Dress Shopping, Bridal Extravaganzas and the Big Dig!

Every girl dreams of the day when she can play dress up with beautiful white gowns and all the bridal accessories. So when the weekend of January 5th finally came, I could not be more happy! My maid of honor Molly met me in Dallas and together we caught a flight to good old San Antonio. After a long day of work and traveling we made it in time for happy hour before the big day. The next morning Mrs. Crowl, Kimberly and Grandma Robare met my mom, Molly and I at our house where my mom had made the cutest dress shopping baskets for everyone (monogramed notepads, kleenex and candy kisses). Equipped with the best Say Yes to the Dress crew, we headed to the first appointment and I could not be more nervous and excited!

The first appointment went so much better than my dreams had predicted the week prior (yes I was the crazy bride to be having nightmares of trying on dresses)! The woman helping me was such a sweetheart and made me feel so comfortable. Although every gown was gorgeous and we had a blast (I had to try on the poofy ballgown dress that made me look like a cupcake), I still did not have that bridal feeling that Say Yes to the Dress pretty much dictates as a requirement. So on to lunch we went at the cutest little place called Boardwalk Bistro. After a delicious, yet limited meal (for dress fitting purposes), we headed to the next location. The shop was a little cramped and with our large dress-trying on crew we completely took over! We found some absolutely breathtaking gowns and I may have just found "the one," but I decided I wanted to do a little more looking before making the big commitment. Those that know me understand that my decision making has to be well thought out, so this decision was not going to be any different. And I must say dress shopping is exhausting, so a much welcomed beverage was in order at our favorite, Houlihans! 

Sister in law and MOH!

The next day we had a full agenda including the San Antonio bridal fair extravaganza! After a few mimosas to prepare us for the mad house we were about to walk into, we headed to the J.W. Marriott.

Armed and ready!

Waiting for the mother of the bride fashion show with my official bridal bag holder. 

With the official picture taker!

So when I said that dress trying on was tiring, I had NO idea what I was in for with the bridal fair! It was so fun though listening to everyone's sales pitch, people watching and food/cake tasting! I'd like to think it was partly due to the amazing women I had with me!

Exploring the hotel for a breather!

Grandma was such a trooper!

Checking out some stationary for ideas!

My lovely mother!

After we had explored a majority of the fair, had gone back for seconds of food and cake and had glimpsed this season's latest bridal fashions, we decided to have a little fun at the photo booth...

We weren't exactly prepared for the first one!

Mom had to get in on the action!

After our photo booth adventures, the fair was winding down, but not before the big DIG! Hopeful brides were able to enter their names in a drawing to be selected to dig through cakes for prizes galore at the end of the fair. What kind of MOH would Molly be if she didn't make me enter my name the second we had arrived, so we waited patiently as the names were called...

Hopeful bride anxiously waiting...

Unfortunately my name was not called, but half of me was a little relieved, as I wasn't exactly in "cake digging" attire. By that time I think we were all a little exhausted so we called it a day!

The crew headed home after a long day of bridal festivities!

I could not have asked for a more enjoyable weekend with my lovely family and friends and cannot thank them enough for making everything picture perfect!