Engagement Photos...

Here's a taste

from our engagement

photo session

with Maria Jose!

Engagement Photos

A Productive Week...

So much to do, so little time...

This past week was SUPER BUSY, but we got a lot done. I think we've earned a well-deserved break, but I don't think we'll get one just yet!

Sunday through Tuesday, Edward and I were privileged to spend some time with this year's Roberts Fellows. It was great to see Dr. Hinderer again, and to meet some fellow Cardinals!

Wednesday we had some time to work on our theses. Edward's proposal defense is scheduled for next week, May 28th, and my final defense is on June 9th. We're in the final stretch!!

The weather report for Thursday had looked promising, so we scheduled our engagement photo session with Maria Jose. In addition to being a talented amateur photographer, MJ is Eddie's classmate at NCCU. We had a wonderful time and (hopefully) took some good shots! MJ made us feel very relaxed and we actually had FUN!! :-) By late-afternoon, it was pouring rain, so we didn't make it to the beach for any sunset shots. I can't wait to see the photos~!

Something borrowed...

If my cousins can find it,
I plan to wear my mother's wedding veil!




(Aunt Rosemary and Mom at her wedding :)

It's actually my grandmother's wedding veil, and my mother wore it for her wedding too! I hope that it is still in good condition, it would be the perfect length, and the edging actually matches my dress! I guess it fulfills the something borrowed AND something old! Now for something blue and something NEW!

MORE Dress Shopping!

I finally found my dress!!!! YAY!!!
(But I want it to be a 'surprise'... so no pictures online!)


However, here are some of the other dresses that I had to try on...

Finding a wedding dress for sale in Taiwan has been a challenge. After finding a few dresses that I liked, and only being told that I needed to purchase an entire wedding photography package, I decided to try my luck at Olivia's 2nd Hand Wedding Shop. (Near MingQuan West Road MRT Station, #130 ZhongShan North Road) : http://oliviawedding.pixnet.net/blog/post/23555215

Their dresses are all $100 (3,000 NTD) no matter the style, condition, etc. All of the dresses can be altered for each bride (basic alterations are included in the price.) I would like to change the neckline of my gown... so it's going to cost me an extra $10 (300 NTD) Not a bad deal for a wedding dress!!

If you do visit Olivia's be prepared to dive in and get your hands 'dirty'... the shop assistants don't help you much, and they don't hover, but they will offer their comments :-) Bring a friend, dig through the gowns and see if they have anything you like! :-)

Wedding Bands...

A long time ago, (ok, a few months ago,) when we were window shopping for engagement rings, one of the store owners told Edward that his wedding band can't be "flashy" or "cool", but needs to be traditional and "reliable"! Needless to say, Edward didn't want to go back to THAT shop!

So Sunday afternoon Eddie surprised me with a trip to the jewelers to pick out our wedding bands. He took me to the same jewelry shop where he bought me my first necklace (five years ago when we were both students at Shih Hsin!)

We picked out some stylish, modern bands, but we're still deciding what to have engraved on the inside.

Here are the pictures:

Unfortunately my camera doesn't like to take close-ups of shiny things, so they are a little blurry. :-( SORRY!

Natalie's Wedding Band
Colors: Silver & Rose Gold) 

Edward's Wedding Band
Colors: Silver & Black

Backyard Wedding Inspiration...

Lovely inspiration for backyard wedding and receptions:

Backyard Wedding Week from Green Wedding Shoes!

I Love ...the white globe lanterns! ...being outside with all the flowers!... dancing under the stars!

and ...the sparkler send-off!

The Famous $2000 Wedding

FUN! Budget-Conscious! Down-to-Earth! and still BEAUTIFUL!

Long-Distance planning

US couple got married back home, but did all the planning from Korea!

A real backyard wedding!

Lot's of details and ideas!

Picnic Weddings!

So sweet!

Dress Shopping Taiwan Style!

Wedding dress shopping in Taiwan!


Most Taiwanese brides rent their wedding dresses. Since they are supposed to wear at least three wedding dresses during the traditional Chinese banquet (groom's side), not including those they wear to take fabulous engagement photos, or to their engagement banquet (bride's side), it makes sense to rent instead of buy. But for me, I only want one white dress, and it's probably more cost effective to buy the dress than rent it for the 2+ months I will be back in the states.

Looks like backstage to a Las Vegas show? Right?

So the search for a wedding dress begins...

Natalie being nervous - I was fine after we got going!

Friday afternooon, Sarka and I went dress hunting in Jhongli! We decided to go to Jhongli and not Taipei because 1) a shop there had actually responded to my email about buying a dress and 2) it is closer (and possibly less expensive?).


Pros about dress shopping here: 1) customer service is excellent! (Everyone was friendly, the shops are all elegant and comfortable, offering tea for your friends, while you try on dresses in your own private 'dressing room'), 2) large selection of styles, 3) all the shops are clustered together, when you're done at one place, you just walk next door!

1st dress I tried on, not the one! (Still a little nervous!)

Cons: 1) On average Taiwanese girls are smaller than I am! (Many of the dresses were too small, too short, or made for a different body type etc.) 2) Styles can get a little crazy! (See below!)


We had a great time. Found a few "maybe's", quite a few "no way's", and even a YELLOW dress for Sarka!

A few "maybe's"

No! No! No!
They "made" me try on this dress -- just to see the foreigner in it!

~Sarka's Yellow Dress~

For brides-to-be looking for their dresses here in Taiwan, here is a map of the wedding-shop area in JhongLi. Most of the shops are located at/near the corner of YanPing Road and ZhongYang East/West Road. I didn't have an appointment with any of the shops, and they all welcomed me in to try on dresses. (Even on a Friday afternoon/evening!) They all were willing to work within my budget (>6,000 NT) as well!


One shop that went out of their way was the 101 France Shop
I also recommend Taipei-Paris Wedding Shop and Sophia
Skip visiting Cathleen Wedding Photo (The sales people are PUSHY and the quality of their dresses does not compare to other shops!)


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