NYC day 2 - Kleinfeld's (part 2)

After my magical moment, just to be sure, we went back in the dressing room and I tried on about 15 other dresses. Unlike before when everything was just a pretty dress, now nothing could even compare. It was like night and day. So we put that dress back on, just to triple check. My heart started racing again. Yep, I was POSITIVE. This was THE ONE. So, of course, WE SAID YES TO THE DRESS! In a whirlwind of activity, my measurements were taken, I spoke to Anne again about customizing my dress to be more of a sweetheart neckline, and we filled out the paperwork. We received an extra discount, per Ronnie, plus some other extras were thrown in as well (including the dress customization, which usually costs 10% of the dress). Then we put down our deposit. Instead of doing alterations closer to where I live, I decided to have the dress sent to my parents' house so that I can get my alterations done at Kleinfeld's. This way, I get to see all of my new Kleinfeld friends, have my mom with me, and also have an excuse to go into New York a few more times.

Me with Camille. And see that below? That's a picture of a very happy bride-to-be who just found her dream dress.

Any other Kleinfeld brides out there? What was your experience like?

NYC day 2 - Kleinfeld's (part 1)

FINALLY - the long awaited Kleinfeld's post. Our appointment was at 11:30 am on a Friday. We arrived a bit early to a room full of brides-to-be and their friends, family, etc. There was a sign alerting patrons to the filming of Say Yes to the Dress and the possibility that you might be in background shots. After some waiting, some of the consultants started to come out to collect their brides. It was kind of surreal to see these people in person that I usually watch on TV every Friday night. My consultant ended up being Camille - she was incredibly nice and very knowledgeable! She led my mom and I into our dressing room to put down our things and discuss my inspiration photos (which, by the way, you are REQUIRED to bring at least 5). I also showed Camille photos of my venue. We completely lucked out with our appointment because that day was the first day of Anne Barge's trunk show. Bridal week was only the week before, so this was the first day her new dresses were being shown to the public.

Camille took us out onto the main floor to start looking at Anne Barge's collection. I wasn't a huge fan of the first dress she showed me, but said that I would try it on. We chose a few more, I was introduced to Randy (!) and Anne, and then we went back to try everything on.

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This was the first dress I tried on (not the first dress Camille picked). Sweetheart neckline, a-line skirt, lace appliques. It was very pretty, but like all of the other dresses I had already tried on - no emotional response. I liked the neckline and the ruching at the waist, but I wasn't crazy about the a-line. Anne came in and explained that the dress could be customized so that the skirt was more fit and flare and they showed me some different variations.

The next dress I tried on was the first one that Camille had picked out. She thought it would be the perfect fit for my venue. It was fit and flare and had a slight dip instead of a full sweetheart neckline, a tiny bit of sparkle, and very romantic. Of course I didn't notice any of this until I put it on - on the hanger it didn't really look like much at all. It looked very nice, very pretty - but still no emotional response. But Camille and my mom really liked it, so we went out to one of the mirrors on the main floor. Then they put the matching veil on my head. And it happened. It FINALLY happened. My heart started to race and the tears started to flow. Anne came over again and told me that I was the first bride (other than the model) to even try the dress on and that it was exactly how she envisioned her design. It was a wonderful experience!

Did you hold out for an emotional response while dress shopping?

NYC day 1

I arrived home last Tuesday, mom and I got mani/pedis and ran errands on Wednesday and by 10:30 am Thursday we were in the big apple. Here's a photo I took while en route (good thing mom was keeping her eyes on the road!).

My first appointment was at noon at a place called The Designer Loft. This place was pretty low key and they had a nice selection. Just like the first time I went dress shopping, however, everything I tried on just felt like a pretty dress. I wanted to have THE FEELING - the heart racing, tear inducing, choirs of angels singing feeling. So far, no such luck. My favorite from this store was a Pronovias design from a few years ago - Lydia. For the life of me I cannot find a picture. But even though Lydia was pretty, I knew in my heart it wasn't the one and at that point was getting discouraged that it would even happen at all.

Later that afternoon we went to my second appointment at a place called The Bridal Garden. Their website explains that they are a non-profit bridal boutique that benefits New York City school children. Dresses and veils are donated to them from top designers such as Vera Wang, Amsale, Monique Lhuillier, Melissa Sweet, Jim Hjelm and many others. We didn't have the best experience there, not to mention the fact that I didn't see any dresses by the designers above or any others I recognized. But I would still recommend The Bridal Garden to brides who are maybe a bit more flexible in what they are looking for.

Overall, it was a wonderful first day in the city, spending time with my mom, enjoying the sights and sounds. But what TRULY mattered was my appointment the next day. Up next - Kleinfeld's...

say yes to the dress

What could possibly make me and my mom's wedding dress trip to the city even more enjoyable? We snagged an appointment at Kleinfeld's! Actually, mom tried to make an appointment but they were booked solid through the weekend. So mom decided to email the co-owner/CEO Ronald Rothstein. She figured that she would just get an automated response, but Mr. Rothstein emailed her back with his home phone number so he could speak to her directly. Monday I received a phone call from Mr. Rothstein as well as his personal assistant - they were able to fit us in on Friday. I am soooo excited! I love to catch episodes of Say Yes to the Dress whenever I can - so this will be quite the experience. Mr. Rothstein's assistant told me that if I end up wanting to purchase the dress that is currently at the top of my list (it's from 2006, so they no longer have the sample in their store), all I have to do is ask my consultant to order it for me. Looks like I'll have a dress by the end of the weekend. Yippee!

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dress inspiration

In just a few hours I will be boarding a plane to my hometown in order to spend the next seven days with my family. I am not currently employed, so why not travel home to receive some much needed hugs from my mama? We live fairly close to New York City, so we'll be heading there Thursday and Friday to go dress shopping! We started looking a few months ago when my mom came to visit. I'm pretty sure I've already found "the one", but we weren't quite ready for the experience to be over. This is the only time in my life that I get to go wedding dress shopping with my mom, so we plan on enjoying every last second.

Here are some of the dresses I have saved in my inspiration folder:

Christos - Desiree

Monique Lhuillier - Katya

Melissa Sweet - Dora

Amy Michelson - Grace

Did you want to continue dress shopping even after you thought you had found "the one"?

finding the perfect venue (part 2)

One of the first things I did after the engagement was go out and buy TONS of wedding magazines. At that point, I was already an avid wedding blog reader (much to the future mister's chagrin). For months I had been making a mental list of any venues that fit our criteria. I'll start with the venues that were on my wish list, but didn't make the cut for some reason or another.

1. Neverland Farms - I think I first saw this wedding featured on one of the wedding blogs I read. It was also featured in The Knot - Georgia. It was perfectly rustic. I loved the ceremony site, as well as the barn used for the reception. Perfect. Except it was over 2 hours from where we live.

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2. The Inn at Serenbe - I'm not sure how I first found out about this venue, but it appeared to match all of our criteria. Then I started looking at the pricing. And then I saw that once again it would be over 2 hours from our home. It sure is beautiful though.

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3. McGuire's Millrace Farm - Mostly I liked this one because it will be my future last name (I was told that the owners might even be distant relatives). However, it is in North Carolina and kind of in the middle of nowhere - i.e. it wouldn't be very convenient for our guests. We'll have a lot of guests flying in and the two closest airports are both over 2 hours away. I do love that main staircase and can totally picture myself and my new husband walking down to make our grand entrance.

4. The Farmhouse Inn - If we would not have found something, this venue might have been next on our list of places to visit. It's not too far from where we live and not too far from the airport either. I like that it has room for up to 30 of your guests to stay on the property.

All of these places are definitely beautiful. Next, I'll show you the places we did end up visiting and of course the one that we ultimately decided on.

What criteria did you use to choose a venue?

finding the perfect venue (part 1)

Shortly after our engagement we started the venue search. The future mister is currently in grad school to be a history professor. More specifically, southern and Appalachian history (during the Civil War and Reconstruction - if you want me to get even more specific). And I love all things vintage and antique - even better if it's distressed or shabby chic! Put that all together and you get a venue that's historic, rustic, and most definitely romantic. Let's look at some inspiration, shall we?

First up, barns. Beautiful, no?

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Next up - isn't this ceremony site just dreamy?

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I think this table under all the lighted mason jars looks rustic and romantic as well.

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Now add to the mix the fact that we want a venue that is relatively close to where we are currently living. Let's see if we find something...

Did either your or your fiance's profession inspire your choice of venue?