.our toasting flutes.

Just arrived in the UPS yesty. I am stoked. Clink, clink. Chin, chin.

You can read about and see them here.

What do you think? We ordered and received the flutes...everything else was put on the registry. Obviously there is no guarantee that we get it. So do we buy the cake cutting and service set? Or wait and hope? Decisions, decisions.

.let them eat cake.

Since the beginning of time, I always thought that cake tasting would be my fave task of the wedding planning. So far, so right. Now, with the aid of insulin, I can freely taste away. This was something that had worried me while my pancreas still functioned slightly. Now, no worries! Just take my doses and eat, eat, eat!

We did our first tasting last nite at a new, cute little place called Gimme Some Sugar. Both Kristen and Miranda are fun, creative and full of energy! There are people that you can instantly click with and there are those where it takes time. This was instant! We tried three flavors- a chocolate, a white and a red! J But they are more than just white, chocolate and red… however, I am keeping the flavors a surprise. We may want to do one more tasting and change up the white, I am not sure.

Cake tasting is awesome, so is Gimme Some Sugar….but I hope it’s not the last tasting that we do!

Here is the inspiration for our cake. The realization will be kept secret until after the wedding! SUSPENSE!




.photos were taken fromvarious websites, my apologies for not listing proper credits. If this is your cake or work, please let me know.

.diy or die, vol. 2.

The wedding map. Where it all begins. Since I’ve fallen in love with the loads of amazing wedding blogs out there, I decided that I did want some of the projects to be DIY. This coming from a person who has no craftiness, no designing skills, nothing. I’ve searched high and low through blogs, websites and magazines for DIY advice and help. Narrowing down what I won’t do was easy- I won’t Gocco anything, wont attempt to print my own invites, make my own centerpieces or bouquets, but here is what I will try:

Bathroom Baskets- come on. How difficult is it to grab some (ok, probably an over abundance) toiletries and toss them (neatly) into a basket (decorated, of course) and slap it (arranged and centered) on the bathroom counter? I mean really, some mouthwash (probably in a pump along with some disposable cups), a few tic tacs (in all varietals) and call it a day! Ok…who are we kidding? I am a queen of over packing, so you know that these baskets will probably be the first thing someone wants to take home. Screw the centerpieces, let’s grab the free tampons!

DIY Map- This is somewhat of an idiot project for me but something I felt that can be accomplished. Here is why: any locals who are coming will most likely know where the venues are. If not, they have phones and Google maps. Any OOT guests, we are providing transportation from point “I DO” to point “Let’s PARTY”. So really, who needs this map? No one, I just think that it will be a fun project for me! his is how the map currently looks. As I finish it, I will save step-by-step directions. In the meantime, you can search all over the web for ideas on how to put your own together. It seems daunting, at first, but if I can do it...anyone can!

Flip Flop Basket- I hate feet. I would probably rather eat a mustard and cilantro sandwich than touch or even look at feet. So to see tired and bare feet at the wedding is going to. Drive. Me. Nuts. I will have flip flops for the ladies who wish to slip on something a lil more comfortable. My DIY here is going to be buying the flops, putting them into some sort of container (beverage tub?) with a cute little sign about using them… and I’ve been inspired by other brides to put a tag or some thing to announce the size of the flop!

.photos courtesy of project wedding, summerbride2009.

Candy buffet- YES! Let them eat candy! Let the diabetic have a candy buffet! Haha. Enough said. As I lay this out and begin to purchase the sweet treats, more "along the way" photos will be posted.

One thing that I’ve learned is that every wedding may have the same ideas and the same cute things- a photo booth, a candy buffet, a flip flop bin. The great thing is that you can see a photo of others displays projects and ideas. Think that buffets and flippy floppies are too played out? Like Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua?? Think again savvy bride- most likely your wedding is still unique to your guests. Yes, who cares that you were in a wedding last month and they had a photo booth also…. Was your grandma at that wedding? What about Aunt Helen? To them, it is fresh, new and unique. So DIY away, sisters!

.service without a smile.

I didn’t want this blog to be a ranting place because my fear was coming off all Bridezilla-y. However, it’s been plaguing me about some of the craptastic service I’ve encountered so far in my planning.

We will start with the dresses… When I booked my ticket to the East Coast in March, I immediately contacted a few stores to set up gown appointments. The week before my appointments, I called to confirm my times and voila! One place did not even have me in their books. I kindly explained that I will be traveling across the county and have a very tight schedule so this appointment needs to happen. It was a no-go. So I told her to fuggggeddaboutit and moved along. After jostling my schedule they call back saying “ohh we had an opening!” Yay. Psh. So like a sucker, I took it.

My next dress gripe was follow up. Only once, yes, one time….wait, I lied, twice, has a store called to follow up on my visit. If a bride cries, wants to take photos or calls her BFF and her parents while she is in a gown in your store, chances are you can sucker her into buying it. No, really, you probably can. Of ALL the places I’ve visited and filled out a customer card and they’ve written down the dress that brought me to ear to ear grins, only two ever called to check in on me and see if I was still interested.

Maybe my business skills are of a different set than others, but customer service should always be the prime goal, correct? This should be your goal, regardless of what state the economy is in. However, in this especially solemn economy, one would think that service standards would be stepped up a bit? It is a battlefield for business right now, isn’t it???

Lately, I’ve been having issues with my reception venue. Emails aren’t being returned and when they are, they are cold and hard. I had requested a time to come in and show my parents the venue, I said that my schedule is open but need something later in the afternoon, like 4 or 4:30. Recalling that they shut down and the coordinator was less than enthused to ever work up until 5 pm, I tried to squeeze out the latest appt possible. Today, I feel combative with our reception contact. She point blank said, “My office closes at 5 pm. I do not schedule appointments that late in the day.” Maybe she has afternoon recap meetings? Maybe afternoon tea or a nap? I’m not sure how one can read an email and respond with that and not even say, “Let me check, maybe one day I can adjust my schedule to accommodate that.” As an event planner myself, there are days when I come in early to accommodate event set up for a regular client. There are times when I am here on a Saturday at 4:30 in the AM for a charity walk. It ain’t pretty, but our clients are satisfied and that is what matters.

I called the community and found someone who is willing to help us out! She has asked that we forward the emails from our coordinator that say, “My office closes at 5 PM and I will not take appointments that late.” Since when is 4 pm late when your office closes at 5??

Stay tuned for the update.

.foodie, part 1.

One of our first “official” vendor meetings occurred yesterday. Catering. F&B. The Grub. We’ve selected a vendor who caters most of my work events. I know their style, their quality and service! It is comforting to work with a vendor who you know will not rake you over hot coals, leaving you with financial scars for the remainder of your happily ever after.

Flo and I are staying away from tradition and going with a “cocktail style” reception. My main concern is making sure that people don’t walk away hungry and dissatisfied. The secondary concern is that guests don’t get over stuffed on the first canapé that they see, thinking it is all they get. No menus have been decided; we tossed around a few themes, ideas to introduce the food by the hour (sounds racy) and how to cap off the evening with something memorable and delicious. I await her price quote and ideas.

Something to ponder-which I hope can fit into our budget- is wine pairings stations. If you are a new follower, you may not have read my post about favors. My dad makes wine and will be making wine as our favors. Soirees idea is to select and pair wines to compliment each canapés station. LOVE IT! Brilliant. So edgy and event forward. We can serve wine is 2 oz pours to perfectly compliment the food, sounds fabu to me. Sounds elegant, classy, interactive, fun, intriguing, etc., etc. Let’s hope that it fits into the budget.

Next foodie post will determine how well my foodie dream fits into my reality budget. Until we meet again....something to tempt your eyes:

{the first two photos are courtesty of Project Wedding, I apologize for not having proper credit}

{this photo is from the fabulous blog With This Ring, I Thee Obsess}

.just say ahhhhh.

Today, I treated myself to a little pre- engagement photo pedicure at a fabulous place called Futzpah 118. It is located inside of a podiatrist’s office and is just a-mazing! A little…ok a decent amount more expensive than your neighborhood nail place, but for me, it is worth it. They have a special pedi called “Unsugar my tootsies” and it is for diabetics. Being a Type 1 diabetic, the last, absolute last thing I need is a cut on my foot to lead an infection and thus ending in amputation. You see, everything always ends in the worse possible, dramatic way when I speak, think or write. So to save myself, I treat myself to the pedis on rare occasion. Last occasion was my birthday.

I think about taking my Zillaz here for pedis before the wedding, but they can only seat three people at a time and that means we would have to spend two hours there… hmmmm I will need to think about that. But while I was there, I found great inspiration for my e-pic hair and makeup. So far, I have taken photos of my outfits and will use them to show my hair and makeup gurus what I plan on wearing so that they can beautify as necessary. I’m thinking of starting with my hair up so that we do the formal, glam poses and then pull it down for the casual shots. Although I am not sure that I trust myself enough to do it seamlessly. I was thinking of a smokey grayish eye so that it will potentially match with everything. I can change up the lip color as necessary to match the looks of the photos. While enjoying my pedicure, I slyly ripped out two photos from an old US Weekly magazine! If my scanner was connected to my laptop, a photo would be posted here.

Back to feet-this, by the way, is the one thing that I hate most in this world. I have an awful anti-foot thing. I digress… I found some flip flops in the dollar section of Target last weekend. It is spring time, so time to throw in all of the spring bridal items and bachelorette party items. Most items were cheesy but they had these super cute flip flops, so I bought two pair.
One for pre-wedding and then the pair that says “Just Married.” And then I got to thinking… I want to have a “flip flop bin” at the wedding where the ladies can grab a pair, kick off their heels and dance/lounge in comfort. Who doesn’t cry barking dogs after hours of dancing? Oddly, Flo isn’t into this idea. My guess would be that he has never crunched his feet into a non conforming pair of ladies heels for more than 1 minute, yet alone four hours. I had an idea of buying out all of the pairs of flip flops from my local Target stores. Well our visit today turned up two pairs. Yes, count them folks, two pairs. Seemed rather pointless to buy them so we left and I now will search the wonderful world of Google, eBay and anywhere else that may sell bulk flops. As I get further into posting inspirational ideas and photos, more of this flip flop bin will be revealed.