DJ Biggs!

So, earlier this week we secured our wedding DJ. We went with Sound Dimensions. Mainly because they were one of the few to call me up and talk in person. DJ Biggs seems like a nice guy, and the service and price range fit into our budget.

So, we have music! Which is a darn good thing, since we plan to also have dancing!

In other news, Sarah and I went ring shopping a couple weeks ago for me. I was dreading this, since I have fairly picky tastes about what I wear for rings. Basically, every ring I've ever tried on makes my sausage fingers look like... sausages. Pudgy sausage fingers with a ring pinching the middle. Ungh.

When we went into Spense Diamonds I was expecting to see a lot of nothing. Rings for guys are pretty bland, not a lot to see here, move along... Jared told me it took him months to find a ring. Well, I lucked out, and found a ring pretty quick. It was simple, and looks okay on my finger. They even let me test drive the ring for a while. ( I had to pay for it, but they said I could bring it back in and change it if I didn't like it.)

So, rings and dancing. Check. Check. Now, all I have to do is remember how to dance the rumba! Quick-Quick, Slow....

quick, quick, slow...

Yesterday was our first dance class at the Dance With Me studios in downtown New West. The class we signed up for is called "The Wedding Mix", so there seem to be a bunch of folks like us, wanting to learn the basics, so when the big day comes, we sort of look like we've danced together before. There are also several older couples who seem to take dance quite a bit and they're there to just have fun. It's a nice mix of age groups.

I now know how to Rumba... in theory. It's all about "quick, quick, slow" and letting Marcus lead me around. I guess that's the hardest part for both of us... Marcus hasn't done much dance, so it's a pretty daunting task to have to learn the steps and also be in charge of leading me ('cause he has to constantly be thinking a few steps ahead about what he wants to have me do). Me, I just have to know the steps, but the hard part is letting Marcus lead me. I know, I'm a control freak. But in dance class I get to basically sit back and let him guide me around.

But it was a lot of fun. And we're suppose to practice during the week as well, so that means "dance date night" (at home). Which is kind of romantic. Gotta find some music to Rumba to...

Next Sunday, we learn more Rumba moves (we currently know four) and the following weeks involve the Jive and Waltz. We'll keep you posted on the progress. Of course, the real challenge will be remembering these dance moves by the time the wedding comes. And also, as our pastor pointed out, maneuvering in and around the wedding dress. Actually, none of that really matters... dance class is just a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon together.

Bestman Couture (part deux)

Tina and I went fabric shopping yesterday. We had to go to two different Fabriclands to find the satin for her dress. We didn't actually get the Duchess Satin as planned, but the Couture Satin seemed really similar (for those of you that care about fabric...). We found the satin in black (currently 40% off) and picked out some lining fabric (currently 50% off). We also got sucked into this super soft cozy fabric called Cabbage Rose Chenille Swirl (40% off), in black, to make Tina a little shrug to match her Bestman dress. This way she won't freeze her butt off.

We managed to find a pattern on sale too, McCall's 5096, as seen on the left. So I guess we're all set. I forgot to pick up a zipper for her dress, but I can do that at home. Now I just have to get cutting and sewing in the next couple of months. Teens is gonna look amazing! Plus, we've already decided that I will make her a pair of matching mittens out of the Chenille stuff. I'm considering get the cuddly Chenille fabric in white to make myself a coat for the wedding, but I'll worry about that later.

cupcakes gallore

my tummy hurts...

My mom and I have taste tested cupcakes at Buttercream Bake Shoppe and Crave (although, I know what those are like, but you have to make sure that they're still just as yummy). We also paid a visit to Cakeworks, but didn't get to taste anything there. Now for the risk-taking part... I'm thinking of going with Cakeworks, even though I don't know what their cupcakes are like (I'm picturing fairly basic vanilla/chocolate cupcakes). Cakeworks is the most affordable, Crave is most expensive, and Buttercream falls somewhere in between. And yes, Crave is uber yummy, and Buttercream is alright, but they're both so trendy and have lots of additional fees. Whereas Cakeworks is just straight forward, we order, they make them, they deliver them. Done. The only additional thing we will need to look for if we go with Cakeworks is the cupcake stand (which we can rent). I don't know... I'm going back and forth more on the cupcake issue than on the floral shop choice. And yet, the cupcakes/wedding cake are not as important to me personally as the flowers. It's also a little more stressful because the cupcakes/wedding cake needs to be ordered in person, which I am now, not going to be able to do. I don't know...

Floral Experience

I went to two floral consultations, one at Kensington Florists and one at Anne Paterson's Flowers. Both shops can order in the Calla Lilies in the deep red/burgundy, yay! So no worries about having to entirely change all my ideas. Price-wise, both shops come very close. The price is more determined by how expensive the Callas are to order in than by what each floral shop charges to do arrangements. My mom and I both agreed that the floral designer at Kensington seemed to have a better understanding of what I want; simple, sophisticated, with hints of uniqueness (which pretty much describes the entire wedding). I also know a couple of people who have used Kensington Florists in the past and they have given great personal references, which goes a long way in making a decision. So, I am leaning towards Kensington, but Marcus and I will have to decide when I get home. In either case, we need to start searching for two tall, large floor vases to hold the ceremony floral arrangement (mostly winter greenery branches and a few flowers...Hanging Amaranthus). Here we come Ikea and Michaels!

cherry blossoms to snow flakes

Well, I'm in Calgary. Which means that I get to complain about the snow and cold. I mean, I was getting all prepared for skirt weather back home... cherry blossoms and daffodils with the promise of tulips this week. Anyway, things are going well in terms of wedding planning stuff. So far my mom and I have visited Cakeworks, Buttercream Bake Shoppe, and Bud Moore (our photographer). Sunnyside gardens no longer has a florist to do weddings. We have appointments tomorrow with the marriage commissioner and Kensington Florists. Thursday we have a consultation at Anne Paterson's Flowers. So we'll see. I'm hoping to have the flower situation determined before I fly back to Calgary next Wednesday. Wish me luck!