bridal accessories (shoes)

So I got the dress out of the way and now am looking for ways to save on accessories. I just asked my friend, who got married last year and shares the same shoe size (6.5) as me, if I can borrow her wedding shoes. She responded, "I'd be honored". These cuties are Max Studio Elba sandals.

I feel lucky to get hitched after many of my close friends have already done it that I will probably end up with not just one but two or more "something borrowed".

the wedding dress

The rule of thumb when it comes to selecting your wedding dress is to select a venue prior. That way you know your dress would be appropriate for a garden wedding, a beach wedding, or a fancy schmancy wedding. I, being the lazy bride, hadn't felt like looking at venues for a long time that I went ahead and tried on a few dresses for shits and giggles.

There was really only one place I wanted go: BHLDN (pronounced "beholden"). They only have two brick and mortar stores -- one in Chicago and one in Houston -- so when I was in Chicago last month for my friend's bachelorette, I made a point to go after she had left town. My other best friend and my parents joined me.

Although way above my budget, I was certain I'd love Catherine Deane's Lita gown ($2,400) in person (on the left). If not, definitely the Elysium (on the right).

 

But on me, they both failed to wow my peeps. I tried on a bunch thereafter.

From top left and clockwise: Anna Sui's Aiguille gown ($1,200), Catherine Deane's Cascading Goddess gown ($1,600), There Is Only You and Me's Iced Confection gown ($1,800), BHLDN original Crepe de Chine Column gown ($1,400), Hitherto's Sweeping Taffeta Ball gown ($1,600), Va et Vien's Savoir Faire gown (on sale for $1,400, orig. $2,800).

They were all beautiful gowns but I didn't LOVE any ON me. I liked the Aiguille and Ice Confection. But the Aiguille seemed too vintage and interesting and Ice Confection was too plain in the front -- though the back was stunning. My best friend took me to House of Brides the next day and made me try on a bunch of dresses. I tried on dresses I never thought I'd wear. Fitted mermaid gowns, strapless lace gowns, etc. But again, nothing wow'd me.

I was hoping to get the dress shopping over and done with, but it didn't happen.

Then a few weeks ago, I saw J. Crew's Vivienne gown online and decided to purchase it. At $895 (after tax, I paid $949.38), it was well within my budget, and I loved the style.

I wish the fabric was a bit lighter but the design is great and it has major potential after tailoring, which I'll need to allot another $500. I broke tradition and showed it to my fiance and he loves it. Also noticed their sizes are running out at a major pace so good thing I purchased it already.

bridesmaids dresses (part 1 of 3)

There was one thing I thought I was clear about before I even got engaged: bridesmaids dresses. Does that sound weird? Maybe. I stumbled upon these Alfred Sung dresses earlier this year and fell in love. How cute are they?

I've always had an unhealthy obsession with Audrey Hepburn and the full skirt reminded me of her and her movie Funny Face.

It could also be that Jessica Alba looks so fine in these Caroline Herrera full-skirted dresses. And I imagined my friends would look just as good.

 

BUT, after standing in weddings three (soon-to-be four) times, I realized I'm probably never going to rewear my bridesmaid dresses. No matter how much thought goes into selecting it, it just won't happen. 

So, I'm opting for Rent the Runway. I'll put my friends in designer dresses we can't afford at a fraction of the cost. They typically have a 30% off code for first-time renters, too. Luckily, I'll be back in NYC soon enough and 1/3 of the bridal party (I have six total) and I (am basically the same size as the remaining 2/3) can go to their showroom and try on a bunch before we finalize. I'll let you know what dress we decide on!

Sorry if I got anyone excited but I'd think this would be tricky for non-NYC residents dealing with fit and shipping/return dates on such a monumental occasion with no room for error. 

i'm just going to start babbling

My fiance and I had absolutely no clue what kind of wedding we wanted or if we could make a beautiful wedding an average budget happen. I'm still in school, I'm broke, and I'm attention-averse. So really, shelling out another $26K (according to the U.S. average; here's a great infographic) on a one day event that focused on me -- who cares about the groom, really -- seemed silly.

It took me five months since I got engaged until I started planning our wedding. FIVE months. I'm now considered the nontraditional, lazy bride. Everyone and their mother has been asking me if I set the date yet and I started to get so annoyed that I FINALLY decided I'm going to get on it.

So I'm going to post everything here. I'll even share our spreadsheet in the end if you want. It'll be my way of keeping me in check in terms of making progress but I hope that one day, someone in my shoes will find it slightly insightful. Here's to all the lazy brides. Cheers.