WHAT TO WEAR

Hello my ladies, as you all know I've been reaching out to you for dress color preference and sending you some dress ideas. 

If you didn't already guess, I'm not into the typical bridesmaid look of matching or 'mismatching' of same dresses, just not my style- To each their own! You may think I'm crazy to do all completely different dresses, but I do have a vision...which could either go very wrong, or very right. I'm willing to take that risk, let's hope the results are the latter. Since we are all over the place and I'm not interested in doing the bridal store bridesmaid look, it wouldn't make too much sense to try and get together for one day of extreme madness shopping for 5 girls with 5 different dresses. So, I'd like you all to have the freedom to pick your own dress within the "guide" given below. We can find awesome dresses all over- there's some great dresses at Modcloth (my favorite website), Forever 21, Nordstrom...for all budgets! 

Here, we will have the central hub of your dresses individually picked just for you. To my surprise, you all liked each of the ones I sent you, which was way easier than I thought it was going to be so thank you all for being so open minded! Obviously, if anyone has any concerns or changes their mind, please let me know, no big deal at all. 

The colors for you will be a mix of Blush and Burgundy aka Marsala. The men will be wearing a mix of burgundy, brown and ivory/champagne. 

My vision for you ladies is a romantic vintage look.  You have all seen my dress via text, so please keep that in mind for inspiration in your dress search as well as the other bridesmaid dresses. If you need the dress pic again, just send me a text. I don't want to put it on here, just in case. 

Think- Lace, textures, romance, vintage, flowy, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s style, and knee length or shorter. Modern vintage if you will. 

Think of the venue- rustic, wood, barn feel. 

Before the fun stuff, let me just go over a few No's:

No white, no black, no 1 shoulder or halter dresses, no sparkle/glitter and no super structured or tight dresses. 

I think that covers it. Here's some inspiration for you. Also, if you are looking on modcloth, and they don't have your specific size, if you click on the size you want, they will notify you once it comes back in. They are usually good about restocking. 

Ok, let's get started!! Links to each of the dresses provided in RED in each entry, just click away!

MOH: Sarah

COLOR: Blush-  has picked and purchased her dress/shoes.

Sarah got her dress at H&M and shoes on Modcloth. She is hemming the sleeves to be 3/4 or elbow length. 

BM: Rachel

COLOR: Burgundy

I sent Rachel this dress because it just screamed Rachel to me. I believe she is ordering it today or very soon. 

BM: Allison

COLOR: Burgundy

Allison, I sent you these two dresses which is what I picture you in. I know you liked the first one more out of these two. The links are here if you wanted to get one of these. If you want to keep looking for other options, I'd suggest looking for "Skater dresses" as that is the shape. Please send me any pics of dresses you like prior to buying, just to make sure it works with the others. 

                                   DRESS 1                                                  DRESS 2

BM: Christine

COLOR: Blush or Burgundy

As soon as I saw this, it screamed Christine to me! I know you like "different," and this is perfect for you. I believe you are set on this, and I can't wait to see you in it. If you change you mind, just let me know and send pics of what you're looking for.

Modcloth does it again! 

BM: Kristina

COLOR: Blush

Kristina, you look amazing in everything, and I know you liked the dresses I sent you on text. The F21 dress I sent you with the lace overlay is no longer available, so I found some other ideas. Again, feel free to get any of these, or if you're looking elsewhere, just send me some pics. 

                                  DRESS 1    (On sale!)                    DRESS 2

SHOES!!

Shoes should be keeping with the vintage theme above, but can be whatever you feel comfortable with and either blush, nude or burgundy. Flats, heels, wedges or pumps etc. I'm currently looking at do-able heels for myself, but as you all know, I last about 15 mins in heels, so it may be flats for me. 

I LOVE a Maryjane, T-straps, or a thicker heel. Also, see Sarah's shoe's above. 

Here's some inspiration on shoes... again, mostly from Modcloth. 

 

 

 

 

WHO ARE WE???

Hi Ladies!!!

I thought since we live all over the place, this would be a great central location for everything bridesmaid. Bios, wedding inspiration, meet ups, dresses, planning etc...

As you know, you are all the most important ladies in my life, not to mention drop dead gorgeous! We are going to be one hell of a wedding party.

I want everyone to be comfortable with each other so, let's get it started!

INTRODUCING.......

Matron of Honor

Sarah Fusco

Haverhill, Ma

Sarah and I met while working at MetLife together; co-workers for a couple of years before we actually spoke, passing each other in the hall one day, I had invited her out to lunch with the group. To my luck, she said yes! 

During that lunch, we discovered that we had a lot in common, from living in my hometown of Haverhill to ordering our favorite lunch...grilled cheese!  During this time, Faith was living with me in Amesbury and Sarah suggested we schedule a play date with her daughter, Emily and son, Tyler who were similar ages to Faith. That playdate was the beginning of every weekend together with our little ones. From York's Wild Kingdom to Chuck E. Cheese to just a Friday night at the local fast food play space, we were together with the kids. I call Sarah my big sister because that is just what she is, she always has my best interest at heart. She is a kind hearted, genuine and creative person that puts everyone else first. She's been my support since day 1, we call each other our "landfills" because we unload and vent to each other with no judgement and then there's those hysterical memories like when my bad habit of picking up free furniture off the side of the street ended up with poor Sarah sitting in my rocking chair which broke and collapsed to the floor.

 Although we live about an hour and a half away, we are usually texting all day and try to make a plan to see each other at least every other month which always involves pizza. 

Fun facts about Sarah:

1. She is a diehard Maroon 5/Adam Levine fan, except for this new album. The picture of her is from a concert we went to. 

2.  Diet Coke is her #1 beverage choice at all times. 

3. Her two children are Emily, 8 and Tyler 10. She loves mystery novels and sewing. 

Bridesmaid

Rachel Costanzo

North Attleboro, Ma

My sister in law of 9 years! Rachel is the Super-Mom of the Costanzo family. Her house is always in immaculate shape, her children (Drew-5 and Reagan-3) are always well taken care of and full of fun activities, and she is always in the middle of helping a family member with something.  She has the most laid back demeanor and always has her shit together! I would imagine part of her calm nature came from that time I was staying with her and Joe for a summer in Salem, NH and I accidentally set the oven on fire. Once the fire was out, Rache promptly served us her go to beverage, a Tanqueray and Tonic, that must be her secret to staying so level headed.  Since moving to Providence, Rachel and I have become much closer and I truly feel like she is my sister, not just in title. Rachel was a major part in finding our wedding venue. She set up appointments and had a folder with all information and questions to ask. She insisted on Dan and I seeing our last venue- Bittersweet Farm even though I had my heart set on a different location. 

Fun facts about Rachel: 

1. She has been kickboxing for over a year now and it is her go to place for exercise and stress relief. 

2. She'll never turn down a good margarita. 

3. Sometimes she gets very excited and very random; we refer to her as Penny from Peewee's Playhouse. 

Bridesmaid

Allison Carr

Wallingford, Ct

Allison, my cousin, we've been close since we were little kids as we are only 2 months apart. Allison hugged me so much as a kid that every time she was referenced in my family home videos I always said "Allison squeezes my neck and it hurrrrts." She is a much improved hugger nowadays.  She always sees both sides of every situation and is incredibly understanding and supportive. Allison has had a very exciting last few years from marrying her husband Jimmy in May of 2013 (for which I was a bridesmaid!) to welcoming their first child, the adorable James (Jamie), in February of 2014. She has a very calm disposition and always makes sure to include everyone. When I moved to Connecticut and lived with her mom, Michele, Allison was sure to invite me out with her friends and make sure I was a part of her circle. 

Fun facts about Allison:

1. She is a high school PE teacher. 

2. She tailgates with her husband and a group of their family/friends for UCONN Football games

3. She has an annual Christmas party for her friends. I finally got to go this year!

Bridesmaid

Christine Sumecki

Stamford, Ct

Christine, my cousin, the younger sister of Allison. Christine is the fun and spunky one with a heart of gold, everyone needs a friend like her. Christine, Allison and I were best buddies since little kids, we drifted apart with all of the Costanzo moving during my teenage years and have rekindled our relationship since we've become adults which I am so grateful for. I've visited Christine in Stamford several times and it is always a lot of fun to say the least. One of my favorite memories of Christine and I was spending New Years Eve together when I lived in Boston. It is a long story, and up to her to share the details, but all I can say is we had a ton of fun, laughs, alcohol and also some scary moments. New Years Day was not fun to say the least :)  Christine and I have quite busy lives, but we always seem to pick up right where we left off. Prior to meeting Dan, her and I called each other the "lipstick lesbians," as we were single and were each other's dates to family functions...well pretty much everything. You will always be my lipstick though! 

Fun facts about Christine:

1. Her #1 loves are her nephew, Jamie, and her yorkie dog, Noosie.  

2. She goes to Santa-Con every year. 

3. She travels a lot for work all over the country, including going to the super bowl every year.

Bridesmaid

Kristina Bertolami

Newburyport, Ma

Kristina and I first met as neighbors on Plum Island. She is married to Mike, (who was the original Plum Island neighbor). Kristina is one of the most genuine and compassionate people I've ever met. She somehow manages to run her bustling household with 2 beautiful little girls- Olivia-4 and Lucia-2 as well as the ever-so-busy Mike, their dog- Henry and still works as a pre-school teacher all the while singing and dancing all over the house. Kristina treats me like family and always makes Dan and me feel welcome with their open house whenever we want to visit our favorite town. Back in the day we spent many many nights dancing and drinking to her husband's live band at the local bars and would continue the dance party over at my place because we never wanted the night to end. We had so many wonderful times together as neighbors, I could just walk over there in my pjs and we'd end up hanging out all day, or even randomly stenciling the bathroom :)

Fun fact about Kristina

1. She loves to scrapbook and tries to get away for "Scrapbook Weekend" at least one weekend/year. 

2. Her drink of choice is Michelob Ultra or Red Wine

3. Her celebrity crush is Mark Wahlberg 

So now that we all know each other, I'd love if we can all figure out at least 1 day this Spring to get together and just have some fun. It could be a dinner or a weekend rental somewhere. Can everyone put some available weekend dates in May/June in the comments of this blog so we can coordinate a get together? 

NEXT BLOG....BRIDESMAID WEAR INSPIRATIONS!!!