The Dress Hunt (Part 1 of 4)

Dress hunting, for me, was rather challenging. Santa Fe has a limited selection of bridal stores (basically just David's Bridal and a few dressmakers). Because I grew up in LA and love boutiques, I craved something similar for trying on dresses--and I wanted my best friends there as naysayers should the dress I like be completely hideous. So, I had to base my dress-hunting around trips home (to LA) or to any major city for that matter. Albuquerque, an hour away, didn't suffice here, either.

(Lily Saratoga)

So, when Mr. CB and I went back east last September to go venue-hunting and to celebrate our engagement with our families, I convinced him to make a stop in a ritzy little town called Saratoga Springs, NY. I'd done a little research beforehand and, while I would be by myself at the store, I figured it would be a good first try (with my camera in tow). I had tried to plan it so FSIL Cowboy Boot could come along (she's one of my bridesmaids), but the store was closed on the only day she was free so, alas, here I was, by myself, at Lily Saratoga. My budget, $1200 (mere by wedding-dress standards as I would soon find out), and, yes, I let myself try on dresses well over that. Just to get a feel. Yep.  

(I apologize in advance, Hive, I did not write down any dress names or prices. But, the brands that this store carries are: Jim Hjelm, Justin Alexander, Matthew Christopher, Essence of Australia, Nicole Miller, Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard Collection, and Renella de Fina).

Mr. Cowboy Boot----STOP READING NOW!

Dress #1:

I liked the clean lines of this dress. It's preppy--not quite what I'm going for--but this was my first time trying on dresses so I figured I'd stay open-minded and try on anything that spoke to me.

Dress #2: 

I loved the waist and the back of this dress, but it was a bit too full of a skirt for a petite girl like me. It was swallowing my 5'2" self up. Also, the color was really beautiful. This was blush satin.

Dress #3:

We were getting closer, but the flower on the hip felt trendy and cheap (albeit, removable). And the dress wasn't unique enough for me. 

Dress #4: 

I loved this one. The satin underneath the lace was champagne. And I loved the long satin bow down the back. But it was almost too much lace. 

Dress #5: 

I loved the back, the front, the color of this. But I almost felt like I was showing too much skin for a wedding day. This was definitely one of my faves.

Dress #6:

This one is by Nicole Miller. It was my favorite of the day. I loved the unique fabric. The fit was fantastic for 'lil me. But I couldn't wrap myself around the color. The dress was made of metallic taffeta so it had kind of a silvery tint to it. 

Which is your favorite above? Did you find your dress on the first try?

An Invitation. For us?

Back in September, we got an invitation in the mail. It wasn't a huge surprise (I'd been asked to supply pictures for it!), but it was definitely a welcome one. Mr. Cowboy Boot's parents decided to throw an engagement party for us. It was held on their five acres in Upstate New York in honor of our engagement in April, 2008. It was also the (duh, Duh, DUH) meeting of the parents. Because Mr. CB and I had to drive around looking at venues for the first few days of our trip back east, Mom, Dad, and Brother CB arrived at FIL CB's house before we did! They had two days to get to know each other before we even made our entrance. I have to say, this was a pretty welcome thing on our part. We got to avoid the stressful event of trying to find common ground between everyone. Luckily, they did it on their own and very naturally. Setting up the engagement party was a good icebreaker. 

The Invitation from FIL Cowboy Boots

Mama and Papa Cowboy Boot during set-up

Future-In-Law Cowboy Boots

FMIL Cowboy Boot is the best cook in the world. Instead of getting the party catered by Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, New York, about an hour-and-a-half away, she decided to recreate their recipes. Pulled pork, BBQ beans and chicken breasts, cole slaw. Yum!

Me with Cowboy Boot-Bridesmaid AC and her sister

Because the engagement party was across the country from most of my friends and family, the majority of the guests were friends and family  of FIL Cowboy Boots'. One of my bridesmaids drove up from New York City, where she lives, with her sister for the party. I'm so grateful. Do CB-Bridesmaid AC and I look like sisters? We're always getting that!

The Centerpieces were done by FSIL Cowboy Boot. She happens to be a Home-Ec teacher. 

The party gets started. Food and drink abound. That's FSIL Cowboy Boot in the purple tank top. Mr. Cowboy Boot's cousins are in the foreground--the girl with the black shirt and the guy with the striped button-down.

Papa Cowboy Boot gives a speech while Mama Cowboy Boot documents with her camera.

Mr. Cowboy Boot made a speech too. And told a few too many raft-guide jokes. Yep, those exist.

The Future Cowboy Boots. And a beautiful cake made by a neighbor.