It's a Boy!

Image by Airika & Gerald Pope

Today, but in 1979, a boy was born. I didn't know at that time, that it was a very important day of my life. I now know. :) He is the magic ingredient that makes the colors of my life brighter, tough moments lighter, and makes me appreciate every moment spent together.
I am looking forward to growing better together, starting a family together and being a companion to each other in everything that happens in our lives.
Happy Birthday, my husband-to-be!!!

A message from the Moon

Today is February 22. My last post is dated February 4. Surely, I must have fallen off the planet Earth, you would think.

The truth is - it seemed that I did! Last week (it felt more like a month) I found myself on the sunny, sandy beaches of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. I kept pinching my skin very hard to make sure I really was in July weather, when the calendar said February. Many details and photos to follow! So far, I am leaving this YouTube video as a part of my "not my fault" plea. Perhaps it will make my vanishing act more understandable and, I hope, forgivable:



Also soon to come:
1) Updates on the Dress Search
2) Our choice of flowers
3) Chair covers and other extras for the reception
2) Tips for traveling to Dominican Republic (excellent honeymoon destination)

Why Include David's Bridal into THE DRESS Search?

Last Tuesday we celebrated my work friend's birthday in The Melting Pot (fondue). It is a conversation inspiring restaurant: the lights are dimmed, the food comes slow, you need to cook it, it comes out scrumptious, and the meal finisher is velvety chocolate that is not too sweet. Perfectly tasty. This atmosphere is the best to meet new people and get to know them better.

This is how I met my friend's friend Gayle. Over a conversation Gayle learned that I have a wedding to plan this year, and I learned that Gaile has actively participated in planning of nearly 10(!!!) of her friends weddings. She was kind to offer her knowledge base of Buffalo wedding planning! I feel very lucky to have met Gaile, since her first advice to me was something that I didn't even think of.

Gaile advised to start THE DRESS search from David's Bridal. It is a place where you should try on a dress in every style to see what fits best. If you like what you found in David's Bridal - even better, since their dresses are very affordable. If not, than with a determined silhouette you should move on to bridal boutiques. (This is probably my scenario).

I have already visited David's Bridal once, but need to return to finish trying all the dresses. I will follow up with a complete report. I also promise to share all Gaile's advice I get.

Collage from The Rose Dress

Wedding: the dress

I got chills when I lifted all the layers of a wedding dress and slipped it on in a bridal salon for the first time in my life!! In my emotional history this moment will be ranked evenly with my first kiss, my first date, a moment when Andrey proposed!

I told the girls in the salon that I came open minded, that I would try everything they suggest and see how it looks. However, right after the first dress my preferences revealed themselves! I guess, I like romantic, a little fluffy, delicate styles. (It is pretty vague description, but actually it eliminates some of the options already). Wedding planing makes you learn so much about yourself!

This wedding season fashion suggests ruffles, mermaid style dresses, and even feathers!! Also fashionable becomes two have two dresses - a long one for the ceremony and a short one for dancing. (Such a smart idea! To me brides dancing away to "Sexy Back" in a long dress never looked natural). I decided that my body will dictate the final choice - what fits best would be the most important criteria. The quest has begun!

The first salon I visited was M.A. Carr in Orchard Park, NY. They have a very tasteful selection of dresses in a medium price range (that is above $1,000, but under $2,000). My assistant was Karen, and I appreciated that she was not trying to sell me the most expensive dress, but offered opinion.

The next salon on the agenda is Pearl Bridal House in Toronto. They are in a much higher price range, and I would like to take a peak at the couture options. I am just looking - I promise! That should be so much fun!

The Knot has this nifty tool where a bride can design a vision of the wedding day look. Below are the two looks I designed. What would you chose?

Wedding: choosing colors

How are you?
I am overwhelmed and excited!!! !!!! !!!!

Overwhelmed, because there are so many gorgeous, stunning, downright beautiful color combinations a bride can chose for a wedding nowadays, that I am just sinking in the ocean of choices. And because colors are needed for many wedding decisions, I got stuck on them.
My mind is racing - do I talk first to the linens and chair covers vendor or to the florist? Should I be sending my "Save the date" notes already? Am I late? I guess that checking in with The Knot's checklist would help (right?). I will do that tomorrow - they do have a lot of advice.

Excited, because I know no matter the color combination we chose, it will look very beautiful, elegant, whimsical, tasteful and warm. Well, I have a strong hope it will.

Tonight I put two chairs together, placed my lap top on the dining table and set my businessman-macho fiance by my side to present the finalists of my color themes review....
....The choices were supported and approved! Yes, I know that sounds too good to be true, but he does care: "The DAY is yours and mine", he said, so he participated. And I love that, and him for that, and him. :)

So here are the theme ideas WE like:

Idea 1 from Hostess creations by Laurie Cinotto

Idea 2, collage by Tastefully Entertaining

As you can tell, we are almost set on the colors. Probably ...... orange & blue!!! (and their variations). We both love blue. It is a summer, light color. Orange is a fall color, and it is a warm one. Their combination isn't usual, but we think we like it best. We will see what alterations will come from meeting with linens and chair covers vendor and with florist. I'll keep you posted.

Some tips from experience of choosing a color theme for your wedding:

1. First look around your home, look at your furniture, at your clothes - what surrounds you every day? (You will not believe how many combinations of blue and orange are in our house - these colors were jumping right at us!).
2. Think of your wedding's time of the year - you might not enjoy pastels in October - the ripe reds, yellows and oranges will out-bright them. However, my point #4 will in some situations prove point # 2 wrong.
3. Now think of your venue: perhaps that bright pink carpet (I am exaggerating now, but, - can happen) will not work too well with light yellow. May be dark brown will make a better option.
4. No matter what other 3 points tell you, even though they ARE making a good point, - chose the colors you love and just work with them. Coming back to pink carpet situation - may be you stay with your favorite light yellow, but add brown. From what I've seen in our almighty Internet in the last couple of days leaves no doubt that ANY color can work with ANY other if you just apply imagination and web-surfing skills.

Here are some links that contain volumes and volumes of inspiration (and I predict that they will only be your starting point):

• Tastefully Entertaining
  
• Snippet and Ink (courtesy of Yuka Photo Art) any link on the blog roll of this blog looks like yet another chapter of inspiration, so be sure to browse through them too!
• The Southern Weddings Daily Blog
• and a simple and helpful color pallet

So, what do you think of our color choices so far? Please-please share!

The Best New Year's Photos

This whole week has been so busy!
It seems that everybody waited till after the New Year to give me all kinds of tasks at work. So breaking into the full swing of working routine didn't take any time at all!

This 3 time faster life tempo without any warning did make my mind and imagination not too useful for blogging after work. I know, - excuses, excuses ... But, I am speaking the truth!!!! So, since there are no worlds left in my mind today (no different from all other days of this week), we will make this post visual:

BEST NEW YEAR'S PHOTOS

And what is my friend, Yulia does when she is at a party??


And here is almost everybody, who made our house light up with smiles, laughter and love New Year's night:


Happy New Year!!

Good Morning in 2009!

If somewhere at a trivia game show there was a question about what most of the Russian speaking population does at the late morning hours on January 1st, the right answer would be - nothing, you would find everybody asleep. New Year's is a big party in modern Eastern European culture, so I am writing out of my bed, barely woken up, and it is 12:20 pm already!

We have been up all night (till 5 in the morning!) - celebrating, eating, drinking, calling friends and wishing them Happy New Year! I also got to be known as "paparazzi" now that I had been holding my Canon 20D - fully professional camera in my hands all night - the best photos are coming soon!

Happy New Year 2009!

Let this year be of successful new beginnings, let it be full of love and filled with memorable moments!
(Andrey and I have the latest wish already covered, and with a set date - September 6!)