This is missbella's Green Wedding!

My dress is very similar to the back of this one but has no train at all. The bottom is tulle.

Is it possible to have a train made and put on something like this and will it cost me an arm and a leg?

After over two months of searching, I finally found my dress!

(Sorry this is so long but I just have to vent this all out! I am on cloud 9 at the moment!!)

I tried on so many different styles, changed my mind a thousand times, and I am so happy to say that the dress I chose is both everything I wanted AND waaaaay on sale!!!

The dress that I envisioned was definitely ballgown. I am a girly girl so I wanted a dress that had elements of sparkle, a poofy bottom and the WOW factor. I wanted a dress fit for a princess (Don't we all!!??)
Well..... I found it! After trying on so many, I learned that it was the sweetheart style that flattered me most. I was on the search for a bodice that had both satin and sparkly beading throughout it. I wanted the bottom to be made or tulle and to have personality to it. I wanted it to be fun and move with me when I walked like I was walking on a cloud.

Well, I ended up finding it at the last place I imagined I would! There is a Bridal Warehouse in Tampa called Jon's Bridal. I had my sister in law come with me. I wasn't expecting to find the dress at all. The store is very old fashioned with ugly carpets and wallpaper from the 1960's!! But I thought I would give it a shot since I had tried so many others. I didn't even realize until my appointment that the way this place works is that you buy off the rack. It's a warehouse of designer dresses sold for cheap because you buy them as is. We grabbed a bunch from the floor and tried one after one. I found the lady that I was dealing with a little anal and I will have to say that from my experience, the customer service there was less than stellar. She was kind of rude to my sister in law and I had picked certain dresses to try on and she didn't bring them into the change room for me.

But I will say this, the second dress that I walked out in by far knocked every dress out of the water that I had tried on. It had EVERYTHING! The bodice was super sparkly, it had the sweetheart shape bust line, the bottom skirt was all tulle and had little fabric flowers threaded throughout it, and it was a corset back which was another thing i had wanted. I felt like it flattered my figure so nicely. I felt like a princess. This dress, had the wow factor!!
I have to actually credit the consultant for one thing she did. When I arrived for my appt I was asked my budget. i had muffled "under $1500" under my breath hoping that I could find something within that realm. When she was putting this dress on me, I had asked her for the price and she said she preferred not to tell me. I thought to myself in that moment "Ah, lady,. this is something I need to know as it weighs in huge for my decision making!" But there was a reason for her not telling me. She knew the price of the dress and wanted to make sure that I selected the gown that I loved the most out of all of them, trusting that they were all under my budget. After I had tried on about 6 dresses in total, I said that i really wanted to put the second one back on. That is was by far my favourite and I needed to feel myself in it again. When I put it on I looked at Jessica (my sister ) and teared up, i told her it was the one! She teared up too and we had a moment together with tissues. It was then the lady told Jessica that she would let her tell me how much the dress was. Jess read the tag and it was on sale for........ $875 dollars!!!!!!

I couldn't believe it. I began sobbing because I felt like it was a Godsend. My fiance and I have been struggling with money as I just moved to Tampa and we've run into some unexpected immigration fees. I can't work yet so we are living on his income! It's been very challenging as we also have to plan a wedding at the same time.

This dress was meant to be mine, and it feels so good!

Because the dress was an exclusive line from Allure called ACE, i can't find a picture of it anywhere as I have read that it was an "unadvertised exclusive line"

The photo of the dress I have posted is the closest I could find to what it looks like. The bottom is the exact same. The top is pretty much the same as well with less beading on the bodice and more satin showing.

I am so in love and so relieved. I bought the dress and I will have it in one month! I am making a few alterations, one being that I will be extending the corset ties in the back as I felt they ended too high up.

So after everything, I can now check that off my list, and am so very happy I found my princess ballgown dress!!!

God is good!!

Does anyone know a rough idea of what up lighting costs?

We are having our reception at the Rusty Pelican in Tampa and it's in a big ballroom. I have put up two pictures and that's exactly how I want the up lighting. It seems to be placed strategically at every curtain piece hanging in the room.

I have no clue how much something like this costs. I can't find a quote anywhere online.

:(
On a similar note, I am also falling in love with drapping. How much does that usually run?

Thanks ladies!!

I am sitting at my computer, staring at my Budget Sheet, the one that I have set up on The Knot.com. Now that I have been out and about starting to really get my hands into planning, I am realizing very quickly that our expectations of a $15-20K wedding, are going to be next to impossible! :

This is because I am coming to the realization that I am not this girl who thought that she would be okay with the more plain and budget friendly wedding, nope! I actually want the princess ballgown, the beautiful reception hall, the up lighting, the glitz and the glam!! I thought because I am more thrifty and usually can get by with less in life, that I would have that same attitude towards my wedding. WRONG! Yeah, what's up with that?

I've always been a very cautious spender and a good saver. I am of dutch blood so this kind of comes naturally. I have input in my budget sheet everything from reception hall rental fee, to food and bevies, dj's photography etc. But I don't know where to cut down!! This is because I want the nice centerpieces! The tall ones that sit high on the tables. I want the pretty up lighting. I want to be able to give my bridesmaids nice gifts for being special to me! I want the beautiful princess wedding gown, the hair and makeup professionally done. And because I am a musician, I want memorable live wedding music played at my ceremony!

Where can I cut costs??!! I think I am okay with not having real flowers (Except for the centerpieces on the tables) But my sister who is so much better at wedding planning than I made her own bouquets and they are beautiful!! I think that's a good cost cutting element as well.

Anyone have any other ideas?? I think my invitations will be homemade and save the dates will be shutterfly, because I believe those are cheaper options. I am just torn, not sure where to make my cuts!!

My $15,000 wedding sky rocketed up to $25,000!!

EEEEK!!!!

I am in need of some wedding advice!!

There are two very mixed opinions we are getting from both sides of our families responding to us on the topic, both being of course the opposite of opinions.

My dream wedding church (It's a cathedral called Sacred heart in downtown Tampa, I've attached a photo lol) is only available to us at an 11 AM service for our wedding or 7PM.This causes a problem because it leaves 3 to 3.5 hours of waiting time for our guests in between the wedding ceremony and reception. The earliest our cocktail hour can begin at our place of choice is 4 PM. And we want an evening wedding, not a lunch. My question is, is that so bad? To leave our guests waiting that long?

I should also add that the hotels for out of town people are on the same street and are 2 mins away from the reception venue. They are little two floor cottage hotels and we get a huge discount deal on them with the hall. They are like mini houses with kitchens and everything! I just figured people could maybe just hang out back there in the in between time and then come down the street to the hall at 4 PM. If we do go with this church (Which once again, is my DREAM church)
Some have voiced their opinion that we should be responsible for either providing a lunch of some kind for people during that time or things to do for people. Obviously I have never planned a wedding before so I am just not sure what is proper wedding etiquette in all of this and what I should be doing!! I don't mind providing things to do on the invitations but should we be financially responsible for that? :(

It's been suggested to find another church and also pointed out that our guests will have been in their wedding clothes for almost a whole day then. It's a good point. Should I sacrifice the church and start looking elsewhere? I don't want our guests to hate my wedding. :(

The other option is the night service. The night ceremony is not a bad idea and is something we are considering. But they are only available for a 7 PM service. Is that too late then once the 45 min ceremony is done and everyone arrives at the reception (About 15 mins away) People will be eating their meals realistically at 9 PM. Will that be considered abnormal? The church would look so beautiful at night! Nick is set on offering a plated meal as it's a way to thank our guests for the trip and I agree. So, I guess it's just a matter if people do that nowadays, have their guests eating at 9 ish a full meal?

Sorry ladies! I am in need of advice!! I decided to not ask family on this one anymore and just ask those I think would provide some good honest feedback.

Thanks girls!!

Stephanie

I am torn between two colours. one being the one I have pictured my whole life which was a bright hot pink. But when i went bridal gown shopping at Alfred Angelo's a few weeks ago, they have this colour called "Tangelo" that really popped out at me and looked very unique, very tropical as well.

Now I can't decide! What do you ladies like better?

I will also probably be doing similar to the gown in the photo. I love the one shoulder strap and I am going to be doing every other girl in short and long dresses to add some variety. It works out too with my girls that the shorter girls will be in the long and vice versa.

I believe the pictures I've posted of the bouquets capture what i envision for our wedding colours. Nick and I both like the theme of Tropical and it's well suited being in Florida. I can't decide between hot pink dresses for my girls, or this Tangelo colour that I found in Alfred Angelo. I will make a separate post on those once I've collected photos.

PS- Big shout out to "Little Lamb" she is on here as well. She is my sister and we are both currently planning weddings. (Our poor parents!!)

:)

Just thought I would make a post about this because it was a very special moment for me.

On December 3rd, 2011, Nick proposed to me outside of the Tampa international Airport. I of course said yes with tears and my sister Mallory was there just at the right time to be able to snap a picture of our moment. People around us began honking their horns and cheering us on. It was a beautiful moment!

This is the venue we have chosen to have our reception. The site is beautiful as it sits right on the bay and the ballroom has two walls that are a panoramic view of the bay. I am so excited to have our wedding here! It stood out to us out of all the ones we had seen. The good news is that it comes with everything that we need in an all inclusive package including the cake and limo too. you know what that means? Less work for me! heehee

I will be having a bridal party of 6 of my closest friends. They are as follows:

MALLORY POORT- MAID OF HONOUR

My Maid of Honour will be my best friend and sister, Mallory Poort. Even being 4 years apart, we are so close to each other and I am so blessed to have been given the best sister in the world. Mallory and I used to spend our child hood days, making dance routines and pretending we were every pop star under the sun. We have had so many amazing times together including our first concert together (HANSON!) an unplanned trip to Niagara Falls (We thought we were heading home from Toronto, took a wrong turn) an AMAZING trip to Vegas where we got to hangout VIP style with Chris Angel, and a surprise trip to Florida where she was able to be a part of picking out my wedding dress.
My life has been so transitional recently and I unexpectedly had to relocate to Tampa because of my fiance's job. It just so happened that Mallory is also engaged as well and will be having her wedding this August. It was very hard to face the reality that while we are each others Maid of Honours, we would be planning our weddings apart from each other (Another country apart!) But so far, we've managed to make things work and she has already surprised me twice with two visits to come and make sure important moments were special for me. Once my paperwork is completed and I am finally allowed to visit back home again, I can't wait to be every bit involved for her as she has been me and I am soooo incredibly lucky to have her in my life

JODI JARVIS- BRIDESMAID

Oh Jodi, what would I do without you!
Jodi and I have been friends ever since we met in English class in grade 11. I had just switched high schools and didn't know many people. Jodi was so sweet to introduce me to different people and we ended up becoming very close friends and locker buddies! Over the years Jodi and I have been on so many awesome girl trips away including Chicago, New York City, Toronto, and Frankenmuth. We also went to countless concerts together and shared a scary obsession for the Backstreet Boys together. Jodi was also the best friend a girl could ask for when I had gone through a very hard break up in my early twenties. She was by my side everyday, allowing me to cry on her shoulder and also trying to keep my mind off of things.We've both seen each other through hardships and have made quite a story together.Jodi is both beautiful on the inside as she is the outside. She has calm and quiet spirit and her heart is as big as the sky and when you get her into a concert setting lookout, she is a riot!! Haha I am sooo grateful that God led us to our friendship, because it is truly an amazing one!

MEAGHAN POORT- BRIDESMAID

I was introduced to Meaghan when she began dating my brother before they were married. Meaghan has been both an incredible friend to me as well as an amazing addition our family! I couldn't have asked for a better sister in law. Meaghan and I got the chance to live together for a year before she had married my brother. I LOVED living with her and still look back as one of the most fun times of my life. We partied, had girls nights, made yummy homemade popcorn on the stove top and she put up with my ever so creeping chronic sleep walking habits. (I don't think she'll ever be able to completely get over me standing in her doorway on occasion in my sleep panting and rubbing my knees as I watched her sleep and I am forever grateful for her bravery throughout all that creepyness.) Haha! Meaghan also went on some unforgettable trips including NYC and Frankenmuth. I know that Mallory, Jodi, Meaghan and myself will never forget the moment of the crazy lady hanging halfway out of her car window shouting "We're in Times Slquare!!"Yes, she had an incredibly entertaining lisp. lol.
Not only is Meaghan a sister to me now but she has also given our family one of the best gifts in the world, my little nephew Greyson who I love dearly, what a stinkin cutie!! Meaghan is an amazing mother to this little boy and it's been so exciting to watch Meaghan in this role, she was destined for it!
I am so happy you will be standing up for me as I did your wedding Meaghan, I love you!

NATALIE DRAKE- BRIDESMAID

Oh Natalie, the only person in the whole world who I could get with me to sit in a car on a Sunday afternoon and sing Michael W Smith songs word by word while people walk past the vehicle going "What the eff?" Natalie has a sense of humour that when you are laughing, you are laughing so hard that you can actually get an ab workout at the same time.
Natalie is the kind of person who loves a really good in depth conversation about the meaning of life and all that it is. I love all of our conversations. She is one of the few people in my life I know that will listen and offer the most honest and best advice she can because she really sincerely care. Natalie, you are the definition of a friend my dear.You have also taught me on so many levels to think outside of the bubble. When we first met, I had been a small town girl my whole life. You introduced me to so many different learning lessons in culture, in faith and generally, in life. Every time I get to see you, I am so excited. Even though your job takes you all across the world and away from me, I am so proud of everything you have done with it and the woman you have become. I am specifically putting "Take Me Baby or Leave Me" from the Rent soundtrack on my DJ list because that one is reserved for me and you babe. Love you so much!

JESSICA BROWN - BRIDESMAID

Jessica is a sister of Nick's but now also a good friend to me :) I met Jessica on one of my very first trips down to Florida and from the moment I met her, I knew she was my kind of girl! Jess is a ball full of energy!! She has a very positive and caring spirit. From the moment that I moved to Tampa, Jess has been there for me in every way that a new sister could. Even though it hasn't been such an easy transition, Jess (and Josh) have been there for us making it a whole lot easier. I'll never forget coming home to flower petals leading to a beautiful bouquet of roses on our table and my bathroom transformed into the palm tree style that I love! I am so lucky to be gaining a sister that has such a big heart.(and a GREAT fashion sense!) I am looking forward to Jess teaching how to accessorize as I fail miserably in this category! Jess is also the mother of little Emma, my new niece who I love and adore. Watching Jessica as a mom is so incredible because I feel that she is leading a really great example of what a mom should be (I am taking notes! ;). She loves her daughter and is a mother first. I know Emma will grow up to be a social butterfly, she'll have a keen sense of fashion and I also know, she will be an active contributor to society because Jess is constantly teaching her. :)
Jess, thank you for being there and I am looking forward to many years of fun and friendship with you as my new sister!

SHANNON CLAY-BRIDESMAID

Shannon is my cousin who has acted the role of "Older Sister" for me in my life. Shannon's personality is the epitome of crazy and I love every bit of her. Because Shan is two years older than me, I got to see first hand what was in store for me and was always excited about the things she got to do, such as going to Spring Banquet. (The Christian School's version of prom)
Shan has also taught me a lot about life in many ways. She was the person I turned to whenever I had any female related question of any sort, or boy trouble. Shannon is good at giving advice when it's needed. She is very analytical (Which is from my mom's side of the family) and will take a problem, analyze it in every which way form she can, and then calculate some options to take to better solve the issue.
I have memories with Shannon that date back all the way to our Six Foot Day family cottaging trips. This was when both of us in our way tanned skin and bleach blond hair, would run around trying to get anyone and everyone to watch the baton twirling show that we put together. Haha. More recently, while living in London Ontario I got to hang out with Shannon on a more regular basis and had a blast in our Jillian Michael 30 day shred program. I loved being her partner in weight loss crime and we did well! I always knew that I wanted Shannon in my wedding as she has played a big role in my life. She is an incredibly selfless person, always putting others first, and I am so happy that she will be standing with me on my big day!! love you Shan :)