Suits You Sir!

It's been full steam ahead ever since we came back from France at Easter with the wine and this month has been taken up with dresses and suits.

When I started the hunt for bridesmaids dresses, I had a very specific colour in mind which I couldn't find anywhere in Ireland at a reasonable price so it was time to scour the internet. Thanks to some very helpful tips from fellow WOL brides, I had a look at www.gownsales.com - and I'm very glad I did! Because I changed job location recently, I'm now 2 hours away from two of my bridesmaids and 3 hours away from the other - so their dresses were selected by email. I saw three suitable dresses on www.billlevkoff.com - one of the few designers to make dresses in chocolate brown and sent pics of all three to the girls. I knew that my sister Eimear wanted to wear a strapless bodice, but Una & Aifric preferred a halter or v-neck so to keep everybody happy, there's two different tops with identical skirts. The order was placed with Gownsales at the end of January and the dresses arrived in Ireland at the end of April. I was very nervous opening the box because this was the first time I would actually see the dresses - imagine if they were hideous? I don't know what I was worrying about because they are all fabulous - fifty times nicer than the image on the website and the colour suits the three blondes perfectly. A few alterations and they'll look sensational!

Then it was time to sort out the attire for the male bridal party. Russell had looked at some suits at the Brides Fair in the Point and had a fairly good idea of what he wanted, so we made an appointment with Colm in Bond Brothers (www.bondbros.ie) last weekend. Friends of ours had booked suits from them last year and they looked very distinguished indeed, so it was a great recommendation. Russell, myself and my nephew Cian (our usher) arrived in the door of the shop on Saturday, having first told Cian that he would be wearing a kilt. the poor child nearly combusted on the spot!!! I had laid a bet with Colm when I made the appointment that I could tell him over the phone what Russell would pick - and I should have put money on it because I was bang on!

He walked out of the changing room in the chosen suit, tie and waistcoat and I was awestruck - he was absolutely gorgeous (not that he isn't all the time... but you know what I mean!!!). Cian was in stitches because he's never seen Russell in a suit - and then really got into the swing of things by getting him to try on the waistcoat & tie for the groomsmen. Then it was Cian's turn to get fitted out - the shirt and jacket were a great fit - but the trousers wouldn't go around his waist & were at half mast - all the suits for 10 year old young men were out, but we got the general idea! So we all left the shop very happy with the choice, and really looking forward to the big day

Plans are also now being made for the Hen & Stag weekends so that's a bit exciting!

Take care

Aoife