I continued to ask family and friends to participate in the event and found everyone very eager to. I located on line the way I wanted my invitations to read and printed it for a friend who has a printing program and asked her to make the invitations for me. They came out fantastic! Each new action I took brought this Reaffirmation Ceremony closer and closer to a reality. My friend said, " I am so happy you asked me! This is going to be a memory I'll treasure".

While looking for the perfect place to hold our event, I discussed many options with family and friends. One of our oldest friends just bought a new house and asked if we would hold it there. She was so excited about the prospect that she started her remodeling process right away. This was another money saving idea that my husband and I felt was the perfect solution. We, of course, helped her every step of the way with her plans. Painting, lighting, walk ways, every thing we could. She felt not only was she getting the privilege of having the event at her home, but that all the work we were doing was going to benefit her for many years to come and we were more than glad to be apart of that.

A few weeks later my daughter held a "shower" for me with friends and family. I was so excited! Our first time around none of this happened. No shower, nothing. So this was over the top for me. The ladies asked me about my dress and I had to say that I hadn't even looked for one yet. I didn't know for sure if we were going traditionally or not.

That sparked the idea of shopping at the bridal shops for their rentals but no one did that here any more. So I checked out the sales. I went to every bridal shop in town. My luck was still on my side. The oldest bridal shop in town was having a sale on their dresses that used to be rentals. I tried on a couple and found the one I wanted. After checking the price, (I knew it would be around $1,000.00) I found the price had been slashed several times until it was down to $250.00! After saying that I wanted it the sales lady advised me that my luck was even greater. "Today, everything in the store is half off sale price". Man, what a gift! Let me show you this dress.

I know the back ground makes it look like it's not white, but let me tell you it is. Pearls, beads, gems, a train that flowed behind me, awesome! And the price was unbeatable. I immediately took it to my daughter's not only to show her, but to leave in her closet so Rick couldn't see it. After I had purchased my dress, I got Rick to rent a tux.

During the process of deciding who and all were going to be in the wedding party I found I had forgotten the flower girl and ring bearer. I started looking on line with my daughter for a flower girl dress for my grand daughter, who is 8, to wear. We found the cutest white dress for her. She looked at the picture and decided she had to have a tiara for her beautiful long hair.