August 2008, 02:54
Doesn’t it just make everything right when you have the dress you want to wear?! Mine was purple and orange, and I felt like a princess!! It will be time to put it on before you know it!! Good luck… can’t wait to share some photos…
14 August 2008, 03:34
There is only one word that can be used during this time and that word is indeed SQUEEEE!
I looked at the Candy Anthony site… wow! I want all their dresses, wedding or otherwise!!!
Oh and as Jen said – lovely bag!
14 August 2008, 04:44
You were right not to make The Dress… I did. 12 yrs on,the beads from the shoulder seam are STILL not on despite staying up til 1am the night before the wedding to get it finished. My Dad threatened to take me down the aisle dressed in a bin bag…. However, it is 12 yrs on so it can’t have been that unlucky?! This years anniversary card from DH read “ups and downs + 100% love = happy anniversary” Kinda how it should be. Enjoy the wedding, but love the marriage more!!!
14 August 2008, 04:50
Definitely SQUEEEEE!!
Made me go all goosebumpy remembering picking up my dress before my wedding! I am soooo excited for you both! Have a wonderful, fantastic day – it’ll fly past soooo quickly! And your face will probably ache cos you’ve been grinning and smiling so much!!
14 August 2008, 06:02
Looking at the dresses on the link I so can’t wait to see your dress. You are going to look gorgeous!!
14 August 2008, 06:19
Firstly I think you are amazing doing it your way it’s YOURS and THE BOYS day no one else’s everyone else is just along for the ride, who ever said it was bad luck to make your own wedding dress was trying to sell you something, women always used to make them and in fact they would wear it for the first time on they’re wedding day & then be seen out in it again & again, none of this wear it only once attitude we have now! It’s only in relative recent history that weddings have turned into this huge business!
That make up situation sounds like my night mare & probably why I’ve been engaged for a whopping 11 years now, I just can’t face the whole rigmarole of the wedding, I don’t think I would ever go to one of those shows in the first place! You are braver than me. I’m just thinking of eloping in about another 4 years to make it a round 15 years of engagement LoL looking forward to the rest of your journey! Remember to enjoy it Seeya Hugya G
14 August 2008, 07:19
Looked at their site – such wonderful dresses! Can hardly wait to see yours. What I liked the most was they were so individual, seemed to suit each bride personally and won’t date like so many dresses (mine was a true product of the ‘70’s, but I still loved it).
So glad you are doing it your way – I was talked into lots of things I didn’t really want, cos I didn’t want to upset my mum, I’d be braver now – good for you for being strong & determined. Can’t wait for the next instalment!
14 August 2008, 11:21
Oh, this is all so exciting! I love weddings! And I can’t wait to see the dress…
I wish you so much happines…....
k8
14 August 2008, 13:24
Okay, even the BAG looks yummy! LOL. I can’t wait to see what your dress is like! Not long now!!
In case I forget to say it between now and then – Good Luck for the day and for the rest of your lives together. I wish you and The Boy much happiness and peace.
xMx
14 August 2008, 15:18
If the bag is anything to go by, that has to be a fine and fantastic dress. I hope you wear it with hatfuls of loveliness, and that your kites will always keep flying.~*
14 August 2008, 23:51
OMG!!! youre such a TEASE…i cannot WAIT to see it and after looking at their website im sure its a DREAM of a dress!! so happy for you that you stuck to your guns and got EXACTLY what you wanted…
17 August 2008, 16:03
The 50s stuff looks gorgeous… I am sooo jealous (in a nice way!).
You’ll look fab, you’ve got the look down pat ;)
Hope you both have a wonderful day
P.S. I really hope we get to see a pic of the dress AFTER the event! Pretty please… with a cherry on the cupcake :-)
17 August 2008, 18:18
Ooh lovely dresses on that site. How exciting, Looking forward to seeing your dress. I’m glad things have come together for a ‘shim and the boy’ style wedding. Have fun
xxx
20 August 2008, 18:05
I’ll be thinking of you and The Boy on the 30th & sending you my very best wishes for a happy life together. Can’t wait to see what the dress looks like.
24 August 2008, 23:41
I’m sure it’s just gorgeous … and it only has to be special for YOU, anyway! :) Having looked at that website, I’m already picturing you in Jackie Kennedy couture. :D
27 August 2008, 05:38
i cannot wait to see pictures! totally excited & giddy for your big day!
sending all our love & best wishes for just the most magical & wonderful start of your happy ever after!
{{big hugs}}
13 January 2015, 02:20
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