The Rollins Report

Well, I have survived two bridal shows. The big one was last weekend at Market Hall. Heather and I rode out there together (which, considering I had all of an hour of sleep, it's amazing I was able to function at all). Upon entering the show, I was given a button that said "bride to-be" on it. I had brought a bunch of mail labels with my name and address, so I wouldn't have to keep writing it over and over. My mom, aunt and cousin all went in another car, as they figured that they would be ready to leave before Heather and I were. We had a blast! We got lots of free stuff, mostly chocolates with the occasional catalogue thrown in. We sampled drinks (non-alcoholic), cake and the chocolate fountains. (Which, by the way, we will be having one at our reception. How cool is that?) We tried on dresses. There were two places that had dresses you could try on. The first was American Bridal & Formal . I found a dress that I loved at that place. I also tried on a two-piece dress that was a lot of fun, but not really me. The other bridal shop was BridesMart. I liked the dresses there okay, but they didn't have much near my size. (Well, that's true pretty much everywhere, but usually they'll have a few that are close.)

We also hit a David's Bridal store after the show. I got brave and tried on some sleeveless and strapless gowns! I have always thought that I look goofy in anything without sleeves, but I actually looked decent! Heather and I worked out a system. We would get the dress off the hanger, then she would stick her hands in the top, I'd reach under and grab her hands, and she'd pull the dress over my head. Then she'd zip/button/tie or whatever the dress would require. We would then go out to the mirrors, where the salesperson would clip the dress with these clamp-things. After trying on several, I was asked to rank my top three choices. I really liked a couple of the dresses there! If anyone is interested, e-mail me and I can show you the dresses from their website. I can also show you other dresses I liked as well on other sites.

Today was the Fort Worth Bridal show. Heather and I, together with David's cousin Beth went today. The same two bridal stores as last week were there. We sampled more cake, more chocolate fountains and got more free stuff. I signed up for a couple things, but most of these people, we had seen last week. We did get to watch the fashion show, which was neat. Some of the dresses were amazing, some were okay. I tried on a couple more gowns, one of which I really liked! (Unfortunately, it was not in the catalogue or on the website, so I can't show pictures of that one.) It was absolutely gorgeous and looked good on me! I tried on another two piece, this one had a corset-type top, which was fun. It wasn't me, but it was really pretty. After the show, we went and ate lunch at Fuzzy's Taco! Yay!!!!! After eating, we whipped out our catalogues and the official handy dandy wedding binder and talked over what we had seen. One of the girls who works there came by and asked if we were getting married, the girls both pointed at me, and we invited her to sit down and look with us. So she did. It was great!

After leaving Fort Worth, Heather and I decided to hit BridesMart. I tried on several dresses, one of which I really, really liked! The saleslady was trying to suggest different styles, so we tried on a couple of those as well. One of them had this huge tulle skirt, with beading on the tulle. It was so poofy, I felt like all I needed were my ballet shoes and I'd look like a ballerina. It was WAY too much dress for me. I looked at myself and quoted My Big Fat Greek Wedding when I said,"I'm a snow beast!" It was definitely a case of the dress wearing me, instead of the other way around.

Trying on gowns is so much fun! Especially when I have an expert helper like Heather. Besides, it's always good to have an extra pair of eyes. There's this fantabulous place out in McKinney that is supposed to be wonderful. Heather and I are going to make an appointment and go out there at some point.

Well, that's about it. More updates to come later!

I looked at the calendar this morning, and realized that our wedding is one year from today! Throughout the day today I have been imagining what I will be doing at that time next year. It totally blows my mind to think that as of this time next year, David and I will be finishing up the ceremony and taking pictures.

Tomorrow, Mom, Heather and I will be going to the Dallas Bridal Show at Market Hall. I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Guess I'll find out when we get there!

Heather and I went to Grapevine Mills yesterday, to go shopping for my second cousin's wedding shower today. She was registered at Bed Bath and Beyond, so we found a great present for her, then left it there for the complimentary gift wrapping. (Yay for complimentary gift wrapping!) We then ventured into Group USA to look around the bridal department. We did not intend to try on dresses, we assumed you needed an appointment. We were told we could go ahead and try on dresses, so we selected a couple to try on and went towards the fitting rooms.

They asked me if I wanted a petticoat, so I said okay. I put it on the floor as I was changing out of my t-shirt and overalls. I was amused at how the petticoat stood up by itself. Heather unzipped the first garment bag and pulled the gown off the hanger. We decided to put it on over my head, rather than try to step in it wearing the Scarlett O'Hara petticoat. (Which I did do my best Scarlett voice while trying on the dresses.) We got the first dress on, Heather grabbed the train, and we walked out to the three way mirror.

The sales lady helped me onto the platform in front of the mirror, and she and two other ladies fussed over the dress and all the alterations that they would have to make in order to make the dress fit me. I thought it was really pretty and didn't make me look all washed out. I especially liked how the gown looked with my old sandals on my feet.

We went back into the fitting room and put on the second dress.  Once again, after getting me all zipped into the gown, Heather grabbed the train, and we processed out there again. This dress was more of what I'm looking for.  The sales ladies again fussed over the train and the alterations they would have to make. (At least they didn't tell me to go look in the flower girl section, I guess.) Well, one of the ladies grabbed a tiara and veil, and placed it on my head. They spread the train out behind me, pulled on the back of the dress so I could at least get some idea if how it would look if it were the right size, and told me to look in the mirror. I looked at myself, looked at Heather, and looked back at myself.  I was amazed at the girl looking back at me in the mirror. I looked like a bride! I said as much to Heather, who got all teary-eyed. It was a great bonding moment for us.

Now, let the search for the gown continue!

We went to Chad and Karen's wedding this weekend. They obviously had a good time with the planning of the wedding and reception.

To begin with. The flower girl position had been usurped by the "Floral Distribution Specialist."

When we got to the reception they had games and stuff to play with on the table. I stole Dezi's word find when she went to get food after giving up on the square puzzle I was working on. Susan finally got the puzzle so I cheated and copied off of her. They had a letter on the table letting everyone know they should eat something, but save them some strawberries. In the same letter they told everyone to take pictures of the fun and their friends. The friends could be real or imagined. They had made a crossword and word find with stuff about them. I was so busy working on the puzzles they were there in no time.

Dezi and I thought it would be a fun idea to make our own madlibs for the wedding. And I want something with crayons to be involved.

Well, we ran into a snag today. We found the perfect reception site for our wedding. It goes with the theme that we want, and we wouldn't have to worry about renting plates, silverware, etc. It's also located about ten miles away from St. Andrew. I called today to reserve the date, and it was already taken! Wahh! So, I called back and asked about the 23rd and the 9th. It is available both of those days. I also called the church to discuss the date change, but since she is only in the office on Mondays, I won't hear back until then. However, I don't think it'll be a problem changing the date. We're going to shoot for the 23rd, then go for the 9th if the church is not available on the 23rd. I know it will all work out in the end, but it is a bit frustrating.

I really should be sleeping. I want to be sleeping, but I can't at the moment so I'll post something.

I have come to a realization. Wedding planning should be in the X Games. Wedding planning is an obsession. It's like sports, cars, and gadgets all rolled up into one for guys. It doesn't matter if they are already married, are in the process of getting married, or are years off. They all think about it and they all have their own ideas on how things should be done. The only problem with having the contest is everyone of them would think they were right so the judging would go nowhere.

We were at a block party this evening at Dezi's parents' house. Dezi and family friend Karen disappeared for an hour. Karen happens to be a wedding coordinator. She and Dezi were discussing wedding ideas. Dezi then went across the street and looked at wedding pictures of the neighbor's daughter.

This last week we were both at camp. The girls in Dezi's small group and in her cabin noticed her ring and of course they asked her about it. From that point on, Dezi had the unsolicited advice of 23 wedding planners.

It's just wild. I can't even imagine what they would talk about for hours. I know there is a lot that goes into a wedding, but I just don't understand.