Weddingbee Blog

See that pattern there? I purchased it when I was 16. You see, part of the reason I love Zeb so much is that he helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. Now I’m not going to go into detail about it but needless to say, right around this time 9 years ago I was in a very, very bad place. Zeb and I weren’t together but the beginning heart strings started a’tuggin.

Before I had Zeb’s support in life, I would find peace by getting lost in the back of Jo-Ann Fabrics. I found myself enveloped in fabric, hidden from the world, searching through a sea of tissue paper soon-to-be clothing. Before I knew it, my troubles had melted away and I could face the world again. It was there that I found my flower girl’s dress. It was a pattern so beautiful, so timeless, that I knew that nearly a decade later I would still want it.

It was one of the major projects of my wedding.

It was at the top of my list for two years. Beginning in January, I diligently began to plan the initiation of the project. I cut the pattern and laid out the fabric. I pinned it and began the cut the dress…and then I lost steam.

I want to spend time with my friends. I want to enjoy the remainder of my time as a single lady. I want to make sure I have prepared for the wedding. I want to sit on the couch with Zeb. I want to ski. I want to play Rock Band. Someday soon, I’ll be able to read again—hopefully. There is so much to do not involving the wedding.

I am constantly drawing similarities between the wedding and my final months in college. I was hard at work preparing for my senior thesis fashion show. We had to make 8 cohesive outfits, create a brand, find and train models, pick out song choices, keep up with our other classes, make a portfolio, and you know, find a job. There was so much to do. I procrastinated my first semester and found myself cutting corners in my last few weeks to get everything accomplished. I learned my lesson for sure. The lesson, of course, was not to over-extend myself.

It was with great sadness and deliberation that I cut this final project. I could only imagine pulling my hair out in the final days trying to finish two flower girl dresses. I had nightmares about the hems being crooked or them not fitting correctly. In the end, the project wasn’t worth my sanity. As much as I’ve dreamed about this project coming to fruition, I dream about enjoying the wedding more. Lord knows I’ve worked hard for this day and by(e?) George I want to enjoy it.

I have contacted a shop on Etsy to make another dress. Stay tuned…because you’ll be the first to see them once they arrive!

How do you strike a balance between a handmade wedding and…real life?