Starting to make some plans

It's been about a month since we got engaged and we have yet to decide on a city to have the wedding. We've thought about Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Seattle. There are numerous benefits and draw backs to each place. This has proven to be the most challenging thing we've faced so far because until we decide we can't really worry about the other things. Right now we're leaning toward Seattle or San Deigo, since they are our hometowns.


I plan events for a living now and I have to say political functions are way easier than weddings! As difficult as it can be to deal with politicians, businessmen, and all the great volunteers that show up at my events, I have to say I am so glad I don't do weddings full time! I love my family and friends, but working closely with family presents new challenges. Family is part of the reason we've had such a hard time choosing a place to get married. For those of you that don't already know, my sister Jessica is also getting married later this year in September. So really it's like planning two major weddings at once.

One thing I did accomplish is picking a dress! I thought this task would be my most difficult task at this stage, but it was really easy actually. I actually found the dress when Brodie and I were down in Alabama for a friend's wedding. While I was in in the area I did some wedding shopping for my friend Ari. She's been working in Birmingham and she and her fiance are getting married in May in Savannah, Ga. Ari ended up getting her dress from a boutique in Birmingham called Carriage House. (If you need a good bridal shop in the Bham area check them out- I loved their selections and staff!) I tried on some dresses too and I fell in love with a dress from the Melissa Sweet collection, which is part of Priscilla of Boston. They have some gorgeous dresses, check them out at www.priscillaofboston.com. The staff at Carriage House helped me find a vender in the Seattle area that carried the same dress. I ended up going to The Bridal Garden, a boutique in Kirkland for the dress. They were also very helpful and have a great shop too and carry a good selection of designer gowns at reasonable prices.

I also finalized bridesmaid dresses! I chose two styles from the Jasmine Bridal collection. I found the dresses at Bellevue Bridal. Bellevue Bridal had a great selection of dresses at very affordable prices and helpful staff. I highly recommend them for brides in the Seattle area. I've always liked when brides give their bridesmaids some choice in dress selections. After all every dress fits everyone differently.

And the last thing I can report on is we picked our colors. Our wedding will be what I'm calling a rose-pink (think a dark pink with a hint of red and purple), along with silver, white, and black.