Bridget & Rich's 1/17/10 Escape: 6/13/12 Return to the Boardwalk ( with pictures)

Bridie1996

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Since I received my email from my wedding coordinator (Kathleen Reynolds- if anybody was assigned her, please let me know!) today, I guess it is about time I came out of lurking and started one these myself. I'll try to be consistent with the updates, but admit now that I can't guarantee how regular they will be! And I'll try to keep the spelling/editing errors to a minimum

I apologize in advance if any pictures are huge. You'd think someone who blogs as a hobby would know how spell and post pictures to a discussion board!

So, lets begin at the beginning, shall we? I'm Bridget, he is Rich. We met on myspace since we have a lot of common interests and were in some of the same discussion groups. He lived in Baltimore while I lived in Virginia ( about 45 min. from each other). After much talking we decided to meet up for a beer and agreed to meet at this little irish bar named "Murphy's". We immediately hit it off, and had a great time.

Fast forward 2 years, and I had gotten rid of my dirty good for nothing roommate and Rich had moved in with me. We now live in Virginia with our cats and my dog named Hank. Hank has adopted Rich, but it has been just Hank and I for so long, I still think of his him first as "mine."

DCengagement057.jpg


The proposal-
It is the morning of May 31st and after coming back from his morning run, he is pretty instant about wanting to take Hank to Roosevelt Island for a walk. Roosevelt Island is a national park here in the DC area, and is gorgeous. It is one of our favorite places to go when the weather is pleasant.

So, slightly suspicious about what his motives are since he is so adamant about going I load Hank up in the car and we set off for RI. Once there, we make straight for the center of the island to see if the fountains have been turned on yet for the summer season and to wonder around the monument to Ole Teddy. It was really pretty hot out, so I thought nothing of it when Rich suggested sitting on a bench next to the fountains and relaxing for a bit. He then starts saying all sorts of things about how much he loves me, and what a unique and special woman I am and how happy he is that I'm in his life. And oblivious me, I'm just like " Uh... ok. Are you feeling alright? What is it with you today?" Then he gets down on one knee, and pulls out the box and asked me to marry him. My response? " WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

After I got over my shock, I of course said yes. And then he promptly called my Dad. Apparently, he had been planning this for months. Back in May he had made up some story to tell me about having to wear a suit and tie to work because the "big wigs" were coming into the office and everyone had to look nice. I remember the day in question because he had complained so much about it that I told him to put his big boy panties on and deal with it, since it was only one day. Sympathetic, right? :thumbsup2

What I didn't know was that he was actually catching a flight up to NY to have lunch with my parents, ask their permission to marry me and then fly back down to DC and be home in time for dinner so I wouldn't think anything was going on! :lovestruc

My parents had known since MARCH and not said anything. We were actually visiting them the week before he proposed and they had said nothing. But my Dad did ask him what the hold up was. I have to say, the entire plan of flying up to see my parents and getting back down here really impressed and touched me, that he was willing to go that far to do something that he knew would mean that much to me.

As for what took so long- he had the ring specially designed for me. He went looking for a ring and couldn't find anything he liked and decided that since I was a unique and individual woman like no other, that I needed a ring that was just as individual and unique also. So he found a jewelery designer who had a metal smith as a partner and they worked together for months to design and make my ring.

DSCN0567.jpg


The celtic knotwork goes all the way around the band. I love it!

When we started talking about what we wanted to do for the wedding, eloping was high on the list. Vegas, New Orleans and Gretna Green were on the table. After researching Vegas and doing some thinking I realized that while I'd always joked I just wanted the the cake, dress, and pictures when I got married, having my parents there was something that I really wanted. Because my dad is pretty imobile at this point getting him to anywhere was going to be a logistical nightmare and a huge stress. My Mom is a kidney transplant patient who obviously does not need that stress so that left us to NY, VA or FL ( where they spend their winters).

As soon as I thought about getting married in Florida, Disney came to mind. I practically grew up at the parks, visiting both Disney World and Disneyland nearly ever year. My Dad is an avid Disney collector and I grew up learning how to price original cells from Snow White, Peter Pan etc. He used to quiz me.... seriously.

I first broached the subject to DF tentatively since I knew Disney hadn't been as huge a part of his life as it had mine, and he was receptive to it! He loves Pixar cartoons and liked the idea of combining a mini-vacation and getting married. His one stipulation was that he wanted to get married before Valentines day! :scared1:

So I dived right in. I researched Disney's wedding options, and since we are paying for this ourselves the escape package seemed to make the most monetary sense. Plus, it would give us, who originally wanted to elope, essentially what we wanted. Small, intimate and simple wedding with family and a few close friends. Now, if only our family members would stop reproducing! ( more on this later)

So now, we have our date and a WC. We are getting married at SBP at 2:30 on 1/17/10. I'm still imagining colors, but I think I want something bright. SBP is so crisp and white, I want something to really pop against it. I love the color blue, and was thinking of finding someway to combine it with fuchsia. Pink flowers, blue ribbon? I also have Randy in my sights, and if my car hadn't decided to die on Monday I'd be paying him a deposit this weekend.

We are talking about taking our guests out to dinner, but have already decided to pay the $500 for the extra guests, so that brings us to at least 25 people for dinner! Possibly up to 30 since I have family down there who would have no problem skipping the ceremony and spending the day in the park and then meeting us afterwards for dinner.



So that is it for now. Let the saving and planning begin!

Next up, dress shopping!
 
Congratulations!!!! Cute engagement story. I have Randy for my photographer, I'm super excited about having him! SBP is beautiful, I'm so excited for you!

Can't wait to hear more!
 
Welcome and congratulations!! :goodvibes Your proposal story is very sweet, especially all the consideration your DF put into your ring! :lovestruc Can't wait to read more!
 
Welcome! I love SBP, you picked a great location! I had a lot of fuchsia in my wedding, I agree it's a great color. I had a lot of hot pink flowers which is close enough to fuchsia for flowers, but I did have the fuchsia chair sashes at SBP...it looked nice :thumbsup2
 

I love your ring! It's beautiful!

So, is there any reasoning behind getting married before Valentine's Day?
 
Congratulations and welcome!! Your story is very cute! I lived in NoVa for a while. Such a beautiful area:lovestruc Can't wait to read more!
 
Congratulations!!!! Cute engagement story. I have Randy for my photographer, I'm super excited about having him! SBP is beautiful, I'm so excited for you!

Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks! Now if I could just find a dress, I'd be all set, and can sit back and enjoy this entire process. :goodvibes

Welcome and congratulations!! :goodvibes Your proposal story is very sweet, especially all the consideration your DF put into your ring! :lovestruc Can't wait to read more!

Thanks! And yeah, he really did a great job on the ring and working everything out.

Welcome! I love SBP, you picked a great location! I had a lot of fuchsia in my wedding, I agree it's a great color. I had a lot of hot pink flowers which is close enough to fuchsia for flowers, but I did have the fuchsia chair sashes at SBP...it looked nice :thumbsup2

Your pictures- particularly the one taken from behind you guys, with your train pulled out etc. is the reason why I am currently obsessed with the backs of dresses and the color of the chair sashes!

I love your ring! It's beautiful!

So, is there any reasoning behind getting married before Valentine's Day?

Not really. I think he just pulled it out of nowhere as an arbitrary day. I asked him why, and he said he just doesn't want to wait. He's found the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, so wants to get on with the spending. I tease him about wanting to be married before he is 40 and on the shelf though. (the big 4-0 happens in April)

Congratulations and welcome!! Your story is very cute! I lived in NoVa for a while. Such a beautiful area:lovestruc Can't wait to read more!

Thanks, and you're right this is a beautifule area. I love living here. Close enough to family that I can see them, but far enough away that they have to call first. :laughing:
 
/
We just got off the phone with our planner, Kathleen, and I thought some info she gave us might be helpful to other Escape brides- especially those with a larger guest count.

We asked about minimums for the St. James room for dinner. Now, our wedding is on a Sunday, and we paying the $500 for the extra guests. Add into that my teenage cousins who have said they want to come for dinner and/or dessert party and we are reaching about 28 people. Kathleen said we'd have to use both A & B sides of the St. James room for a group that size. She quoted the minimums as $1,500 Sun- Thursday and $1,800 Friday and Saturday.

HTH someone!
 
We asked about minimums for the St. James room for dinner. Now, our wedding is on a Sunday, and we paying the $500 for the extra guests. Add into that my teenage cousins who have said they want to come for dinner and/or dessert party and we are reaching about 28 people. Kathleen said we'd have to use both A & B sides of the St. James room for a group that size. She quoted the minimums as $1,500 Sun- Thursday and $1,800 Friday and Saturday.

HTH someone!

Congrats on your wedding. That is great info to share. Since the St. James room has been a buzz topic lately for Escape brides looking for a private dining location. Who knew they charged extra for more people at an event that is optional?! Thanks for sharing.
 
hmmm I should clarify something. :scared: The $500 charge for extra guests was for the ceremony, not the St. James room. Normally you can only have 18 guests at an escape ceremony, but when we signed our contract it included a clause that said we could have an additional 5 guests for $500.

So we have the 23 guests, us, and a few additional family members that are going to spend the day in the park and then join us for whatever we decide to do afterwards.
 
I've been shopping for a dress for nearly a month now and have yet to find "the one". I've found plenty of dresses I like, but none that are just wow... I've got to have this. Has anyone else had this problem, or is it just me? Please, tell me I'm not the only one who doesn't break out in tears when she puts on a wedding dress!


My friends are tired of hearing me talk about the dresses, and the different lines and fabrics etc. I went to Filene's Basement for their bridal sale (wow), but had already narrowed it down to two Maggie Sottero dresses, and I didn't see a single MS dress there. I tried about 5 dresses before I got hot, frustrated and just fed up and left.

So, the two I've narrowed it down to.. I like them both, but for different reasons.

The Adelaide:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress....eywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=12&style=A3157

I'll admit, I love the way it makes 'the girls" look. And the train..I love the pleats and the way it falls, almost like water. The satin is almost buttery. A great dress. I tried it on, and luckily the place let me take pictures. I could have gown down at least one more size from this one, so my waist would look even smaller. I'd probably wear a hoop under the skirt to make it fuller as well.



AdelaideFront_cropped-1.jpg
[/IMG]



and the back...
Adelaidback.jpg





Dress #2: Lavina Marie.
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress....eywordType=any&pageSize=12&page=1&style=A3177

I love the line it gives me. The dropped waist lengthens everything and really compliments my shape. And I really like the fact that it has a corset inside, under the zipper/buttons. But the train is very simple. :(

Unfortunately, the place that had this one wouldn't let me take pictures so I had to sneak them in the dressing room. :rolleyes1

They were watching like hawks and wouldn't let any of my friends in there, so the pictures aren't the best. And have you ever tried to zip up a wedding dress by yourself? I got my work out that day!

DSCN0836.jpg


DSCN0837.jpg


again, not the best pictures but it was the best I could do with them standing outside asking how I was doing. They really don't do the dress justice since I couldn't sinch up the inner corset myself.

Sorry about the armpit views. Thank gawd I shaved that day! :scared1:

So there is my dilema. I like them both. Can easily see myself wearing either one.


But can't seem to decide!
 
I love Maggie dresses! Out of those two I like the Adelaide better, I like the top of it better. I also like the side gathers.

I hate places that don't let you take pictures, so silly!

Do you have time to keep shopping or do you pretty much have to order right now? I didn't burst out into tears but when I put on my dress I knew it was the one, and I just couldn't get it out of my head. But everyone is different.

Good luck deciding!
 
I love Maggie dresses! Out of those two I like the Adelaide better, I like the top of it better. I also like the side gathers.

I hate places that don't let you take pictures, so silly!

Do you have time to keep shopping or do you pretty much have to order right now? I didn't burst out into tears but when I put on my dress I knew it was the one, and I just couldn't get it out of my head. But everyone is different.

Good luck deciding!



Adelaide is your dress! It looks beautiful!


Thanks ladies! :goodvibes

I'm leaning towards Adelaide right now. The dress I REALLY want to try on the Lavina Royale- it is just like Lavina Marie, but has a fuller skirt with some pick-ups, but not too many. I just have this feeling that if I put that on, there would be no question. But no one around here has it and quite frankly is out of my budget.

I'm at the point where I can't wait any longer- my wedding is in January so I need to order now to ensure I'll have enough time for alterations. I'm thinking I'll order the Adelaide, and then go to the trunk show scheduled in VA in November and see if they have the Lavina Royale in a sample that I can buy. If not, I have a dress that looks great on and I beautiful. If they do- well, I'll cross that bridge when/if I come to it.
 
Another vote for the Adelaide! It's beautiful, looks beautiful on you and seems very flattering! ;)
 
Wow- you have great taste- SBP, St. James Room, and Randy (just like me) :rotfl:

I wanted to say how adorable it was that DFi flew to get the permission from your parents! Sounds like you got a great one!!!

I love both of those dresses- from what I can see from the second one that is! lol
 
The Adelaide looks just beautiful on you! It really gives you a great shape :goodvibes

Also, I just love your ring! The knotwork around the band is a great detail that makes it super unique- what a great idea!
 
Another vote for the Adelaide! It's beautiful, looks beautiful on you and seems very flattering! ;)

Thanks!

Wow- you have great taste- SBP, St. James Room, and Randy (just like me) :rotfl:

I wanted to say how adorable it was that DFi flew to get the permission from your parents! Sounds like you got a great one!!!

I love both of those dresses- from what I can see from the second one that is! lol

Thanks. I read your PJ. The AA dress you chose was actually the very first dress I tried on, and my first choice when I started the dress shopping. I loved it, and couldn't wait to try it on. And then it just didn't sit right on me! I tried it on at 2 different stores, in 2 different sizes and was so disapoinated when I realized it wasn't going to work for me. I'm jealous you get to wear it!:rolleyes2 that's me, green with envy.

Our coordinator has said that the st. james room isn't available the night of our wedding, a confrence group is using it. Right now, we're waiting to see what comes of the Spoodles re-do before we make any decisions. We love greek food, so we're hoping they'll be able to work with a group our size.

The Adelaide looks just beautiful on you! It really gives you a great shape :goodvibes

Also, I just love your ring! The knotwork around the band is a great detail that makes it super unique- what a great idea!

Thanks, I asked one of my male friends and he said the adelaide all the way because the lines of it "create a nice and inviting rack". And the something about a Mummy for the lavina. :rotfl:
 














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