GET MARRIEDS Tuesday Dish

OMG... I was featured on Tuesday's Wedding Dish on Get Married's Wedding Dish... 

Check me out right here!!!

Rehearsal

The rehearsal was pretty efficient - but mostly because Paola (Just Chic Events) was leading the way. With a bridal party of 17 people not including hubby and I, well - that's a big order for anybody... but Paola was of course ever so gracious and direct in helping guide us with what we needed to do - to make this as painless as possible!

Here we are when we first gathered at the ceremony venue - so beautiful - the day was sunny, the skies were blue - a pure contrast to the next day - but it made it all the more fun

 Here is the MOH and the flower girls playing frisbee...

Bridal Party - Mani/Pedis

So, immediately after my rehearsal hair and make up session with Chelsey B... my mom and I headed straight to meet up with my wonderful ladies for some "girl" time. My SIL, who has been so vital every step of the way, worked a discount and made our appointment at the nail salon she goes to. Not only that, as i was running around the day before - she even got some food prepared for our little time at the salon...

Yummy snacks - that hit the spot - on top of some wine we had brought in!

Here I am getting primped!

Hair - Trial & Rehearsal/PaeBaek plus Make Up

So its never a safe bet to do what i did, and i'd say 100% of most stylist and brides warn against it... but I waited to do my hair trial until the day before the wedding! I KNOW! It was risky, but i had faith in my fabulous stylist Chelsey from Chelsey B Hair & Make-up - just in her wonderful personality, that i took the risk. Partially though, b/c I was out of town and only in-town so often - we just could not get our schedules to match - although I know Chelsey really tried.

Since the wedding was so close anyways, I decided to make it even riskier by setting my appointment for the trial for the Friday before - I'd need to do something with my hair that day - so why not - two birds, one stone! On top of which, since Chelsey does make-up too, I threw that in for fun good measure.

My mom came along with although she had her hair done the night before. But what happens when you sleep on did hair? Well, you can imagine it was a mess - so we were hoping Chelsey could work magic on her as well. :)

Here's some snap shots of my mom taking photos of us just yappin' away during the session!

Bridal Party Gifts - Bridesmaids & Flower Girls

So, like i mentioned in my post about our bridal party gifts for the boys, it is much easier to gift women IMO.... but there is also a lot more to being in the bridal party as a girl than as a boy... hair, make up etc etc... so this is the gift we bestowed upon our ladies...

The adorable cards from Shakespeare's Bride (now to-be-greetings) for our flower girls and ring bearer.

Storkie Invitation Giveaway Winner

So... I'm a little jealous that i can win this one myself, but I know the Relentless Bride readers who won the fabulous Storkie Invitation Giveaway  - will enjoy this!

The winners are:

 And the winning entries:

LeeLa and Mlee make sure to email me at amyjean@relentlessbride.com so i can put you in touch with Storkie to get your amazing customized invitations! :)

Bridal Party Gifts - The Boys

At first, we weren't planning to, but we decided the best gift we could give the men of our bridal party was to cover the cost of the tuxes. Everybody was traveling to get to the wedding and it was a long planning process they had to deal with - so, what better gift then to help with a major cost of being in the bridal party.

To go with the gifts, i got these amazing cards from Shakespeare's Bride (now to-be-greetings) ... aren't they just perfect for a man... Note the inside has some meaningful well thought out words... "thanks, bud." I mean- its pretty well summed up for any man... but especially perfect for my Hubby since he is not a guy with too many words.

Our men also got these monogrammed duffel bags that i found on Ebay through Monogrammed bags and more and inside I had a pair of cute socks to go with the wedding colors... Navy with gray and a small yellow stripe. The boys probably didn't care so much about the socks... but i thought it was a nice touch.

And of course the morning before the wedding, Hubby took the boys out to breakfast before they went to pick up their tuxes and enjoyed each other's company...

Hopefully they liked their gift, b/c truly - its much easier to shop for women LOL

Rain Rain Go Away...

or let me work with ya...

Did I tell you about how for 2 weeks prior to my wedding ... the forecast gloomed "RAIN!"... Yea, i refused to believe it and through the amazing help of my coordinator Paola (Just Chic Events) was i able to work a Clear top Tent the friday before the wedding (on Oscar weekend, mind you - she is a miracle worker)... Yes, I was in such denial - i waited til 24 hrs prior to actually book the tent ... I kept thinking... "it doesn't rain in southern california... does it?"

So, in anticipation ... i did buy these - for fun bridal party pics...

Yea super cute clear bubble umbrellas... but THANK goodness we didnt' have to use them b/c they were about $17 a pop, and i have a 14 person bridal party... - but we did get them just in case.

Luckily, we made the rain work for us...  :)

Mindless Thoughts

I know i've been promising you recaps, but I promise they are coming... for now, i just wanted to do some mindless rambling...

Let me tell you - things are great. People ask me "how's it feel being married?" or "Does it feel different?" and its funny... b/c in all honesty - nothing has changed, but everything feels better. I can't pinpoint exactly what feels different or why I feel so happy - so often times i respond "not much." or "its kind of the same"... but it really is indescribable... and not in an overwhelming I can't stay in my skin kind of way... it a more durable feeling that I know will be with me for a long time. So instead of screaming with excitement for this one moment of joy, i'm just so peacefully happy and thriving in the moments b/c they never seem to end. I'm a wife. I never thought i'd say that. And let me tell you - saying "my husband" has come so much easier to me than saying "my boyfriend" or even "my fiance".

Now, don't get me wrong... doesn't mean I've stopped naggin at my HUSBAND or that I am not altering my future plans and goals with each day... I mean just this morning, i felt i needed to lecture the man of the house about separating colors and whites... to which his response was "but my mom washes all her towels together." So of course, i bit my tongue... waited a few moments, and returned and said so ever calmly and nicely (or what i felt was nice) "regardless of what you wash, the colors/darks and whites need to be separated... otherwise the white towel will turn a light blue with navy fuzzies all over it... like the towel in your hand..." then i smiled and i walked away.

Ahhhh... married life - if my only complaint is the color my husband turns our new white towels... I think we may be off to a very good start ... <3

It's official!

Just filled out our census 2010




If it wasn't official before, according to the US census it will be!!!! :)

Storkie Invitation Giveaway!

When it comes to weddings, the coolest thing to see is how brides and grooms personalize their wedding to make it completely unique to them. Because when it comes to a wedding, you can have the same idea as every other bride and groom, but b/c you make it all about you and yours, it changes the outcome and feel of that same idea... so what better way to personalize your wedding than to start with invitations... And that's where Storkie comes in.

Did you know on the Storkie website you can completely customize your invitations to make them you? For instance, if i were to do my bridal shower all over again,  I'd probably want to use Bridesmaid Gone Styled... Here's the original template:

And i'd customize it to have a grey background, give myself a down do with black hair. I'll stick with the mermaid style dress and give my ladies grey dresses and flowers and multi-colored skin - i left the sunglasses on b/c they are kinda cool... I'll even give myself asian eyes...  and tada....

Some of these customizable cards can even be blinged out with actual rhinestones!!! HOW FUN!

So, I'm super excited to say that Storkie is kindly giving away 20 free invitations to TWO (that's right, two... ) LUCKY Relentless Bride Readers... yup. HOW COOL!

So here's what you do:
1. Head on over to Storkie Wedding Section.  Peruse the site. Make sure to go to the Couture collection Bridal Collection and Play with the customizable features. Note, all invitations are marked recycled paper, blingable, Dynamic Design - so you know which ones you can play with.
2. Come back here and let me know either which one is your favorite style of invitation on the overall site (including Baby, Religious, Party, Graduation, Holiday and of course Wedding Invitations) OR you can let me know which customizable feature is your favorite? For me, I'm Asian and I love Asian Eyes... and of course that even though I am Asian - I am tan, so the tan skin feature is nice too :-) Oh and I love the Blingability!!! :)
3. Make sure to comment here on the Relentless Bride Blog. Ensure there is an easy way to contact you - linkable to your email or leave your email here.
4. Make sure you fan the Relentless Bride Facebook Page AND the Storkie Facebook Page to stay up to date on the winning announcement
5. You can enter once until March 23, 2010 11:59 EST and this is open to US and Canada peeps!

Extra Entry: If you are a tweeter, make sure to follow Relentless Bride and Storkie on Twitter... and Tweet: "I entered the #Relentlessbride @storkie awesome invitation giveaway, Have you? Enter now! http://ow.ly/1l5vO " and leave a comment here!!!

Model Vs. Relentless Bride

Just for fun as i figure out how the heck to recap things... Not that the model doesn't look great, but i have to say i think this dress was made for me... i'm sure you remember my wedding dress search recap. I didn't have the tears, or have that "its your dress" gut feeling, but i know it was the right choice b/c i just loved it...

So here it is... the ultimate truth...

Model v. Relentless Bride

Here I am

Not to toot my own horn ... but i have to say i still love the dress on me more than on her...LOL... So i guess it was the right decision - b/c how often can you say that when comparing yourself to someone who gets paid to model! lol

Seriously though, I think it has to do with the fact of how amazing the dress made me feel more than how i looked...So that would be the ultimate dress advice:... does it make you feel fabulous?

Wedding Highlights...

I'm not sure where or how to start my wedding recap... so bear with me, as i use this week to get back into the grind of things and figure out how best to replay the magical weekend as well as highlight my vendors who had amazing service and products so that other brides can benefit from that... if you have any suggestions, let me know...

if not... until then - don't forget to enter my contest for the free 20 invites... these are the coolest invitations, and can totally be customized - not just for wedding either - so enter now! :)

For now i leave you with a picture of FH and I right after we went and got our marriage license :)

Getting Personal with Deborah Joy {The Wedding Dance Specialists}

I really enjoyed working with Deborah from The Wedding Dance Specialists... and I thought it would be fun to do an interview with her to show you why I think she's just so talented and so much fun to hang out with... It's such a blessing when you find a vendor during your planning that you really enjoy, so you gotta flaunt it when you do! :)


Relentless Bride: Deborah: How did you get into the wedding industry?
Deborah: My husband and I started The Wedding Dance Specialists when we got engaged. While preparing for our First Dance, we sampled many teachers and studios and realized with our dance, business and wedding planning background we could provide superior customer service and insight into the unique needs, budget and timetable of engaged couples.

Relentless Bride: Deborah: What is your biggest piece of advice for a bride?
Deborah: Be sure to ask for help so you don’t feel too overwhelmed.

Relentless Bride: Deborah: For a groom?
Deborah: This is a team project. The amount of energy, creativity, forethought and consideration you put into the planning process is similar to the way you will react to joint decisions, commitments, and adventures you will have during your marriage.

Weddzilla.com Rock The Launch Highlight Videos

Weddzilla.com's National "Rock The Launch" Party was definitely a night to remember. And this highlight reel (courtesy of Blue Sky films), captures the magic of the event perfectly for those of us that spent the night meeting and greeting (and much like a wedding) trying to take it all in!



The National Museum of Women in the Arts was an unbelievable venue and it was packed with hundreds of local vendors and Nearlyweds mingling with celebrity guests, drinking specialty cocktails, enjoying inspired cuisine, and bidding on incredible wedding packages in our silent auction with 100% of all proceeds benefiting The Children's National Medical Center.



The event was hosted by Weddzilla's Sassiest Wedding Guru, Steve Kemble, a National TV, Radio and Magazine personality. And when Steve got on the mic, it was just the beginning of our start-studded celebration! Joining him on stage to toast the night were our team of Weddzilla Gurus including: Cake Guru Ron Ben-Israel, Celebrity cake artist and TV personality, Fitness Guru Sue Fleming, Celebrity fitness expert and founder of the Buff Fitness franchise, Etiquette Guru Diane Forden, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Guide Magazine, Advice Guru Sharon Naylor, Nationally acclaimed author and columnist, Invitation Guru Lisa "Ceci" Johnson, Founder of Ceci New York and renowned graphic designer and Invitation Innovator.

The event could not have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and creativity of our Launch Partners. We couldn't be more proud to affiliate ourselves with these premiere vendors.

*Launch Partners*
Venue: National Museum of Women in the Arts
Catering: Federal City Catering
Fashion: Blush Bridal Boutique
Favors and Gifts: Favor Chic
Flowers and Decor: Petal’s Edge Floral Design
Honeymoons and Travel: Perfect Honeymoons and Holidays
Invitations: Seasons Cards and Gifts
Jewelry: Mervis Diamond Importers
Makeup: Carola Myers Professional Make-Up Artist
DJ's and Musicians: Disc Jockeys on Call
At-Your-Service: Professional Bartenders and Servers
Photography: Paired Images Photography
Rehearsal Dinners: A La Lucia
Transportation: Prime Transportation
Unique Services: All Seasons Floral Preservation
Wedding Cakes: The Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner
Videography: Blue Sky Films
Event Rentals:
Event Digital Photography - Photobooth
Exclusively Entertainment - Lighting
Party Rentals Ltd. - Rentals
Cort Event Furnishings - Furniture
Coordinators and Planners:
Cristina Maria Special Events
Elegance and Simplicity
Events in the City

Thanks to our Strategic Partners for their incredible contributions.

*Strategic Partners*
Bridal Guide, MGD 64, AdornBrides.com, Harrah’s Entertainment, US Airways, MissNowMrs.com, Wedding Cakes Across America

AmyJean & Larry: Pro Photo

I've always been quite enamored with Jordana from Hazelnut Photography - but seriously... she totally rocks. She captured what I felt was a beautiful day and made each photo simply magnificent... I'm not sure that you can buy talent like she has... on top of which she's just so dang cute and her personality is SO FUN...

Here are just a few photos that she posted fro our big day! Definitely check out the rest on the Hazelnut Photography Blog... or check out her other shoots - she's completely and totally FABULOUS!

My mom made my jewelery for my big day... using silver and swarovski crystal beading. She also made the bracelets for the ladies in my bridal party and my MIL.

My Flowers were simply fabulous. All done with the creative guidance from Paola, Just Chic Events and Allison from Flower Allie.... stunning. I also had memory lockets on my bouquet (from Aristocrafty )

My custom made stylish garter courtesy of Julianne Smith Garters!

At the St. Regis outside awaiting our first look... Isn't my veil gorgeous? Custom made courtesy of Candi from CG Veils (she rocks btw and is the best around and her prices ... lowest around)

I love this photo...

Our awesome bridal party... The main colors of grey and yellow ... and the navy came in the accents (shoes, ribbon, etc)

In the St. Regis Lobby Bar... normally - i do not look like this, but thanks to Moira from Moira Taylor: Los Angeles Make Up Artist and hair by Chelsey Booth from Chelsey B. Make up and Hair - i felt simply amazing...

OMG. Allie from Flower Allie totally outdid herself... I told her i wanted yellow and the planted aisle look, she took my vision and perfected it... I can't even tell you what a creative genius she is.

My two nieces... adorable.

The long- awaited hand off .. LOL

This image is pretty awesome. It incorporates my fabulous candy buffet from Jackie at Custom Candy Buffet Bar, three of the four tablescapes we had at the reception courtesy of Flower Allie, our delicious four tiered-four flavored cake (Liz - best tasting cake, super duper low price - if you want her contact info, email me) with my awesome Cake toppers courtesy of Caroline from Made with Love CCarolee. The only thing missing from this photo would be the amazing Chocolate fountain from Pure Bliss chocolate Fountains we had later in the evening and of course our awesome photobooth from CheesyPhotobooths!

The lighting from Props FX really nailed the ambiance we were going for... without Brady's hard work, well... the whole feel would have been missing!

Having Dance Lessons with Deborah from The Wedding Dance Specialists helped make our first dance a hit... I won't lie - it wasn't perfect, but it was perfectly us and without Deborah's help, it would have been a flop!

All in all... it was a perfect night as you can tell with the pictures. We got rain. But we also had a clear top tent that let us see and hear it but not feel it... Thanks to Paola's hard work, she snagged the LAST clear top tent in the So Cal area (Oscar weekend made most tents unavailable)... so the ceremony was even more romantic with the rain coming down just as we said our "I do's"...

Oh yeah, and did i tell you Karen Wall Garrison recreated our ceremony through out the day by painting a canvas at the ceremony?

Check out more of our amazing night with photos on Jordana's blog... Hazelnut Photography Blog!

Sweet n Salty By Design Giveaway Winner!!!

I know its late, but i hope the fact that i got married and went on a mini-moon is a good excuse for the delay?... please forgive me...

here is the winner for the Sweet n Salty By Design Giveaway:

Jbaby731 make sure to email me at amyjean@relentlessbride.com asap so i can get these delicious items to you quick... and for those of you who did not win,  Sweet N Salty By Design is offering 10% off (Discount code: SWEET2010) for any custom wedding favor order! Be sure to check out this site...

Back to Reality

Our mini-moon is over... But Im not really sad bc my reality is pretty stinking exciting right now!

6 days in and I love being a Mrs.! Didn't think it would be this easy or fun to fall into this roll but saying "my husband!" rolls off my tongue easily!

Can't wait to catch y'all up with all the details of our exciting wedding adventure!!!

Bye bye Las Vegas! See ya in a few...

Photobooth Props

Some called me crazy... but they were a hit...

To help personalize our photobooth pics and incorporate our pups whom we miss so dearly - my SIL helped me take these photos...

and turn them into these...

Needless to say, our props were a hit - and having Kota and Juneau in our photos was even awesomer.

Our basket was full of fun stuff:

Our cake topper

When a friend of mine's sister offered to do my cake topper, I was very excited to have something hand made and personalized. Neve in my wildest dreams did I think it'd be as awesome as it was. People are still raving about it. So check out these uber cute pics and let me know If you want Caroline to make you one. I'm trying to convince the girl that she needs her own etsy store

Hair Accessories

So, i worked with this amazing vendor on Etsy... OlasDreamWorld.

I loved her work but wanted something customized for my ladies... and she made such beautiful items and had them shipped from Bahrain and arrive in So Cal within less than a week. AMAZING... check it out... these are my photos - so when i get pro ones you can see even more how beautiful these items are. Headbands for my flower girls, ivory flowers for me, and the custom designed gray/yellow pins for my bridal party :)

Make sure to check out Olas Dream World... she's simply amazing!

Wedding Slideshow

that never was...

We wanted to show this at the welcome party/rehearsal meal but technical difficulties did not allow it.  Rain brought a perfect reason to play it at the cocktail hour since the cocktail hour had to be moved from atrium to the reception room but for some reason - the sound wasn't played and I was told only certain parts played over and over again...

so without further ado... here is yet another attempt to show our wedding slideshow!!!

AmyJean & Larry's Wedding Slideshow from amy jean fry on Vimeo.

Guess who's Married?

That's right... Me!!!

With this ring...

I thee wed...today,  I will put this ring on my fiance's finger...

With the words engraved that mean so much to me by one particular musical artist we both actually like...

 Because you're mine

 I walk the line

 03/06/2010

My fiance will become my husband. Forever. Until death do we part. 

I am my beloved's and he is mine.

St. Regis

View from the honeymoon suite

Placecards and Table Names

Kelly from Calligraphy by Kelly Ann is doing all my place cards and table names... we worked together to pick a look that would just go well with the overall theme of the day... and by work together, I mean - she guided me 150% of the way through... here is a quick look at some of the place cards.

We got the paper stock (i looked everywhere and couldn't find the perfect one until i went to etsy) and found these beautiful dark gray papers from Hawkdesigns

And our table names... we went with dog names... those of our friends and families and will put these on table number holders while putting a picture of the dog in a frame!

I am so lucky to have talented friends... especially considering she got the guest list over the weekend and has everything finished... her poor daughters - she's probably neglected them just to do this... i owe you big kelly!!!!! HUGE!!!