Weddingbee Blog

I’m invited to 2 weddings this year. One in Tahoe in June and another one in Alaska in September I think it was. I used to hate going to weddings but after my friends started getting married off one by one I’ve really learned to enjoy them. I mean a wedding is a GREAT excuse to buy a new dress, and new shoes, and maybe some nice earrings. That’s 3 new items for ME just because I’m going to a wedding. WooHoo!

Then you go, throw the bride and groom some cash, eat food, dance till your feet hurt, and shove all the bitches who think they’re gonna catch the bouquet when it’s got my name written ALL OVER IT. (I really don’t do the last part. Really, I don’t, but I can picture doing it. MuHAHAHA!)

Ok the boyfriend was just here doing the running man. FREAK.

If you’ve read my previous entries I’m gonna go with cylinder centerpieces. To get an idea of just exactly how many I need for each table….I’m a little hesitant to show you guys this because I’m afraid that you’ll think I’m psychotic…SIKE! I don’t care what you heifers think! I already know I’m crazy. So there!…I’m sorry I always wander onto Planet Ladybug out of the blue…I just can help it demmit! So this is what I did. Laugh if must but I shall bitch slap you and your grandmother. That’s right hide your grannies! I’ll find them!

SHUT UP! I don’t want to hear it. Let me explain what you’re looking at. (double click to get a larger view) I wrote down all the different sized cylinder vases I saw on this one website (Save On Crafts), actually cut the measurements out on paper, and wrote on them how much a dozen would cost for each size. STOP LAUGHING! Ok, you can laugh but you’ll stop laughing once I take photos of the actual centerpieces when I’m done and you’re gonna wanna borrow it after my wedding. Then we’ll see who laughs last! All I can say is “It won’t be you.”

I originally started weddingbee as a personal blog on xanga. That blog enabled me to learn so much about wedding planning simply by documenting the whole process and by interacting with other brides in the blogging community. I soon realized that blogs and brides go hand in hand and started this site in hopes of helping other brides out there.

Fellow weddingbee blogger Miss Ladybug (also known as OrganizedWedding) and I have transferred everything from our xanga sites to here. You can now search for posts according to author, category, and date! We will be adding more bloggers and much more content in coming weeks. Meanwhile have a look around and stay awhile!

Warning: This site will be updated daily and may be highly addictive.

I have a confession to make. I returned a lot of the gifts we received off our wedding registry. We had a very small registry (because we didn’t want to appear greedy even though I am) and ended up getting pretty much everything we registered for. But it was too much - I still have presents stacked in our living room closet (that I plan to regift one day haha just kidding).

The reality is that when you live in a small New York apartment, you just don’t have room for all the gifts you receive. So for couples living in New York, I now give gift cards to the store they’re registered at so they can buy what they need/want.

We registered at Bed Bath and Beyond because of their great return policy and because we needed a lot of basic housewares. Other popular places to register include: Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams and Sonoma, and Target. You might even want to consider specialty stores like the Container Store (which I love), Home Depot, Ikea, or even Amazon.

What everyone needs is going to be different, but I thought I’d share some of the products that I use myself and recommend.

2 Slice Toaster Cover from Bed Bath and Beyond - $5.99. I’m going to buy one of these and a blender cover today actually. It’ll keep your toaster clean because who knows what could fall in there.

Cabinet Shelves from the Container Store in small ($2.99), medium ($3.99), and large ($4.99). Simply indispensable for organizing your kitchen cabinets. I have more than double the space thanks to these nifty organizers. They also come in double stacking but I find the single ones are perfect for shelves.

Corner organizer rack from the Container Store for $7.99. The open front enables you to access dishes easily and maximizes cabinet space.

Lid Organizer from the Container Store for $3.99. Also good for organizing baking pans.

Undersink organizer from the Container Store for $14.99. It’s plastic and kinda ghetto, but the shelves are adjustable so you can make room for pipes. Besides you’re never going to see it and it’s great for organizing all those cleaning products under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Oxo Goodgrips Dustpan and Whiskbroom $9.99 everywhere. The best whiskbroom I’ve ever used.

All Clad Stainless Steel cookware. Yes it’s expensive but it’s simply the best and will last you a lifetime. This is what you’ll see all the chefs on the Food Network using. These are the basic pieces I’d recommend:

• 12″ & 10″ nonstick frying pan. Hands down the best nonstick pan I’ve ever used. For a more seasoned cook, you might want to get the regular frying pans in 12″ and 10″ instead of the nonstick.
• 3 quart covered saute pan
• 2 & 3 quart covered sauce pan
• 8 or 16 quart stockpot.

3.5 quart Rival Crockpot. Don’t get the ones with the fancy dials and switches. The old fashioned ones with only three settings - off, low, high - are still the best and will last you a lifetime. Plus it’s only around $20-$30! You’d be surprised how many delicious meals you can make with crock pots from chili (which I make all the time), pot roast, even stuffing! You turn it on when you leave for work, allow to cook for 8 hours and when you come home voila! a hot meal all cooked and waiting for you. I love my crock pot.

Lodge Logic Preseaoned Square Grill Pan - $25.00. Cast iron gets super hot so it really sears the flavors into your food and is great for indoor grilling. Clean-up is kinda hard, but it’s worth it for those delicious burgers, chicken, steaks and veggies with perfect grill marks. I also take it camping because it’s so sturdy and put it right on top of the campfire grill.

Riedel red and white wine tumblers. I can’t count how many wine glasses I’ve broken. These great tumblers are in the shape of wine glasses without that easily breakable stem.

Vacu Vin Wine Saver. I use this ALL the time. It sucks the air out of open wine bottles so the wine retains its taste longer. This is simply indispensable.

Oxo medium silicone spatula. I use the silicone spatula almost every single day. I love this tool! So much so I bought the medium spoon spatula, but the silicone spatula is still my favorite. Silicone can withstand extremely high heats so even if you leave it in your pan, it won’t burn and it won’t scratch your nonstick pans.

Oxo Stainless steel locking tongs. You’d be surprised just how much you use tongs in the kitchen! They’re an absolute kitchen essential especially when it comes to grilling. These lock to close for easy storage.

Oxo Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener. This can opener takes lids off under the lid so there are no sharp edges. It also has little tongs for you to lift the lid off so you never even have to touch it at all.

Oxo Good Grips 2 cup angled measuring cup. You can see the measurement looking down into the cup instead of the side.

Silpat Baking Sheets. A must if you bake!

Braun Handheld Blender and Chopper. I use this more often than a blender. Works fabulously!

Corelle Dishes. Just like the ones mom had. I’ve had cute dishes from Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel made of glass, stoneware, earthenware…. they all chip and they’re heavy. This is a practical set to start out with - super durable, light, and affordable.

Global knives. The Japanese makes the best knives and no kitchen is complete without a set of good knives. The Global line is much lighter than Wusthof or Henckels so it’s great for women to use. I’d recommend the chef’s knife, santoku knife, paring knife, and a set of steak knives to start.

Sonicare Elite 7500. It has a timer so it automatically shuts off after 2 minutes. It also beeps every 30 seconds so you know when to switch to a different section. My teeth have never felt cleaner!

I’ll add more as I think of them…

My wedding favors came in about a month ago. They’re so cute and they’re green! I must kick into my opera voice~ Laaaaaaaaaa! La,La,La, Laaaaaaaaaaaa!

I got the Tea Forte sachets. You can order a box of 48 tea infusers for $45 (not bad). They come in assorted flavors. I ordered a box of the Forte (black tea), Oasis (green tea), and a box of the Chamomile Tisane (herbal tea).

The expensive side of this favor kicks in when you want to order the ceramic tray (displayed in the 1st photo above). They come 2 in a box and the average going price at the time of my research was $6 a box. I found mine for $5. Yes it is pricey but they’re sooo cute plus I don’t want a favor that my guests will throw out. I want one they can use. Also the majority of them are coming from out of town so hell yeah I want something nice for my guests. There are many sites that carry the Tea Forte collection so really do your research on this.

I also really want to do a cookie favor to go with the tea. I want to put it all in a box and when they open it it’ll be like: Ta Da! You are special, no matter what yo momma said to you. This is not a crappy guest favor my piggies!!

I mean what’s tea without cookies? It is nothing. Who drinks tea without cookies? What crazy person would do that? That’s just sick!………. I’m sorry what?………… Oh. Everyone? hmm.

So I’m the only freak. Sue me. I need a munchie with my tea. Is that such a crime? That’s just how it is. Not to mention 2 packets of sugar with the tea! Oh yeah! That’s right baby! Sweet & yummy! Just like yo suga momma!!! I’m sorry. I got lost on planet Ladybug again.

So anyways, where was I? Yes, cookies! Who doesn’t like cookies? I really like the monogram cookies. They’re looking really cute to me with the pastel icing. Kinda like a hot boy in daisy dukes. Hahaha…. I’m getting a visual. Haha… I chuckle and I’m 100% kidding so relax! If not the monogram then I wouldn’t mind the “Love” cookies but only if they got rid of the red and made it more color coded to my color theme.

More of those funny Natan ads…

Yesterday was my birthday. Guess how old I am… um, maybe you shouldn’t.

My parents came by in the morning and gave me my present- the Vera Wang Love Knot cake knife and trowel set. I need to find a place to get it engraved with our wedding date.

Michael bought my present a few weeks ago and I’ve been “borrowing” it ever since. It takes fabulous pictures - the Canon SD 550.

The day: We went for a walk in Central Park (I also ran for around 2 1/2 miles… it was so nice out!). And then Michael had a fabulous night planned:

We started at Gramercy Tavern for dinner. Yummy!

Then had a drink at Flatiron Lounge (ketol and cranberry, as always).

Before heading over to Jazz Standard (right downstairs from Blue Smoke) for the 9:30 set.

Could you look for the double happiness cake top I posted for less than $12? Pink_Seashell_Wedding

Here you go girl!

Bridal People - $15.00
Bridal Everything - $15.00
Ebay - $11.98
Canadian Bride Wedding Shop - $13.98
Chic Wedding Favors - $11.99
Gift Creek Bridal - $11.95
Wedding Star - $11.98

Beautiful garters from Angel Threads. Nice ring pillows too, but a bit pricey …

Cute flats for the not-so-traditional bride. Below in silver. They also come in gold, brown, and orient wine (your very own ruby slippers!). From Rocket Dog.

Something for your Bridesmaids? Personalized make-up bag for only $20 from Bagettes.com. I think it would look even better with a childhood photo.

Monogrammed silk photo albums perhaps for your proofs? They come in lots of colors and two sizes ($138 for the small and $173 for the large). Unfortunately, the album doesn’t have pockets, so you have to post photos with glue dots/photo corners.

One of my fave brands for albums is Molly West - lots of fabrics perfect for weddings, baby, or just random pictures.

I work for American Express and yesterday this card was being promoted at the company. I didn’t even know.

So one of my co-workers got me a free magazine! So sweet. She had Carly Roney sign the magazine for me. Hahaha… I lub free crap.

I’m gonna surf through it and add any interesting stuff onto my online resource entry and update it for you ladies. I’ll let you know when I’m done. It’s 832 pages so give me some time. For those of you still looking for a dress I suggest you dish out the 10 bucks and buy the magazine. It has over 900 wedding gowns posted.

I have tons of ideas… I fall asleep trying to think of new things and sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night because of a recurring nightmare. Which is usually me running out of money to pay the vendors.

I know don’t tell me. P-s-y-c-h-o!

If you have any suggestions or something you want me to research let me know. I’m down for the research. Bring it on.

From an email…

my best friend is getting married and i am her bridesmaid… i have to help my friend’s mom in planning the shower, obviously the bachelorette party, etc. was wondering if you have any links/ideas re: party favors/games to play at a shower, bachelorette party ideas, etc…

Personally I’ve only been to 1 bridal shower and 1 bachelorette party in my entire life (which I planned as the maid of honor). I guess I was one of the first to get married amongst my friends. My friends also threw me a bridal shower/bachelorette party in Vegas when I got married so technically I’ve been to 1 1/2?

Both bachelorette parties were in Vegas - my parents read this site so suffice it to say that there were penises (fake ones), strippers, gambling, and lots of debauchery. I can’t say that I know too much about planning bridal showers and bachelorette parties, but here are a few ideas…

This is from the bridal shower I planned for my friend.

• Kitchen themed shower which means everyone brought kitchen related shower gifts.
• Guest favors - I purchased cookie cutters and attached a recipe for cookies (and more stuff I can’t remember) and put it all into gift bags.
• All decorations were in the bride’s color scheme - fuschia & tangerine.
• Had food catered from a favorite Cuban restaurant Versailles.
• Drink - French martinis. Vodka, Chambord, & pineapple juice.
• Games played - I never, toilet paper wedding dress, how well does the bride know the groom (and vice versa), who knows the bride the best, guess that jingle, purse scavenger hunt, etc… Everyone had a blast with the games. You have to do a lot of prep for these beforehand!
• Game prizes - antibacterial hand soaps from Bath & Body Works (and more I can’t remember). We had a grand prize too.

Toilet paper wedding dress was one of the most fun and popular games. We had everyone break up into groups of 3. One person served as the bride and the other team members made a wedding dress out of toilet paper. The last dress won - they even made a garter!

Bridal Shower Ideas

1. Alice’s Tea Cup where you can host your very own mad hatter tea party!

2. Little Shop of Crafts party where you can do any craft in the store - pottery, mosaics, wood, plastercraft, beading, make a tshirt, or make a teddy bear.

3. An activity party like rollerskating, ice skating, bowling.

4. Host a party at someone’s apartment or at a restaurant.

5. Naughty/sexy themed party - sex toys and/or lingerie as gifts.

6. Wine tasting party.

7. Take a naughty class together - lap dance, strip tease, blow job, how to talk dirty, role play.

8. Take a dance class together - hip hop, belly dance, salsa, samba, bollywood, african.

9. Take a cooking class together.

10. Take a flower arranging class at Flower School or at the New York Botanical Gardens.

Bachelorette Party Ideas

1. It’s obvious but, Vegas baby! You can’t go wrong.

2. Tranny bars like Lucky Cheng’s or Lips - always lots of laughs.

3. Hire a private erotic balloon maker for a party. I met him at Lucky Cheng’s and he’s hilarious!

4. Weekend roadtrip.

5. A girl’s day out at Coney Island.

6. Have a tarot card reader, palm reader, astrologer, or psychic come and give everyone readings.

7. Slumber Party - pizza, movies, popcorn, makeovers, games and alcohol!

8. A makeover party. Hire a makeup artist come and give everyone makeovers. Then go out for a night on the town!

9. Girl’s night out… and don’t forget the karaoke bar!

10. Strip club! It’s all in good fun.

Links

1. All About Showers - bridal shower games with worksheets that you can print.

2. Party 411 & blissweddings - more bridal shower games.

3. 101 Bachelorette Party tips - ideas for themed bachelorette parties.

4. Bachelorette Party Ideas for girls that are a little bit wild.

5. Webtender, Barmeister, Digital Bartender, Realbeer, Barnonedrinks - drinking games.

I’ll add more ideas as I think of them. Meanwhile, please share your best bachelorette party and bridal shower ideas!

I went with a friend from work to buy bridesmaids dresses; she was skeptical about Lord & Taylor, but now is a convert. Lord & Taylor has an old & dowdy reputation, but the (female) CEO has upgraded their merchandise in the past year. The dress department is fantastic — great styles, lots of sizes, everything hanging neatly. They had a couple of great printed wrap dresses (either BCBG or Laundry, I think) that I want to check out for work.

The color is really more plum than purple (as it appears in the pictures). It’s crazy how everything is slowly coming together. My next goals are invitations, veil and cake… and of course, the ever-present losing weight!

I thought this was really cute.

I can already picture it on a cake table or by the guest book table filled with water with flowers here and there or even filled with stones or colored gems. Ooh or even small tealight candles.

nj wedding shop for $35.90
the wedding ring for $34.00
where bride’s go for $29.95
weddingstar for $32.98
expressive ink for $29.95