Accidentally in Love

I FOUND IT.

Not even trying to look.

It was on sale. Major sale.  And now it’s at my mom’s and I can visit it anytime. I almost left in the middle of the night last night to visit it. I might go on my lunch hour.

And, of course, there’s a great story that goes with it J

It was finally girls’ night with my friends Anna and Kelly, and we were meeting at David’s Bridal so that Kelly could order her shoes for Anna’s upcoming August wedding. Kelly and I got there before Anna, so we went in and started just thumbing through the racks (illegally, of course, because that’s how we do things!). I found a dress I really liked in the sale section, but I didn’t really want to try anything on. Then, of course, Kelly talked me into it, and we headed back to the dressing room with a consultant (Beth) and a few dresses. I cannot begin to say enough nice things about Beth from David’s Bridal in Robinson, PA, but more on that later. I tried the first dress and it elicited really positive and genuine responses from both girls, as well as from me. Then I tried on two more, which surprisingly to me, looked really great (and one was even too big!), but, just weren’t in comparison with Dress 1. Then, I tried on the dress I had been coveting on the mannequin in the front. It was really great. Exactly what I had pictured myself in all these years. And such a pretty champagne color, which went along with the whole “unique” thing we’re going for, as well as with the Fall. But I couldn’t stop thinking about dress one. So on it went again, and I wouldn’t take it off. Seriously. We stood there and talked for like, 45 minutes. And then, the search for my mom began. Upon finding her (as well as my M.O.H who graciously drove, last minute, about 40 minutes to meet us), we re-convened at David’s Bridal after fulfilling our girls’ night dinner plans, around 8p.m. The two dresses in the running were held for us and Marie, who was also incredibly helpful and sweet, took us back and hooked us up! When I came out in Dress 1, I could tell by the look on my M.O.H’s face, and the tears in my mom’s eyes, that I was right to call them out. That this was it. Of course, the second dress also elicited great responses, because it was beautiful, but, it just wasn’t anything compared to the first one. And that was that. The best accidental find ever.

And the service at David’s Bridal certainly didn’t hurt. Beth, the consultant that first helped us, was phenomenal. Never did she once push, or make me feel like the dress wouldn’t fit. Never did she try and sell me anything. I asked her about alteration prices, she brought out the alterations manager. She let me know there was a discount if I bought certain things the day I bought the dress, but, when I said I wasn’t sure, she let it go. She was patient, when I didn’t want to take the dress off. She was kind when talking about how flattering it was. She was fun to try-on with, and had an awesome sense of humor. It was just so refreshing based on other experiences I had had both there and other places (cough-cough, Alfred Angelo you suck). And then, on top of this, when we returned, after her shift had ended, she set us up with a trusted co-worker, Marie, who really did a wonderful job of matching Beth’s level of customer service and friendliness. She was patient as well, and so sweet. I never once felt bad about myself or about the experience, and I never felt pressured. Both Marie and Beth said nothing about the $500 price difference in the dresses, and they certainly didn’t let that color their opinions, as everyone was in love with THE dress. They really made the experience all I wanted it to be, even on a whim, without an appointment. I will always be grateful for that, and will be singing their praises up and down the street for a long time to come!   

Never would I ever have thought this would be the dress, but, now, I can’t imagine there being any other dress for me. I had two pictures of dresses up on my wall at work that used to take my breath away. And this morning when I walked in and looked at them, it was like, “Oh that’s nice.” But nothing compared to MY DRESS. I get giddy just thinking about it.

Oh October 2012 hurry fast!

All is Well in Wedding World

Well, if you follow my Facebook, you know that we have not been having an easy go of it when it comes to Reception Venues. Though I reported earlier we had found THE place, we definitely did not. Not only did it take weeks for the "coordinator" Kristi Zugai (not name dropping, but name throwing!) to respond to our request to come in and PAY HER and sign a contract, but, when she did finally respond, she lied about calling me (my phone never rang and no message was left ... in this situation, you leave a message), and then we never heard from her again. Finally, after seeing another venue this weekend, I called the manager of The Highland Country Club , Jeffrey Cuny , and he made excuses for their behavior left and right, despite constantly using the phrase, "I'm not making excuses," and then said we could mail him a check for the deposit, and they'd send us the contract to sign. Oh, okay. Yeah. No. When I said I was not comfortable doing that, he simply said, "Well, I'll try and have Kristi contact you if she gets a chance, then."

And that was the end of that. Beautiful facility. Good pricing. Absolutely no communication skills or professionalism. Unfortunately for them, I know a lot of engaged couples (and even had already recommended them to a co-worker, but then hurriedly had to warn her against them! Sorry!), AND I know a lot of golfers. And while I kept my calm when it came down to dealing with them and talking to them (keeping calm during that phone call with Jeffrey Cuny was quite a feat, let me tell you!), I'm sure you all know that the last thing I'm going to do is keep quiet about our experience there. I've already told both the manager at The Georgetown Centre and the manager at The Fez about our experience and I'm certainly not stopping there. Just call me Regina George.

ANYWAY- onto the good things. '

On Saturday, we went to see The Georgetown Centre on Saturday. It is a really nice facility, and the manager there, Amber, is just fantastic. (Really, I whole heartedly recommend this space and have all the information if anyone is interested!) Unfortunately, the room that we wanted wasn't open for our date, and the room that was available just wasn't exactly what we were looking for. I tried to talk myself into it, but, Fiance really wasn't having it. So, I went back to my spreadsheet and tried to look through it again for viable options.

And then I remembered how much I had initially liked The Fez. But I wrote it off because I really hated the name. Seriously, that was my reasoning. Sounds REALLY stupid now, but, I just couldn't see spending all that money on invitations, only to have "The Fez" written loudly and proudly at the bottom. I mean, it's a stupid little hat for heaven's sake! However, realizing we were in a pinch, I e-mailed Debby from The Fez, and in an awesome change of pace, she e-mailed me back, literally within minutes. She set it up so we could come in yesterday afternoon, and so Fiance, my mom and I went out to see it.

And it's perfect.

It hit me immediately. I could see the bridal party there, I could see our colors on the tables, I could see our friends at the bar and our family on the dance floor. I didn't have that with any other place. Not even the first place. I couldn't believe I ever wrote it off, just for the silly name!

Though, we will be referring to it, from here on out, as The Hopewell Events Center. :)

If Fiance ever texts me back, I will confirm that we will be going to sign the contract and pay the deposit on Saturday morning. (Then we will go garage sale-ing for Brooches!) Waiting until next October seems impossible now... guess I'll just have to concentrate on dress shopping and bouquet making!

Here are some pictures of the room (a little dated in decor from the website), and hopefully, as soon as my company's IT department remembers Social Media is part of my job and unblocks me from sites, I will posty more pictures from events that have been held there recently, thanks to The Hopewell Events Center's amazing and frequently updated Facebook Page!

Generation Y Wait Another Minute

Sadly, I know 4 or 5 couples getting married in the next two years who will probably have this issue. Unless they write their future spouses name on their hand and don't smudge it before they get up there. Maybe I will gift them a permanent marker at the shower...