would probably be a good idea to figure out what kind of wedding/venue she wants to have first. outdoor? indoor? church? country club? hotel? there's lots of venues in Raleigh, you just have to narrow it down first.

7/16/2012 2:15:22 PM

I'll take a look at the links provided so far and forward them to her. I'm sure they'll be helpful.

As far as what we've discussed wanting:
Church/Chapel for ceremony, then some type of venue for a reception with area for dancing and allows alcohol.

If not a Church/Chapel(we're not members at a church yet), then a venue that covers both the wedding/ceremony in one location. We've started a small list with a couple of hotels(including the one in North Hills) and a couple of country clubs.

We're shooting for March/April time frame and indoor wedding preferred. Would be nice to find a reception place with an indoor area(dance floor, food) and maybe a patio as well. Yeah I know, not very descriptive. We just want indoor ceremony because of allergy/sinus issues as well as less concern over weather. We both love outdoors and in her head she would love an outdoor wedding, as long as weather and allergies wouldn't be an issue. But she can tend to worry, so I personally would rather take away those concerns so she can enjoy the time leading up to it, haha.

7/16/2012 2:30:52 PM

^ seriously check out North Hills. we did both our ceremony and reception there and there's a nice patio off the ballroom so if people wanted to take a smoke break or step outside, it was all right there. the room block rate they gave us was fantastic for guests since we had a lot of people coming in from out of town.

we didn't have a very large wedding (100 people) but we used up the entire ballroom and it helped spread things out so people didn't feel like they were sitting on top of each other (but the tables didn't look lost in a big space either).

we also did a full 5 hour open liquor bar and they have a nice size dance floor. people were boozing and dancing all night

7/16/2012 2:42:59 PM

My husband and I own a local catering company called SpiceCubed Catering. Our menus are online if you want to look at them.

We have 2 on-site venues at St Michaels Catholic Church. The Gallery can hold ~250 people and the Parish Center can hold ~500. We have a dance floor that can be put out in both spaces. We also have our beer/wine license so we can do a bar as well.

We can also do off-site catering if you choose to go with another venue. The menus online are seperated into 2 catergories (on-premise and off-premise catering)

http://www.spicecubed.com/catering

7/16/2012 2:48:35 PM

Yeah, we are going to our pastor for marital counseling. This is our second visit. So it will be interesting to say the least.

I have an "unmentionables" question not for the guys (so close your eyes). My dress is a strapless sweetheart A line dress. Anyone have any ideas of what comfortable but slightly sexy, yet figure flattering under garments may be good to wear under the dress? I need something that perks up the twins a bit too

I went to two places: Victoria Secret and Dillards and I just didn't get a great feel for what I was trying on. I was thinking a corset bra because I have problems with the strapless staying up. I never could find a place in the mall that sold those so I didn't try one on. I also think the ladies I worked with didn't have a clue on how to size one bit.

7/17/2012 9:09:50 PM

Everyone please keep a lookout for any cool ceramic birds of some sort. I want them to be able to stand on their own.

I plan to paint them all grey and then with a thin paintbrush write the table number on them

7/17/2012 9:38:09 PM

If you are going to spray paint them a solid color, I'd say check the dollar store. They usually have ones that aren't painted very well, but you don't care about that.

7/17/2012 10:14:41 PM

2^Guy at the fairgrounds has cute little wrought iron birds. You can haggle with him, too. I have two on my front step. He sells a bunch of wrought iron stuff out of a big trailer.

7/17/2012 10:22:26 PM

I have to host a bridal shower soon and have searched for all sorts of games for the event but can't seem to pick out which ones I want to use. I want something creative~ and most of the stuff out there is pretty overdone.

Do any of you have any game/ activity suggestions for a bridal shower?

7/17/2012 10:31:45 PM

Quote :

"I have an "unmentionables" question not for the guys (so close your eyes). My dress is a strapless sweetheart A line dress. Anyone have any ideas of what comfortable but slightly sexy, yet figure flattering under garments may be good to wear under the dress? I need something that perks up the twins a bit too"

I got my strapless bra at Soma Intimates and I really like it a lot. I went to the one in Cary Towne and the woman working there was a HUGE help. She was able to measure me and then help me pick out the best strapless bra for what I needed.

7/18/2012 9:23:18 AM

Quote :

"I went to two places: Victoria Secret and Dillards and I just didn't get a great feel for what I was trying on. I was thinking a corset bra because I have problems with the strapless staying up. I never could find a place in the mall that sold those so I didn't try one on. I also think the ladies I worked with didn't have a clue on how to size one bit."

There is a guy in Cary that makes custom corsets. I had him make me one for my dress and I'm glad I spent the money for that. Held everything in place perfectly. There were even hooks that we attached to the back of the dress to be sure that the dress didn't decide to slide off

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeschantesCorsetry?ref=seller_info

7/18/2012 9:43:33 AM

^ Just checked this guy out... I like... Could I contact him directly and get him to fit me and everything since he's so close?

^^ I'll check out those guys too. Thanks for the suggestions. This will definitely save me some time and driving around like a chicken with my head cut off

7/18/2012 11:13:36 AM

also i should have mentioned that Soma is especially great if you're a bigger tittied girl

i am a 32B and there was actually only a few strapless bras that would fit me. i used to be a 36DD and i joked to the sales woman that i probably would have had better luck here if i was still my larger size because it seems they carry more stuff for the bigger boobied girls.

7/18/2012 12:21:38 PM

^^ Yeah that's what I did. He has a real website too that I'm sure you can find on Google. I just happened to have his etsy site bookmarked.

7/18/2012 12:27:06 PM

Quote :

"i am a 32B and there was actually only a few strapless bras that would fit me. i used to be a 36DD and i joked to the sales woman that i probably would have had better luck here if i was still my larger size because it seems they carry more stuff for the bigger boobied girls."

Yeah according to ladies from yesterday I am a 32 D and a 34D... This is news to me because I know what a D is suppose to be from back in highschool (cause I too was a 36 D) and I aint no D now Maybe a small C or maybe I just need to do pushups and get those muscles to help lift things a little

7/18/2012 12:32:47 PM

I swear I have no clue how they determine that crap. Supposedly I'm an E with one company and another company I'm a D. Wat.

7/18/2012 1:12:53 PM

Finally getting all the guests lists compiled in to one big list. People can not count. We are going to bust this venue's guest limit.

7/18/2012 10:09:16 PM

Quote :

"I swear I have no clue how they determine that crap. Supposedly I'm an E with one company and another company I'm a D. Wat."

Most women can wear up a size and down a cup rather easily because the cups are actually the same size if you do it this way (I can do a 34DDD or a 32DDDD, though the 32 is most supportive because it is my actual "around my ribcage" measurement)

but your raw "size" is simply making two measurements in inches (around the boob meat and your ribcage, under the boob meat), and subtracting one measurement from the other for cup size (1 inch difference is B, 2 is C, 3 is D, 4 is DD... etc)

aside from these differences in cup, different bras are cut to accommodate different things: a balcony bra and a full-coverage bra aren't going to fit the same way in the same size, leaving you to feel "too big" for the first type if you're used to the second type (so if you want a balcony or demi bra, you may need to go up a cup size for modesty's sake or fit)

basically, it's not too surprising that your boobs fit into multiple sizes

luckily my dress wasn't strapless, but I found a nice, smooth Le Mystere that was supportive: I'd also highly recommend my strapless bra: Fantasie 4530. It rocks, even for bigger sizes.

[Edited on July 18, 2012 at 11:01 PM. Reason : .]

7/18/2012 10:55:05 PM

I get going up and down a cup size, but I don't get going from a D to an E, especially when they're the same band size

7/19/2012 8:50:57 AM

its common in strapless bras to go down a band size and up a cup size just because that sucker should be as tight as you can stand it.

If you specifically said you were shopping for strapless bras, this might be a source of confusion regarding your measurement, grits.

another factor: UK vs US companies. Sounds like that could be your case, wolfpackgrr.



for the true longline bras, the body cut can be so different that you're better off trying to pick from 3 or 4 sizes. (Say, 32 D +DD, 34 C + D if you're an hourglass, add a 36 B if your waist is straighter)

Felina is supposed to be a really good brand for the smaller boobies.

http://www.barenecessities.com/felina-essentials-seamless-hidden-wire-bustier-7643_product.htm?pf_id=Felina7643&search=34D


check out the categories "special occasion bras" "bustiers" and "longlines" for more of that kinda stuff. They have that lemystere bustier as well. Return shipping's only $7, so I say go crazy and return everything right away, if you've got some room on your credit card. herroom.com is another nice site.


if you're going to be wearing that forever, though, you might want to do a strapless and a waist nipper or shaper slip or something instead.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/spanx-slimmer-shine-strapless-shaping-slip/3195473?origin=related-3195473-60140884-0-1-2&BaseUrl=Shapewear

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tc-waist-cinching-shaper/3056753?origin=category&BaseUrl=Shapewear


if you're set on doing in-store shopping, nordstorm, the bra patch (if it's still there) and fancier bridal stores (yes, they will sell you just the underwear, if you can stand to go back) are way better starting points than VC.

7/19/2012 9:09:59 AM

Hmm yeah I wonder who the manufacturer of the E bra is. Let me check!

You are correct! It's some Australian company. Learn something new every day

7/19/2012 9:15:06 AM

I heard that CliffyB and his fiancee (see ?topic=622713) will be doing a safari-themed wedding in San Fran.

There will be live animals (giraffes, etc) running around and everything. Sounds fun and expensive!

7/19/2012 9:53:39 AM

yeah I went to Soma yesterday and had very little luck. :-( I tried to get up with the guy that makes the custom corset bras (which I will spend that money for) but he has not returned my email. I stand corrected... The "lady" finally contacted me. weeee I am so excited about this. My fiance' is in for a treat if this goes thru

[Edited on July 19, 2012 at 10:58 AM. Reason : yay!]

7/19/2012 10:30:24 AM

^^ i believe they're doing it at the San Diego Zoo

Cliff is a frand of mine.

[Edited on July 19, 2012 at 10:45 AM. Reason : i am pretty sure but not 100% positive]

7/19/2012 10:45:10 AM

I once went to a wedding that was tragically held on a peacock farm out near Greenville. The peacocks were so damn loud you couldn't hear the ceremony.

7/19/2012 11:07:42 AM

^^ that sounds awesome. my fiancee met his wedding planner (orangerieevents.com) and was talking about it with her.

we're still in the early stages of planning, I think she is slightly overwhelmed! I currently live/work in SC, will be moving back hopefully within 6 months to help her out with everything.

7/19/2012 11:43:04 AM

we are using Orangerie as well. they're really good thus far and priscilla is nice.

7/19/2012 11:53:52 AM

So, anyone who had their wedding recently have any decor they want to sell that might look good with a fall wedding?

7/23/2012 8:16:32 PM

http://www.portgambleweddings.com

this is where ours will be.

7/23/2012 11:32:54 PM

Congrats Steven! Good luck!

Less than 60 days for us....

7/25/2012 11:07:47 AM

Possible flower girl dress!!

7/26/2012 5:16:02 PM

super cute!

one of my "bridesmaids" gifts, this is the pair for the guy officiating




Every one is wearing dress shoes to the ceremony and I let all of my bridesmaids, the officiant, and the flower girl design their own converses for the reception.

[Edited on July 26, 2012 at 7:17 PM. Reason : .]

7/26/2012 7:10:32 PM

50 days

7/28/2012 10:57:03 PM

Samwise16 these reminded me of you!!



ALSO.. anyone wanna help me find an affordable alternative to this?



[Edited on July 29, 2012 at 7:14 PM. Reason : .]

7/29/2012 7:07:52 PM

^ i have something almost identical. i only paid $45 for it. i never even wore it! i ended up going with a different hair design.

hopefully this worked - its in my gallery on here.



[Edited on July 29, 2012 at 9:45 PM. Reason : man i hope this works.]

7/29/2012 9:44:37 PM

Is it a full headband? I just want a side accent like the one shown (asymmetric) If it is, can I try yours on and possibly buy it off of you?

7/29/2012 9:49:25 PM

it's a head band but the piece is only on one side. and you're more than welcome to check it out. we can plan to meet up somewhere so you can see if it is what you're looking for

7/30/2012 7:37:28 AM

I've completely forgotten about making a music list for the reception

7/30/2012 10:22:29 PM

I feel like I'm forgetting a crap ton of things.

7/30/2012 11:43:21 PM

I'm starting to feel the pressure. Still no flowers or cake. :-/

7/31/2012 12:26:16 AM

I'm lucky.. I had to use a florist required by the venue and the venue threw in the cake for us

7/31/2012 1:09:08 AM

We have our florist, he owes mom a favor. We have no idea where to get a cake from. We are trying to get one local to the venue.

7/31/2012 8:39:17 AM

Got engaged on saturday. Prob will be a while before the wedding though.

7/31/2012 8:51:25 AM

congratulations!

7/31/2012 8:58:14 AM

Congrats and welcome to the club!

7/31/2012 9:28:22 AM

Quote :

"I feel like I'm forgetting a crap ton of things."

i felt like that towards the end too....it's just that you have a lot of little things to finalize and take care of.

7/31/2012 9:36:56 AM

Elise where is your venue!? I'll help you search

7/31/2012 7:36:53 PM

I'll be in the booming town of Louisburg, NC

Wake Forest will probably be our best bet, but if we can find someone in Louisburg they might owe my mother or step father a favor. That's how we've booked everything else! We got great deals!

7/31/2012 11:24:52 PM

Bakers will travel.. our cake lady is coming from Pleasant Garden to Raleigh.

In looking through some of my photographer's blogs, they just did a wedding in Louisburg at the Hudson Manor, and they used Cinda's Creative Cakes (and they're in Holly Springs).

Just find a place you like, and get them to deliver. No harm, no foul.

8/1/2012 10:38:53 AM

We would prefer local, but I understand I may have no choice.

8/1/2012 10:45:38 AM