Dresses...

As I'm starting to get better, and my work load is lessening because the platoon's end of tour awards are hitting the final stages, I'm starting to find renewed interest in wedding planning. Honestly, though, nothing too finalized can really happen until we're back in the states, but it's still good to dream and get ideas. I think come September/October I'll really start to crack down on some of the things I can do here. We're planning on September in Virginia at my Aunt Mary and Uncle Bobby's house. That house is this beautiful, 100 year old house right on the James River. I don't have any pictures yet. But because the wedding would be outside, I'm thinking about some other options with dresses. Instead of doing the traditional ball gown, doing something a bit more fun. I have a few favorites. The one I've been researching the most is 1950's styled tea length gowns. I like the fuller skirt that's a little shorter. I think it's very playful and fun and not quite so fussy for something that we're trying to keep not quite so formal.

I have some pictures for ideas and pictures of dresses I really do love. Not all of them are short, though. Two favorites of mine are from David's Bridal. I can't put the pictures up because they're connected to a flash player. Here are their links, though:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49978994&currentIdx=15&subCategory=-49999486%7c-49998986%7c-49978994&catentryId=6097081&sort=

That one is probably my favorite right now. I like how simple it is, and it's skirt isn't obnoxiously full. I like the idea of wearing that dress with pearls, hair down, and a simple, elbow length veil with the same style shoes the model has on. The next one is long, and I love the lace and beading. These two are my top runners right now. Of course, I need to try them on before any final decisions.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49978992&currentIdx=17&subCategory=-49999486%7c-49998999%7c-49978992&catentryId=6097085&sort=

This one on the left is one from J. Crew. I like the fabric it's made of, and that it's very drapey. It's the first dress I found I really liked. I nearly just bought it because I didn't want to get too crazy with dresses, but then I started looking at other wedding dresses and soon changed my mind.

Here are some pictures of dresses that I like aspects of, but don't want to get, or I find them inspiring. I really like the first one on the right, but it's custom made.

The one on the left I find the neckline, the lace, and the fullness of the skirt. I just wish it was about six inches longer. The one in the middle of Grace Kelly's civil ceremony is just beautiful. So those are some pictures of what I like and what I'm thinking about.

I already mentioned before that Michael got his suit made here. He put it on today because we found this random Polo shirt that some unit here gave him. It's got this crazy logo on it, but the jacket covers it up. It looks so good on him. He's very dashing in it, if I do say so myself. He feels very out of place in it, but it's still good to have one suit for whatever life throws your way.

I like the gray for a more casual affair. Plus, it looks really good on Michael. I think it's a little more gentle for a garden, day time wedding. Another reason why I like the more 50s tea length dresses, or a more slender dress if it's long.

Who's that handsome couple you ask? Yes, it's taken in our little box here. It's infront of our wall lockers and the ACU insanity that spills out of them. And if you're wondering where the dress came from. We're required to bring some civilian clothes with us, and one of the things I grabbed was a dress.

So that's us NOT in ACUs for once. It's weird putting on civilians. Especially when you live in your PTs and ACUs. But anyway, we're doing well and happy. We're getting ready to go to chow soon. Thankfully tonight isn't fried seafood night. I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

TTFN

~R