Wedding stuff burnout?

emyinpink

Anyone else basically over this whole wedding stuff?

I keep telling FI that I just want to be married already, and almost wish we had just eloped, lol.

We have most things locked down, but since our budget was thrashed when we purchased our new place, we had to make a few compromises (notably with our dj). I think we found a new dj, but haven't locked down pricing with him yet.

I still haven't purchased my dress. I've lost 2 sizes already, with more planned, so I don't really have a desire to purchase something that I'm just going to have to alter. I also really don't like how most of the dresses are made in China, and want to support more local/sustainable options. Everyone else has their outfits already (guys have their suits, bridesmaids have their dresses).

I've really got to send out our STDs, but I haven't made them yet. Still need to order the paper. FI finished our website, but I haven't done any of the content he needs yet.

Anyone else slump like this?

mgoss228

I was feeling like that 5-6 months ago, but now that I'm pretty close I want time to slow down because there is still lots to do.  It should get better in a few months, when things start getting more "real."

For your dress, what kind of style are you looking for? 

If you want local/sustainable you could try Etsy, or http://www.wai-ching.com/ (Wai-Ching was started in Seattle by Chrissy Wai-Ching Leung, and custom designs gowns).  I think a lot of local seamstresses can custom design gowns as well, including my alterations person (Deb Hedeen).

And for your STDs, keep it simple to save your sanity.  Can you order something from Vistaprint (or something like that) to save $$$ and reuse that paper for programs or another project?

emyinpink

I've been looking at Amy Kuschel (her shop in San Francisco is near my parents and the dresses are all made there), as well as just getting a sample dress. That way I could buy it closer to the wedding, and am not having something made just for me.

I feel bad not doing the STD's myself because they're already designed, I have the paper picked out (100% recycled + 30% post consumer waste), and we bought a new printer so I could do them. But ugh, such a pain .

Hopefully when it gets closer I'll get more excited....

emyinpink

Oh yea, and for dress style, modern and simple, with maybe a touch of flair. No big train. No beading. No embroidery. No lace. Silk preferred. Strapless, but not set on that. A-line or more form fitting, definitely no ballgowns. 

kinmir30

I love wedding planning.....but I am kinda over it....I just want everything to make itself....lol.

For locally made dresses, you should look at The Brides Outlet in Everett. I bought my dress from them (but at the Seattle Wedding Show). The lady I worked with was telling me that it's a family owned business. Also, when I asked what designer my dress was that I ended up buying, she said it was their design. So they design their own dresses, and I **think** make them. But you'd have to double check on that. They might have them made. But they were fabulous to work with!!!! The lady I worked with was amazing, but she was one of the co-owners and also the alterations woman for the store. They are really great there though and super personable and have a lot fo their own designs, etc.

kinmir30

The dress you just described sounds exactly like mine, just not silk. You should really check them out. I bet they could find something for you....and maybe do some more research or ask if they "make" their own dresses.

kristend72

I'm with you on so many points. Really, though, you're in good shape as far as getting stuff done.

However, you really should get the dress nailed down soon. It's insane but pretty soon if you're ordering, you're going to be looking at paying a rush fee for most brands. And all of the store people are going to start getting snippy about how little time you have. Trust me. Been there, got the scars. Order the size you are now and they can take it in (or you can go the lace up route). For mine, looking at the size chart, I would have had to commit to losing 2" off my waist to fit into the next size smaller. Not gonna happen.

As far as the China bit, I understand completely. Look into Cicada. They're local. Aria bridesmaids carries some less traditional wedding dresses that are apparently made in the US and JLM Couture also apparently manufactures in the US. You can also look into preowned (Blue Sky Bridal) or any of the online preowned outlets. However, if your budget is tight and you aren't seeing what you want in preowned... No one would think any less of you if bought a popular brand and just continued doing the best you can to buy most things in the US.

For the burnout - you have six months still and have got it together better than I did at six months. Put it all away for a week. Don't look at a magazine. Stay off The Knot. Don't check your wedding email account. Don't say the W word and just spend a week back in your regular life. After two months with pretty much zero days off - either working or working on wedding stuff and stressed out, FI and I went to Portland last weekend and went by these rules and it was hands-down, one of the best things we've done. I at least came back with decreased stress-induced dizzyness.

Sharingourlove

I too had to pull back as I was overwhelmed and stressing out.  I kept feeling like I "had" to do certain things because "everyone does it that way".  Actually had some arguments on a national board over that when I said we wanted to do some things differently (which is why I tend to stay off national boards).

I agree about taking some time away from thinking and planning of the wedding.  You do sound like you're on top of the things.  Giver yourself permission to have at least a non-wedding weekend and longer if you can.

And of course come here to vent - we're here for you!

Frogger5

I would very much recommend you check out Adele Wechsler for the gown if you haven't seen her stuff already. The pictures are terrible and there's no search options on her website, but the collection I found my dress in ("Lavender") is called "eco-couture," and it has an under layer of a hemp fabric and the top layer is organic silk. I also do not really like a train, and this dress can be made without it if you ask, but it is much fuller and more beautiful if it is just bustled the whole time, imo. I think the dresses are made in Toronto. I went to Belltown Bride at the end of February, and Melissa the owner says the gown will be ready for my mid-August wedding, so you have time! These dresses are made with your exact measurements, so mine are already locked in (if I acutally loose that extra weight, the dress will have to be altered, but most dresses do anyway). Belltown Bride also has Amy Kuschel dresses, which a PP mentioned. One of those was my second runner up; first runner up was a strapless ivory bridesmaid dress from the Dessy collection in chiffon with a colored sash that I found at Bella Bridesmaid, but in the end I felt like the rest of the wedding was fancy enough that it warranted a "real" wedding dress.
Good luck - I know once I decided on the dress, the rest of the big items fell into place like dominoes. For me it set the tone, the color, the degree of formality, the groom and bridal party wear, the table decor . . .