With this ring

Back in Feburary we decide to get serious about choosing our wedding bands. We started with Mr. Castle. He wanted a simple band that was comfortable. With those requirements we went looking. We started at Kay jewelry and found some options, but we decided to think on it and left the store empty handed. A couple weeks later we visited a Zales jewelry store. I figured we would have the same experience, see things we liked but wait to decide. I was shocked when after about two minutes of looking Mr. Castle tried on a ring and said, "I think this is it, let's just get it." I was happy with his decisiveness, he usually takes 15 minutes just to pick out a deodorant, but I insisted he try on a few more to make sure. After a couple minutes of this, his first choice was still his favorite. After only about 15 minutes in the store we had his wedding band!

Image via Zales.com / Mr. Castles ring

Next up was my ring. We were given a Tiffany  gift card for having our engagement story featured on their website. We decided to put it towards my wedding band. I feel guilty that our gift card was being used only for me, but I cut myself a little slack because Mr. Caslte didn't want a ring from Tiffany's, or anything else from Tiffany's for that matter. When we arrived at the 5th Avenue store in NYC, I thought I had already picked my ring. I had spent a lot of time on their website browsing and this is the ring I thought I wanted.

Image via Tiffany.com

I wanted something on the thinner side to compliment my thin engagement ring, but when I saw this ring in person it was almost too thin. It felt and looked very delicate. I knew with my job running around with a 2 1/2 year old all day, I didn't want something I was going to worry about. So I tried on some other styles and I was stuck between two. It was really hard to choose and Mr. Castle was not helping me at all. I am an indecisive person in general and Mr. Castle usually helps point me in the right direction. But of course this time he was not even giving me a clue! After much debating with myself, some in my mind and some aloud for all to hear, I finally made my choice. The women helping us looked at me with relief and said, "Great, now how about we have some Champagne." Umm Champagne!? Yes please!

We sat down and we were swiftly brought two glasses of Champagne, in the nicest champagne glasses I have ever seen, and two little cake treats!

 Champagne and cake treats!

It was sooo good. I really wanted seconds on the cake treat....

I can't believe I'm posting this picture. I look like I just rolled out of bed and Mr. Castle kind of looks a little crazy, but we were really excited!

My new ring!

I went with a platinum channel setting band. It seemed like the best choice for me. Since taking it home I have grown more in love with it every time I look at it. I can't wait to have Mr. Castle put it on my finger... in only TWO WEEKS!!!!

How did it go buying your wedding band? What kind of ring did you decide on?

All Photos personal unless otherwise noted

Stranger Danger

We now have our final guest count. We had to track down a lot of people... but we finally got a hold of everyone. We invited 198 people and 158 are attending. That means only 30 people declined! We're feeling pretty loved that so many people have decided to come. We were estimating about 150, so we're a little over but not by much. We had already planned for 16 tables each seating 10 so we don't need to make any changes there. The only thing I'm a little disappointed about in our guests attending list is the amount of strangers that have made their way into our wedding...

I'm not thrilled at the thought of meeting people for the first time at our wedding. I'm not talking about some of Mr. Castles family I have never met. He will be meeting a lot of people from my family for the first time. I have a big family, 31 first cousins alone... What I'm talking about is random guests people have decided to bring. We ended up giving anyone who has a significant other a plus one. What I didn't anticipate was if their significant other couldn't come they would decide to bring a friend instead...

We have about a handful of people who fall into this category. A random friend, boyfriend, girlfriend that we didn't invite in the first place. I could go into detail but basically some of our guests chose to bring someone other than who their invitation was meant to include. Or they decided to bring a guest when they were not given a plus one. After many discussions, we've decided to just let it go. Most of the culprits are family members and we would rather not deal with the possible drama of telling someone they can't bring their guest. My Dad added his two cents saying, if we already had anticipated people bringing a plus one it's no big deal if the plus one isn't who we thought it would be.

Like I said before it's only a handful of people so it really doesn't make that big a dent in our guest list. It just seems weird to me that we will have strangers at our wedding. People who couldn't even pick our face out in a crowd. In the end it's not going to ruin my day. I'm just worried I might not be the friendliest when I meet these people... But really it's not their fault. They got invited to a wedding and thought, cool weddings are fun! I don't think I could ever go to a wedding with a friend as their date. Weddings are such a special and intimate affair. I would feel like I was eavesdropping on someones secret conversation.

In conclusion, don't be like me. If you don't want strangers at your wedding, make it a point to get your opinion heard before it's too late. If you don't know someones girlfriend or boyfriends name, find out and put it on the invite so they don't think they can bring who ever they want! Miss Dragon actually just had a great post on keeping your wedding invite list small and how to deal with guest guilt. I wish I would have followed some of her advice. But I'll get over it, by next week there will be a lot of other things on my mind!

How do you feel about having a lot of people you don't know at your wedding? Would you tell your guests they couldn't bring them, or would you let it go?

I heart my veil

I've always known I wanted to wear a veil with my wedding dress. I mean, when else in your life can you wear a veil? In my mind it completes the bridal look. There's a reason when you're trying on wedding dresses they bring out the veil to seal the deal. They're hoping you're like me and start tearing up... It really did help me feel more like a bride seeing the whole picture.

Once I found my dress it was time to start thinking about my veil. What did I want? What length, trim, style?

Image via theflirtybride.com

I decided right off the bat that I didn't want a long veil. No cathedral length for me. Don't get my wrong I love them, and seeing Mrs. Snow Cone's recaps I know that it would look amazing with my dress-we're dress twins. :) But a cathedral length veil seems to formal for our outdoor wedding. Of course I broke my Mother's heart with this decision. If it were up to her I would be wearing a Princess Diana veil with three or four little girls holding it behind me...

But that was not my dream. I pictured a simple veil, fingertip length at the most, with maybe a nice satin trim. With that in mind I began my search on Etsy. I found so many options, but one particular shop caught my eye. 

Image via Etsy / Seller Veiled Beauty

Image via Etsy / Seller Veiled Beauty

Image via Etsy / Seller Veiled Beauty 

This shop had just what I was looking for simple but unique. There were so many great options! I ended up going with this one! 

Image via Etsy / Seller Veiled Beauty

A month later it arrived at my apartment. I am so happy with it and I can't wait to try it on with my dress at my final fitting next week!

 Sorry about my dirty mirror in this picture....

Personal Photos / The detail of the edge

I heart my veil. I got really emotional when I tried it on. I don't know what it is about veils, but it really brings out the "bride" feeling in me! 

What about you? Are you wearing a veil? Does is make you feel more like a Bride? 

Something's missing...

I am happily planning on following the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, tradition; but I have a little problem... I'm missing one of them...

Let me share the non missing elements of this tradition first. My "something old," is very special to me. I would say other than my engagement ring, it is my most important piece of jewelry. I've had since I was a little girl, thus making it "old." Before my Great Grandmother passed away, she took diamonds out of her jewelry and made matching necklaces for all of her five great grand daughters. It was presented to us in a lovely silver heart box. I've worn it for many special events in my life, graduations, funerals, special performances, and I always knew I would wear it on my wedding day. I know it will make my Grandmother, Aunts, Cousins, Mother, Father, basically everyone who will recognize it so happy to see me wearing it.

The box (That really needs to be polished)

Personal Photos

I couldn't imagine myself wearing any other necklace. My Mother always tells me how much my Great Grandmother loved me. I was very young when she passed away, and I am so happy to have a part of her with me on my wedding day. 

My something new could be many different things; my dress, my veil, my ring etc. But I'm choosing to make it something that I will be wearing for the first time on my wedding day, I will not have tried it on prior. My wedding undies!

Image via victoriassecret.com

Mine are similar to these, but they say bride on the top :)

I've already shared my something blue wedding shoes, but I'll share then again because  I love them so...

Personal Photo

By this point you know what I'm missing, my something borrowed.

Image via wikipedia

(A good beach read if you haven't read it yet)

I did have some ideas early on. I was going to borrow my MOH's veil but I ended up buying a veil I fell in love with on Etsy. Then I was thinking I would borrow my Mother's diamond earrings, but Mr. Castle bought me some beautiful Tiffany Pearl earrings for my birthday and I decided I must wear them for the wedding! By this point other wedding stresses took over and I forgot to find something to borrow...I'm sure I'll come up with something when I'm in California around family and friends, but as of now I have no ideas.

So I'm turning to you hive in the hopes that you can give me some ideas. What is your something borrowed?

Breakfast at Miss Castle's!

Since my lovely engament ring came from Tiffany's and our engagment story got featured on the Tiffany and Co website, my Matron of Honor decided she MUST throw me a Tiffany themed bridal shower! It took place in California during our last trip out before the wedding. She did such an amazing job, she should be a party planner really! I'll let the photos do the talking.

The sweets table!

Cake, cupcakes, and cake pops! All in Tiffany Blue.

MOH N got pictures of Mr. Castle and I as kids and adults and put them on display, along with my Mom's cake topper. You can also see her hat veil hanging from the mirror. Oh and the Minnie bride ears from when MOH N got married. :)

This was the game table. On the tray were the favors, Tiffany blue matchbooks that said, "Miss Castle's* Bridal shower."

I think I need to stop here and talk about our amazing gift from Matron of Honor N that also was displayed on this table. Here's a close up.

Yep, that's a painting of Mr. Castle and I with our kitties! Isn't that awesome?! MOH's cousin is an artist and made this painting from a photo of us she got on Facebook. It's one of the photos I used in my intro post! Didn't she do an amazing job?!?! She actually makes paintings like this all the time and just created an Etsy shop, Daniellasunflower. This was such a unique amazing gift. I never thought I would have a painting of myself and my three favorite boys!

OK back to the shower!

The food! Bagels, fruit, croissants, all keeping with the Breakfast at Tiffany's Theme.

And a champagne bar of course! MOH N got these cute wine glass charms for the bottom of all the glasses. They also featured the Tiffany blue and read, "Miss Castle's* bridal shower" 

I should also note before we get to pictures of me at the shower, I had my makeup trial that morning. I don't have a great shot of my face because right when she finished I was rushing around to help with last min prep and forgot to take a picture!

Opening a sweet card from FSIL Castle

I've mentioned I love turtles right? My grandma found me this cute turtle bride!

You all know what big Disney nerds the Castles are... I was super excited to unwrap this gift.

A beautiful cross stitch made by FMIL. 

Cutting the yummy cake!

Posing with the best Matron of Honor ever! She gave me such an amazing day full of wonderful memories.

Rocking Mom's hat veil. She was calling me a bee keeper with it on.

My Mother and Mr. Castles Mom

With my future sister in-law!

There are so many other details that I don't have photos of! My MOH read "The Good Wife's Guide" published in Housekeeping Monthly in 1955. It was a list of advice on being a good wife. You can find a copy of it here. My favorite excerpt: "Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first- remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours." LOL. We had fun with that!

My MOH also had a photographer friend come and take all the pictures so she, and I, didn't have to think about it. So all the photos are by the lovely Nicole Rose. After this great experience, I recommend to anyone hosting or having a shower to have someone come just to take pictures. Or enlist a friend to make it their job to photo document the day. Takes the pressure off the host, and the bride! Especially if that bride is a blogger and is photo obsessed. :) 

I'll end with this fun picture of MOH N, me, and my friend Becky's shoes! I love shoe pictures. Although, mine are lame next to theirs! Also if you couldn't already tell, I had just gotten a spray tan... I wish my legs were that tan!

Did your shower have a theme? Any one else have a Tiffany themed shower??

*It said my real name not Miss Castle :)

Tweezing, and waxing,and threading! Oh my!

Let's talk about hair, shall we? That unwanted un-tamed hair that we women go to all sorts of extremes to remove. With the wedding just around the corner, like 26 days, I'm making some plans to get myself, ahem, groomed. There are so many different hair removal options out there, so let's break it down.


First thing I know I need to take care of is my eyebrows. They can get a little out of hand when left unattended... When I lived in California I would go to a fantastic lady to get my eyebrows waxed. I didn't trust anyone else to touch my eyebrows, not even myself! When I moved to NY I tried to find a new lady to wax my eyebrows and had no luck. Everyone I went to tried to shape them and in doing so made them too thin. I like them to be cleaned up and kept natural. I then tried to tweeze them myself but that wasn't working out to well. Then a friend introduced me to this phenomenon:

Image via incensesalon.com

Threading. It's just like is sounds, the removal of hair with thread. I'm not sure how they twist it and make it precise enough to pull out the hairs they want. If I was doing it on someone I would probably accidentally give them a bald spot in their eyebrows. It's also a little strange that part of the thread they hold in their mouth... but you get used to it. This particular threading salon does a great job of just cleaning up my eyebrows and not taking to much off. After my first visit I was sold and I've been going ever since. My thought as of now is to get my brows threaded right before leaving for California. It'll be a little over a week before the wedding and I figure any stragglers I can clean up and tweeze before the wedding. I've also decided to take my threading to the next level by getting my upper lip threaded. I've done it once before and I won't lie, it's painful. But if there is anytime to have it done, I would say for your wedding is one of those times. 

Back to waxing... Even though I've converted to threading for my eyebrows, I have been considering getting my armpits waxed... (this post is so glamorous right?) If you recall my dress is strapless and I feel shaving alone won't do it! I've never had my armpits waxed so I'm a little nervous of how it will turn out. Should I just go for it and see what happens? Anyone out there ever get their arm pits waxed? Is it worth it? And the burning question in my mind, how long did you have to grow it out?

Image via theonewithallthesnark

I always think of this Friends episode when talking about waxing.

Now comes the TMI section, but I feel it must be discussed: the lady regions. In the past I would partake in the dreaded brazilian wax. I had some good experiences, but mostly bad. Waxing would give me terrible ingrown hairs. When I was home for a trip to California I went back to my original lady for an eyebrow and bikini wax and she introduced me to the product tend skin, which helped a little but not completely. Then I did something that changed my lady grooming forever... I got laser hair removal. I bought a lifebooker deal, (like groupon but sooo much better. If you haven't already, you need to sign up for their site like now!) it was $99 for three sessions. I thought why not try, if anything it will help with my ingrown hairs. While it is painful, I don't think any more so than waxing. AND the hair is gone FOREVER! I got another lifebooker for three more sessions and I am pretty much completely bikini hair free. Money well spent in my opinion. And best of all I don't have to worry about any lady grooming for the wedding ;) I am now a huge advocate of laser hair removal to anyone considering it. Especially with the great deals offered on sites like groupon, living social and my fav lifebooker. :)


So those are my plans for getting groomed for the wedding. What about you? Doing any special grooming for the big day? What's your choice waxing, threading, shaving, laser, voodoo, etc?

Musical Tables!

I've always loved the idea of naming our tables after something unique to us and musicals seemed like the perfect fit. But in doing so I wanted to make sure it wasn't too cheesy. When we first talked about musical table numbers I thought it had cheesy potential written all over it. To help make it fit with the vintage feel our our venue, we decided to stick with Musicals from the 20s, 30s and 40s. While I love me some Wicked and Avenue Q, those musicals are a little to modern.

We then had the brilliant idea of choosing a song from each musical and putting a quote from the song on our table numbers. We took this even one step further by making a play list with each table's song to play during dinner. To be honest most people probably won't notice, but we will! And we had such a fun time choosing the musicals, songs, and versions of the songs to add to our playlist. Here are some of my favorites:

You Tube

"I'm talking in my sleep about you... I love you a bushel and a peck you bet your pretty neck I do!"

You Tube

"And so it seems that we have met before and laughed before and loved before, but who knows where or when"

You Tube

"What do I care how much it may storm? I've got my love to keep me warm."

With the musicals and songs chosen it was time to make our table numbers. I, like many other brides out there, bought the Tolsby frames from Ikea. I like that they are double sided, and I love that they are 99 cents. One side has the table number on top of the sheet music from the song, and the other side has the musical title with a quote from the song! Mr. Castle put his design skill to work and generated these babies.

I love the sheet music behind the numbers. We even made sure that it is the real sheet music for each song. At first we were just going to use one template of sheet music for each but then I said to Mr. Caslte, " I don't really care, but if we went to a wedding I KNOW it would bug you if it wasn't the real sheet music for each song." He agreed and found the first page of music for each of the 16 songs. Each "show page" is unique in it's own way, no two are alike. Here are some of my favorite.
                              

When it came to printing them we ran into some problems. We planned on printing them at home but our printer would not print the vibrant colors that Mr. Castle had chosen. Stupid six year old printer... We even tried to print them on photo paper and it did not work out. Our solution was to put the files on a jump drive and take it to CVS and use the instant photo printer. $9 for 32 pictures was a pretty good deal to me! They turned out great!

A small selection of our printed table numbers.

Here's what it looks like in one of the frames!

I am absolutely thrilled with how our table numbers turned out. We only have one of the frames here in NY with us, the rest are waiting in a bag for us in California. All we have to do it pop in the pictures when we get into town and then we're set!

Did you make your own table numbers? Did you name then after something special?
All Photos are personal :)