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Aha, betcha thought it was me, right? Not so. Not. So.
Little known fact: my scruffy, unshaven, indie-rocker-meets-cowboy hubby-to-be is actually quite particular when it comes to clothes. Sure, his jeans may be unraveling at the hems, and he may still wear that t-shirt that was stained by our possessed washing machine, but the boy cleans up quite well. And he does it all himself. My mother buys everything for my father, down to his socks (no shame Dad; it's pretty common, I hear). This would not fly in our household. I've lucked in a few times, buying him tees that he actually wears, but that's as far as I go. Buying shoes is quite another story (a frustrating one, I might add).
Yesterday, after a wedding checklist marathon, we thought we'd get some fresh air and scope out Bloor street for some last minute accessories for Alex's wedding wardrobe. He had, until this point, planned to wear his pinstripe H&M suit with the chartreuse gingham shirt we bought last week at Club Monaco. The gingham, we supposed, warranted a bowtie accompaniment. We picked up a cute pinstripe version at American Apparel, along with some white suspenders.
Alex also bought a grey suede belt from H&M (I was not too fond of the canvas belt he had planned on wearing). We were only missing argyle socks (which we also felt to be appropriate for the outfit).
After arriving home, I busied myself with finalizing the menu, while Alex fussed in the bedroom. He emerged in outfit #1, the aforementioned suit and shirt with our newly purchased accessories and his pinstripe sneakers. He shifted and squirmed, pulling and tugging at corners and hems. #1 was not happening. Alex proceeded to have a full-blown wardrobe meltdown (a la Dayna) while I tried not to meddle. Better that way - trust me, I am generally on the other end of this scenario.
Outfit # two involved a shoe and tie change (we decided that the dog could wear the bow tie instead). He had affixed a white sock to his collar. "Babe, just imagine that this is a white tie, and that my shoes are not falling apart". He feared looking too much like a member of The Vines. I argued that he was in fact a musician. If the shoe fits, right? No dice.
Nearly 20 minutes later, outfit #3 is presented to me with some ta-da (finally) and Alex seems pleased with himself, yet apprehensive. You see, the suit was ditched in favour of jeans and his scuffed motorcycle boots. The bowtie and suspenders were back, but they finally made sense. Adorable! He was nervous about not wearing a suit to his own wedding, but we vowed to buy him new denim, polish up the boots and find more masculine suspenders (the current "unisex" pair from AA were a tad flimsy).
He said he was inspired by this photo that we had saved as an idea for our photographer:
I dug up this photo, too:
"Look, babe, it's totally been done", I said. My dress, although not as flouffy and formal as most wedding gowns, is still quite pretty and dressy. This couple seems to have pulled it off nicely, and I quite like the juxtaposition. I am also pushing for him to buy Cons, as above, too!
My dress is still a work in progress, but I will actually reveal the "before" picture now, as I am making significant changes to it. You won't even recognize it! I'm actually considering shortening it after all.
[ BEFORE ]
I clipped a Martha Stewart article about making fabric flowers, and I might just have enough craftiness in me to pull it off. Ability is not so much of a concern as time. 19 days!!!!! 
I know, you haven't heard me babbling about THE dress lately. That's because dress #3 is a hit, and I really do think it's the one. Yay! However, as previously mentioned, I am prone to meddling. I can just let things be, of course. Take my wonderful talent for turning one innocent zit into twenty by picking and poking - I have yet to learn my lesson. In the case of the dress, I already have plans to disassemble it, insert a new band under the bodice (to replace the black satin), and add a few finishing touches. I have decided that a linen, hemp or cotton/linen blend in a natural/ivory color with a metallic threading would be perfect for the band. The dress is currently mostly made from synthetic lace, and I would love to inject a bit of a natural feel. The fabric in the images below is pretty much what I have in mind:
I have also just purchased some vintage lace from a vendor on Etsy.com. To further personalize my new frock, in lieu of making it from scratch myself), I am adding layers of natural lace between the existing layers. I am inspired by this look, from Once Wed:
With the leftover lace, I hope to add a tad more modesty to the plunging neckline (my grandmother will be there, after all). Where the black band currently has a large bow, I am looking for a replacement - perhaps an oversized flower or bow in the same metallic linen? Or maybe I forgo the large accent for a more understated brooch at the centre of the bust?
I don't currently fill out the top properly, either, and the backless style prevents any help from my miraculous push-up bra. Not a problem, says my friend Tabor, who swears by NuBra, a jelly-like stick-on bra alternative. I am skeptical, but I will try anything. Having acquired some fairly decent sewing skills over the years, a little nip/tuck procedure (on the dress, not me!) will surely help as well.
Alex and my Mother, who have witnessed their share of my DIY-gone-wrong swearing fits, are rolling their eyes as they read this, I am sure. It will be gorgeous, though (even if the process does contain a tantrum or two), trust me.
("Let it be, let it be,...")
No matter how you look at it, it's more blue than green.
I found THE dress a while back, but was concerned that my interpretation of the colour as "sea foam green" was described to me as "actually more of an aqua" by the designer. "Robin's egg blue" also came up. These two more-blue-than-green hues had me worried. I'm not much for pastels, but the idea of a fresh pistachio-pudding-esque shade sounded stunning popped out with white accessories. It seemed so retro, like a 50's party dress. I fantasize about a Vespa in the very same colour. I am crazy about anything green. A hue closer to pale blue seems more appropriate for a baby shower than a wedding. But, the computer monitor can be deceiving. So I asked the designer to send a swatch and she kindly obliged. See above.
OK so, NOT sea foam green. I am now on the fence. Afraid of looking like a cupcake, I may opt out of colour altogether, sadly, and go for white. The same designer does a similar number in a glittery white chiffon. It's still very non-traditional as far as wedding dresses go (short and more of a cocktail dress). I'd love to post the two and get opinions, but I have to leave something a surprise, right?
My fears that we were not really being that productive have been abated by the whirlwind of wedding activity that has swept me up this week. We have:
- Booked 4 appointments to see venues on Sunday
- Made Friday lunch plans with a coworker who has a side business in baked goods catering (organic truffles anyone?)
- Made coffee plans for next week with a former coworker/friend who now has a side wedding photography business (we're going to try to keep it mostly digital, to tread a little more lightly on the earth)
- Collected decor inspiration from magazines and the web... we're currently noodling some DIY and cheap options for table arrangements
- Organized the wedding binder (*swoon* I heart my label maker!)
- Had an eye appointment and picked out new glasses. OK, so not really wedding-related, but productive. And, I am SO happy with them. Hot. Think: female Clark Kent meets sexy 60's librarian... in a smoky teal. *melting* AND they will look good with my potential dress, which brings me to the next point...
- Narrowed down my dress selection! I'm leaning towards the sea foam green chiffon number. Trust me: it sounds like 80's prom, but it's SO not. The eco-factor: it's handmade by an indie US designer. Yay for supporting small (somewhat) local businesses
In other news, I spent two days at the stores (Pistachio) last week setting up the new wedding promo tables. Lots of great eco-options for favours, and with a 30% discount to boot.
[ Weddings at Pistachio; 2433 Yonge and Yorkdale Mall ]
Alex also bought a grey suede belt from H&M (I was not too fond of the canvas belt he had planned on wearing). We were only missing argyle socks (which we also felt to be appropriate for the outfit).
He said he was inspired by this photo that we had saved as an idea for our photographer:
[ BEFORE ]
