Hello All, I joined the site a while ago in the hopes of getting a proposal. I even toyed with the idea of proposing myself, but after listening to some advice on here and elsewhere, I decided not to cheat myself out of a proposal. I'm glad I waited because it was the most wonderful experience in the world to have the love of my life decide to show that he was truly ready.Here's the proposal story.On Christmas Eve every year, my family gets together to open gifts. Well, this past year was no different. We were there opening gifts but my then BF was with his family. He called and told me he was on his way but he took a long time getting there. So, my family members kept asking, where is he, when is he coming, I think you need to go and get him. I said, "don't worry he'll get here, is just slow about getting places." I had already given them gifts from him, so I was really wondering why they were so eager to see him. I didn't let it bother me too much as I was enjoying my time with my family. After we had finished opening all of the gifts and eating, it was getting pretty late and still no sign of my BF, everyone was making excuses to stay. I said, to them, "ya'll need to go ahead and start going home, santa's gonna come soon and you will never be able to get any sleep." The continued making excuses and finally my sweetie came. He came in empty handied as we have already had his gifts at my mom's to pass out. Everyone watched him like a hawk and I was none-the-wiser. I had no clue as to why. It was point after he had gotten there that he was down on the floor and my mom said, "since you're down there, (I just knew this was the moment) look at my house shoes someone gave me." He laughed and she laughed, they played a little trick on me, I guess. Anywho, the night progressed, and people finally started to leave while still watching him. Yet, no proposal. So, at 11:47pm I sent his gifts to his family down to the car, he comes back up with a Kay Jewelers bag and says, "Merry Christmas." I look at the bag thinking, oh, he got me that tennis bracelet that I've been eyeing. I look at the box and it's too small to be a tennis bracelet. I then start thinking, well, maybe it's some diamond earrings (i had stop been so hopeful for a ring). I opened the box, and there's another box. I opened that box, and there's another box. I asked, "is my gift a box? Do I have to pick which box I like the most?" He says, "yeah, tell me which one you like and you can have it." So I continued to open the boxes until I got to the final box.  I opened this last box and it's a beautiful ring!!!!! I screamed!!!! I said to him, "you went to Jared's?" He said, "huh?" "I said, you went to Jared's?" He laughed and said, yeah. Without thinking I ran to my mom and woke her up and said he went to Jared's. She asked to see it and then I thought about the fact that I never told him yes. I went back to him and said, "wait a minute, does this mean what I think it means?" he said yes, I grabbed my man and hugged and kissed him. I never really said yes, but he knew hat was what I wanted more than anything, so the answer was understood. The next day my family members called me asking what he gave me. I told them as if they didn't already know. I found out that he and my best friend picked out the ring and my mom had told everybody about it. I never thought she would be able to keep a secret from me, guess I was wrong. Anyway, here's a picture of my ring.

Better shot of my ring

and my FI and I 

 
With all that being said, here are some basic details:Wedding date: June 19, 2010Theme: "Christmas in June"Colors: Apple (red) & Platinum (silver)More info and pics to come, if you have any suggestions, please share them, I love having options.

Wow, wonderful engagement story little sister.  Congrats to you and your FH on your upcoming wedding.
Diva?  The picture did not show.  Sorry.

Thanks G, I will go back and correct that.

Some Dress Ideas
This is the first dress I tried on 
 
I like this one because it kinda hides the stomache

I like this dress but I wish it had a Sweetheart cut, that looks better on me

This was the dress that I put on and everybody in the store said "That's your dress"

These dresses are Aurora D'Paradiso dresses:

back view


Back view


back view (I love that Corset back)

I like this minus the jacket

back view

cute favors - ornaments

tree placecard holders

I've always loved this idea of ornaments as holders




 







some table settings

I would definantly go by what you call "The Dress".
Congratulations!

Love the pic of you and FH. You look like such a fun couple. As far as the dresses you posted, my favorite is the Aurora D'Paradiso with the corsette back (the one you mentioned you like). I love the Rose & Calli Lilly bouquet and the one pic in the montage with the taper candles inside of a small dish of red flowers is really nice.

Forgot to mention, I really like the ornament place card holders too.

Congrats again, Jlanetteb! The gowns you've chosen are beautiful.  I like all the gowns with the asymetrical waist and the corsette back.  From my experience, they are quite flattering.  I especially like the last one you posted with the beautiful embroidery and sweetheart neckline. Just so you know, any strapless can be altered to a sweetheart neckline or a modified sweetheart neckline.

congrats! love your proposal story! LOL
love your dress choices also. #3 is the dress I wore, but I put a sash around my waist.
congrats again! and pls. keep us updated with all the details

I agree with everyone at the bridal salon.  "The Dress" is your dress.  It would be so flaterring to you in all the right places.  Go for it sister, you won't be disappointed.
I'm so loving your blog.  I can't wait to embark on the journey with you.  Great ideas there Diva.

Hi ladies, I've been MIA for quite some time but I'm trying to get back in swing of wedding planning. Yesterday, one of my BM and I went dress shopping here are some pics:

Back View

Okay, now "the dress"


My co-worker that will be one of my bridesmaids also went with me to try on dresses. Here are our faves
(this is the one I think that we are going with)
She didn't like this one that much


Other dresses she didn't like as much so I didn't take those pictures.

My vote goes to the first picture with the red accented gown. That's a beautiful dress on you. The detailing just flows with your body and personally, I just love to see some color on wedding dresses. I also like the last dress for your bridesmaids.

I vote for the second dress you glowed in that one.  It would be stunning with red wedding shoes to go with your theme.

Dress #2 is sooooo pretty on you...great choice

I love dress # 2 on you. It seems to compliment you more to me.
WELCOME BACK TO PLANNING & CONGRATS!!!!

Butterbean, thanks for your vote. I loved that red dress when I saw it and said, I have to have it. My mom is not a huge fan of the red but it does make my theme come alive. Also, for the BM dress, I like the last one because it was the only one we were able to try on in her size the others were tooo small and didn't look as good. I think I might be looking at some others. I post them later.

HTown, you are a woman after my own heart. I said if I were to wear an all white dress, I would wear all red shoes. So, we'll see!!!

Thanks Teresa for your vote. I have another picture to post I think you may love that one too. Let me know what you think.

Thanks SweetP, stay tuned for more dress choices.

Thanks CMT for the welcome back and congrats as well as your vote. I have another picture of a dress you may like more. Let me know what you think.

Please excuse my hair, I was caught in the wind right before trying it on.

The dress is a Davinci that normally sells for 649 on sale for 399.

Wow Diva!!!  You're absolutely gorgeous!!!
Now you know I've got to give you my 2 cents, lol.  You've got a little over a year, so I'm glad to see that you're looking for your gown early.  Kuddos on that one.  Now that I've seen your shape, I would avoid anything with straps.  You're gorgeous so show your shape love.  Stick with strapless as you look dreamy in those.  I say keep looking at wedding gowns and in reality, depends on your bridal salon, you do have a few months before you absolutely must order your wedding dress, if they do not carry it in stock as some salons ask that you give them 3 to 4 months if they have to special order your dress.  Now that we've narrowed down a style of gown, as far as your bridesmaids are concerned, I think that the first on in burgundy that your friend tried on, is absolutely perfect!!!  Keep the pictures coming.  I'm enjoying this.  You're absolutely glowing!!!

Thanks G for the advice. I stopped by to share with you all my wedding website, please feel free to stop by and sign the GB
http://www.mywedding.c...jessicaandbarry
 
 

I just signed your wedding website.  It's looking great so far Diva!!!

Thanks G and Sweetp for stopping by the wedding website and signing the guestbook. You all can go by and check out my engagement party photos. http://www.mywedding.c...arry/index.html