I drove to Ohio and tried on this gown:

I don’t know why I look so serious…but it’s a better shot than the one where I’m smiling. 😉

Oh, and I’m standing on a stool.

Update: I thought a little more info might be in order. 😉

The dress I’m trying on above is this dress…the one I’ve been eying since I found the designer copies on eBay. I found the designer (Maggie Sottero) and style (Eleganza) by poking around online. I found local shops that carry Maggie Sottero dresses, but I learned that Eleganza had been discontinued.

With the help of Google, I found two people who were selling the dress on craigslist. One of them was in Ohio, just over three hours from me. I decided that it was worth my time to drive out and see it in person. Unfortunately, no one was available to accompany me, so I had the woman who is selling it take a bunch of pictures for me. It was kind of a strange (but not bad!) experience, and I felt goofy doing my big smile in all the photos. My expression has nothing to do with my feelings about the dress. 😉

It is absolutely stunning in person. It really is. And it’s a great deal. The woman is selling it for her future daughter-in-law, who bought the dress and then decided to have a much more casual wedding.

It would need some alteration. The girl who bought it is only an inch or two taller than me, and she was assured that it could be shortened without losing any of the detail. It’s also a teeny bit big (but not much) in the bodice area.

I know I don’t need to make this decision yet. I’ve loved many of the dresses I’ve tried on and can see myself wearing several of them. I’m just waiting for one to say PICK ME!!

😉

Particularly from Buffalo/WNY area people.

We still haven’t set a date. We’re currently working on compiling a preliminary guest list so that we can at least have a rough idea of numbers. A small, intimate gathering is clearly out of the picture. 😉

Ideally, we want next spring/summer. Since I have no idea what I’m going to be doing, it’s probably best to try and do it when school won’t be in session. On the other hand, we could always do a postponed honeymoon. Since lots of places are filling up, the exact date is probably going to very much depend on availability.

Here are some of the things we’re looking for:

• A site where we can have both the ceremony and the reception
• A place that has the capacity for a large group
• Indoors (much of the talking we’ve been doing involves activities that will be best served in an indoor location…plus, there’s the weather. If it’s raining, I want to be inside. If it’s hot and humid, I want air conditioning!)
• Someplace that isn’t crazy expensive

We’re looking at WNY…this is where we live, and its more centrally-located to the majority of people who would be coming. (many friends and members of both of our families would have to travel…) It doesn’t have to be right IN Buffalo. I’m not opposed to considering PA, but the options are much more limited there.

I’m not imagining a terribly formal affair. What’s most important to us is that our friends and family have a good time. I want the food to be tasty, but it doesn’t have to be fancy-schmancy. I would happily serve beef on weck and wings if I could find a place where I could do that.

I’ve checked out the local forums on sites like the knot and the wedding channel, and they are NO help. They’re populated by young Bridey McBrides and just ugh.

So…if you have any suggestions, leave me a comment or send an email! 🙂

*UPDATE* Pearl Street is looking like it could be a very reasonable option, depending on availability of course. Thanks to Jen, for making me look more closely at it!