I found the one. The other one — the dress. It’s perfect. Two weeks ago I went back to the first boutique I visited with every intention of buying a certain dress. Well, part of a dress. Maybe I should start at the beginning…
 
My mom and two of my best friends went with me on my Birthday to try on dresses for the first time. We went to a swanky boutique in Raleigh that served us champagne at 10 am. I told my consultant I was looking for something that looked like spring, as if somehow that would narrow down the hundreds of dresses in the store! I tried on 7 dresses. I ended up wearing around what I thought was my perfect dress for at least half an hour. I had the feeling that I didn’t want to try on anymore. I was told that’s when you know that’s your dress. I said yes with hesitation. So as the consultant wrote up the quote for the different pieces (yes, it was a 2 piece dress), I thought to myself “there is no way I can buy my dress today!” That isn’t me. That is the complete opposite of me! I of all people would never commit to a wedding dress the first time I ever tried them on. And thankfully I didn’t. I said I would come back after thinking about it. At least I left knowing I was capable of saying yes to the dress.
 
Over the next month I visited another store with a different friend. And I found an awesome dress. The perfect dress….for winter time. Oh, how I almost switched my entire wedding plans just so I could have a fall/winter wedding and wear this dress! It had pockets. Enough said. I decided then and there that I would go with part of the first dress from the boutique. I would get the designer Monique Lhuillier skirt and would buy the corset top somewhere else. Brilliant. I could do this. When a little weekend trip to Charlotte with three of my bridesmaids came along, we jumped at the opportunity to look at bridesmaids dresses. After the first store proved to be a bust, we decided on a whim to drive to a place called New York Bride and Groom. We didn’t have much luck with bridesmaids dresses there, either. But at the back of the store was rows and ROWS of huge, frilly wedding gowns. And as my luck would have it, I found a gorgeous corset, with beautiful floral appliqué and beading. And the price made it so much sweeter. The girls all picked out dresses for me to try, but I only ended up trying on one. I cried. My friends were so happy for me. I had found the other part of my dress! I could go get the skirt, have this corset and come in on budget! Hooray!!! I said yes to the dress.
 
The next weekend me and my mom went back to the first boutique to buy the Monique Lhuillier skirt. We didn’t tell the consultant this, as I still wanted to try on a few more dresses as it would be the last time I would. I described a pretty Elizabeth Fillmore dress to my consultant and asked to try it on. They didn’t have it, but the owner overheard me asking and pulled out a dress from a different designer that was somewhat similar. Sure…ok. I’ll try it on.
 
I bought it. Two weeks later and I am still giddy.
 
In so many ways, I said yes to the dress FOUR times! I had that moment again and again and said yes to perfectly wonderful, beautiful dresses. But in the end I found the one I was meant for. I can’t wait to marry Jason in it.
 
Cheers,
Nichole
 

 

 
Last weekend I visited Charleston with my mom for the Cooper River Bridge Run 10k. While we were there, I paid a visit to our venue and was so excited to see how lush and green the property had gotten since we visited last November. The picture above is of the courtyard part of the venue, taken from the second story veranda, where our guests will enjoy cocktail hour after the ceremony. So beautiful!!
 
This weekend I’m continuing my dress hunt and enjoying Easter with the family. Here are a few things that have caught my eye over the past couple of weeks:
 
– Mint bridesmaid dresses! My two best gals thought of this idea over dinner this week, and now we’re looking for a mint color like this one from BHLDN.
 
– This Miami wedding over at Style me Pretty had me drooling. I love her blush Christian Dior peep-toe pumps. I’m definitely starting to lean towards blush or nude pumps for moi.
 
– When Jason and I get our home, I am decorating the hallway(s) like this
 
– Loving this free wedding schedule seen over at the Wedding Chicks.
 
Happy Easter!!
 
xoxo,
Nichole
 

 

Photo via Jose Villa
 
One year from today I will marry the love of my life.
 
It’s a little bittersweet knowing that we’re still a year out. Sometimes I feel that we should just march down to the courthouse and make it official and have a party to celebrate later. But, the date has been set and the venue has been booked. Now that we’re officially one year out, the “normal” amount of time people are engaged, I feel the ball can finally get rolling! I caught the dress itch this week. I guess all I had to do was book that appointment to get me really REALLY excited about trying some on. I’ve bookmarked quite a few. I’ve even printed some off in full color. My bridal consultant may have some beef with me. To celebrate, I’m sharing some of my favorite dresses I’ve found so far online. I have NO idea if any of these will look good on my petite frame, nor if they’re in my price range, but here’s to hoping!
 
The lovely photo above taken by Jose Villa and the picture below taken by Erin Hearts Court are of brides that chose Oscar de la Renta. I love love love sweetheart necklines, and A-Line to full ball gowns like these. They bring princess to a whole new, sophisticated level. Gorgeous.
 

Photo via Erin Hearts Court
 
The next two dresses are what I would do if I were able to get my hands on two dresses – one for the ceremony, and one for the reception. They are both strikingly similar and sexy.
 

 
Finally, the back of this dress with the big bow. I love bows! I almost made them as part of my blog theme. This dress would be perfect if there were not straps on them, and the back just curved down like that. I have no idea who makes this dress. Help!!
 

 
Enjoy your weekend, lovelies!
xoxo, Nichole
 

 

 
My birthday is Saturday the 24th, and what a better way to ring in my 26th year than by trying on this little number of a dress? Blush wedding dress – yes, I think so. Even though I’m sure I’d chicken out and get it in ivory if it came down to it! A boutique in Raleigh is having a trunk show next weekend, and so I’m making a birthday event out of it. We’ll start with this bridal showdown, followed by a birthday lunch and then a showing of the Hunger Games. Those three go together perfectly.
 
xoxo, Nichole
 

 
Inexpensive, textured and classically southern. Cotton is becoming more of a contender for me as a theme to use throughout the wedding. There is just something so wildly unique about these gorgeous ‘blooms’. The instant I saw this bridal bouquet infused with garden roses, cotton and mini branches, I knew this was something that would stand out on our day. Regardless of incorporating cotton into our wedding decor, I will definitely be getting some bridal portraits in a cotton field. That last picture is breathtaking.
 

Photo via Braedon Photography
 

 

Photos via Jasmine Star
 

Photo via Love is a big deal
 
So far we’ve covered Lace + Lucite, and Cotton. Are either of these so far a contender for our themed texture?
 
xoxo, Nichole