INSPIRATION!

I wanted to post some of the pictures that are serving as my wedding planning inspiration, to give you all a feel of what I'm aiming for!

I'll begin with a picture I took of my favorite beach in Florida. Navarre Beach! I have so many good memories of shelling, snorkeling, sun bathing, relaxing, and having sweet little picnics with James on the Navarre sand. The beach is clean, the sand is snow white, the ocean is the most beautiful combination of blue and green, and I can't imagine a more beautiful setting for our wedding. Here it is...

I decided that I want my wedding color to be HOT PINK, because of how beautifully it contrasts with the white sand and blue-green ocean, with little touches of yellow and/or orange. Here are some pics that really appeal to me...


And, if I do end up having a reception, these pictures will serve as my reception planning inspiration...


For those that know me, it will be no surprise that I'm using pictures of Gisele as my hair and makeup inspiration. I'm in love with her look!

For hair color and style, this picture of Gisele (on the V.S. runway) pretty much nails it. Beach waves get my thumbs way up...


And this next picture is just so warm and radiant, I could curl up inside of it and take a nap. This is almost exactly what I plan to do with my makeup (and skin color... I'm def. gonna need a tan for my wedding!). It's so gorgeous and glow-y, but it's still simple enough that I can totally pull it off without hiring a makeup artist...


One thing I was really worried about was the shoes. I can't wear heels on the beach (plus, I'm 5'9 already, and not really into being taller than my man lol), but even flats are a pain on the beach... sand gets between your foot and the sandals, and it kicks up when you walk... sand burn on my bum isn't my idea of wedding bliss! But, barefoot seems so bland. I have this gorgeous dress, and then bare feet? Yuck. So, as you can imagine, I was pretty excited to discover barefoot sandals! Ta-dahh.....


Basically, barefoot sandals are just ankle bracelets that extend down your feet and attach to one of your toes. They serve no purpose other than to make your feet look cute and less barefoot-y. I happen to have an extensive collection of beautiful beads... aaaand I already figured out how to make them myself! YAY for DIY. And keep your eye out for the future tutorial. I'll photograph the entire process, explain it in detail, and teach all you barefoot brides-to-be (or anyone who just wants cuter bare feet) how to make your own!

As you probably know, I already purchased my dress (David's Bridal, Galina signature)...


But now I have to figure out what on earth James will wear! Since my dress is probably on the "dressier" end of the beach wedding dress scale, I'm really picturing something a little nicer than the typical beach groom outfit (you know... khaki pants, white shirt, no tie), and I'm loving the idea of something similar to this...



But I'm worried it's going to be too hot for him in long sleeves, so I don't know. I know they make summer jackets with really light material, but, still, it's SUMMER IN FLORIDA! He says he will wear what ever I pick for him, but I definitely don't want a crabby groom on our big day. Maybe that outfit, minus the jacket... long sleeved white shirt, with a tie? Or do you think he will survive in the whole suit? Thoughts or suggestions, anyone??

Dress... check!

The week I got engaged, I went to David's Bridal with my mom "just to look." I have been watching Say Yes to the Dress on TLC for months, drooling over their beautiful selection (and cringing at the price tags), but I wanted to get a more realistic price range in mind. My wedding dress is one of the few things I'm not willing to totally cut corners on. I'm a jeans and tank top girl, I never wear dresses, and my wedding day is probably the only chance I'll have to feel like a goddess, so it's important for me to get what I want. Well, "just looking" turned into figuring out exactly the dress I want. I fell in love with this one. It's a Galina signature. It's everything I've ever wanted my wedding dress to be, and there is nothing about it I wish to change (well, except for it to be in my size). I'm as certain about this dress as I am about my future husband, lol! But, with only $200 saved in my wedding fund, the $950 purchase obviously wasn't gonna happen that day. So, I left empty handed.

Then, the next week (which was last week), I was hanging out with a friend and wanted to show her the dress online. I went to the DB site, looked up my dress, and... OH-MY-GOSH... it was marked $200 less than before!! $750. I called my mom, ALL EXCITED, talked her ear off, then I called David's and asked how long the dress would be on sale for... and they told me the sale would end on the 26th (a little over a week from that day). Less excited. They also told me that my dress wasn't in stock, and I would have to pay the entire amount up front before they could order it. Not excited at all.

Later that night, my mom was talking to her boyfriend, Michael, about the situation and telling him how sad I was. He, completely unexpectedly, offered to lend me $400 if I could come up with the rest. This blew my mind, considering I barely know him! How cool of him! I already had $200 saved, and it was a Friday... my fiance's pay day. Being the amazing man that James is, he gave me the rest of the money that I needed for the dress. :)

Sooooo, yesterday, I went to David's Bridal... tried on the dress one last time... took some pictures... and ordered it!!!! I will have my dress in October! I'm utterly broke now, and I owe my mom's boyfriend $400, but it feels so good... so REAL... to have made my first wedding related purchase!

And now for a few pictures.... (drum roll)....




The dress was a size too big, so they had to clip it in the back, but you get the idea!

Hello Bloggers!

"Hello!" to anyone who happens to be reading this!! I'm brand spankin' new to the blogger community, and it may take me a while to get the hang of this, but I hope (eventually) my page can be a helpful resource for brides-to-be that are in similar shoes. It's not easy being a broke bride, especially with a dream of an extravagant destination wedding, but I'm determined to make it happen by summer of 2011. Any advice or support from the blogger community is more than welcome, as well as any questions you may have for me. I can't wait to learn, grow, and share this entire experience with you all.

A little background info...

My name is Valerie... Val, V, or what ever you like. I'm a music fanatic, an animal lover, and a thrifty, DIY-er. Most of my jobs have been for non-profit organizations (such as the Humane Society), so my pockets are empty but my heart is full. I have been an item with my best friend, now-fiance, James, for two and a half(ish) of the best years of my life. We have lived together nearly the entire time, and we still wake up happy to see each other. James recently started an apprenticeship for a plumbing company. It'll be a good job in 4 years, but, for now, it just gets us by. James has an amazing 7 year old son named Damein, who we got custody of a few months ago. I quit my job in order to make that possible, and I'm loving every minute of it, but it sure doesn't help the budget. I guess you could call me a stay-at-home-step-mom-to-be. What a title, lol!


James popped "the question" on July 3rd, 2010 (just two and a half weeks ago!), after surprising me with horseback riding (my very first time!) and a romantic, lake-side picnic. The ring is STUNNING! Much to my surprise, it was my Grandma's vintage engagement ring... repaired to look brand new! Of course, I SAID YES!!! It was the best day of my life, and I have never been more sure of anything, but it didn't take long for us to realize this wasn't going to be a piece of cake to plan.



James and I both come from families of divorce. My mom's side of the family couldn't be happier about my decision to marry James, but their financial situation doesn't allow them to help us. Knowing they wish they could help means a lot, and I feel so lucky to have their emotional support, but... it doesn't pay for a wedding. And my dad's side of the family has plenty of money, but they all live on the west coast and, honestly, I barely know most of them. My dad, who lives in Washington (state), won't even return my call about our engagement. I have only seen him once in the last 6 years, and the most I ever get from him is a text saying "Happy Birthday," so I didn't expect him to care... but I also didn't expect the silent treatment. He always told me he would disown me if I married a black man, and I guess he meant it. James doesn't even know his dad, or his dad's family, at all, and his mom's side of the family can't really afford to pitch in either. So, we are on our own.

If money weren't an issue... our close family and friends would join us for our wedding on our favorite beach in Florida (Navarre Beach), where we once lived together, we would take a cruise to some romantic Caribbean island for our honeymoon, spend a week with sand between our toes, fly back to our hometown, and throw a huge, classy, cocktail reception for everyone we know.

Realistically, I'm just aiming for the wedding. Probably no honeymoon, probably no reception.

But, who knows...