The Search for the Perfect Wedding Dress

 Pretty much immediately after I got engaged, I started the process of looking for THE DRESS. Steven and I have made an agreement to do all of our wedding planning together; including him going dress shopping with me. Most people are appalled by this idea but it's OUR wedding and I can't think of anyone's opinion of the dress that matters more than him. However, when it comes to the final selection- I am going to make it on my own without telling ANYONE which dress I have chosen until the Wedding Day.
 Another thing that I have been surprised by is the fact that people consider me 'weird' for having tried on 50+ dresses and still not certain that I have found the one. I am not even close to being finished shopping. Ideally, I will try on every dress ever made and THEN make my decision. Obviously, I am not capable of trying on every wedding dress ever made. But, I WILL try on as many dresses as I feel necessary. From now on, I am going to lie to the consultants though and tell them I have only tried on a few- just to avoid being judged...
 If you have shopped for wedding dresses or are shopping from wedding dresses you probably know that not every place allows you to take pictures... Which I find ridiculous... How am I supposed to make an educated, informative decision about the most important dress I will ever wear with out a photo of me in it?! Dumb!
 Anyways, here are all of the dresses that I have tried on so far (and been allowed to photograph)...
 This was the first place that I went to try on dresses- and immediately decided that I really needed to start losing weight... I was not happy with how my body looked, but I am well on my way. I have lost 15lbs. since these photos. I am excited to get back in the ring and see if I am yet satisfied with how my body looks. 

I was pretty sure that I didn't want strapless going into this whole thing- but now I think that a strap just emphasizes my 'line backer shoulders'.

Appraisal Update!

 I forgot to mention in my last post. The people doing my ring appraisal pleasantly surprised me around 5pm by calling me and telling that they had completed the appraisal. I was SOO excited to get it back, I immediately called Steve who was on his way home from his office and asked him to pick it up. I am super satisfied with the customer service from Goldcaster's. They said it normally takes a week- were going to try to have it done for me by Thursday- but finished it in just one day! They also cleaned it for me- and it looks better than ever. We were happy that it ended up being appraised for much more than was spent on it, too. Now, she's back on my finger and all is right in the world. :)

Recently Engaged.

 Steven and I are recently engaged. It happened on May 24, 2012, if you want to be precise. However, Steven claims it was the 25th. Technically, he is right (don't tell him that!)... But, only because it was after midnight when he popped the question. Since we hadn't yet been to bed on the 24th I consider it to be that day. 

 How'd he do it? I feel like that is a normal thing most people ask so here is how it went down. We live about 7 hours from where we are from and where we met (which was in a bar, classy, right?!). We had planned to go home and spend Memorial Day Weekend at cookouts with our families. Ended up leaving our house sometime in the evening and didn't end up making it to my parents house until a little after midnight. He had previously called, told my parents his plan, and asked for their permission (cute and old school, huh?! He's a keeper.) After 7 hours in the car, with our dog, we got there. We were all out on their back patio area and he got down on one knee and made this beautiful, heartfelt speech to me. Then popped the question. 

 We had been planning on getting engaged and talking about it for awhile. So, I pretty much expected it to be happening. However, in the moment I was overwhelmed with emotion, turned around (away from the camera he had requested my Mom to have handy to take snaps), and burst into tears. That reaction caught me completely off guard. As, I am NOT a crier, typically. You can find a picture from the moment on my first post. 

 I feel a request to see the ring is the next thing people say...

 Here it is...

It was apparently custom made for a jewelry show so I should be the only one ever to have it. I love how different and vintage it looks.

 We had been ring shopping together for awhile. We wanted to try on different styles and cuts to make sure I got something that I would really like. Which I recommend everyone doing. Trying on a bunch of rings with your soon-to-be fiance is so exciting and fun. It definitely added to the whole process of getting engaged.

 Here are the other rings that I liked when shopping... Which one would you have picked? 

This is the original dream ring that I had been eyeing online FOREVER, but it didn't end up winning.

I liked this one but it was a little too simple and common for my liking.

This one ended up making it into the top 3 and I still think about it. So classic and gorgeous!

Pretty cute.

This is another one that made it into the top 3. I loved how different it was. Still thinking about this one too.

This one got the ax pretty early on. I liked the size of the diamond but I felt like it was too chunky and made my fingers look fatter than they already are!

I liked this one. But, ended up kicking it out of the running because I was worried that the band was too thin.

Cute.

I liked this one a lot. But I feel like it is a really common and popular ring that a lot of people have. Which was what ended up kicking it out of the running.

Again, this one got kicked off the list pretty early for the same reason that it was too chunky and made my hand look huge.

I still can't believe that I am engaged to be married to the man of my dreams. He is so supportive, kind, level headed, responsible, and sexy. Just to name a few. I hit the husband jackpot! I can't wait to marry, spend the rest of our lives together, and raise a family with my very best friend. He is the best guy I've ever met. Truuueee love. :)

Engagement Ring Appraisal Day

 Today I had to drop of my beloved engagement ring to be appraised. I already feel naked with out it but, thankfully, it only has to be gone until Thursday. I decided to try on a 5 carat 3 stone emerald cut diamond ring surrounded by a halo of diamonds- it made me swoon. 

Here is the digital copy of what I wore... 

 Here is actually what I wore... 

Steven made a comment that I shouldn't use my iPhone for pictures anymore.. So I used our regular camera for once howeverr my phone camera is so much more convenient because I always have it on hand.. 

Neck candy

Shoes 

Arm candy

  Where'd I get it? 

 The Jeans: Old Navy (here)
 the shirt: Old Navy (here)
 the shoes: Candies from Khol's (similar here)
 the necklace: Target (similar here)
 the watch: Kohl's (similar here)
 the bracelet and bangle: gifts from a long time ago 

 I have checked my finger for my engagement ring and had to mentally remind myself it was not lost soo many times since posting this. I can't wait to get it back!