Just Ordered...

...BRIDESMAID DRESSES!

I'm so excited that we found these great, full-length strapless dresses in chocolate brown. I just placed the order and can't wait to see them in person, and of course, on my bridesmaids!

We had the chance to check out the linen colors at the Edelweiss last Saturday, so I am really looking forward to seeing how all the colors look together.

An added bonus of last weekend was that Dad and Janet were in Indianapolis, so we had the chance to show them the church and the reception venue. They liked them both, but Dad was a little concerned that the dance floor might not be big enough for him to show off his moves! Look out!

Here We Go A QUASHing!

This has nothing to do with the wedding, but is a cause that is close to both of our hearts -- Alzheimer's disease research, support and care. Dan's maternal grandma had Alzheimer's, his paternal grandma had dementia and my paternal grandma was somewhere in between. Watching them struggle through the confusion and mental anguish hurt us both, and of course, was heartbreaking for many of our family members.

Last year was the first year for QUASH - Quest to Unravel Alzheimer's Scavenger Hunt. When I found out about it last spring, my Grandma Lucile was in the nursing home and it seemed like each time we visited, there was a little less of the grandma I grew up with there. It was terrible for our family and I want to do anything I can to help prevent other families from watching their grandparents and parents suffer from this terrible disease.

We had a great time QUASHing last year, and I'm excited to raise more money for Alzheimer's research again this year. If you'd like to learn more about QUASH or want to support my efforts, here's a link to my personal QUASH page. The event takes place April 25 in downtown Indianapolis.

The Dress

I really want to dish all the details about the dress, but since Dan can't know anything about it before he sees me walking down the aisle, it will have to remain a mystery to you too! I bought it on Monday and was pleasantly surprised that it only took me one week and a few shopping trips to find The Dress.I can, however, show you a few photos of dresses that did not make the cut!



Oh, and here is a look at the dress that I thought I would love, but then tried it on and decided it wasn't quite me.

Finally... A Post in March!

It's been a little while since we've written much on here, but we've been so busy with preparations! Things are really coming together, and we now have a good idea about how many elements of our special day will turn out!

We've met with a couple of florists - Steve's Flowers and Distinctive Designs. Not sure exactly who will be going with yet, and we've thought about the DIY route too... but I'm a little nervous that the bouquets might look like more like a first grade project than wedding flowers! Our flowers will probably be shades of red and orange - we want it to feel very much like autumn. We're thinking of using mums, spider mums, circus roses, alstroemeria and some carnations.

It hasn't been purchased yet, but I am SUPER excited about my dress! I've been shopping a couple times in the past week and have found one that I absolutely love at a price that absolutely can't be beat. I won't write any more about it though, since it must remain a secret to Dan!

Dan and I both have really good ideas about the wedding bands we'll be getting. Dan is leaning toward black tungsten, but hasn't picked out the exact design he wants yet. I'll probably have mine custom-made at a local jewelry store so that it can fit to my engagement ring perfectly. And while I don't necessarily want it to be fancy, I really want to have both of our birthstones in it - ruby for Dan and pink tourmaline for me. And we're also going to put a few diamonds across it which can be replaced with children's birthstones in the future. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

We're also looking at options for our cake, which will probably be chocolate-frosted with either strawberry or raspberry filling. And we're even going to get a groom's cake for Dan. No, it will not be a bleeding armadillo a la Steel Magnolias!