I "Shore" am thrilled to be Miss Seashell!

Hello Hive!

Thanks so much for having me! I'm beyond excited to be Miss Seashell! I feel so honored to be among such an extraordinary group of talented, creative, compassionate, energetic, and all-together amazing women. Like so many of you, Weddingbee has become my go-to resource for all things wedding. I just can't get enough of the hive!

When my e-mail from Mrs. Penguin came in inviting me to be a bee, I literally leaped off the sofa and began jumping up and down. After staring at me like I was crazy for a minute or two Mr. Seashell teased, "Honey, I don't think you were this excited when I proposed." To which I replied, "Only because you were a sure thing." Which leads itself to a perfect Seashell introduction:

On our first official date!

Mr. Seashell and I met in January 2008 while we were both graduate students at Northwestern University. While our entire relationship spans the length of some engagements, every step of our journey couldn't have felt more natural. Soon after meeting, we found ourselves mingling friend circles, cruising to Mexico, meeting each others' families, flying to Italy, apartment hunting downtown, starting new jobs, attending countless weddings, peeking at engagement rings, shopping for a condo in Lincoln Park, and now planning a wedding. It's happened in the blink of an eye!

Before one of many weddings

On vacation in Hawaii

We are a great team. I'm the "yes!" and he's the "...maybe?". I'm sleepy on Sunday mornings and he's wide awake ready to make plans. I could spend an afternoon sipping a latte and reading US Weekly at Starbucks, and he hates coffee (but he'll still join me). I'm sushi and martinis, he's burgers and dive bars. He's Midwest, I'm East Coast. He's reduce and reuse, I'm recycle (seriously). We're not opposites, but compliments.

As for Miss Seashell, it seemed like the perfect moniker for a New England girl with a wedding on the coast! And so the adventure begins...

(Blissful merging of domestic items optional.)

The Good, The Bad, and The Not-So-Bad...

After admitting that I'd booked our venue and photographer before we were engaged, it should be of no shock to you that I'd swung by a bridal shop (or two, or three) pre-ring as well. Ok, it gets worse - I had a fake ring I'd sport to these occasions. These confessions keep getting better, don't they?

You are about to witness photographs from my first documented bridal dress shopping experience as a legitimately engaged woman. It's a proud moment. This event occured during my pre-blogging days, so excuse the lack of detailed information on the dresses (i.e. designers, style number, etc).

Below are dresses that I tried on during a shopping trip with my FMIL and Mr. Seashell's goddaughter. It was made clear that we were not going to buy that day as there were two important factors to be considered: 1) my mother wasn't present 2) there was a dress in RI that I had my eye on already...

Dress One (The Not-So-Bad)
Lace Top, Soft Organza Skirt. I don't have much to say about this one. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't all that good either.

Dress Two (The Bad)

Heavy random fabric, thick empire waist, felt very costume-like, though not all together completely hideous. Well, pretty hideous.

Dress Three (The Good)
My overall runner up. I know this one was by Marisa. It was all organza, and totally lovely. I described it as the perfect dress if I were doing a tented wedding under colorful lanterns in the summer.

Dress Four (The Good)
I love the elements of this dress, minus the stuffed sausage effect. This one has the "feel" of the one I liked in Rhode Island: lace applique, delicate beadwork, beautiful train. However, I much prefer a softer A-line cut as well as more flattering bustline.

How many dress shops did you visit? After you "had your eye on one" did you keep searching?

Venue Stalking

I love getting a glimpse of what other couples have done at our wedding venue. It simultaneously gives me a framework of what can be done in the space, and also is just plain fun. Take a peek!

Jennifer and Darren: July 2008

Andrea and Zimiri: September 2009

Lisa and Randy: June 2009

Karin and John: August 2009

(source for all above photos)

I also came across these on a local florist's website:

(source)

I love how in spite of sharing the same space, each has a totally unique feel. It reminds me how much of a wedding - or any event - truly is in the details. Styling, colors, fabrics, and flowers definitely do allow you to make it your own! Have you venue stalked? Did you find it inspiring?