Kim's Dress

Just two days after the final dress selections were made, Kim ordered her dress from the Macy's website. The website said that it was only available in one color ('gunmetal' which was thankfully the color we needed) and in only one size (we were hoping that the dress wouldn't be too big for her).

Kim ordered the dress and apparently the website wasn't joking when it said that there was only one color and one size available. After Kim placed the order the page showed the dress as out of stock. She had ordered the very last one.

A few days later the dress arrived and I recieved a picture message from Miss Kimmie wearing it. Thankfully there was nothing wrong with the dress and it fit perfectly. I was definitely relieved to hear the good news. Kim looks fantastic in the dress. I can't wait to see how the girls look standing next to each other.

I Love You, Too!

I checked the mail this morning and was pleasantly surprised by an adorable card from Kim!

Thank you Miss Kimmie! I love you, too!

Candy Gram!

Reading the wedding forums on sites like weddingbee.com and theknot.com, I've noticed that there have been a lot of brides who regret their bridesmaid choices. I cringed reading stories of uninvolved bridesmaids, fights about clothing, and friendships ending.

I'm so thankful to have such amazing girls in my life! I knew that I wouldn't be one of those brides who would look back at photos from the wedding in 20 years and have regret or feel sad that the girls who stood by my side were no longer around. (Whether they like it or not my girls are stuck with me for life!)

I didn't realize however, that I would regret NOT having someone there.

I've been having some regret about not asking my girl Kim to be a part of the bridal party. I absolutely love Kim. We always have a fantastic time together and I know that I can count on her when I need an ear, a shoulder...or a glass of champagne. Talking the situation over with Samantha, and after running into Kim at Deja Blues, I knew that if I didn't ask Kim to join the bridal party that I would really regret it.

*Like I said....This is how I always great Miss Kimmie!*

Instead of just calling or sending her a text, I wanted to find a fun way to ask Kim to be a bridesmaid. It means a lot to me to have her by my side and a question like this was in the need for something special. (When I asked the other girls to be in the wedding I gave them all wine bottles.)

Kim moved for work and her job keeps her on the move so I wasn't sure when I was going to see her next. Since I was planning on mailing her a little gift,I decided that I would need a cute way of asking her that perhaps included a little poem or note. I revisited the ideas I had back in January and decided that the candy gram idea was the cutest way to ask Kim to be a bridesmaid.

I thought the candy gram idea was super clever. It involved incorporating candy names into a little note about bridesmaids. So I gathered together all the candy needed and began putting together Kim's package.

The candy used included: Dots, Mounds, Snickers, Smarties, Dove Promises Chocolates, LifeSavers, and Now and Laters. I also added some Good and Plenty.

After arranging the candy to fit into the box I printed out the note to include with the package. After all, Kim needed to know why I was sending her a box of candy. I printed out the note on cardstock and attached it to some pretty scrapbook paper.

The note reads as follows :

Bridesmaids are more than Dots in your life. They are Mounds of fun and make you Snicker. They are Smarties that share advice and keep their Promises. Above all, they are your Life Savers and will stand by you Now and Later.

 Would you be my bridesmaid?!

 I guarantee the fun times will be Good and Plenty!

I love you Miss Kimmie! I really should have asked you at the beginning and I have been kicking myself for not asking you sooner! I love you so much and I would be honored if you would stand by me on the big day!

Love you girl!

-Teeny

**I hope this candy sweetens the deal!**

I found a cute little round box at Michael's Craft Store that I used to hold the candy, and tied it up with some white ribbon. The package went out through overnight shipping. I went to sleep with a little excitement knowing that Kim would be getting the package the next afternoon.

I decided to text Kim the next afternoon to make sure that she was going to be home. Kim teaches a mobile classroom and she travels from city to city to teach. Thankfully she was going to be home that day to pack up a few things before heading to the coast. Had I waited a few more days Kim's package might have melted on her porch.

A few hours later I got a phone call from a very excited Kim! She said that she would love to be a bridesmaid and I am so happy that she'll join the other ladies by my side on the big day!

All of my ladies:

I love you girls!

Deja Blues

As I've mentioned before, my friend Samantha is having a winery wedding. In addition to wine tasting and weddings, the venue hosts concerts during the summer. During the last Bridey night, we checked their schedule to see when the next event was taking place. It turned out that there were only two more summer concerts left and Samantha and I were determined to make it to one. So on Friday, Samantha, her maid of honor Michelle, and I headed to Sam and Matt's wedding venue, Appellation California, for a fun night of champagne and blues.

We arrived at about 6pm, found a table in the back, and ordered some champagne. After getting settled, and just as Deja Blues began their set, I saw a familiar face....my beautiful friend Kim! *No I'm not drunk, that's how I always great this awesome lady!*

Kim and I used to work together, but then she got a grown up job and moved away. We keep in touch through Facebook and texts and get together when we can. I absolutely love her and I was so excited to see her big smile!

As the sun went down we really got a chance to see how beautiful the venue is at night. Samantha is still undecided about where the ceremony will take place but one option is underneath the large oak tree covered in lights. Other options include on the stage where the band played or in front of the vineyards on the other side of the yard. Though all spots would be great, my vote is for the tree.

We met some fun characters throughout the night, including a firey red head whose name I believe was Lorlina.....or something along those lines. :P She was a seriously fun older lady that we befriended after seeing her glittery top shining on the dance floor.

She invited us over to her group to introduce us to her friends and even stopped by our table for a little photo shoot.

Early on in the evening, I saw this cute little older man with a fun hat dancing with his wife. They were the only two on the dance floor for a while and I thought that it was the cutest thing. I told the ladies that before the night was over, this man and I were going to dance. A little while later when the band took a breather, I headed to the restroom, and on my journey I passed by the man (whose name we learned is Joseph) and his wife. I told the two that I loved watching them dance and asked Joseph's wife if she didn't mind me cutting in for a song or two. She laughed and said that I could come dance with him anytime, that she would enjoy the break!

On my way back to my table I waved hi to the couple and Joseph called after me, "Don't forget!" Soon after, the band started up again and we saw Joseph stand and begin to walk through the crowd. Samantha yelled, "Oh my god, he's looking for you!" I stood up to meet him and Joseph grabbed my hand and led me to the dance floor. That Joseph sure could dance. He took me for a spin....

....well a couple of spins! :P I had such a fun time out there dancing!

I have to send a huge thank you to Samantha for capturing those pictures because they're priceless! Here she is enjoying a little bubbly with her bestie Michelle.

Needless to say, the girls and I had a fantastic time. I can't wait for Samantha's wedding!