Monday, June 9, 2014

The Quest

Dear Loved,

Oh my goodness, it's been forever since I posted! :) As always. LOL. How are you? We're doing so, so very well-so many exciting things going on, so much life, so much love!! :D Tons of stuff to share--but---today I've got something super fun and really exciting----

The Search for THE DRESS!!!

Yes-the Martha's-Wedding-Dress-Shopping-Extravaganza!

Ah. Wow. There are really no words to say how incredibly special this time was. With a group of some of our very dearest friends, we went on the hunt for, the dress that our precious sister will wear on the day that she becomes Mrs. Tayte Alexander-when she becomes a wife.
It was almost surreal watching her put on her first wedding dress, watching her dressed as a bride and knowing that soon, she will be one. Wow. Praise the Lord!!

And, plus, I have to say it was one of the absolute funnest girl's times.  
Ever. 
OK, so we did the shopping down in FL because the Campana's town has a ton of boutiques and stuff, and since the K.'s are down there too...lets just say it was blastful!! Lovely stores, lovely people to be with. :)
We began the day by strengthening ourselves with our favorite yummie stop!! (Aunt Lisa and the girls thought of everything. :)
Awaiting the calories!!!
Mumsie and Auntie...two of the greatest women I know.
Me and my baby 'tister!!! And coffee!!!
There were tons of the most luscious beading and flowers, chiffon and laces...doesn't this remind you of P&P?
OK. An absolutely gorgeous dress that we saw - not a wedding dress, but still beautiful.
Add a little more top, and voila!
Perfection.
This was so classic, yet the sequins added a little panache that I loved.

Didn't try anything on at this store, but saw some lovely specimens. Marth had a very specific dress she was looking for, and it wasn't there, so...went to a few more places...
Then it was lunchie time! The K. ladies met up with us there and completed the splendid party.
Jason's Deli is fantastic.
The Bride-to-be and Sarah and Thomas...
Sarah and Moriah...



Gabby and Adeline...
And Alyssa!!!

"There. By herself. At this very moment."
Aww. It's a baby ice cream cone. Wook at it! Yess...yes you are'a...
(This is soooo exciting!!!!)
And...here she is in one of the dresses!!!
Isn't she stunning? Marth completely blew the shop owners away, cause she's super tall and has a model's body, so all the dresses fit her perfectly and looked ravishing!! (LOL, 'member "You look ravenous." "Do you mean ravishing?" Haha, so funny...)
Here Auntie and Mums discuss detail and alteration ideas...
OK.

This is cause for pause in our day, to behold the splendor of fine textiles and design.

I wish you could have seen this dress in person. It had the faintest golden hues mixed with ivory, and the bow's tie came down to join in a fold that went into the waistline. Layer upon layer of English net made the skirt like a misty sunset, and the brocade made a subtle presence in the bodice.

With a bit more up top and a golden clutch, maybe some ivory or gold ballet flats....Ahhh

We will continue now.
Thinking, thinking...
*sigh of pleasure*


Just for fun , we had Martha try on a Mossy Oak number, the picture of which cannot be posted. :)

And then there was the lace 'mermaid' one, which also cannot be posted.  Sorry. ;)
Look!!!!! See!!!!??
*suppressed squeal of excitement*  (It's so fun looking back over these pictures!!!)

Doesn't she look, simply, incredibly beautiful and so-so...bride-ish!!?
More yummies.
Wow!! She looks like a queen.
(I thought this one was super pretty. :D )
It was so much fun watching her try all the different ones on.
Belt ideas.
Chatting while we wait for a stylist's slot. (after we drooled over dresses for an hour...)
Martha, in a wedding dress...ah, it's wonderful. :)

And then, at the last store we went to...there it was.

Her dress. Her very own, her perfect wedding dress. When she put it on, and we saw her in it...it just makes you cry it's so perfect. It's like, the essence of what a wedding dress is.( I can't wait for y'all to see it!!! No pictures of it here, of course-tra-la, it's a s'prise!)

After a series of very special happenings, we were able to get it. It was the perfect size and shade, the perfect material. When we found out we were going to be able to get that gown, we all gathered around and Mama led us in prayer together...it was so significant, this getting the dress.

As we prayed, that moment is now one of my most treasured...Mama, and Martha, and friends stood there, holding hands and sniffing and blinking and talking to our Father.

Then you think, and you realize...God clothed us in righteousness. He bought us a wedding dress, too. He purchased us with His Son's blood, then clothed us in His own beauty...

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1, 18)

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Is. 61, 10)

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”   (Rev. 19, 7-9)

 Oh, how lovely is Christ and His Bride. His robe of righteousness is beautiful.

And His beauty on Martha is so bright. It is glorious!

Overjoyed, (and so excited to see her in the dress!!!)

Adeline 

P.S. I forgot to tell you...we found her veil, too-exactly what she was looking for!! It's just perfect!  OK. Goodnight!

6 comments:

Sarah said...

Martha, you are gorgeous! You're going to be a beautiful bride! Miss y'all!

Sarah

Anonymous said...

She is going to be such a beautiful bride. What special times for your sweet family.

Blessings,

Victoria

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Oh we had fun when we went shopping for Lindsay's dress too! She was such a beautiful bride. Here is a link to my blog post with wedding photos -http://mrsrabe.blogspot.com/2014/03/more-wedding-photos.html

Martha is stunning in these dresses and I know she will be gorgeous in the 'chosen' one! Thank you Adeline, for sharing this special time with all of us who read your blog, and love your family.

Love ya'll
Deanna

Unknown said...

Great pics! Adeline, you always do such a good job capturing special happenings. :-)

Unknown said...

So excited everything is coming together! Can't wait to see Martha as a bride! She looks gorgeous in these pictures.

Breanna Alexander said...

I was just noticing the glow that Martha has! Amazing how love does that to someone! The Lord is so good! Thanks for sharing the precious pics! So sweet! Can't wait to see "the one"! LOVE that picture of you and Martha, Adeline! It so captures you two! Love ya'll! ~Bree