This is wedding recap post #3. The last recap was about the Chuckwagon Non-Rehearsal Dinner. You can see all wedding-related posts on the Wedding page.

Oh my. The discussions we had about neck ties versus bow ties! Long distance relationships with four hour phone conversations allow ample time for these controversial topics. But when I chose my dress with a huge bow smack dab in the middle, it was settled. Bow ties all around! This was a very difficult dress to describe. “It’s very ruffly. And it has a bow right here…”

We have a few portraits of Kevin before he saw me that day, but he looks so stiff I hardly recognize him! He was just chilling like this while Melissa was photographing me, and I was like – “Get that!” That’s so Kevin.

THE GROOM

Suit: Kevin’s suit was a summer suit from Indochino which is unfortunately no longer available. Indochino rocks because their suits are very reasonably priced, and they offer 100% fit guarantee. If the suit they custom size for you doesn’t fit, they’ll pay for you to take it to the tailor! Thankfully Kevin didn’t have to do that. I’d like to see him get a classic suit from them someday soon.

Bow tie: All the bow ties were custom made by tux and tulle through Etsy. I chose a Japanese import canvas fabric from Harts Fabrics in two polka dot patterns.

Shirt: Kevin’s shirt was our first purchase from my fave Charles Tyrwhitt. I thought we’d go with J.Crew, but I stumbled across Charlie, and I love his shirts!

Shoes: Kevin wore Toms! I was originally going to wear Toms too, but I really dislike having my feet completely enclosed so I opted for sandals at the last minute. I have a pair of ivory matchies, and we couldn’t stop wearing them before the wedding! They’re so comfy!

Cufflinks: Kevin wore lucky horseshoe/four-leaf clover cufflinks from an Etsy antique shop as a nod to our Irish  heritage.

THE BRIDE

Dress: Well, it wasn’t “my dream gown!” And it wasn’t the not-strapless dress I was hoping for! In reality, I had only three days to find a dress over Christmas Break ’10 so I was a little pressured to make a decision. I had some fairly negative experiences dress shopping and did not enjoy the attention of overly pushy salesgirls. I finally found a store I could deal with at Jenni’s Bridal. This dress was originally my second pick, but after I left the store it was all I could think about! The label on the dress says Atelier Diagonal, apparently a Spanish designer. Thankfully, I was able to buy it off the rack since there was not much room to spare in my wedding planning timeline. Unfortunately, the fitting did NOT go so well. I went straight to the store when I arrived back in the States to be fitted. I went back a week later and they had taken the dress in too much! No bride likes to see her dress too tight! I had only about a week left before the wedding! My third fitting was only two days before the wedding so I ended up settling for a dress that was let out too much. That was extremely expensive tailoring for a dress that ultimately was too loose so I would NOT recommend Jenni’s for tailoring.

On a happier note, I loved my dress. It still looked beautiful, and I had plenty of room to eat at the nonrehearsal dinner! The ONLY other store I liked in Southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities was Heartstrings Bridal. I probably went to 6-8 stores in the cities without trying on a single dress. I’m sorry, but I know ugly when I see it! I will admit that my dress ended up being trendier than I expected, but I fell for it! I am so thankful I went shopping in the cities because my Grandma Mary Kay came along. She never got to see me in THE DRESS because she passed away extremely unexpectedly before the wedding, but I’m glad I have memories wedding dress shopping with her. (Note: December 26 – NOT A GOOD DAY to go wedding dress shopping!)

Veil: 42 Inch Kielle Wedding Veil with a Blusher from veiled beauty’s Etsy shop. I always wanted to wear a veil, and somehow along the line I became enamored with the idea of wearing a blusher. I loved my veil! The poof in the back looks so great in all the ceremony pictures.

Pink Bow: If we’d had all the time in the world, these would have been a DIY. But on a tight schedule they came from janelle haskin. I was ordering ivory bows for the bridesmaids, and on a whim ordered a pink one for myself. I meant to only wear it during the reception, but somehow it ended up in all the pictures.

Bunting Garter: One-of-a-kind. Handmade by my sister-in-law, Lisa!

Earrings: I agonized over the earrings. I ended up going with hoops – the reason I pierced my ears to begin with. These Kenneth Cole studded hoops cost me a mere $26. And I wear them ALL THE TIME now. Awesome.

Shoes: BC Hope Chest Three Bow Flat Sandals I had so many problems getting a pair of shoes that fit that I almost ended up wearing sparkly Target flip-flops. But I loved these cuties! I reuse these as well. In fact, I was wearing them today when my flip-flops got muddy from mopping.

Makeup: I have to say this. Thank you to Mary Kay lady Theresa Martin for making me look like a girl! I began my careful search for makeup artist by Googling consultants in Winona. Then we looked at their pictures to make sure they appeared “normal.” Finally, I forced Joanie to call and make the appointment since I am uncomfortable in these kinds of social situations. I’m just glad she didn’t pretend to be me this time because it wouldn’t have been believable when she met me. I liked the makeup, but I look so different I’m not really sure how people recognized me.

Hair: I am so thankful to my sister-in-law, Lisa, for doing my hair. It was so low-fuss, and it turned out beautifully. We fashioned it after this Chestnut Bun DIY on Cup of Jo. I was hesitant to even go into a salon. Wedding/prom hair is usually so crusty and gross. I knew my monstrous veil would basically cover it all up so we could basically do no wrong as long as we got a little POOF.

Photography provided by Melissa Laska

P.S. THAT DRESS IS FOR SALE!! Because I’m 100% heartless. The veil too! I’ll get my act together and list it somewhere soon, but my thousands of subscribers have first dibs!