Something blue

A dress decision has been made...I won't be wearing a dress at all, but a skirt and top instead. I found the skirt at a resale shop last week and absolutely fell in love with it. The way it looks, the way it fits, the way it makes me feel, and of course, the color-a shade just like the ocean halfway between Galveston and the Caribbean. It's floor-length and silk, with lace in a slightly darker blue. I love the length because I will be able to wear flats with it--a requirement for the ship's deck. It's from Calypso by Christiane Celle. If I see one up for sale on eBay, I'll post a picture, otherwise I'm too lazy. Here's a swatch from a different skirt in the same fabric:

I'm currently looking for a white/ivory top to go with it, something structured to balance out the fullness. And traditional bridal accessories--pearls, a hairpiece of some kind, a bouquet. I like these roses, irises, and lillies:

The decision not to wear white all over was a toughie, because how many chances does a girl get to look like a bride? But...tradition kinda flew out the window when I decided to marry Sarah. And I haven't seen a wedding dress yet that I liked enough to even try on, much less spend big bucks on and store forever and never wear again. Blue is a favorite color, universally flattering, symbolic of loyalty and spirituality, perfect for a seaside wedding. And besides, the "ancient" tradition of bridal white only dates back as far a Queen Victoria. She had a white dress made to burn off some extra lace she had lying around, and it's been the fashion for brides ever since. Before her, a Western bride simply got married in her best dress of any color, except black (reserved for mourning) or red (associated with immorality). And Sarah likes the skirt, so there.

More Elissa pics!

Here's the rest of the pictures. Sorry for the small size/low quality, these are the only copies I can find right now. Captions underneath.

Thar she blows! Her sails and some of the rigging were damaged by Ike, so they're currently being worked on.

The landing right outside the ticket office. Ship is to the left, museum to the right. Second story landing at the pier, perfect for dance floor, bar, refreshments, band...

Lovely views of the Elissa. The white ship in the background is the Carnival Ecstasy, taking on passengers for a five-day voyage to the Mexican Carribean. Sarah, and the bow facing the Harbor House.

A festive gangplank, with some tourists.

Harbor House again. We might stay here, we might not, it depends on if the repairs are complete and if rooms are available. It would be great to be able to walk from the pier to the honeymoon suite and then back to the pier in the morning.

Still a lot of junk from Ike. The workshop (shown here) and museum caught the worst of it.

Excited Sarah boarding the ship.

Tim playing preacher-man!

Yvonne looking worried.

We can't believe we're coming back in September!

Practicing the kiss...

...yay!
"The honeymoon suite," Tim said. Uh, oh...I hope not.

Ahoy there, steering wheel!

The galley. Looks pretty much like my cook line at work, only a bit more spacious.

Galveston weather does not agree with my hair, therefore I am wearing a hat. And considering a veil for the wedding.

There's quite a bit of space on deck. We want to have a brief ceremony here, with Sarah and I standing at the wheelhouse and guests standing below. (Except the older folks will have chairs.) Then move the party to the dock and let guests explore the ship at their leisure.

Site visit

Finally, some pics of our chosen site. Tim and Yvonne took us out to Galveston over the holidays. We walked around the boat, asked questions, and ate lunch at Willie G's on the pier which was delicious--maybe the best Gulf Snapper I've ever eaten, with perfect risotto and grilled asparagus and Burgundy beurre blanc...but I digress. These pics were taken in December, so the weather's a little cold and gray. But the Elissa is still beautiful.

Wedding Panic

Over the past few months, Sarah and I have been of the same mind about planning the wedding--that is, no mind at all. We're thrilled to be getting married, but nervous and procrastinate-y when it comes to the wedding. Which is better than the alternative, anyway. But now it's starting to sink in that I have just about six months to plan and next to nothing lined up, and the panic's setting in.

We did visit the Elissa with Sarah's parents over the holidays to scope it out and take pictures. I'll post them if I can ever find where Sarah saved them on her black hole of a compy.