So much has happened in the last 5 days that I'm not sure where to begin. Are you the type who likes to read the end of the story first?
Got wedding dress, no good, found new one, met with Steven our friend videographer, finished groomsmen outfits of ties, shoes, and shirts, picked bridesmaid outfits, celebrated Melissa's bday, sang last Sunday at church, celebrated grandma's bday, forgot my future mother in law's bday, tried to return old wedding dress shoes, exchanged Josh's wedding shoes, searched for new wedding shoes, changed flowers to match the new dress, got a wedding coordinator, met the DJ, and put the wedding timeline together.
The Details..
Thursday
The custom made wedding dress arrived. So excited to try it on only to realize it was such low quality. :( I couldn't believe it! There was a small stain on the front, the fabric was tearing at the seams, the zipper was getting stuck on the stitching, it bunched the wrong way in the front, and there was a discoloration on the bodice. Being 33 days out, I went to my room and shed a few tears but had to suck it up because it was my bestest friend 30th bday surprise party.
That night we had a grand celebration of all her closet friends and family, favorite foods, and fun games. Three things she loves the most!
Friday
Woke up afraid to call the boutique we ordered the gown through. I didn't have enough money to just go and buy another gown. Who would?! At the same time, I've never heard of someone being able to return a custom made wedding dress. Jenny, owner of The Little White Dress, was incredible. She heard me out and called the designer. She said she could remake it. But that would take a week to make and another to ship and that leaves me worrying about getting the right dress 2 weeks before the wedding. I hesitantly asked for a refund, and she said, "of course, I want you to feel great about this. It's your wedding dress."
Cue second tear fest.
Hung up with her, decided to call David's Bridal just to see what would look good. They had an appointment at 6pm so we took it and rushed over. April was our consultant and she was a gem (everytime we go there we've had such great service). I normally don't like the quality of their fabric, but I put on a dress from Vera Wang's White line and instantly fell in love.
Cue third tear fest.
Saturday
Josh flew in for the weekend and we met with our friends who are videoing the wedding. We hadn't yet finalized the look for the groomsmen outfits. We needed ties, shoes, shirts. Basically stuff to tie in his dusty grey/blue suit, the groomsmen's grey suits, and the bridesmaids rose dresses. I'll be quick to admit that "pulling an outfit together" falls at the bottom of my hierarchy of talents. So for 6 hours Josh and I trampled along through 3 different malls buying ties. We ended up with like 40 ties from various places. I know, crazy right? I felt stressed because I still couldn't tell what looked good.
Blane and Aimee to the rescue. My stylist sister and even more stylish Bil came over and within 20 minutes eliminated and matched all the ties, both shoes, suits, and my dress. What would I do without them?
Sunday
Because so much had happened I didn't realize until late Saturday night that Sunday was going to be my last day leading worship at Venice on a Sunday morning. Melissa and I have lead worship for many, many years. The time of the beginning of many ends has begun and it hit me in that moment.
Cue fourth tear fest.
I know that God has me moving up to Josh for a reason. I'm actually excited about it. At the same time, I hurt for the community I'm losing and today, the church family that I'm letting go. I shared with the congregation that my hope is that in this season that they would grow more deeper in love with Jesus and their understanding of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit would be evident. I do hope that the next time we are together, if that comes to pass, each of us is more in love with Jesus than this day. After second service ended we were singing our last song as people exited the chapel and I grabbed Melissa's hand and we both cried. I love her so much and am so grateful that we were given the chance to serve the Lord with one another.
Afterwards we celebrated Grandma's bday. :) As we were leaving to go to join my family for lunch Josh turned and nonchalantly said, "Oh, Happy Birthday mom". IcantbelieveIforgotmyfuturemotherinlawsbday! I was so embarrassed. I apologized and made a mental note to work on being a better daughter-in-law. How terrible is that?
Josh and I then headed to the department store at Century City to hem his suit and while he was there he exchanged his wedding shoes. He also finally found a white shirt that he liked (he's quite particular) but they didn't have the right sleeve length so we waltzed over to Santa Monica (because this was only like the 8th time that weekend we had been to a mall) like it was no big deal and picked up the shirt he liked with the right sleeve length.
Josh packed while his mom (on her birthday) cooked us dinner and then I took him to the airport.
Five (or six) cry fests later, end weekend.
So Far This Week
Monday I met with the DJ, planned the timeline. Today I returned my wedding shoes, bought two potentials, and am about to head to the dress fitting and later meet with Christina about all the paper stuff.
And this week we are looking forward to the groomsmen trying on their ensemble, our last counseling session, touching base with the photographers, finishing the slideshow, deciding on shoes, going to Aimee and Bil's engagement shoot, meeting with our day-of-coordinator, figuring out certain songs for key moments, meeting up with my bridesmaids to fill them in on everything, finding time to schedule dance lessons with dad, and whatever else happens that I don't know about yet.
Is this what happens when you're 33 days out from getting married? Seems a bit chaotic to me. I'll admit that I was a bit snippy with Josh. I think I was exhausted, doing things I didn't like doing nor felt like I know how to do, and frustrated that I had to find yet another dress. I apologized to him and asked him if this was how it was going to be between us. He responded, "Yea it'll be like this every time we plan the biggest party of our lives in the midst of moving." haha - love him.
Not THE dress. Just making fun of all those pictures you see like this. :p
Moments before the B-day surprise. "Keep your cool A. Keep your cool."
Sunday Worship
Bah.
Look at his face. :) So over it.
Happy B-day G'ma!
