Bridesmaid Dress Shopping in MI

I'm flying up to Michigan at the end of the month for a family union in Petoskey, MI and I've scheduled two appointments for all of my bridesmaid's (eight) and I to go dress shopping. Here are the places that we are going to go:

1) David's Bridal (Of Course!)

He's the dress that is still at the top of my list for David's Bridal. I love the high neck line, short, horizon dresses.

Here's a couple pictures of real women in this style of dress. It works for all shapes. With having 8 bridesmaids I definitely have a wide range of will have many body types to dress.

2) Lett's Bridal

I don't really have a favorite for Lett's Bridal, but I'm sure after we go and look at everything I will. I'd probably go with a gray bridesmaid dresses here because they aren't going to have the right color blue to match up with Men's Warehouse.

Perfect Blue Dress

I love this dress! I'm loving high neck dresses and this one is perfect!!

Maggy London Ruffle Neck Stretch Cotton Shirtdress

Pure Michigan - Your Trip Begins

Lance and I will be flying up to Petoskey, Michigan for our yearly Family Reunion the last weekend in July. It will be Lance's first trip to Petoskey and I will be taking him to the most beautiful place on earth, Mackinac Island.

Anyone visiting Michigan needs to make sure and experience the following listed below.

The Cross in the Woods in Indian River, Michigan

As a small child, I remember going to mass and visiting this church when we would stay with my Grandfather in Petoskey, Michigan. Click on the picture and learn about this amazing and unique church.

Lake Michigan

Whether it's by Grand Haven or Petoskey, you must experience Lake Michigan. It's the most beautiful, fresh water lake you will ever see. Promise!

Petoskey's Historic Riverfront

Just next to downtown Petoskey is the historic riverfront "Petoskey City Marina" with the famous red clock. There's always clear blue skies, bright blue water and pure white caps.

The Traverse City Cherry Festival

The Cherry Festival is July 3rd - 10th, 2010. Be sure to try some wonderful Michigan cherries and check out the website for festival events.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island

There are no cars allowed on the island and they make killer Mackinac Fudge and Ice Cream.

Happy 4th of July with BR

Sarah Elizabeth and I went to her wedding dress fitting this morning, and afterward stopped by the new Banana Republic outlet store in Prime Outlets in Lebanon, TN. I've missed BR since Opry Mills closed down due to the flooding. I feel like I'm walking into my very own store where everything was made for me. I love the fit of their clothes!

Today, everything in the store was 50% off! What a great start to my 4th of July weekend! When I go to work this week, I'll take some pictures of my new BR outfits so you can get a better look at them. Here's a little taste below and how affordable it was.

$22.49


$9.99


$22.49


$14.99


$14.99


$17.49

That's it for BR. Below are two other items that I bought last weekend. I'm loving white for the summer.

Looking for Another White Dress!

Besides my soon-to-be wedding dress, I fell in love with this gorgeous dress when I was watching the Life and Career of Cameron Diaz on E! Cameron was wearing the most beautiful dress ever when accepting her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. I know I'm a little behind, but here is her dress from a couple years ago. I really need to find a look a like.

Embroidered Ivory Dress Oscar de la Renta's Resort Collection

Here are some of the look a likes that I found online. Not as beautiful as Cameron's, but some close seconds.

Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Lace Sheath Dress


Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Pleat Detail Embroidered Cotton Dress


Tahari


Max & Cleo Pleated Ruffle Wrap Dress


I'd pair with these royal blue heels instead of red pumps!

Ode to Bella

Here's some great pictures of my 2 year old Boxer, Labrador Retriever mix, Bella! Lance and I rescued her from the Macon County Humane Society in Alabama about a year and a half ago. Here's crazy Baby Bella!

In our first apartment in Montgomery, AL


Sitting Pretty and Staying Warm


Her first snow fall in Nashville, TN




She made it through the flood


Bella's attempt at helping the flood crisis

Resting Peacefully on Mommy's Pillow

Wedding Invitation Leader!

Here's the wedding invitation that is in the lead from zazzle.com. It's pretty much everything that I wanted in an invitation, a little damask, blue and monogram. I couldn't ask for anything else.

The Front


The Back

The only thing I'm going to see if I can change is to make the blue a little brighter or darker. Probably more of a royal or horizon blue. The reception cards, programs, etc. will match this style.

Really Cool Save the Dates

I was researching wedding items online and stumbled on to these really cool Save the Dates from koyalwholesale.com. Look, Lance and I could be cartoon characters. Too cool!

Our Wedding Reception Venue - BOOKED!

Last weekend, my parents came down from Michigan and checked out all of the venues on my short list while Lance and I were at work. It was very helpful because Lance and I have been really busy at work. TODAY, Lance, Kim (Lance's Mom) and I just went to the Old Hickory County Club to check it out. And...Lance and I just booked our reception venue and gave them the deposit. Thank God that was easy!! They have beautiful grounds and the hall has an old southern feel. Here are the pictures.

Here's the front


Close up of the front


The Golf Course Grounds


Close Up of the Golf Course Grounds


A Pretty Fountain


The Ballroom - Head Table


The Ballroom!

It's a beautiful, old southern space that Lance and I can make our own. The place comes with a white or black table cloth and napkin options. We will probably go with white and then get damask white and black runners across each table. Then I will have to research and put together great budget friendly center pieces. More to come on reception decor.

Personalizing Our Wedding

I definitely want to incorporate personal touches within our wedding and here are some great ideas that I've come across.

I love pictures and our initials, so lets put them together. The black and silver letters would go great with our color scheme.

I'm not sure I love this exact cake topper, but I definitely want a F on the top of our cake.

2 inch x 2 inch magnets from zazzle.com

I just found zazzle.com and I will probably use them for my invitations. I love these little magnets that I customized with our color scheme and names.

Lance is Jewish, so we will be incorporating some Jewish Wedding touches like these glass stomping. I found out it's actually a light bulb these days. We will be incorporating some more Jewish touches, but not sure what yet. Maybe I'll walk around Lance eight times or something else still TBD.

At the reception we will participate in this cool Jewish tradition. I just hope they don't drop us! :)