Recaps Part 4: The Guys

John the best man, Charles and Chris the groomsman.

Recaps Part Two...

The Guys Get Ready!

The cuff links that I gave Charles as a gift the day of the wedding. He loves guns so I knew he would love them. They were a huge hit with the guys!

Playing pool waiting for me to get better so we can get the show on the road!

My man checking out his wedding day duds.

The ties and socks I bought for the guys.

Chess anyone?

Time to get ready!

My mom pinning on his boutonniere.

Love them!

Charles with his God-Daughter Maggie who was our flower girl.

Stay tuned for more recaps and a Giveaway post!

Again...

So here I am yet again apologizing for not posting in what seems forever. I'm so sorry I can't seem to keep up with my blog as of late. I'm still without a job and without easy access to hi-speed internet.

To say things are stressful and tight financially without a job doesn't even begin to cut it. And despite all that, the wedding is drawing ever closer. When I started planning, I never in a million years would have guessed I'd be unemployed. It's a huge challenge and is adding a lot of unneeded stress.

Time just seems to be getting away from me lately. I don't know where it's going! lol Christmas is under two weeks away and that is scaring the crap out of me! lol We have less than five months to go until the wedding and I know the big day is going to creep up on us FAST!

I haven't really worked on anything wedding related lately. My family has two birthdays in October and two in November (mine included) and then Thanksgiving and now Christmas and I just got back from a wonderful vacation with my sweetie! Things have been super busy for me.

However, I have gotten a few things done. My groom to be and his best man did get their measurements taken care of. My mom got her MOB dress ordered, I let my girls know what dresses they can pick, and I've shared the info about the flower girl dresses to one of the girls parents.

In any case, I'm sorry again for the lack of posting and will try and do better. For those of you who are sticking around...THANKS!

She's One Hot Momma!

Yesterday my mom and I went dress shopping for her mother of the bride dress. I haven't written about this in detail yet but my mom and brother will be walking me down the aisle (more about why later). Since she's walking down with me, I requested that she be in a floor length dress. I told her she could pick whatever color she wanted and whatever style. Neither of us understand the frumpy and dowdy mother of the bride dresses that seem to be everywhere. Next to your mother's own wedding day, this is one of the most important days of her life as well as yours, so she should look stunning! I think we managed to find a dress that accomplishes just that!!

Our first stop was to a local bridal store in Knoxville that we heard about at the Bridal Show last Sunday. It's locally owned and operated and the owner Elizabeth and her employees are incredibly sweet and very friendly! If you live around the area please be sure to check out The Gilded Gown! Our main reason for stopping in was because at the Bridal Show they had flower girl dresses advertised at $49! And they also have the tux that we want the guys in for much cheaper than anyone else! While we were there though, mom wanted to look around for dress options for her.

One of the dresses mom tried on is one that I picked out for her to try. It was a halter style chiffon dress and I wasn't sure if it would even work. The results however, blew me away. My mom could go to Hollywood and walk down a red carpet in this dress!! She looks so incredible (she always does but there's something about this dress!). See for yourself....

(Source: yours truly)
(Source: Alfred Angelo)

The sample dress they had was about 2 sizes too small so it wouldn't zip all the way but she still totally ROCKED this dress! All the ladies that worked at the salon ohhed and awwed over mom and this dress! We are 99% sure this is the dress she will end up going with. I just can't say enough how amazing she looked in it! I think she'll stick with the color black too which I really love, it's such a timeless look. The belt has rhinestones on it and the back sweep train of the dress has metallic silver beading detail. One of the best things about this dress....it's only $179! And, in November, the store is having a special on bridesmaid dresses and we'll get it for $20 off! So what do you think ladies?

While at The Gilded Gown, I found the most adorable flower girl dresses for our flower girls! I originally thought I wanted our flower girls in white but after seeing this dress I quickly changed my mind.

(Source: Alfred Angelo)

This dress is so adorable and I hope the girls might be able to wear them again too. They are only $99 a piece and the color is lavender. Obviously our girls will not be wearing fairy wings! lol I'm so glad we stopped in and found these beauties and moms stunning dress!

While stuck in traffic I was able to snap this beautiful picture:

(Source: yours truly)

Miscellaneous Stuff

This is going to be a random post. I've mentioned a few things here and there in previous posts and I'm finally able to update you on some of them!

Thanks to my dear friend Patti, we were able to get the socks I wanted for the guys! She was kind enough to go the mall in Knoxville and get them for me. I don't think the picture on the BR website does them justice though.

(Source: yours truly)

I scored these baskets at Michale's for an amazing $7.99! They were originally priced at $29.99 but the largest basket was damaged so they were marked down. I couldn't have bought the smallest basket for the price I paid for all three of them. The damage on the large basket (not pictured) can easily be covered with some ribbon and no one would ever know. We'll need baskets for all kinds of things...napkins, forks, bubbles, ceremony programs, etc. so I'll have no problem putting them to good use. And after the wedding we'd be able to use them as well!

(Source: yours truly)

As I talked about here, instead of having a unity candle ceremony we are having a unity sand ceremony. There's all kinds of unity sand sets out there that you can purchase but they come with an outrageous price tag (for what you get) and I don't care for any of them. When I stumbled upon a picture of an apothecary jar and cruets used for the sand ceremony I knew I wanted to somehow replicate that look. I found our pouring vases at Michael's some time ago for $2.99 each. Then my search for an apothecary jar began. I finally found one at Michael's several weeks ago for $14.99. I love how they look together! My sand is purple sand (from Michael's) and Charles will be using white sand that I collected from a beach in Hilton Head Island, SC. back in March while I was on vacation.

(Source: yours truly)

Remember one of my more recent posts where I talked about the silver heart boxes I got for our flower girls? I mentioned that I wanted to either make or purchase bracelets or necklaces for them so I could put them in the hearts. Well, over the weekend when I was out shopping with Charles I found the perfect thing. JcPenny was having a 50% off sale on all their costume jewelry. I was on the search for some earrings to go with a new outfit when I came across these:

(Source: yours truly)

Unfortunately I didn't realize the picture was blurry until after I got it on my computer. So sorry about that! Are they not adorable? They were originally $12.00 each but I got both of them for that price since they were 50% off.

Also in this post I mentioned that the flower girls would have a headpiece/wreath to wear. My mom has been working on them and here is a sneak peak at one in the process of being made. More on these when they are complete.

(Source: yours truly)

And to finish off this post I will leave you with a sneak peak at one of the bouquets for my maid of honor and bridesmaid. Mom hopes to complete them this week sometime and whenever they're done I'll post more about them.

(Source: yours truly)

Up next: Changes to my accessories.

Solution?

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I think I may have found a solution to the S&K Menswear saga!

There's a company called Jim's Formal Wear that carries the EXACT SAME suit that we were wanting from S&K! They don't have their own stores, instead they have authorized retailers. I did a search for retailers and was floored when my bridal salon A Joyous Occasion was listed as a retailer! Woo hoo!

Now, I still have to call and get some information and make sure they do rentals with the suits and stuff but I'm so glad I've already found the suit somewhere else! Oh and it's not just the suit, they have the shirt and the shoes we want as well! Score! So this afternoon I will be calling Joyous to get the details!

Oh and I have other good news regarding my Not Enough Time post! Much to my astonishment, yesterday while Charles and I were texting just before I left work he surprised me by saying that he's going to stop going to church on Wednesdays so we can have Wednesdays for wedding planning!! Yay!!

Now please understand that church is extremely important to me and him as well. Our church background is different, he's been going to Sunday service and the Wednesday evening service for years at his church. I however, was not brought up in a home where we attended Wednesday service. I'm not saying it's not needed or anything like that, it's just not something I attend. Anyways, I was very thankful of this news and am so glad we'll have a day set aside for wedding planning now. Oh and it means more time with my sweetie too!

Were you able to find solutions to unexpected problems quickly?

Why oh Why?

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So as you will remember from Men's Attire and The Look for the Guys, I already had a really strong idea of what I wanted the guys in. Charles and I went to our local S&K Menswear store and spoke with a very helpful guy named Rob and we were able to solidify the look for the guys. I was so excited that we found the light gray suits I had been dreaming about. And that the ties we got for the guys looked awesome with them!

I have BAD news.

On Friday I was out shopping with mom and we were at a store located in the same outlet mall as S&K. As I was pulling out, I glanced over at the S&K store and found a huge yellow and black GOING OUT OF BUSINESS sign! What!? This cannot be happening. I did a double take to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. Nope, they weren't...they're closing.

At first I wasn't too worried because I assumed there had to be another S&K in Knoxville. I mean if there's one in Sevierville, there HAS TO BE one in Knoxville! I just looked and nope, there sure isn't. The closest S&K Menswear store (after the Sevierville one closes) will be in Chattanooga! C-town is two hours away! Why???????

I have no idea what we're going to do now. I was so thankful to have the guys attire figured out and out of the way. Back when I was researching attire ideas for the guys I seriously found NOTHING else I liked (as far as suits went). I'm at a loss and have no idea what to do. I guess we're back at square one regarding the guys attire for the big day. Don't they realize that people are out here planning weddings and are/were counting on them!? Ugh.

What unexpected things have you had to deal with during your planning?

The Look for the Guys

Yesterday evening the Mr. and I went on over to our local S& K Menswear store to solidify my vision for the guys. The gentleman working when we went in was so helpful! As I mentioned in Men's Attire, I had no idea what kind or color shirt the guys should wear. I already knew what suit I wanted them in and have already bought the ties they'll wear. Rob (the guy at S&K) was very honest with me about what color shirt would look best with the suit and tie I had picked out. He didn't tell me to pick whatever I wanted because it's my wedding, he told me truthfully what he thought would be best and I was very thankful for that!

He even went so far as to partly undress two mannequins so we could really visualize the look we were going for. He put one of our ties on a mannequin that had on a black shirt and then placed the gray suit coat over it. And let me tell you, it looked SHARP and different/unique too! (Silly me forgot to take the camera so I could really show you what it looked like. sadness.) Anyways, here is what the suit and black shirt will look like together.

(Source)

Now picture that paired with the ties I bought for the guys.

(Source: yours truly)

I know you have to use your imagination a little to be able to visualize but what do you think?

We decided against a vest (even just for the Mr.) because it was going to add another color and texture and I was afraid it would look too busy. Plus, I think he'll be more comfortable without one.

The Mr. was a little surprised at the price tag for the tux rental but it doesn't seem bad to me. Yeah it is a little more than it would have been because the shirts I want are considered an upgrade and you have to pay an extra $10 for them. And the shoes I picked out are also a $10 upgrade. But again, the total which comes to about $200 (including tax) doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

In your opinion, is $200 too much for a tux rental that includes the suit, shirt and shoes? (It also includes a vest and tie but we won't be using those.)

Men's Attire

I am not afraid to admit that I know nothing when it comes to menswear. And believe me, I mean NOTHING. So, on Tuesday me and my Mr. are heading to our local S&K Menswear store to see what they have and get some pointers on finishing the look I'm going for.

Ok, the look I'm going for with the guys is a medium grey suit. I like this look from After Six:

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This suit is called Catalina and is a 31.5" 2 button single breasted self notch coat with a self top collar, flap pockets and no vent. Matching pants (as shown) are available. The fabric is a 55/45 polywool blend. I also like the look of the grey vest (as shown) with it but would only have my man in the vest and not the other guys.

I also like these looks I put together using the S&K Menswear Build-A-Tux feature. Please ignore the ties that are shown because it doesn't give you the option not to choose a tie and I've already bought the ties for the guys (more on them later in this post). Also remember I'm clueless about menswear so I have no idea what kind or color of shirt I'm looking for.

This would be the general look for the guys except with the ties I purchased. And again, I'm going to have to get pointers from the S&K Menswear staff about what kind and color shirt to have the guys wear. (Source)

This would be the general look for my Mr. Except the vest color would match the suit and he would be wearing the tie I bought him. And yet again remember what I said about the shirt. (Source)

Here I played around with a black shirt since I have no idea what to pair the suit and tie with. (Source)

And without further delay, the ties I found at Kohls for $16.80 each regularly $28.00 each. I wasn't on the search for ties at Kohls when I found them. However, I fell in love with them once I saw them. They are perfect and just what I had been scouring websites trying to find (with no luck I might add). The ties feature both of our wedding colors, purple and silver. I am so glad I went ahead and bought them even though I got puzzling looks from the Mr.!

These are the ties for the best man, groomsman and my brother.Close up of the wedding party ties. Aren't they pretty? :)

And this is the tie I found for my Mr. I wanted his to be a little different so he would stand out from the other guys. This tie was perfect because it has the same colors as the other ties and the same pattern but it's still different.

Close up of the Mr.'s tie.And this picture shows all the ties and the differences between the two styles. I absolutely love them! (Tie Pictures Source: yours truly)

On to the socks. I haven't bought these as of yet. I found them online at Banana Republic and really like them. I totally stole these socks from JessicaLynn over at Tying the Knot. I had been on the hunt for purple argyle socks and was having no luck at all and then I stumbled on her blog and found the socks I'd been looking for. Me and the Mr. are going to a local Banana Republic Outlet store on Tuesday to see if we can find the socks there so we won't have to pay shipping. And hopefully we'll find them there cheaper too!

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Why I care so much about what kind of socks my guys wear:

I love sock shots like that one! I know, I know, I'm crazy. :P
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And now for the shoes. I'm not too picky here. They just need to be nice looking, shiny, black and comfy for the guys. Something along the lines of this shoe:

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Are you clueless about how to dress your guys? What look are you going for with the groom and groomsmen?

Up next: the stationery.