Weddingbee boards

I met a friend for lunch and my dress fitting and it was such a gift to have her there. I've really felt alone in a lot of wedding planning the result of which was the decision to elope. My friend, however, is completely and totally enthusiastic. I got to try on my dress - which is gorgeous and perfect - while she teared up and took photos. The seamstress is putting in a one point french bustle and I'll pick it up this weekend! Dress, check!

My friend brought with her this amazing - and huge - pearl and diamond ring for my 'something borrowed' and stuck it on my finger to wear for the day. I had people stopping me in the street asking about it. I fear my e-ring was a bit overshadowed! Something Borrowed, check!

Then I reserved two hotel rooms at this gorgeous hotel in downtown Berkeley where FI and I can get ready on the wedding day. The hotel (Hotel Shattuck) has just undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and is now this amazingly cool boutique hotel. The owners are Indian and love color and the interior designer is British, so there's a updated William Morris vibe working with the completely amazing colors. I've redone our timeline so we can take more photos in the 1910 hotel refurbished with the coolest ultra modern renovation. :-) Since they've just reopened I was even able to negotiate quite the deal on price. And brides, there are full length mirrors! The hotel is right next to the BART (subway, for the non-Bay Area people) station, so we can hop right on for our subway pictures on our way to San Francisco City Hall for the ceremony. Hotel, check!

I found a local calligrapher whose turn around time is 7-10 days, thank heavens since I've procrastinated on this task. Calligraphy, check!

Our letterpress stationer looks to be finishing on time and I'll be picking up my visa next week for our move to Europe. FI has booked our wedding day restaurant for a private room at Boulevard in San Francisco. Everything is coming together! Now, I just need to pack!

Ok so that is so so awesome, so happy everything is coming together for you. Is your friend going to be a witness for you or anything? That's so great you have her in your life!!! I'm very happy for you!

We ordered a cake from Masse's - a mango mousse - as it's fiancé's favorite. Do you know of it, Kate? It's a Berkeley bakery in the gourmet ghetto and divine! For our housewarming/reception thing (we haven't decided exactly what it will be) we're having a cake made by Julie Durkee of Torino Baking who also bakes for the food channel. The one thing FI was sad about canceling when we were dismantling our traditional wedding was the cake. So I suggested that we keep the cake, have it next year as planned when we return to the Bay Area and have a combo housewarming/wedding reception event. Then if people don't want to come or complain, it won't be our wedding day.