Almost Booked

I know i've been fairly quiet in regards to really discussing wedding plans. Work has been crazy and this coming week, we are headed to CA for our Engagement Party (Part Deux) thrown by my wonderful brother and lovely sister in law. During this trip, we hope to finalize our venue (and we're looking good after this), finalize our chair rental, finalize our photobooth and videographer, finalize our event rentals and meet with lighting and florist... PHEW! all in one weekend !!! Wowsers!

After this weekend, i hope to have much to report about my own wedding and not just brainstorming... :) Wish me luck!  I may be a bit absent, but i hope to have TONS to report to y'all when i get back! :)

Do i know My FH?

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? SPORTS - NFL, COLLEGE FOOTBALL, COLLEGE BASKETBALL, MLB AND IF NOTHING IS ON LIVE, HE'LL WATCH HS BASKETBALL, COLLEGE BASEBALL, OR EVEN LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL...

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? BLUE CHEESE

3. What's one food he doesn't like? FISH OF ANY KIND, RAW TOMATOES/RAW ONIONS

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? ICED TEA/LEMONADE, BUD LIGHT BOTTLE AND IF HE'S BEING WILD, JACK AND GINGER

5. Where did he go to high school? SPOTSWOOD, NJ.

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10.5/11

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? SPORTS PARAPHENELIA

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? PORK ROLL, STEAK AND CHEESE


9. What would this person eat every day if he could? ENTEMAN'S DONUT


11. What would he never wear? POPPED COLLAR, PASTELS (UNLESS EMBEDDED IN A DARKER PRINT AND IS NOT NOTICEABLE), SWEATER VEST, CORDUROY

12. What is his favorite sports team? NY YANKEES, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, IU HOOSIER BASKETBALL, UNC BASKETBALL


13. Who did he vote for? OBAMA BUT DON'T TELL HIS DAD.

14. Who is his best friend? HE'S LIKE ME, HE'S GOT HIS CREW THAT COVER VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HIS LIFE. BUT I COULD NAME THEM ALL


15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? LEAVE MY CLOTHES ON THE FLOOR, LEAVE MY WATER CUP ON THE HEADBOARD, KICK OFF THE BLANKETS AND PUT MY WARM BLANKET ON HIM


16. What is his heritage? WHITE... LOL, 50% HUNGARIAN AND THE OTHER 50% IS A MIX OF GERMAN, ENGLISH, ETC


17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? DEFINITELY NOT CHOCOLATE, MAYBE SOMETHING WITH BANANA CREAM AND FRUIT


18. Did he play sports in high school? HE PLAYED BASKETBALL, BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL. HE ACTUALLY BROKE HIS HUMERUS BONE IN 05 PLAYING IN A LOCAL HARD BALL LEAGUE WHILE THROWING A CURVE BALL... YES, HE PITCHED, AS HIS ARM WAS COMING DOWN, IT SNAPPED... YES VERY FREAKY

19. What could he spend hours doing? WATCHING SPORTS, PLAYING SPORTS, VIDEO GAMES


20. What is one unique talent he has? LOVING ME FOR WHO I AM. MAKING ME THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!

Winners of my Contest!

I want to firstly apologize for the long delay. Due to lack of contact info, and then some confusions on my part, we are now just verifying and confirming the winners for my two contest... so here goes!

::DRUM ROLL::

Beau Coup Winner

Wedding Paper Divas Winner

Congrats to Soon to be Mrs. K(Beau Coup winner) and Brandy @Something Weddings (WPD Winner) - please email me and send me your mailing address of where you'd like your certificate sent :) Thanks for being so patient :)

Confirmed?!?!!?

Although its not 100% until deposits and contracts are signed...we all know my venue is City owned... and not only that, but two different organizations control the Ceremony Lawn and the Cocktail Hour/Reception Area... But... I think I got confirmation for both sites... AFTER close to 8 months of waiting ...finally some headway!!! :)

Here's what i received:

From Ceremony Site:
"You are on the calendar for March 6, 2010. Please call us back in September '09 to discuss the specifics of obtaining a permit."

From the Reception Site:
"Amy – I will see you on Friday – We need a check for the security deposit...Let me know if you need anything else. You are now in my computer!!"

So this is what I can expect in 12 months, 1 Week and 3 Days

These doors will open...

And this will be my path...right down the center towards my Future Husband! :)

I can't wait... keep sending me good vibes, I hope this pulls through! :) Now i can finally start worrying about normal bridal things like... I hope it doesn't rain on my outdoor ceremony LOL! YAY!!!!

Feather Love...

Are you a cute, newly-engaged couple?Would you like a beautiful engagement session at no charge?

Feather Love is giving away a free Engagement session at the end of February.

Here are the specifics:
1) You need to be engaged to get married and have a set date in 2009 or 2010.
2) I am looking for unique, super-stylish, vintage-loving, hippie, hipster, indie, music/fashion-lovers or other alternative and artsy-type couples, musicians, artist, painters, poets etc. A certain style or “look” is what I am searching for. Are you that couple?
3) You must be willing to shoot the session in the San Diego area.
If this applies to you, then please send Noa:
• a basic photo of the two of you, it should be simple but should should give me a good idea of your style or “look”…. feel free to send more than one photo but no more than 5 please.
• please include this info: your names, engagement date and wedding date (and location if possible).
• BONUS! If you have an interesting home/house that’s IN THE SAN DIEGO area, even better, because we may do the engagement shoot there… please send a couple of photos of your house too!! (It doesn’t have to be your house per se, as long as we have permission to use it for the shoot, but it must be cool, unique or interesting). If not, then I will pick the location.
ONE couple will be chosen and the deadline is February 28th at midnight, pacific standard time. I will choose the couple that best fits the shoot I am looking to do and will post the winning couple up on my blog within 7 days. The shoot will take place in March 2009 (other dates may be negotiable).
The winning couple will have full access to their photos (minimum 100 photos) on my viewing and ordering site where they can order prints and view all their photos online and share them with friends and family. (Guest book albums and engagement albums will be available for purchase as well, if interested). Photos will be available online within 2 weeks from the date of the shoot.
Oh and did I mention that the shoot is FREE ???? (Valued at $400).
Contestants please email: info@featherloveweddings.com with your entries.

What to do for the party throwers?

So this weekend my brother and lovely sister in law are throwing our California Engagement Party. The big question of the week is... what can we possibly do for them to say "thank you"?

For our New Jersey Engagement Party, we took FH's parents to celebrate our first engagement party to Atlantic City for the night and treated them to some quality time with us as well as the slot machines (WOOO! I love slot machines).

So our big question is... what can we do for them to say "Thank you"?

Anybody have any ideas?

Do you "Vow to Help Others"?

This past week i was contacted by Fiona who works with with The Ritz-Carlton and asked me to help spread the word about a great cause! It's called "Vow to Help Others" program.

A "Vow to Help Others" program started on Valentine's Day and enables newlywed couples celebrating their marriage at a Ritz-Carlton Hotel or Resort to donate 5% of the total food revenue from their reception equally between a charity of their own choosing, as well as an organization supported by The Ritz-Carlton's Community Footprints Fund.


Here's what Style Me Pretty wrote about the program:


"A Vow To Help Others" is applicable to wedding events booked prior to December 31, 2009, for events taking place prior to December 31, 2010."

What an amazing way to have the wedding of your dreams and know that you are helping out a great cause at the same time! Spread the word...



Let me know if you think you might be able to sneak in a post on The Relentless Bride!

Sunday Funday...

Via Eight Years in the Making... just for fun

This is kind of like the 25 things - except there are pre-decided questions and it's about you and your spouse, not just you. Come on, play along - inquiring minds want to know! ;-)

♥ What are your middle names? Jean & Jay

♥ How long have you been together? Hmmm... Our first date was 10/1/03

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? Probably a year.

♥ Who asked who out? He asked me to go to the dog park. I believe i kissed him first

♥ Whose siblings do you see the most? His... We're 3000 miles away from my family

♥ Do you have any children? Not yet.

♥ What about pets? Two puppies... seen here

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Money and/or finances

♥ Did you go to the same school? Same law school

♥ Are you from the same home town? Nope... I'm from CA he's from NJ

♥ Who is the smartest? He's definitely smarter than me

♥ Who is the most sensitive? Hmmm... it depends on what the subject is, but i think equal

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? Asia 9.

♥ Who has the craziest ex? Um, i think he's dealt with more crazies than me... but that's probaly b/c women can be crazy, but i'd say of the X's i met (1)... she is only as crazy as i may be... lol

♥ Who has the worst temper? Definitely me. although when he gets mad... he gets really mad. i get mad easier though

♥ Who does the cooking? FH Definitely loves to cook, i do too... depending on our schedule and what we're eating, one of us will make some grub.

♥ Who is more social? Definitely Me... i'm an aquarian to a T...

♥ Who is the neat-freak? Me... he thinks clean is my idea of dirty....

♥ Who is the more stubborn? Probably me ... hmmm, i'm not doing too well on this survey, am i?

♥ Who hogs the bed? He does but he says its b/c he's bigger... i'm 5'5 & he's 6'0.

♥ Who wakes up earlier? I get up at 5am.

♥ Where was your first date? Dog park in Bloomington Indiana

♥ Who has the bigger family? Nuclear family is the same, extended family - definitely me

♥ Do you get flowers often? Nah... its not our love language

♥ How do you spend the holidays? With his family and/or mine....

♥ Who is more jealous? Probably me

♥ How long did it take to get serious? Maybe 1.5 years.

♥ Who eats more? I think i do. but it depends on what we're eating.

♥ Who does/did the laundry? Technically "we" do laundry - realistically he does a lot more.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?Me, but only slightly.

♥ Who drives when you are together? Me but probably b/c i am too much of a back seat driver

Do it Yourself Contest

We always love a great contest, so here's a heads up...



Delilah at Do it Yourself Invitations is having a contest.

The contest is for the three top handmade wedding invitations... and will be judged by Rebekah Anne and Ami Elizabeth from Elizabeth Anne Designs, Sara Cotner from the $2000 Budget Wedding, and Marsie Sweetland from Smartbride.net

There are some really cool prizes to offer plus a couple of random drawings and it runs until May 31st.

Here are the prizes:

First prize

A $100 gift card to Penellibelle One-of-a-kind Custom Bridal Jewelry


Second Prize

A custom wedding poster from Unless Someone Like You

Third


The Regal Romantic garter set from The Garter Lady


random drawings

A $75.00 gift card to Bella Button Designs Custom Jewelry


A gorgeous wedding charm bracelet from Deb's Designs

Hmmm... Navy?

Via Bride's Cafe... this gorgeous wedding. I love the white, the yellow with the Navy... SIMPLY STUNNING!

Wedding Contests Update

I am SO sorry to keep y'all hanging... We are in the process of verifying winners with WPD and Beau-Coup... Right now, one of my winners didn't leave an email, so i left a comment on her blog. She has until tonight 5pm EST to contact me, else I will pick another winner, verify her and hopefully announce the winners Early next week...

Again, so sorry to keep you hanging... I wanted to give that winner a chance to respond, but next time - i do promise to be more strict about leaving contact email info...

Stay Tuned! :)

My wedding will cost WHA...?

Via Rick & Erica's Blog...

Wedding Cost Estimate
Based on the zip code you entered for 92688 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA , the number of guests (200+), and the items selected, the estimated wedding cost is between $57,824 and $96,380.

So are my goals of doing my wedding for less than 30k unrealistic?

A new Site... A new Sale

Wedding Paper Divas is having a new sale to celebrate their new site...

So go on over and check it out!

Sorbet Inspiration

Via Snippet & Ink... I love this board... its so... yogurty

Top row from left: sorbet via Cannelle et Vanille, shoes from J.Crew, program photo by Liz Banfield, bridesmaids from Martha Stewart WeddingsRow 2: cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo via Perfectbound, bouquet by Philippa Tarrant, chandelier photo by Jose Villa Row 3: ribbon curtain by Rebecca Thuss, poppies via Happy Cavalier, groomsmen from Martha Stewart Weddings

Please Vote!

A neighbor in my building took this photo...

 Go here and vote for his Photo... "Lobby" (3rd one)...  and yes, that is my lobby too :-) Thanks!

Other Sunshine-y Inspiration

Further inspired by Atlanta Bride via Snippet & Ink

Top row from left: dress by Kate Towers via {frolic!}, roses from Jupiter Images, invitation by Liam Stevens via ffffound!, lemonade photo by Tim Evan Cook
Row 2: vintage camera via Tartelette, garden from Paula LeDuc, primrose necklace from J.Crew, hors d'oeuvres buffet from Rebecca Thuss
Row 3: cake by K. Rose Cakes, parasol photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, Michaele Thunen arrangement photo by Kathryn Kleinman, flowers by Coty Farquhar

A "Kodak" Moment

A great idea i had to re-post from a great blogger - Adrienne @For the Love of Weddings

Capturing an image of the reception venue... pre-party... How utterly gorgeous and a great way to capture the venue, but with the bride and groom in it! Love this idea!

::SWOON::

I wish i had the arms to pull this baby off... borrowed from :::A Wedding Cabaret:::



LAZARO Style: LZ3705
Ivory silk satin organza gown with embroidered tulle overlay, beaded empire bodice and hemline with cascading flowers at back, chapel train.
Ivory, White

What's in a date?

What dates do you and your SO hold important to you?

Here's ours...

10/01 - Our first "date" and Juneau's Birthday

04/04 - The day FH proposed and Kota's Birthday

03/06 - Our future wedding date and also the date that FH first ever complimented me, many moons ago :)

Apparently, most of our special dates surround our pups! I don't even know if its intentional or just a date where we both stop and want to be with someone special.... maybe both! But who could resist our pups...

Gold & Chocolate...

Thanks Atlanta Bride!

Via Snippet&Ink

Top row from left: Twigs & Honey boutonniere photo by Tim Will via Once Wed, typewriter "guest book" from 13 Creative, bouquet and cake both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: Babette shoes from J.Crew via Oh So RB, reception space by Jo Gartin, ruffles via Oh Happy Day, invitation by Hello! Lucky
Row 3: cosmos bouquet photo by Anna Kuperberg, bud vase photo by Anna Williams, invitation by Ceci New York, cocktails from Martha Stewart Weddings

Row 4: vintage car photo by DuHon Photography from Wish Special Events, yellow dress by Vera Wang, Erin Cole veil photo by Leigh Miller

Ohhh Yellow and Blue...

Thanks Atlanta Bride!

Via Snippet & Ink
Top row from left: bouquet by The Green Vase, blue dress by Flora & Henri via {frolic!}, wrapped bottles and bird's nest both from Martha Stewart
Row 2: Lark Creek Inn photo by Jessamyn Harris, centerpieces photo by Ellie Miller, daffodils photo by Alison Miksch, blue shirt and boutonniere from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: egg vase from Martha Stewart, napkin by Pierre Deux, freesia cakes from Martha Stewart Weddings, yellow dress by Flora & Henri
Row 4: bouquets by Artfool, muscari wreath by Ariella Chezar, photo by Marie Labbancz, calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap

Beau Coup & Wedding Paper Divas Giveaways!

Enter by MIDNIGHT EST!!!!

I've got two great giveaways that you can enter now... Beau Coup & Wedding Paper Divas... and both giveaways are for...

$100 towards Beau Coup Wedding Favors or a $100 towards Wedding Paper Divas wedding invitations...
which would you rather have?

Lucky for you, You don't have to choose! You could end up winning both right here on my blog!!

You can Enter both contests - Once a day, Daily starting Today (1/16/09) until February 13, 2009 ...

Enter the Beau-Coup Wedding Favor $100 Contest (click on the image below)

Enter the Wedding Paper Divas $100 Contest (Click on the image below)

Thank you to Sweeties Sweeps for listing my blog giveaway.

DO NOT ENTER A COMMENT ON THIS POST TO ENTER EITHER CONTEST! THEY WILL NOT COUNT! FOLLOW THE LINKS ABOVE!

Happy Birthday To ME! :-)

I'm not usually this out there with my birthday, but since i've never had a birthday while in the blogosphere, i thought - hey, why not! So...

It's my Birthday WOOOO!!! YAY ME! :-)

So, here I am... turning... well anyways, getting older. And with age, comes an appreciation for time... so i will waste no time and beat around the bush... This is what i want from YOU for my birthday this year!

Old comers, new comers, just visiting visitors - Please stop and leave a comment and say "HI". I'd love to know who is reading, I'd love to know if i should have you on my Link Library (if i don't, please tell me... i do need to update it)... and I'd love to know if you'd like to know anything about me... So leave a comment, leave a question, leave a (constructive) criticism, leave suggestions about my blog, me, my wedding or just how your day is going! And an extra plus would be if you would subscribe to my blog, follow my blog and/or Add me to your twitter! :)

And to sign off, on this wonderful day (which i celebrate with the Wonderful Abraham Lincoln)... a Couple pictures. This is a picture of a cake, that has a picture of me on it... My BFF in law school, was in cahoots with my cousin, obtained this picture of me on my first day of Kindergarten - I'm in roller skates and a brown velvet dress!



Please note - That is not a hat on my head, that is my hair. YES! I did sport an afro in my youth!!

And don't forget, you have til tomorrow to enter my contests! :)

Believe in Forever!!!!

According to news sources, the Stamp prices are heading upwards in May! EEK!


Head to your local post office and stock up on your Forever Stamps! These stamps will continue to sell at 0.42 cents until the price change and will be valid regardless of all future price hikes!!! 0.02 may not seem like much, but when you multiply that by Guest By each STD sent, by each Invitation Envelope, By Each response Envelope, and by any other Shower and y'all know it can add up !!! So in the spirit of Budgets and Savings...

PS. Thanks to Katie, a friend and fellow bride to be for the heads up :-)

Headliner!

I'm a headerliner over at I Do! Bridal Fashion and Wedding Advice for this month! How Cool! Go on over there and check it out! :-)

Real Weddings Magazine ::Swoon::

Have you read this?

I recently had the opportunity to go over this magazine... and let me tell you this. It has a lot of substance. Now, I'm trying to motivate to work out. So all my magazines, i will ONLY read when working out doing some cardio. The fastest hour I've ever had, was with this magazine. And the funny thing - i wasn't even near done with the magazine after 60 minutes on the elliptical machine. There is just so much here - from beautiful pictures of cakes...

Flowers ...

One of the most amazing things about this magazine is the Q&A in each section. In keeping with its title of "REAL SIMPLE".. .it just tries to address the things that can complicate a bride's vision. From starting with a "Get Started" section and slowly going through picking a venue, to picking stationary and more, it takes you through a step by step process and addresses the 10 most common question for that particular area. If you are newly engaged, run out and get this magazine. If your friend is a newly engaged person - what a great little gift to give them. I really wish i had this when i first got engaged... just to simplify how to go about where to actually start with the planning.

I actually learned a lot ... even after all my own research on the subject. And it was so fun to read... thoroughly entertaining, informative and such great ideas and beautiful examples of such...like these tables...

And of course, not just for the benefit of the bride and the groom, but these gift bags make a great treat for your guests!

I can not rave enough about this magazine! It is really worth every penny... and if you are like me, and love to see samples of REAL weddings, there are a ton in this magazine, which keeps it educational, informative and fun at the same time!

and in case you are wondering, i am not getting paid to rave about this magazine. I've been lucky enough to read the magazine ... and i just have to spread the word when i find something so cool !!!

A birthday Celebration!

And yes, although it is my birthday on Thursday (2/12) as well, the birthday celebration I'm talking about is Truly Engaging has turned one!! Now, if you have been around my blog a bit, you know that one of my first and very loyal sponsors is MagnetStreet Weddings. And one of the greatest things about MagnetStreet is that Heidi blogs for them at her site Truly Engaging. She emailed me and said i could spread the word about this birthday celebration...



Yikes! We're ONE YEAR old already and celebrating with a MagnetStreet Weddings Giveaway

From Start to Finish wedding stationery giveaway

150 FREE

Save the Dates, Invitations, Reception Items, Favors, Thank Yous, Labels & Seals

February 9th-15th {through Valentines Weekend}
(one winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Truly Engaging blog, Monday, February 16, 2009)

To be eligible:

1. Go to MagnetStreet Weddings
2. Pick out a favorite Save the Date and Invitation, Reception... ensemble
3. Go back to Truly Engaging and leave a comment on the GIVEAWAY POST about which Save the Date & Invite ensemble you're smitten with and how you would customize it to fit your style! That's it!
   
4. Comment once a day

********

So here I am to spread the word (expect to see my daily comments, b/c y'all know I love great products ... especially great FREE products)... and don't forget to enter my own contests here until Friday, 2/13!!

{Vendor} Introduction

A quick introduction from one of my sponsors who will continue to visit and give us some tips regarding jewelry for not just your wedding, but for your big events in general.... So without further ado!

Hi ladies! My name is Sarah and I’m thrilled to posting on the Relentless Bride! I own a jewelry leasing company called I’m Over It. We lease out both fun and formal wear jewelry from designers such as Kenneth Jay Lane, Kim Alessi and soon to be Carolee Lee LUX! We also carry a large selection of sterling silver /cubic zirconia sets. Our company is fairly new and we continue to work on bringing in new designers.

I started I’m Over It after looking in my own jewelry box and realizing that I had too many pieces that were often ignored and passed over for the newer more exciting ones! I just new I couldn’t be the only one suffering from this. So with a little help from my husband, family and friends, I’m Over It was born!

Why Lease? Save Money…Recession-Proof Your Budget! Go Green~ Recycle Jewelry Satisfy the Excitement of New Jewelry

What Can I Lease for? Engagement Parties Rehearsal Dinners Weddings Anniversary Vacations Proms Any Event…Big or Small!!!

It’s FUN to wear new jewelry…but it’s NOT FUN to let it sit in your jewelry box after the excitement wears off! Lease Today!!

From Drop Box

Also, Make sure to check out Sarah at her own Blog, I'm over it Blog! :)

A New Year Award! :)

Check out the newest Award I received from HisMrs @Blushing Bride Bulletin :)
And also from Authentically U Bride, Heidi@Truly Engaging and Kiana@Dot the I Wedding, and Jenn @With this Ring, and Jennifer @Bridal Inquirer, and Jessica @Mason Jar Bride, DC Kate@sub{urbanity}

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

In the spirit of the new year and because i do stalk so many blogs... I will nominate a few of y'all for this award! And in no particular order

2000 Dollar Wedding
A $10,000 Wedding
A Practical Wedding
Atlanta Bride
Bailee's Bride
East Side Bride
From Diamonds to Vows
Girl Learning along the way...
Peonies and Polaroids
Soon to be Mrs. Gentry!
Style-For-Style
Team Giles
The Broke-Ass Bride
The Pissed off Bride
{with the pixie grin}
A Bride's Golden Moments
Blushing Bride Bulletin
BrideChic
Bridechka and the Wedding
Eight Years in the Making
Heidzillas
Introverted Bride
Katy & Clay
Mark&Michelle's Wedding Report
Mission Impossible: Budget wedding in LA
My Big Fat Destination Wedding
My Dream Ring
My Island Wedding
My Wedding Report
Newport Nuptials
Pirate and a Pear
StinkerPants
That Bride
The Opposite of Zen
The Sweetest Ocassion
WestsideBride
With This Ring
Will work for Peonies

Mustard Inspiration

Turned onto this board by the ever so lovely Atlanta Bride via Snippet&Ink

Top row from left: photo by Twig Hutchinson via The City Sage, The Treasured Petal bouquet photo by One Love Photo, suit and dress from J.Crew, blue and yellow from Plum Events
Row 2: yellow shoes photo by Jose Villa, San Francisco City Hall photo by Michelle Walker
Row 3: bird print by Kareem Rizk via sfgirlbybay, lemonade photo by Myrtle & Marjoram, tulip bowl by Grandiflora, cake photo by Punam Bean
Row 4: arrangement from Martha Stewart, clutch from J.Crew, photo by Jonathan Canlas, invitation by Wiley Valentine

Brides Give Back

Sarah @The Wedding Hub has informed of us a great cause!

Give Back to a worthy Cause @Brides Give Back!

Note the stylish design by one of our awesome sponsors...Wedding Paper Divas! (Don't forget to enter the contest for WPD by 2/13/09!!!)

Band vs DJ?

Are you having a band

{Image Source}

or a DJ?

{Image borrowed from my own DJ, Dj George}

Pros & Cons for DJ

Pros

* Requested songs are the real thing, not sung by an imitator.
* Larger song selection than a band.
* Less chance of hearing songs you don’t know.
* A DJ with the right balance of seriousness and humor can be really entertaining. While music is playing, he can be out on the dance floor, getting everyone fired up.
* Traditionally cheaper than a band.
* No breaks in the music.

Cons

* The ham-it-up factor - a non-funny, loud, and obnoxious DJ can be a turnoff to guests.
* The chance of equipment failure.

Pros & Cons for Band

Pros

* Nothing beats live music.
* The right band can read the feel of the room and adjust tempo to get everyone out on the dance floor.
* Can cater to certain themes you may be trying to pull off.

Cons

* Typically more expensive than a DJ.
* Bands often only know a limited number of songs.
* Certain bands only have expertise in one particular style of music.
* When the band goes on break (usually once every two hours), the mood can
suffer.
* The possibility of your favorite song being butchered on your wedding day.
* All of the band members will need to be served dinner (which can take a chunk out of the budget).

{All info borrowed from The Man Registry}

So what do you think? All the Pros and Cons listed above are comparing a good band and a good DJ. A bad DJ or Band could have a hard time reading the crowd, could have an off night, be off-tune (for the band), etc... but if we were comparing equal quality of both, the pros and cons are still comparable.

So what did you do? What are you planning to do? I never dug a band... until this past year, when 3 of the weddings we attended all had bands... and it was a BLAST! So then we started to waver on what we wanted.

We've decided to go with a DJ since my brother's friend has been DJing for over 20 years, and knows me and my family ... and is BEYOND reasonable in price. (Seriously, if you are in the LA/OC area and need a good DJ - let me know, George is super reasonable, super flexible, and has extensive experience)...

What helped you decide what you were going to do? Or did you forego both and do the Ipod Dj? (also a good option!)

Bridal Party Rifts?

Have any of y'all experienced bridal party rifts?

{Image Source}

Now maybe you haven't had a full on knock down drag out fight, but... have you been involved in a wedding, been the bride in a wedding, or just been privy to bridal party rifts?

For instance,

Bridesmaids who don't like each other?
Bridesmaid(s) who don't fulfill their duty?
Bridesmaid(s) who fight with you or other people in party?

At this point, what do you do?

I've heard of different situations, where although the bridal party isn't as happy go lucky as one would like, but the civility remains and no issues arise. But what about those instances, when the animosity is obvious... the hostility is thick... What do you do then?

So far ::knock on wood:: So good for me, but i'm just curious - has anyone out there had bridal party rifts? and if so, what was your method of handling it? Did it resolve itself? Do you wish you could have done something different?

Man's Best Friend=Ring Bearer?

Remember when I posted about my Dogs not being at our wedding? Well Weddzilla recently posted this on there blog... and I just had to share it!




How cute is that! It's a Ring Bearer Dog Suit from Wiggle n Waggle!

Enter Your Story, Win $500

Later this month, Wedding Paper Divas will be giving away a $500 gift certificate for the best engagement story that we receive.  This gift certificate can purchase an entire wedding stationery suite including  wedding invitations, response cards, thank you cards and more from Wedding Paper Divas. 

All you have to do is enter your Engagement Story by 2/22/09 to Diva Dialogue.  You can check out the best stories picked so far here! 

If you would like to see more, please check out the contest details at http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/engagement-stories/.

And Don't forget to enter the $100 giveaway here on my own site to end on February 13, 2009!

In Memory Of...

I was hoping to incorporate some ways to honor some loved ones who have already departed this world... but i want to do it in a way that doesn't bring up too painful of memories, yet can still have a sentimental intimate feel of remembrance.

So what's the best way to do this...

1. Write a little blurb in our programs: via Ritzy Bee

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"We dedicate the flowers with us at the alter in
loving memory of....who are not here to celebrate our
special day with us"

"We dedicate our ceremony music (or a specific song)
in memory of...."

2. Memorial Candles: via With this Ring

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3. Memory Table

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4. Bouquet Charm

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5. Reserve a chair for them like this

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6. Having a moment of silence ...

Have any of y'all done this? And if so, How did you honor someone who was no longer with us? Was it more emotional than you expected? What do you suggest as a good way to be happy with memories, but not too sad for the absence on that particular day?