Here are my dress and my veil awaiting portrait day (over Spring Break). I've known I wanted to wear my Mom's dress for ages, and I am really excited to wear it for the wedding. The dress was originally my Grandmother's (who is also Mary Frances), and was made right after the war, for my Grandparent's 1946 wedding. It is understandably conservative and beautifully understated. I love it, and I love what it represents. I can't wait for my Grandmother to see
me in it. The veil was my mother's, and was made by my Grandmother and my Aunt Susan for my mother's 1978 wedding. Luckily, my Mom had pretty good taste, so the veil isn't too late 70's. In spots, the lace is aged and yellowed, but when I went to look for a new veil, I couldn't find anything I liked as much, and St. Stephen's is dark...so we're just hoping no one notices. I don't think I would, if I were a guest. Ah well. Fingers crossed. 
Here is a close up of the lace collar. As long as I don't eat a gallon or five of ice cream right before the wedding, it should fit. PLEASE DEAR GOD LET IT FIT. I'm a little paranoid about the not-fitting thing. But it was fine for the portrait...so...I think it should be fine come May. I've already bought new lingerie for the wedding (it's really pretty! and Italian! and lacy!) and new shoes. I think I'll wear my pearl studs and my pearl necklace for jewelry.
My colors are silver and navy, so my bridesmaids are wearing the Sophia Short Silk Dress from J.Crew in navy. You can find it here. I wanted to find a dress that would be flattering to a variety of body types, and while in theory (i.e. in the picture) I think that this dress accomplishes that, apparently J.Crew makes their dresses for flat-chested women. Alas, my bridesmaids are not all anorexic models/teenage boys, and almost everyone has had to order a size up to fit their chest, and then have the dress tailored. I feel TERRIBLE about it, but all of them have been really nice about it so far (they're probably cursing me under their breath). I know that they will all look beautiful. Each of them means a lot to me, and I feel so blessed and honored to know that I'll have such amazing women up there with me.
Our invitations went out last week, after
a whoooole lot of envelope stuffing and stamping. We had them done at Paul's Papers, and I have been consistently pleased with the service we've gotten from them. The staff has been attentive and patient (we also ordered Save the Dates and stationary from them), and the products have each been lovely. The invitations are a bit of a twist on the traditional wedding invitation, which I love. 
Obviously I'm biased, but I think that they're fresh and young, and appropriate to the fact that Preston and I ARE young. All of the ink is navy, and there is a matte silver liner to the inner envelope. I did include response cards (though I haven't received any back yet...), and I only did tissue in front of the actual invitation. I got lazy. And the wonderful man at Paul's Papers told me I really didn't need to do more.
The reception is at my Mom's house, which I do think will be lovely. I got really nervous when I went home a couple of weeks ago, because the backyard just doesn't look wedding-reception ready.
However, I think that once the trees are in full bloom (as they will be at the end of May), and the yard has sod on it (my Mom's dogs wreak total havoc on the grass back there, but they love it), and there are some flowers, it will be gorgeous. And at the end of the day, we'll be married, our friends and family will be there, and there will be plenty to eat and drink, so even if it's not perfect, it will be ok (maybe if I repeat that for long enough, I'll actually believe it...just kidding, kind of.).
I also thought that the calligraphy turned out really well. 
As I mentioned earlier in my "speech," Reverend Wells is officiating at the service. I'm pretty thrilled about it--he is such a lovely man. I know he'll do a wonderful job. We were really lucky to get him, though...his daughter is getting married the next weekend, and until she and her fiancé set their date, he couldn't give us a definite answer. But hooray! She chose the 31st instead of the 24th!
The Saints Singers, along with seniors from the Chorale and Glee Club, are singing two anthems, both of which I really, really like. They're singing Evening Hymn and We Wait for they Loving Kindess O God (which we sang!). I heard the Chorale the other day, and they actually sounded very good, so I'm excited to hear them. HOWEVER (and I've already bitched about this on facebook), I really, really, want to ask Dr. Stephenson to make them wear skirts. Is that awful? They were wearing pants (and non-matching blouses) at the Reunion Evensong, and as much as I haaated those tragic blouses and my gross long black skirt when I sang in High School, we looked nice and formal and put-together, and THAT is what I had envisioned for my wedding. It will be hard for anyone from the audience to see them, but still...
Preston and I have each asked an old teacher to do the readings, both to honor those teachers who have had a particular impact on our lives, and, more generally, to honor the teaching profession (as it's the career path we've both chosen). We're not writing our own vows, as I fail miserably at being creative, and I like the vows as they are written. I think they're touching and lovely, and they say everything I want to say. Other than, "Holy sh**! We're getting married!" But I feel like I might want to wait till I'm outside of the church before I say that.
Oh, man, I'm getting so excited... and I agree that you should be able to ask the chorale members to all wear skirts. At the VERY least they should all have matching tops (which I know they own). The calligraphy is indeed beautiful!
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