Our Probable Venue- Belle Chapel

Yesterday we went to open house at the place we have been considering as the number one for our venue. It was Kyle, my mom, and me. There's a little church across the way from it, and we pulled in there first. I was so disappointed! It looked nothing liked the pictures I had seen online. I made Kyle get out and check the address because I was sure it wasn't it, and sure enough, it said so-and-so church. Don't get me wrong, it's a cute church, but not what I was looking for, and I am not looking for a place that has active services (mostly because they usually won't allow alcohol).

We pulled out, and saw a sign for Belle Chapel parking. Success! We drove around to make sure that we were in the right place, and then parked and walked around the outside of the building to take a look. Even in the dark you can tell it is adorable.

The woman that owns the building is so wonderful and sweet. One of the reasons I love this venue is because of the historic element (it was built in 1885), and because there is so much included with the venue. Silk flowers, tables, chairs, desert plates, punch bowls, a piano and organ, a sound system upstairs in the chapel and downstairs in the reception area, I could go on and on.

I've looked at other places in books and online, but haven't really felt a connection. When I met the proprietor at the Seattle Wedding Show, I fell in love with the venue through pictures and with her talking about it. I have seen it from the outside before, but it has been years and years. Both Kyle and I feel that this is the right place for us to get married. It feels special and really us, and when we walked in for the tour, our song was playing.

And now, for some pictures.

Photographer

I met an absolutely WONDERFUL photographer at the wedding show.

I don't remember his name. Katie gave me a card/website that I think *might* be him, but I'm not sure. I'm so sad. He was perfect, and his prices were perfect as well. If I can't find him I will be so sad! I need to try and look through the floor plan of the wedding show and see if I can find him that way to make sure, but there was so much there that it's nearly impossible!

I think I found him. I'm pretty sure. So I send an email off, and hopefully he remembers me and it is the right person. I loved his style and attitude, and his prices were very reasonable.

Seattle Wedding Show!

We went to the Seattle Wedding Show and OH MY GOSH am I glad I prepared for that! I went with my mom, my Maid (don't call her a Matron!) of Honor, Katie, and my friend Caitlin. We had fun, but it was exhausting. It is absolutely huge. I understand why they say come on both days. We did not make it through the whole thing, and were unable to come both days.


BUT GUESS WHAT? I found my dress! Oh, it is so beautiful. I'm in love. I would post pictures on here, but I'm terrified that the fiance will look and spoil the surprise. Yes, we plan on waiting until the ceremony for him to see me in my dress. I do have a few pictures for you guys though!

We later found a sign that said "no smoking in parking garage". They should probably make that a little more clear... Huge plumes of exhaust are fine though!

The lovely Katie trying on a bridesmaid dress, and me holding her in as it was super small.

Not the dress. Laced up in the back if you couldn't tell!

HELP! I'm trapped!

We walked around, and with the help of the lovely ladies I found a potential venue, photographer, caterer, baker, and got my garters. We got our photo taken in a photo booth to commemorate the occasion, and Miss Katie bought me a sixpence (yes, a sixpence!) for my shoe.

Did I mention the cake? There was so much cake. You would think "there can't possibly be any more cake..." and then BAM, there would be another baker, handing out cake samples. I was even nice and brought home some cake samples for Kyle. Aren't I just the sweetest? We had to stop eating cake for a while because the thought of cake made us want to vomit, that's how much cake we had. AND IT WAS GOOD. You would think that a cake called "champagne" would be gross, right? Oh, you would be beyond wrong. It was so moist and decadent, and the buttercream on it... don't get me started on the buttercream. The bakery I want to go with does beautiful things in gum paste, and their cake is so phenomenal that I could eat a tier by myself. I would probably go into a sugar coma, but I would eat it.

I got so many wonderful ideas, pre-registered for a few places, and got so much information my brain had to sleep for pretty much the whole day today.

We were so exhausted by the end of the day that when mom was driving Katie and Caitlin home, we all passed out like kiddos. Too bad she was driving and couldn't snap a picture. All in all, it was a wonderful, informative, and productive, yet completely wiping day.

Valarie

I Tried On Dresses Today!

Mama Trying on a "Cupcake" dress.

At this point, I was done.

Went out with my mama today to David's Bridal in anticipation of the Seattle Wedding Show and tried on dresses. Can you tell which one I liked? (Hint, it's the one where I'm wearing the veil!)

I tried on SO many dresses! I guess it wasn't that many, probably about 10 or 15, but when you have that much tulle, it feels like a lot. I'll tell you what, nothing makes a girl feel prettier than putting on a wedding gown (yes, even a hideous wedding gown).

I think I may have found MY gown. We are going to look at the wedding show to see if we can find it on sale, or one that is identical. My mom teared up. I almost cried. It was a wonderful moment. Then I was a smartass, like usual.

Overall, it was a very productive day. I bought a wedding planner book/binder that seems to have a ton of helpful information, got an eye exam, got some bridal magazines, looked at a few invitations, and spent some time with mom. It was a great day.

Valarie

Welcome, A Little About Me, And Why I Started *This* Blog!

Hello! I am Valarie, recently engaged to my (now) fiance Kyle. Kyle is from Maine, and I am from Washington. We live together in Washington State, so you can see how it is hard for his family to keep tabs on how things will progress with the wedding and where I am in the planning process. I thought I would start a blog so that those that were interested could follow along, I could post pictures, and everyone could be involved! His mother Melissa is a big part of his life, and I know that she would love to be here helping with these things. I want to make sure she can see every step of the way, along with his grandmother and anyone else that is far away and wants to be a part of the process but can't because of the distance.

Kyle and I have been together for over a year. We have been inseparable since we met, and have spent hardly any time apart. He proposed at our home on 22 December 2010 in front of our Christmas tree.

I hope that this blog will help me through the planning process, and that it will be fun for others to look at and see what I'm doing.

With love,

Valarie