I love the mail, it never fails..

((..it makes me want to wag my tail and when it's here I want to wail MAILLLLL!)) (Blue's Clues anyone? Just me? Ok, I'm done.)

I had such an exciting mail day yesterday, hive!!

Not only did I get brideslady's M's fantaaaabulous wedding invitation (on the right), but.. you see that envelope on the left? Guess what that is?!

That's my shower/bachelorette invite!!

Apparently MOH Copper took the reins on this, and given our shared crafty history from our high school days, I knew it would be good. And the lady did not disappoint!

Even the packaging is amazing; I'm kind of in love with the envelope liner. And.. it will likely be better than my actual wedding invitations will be packaged, hah!

Anyway, this just got me ants in my pants giddy for some shower-y and bachelorette-y goodness. Word on the street is that I didn't get "the entire package", as MOH Copper is trying to keep some things a surprise. I can't decide if that makes me nervous or excited, but let's go with the latter!

Of course, I immediately called Foxy and relayed my giddiness upon receiving both this and brideslady M's wedding invite (which is beyond amazing as well, btw), thus leading to the following conversation:

Me: I'm sooo excited! I need to get a new dress!
Foxy: Wait.. you need a new dress for M's shower?
Me: No.. I already went to her shower and wore an old dress, thankyouverymuch. I need a new dress for MY shower.
Foxy: I thought you just bought a dress for that..?!
Me: No.. that one's for the bachelorette.
Foxy: Good lord, woman.

Oh Foxy, how little you understand about women. Yes, it's true - I recently ordered that little lace number from ASOS that I raved about a while back. Perfect for a bride-to-be's night out on the town.

Trust me, it's cuter in real life.

Not so much for a shower, though. I mean.. I don't need a new dress just for the shower. But hey, why the heck not? I'm only doing this whole marriage/wedding shindig once, and all these events provide perfect excuses to get some new frocks (that, and I hate everything I own). So the dress search will commence!

Were you just as surprised and excited by your shower and/or bachelorette invite? Did you end up getting a new outfit for one/both?

The Little White Dress

Here's the deal: since our venue is located in a cute little residential neighborhood, there is a noise ordinance in effect all nights, weekends included. Thus, our reception needs to be over by 9:30pm.

Foxy and I both decided that this was much too early to end the evening. This wedding will be over 2 years in the making - we want to enjoy the day and the night as much as humanly possible! Wouldn't you?! Enter: the after party.

Apparently this is a very common thing at the Vandiver. 99% of newlyweds and their guests head the whole three blocks over to "downtown" Havre de Grace after their reception to continue partying the night away with participating friends and family. Having visited the two main bars in the area several times, we've decided on a place to go that we will have our DJ announce shortly before the reception is over, as well as have our DOC call the bar and warn them a wedding fiesta is coming their way. I'm incredibly stoked about it all.

The only issue this presents is that of my wedding dress. I asked Foxy if he thought I should just wear it out to the bar, which he didn't think was a very good idea. I don't think he realized it at the time, but he basically told me to get another dress. Boom. ;)

So I've been looking high and low online for some little white dresses to change into after the reception. My criteria were that it had to be sassy but simple enough to still "go" with my wedding day hair/jewelry/shoes, short, white, and not expensive. Which is not as easy as it may seem (or as I thought it would be).

While I did find some reaaaally cute dresses (and all under $100!), none seem to be exactly what I'm looking for or wanting.

This one I puffy heart love, but I think it's too lacy for the rest of my look.

ASOS Lace Dress with Scalloped Neck

This one is okay.. a little basic, though. And I can't find a picture of the supposed "cutout back" anywhere, which makes me cautious.

As U Wish Cap Sleeve Sequin Scoop Neck Cutout Back Mini

This one I can't decide on .. I kind of love it, but I don't know how I'd look in it or if it's the look I'm going for on my wedding eve.

ModCloth Bold As Ice Dress

This last one, I actually bought. It seems to have everything - especially the simply sassy thing - but it fits me kind of funny. Let's just say I don't exactly look the way the model does in it.

Victoria's Secret One Shoulder Dress | Image via Lovelyish

I know I still have time to look some more, but I'm honestly getting a bit discouraged. And the more I think about it, the more I'm wondering if maybe I should just wear my wedding dress. It's not a big, heavy dress and, more importantly, when will I ever wear it again? N.e.v.e.r. So why not sport that hot piece of dress for as long as I possibly can? Ohhh, the decisions.

Did you do a dress change at some point on your wedding day? What are your thoughts on a little white dress for an after party?