The Dubious Bride

First Comes Love...

2009-11-11T02:50:30Z

By Jessa Goodworth

Jason and I met on Memorial Day weekend of 2008.

At that point in my life I had become a serial blind-dater. Everyone I knew wanted to set me up with someone. I had become accustomed to fancy first dates and sugar-coated conversations with complete strangers that I was not attracted to.

In this case, it was my friend Haley who was setting me up... with a guy Jason who used to date one of her friends. I knew the drill and I was up for the challenge.
]]> I have always heard that most ladies are in the midst of, finding themselves when they end up, finding the one. For me, this is exactly what happened. He was from and living in Cleveland, which was also my hometown. I was in my final year of undergrad at Ohio University and about to graduate. I felt like I could do anything that I wanted. I dreamed of traveling, exploring and having fun. I was applying for internships and assistantships all over the world, including one that I really wanted but didn't get in France. However, after graduation I was excited to return home to Cleveland for the summer because I had a great opportunity to intern under a curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art....

Before our first date, I had seen pictures of him via online stalking. He had an incredible smile with dimples to die for. We met at his place. I remember seeing him walk out of his apartment and the first thought that crossed my mind was, thank God I didn't wear heals! I am 5'8" and for me, nothing kills a moment more than realizing that the guy I have been set up with is shorter than me. I walked out of my car to see if he measured up, which he did... but only by about an inch. I figured, this time, I will let the height slide... besides, if I were to give up this good on paper guy who looked great on facebook, I would have nothing else to blame it on but my own insecurities.

We went to a Modern Mexican Restaurant called Momocho in a little neighborhood outside of the city called Tremont. I'm not going to say, it was love at first sight, or I knew it from the moment I...blah blah blah, or any of those things because at that point in my life... settling down was the last thing on my mind.

It was a ton of fun! We drank some cucumber margaritas and laughed unstoppably. Most importantly, our attraction to one another was undeniable. If you are in the same boat as me... ya know, in love... I am sure you know what I mean.

After dessert, he asked me to be his girlfriend. Ok, it was a little over-eager and hasty, so... I didn't exactly say yes or no; but I laughed my way out of my seat and excused myself to run to the ladies room. While waiting in line and texting my friend, Jerrod, "I think I have a new boyfriend!!!", a little old lady came up to me and said, "You two must be the happiest couple in the city of Cleveland". I wittily replied, "Who knew it was possible to be happy in Cleveland!"

While we dated that summer, I still searched for job opportunities elsewhere. Due to the economy, my internship that I had at the Art Museum held no promise of turning into a career. I luckily received word from my cousin Ryan, (a.k.a. my wedding planner), that a position opened up at a local event production company where he worked called, Rock The House Entertainment Group in Cleveland.

As I grew into becoming an event professional, my relationship with Jason also became stronger. We moved into a house in the suburbs, adopted ourselves a dog named Buster, and got engaged in Paris (engagement story- soon to come!).

So now that I have finished paying tribute to my wonderful fiance who I love, love, love... I am so excited to share my journey with you as I attempt to discover my wedding style.

We all need to start somewhere and thanks to the former, Dubious Bride, Jess (xoxo), who introduced me to stylemepretty.com, I have been able to create a wedding profile and inspiration boards. You can see some of my stuff here.

I would LOVE to hear from you! We all need to take a step back from planning and brag about our finaces a little! Let me hear about your love stories! And also, tell me about your major stepping stones in developing a wedding style, feeling, color scheme, theme, etc... I am dying to learn more!

The clock is ticking... I have 289 days to get this thing together! Stick with me, and enjoy the ride!

The Mrs. Signs Off

2009-11-07T18:52:15Z

Jess writes her last post as she starts her life as a newlywed!

By Jessica Solloway

When the opportunity came along to blog about my wedding many months ago, the big day seemed so far away. And now it's pretty hard to believe I'm a married lady, and this is my last post as "The Dubious Bride".

At first I couldn't imagine having something to write about every single week. But I quickly learned that wedding planning is a non-stop whirlwind that's fun, stressful, exciting, and hectic all in one. From showers to shoe shopping, dress fittings to invitations, there's always something to write about.

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The most important thing I learned is to just step back and appreciate everything that you're going through (even the things that are less appealing, like staying in on a Friday night to do seating charts, or cutting carbs to look great into your dress). While you'll be faced with hard decisions, (like narrowing down the guest list or foregoing something because it's not in your budget), if you just learn to roll with the punches and choose not to sweat the small stuff, it's pretty great. In the whole scheme of things, what makes your wedding day amazing won't come down to just one thing, like the chairs, food, or flowers.

It's about creating a day to celebrate you and your new husband starting a life together, and sharing that happy milestone with your close friends and family. One of my favorite cards we received was from one of Seth's family members, who told us she is "not a wedding person". But she wrote, "Watching the two of you, your family and your friends ... I felt I was experiencing a love fest at its most genuine level." (She's a professor, who certainly has a way with words.)

I think someone calling my wedding a genuine "love fest" is a better compliment than liking my flowers or the band. It meant that we created a warm, inviting, special day for everyone that was there. And that's what really makes a wedding great.

So now that my big day has come and gone, I am learning the ins and outs of life as a newlywed. So far, so good!

Next week you'll meet the next "DB"! The adorable Jessa is a fellow Clevelander that I am lucky to have gotten to know this past year thanks to some mutual friends. Since she works in the event planning industry, she already has a leg up on this huge endeavor. I have no doubt that she'll take you along for a fun-filled ride as she plans her wedding. I hope you follow her journey, I know I will!

Thanks so much for sharing my wedding planning experience. Good luck with yours! Xoxo - Jess

Post-Wedding Blues

2009-11-02T15:14:08Z

Help! Jess has a major case of the post-wedding blues!

By Jessica Solloway

I knew it would happen. The high from the wedding would eventually wear off, and my fairy tale weekend would become a distant memory with each passing day. My friend warned me about this ... a cruel, cold world where no one cares about cake tastings, centerpieces, or how I'm wearing my hair.
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Seth suggested I wear my dress around the house every now and then to help ward this syndrome off, but I think that would just make it worse. Also the dress is currently in a garbage bag at my mom's, in need of a major cleaning.

It's just hard, when for so many months; a huge part of your life revolves around creating what is sure to be the best day of your life ... a truly once in a lifetime experience. And then in a flash, it's over. And no matter how many times you look at your pictures on your photographer's blog (I'm admitting I have a problem) ... you can't get it back.

Don't get me wrong. There are certain things I am thrilled not to be dealing with right now. No more constant stressing about decisions, to-do lists, budgets, and travel arrangements. It's really nice to just feel like normal people. This was actually our first "real" weekend at home in months, without any wedding planning to do. We finally tackled a few big things around the house that we kept saying we'd do "after the wedding". We cleaned out cabinets and our storage closet (which previously looked like it was hit by a hurricane) to make room for all of our new gifts.

Speaking of new gifts, most of them are taking over Seth's mom's house (sorry Sunny) because they were all shipped there. But, we do have a few here, including a waffle maker which we busted out for the first time yesterday. I was a bit skeptical about such a contraption, but I think it could quite possibly be one of the best things I have ever owned. I'm going to sound like an infomercial now, but in just FOUR minutes, we had amazing pumpkin waffles. (It was a mix from Trader Joe's; I don't do "from scratch" yet.) Add that to your registry, gals. Stat.

I know eventually I'll get over my case of the post-wedding blues (although it might take a lot of waffles ... ). We still have our honeymoon in December to look forward to. Plus, being married is fun! Sure, you may have to give up the big TV for a week if your husband is a die-hard Yankees fan ... but it's an adventure, and it's just the beginning!

The Wedding Top 10 List

2009-10-26T16:45:02Z

Jess recaps a few of her favorite things about the wedding weekend.

By Jessica Solloway

While the whole weekend was a blur of fun, I do have some standout moments that deserve a shoutout. In no particular order...

The Rise ... and Fall
One of my least favorite Jewish wedding traditions is dancing to The Hora. It's when everyone holds hands and dances in a raucous circle, as the bride and groom are lifted on chairs in the center. Everyone else loves this part of the wedding. But when I hear that song play, I promptly beeline it for the bar. So naturally, I was a little on edge when it was my turn to be hoisted into the air on a flimsy chair, held up by the likes of Seth's drunk friends. And sure enough, within three seconds of being elevated above the crowd, the chair tipped forward and down I flew. Luckily, my dad's "protective" gears shifted into full effect. Petrified that his first born would get hurt in such an activity, he raced to the center in case of emergency. And as I went flailing out of the chair, he actually caught me! And it was one of my favorite moments because my dad said, "See, even though now you're married, I can still be there to catch you." So, even when you "grow up", you don't really have to ... right? Your parents are always going to be there for you. And luckily he was ...or there could have been some broken bones for sure...

]]> Grandpa's Groove
Another awesome part of our wedding was having my Grandpa Ed join the band and play his saxophone for our first dance. I will never forget walking into the ballroom, as the music was playing and seeing him up on the stage with our nine piece band. So cool and so special that he did that for us.

The First Look
Before the ceremony, Seth and I had our "first look". It was just the two of us and our photographers which was really cool to have a private moment away from the chaos of the morning. I approached Seth (his back was turned) and then when I was behind him, the photographer told him to turn around so we could see each other for the first time. I was so flustered when I saw him, that I told him he looked beautiful (instead of handsome, which is what I was trying to say). And then instead of correcting myself and saying he looked handsome, I said, "Oh, I mean, you're not beautiful, I'm beautiful." In which we all started laughing. Point is, he looked really handsome and I loved that moment.

The MVPs
At every wedding, there is a group of friends that will stick it out until the very end. And our wedding MVPs were spearheaded by my brother Adam who requested to hear the song Forever by Chris Brown about 16 times. Since our wedding was an afternoon wedding, we planned an After Party at a lounge so the party could continue into the night. I think we danced for 12 straight hours. And I could have kept going for 12 hours more.

The Worm
Another dance floor sensation involved some of Seth's parents friends, getting down ... literally. The band played the song, Shout, and they hit the floor and did The Worm, a move they haven't busted out in about 15 years. It was awesome!

Street Walking
Our After Party was a few blocks away from the hotel. So Seth and I walked there, just the two of us. The sun was setting over the water, and Cleveland really looked beautiful. We could see groups of our friends walking ahead of us, and it was just a cool moment to stop and reflect about the day. Cars were beeping at us and waving, which was pretty funny. We both were like, "OMG. We're married!!!!!! Wow."

Speeches, and More Speeches
Our rehearsal dinner was at this great bar/restaurant called The Thirsty Parrot. We wanted something casual and laid back, and this was the perfect spot. The food was awesome and the whole vibe was great. However, the speeches from our friends were unbelievable. From one of Seth's friends reading a mushy email intended for me that Seth sent to him by accident, to my friends telling the whole crowd about every hypochondriac moment I've ever had ... it was painfully embarrassing, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Little Princesses
I have four little cousins that were junior bridesmaids and flower girls in the wedding, Sarah, Rachel, Ella and Tessie. They all looked beautiful, and it was so cool for me to have them in the wedding. And they're all amazing dancers. I guess shaking your groove thang runs in the family! And while he certainly would not appreciate being called a little princess, I do have to give a shout out to my cousin Ben who proved to be quite the break dancer. There were many a circle around him throughout the day!

The Chuppah
In a Jewish wedding, the chuppah is a "marriage canopy" that you stand under during the ceremony. I absolutely loved how my florist designed ours. It was made of birch tree trunks, gold dusted leaves, roses, strands of crystals and little tea lights hanging from the branches. It felt so magical and romantic. I almost forgot there were 200 people watching the ceremony!

A Family Affair
As I have said in so many of my other blogs, my family is so important to me. And the absolute best part of the wedding was having everyone together. From my aunts, uncle and cousins from San Fran, to the whole east coast crew, it was just so incredible to have everyone in one room, together, for a day of happiness and fun!

The Wedding: From Bride-to-Be to Bride!

2009-10-22T17:33:58Z

Jess and Seth's whirlwind wedding weekend arrives!

By Jessica Solloway

I am still in a state of shock as I sit here writing this blog entry that my wedding weekend already happened. Who pushed the fast forward button on my life? It seems like I was just boarding the flight to Cleveland last Wednesday, bursting with excitement about what the weekend would bring. When the flight attendant saw our garment bags, she asked if we were going to a wedding. When we told her it was our wedding, within seconds, the pilots were announcing to the entire flight that "the couple in seats 8B and 8C" were on their way to get married.

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The wedding was absolutely perfect and a day I will always treasure. I had no idea what to expect and was absolutely blown away when I stepped into the room where the ceremony was to take place and saw my chuppah. The gold dusted leaves, the soft colors of the roses, and little candles and crystals hanging down created such a warm, romantic space for our ceremony. And the Rabbi has known me my whole life, so it all felt very personal which I loved.

Luckily I have a few more weeks to blog, so I don't have to cram everything into just one post, so make sure you keep reading in the next couple weeks. I will fill you in on the rehearsal dinner, our 20 hour dance-a-thon on the wedding day (no joke!), and our amazing "mini-moon". We are going on our real honeymoon in December which is nice to have something to look forward to.

But I can't express enough that it wasn't only the wedding that made this experience so memorable and special. It was the entire weekend. The little things meant just as much as the big things. From seeing my family members arrive at the hotel for the first time, to hearing the heartfelt speeches from our friends at the rehearsal dinner, and Seth reading his vows (I don't think there was a dry eye in the place!), there are so many elements that combined together to create a truly one of a kind weekend. There really is nothing better than having a room full of people that you love, and that love you back, all together, celebrating. I wish it could have lasted forever.

I am still waiting for some of my friends to upload their pictures, but I am posting one for now so you can see the dress. I also have a link to a video that my little cousin put on You Tube, of Seth breaking the glass (a Jewish wedding tradition). It's my favorite, because I was so excited that I jumped up and down without even realizing it.

Best. Weekend. Ever.

T Minus 1 Week!

2009-10-11T20:40:38Z

See how our bride-to-be is holding up with less than a week to go before the big day!

By Jessica Solloway

I seriously can't believe that my wedding day is less than a week away. Where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday that I had my first dress fitting, or was looking forward to my showers, or having a blast with my best friends at my bachelorette party. And now, I am handling all the very, very last minute details in preparation for my trip to Cleveland.
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Once we arrive in Cleveland on Wednesday, we'll have a few days to get organized before the guests arrive. I have a final dress fitting the Thursday before the wedding. And other than some pre big day beautifying, my mom and I will assemble all the programs that my friend Adina designed (which are incredibly gorgeous!), organize the Welcome Bags, and drop them off at the hotels for the out-of-towners.

As of now, I am way more excited than nervous. I am trying not to let things I can't control (like the weather) worry me. It's just such a surreal feeling knowing that so many people are packing bags, getting their dresses dry cleaned, and hopping planes to come to my wedding ... this weekend! Ahhhh!

It's really amazing to look at the huge to-do list Seth and I started about 6 months ago, full of overwhelming tasks that we never imagined we could check off. And now, they are pretty much all taken care of. If there are any stressed out brides reading this -- remember my advice, it somehow all gets done. You're not alone if you've ever been on the verge of hopping a plane to Vegas so an Elvis impersonator can just make it official without the drama of budgets, guest lists, seating charts and menus. While it's not always fun and games, wedding planning (the good, the bad and the ugly) is a once in a lifetime experience full of memorable moments. And it's important to keep things in perspective and not let the tough parts get the best of you. Although, I have a feeling we'll be more than ready to sip cocktails on a beautiful beach in Anguilla after we say "I do"...

Just Another Boring Married Couple

2009-10-02T16:19:04Z

Advice from a friend helps Jess enjoy the last two weeks of her engagement.

By Jessica Solloway

The other night, I was talking to one of my friends about some things I was nervous about leading up to the wedding (dreary Cleveland weather, catching the swine flu, etc...) and she had great advice. She said, "Don't stress out about the what-ifs. Just enjoy being special for two more weeks, because before you know it, you'll just be another boring married couple that no one cares about." Hmph. She had a point.
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So, I decided right then and there to let go of my irrational worries and to savor the last two weeks I have of being engaged, and to step back and appreciate the excitement and nervous anticipation. Because it all just goes so fast. And everyone says the actual wedding weekend goes by even faster. All the planning, the appointments, the trips home, the money spent ... and then poof, you find yourself showing your grand kids your wedding album to convince them you were young once too. (Ok hopefully life doesn't go by that fast.)

But before I let myself get depressed about the wedding being a whirlwind, I am going to focus on all the things I am excited about. I think what I am most looking forward to is having so many of the people that I love and care about in one room together to celebrate and just have fun. We have family and friends coming in from all across the country. And it just means the world to me and Seth that so many people are traveling to be part of such a special time for us.

While I know I'll have a hard time when it's all said and done ... I am very excited to be part of a "boring married couple".

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2009-09-28T03:46:10Z

Seating charts, RSVPs, and last minute shopping keeps Jess on her toes.

By Jessica Solloway

It is truly mind boggling the amount of things that need to get done for a wedding. It was so nice at the beginning when I thought we had it all covered once we booked the basics -- the band, the florist, the photographer and the venue. But as it gets closer (less than three weeks!) I can't believe the amount of "to-dos" we are consumed with. The overriding themes of this week were seating and shopping ... neither of which I was bursting with excitement to deal with.
]]> Mission 1: Rehearsal Dinner Attire
As if finding a wedding dress wasn't enough, us brides need a fabulous getup for the rehearsal dinner too. So, last week I was in NYC for a day, and found myself perusing the racks at Saks. Clearly not the best place for brides on a budget, but I was only looking, right? I tracked down my brother's friend Deb who is a manager there, and sure enough, she helped me find "the dress". (She also helped me find my wedding dress ... she's like my Shopping Fairy Godmother, I swear). It's a great little frock and I can wear it to plenty of other occasions. At least that's what I told myself as I winced and handed over my credit card to the store clerk...

Mission 2: Attempt Seating Chart
Now that we received most of our RSVP's, I took a stab at seating arrangements. Even with Martha Stewart's seating tool, complete with tiny tables and people icons, it's not easy! Coming up with groups of people is simple, but actually completing the table of ten is what gets complicated. For example, I may have seven people that go perfectly together. But how do I come up with the other three to go there? You don't want anyone to feel overwhelmed by a group of friends they don't know. And if you're going to put strangers together, you want to try and make sure they have something in common. And then of course you have to take "family politics" into consideration too. I have made some good headway, but need to take another look. Martha's site also reminded me that I have 21 days till the wedding (aaah!) and 115 more things to do. Super.

Mission 3: Groom Gear
Let's not forget about the groom here! While I find shopping for mens clothing more boring than C-span, I tried to be helpful and tag along when Seth went to find his wedding necessities. Seth got his new tux which is really, really nice. And we also found him a tuxedo shirt, tie and rehearsal dinner outfit. We were just joking that we're going to have to live on canned food for the rest of our lives to make up for our recent credit card bills.

Next up on the list ... writing something to the guests for the welcome bags, proofreading my programs for the final time, and choosing the rehearsal dinner menu. I seriously can't imagine what my life is going to be like after this wedding when my evenings are filled with more normal decisions, like whether I want to watch Glee live or DVR it.

The Finishing Touches

2009-09-20T22:29:39Z

With one month to go, Jess and Seth handle the last minute details.

By Jessica Solloway

I can't believe it, but Seth and I went home for the last time before the wedding. We had tons of appointments scheduled and literally did not stop moving from one place to the next (in our very un-cool rented minivan). I need a nap! The craziest part was leaving our meetings and saying, "Ok, see you at the wedding!". So strange!

]]> I had a hair trial which was a lot of fun. I am so not an updo kind of girl ... so I want to do something that looks like "me", but with a special twist. My first "do" idea resulted in me looking like a conehead, so we nixed that pretty quickly. And then we tried something really simple that I loved. I am just going to pull a few strands back on each side with pretty crystal clips. Then we're going to curl my hair in really loose, romantic waves.

We also took engagement pictures (a little late, I know) but it was part of the package so why not? Plus we need all the practice we can get before the big day. We went to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens which I had never been to before. They are a strip of beautiful gardens that represent various countries and cultures. But you have to drive through a really, um, scary, neighborhood of Cleveland to get there. When we met up with our photographer, he said something along the lines of, "Oh yeah, it's really pretty here ... but I know a couple who got mugged in broad daylight taking their engagement pictures. And the guy was peeing as he was walking towards them. So, if you see anyone crazy lurking around, just run to the street." So, that was reassuring. Needless to say, I think we got some really cool pictures, and no one was harmed (or peed on) in the process.

Following the pics, we went to the Ritz for our tasting. I wish you all could come to our wedding to experience the deliciousness. Everything was amazing, and no matter what, I will find a way to eat at my own wedding. You always hear the stories about how brides and grooms are too busy talking to the guests to eat ... but we are going to do both, no matter what. One of my favorite parts about it is that it incorporates food that is so perfect for the season.

And in case anyone was worried about my wedding shoe situation, the pair I ordered online came to my mom's house and they are really cute and comfy. So, I am really happy about that. Luckily, I didn't have to spend a fortune to find nice wedding shoes.

All in all, this was a very productive, action packed weekend. I am getting so excited for the big day!!!

Signed Sealed Delivered!

2009-09-11T17:05:46Z

The invitations are out, bringing the big day even closer!

By Jessica Solloway

When I first started planning my wedding, the actual date seemed so far away. It was barely winter when I got engaged, so thinking ahead to next fall felt like an eternity. But now it's like I've been propelled through some kind of wedding planning time machine, and it's hard to believe that in five short weeks, I'll be hitched! Everything seemed to speed up when the invitations went out. And that's when it all started feeling real.

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On the pre-wedding workout front ... I made the mistake of telling my trainer yesterday that I wanted to step up my workouts. The only things I can move today are my fingers, which at least comes in handy as I type this blog. I've always been a self-proclaimed wimp (I have terrible memories of trying to climb that rope in gym class -- definitely one of the top five reasons people hate middle school), but I really can tell that I am getting stronger.

As far as other updates ... I finished writing the copy for my programs (phew!), we found Seth a tux (um, yes, totally waited till the last minute on that!), I found really pretty wedding shoes that were a great deal, and we're going ring shopping this weekend! Full speed ahead!

Cool as a Cucumber

2009-09-04T01:09:40Z

Jess tries to chill out as the wedding gets closer.

By Jessica Solloway

Don't be deceived by this title. With my wedding just six weeks away, I'm not feeling "cool as a cucumber". But I am hoping that seeing those words in writing will calm me the heck down. There are tons of things that need to be done ... things that take time, research, energy, and creativity. And the list keeps growing by the day. Not to mention, I had to go to the DMV today which makes even the sanest person teeter on the edge. (My wallet was snatched so I needed a new license. I hope the thief enjoyed the movie tickets he bought on me. Who buys movie tickets with a stolen credit card?)
]]> pre-wedding panic. It's hard to relax anymore because my mind is always racing with things that I should be taking care of. At this very minute, my all time favorite movie, 16 Candles is on TV. But I can't laugh at Long Duk Dong falling out of a tree as freely as I once did. Because I have a program to write and bridesmaids gifts to order that they'll actually like! The gift bags for out-of-towners aren't just going to create themselves, people!

The good news is that all of these tasks don't just fall to me and Seth. Our parents are really involved and taking on lots of huge responsibilities. Since my dad is an event producer, I can count on him for all the tech stuff that's happening (like lighting, staging for the band, etc.) that I have no clue about. And when it comes to all the details, my mom is on it! Even though she has a big time job and not much free time during the day to be a wedding planner, she never screens my calls. At least that I know of. And Seth's mom Sunny is handling the rehearsal dinner festivities.

I also have friends that are totally helping me out with things. My "artsy" friend (and also one of my bridesmaids), Adina has offered to design my ceremony programs and she needs all the copy I want included. I was on a roll until I realized I had to come up with the definitions of "Jewish Wedding Traditions". Most of my time at Hebrew school was spent doodling my name in various styles of bubble letters and discussing secret crushes in the bathroom with my friend Steph. So, tonight when I found myself using Wikipedia to search for a term, I decided to close that window and email my Rabbi instead.

But the real silver lining to wedding chaos is that it's pushing me to go to the gym. It really feels like a stress reliever! I also attempted to find some inner calm by doing Yoga in NYC's Central Park with Steph and her brother Greg when I was in town last week. While Greg looked like a pro, Steph and I were falling all over the place and laughing hysterically the whole time. But there was a man sunbathing in a tiny metallic Speedo five feet away from us ... so I think park go-ers paid more attention to him.

While I may feel frazzled at times, I do think I have things under control for the most part, so I am going to plop down on the couch and watch the end of 16 Candles. I can consider it wedding research, right? So far I've learned: Don't take muscle relaxers before walking down the aisle. Definitely don't hire the woman from Poltergeist to play the processional music. Or make bridesmaids wear floral garlands on their heads...

Check out a pic of me, Steph and Greg from our Yoga excursion ... namaste.

The 411 on Wedding Photos

2009-08-28T22:15:07Z

Jess gets the scoop on having a "picture perfect" day.

By Jessica Solloway

I figured we all could use a break from my blabber about to-do lists and shoe shopping dilemmas. So, this week I did a little digging (investigative blogging, if you will) to uncover the secrets to getting amazing wedding pictures. If you're planning a wedding, you know that finding a photographer is no easy task. They're responsible for capturing the most important and memorable moments of your big day ... everything from the first instant you and your fiance see each other ... to grandma doing the Running Man after too many cocktails.

]]> RAD Wedding Photographers and booked them on the spot. In between weekends making brides and grooms "say cheese", they answered a few of my most pressing questions. Read on for their tips to score rad pics on your wedding day...

1) How do couples find the photographer that best suits their style?
You need to find a photographer that not only takes the style of photos you want, but also fits with your personal style. You really need to "click" personally with your photographer. If you're not really digging 'em when you have your first meeting, then they're not the photographer for you.

The two main styles most photographers use to describe their work are traditional or photojournalistic. If you're not sure what style you want, just look around and you'll know it when you see it. Most photojournalistic photographers can throw in the traditional when needed, say for family photos, but a traditional photographer usually can't make the switch to a photojournalistic style.

2) You guys have seen it all! What advice do you have for brides and grooms on their wedding day?
Relax!! This is one of the best days of your life, so just sit back, enjoy it and don't worry about anything but having the most amazing day. Don't stress about little things, it's completely unnecessary. The wedding day is about you and your fiancé becoming husband and wife. Who cares if the flowers aren't exactly how you ordered them! If you are one of those people that stress about every little thing, then I would highly recommend hiring a wedding coordinator. That way they can take care of any problem that arises and you can just enjoy your day.

3) What is the key to getting great wedding day pictures?
Well, there are actually three...
1) It's all about the time!! It is an absolute must to schedule plenty of time for photos. More time = more photos.

2) Photo locations: You are far better off choosing one or two locations for photos rather than trying to go to multiple locations. Less locations and less time being wasted driving around equals more time for pictures!!!!

3) Being Open: You need to be open to let your photographer be creative and trust that what they're asking you to do will result in great photos.

4) What are some unique ways to get group shots and portraits?
The best way to get group shots and portraits is to keep things informal and relaxed. It's your wedding day, so try to keep things laid back, easy going and most of all, try to have fun with it. Having things like balloons or umbrellas to add to the photos can result in fun and creative photos.

5) Should clients give you a "shot list"?
That depends. A 'shot list' is great for the family photos. You know, the ones that usually take place at the church after the ceremony with the grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and everyone else your parents want you to take pictures with. You shouldn't have to give your photographer a shot list for the bride and groom and bridal party photos. If you hired the right photographer, you should trust them and give them the opportunity to be creative and get the right shots. You will really limit your photographers creativity if all you want him to do is copy other peoples photos. You want your photos to be your photos, not somebody else's.

6) Are there any new trends in photography making their way into the wedding circuit?
First looks, simple decor and fashion art photos. First looks are when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony to make more time for photographs and to settle the pre-wedding nerves. Since photography can be a large investment, couples are making the best out of their time to achieve rad photos.

Simple decor can really make a reception unique and trendy. Less = more. A few clean, modern table centerpieces can bring out the couples personality.

Fashion art photos. Posing can be rad when done right. Taking a fashion approach to the photography can eliminate cheesy prom style pictures that your mom had 25 years ago.

7) Can you describe some of your favorite wedding shots?
I love when clients are open to suggestions. This wedding party wanted to incorporate balloons but didn't know how to use them in the pics.

To Do, or Not to Do? That is the Question

2009-08-21T21:41:19Z

How do Jess and Seth handle their growing wedding to-do list?

By Jessica Solloway

This past Friday, Seth told me to stop by the store and buy two bottles of wine. I was curious as to what these bottles were for, because as far as I knew, we didn't have plans to have friends over. When I asked him what the deal was, he said, "Well, I think we should stay in tonight and do wedding stuff." Apparently my fiance thinks we each need to drink an entire bottle of wine to tackle our overwhelming wedding to-do list. While I decided not to get tanked because I had my trainer the next morning, I do think Seth had the right idea...
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I decided to get a head start on the music for our slideshow before Seth got home. I am trying to avoid the obvious/cheesy/predictable songs that always come up when you google "best wedding songs". It's definitely hard to find unique music without doing a lot of digging. But I'm not giving up. Of course my mailman came when I was listening to a particularly lame song on You Tube, full blast so I'm sure he heard, and now I have anxiety that he thinks I have bad taste in music. Seth and I have already started pulling together some pictures and getting the slideshow organized. I'm so glad that all 200 of our nearest and dearest friends will get to see the hideous bangs I had from 2nd-6th grade. I still haven't forgiven my mother for that.

And speaking of my mom, she spur of the moment decided to come to DC for a few days this past week. Aside from my genious idea to walk to Georgetown in 95 degree heat, we had a really great time. She arrived armed with her "wedding folder" and homeade brownies. In between my less than stellar tours around town and a few shopping expeditions, we both stressed out a little about the wedding. No matter how hard you try to keep costs down and everything organized, there's just so much to do and think about all the time! But we are really doing the best we can to stay within our budget. Aside from wedding stuff, I helped my mom set up a Facebook account, which I do NOT reccomend doing if you want to stay sane. But luckily she figured out how to stop writing on her own wall, so I consider that a small victory.

If you have any good song ideas for rehearsal dinner slideshows or for our first dance, send them my way!

The Ultimate Girls Getaway

2009-08-17T14:53:34Z

Jess and her friends head out to the country for her bachelorette bash.

By Jessica Solloway

I have never been more tired in my life. I just got back last night from a once-in-a-lifetime weekend -- my bachelorette party! Two of my friends, Rachel and Rebecca, planned a fabulous getaway to the North Fork area of Long Island, a very quaint area near tons of wineries. A whole crew of my best friends came from all over (Miami, Philly, NYC, and Cleveland) and we had a blast.
]]> the wedding diet was clearly put on hold), we laid on hammocks in the backyard and caught up on each others lives, which is hard to do in the real world when you're distracted by work, kids, errands, school, etc.

Everyone arrived on Friday. I took the train from DC to Philly to meet up with my friend Betsy and then we drove from there to NYC to pick up my friend Steph. We hit no traffic and arrived in Greenport (where the houses were) earlier than expected. So, spur of the moment we hopped on a ferry and found ourselves on Shelter Island, sitting at a great restaurant on the beach having an afternoon cocktail and snacks. (Betsy is preggers, so she skipped the cocktail.)

We got to the house around 6pm, claimed our rooms and the fun began! My friends all bought me gifts (ranging from embarrassing to cute to practical) and I had to guess who they were from. Then of course they dressed me up in all sorts of ridiculous props to go out on the town. We went to a bar called Claudio's with a live band and herds of (cheesy) dudes that love a good bachelorette party. I was spilled on, picked up, spun around, and flipped around. It definitely got a little rowdy, but that's the way these things go!

The next morning, we woke up (not easily, let me just say) and had bagels at the house and got ready for a day of wine tasting! A van picked us up and took us to three gorgeous wineries. The first one, Peconic Bay Winery, was so amazing. Not only was the weather unbelievable, but we got to sit in cushy chairs under umbrellas, listening to live music and trying tons of wines. There's really nothing better! Then we headed over to the Pugliese Vineyards (known for their sparkling wines) for more tastings and a picnic outside. Seth sent me a bottle of champagne which was really sweet and so did my friend Franny who couldn't make it. After a great lunch, where we shoved our faces with sandwiches, chips and brownies, we went to one last tasting at the largest winery in the area, Pindar Vineyards.

By the time we got home, we were beat and just hung out and took naps. Later that night, we picked up pizza and salads and stayed in for a night of "fun and games". You may not know this about me, but at times, I can be a bit of a hypochondriac. So, Rebecca and Rach created a game making fun of all the memorable moments where I have flipped out over various illnesses, findings on WebMD, and scary ailments I have seen on TV. My friends were divided up into teams and if they got the question right, they won a pill bottle (filled with m&m's) labeled with the name of a medication and my picture on it. Classic.

Here's a sample question so you get the idea:

"After a particularly vicious sunburn on her shoulders, Jess asked someone very close to her to stalk and harass the head of the Burn Unit at a prestigious Cleveland hospital to find out if she would be OK. Who did the stalking?"

The answer is my mom, but only because she WORKS at a hospital and knows the guy...whatever.

All in all, it was a fun-filled, fabulous weekend that I will always remember. From our Friday night barbecue to the send-off Sunday brunch, I can't thank my friends enough for planning such an amazing time and for coming out to celebrate with me!

The Princess Effect

2009-08-10T19:51:50Z

Jess learns what happens to brides after their first dress fitting.

By Jessica Solloway

You guys all know the story about how I found my dress. In a nutshell, it involved a hesitant trip to a sample sale based on a promise of sushi afterward, two people randomly picking out the same dress and bringing it to the dressing room before I got there, a credit card swipe ... followed by relief, joy...and panic.

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So, when I was recently in Cleveland for my shower, I was reunited with my dress for my very first dress fitting. I am having all of my fittings done at home, which seems easier than trying to find somewhere in DC and then having to deal with getting the dress to the wedding somehow. (Me plus a dress plus airport security equals a bad idea. I once left a dress on the conveyor belt at O'hare after a friend's wedding. We did retrieve it thank goodness.)

The fitting was at this beautiful store called Matina's Bridal. And it was so cool to put my dress on after all these months. My mom, grandma, and Seth's mom were there which was really fun. The seamstress got to work ... and after a few pins here and there, I was good to go. I'll have two more fittings, one about a month before my wedding, and the last one five days before the big day.

While we were there, the store's owner had me stand on this pedestal to try on veils and hair clips. It was so surreal. I just looked at myself in the three-way mirror, thinking, who IS this girl in the fancy dress? All I needed was a magic wand and I could pass for a very chic Disney princess.

I guess on your wedding day, it's really the only day in your life that you get to be a modern day version of a "princess". Everyone listens to your every wish and gushes over you. You get to spin around on the dance floor with a big pouffy dress (if only someone could put a spell on my "prince" so he'd like dancing). Some brides even take it as far as wearing a jeweled tiara.

From what I've heard, even the most laid-back, un-bride-y types get completely wrapped up in that whole vibe on their wedding day. How could you not?

On another note my mother is completely obsessed with that You Tube video where the whole bridal party dances down the aisle to Chris Brown, and is trying to concoct a way to do that in ours. Not gonna happen mom...the "princess" says no! But maybe if it was to a Rihanna song, we could work something out...