456 Days to Go: And I am FREAKING OUT about colors.

Confession: I don't exactly remember what my dress looks like, and by exactly, I mean actually. I can sorta picture the neck line, and a I have a vague recollection of the train (almost called in a skirt), but beyond that...not a damn clue. This is the most important dress of my life (let's be honest, it's probably the only dress of my life...well, there was prom) and I couldn't describe it for a sketch artist. WTF?

This little confession is a segue to a much bigger confession: I don't have the damnedest notion for to my colors. The problem: I like everything. Burgundy and cream? Oooo, that's pretty. Plum, gold, and burnt orange? Like that too. Chocolate and mint? Now I just want ice cream. Lavender and smoke? Hot stuff. Merlot, latte and fuchsia? Despite my best judgment, yes.

It's all sooooooo pretty. Okay, I lied about the lavender and smoke, but a fall wedding just lends itself so readily to every freaking possible color combination on the effing wheel, and I have ADD (seriously, I do. Adult ADD, formerly just childhood ADHD. Scout's honor). I mean EVERYTHING sounds good, EVERYTHING looks soooo good, and this would all be much easier if I knew exactly what my dress looked like and exactly what color it was.

I do know a few things:

While I love red, and I love brown...they do not love each other. Merlot is not aubergine, no matter how much I like the sound of the latter. Claret is the color, chalet is a word I made up in my brain. There is no "A" in burgundy. Despite my best efforts, gold may be on the guest list, burnt orange too.

And regardless of color, decorations, venue or food, I'll get to spend the rest of my life with this guy:




Don't worry, I'm still freaking out.

463 Days to Go: Karma gives us a 180

So, while I haven't expounded as well as I should, for the past few months Karma has shat on us more than I feel was necessary.

Today she apologized, kissed our feet, and promised to treat us better.

First: David got his non-training, semi permanent schedule at work: 40 hours a week before lunch breaks. Woot.

Second: The adorable little duplex bungalow thing we looked at last week and with which we both fell desparately in love? The one I haven't mentioned until now to prevent jinxing? Yeah, Owner totally approved our application. Sign the lease next week, and it OURS...well, you know, ish. double Woot.

Three: Grandmother called. Dearest rich uncle who owns the fabulous (and fabulously dilapitated) railroad warehouse turned restaurant/reception hall brimming with antique Acadian charm literally blocks from the church where we are to be wed...has leased it for use as a reception hall. This is the building I dreamed for my reception since I was twelve. This is the missing half to my perfect ceremony/reception duo. This is the place I was told not to hold my breath about because it was all kinds of fubared after being left all but vacant for four years. AND NOW IT'S TOTALLY EFFING AVAILABLE!!!

Thank you, Karma. I needed that.

470 Days to Go: One down, 55 million to go.

Houston, we have a dress.

I did NOT think I would find THE Dress today. I really only went to appease a bridesmaid and a wedding coordinator. After a few "maybe"s and several "Not if Hell froze Over"s, The saleschick comes in with a few more options, two of which were discontinued, could not be ordered, take it now or leave it for ever types. The first of these two was lukewarm at best. But the second... the second made everyone catch her respective breath.

Except me. I'm indecisive to say the very very least, and this is, after all, my wedding gown, the be all and end all of my dress wearing career. I'm also as NOT a dressy, fussy, girly girl as a girl can get. Walking into this place, I was dumbfounded. The only articulate thought I might have had sounded something like "Ooooo, pretty..." I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I wanted a high neck halter with LOTS of lace... like almost all lace. I thought I wanted an antique white at the very least, and an ivory for sure.

This gown had no lace, was NOT a halter, and might be antique white in the right light. And it had a zipper - did I mention no zippers?

And somehow it really was perfect. I looked good, and other than that I was still wearing my slacks, it was comfortable. It was beautiful. It was only $323.25 after taxes.

Wait, what? You spend HOW much on your WEDDING GOWN?!?!?!

That's right ladies and gents, not just under budget, Two/thirds under budget. Can I get a what? what?

The icing on the cake? My two year old dress expert looks at me - done up in veil, jewelry, et al. and says "You beautiful Jon."

Sold.

477 Days to go: Of Caters and burgers

We met with our first caterer today. He's the sweetest man I've met in a while, and he talks more than I do (this a quite the feat BTW). And from what Dave tells me, the food is to die for.

But, he's in the middle of downtown Lafayette, so parking is an issue. He's at least $2100 out of our price range, and we're not too sure about his decorating sense.

I'm torn, people. Torn. On the other hand, we still have quite a few options to entertain. I just hope the other people we'll talk to are a sweet and wonderful as Keith. Because then my decision will be really hard.

After out meeting with Keith, we had lunch at Hub City Diner. I miss hamburgers, and the onion rings are the closest I've gotten to Tookie's yet. And sweet potato fries with salt are oddly amazing.

Just an FYI.

479 Days to Go: I didn't flake, I swear

So, we didn't go shopping today, for two reasons.

One: MY wedding planner/aunt had to cancel except...

Two: I cancelled on her first. Yesterday was a bad day, and last night even worse, so I wasn't in the shape nor mood to go try on eighty-seven different dresses.

We'll try again next week. Or we'll push it back for a month. Not knowing where you'll be living in two weeks really puts your life in perspective.

482 Days to Go: I should be more excited about this...

But I'm dreading this Tuesday.

Why, you ask?

I'm going dress shopping.

Pray.