Our big day is here (august 2, 2008)

Our big day is here!!!
I stayed up on Friday night before the wedding writing a letter to Michael that would be delivered to him on the day of our wedding. Once I finished the letter, it was easy for me to fall asleep! I think I was just so exhausted--all the planning and stressing---I was getting married!!!!! I got a great night of sleep and was rested for the big day. My day started off at the hair salon with my bridesmaids--we went in shifts since it was a small salon. Unfortunately, the day became a little rushed at the salon--probably my 1 regret of the day--i wish we had started earlier in the morning at the salon--as it was 8:30am was not early enough--even though our wedding was at 4:30 in the afternoon. But all in all, we made it and everything turned out just fine :)
My grandmother got her hair done too :)

Melissa and Lara at the salon (they were a part of the first shift of appointments--such troopers)

Lindsey and Christie getting their hair done

Lilly and Chloe getting their hair set

Jennie, Rachel, Lesli, and Me getting magazine inspiration :)

Getting my hair and makeup done---the royal treatment :)

Our ride to the church...

Goin to the chapel.... :)


The boys getting ready

The men have arrived at the church


The boys getting a quick bite to eat before putting on their tuxes.


Our adorable ring bearer Cavan. He had so much fun hanging out with the big boys :)


A few pictures of our wedding

Lara and me


some of the church decor


My family and me right before going down the aisle


Making my way down the aisle


Our beautiful aisle runner


My cousins (Lauren and Ally) --the program and guest book attendants


My bridesmaids and me


MARRIED!


After the wedding in the holding room right before we took pictures


The reception:
A shot of the reception ballroom


Best man and Maid of honor introduction


Our first dance - "Signed Sealed Delivered"


Grooms Cake - GO VOLS!


Our wedding cake - inspired by a cake in the Martha Stewart Weddings book


Daddy/Daughter dance


Polish apron dance--This was such a fun time at our reception. It is sort of like the dollar dance you see done at some weddings but this is a polish family tradition.


Candy buffet



Our parents


Rose Petal exit


Our getaway car


For more pictures, be sure to check out our wedding album online:

Enjoy!!!

Wedding Jewelry

You have all heard the SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW SOMETHING BORROWED SOMETHING BLUE AND A SIX PENCE (or penny) FOR HER SHOE.

Something old: I have that one covered. I am using my grandmothers (now my mom has it) brooch and attaching it to my bouquet on the stems.

Something new: I suppose my dress, shoes, my earrings, and my new bracelet that I am having made. I saw a blog post on STYLE ME PRETTY with a beautiful bracelet.

This particular wedding that they were highlighting was in the middle of the winter so the bride's bracelet had a snowflake brooch. Obviously with an August wedding, that wouldn't exactly work, but I liked the idea of a rhinestone brooch and a multi-strand pearl bracelet--so I did some digging. As it turns out, this bride had the bracelet custom made. I found out that it was custom designed & made by the amazingly talented Christa Baker (starliftrc141@aol.com). I have since contacted Christa and she will be making my bracelet. We are both in search of the perfect brooch to use!!!
I saw these other MEGA expensive bracelets (they were almost $300 and the pearls nor the diamonds were real). They weren't exactly in my price range but they provide a nice inspiration.


Snowflake bracelet picture: Rachel Trigueiro
Other bracelets: Haute Bride

Something borrowed: My mother's pearl necklace.

Something blue: I am working on that one still. I think I might wear my sapphire ring and also go to the embroidery shop and get a piece of fabric embroidered with (blue thread) Michael and Meredith Crawford (or our monogram) and our wedding date (August 2, 2008) and have it sewn in my dress on the underside of the skirt.

and A SIX PENCE FOR HER SHOE: My aunt Wendy went to London for Christmas this past year and brought me back a British penny for my wedding day to bring me luck. This will be perfect! Its really shiny too!

Bridesmaid dresses are in :)

My mom was planning on going and getting them today--since she has time. I will see my mom the first weekend of April and I will get the dresses then from her to give to Lesli, Jennie, Christie, and Rachel. (I can also have my mom mail the dress to you if you would like)

Emily, you can either get the dress from my mom since you live sort of near there now or you can wait and get it from me later. Her phone number is 703-304-7658. Her email address is kkmiec@cox.net

Lindsey, you can get the dress from my mom since you live so close.

Melissa, Lara, and Marsha, you can get the dress from (my) mom next time you are in VA or we can mail it to you. Let us know which would be better for you.

If you ONLY paid a deposit on your dress, PLEASE CALL AND HAVE THEM RUN YOUR CREDIT CARD for the balance. (please try to do this today if possible)

ALTERATIONS:
Those of you who live in and around the Northern VA area are more than welcome to go to Rosalin's for alterations. I have the name of someone who will do alterations in Knoxville if you are interested. (just a reminder: you should wait to get alterations until you have your shoes to try on with it)

I think that's it! I am so excited they came in early!!!!!

The Monkey Suit

Tuxes have been picked out for the guys. We are getting them at Walkers Formal Wear in Knoxville. Measurements are supposed to be in by March 1st. I'm crossing my fingers on that one.

Here is a picture of what the guys will be sporting on August 2nd. It's a Calvin Klein suit....the funniest part is that Adam Foster and Julie Noonan (our friends who are getting married only a couple of weeks before us) picked out the EXACT same tux for their guys!!! What are the odds?!
The tuxes are scheduled to come in a week and a half before the wedding. We are planning a BBQ at my house (soon to be "our" house) for the Saturday prior to the wedding for the wedding party and their dates. The guys will then be able to try on their tuxes and make sure everything fits correctly. We will also enjoy the time with our closest friends as a HUGE THANK YOU for everything they have done for us and all of the love and support they have given us too!

Wedding dress shopping

Of course I will not reveal the picture of me in the dress I chose (you will have to wait for the wedding day for that).

Here are some of the others I tried on....some were just for fun....

For your viewing pleasure...

Here are some pictures from getting fitted for bridesmaid dresses at Rosalin's with my Virginia bridesmaids. We also decided to play around with the funny old wedding hats in the dressing room.

The Bridesmaid dress

Marsha, Lara, Christie, Jennie, Lesli, Rachel, Emily, Lindsey, and Melissa!!!! YAY!!!!

The countdown to the wedding has begun......226 days to go!!!! I have heard from each of you and you have graciously accepted my invitation to be in the wedding! THANK YOU SO MUCH! It means a lot to me! and good news! I have picked out the bridesmaid dress!!!! If you want to see it, go to:
http://www.jimhjelmoccasions.com/dress_db_occ/display_dress.php?imageno=5678
The color I chose are the colors shown on the model on the website and on the model below (--thanks Lesli). BISCUIT with a mango sash. WHAT DO YOU THINK? My sister and Lesli really liked it!!! :)

It is a Jim Hjelm dress and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! Tell me what you think :) All bridesmaids should have their measurements and the size they would like to order for the dress by MARCH 1st. (earlier if you can!!!) We will need plenty of time for the dress to come in, for me to get you your dress, and for you to get it altered if necessary.

The only problem is that they are kind of pricey....but the good news is that I found it for $192 no tax in North Carolina where my sister lives. (That's about $70 cheaper than what I was quoted at other stores in both TN and VA)

I want to ask each of you to go to a bridal store in your area that carries the dress....try it on. Ask to be measured and then let me know which size to order for you. I will order the dress from the store in NC and have it shipped to me. Then I will get your dress to you so that you can have it altered and such.

For you taller ladies (5'8" and taller), you can request length to be added when you order the dress that was it wont be too short. (i think it is about $15 extra to do so)

The style number is JH-5678 (that's a Jim Hjelm dress from the occasions collection)

Lara, Melissa, and Lindsey: We can go to this bridal store in Virginia together over Christmas if you would like.
The Bridal Closet Vienna, VA USA 703-242-2870

Christie, Rachel, and Emily: I would suggest the bridal shop listed below. They carry the ENTIRE line of Jim Hjelm dresses.
Faccio Bridal Franklin, TN USA 615.778.9437

Jennie: This bridal shop in Cincinnati also carries the full line so they should have the one
Bridal & Formal Cincinnati, OH USA 513-821-6622
Lesli: You have seen the dress. Just let me know which size you decide on and I will order it.

Marsha: You can just get yours at Bridal Mart on your own where you tried the dress on.

I am looking into the shoes. They wont look right unless we get dye able shoes to match the dress. I will let you know soon about those.

As I am sure you can tell, I am so excited about this! Please let me know by March 1 about your size for the dress. That should give each of you plenty of time to go and try it on and get measured!

Remember, you can order it longer if you need to.

I go wedding dress shopping on Sunday with my Mom in Virginia!!! I will update after that!!!! :)

stay tuned...