Wedding Update!!

I know that most of you are wondering what plans we've made for the wedding and how much we still have to do. So far I think we've made pretty good progress. The date, if anyone isn't sure of, is April 22, 2006. Only 4 1/2 months away, I can't believe how time has flown by! We are getting married at St. Peter and Paul basilica in Lewiston and the having the reception just across the river at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. The church is beautiful and Jason's family is quite involved there so it was a natural choice. We had pretty much decided on the Hilton anyway before we even looked at it and once we saw the hall we knew it would be the perfect place. One end of the room overlooks the falls and the manager told us that if it rained even a day before the wedding the falls would be flowing heavily. I think we have a pretty good chance of that in April. The guest list is mostly done. I did some research online and found a photographer just outside of Augusta who has a wonderful website and beautiful pictures. My mom and I went to see her in Sept. and she is the nicest woman. She was very enthusiastic and showed us lots of her photos. She even photographed her own wedding with timers! Jason's mom was very worried that I hadn't found my dress yet, so at the beginning of Nov. I went to David's Bridal in Portland to look for one. I could not believe the selection they had there. A lot of people had warned me that I might have to order my dress to get the right size and not to be disappointed that the size of the dress was larger than what I'm used to wearing, as sizes run small. I think that was part of the reason I put it off. I got to my appointment and Sarah (godsend), the consultant asked if I had anything specific I wanted to try on. I showed her 5 or 6 in the catalog and then she found another 6 or 7 for me to try, just to get started. The 1st dress I tried on was way too big, she ended up getting dresses 4 sizes smaller! I was liking this a lot. My mom and I had sooo much fun. Every dress was gorgeous and Sarah got jewelry and matching tiaras for each one. I felt like such a princess! The sixth dress I tried on fit perfectly, and when my mom was done zipping and buttoning it up, I turned around to show her. I was pretty sure it would be the one, but when she gasped and tears started to well up in her eyes, that was when I knew it was the dress. When I went to see if any alterations were needed, the women were amazed, they had never seen a dress fit someone so well that wasn't made for them. All I had to have done was the bustle, so they pinned the dress up and said that I could pick it up in a few weeks. I have to say that was the easiest and most expensive shopping excursion I have ever been on. The dress and all of the coordinating gear are safetly in the closet in our office awaiting the big day. Two weeks ago my sister, Brenda (maid of honor), Abbie (bridesmaid), my mom and I, went to look for the bridesmaid dresses, Christine and my cousin Jennifer couldn't make it. We went back to David's Bridal and met with Sarah. I picked out several dresses for them to try on and the third one was the charm! The best part was as Sarah rang up the dresses we found out they were on sale and were 15 % off on top of that as I had gotten my dress there too. The only problem was that because they were on sale it meant they were going to be discontinued very soon. We had to rush to get the other 2 girls in, but everyone got their dress ordered and they will be in by the beginning of Jan. My mom is making the cake, she used to make and sell cakes when I was younger. She is very talented. We have to decide on the design pretty soon, she is going to New Zealand for 3 months : ( . We still have to get a DJ and a florist, haven't decided if we want a limo yet, have to make a final choice on the centerpieces for the tables, and make the invitations. Just a small list. I'll keep you updated!