Bridesmaids Dresses

We are having 2 bridesmaids ( Royce's sister, Zoe, and my cousin, Grace). Anything more for the casual style of wedding we want, and it would look silly.
I think we all have horror stories of bridesmaids being forced into frilly, fluffy, hideous coloured meringue dresses at one stage or another in the name of holy matrimony.
Some that I have seen are enough to make you shiver!
I like to think that the style I have chosen is nice, but if the girls don't like it, then I am happy for a different style to be chosen! The colour has also been changed from red to teal-blue. I can see this colour on the both of them, and it will look stunning against ivory!

Style

Colour

Boquet colour (ivory/cream)

I am hoping that the style and colour is ok for all, and I am hoping that because of the design, it should be easy enough to find online/in store/be made by a dressmaker. Hair and make-up can be the choice of the bridesmaid! I'm really not fussed- so long as they're happy. We shall see what happens. Stay tuned for more. I think the bridesmaid's dresses were probably the easiest decision so far!

The Engagement

We got engaged on the 14th of February this year- Valentine's Day of all days!
We didn't have much planned,except for a nice dinner at Hillary's- we had planned Little Ceasar's Pizza place, but it was booked.
Royce walked in the door from work and gave me a kiss, did the "happy Valentine's day" thing and told me he had my gift upstairs for me.
Me, not suspecting anything, followed him into our bedroom where he told me to close my eyes. I did, but I was wary, as I was honestly expecting something like a book or flowers.
He put something in my hand, and I opened my eyes. It was a little gold jewellery box.
My heart honestly began to race at this point!
I opened it, and there nestled in the cream velvet, was a stunning gold and diamond ring.
"What's this?" I asked him.
He replied "Well, what do you think it is?"
"An engagement ring?? Are you proposing to me!?"
He nodded and smiled.
I am not an overly "cry at everything" person, but I cried as I took it out of the box and placed it on my finger.
I can honestly say that Royce's proposal took me by surprise, but the answer to his "Will you marry me?" was a resonating, definite "YES!"
We joke with each other that one day, we're going to trade each other in for a "hotter" model. At the end of the day, my happiness in out relationship is not because I am, or Royce is, the most amazing looking person in the world.
Neither of us take a person on face value, and for those who do- you need to take a good long look at yourself in the mirror, because lets face it- if you judge someone on their looks, you're pretty damn shallow.

He is so lovely to me, treats me amazingly, listens to me when I am having a bad day, supports me through the rough times, we celebrate the good times together, and above all- we laugh at each other, and with each other. We are honest, open and rarely fight. The most important thing is that we have RESPECT for each other. Without resepct, you do not have the solid foundation that all relationships should be built on.

I promised him I wouldn't begin to make plans, or even talk about doves/horse-drawn carriages/fluffy dresses until November. But mentally organising it isn't going to hurt anyone! :)

Why "Vanilla Shades"?

I wanted something punchy, something that would be easy to remember, something that combined my love of art with our wedding. I tried for "Shades of White", as I am trying to choose what shade will suit my skin tone the best in my wedding dress. But alas, taken. So the next choice was another word for white. And there you have it. A blog name that wasn't taken!
The process from engagement to wedding is going to be a long one. I have my degree to finish in November of this year, and Royce has his training to finish also- hopefully by October! So to even begin to think about it, and to afford it, we're thinking some time in 2013, but I'd love October 2012. Stay tuned for "THE DATE" announcement!
Concentrating our enerigies on this is what is important, but it dosen't mean I can't begin to plan!
It is an exciting,amazing time in which we begin to change and grow as individuals, but most importantly, as a couple.