Sarah's bridal shower: decorations

Sarah's party is tomorrow, and I am really really busy tonight after work, I spent about 4 hours last night with Joe finishing up the little touches and prepping the house for the soiree. Because I'm so proud of them, I had to share them early of course. Keep in mind that these are not set up in all their glory, but just complete project scattered around for now.

We'll start with the invite. The flower bouquet was heat embossed, even though you may not be able to see it.

Since this is an appetizer and dessert soirée, I decided to go with a "Love is Sweet" theme. This banner spells it out just in case any guests missed the theme :)
A banner with the guest of honor's name just to make her feel that much more important.
I made these tissue pomanders and coupling them with paper lanterns to give the house more texture. They turn out really well I thought.
Joe helped me put them up on the ceiling, using just clear thumb tacks.
Floating candles. Can you also guess what the bride's favorite color is?
I got these coasters at Michael's for $1/20 coasters. I bought four packs. I thought they were just so cute with the words "You had me at merlot." They fit the theme perfectly. Such a great find.
I made some tags from scrap papers I had lying around the house from the endless paper projects from the wedding. So I just cut them into a form of a tag and attach a cute little ribbon to them to make them more tag-gy. These will be used by guests to leave Sarah a note or two for the upcoming wedding.
Since we will be playing some games, I purchase a few items on sale from Target and Bath and Body Works as prizes. They were all under $10 each. I hope the winners like them. I put a lot of thoughts into these prizes because of my experiences from other parties. The winners always receive these cheap perfumes and knick knacks that they cannot use. I wanted to purchase something that they can use. Those are scrapbook photo albums and body gel, body lotion and loofahs.
Last but not least, some cute phrases meant to be used for various things:

• "Love is sweet" for the dessert table
• "Love will keep us alive" for the appetizer table
• "Sweet treats" for the favor area
• "Lovely gifts" for the gift area

I love the way everything turns out and I hope the bride loves them as much as I love putting them together.

15 days and counting

One last post for the night before I call it a night. I just checked our wedding website today, and we are officially 15 days away! Soon, we will be doing our single digit counting and the day will be officially here. I am getting nervous now...
photo via [WeddingbeePro]

Mayor-ried into the family

I don't know if I had mentioned it, but my future mother-in-law is an ex-mayor of her hometown Darby, PA. She is very much into politics and takes the position very seriously. Though she is no longer a mayor, she is thinking of re-running for mayor again and I wish her all the success. The town actually really needs someone who cares right now. Here is an article she wrote:

You can check out the article here.

The Role of Mayor in Pennsylvania: Small Towns All Across The State Have a "Mayor"

July 08, 2007 by

Paula Brown
For eight years, I held the position of "Mayor" in a small town in Pennsylvania just outside the City of Philadelphia. For eight years, I read, researched, studied and carried out the Role of the Municipal Mayor in Pennsylvania and to carry out the duties of the Mayor. The residents of Darby trusted me with their vote of confidence for two terms so I was determined to carry out those duties to the best of my ability.

What is a "Mayor"?

A mayor (from the Latin mâior, meaning "larger", "greater") is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. In Pennsylvania, the mayor is an elected politician who serves as chief executive. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor, as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated.

The Pennsylvania State Borough Code is the guideline for Elected Officials to follow in Boroughs located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under the Pennsylvania State Borough Code, Mayors have important duties and powers that need to be fulfilled and carried out. Mayor's are in a unique position to exercise leadership because of the status and prestige of the office. Some Mayor's take this seriously, others don't. The extent of the mayor's complete role is defined by the individual office holder's view of civic responsibilities, personal skills, background in intergovernmental affairs and individual interest.

Dressing for the real deal

Even though I have purchased a rehearsal dinner dress, I am still looking around. Why you ask? Because I'm not in love with it and I want to be able to find something that would make me feel good, and get me ready for the real deal. Why don't I like this? Because it doesn't feel bridal. Check it out.
photo via [Guess]

I also just found this dress.
photo via [Guess]
I love it! It has such a vintage feel to it. Even better it is on sale. Unfortunately, my size is sold out. It is really too bad. I like it lots.

Then, I saw this dress at White House Black Market and I fell in love with it more.
photo via [White House Black Market]
It's actually in a cart awaiting for check out :) It's definitely more bridal yet still pretty modern for re-wear. Should I purchase it and return the Guess dress?

Flower for a flower-phobic girl

As I may have mentioned before, I am afraid of flowers, but all of the wedding rage right now is the hair flower adorned at the reception. I'm gonna jump on that bandwagon. Today, I made a purchase from Etsy for a cute and simple little number.
photo via [JMG Jewel Design]

I will be adorning this under my veil at the ceremony and will lose the veil for the reception. I love it! I can't wait. My bridal look is now complete:

• long sweep train wedding dress in a mermaid type style
  
• lovely flower hair piece
• sweeping cathedral length veil
• cute up-do
• gorgeous make-up with full lashes
  
• blinging earrings (notice the S)
• cute peeping pink shoes
• well-manicured nails
• and one whooping eternity band that will tell the world, "I am a married woman"

Listing it out makes me giddy and I just cannot wait to wear them proud on 3/14/2009. Love it!

Wedding vent #5: Importance

I'm hoping that this will be the last wedding vent before the big day occurs, because I really really don't think I can take anymore wedding stress. Wedding planning so far has been a breeze, compared to managing the family and guests.

They say that weddings really show you who your real friends are. While I have my own worries with my side of the wedding to worry about, this vent is actually for the groom's side. They don't do anything personally to me, and I, in my own right, have pretty good relationships with each on of my future in-laws and friends in-law. However, their actions really bother me sometimes because they really stress Joe out. While there are way too many details to go into in one post, the biggest thing on the list is the placement of importance. Joe has such high importance for these people, in his life and in his heart, and they can't even come together on the most important day of his life. They can't take one hour out of their busy life to get their suit together, even though we're provide everything else for the attire. They can't even put aside a little bit of money to come see him get married. While all of this is happening, we would never thought to miss anything remotely important in their lives and always, always, try to be there for them. How and when do people get so wrapped up in their own world that they fail to see their importance to someone else, someone who is so utterly disappointed that his family cannot come see him, or someone who can't even put a little effort in. But Joe is so forgiving that sometimes, it upsets me. But more importantly, I respect him for his undying love for these people who do not deserve it.

The one thing I learn about people is that people want to be your best friend when it is most convenient for them. In the case of wedding, when they can walk down the aisle and show the guests that they are the bride/groom's best friend. But when the time of need comes, they fail to show up.

This is the one part of wedding planning that I wish I can avoid, because if it goes further, I really think I will resent people enough to cut off relationships with them. That would be the last thing I want.

Rehearsal

As I was running out of the door this morning, along with my banana and tangerines packed for a day's work, I also grabbed a handful of pink envelopes adorn with pretty little stamps to drop off to the mailbox. These are our rehearsal dinner invites that are en route to our special guests. The final stretch is here.

Dome of Love

Last Friday, Joe and I ran speedily to the church after work to meet with our coordinator. I was especially excited about this meeting as it signifies the closeness of the day we're saying "I do." Also, we were to observe another rehearsal that night to see how a wedding should run at the church. I've been to the church many a time, but every time that I step foot into it, it takes my breath away. The colors, the elegance, the magnificence, the light and the dome that sit atop the place where we will be standing 17 days from today and be joined as man and wife and no man can put asunder.
please excuse the blurry pictures. It was taken from my Blackberry.

Peace

photo via [weddingbeepro]
Soon, I will be looking peaceful, in all my glory, waiting to walk down the aisle to my groom. I wonder what I will be thinking in that moment. I hope it's something nice. I especially hope I will not be thinking of any wedding details.

Local landmark

It's always nice to see a local landmark captured artistically. I've lived in San Jose my entire life, and have on multiple occasions passed by this very sign. It always just seem so ordinary, until I saw this picture that captures it in a beautifully artistic sense.
photo via [weddingbeepro]

Magazine liner

photo via [with this ring, i thee obsess]

What a fantastic idea! It's so easy to do since everyone of us must have stacks and stacks of magazines lying around. Let's put them to good use and recycle!

The case of the flower girl dress

My niece Emily is our flower girl. I love this girl. She is also my god-daughter and therefore really really important to me. So I also want her to feel important and special on our wedding day. I've been searching high and low for a dress for her to wear as she walks down the aisle, but without breaking the bank. I've been eying dresses from JCrew and Janie and Jack such as these:

[JCrew] - $98 on sale

[Janie and Jack] - $140

But at >$100 a piece, I couldn't bear to bear to hit the check out button.

Instead, I browsed Target one day and found something that I like for like 10% of the price.
At $17.99 for this little thing, I think she'll like it because it's big and round and princess-y. I like it! I will go hit the checkout button now.

Ooohhhh and Aaaahhhh!

This is the reaction I had when I saw the fantabulousness that is this grand entrance. Oh my gosh, it is absolutely adorable. What is there not to love about it! I want, I want, I want.
photo via [eLuckyme]

Finalizing the deal

You know you are reaching the end of the planning road when your vendors are starting to reach out to you instead of you reaching out to your vendors.

On Friday, I will be meeting the coordinator that was assigned to us for the church ceremony. We will be attending another couple's wedding rehearsal prior to the meeting to see how the mass is conducted.

On Saturday morning, I will come in for my final fitting. I'm really really excited about this one as I get to my dress again, this time, it should fit perfectly.

The rest of the weekend will be filled with wedding planning and finalizing the details. For now, I leave you with these beautiful images taken by our very own photographer. Soon, this will be us.
photos via [Weddingbeepro]

Party planning

As I'm trying to finalize some details with regards to the bridal shower I'm throwing for my friend Sarah, specifically the menu and decor details, I came across this oh so adorable little appetizer and cannot help but share them!
photo via [flickr]

These seem like they're so easy to make: hard boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and feta sprinkles. Love it!

Rainbows make me happy

On the way to work today, I saw the most beautiful rainbow on the road. What's great is that from the moment I left my house, to the time I got to work, the rainbow was in plain sight.

I didn't want to get out of bed today to go into work, because Joe got the day off today as well as yesterday. All I wanted to do was stayed in bed, remaining wrapped in our comfy bed with our dog curled up right next to us, and sleep the day away. But alas, I got out of bed and dragged myself to work, and witness the beautiful creation.
I even think that I have reach the end of the rainbow. There is no pot of gold, but it still precious.

Are programs even a necessity?

No. Do I want them? Absolutely.

Along with many other things I did this weekend, I finished up our programs. We are having a Catholic wedding and the majority of our guests are Catholic who knows how a mass is programmed. With that said, our programs will not include the program about the mass, but it will highlight the important portions of the mass. In addition, we will have a brief wedding party page and a thank you page. All in all, it turned out really nicely and I couldn't be happier with the result.

Adoration

Oh.My.God! I love this little number from JCrew. Such a classic! That's all I've got to say.

On sale for $120 right now.

This would make an awesome bridesmaid gift, but I am considering adorning this at my rehearsal dinner with a cute little short white dress.

Shower with love

Along with the many things I had to do this weekend was my friend Sarah's bridal shower invitation. This was a labor of love as the shower is on 2/28, just a mere 14 days from my wedding. I say it was a labor of love was because on top of everything I had to do for my own wedding, I had to make these invites. I'm glad they are done though, and will be in her safe little hands tomorrow to be sent out to her guests.

Sweet love details

I absolutely love these little details that would make any envelopes. It's even better beautifully calligraph'ed.
photo via [Pen and Ink]

Count down begin

I didn't do a count down post 2 days ago when we hit our 30 days, because I am waiting for today to come. Today is Valentine's Day, though it had only begun. Today we celebrate love. Today, many women will get engaged. Heck, one of my friends got engaged today 4 years ago. I am not one of those women. I don't do things on Valentine's Day, for fear of being trampled on. I celebrate in a very simple way, in a daily way. I don't want flowers, I don't want candy, I don't want fancy dinner or candlelights. If it had been any other year, today would be another day.

This year is special though. Today, we will celebrate that 4 weeks from today, we will walk down the aisle. We are 28 days away from the big day. Today, it is raining like mad. The weekend forecast is calling for rain! Please rain away, but go away the weekend of my wedding. Though I am tired as mad right now from a long day of working then a long night of wedding planning, I am sitting here at 2:00am writing this post because I am oh so excited that the real count down is going to begin.

Hope everyone is going to have a great Valentine's Day, whatever it is that you're doing.

Bachelorette Party - Vegas style, part 2

Finally, we arrived at XS @ Encore. Luckily, my sister knew someone who worked at the Wynn Hotel, who was able to give us tickets to go to XS for free without having to wait in line. We were able to maximize our time at XS that way. I have never been to XS before, but it was an awesome place, not too busy, but has a good enough crowd to have fun. Additionally, it had a place outside where you can go and rest your feet if you need to. I loved that! My only peeve about that place is the music. Oh wells. Here are some fav pics of the night.

We arrived at the Encore hotel and there were these lobby chairs that we completely took advantage of for some photo ops.

Then we were inside the clubDancing awayUntil our feet got tiredThen we rest. Then do it all over again until the clock strikes 3am. We called it a night.

Gifts for our reader

We have two readers, one cousin from each side.

I don't have a lot of family in the state, other than my immediate family. I have three uncles, none of whom had married. However, one had a child name Lindsey and she is my only cousin by blood here. Lindsey has two other half siblings and I consider them family though they are in no way related to me. She will be reading our first reading.

Joe grew up in a large family, with an even larger extended family. Unfortunately, I don't know any of them well enough prior to our marriage. However, I am putting his two sisters in my bridal party. One of his cousins Aimee that he considers family cannot partake in the bridal party. As such, she will be doing our second reading.

I am gifting each of these girls with this beautiful necklace that I found on etsy by seller magpiedesignz. I will have their initials stamped on the disks. I think it is just so simple and personal, that I would have loved to receive something like this and would be proud to adorn it on a daily basis. I hope they like it.
photo via [etsy]

To do list shrinking

Our to do list is getting much smaller now. Today, I was able to cross off another item on the list, the rehearsal dinner venue. We've decided to do the rehearsal dinner at Dave and Buster's. For those of you who don't know, Dave and Buster's is like an adult Chuck E. Cheese's. It has lots of video games, billiard, golf simulator, etc. On top of that, it has alcohol! Mixing the combination always guarantees a good time.

What we're doing is renting out a part of the area. We will be dining buffet style on billard tables (which is set for dining) and it will be broken down for billiard after.

Even more awesome was that I worked there for 2 years when I was going to college. It's a lot of fun there, from personal experience.

Other things I'm planning to do this weekend is finish up the escort cards, the menu and the program, all the while celebrating Valentine's day. It's a lot of tasks to take on, but I'm determined to get it done.

Wedding vent #4: stress

I've been so extremely tired lately, since I got back from my Vegas trip. During the day, I can barely keep my eyes open. During the night, I fall asleep instantly and sleep for hours! I wake up and I start thinking about my work and all the things I have to do for the wedding and I get so overwhelmed. I just need the weekend to come so I can finally take a breather. I need Friday night to come already and it just seems like days away.

As we speak, Joe and his buddies are off to Tahoe to snowboard. I don't want to be mad at him for it, but I am very very resentful of the fact that I'm working so hard, with so many things left to do and he's off having fun. I want to be able to enjoy the last portion of wedding planning, but it is getting so hard. I want to enjoy it with my fiance who wants to do his best to support me. I'm so tired, all the time.

Bachelorette Party - Vegas style, part 1

We arrived to a beautiful room
Resting before having to go out
Getting ready
POSE!
Next up, a night on the town.