Weddingbee Blog

I’m actually going back and editing all my old entries and updating them with new photos and anal rententive crap like that. I went to my entry where I wrote about paper lanterns and checked out all the old links I posted like this one:

Cultural Intrigue

Eyelet patterned paper lanterns - These would look so pretty lit!

Paper Parasols

Vintage Glass Candle Holders & Vases

To tell you the truth, wedding shoes were not on the top of my priority list. Who was even going to see them anyway? Still I would have felt a little odd walking down the aisle in flip flops while wearing such a beautiful dress. And detail shots of wedding shoes are always a favorite “must take” photo opportunity.

We took pictures around the city for a couple of hours before our wedding so I knew my feet would not last the entire day in heels, even though I had purchased a very moderate 2″ pair. I grew up in California so I live in my flip-flops!

Your feet will be killing you on your big day so I highly suggest you bring a pair of flip flops with you - I changed into mine immediately after the ceremony and danced the night away.

Nowdays, there are so many wedding specific options out there…

Nomad Bling with 3″ heel from My Glass Slipper. $34.00.

Bamboo Captan-14 with 2″ heel from My Glass Slipper. $29.00.

Rocketdog Crush from My Glass Slipper. $34.00.

Rocketdog Miami with 1 3/4″ heel from Zappos. $30.95.

Reef Mollie with 2 3/4″ heel from Zappos. $35.95.

Steve Madden Adriactic with 1 1/2″ heel from Zappos. $45.95

Mella White Terry Platfrom Flip Flop with 3 1/4′ heel from Pajamamania. $34.95. This could even be your “something blue!”

Havianas High Look Platform Flip Flops with 2 3/8″ heel from Agua Viva USA. $29.00.

Havianas Platform Flip Flops with Crystals with 2 1/2″ heel from Crystal Flip Flops. $90.00.

Havianas Platforms with Crystal Pave from With Crystals and Stones. $145.00

Guess Flip Flop w/ Crystal Heart Accent and 1″ heel from Guess Factory Outlet. $19.99.

Hope Fight Breast Cancer Flip Flop with 1 3/4″ heel from Unique Presence. $109.00. (Also available with white crystals). A portion of the proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research.

Savvy Platform Sandals with 1 3/4″ heel. $35.95.

Your feet will be thanking you.

Part I
Part II

Last week we received an email from a bride who recently attended a bridal show and subsequently received 3 phone calls about free trips she had won. All she had to do, they said, was come pick up her voucher.

Being a savvy bride, she used her googling skills to find out that these companies were actually in the business of selling cookware. She also found that numerous complaints had been filed against one of the companies that had contacted her. So she asked us to delve a little further into bridal show spam and scams.

I was fascinated by this topic and immediately started researching it. The companies I kept coming across were Royal Prestige, Carico Healthy Lifestyles, Bridal Registry Healthy Lifestyles, and 21st Century Today’s Bride. I found negative stories about all of them but also some good experiences and even very positive reviews of the products too.

After reading through tons of accounts, I pieced together the details that were similar throughout each of their experiences with these companies:

1. Brides register for a wedding website, sign up for a newsletter or attend a bridal show where they enter contests.
2. Someone contacts the bride via phone telling her that she has won a free trip and/or a $500 gift certificate for a shopping spree (from a site such as keshoppingspree).
3. In order to claim her voucher, she has to go to a local hotel room with her fiance (couples are mandatory) where they will sit through a presentation anywhere from 90 minutes to 5 hours. They are told there is no obligation to buy.
4. The company presents a very hard sell on their cookware, china, knives, etc.
5. The bride receives a travel voucher, but there are many restrictions: you must pay for your own airfare, you can only travel on specific dates, you must book well in advance and you must send in a $50 deposit.
6. The shopping spree voucher requires that you pay shipping and handling for each item that often exceeds the value of the product you’re ordering.
7. Most contracts offer a 3 day cancellation period after your purchase, but customers often have a difficult time reaching a customer service agent to do so.

A lot of brides seemed to think that their information was provided to these companies by theknot, weddingchannel or David’s Bridal because they had never attended a bridal show and these were the only sites they had registered with. But I have no idea whether or not this is true.

However we do know that many bridal shows and wedding websites often sell “lead lists” to vendors and this is how these companies are able to obtain your contact information.

Are these cookware companies a scam? Find out in our fourth and final installment of Bridal Spam and Scams tomorrow.

I love shopping for shoes on Zappos because they have a huge selection, great sales, lots of reviews, plus free shipping and super easy returns. Often if I place an order online, I’ll receive my shoes the next day!

Zappos has a pretty good selection of affordable bridal shoes and if you’re lazy and live online like me, this would be the first place I’d check. These pair of Vigotti Kacy shoes with fabric ankle wrap for $129.95 were my favorite. So pretty and feminine!

I also found these almost identical Vera Wang shoes on the site for $453.95. I’m a petite gal and I like shoes with a nice heel on them so I prefer the Vigotti shoes above (plus of course they’re cheaper).

I also liked these RSVP Dress open toe shoes with a bow on the back. (on sale for $56.95 through Friday)

Like your shoes with a little sparkle? These RSVP Jilly sandals are on sale for $56.95 through Friday.

These bejeweled buckle RSVP Lily are for the woman who wants to make a statement. They can be yours for $79.95.

The RSVP Caitlin sandal looks like a very comfortable shoe that you can dance the night away in. (on sale for $50.95 through Friday)

The Bouquets Honey peeptoe shoe is a feminine and stylish shoe. (on sale for $106.95 through Friday)

The Bouquets Isadora pointy toe slingback with a tiny bow detail is a classic wedding shoe. (on sale for $84.95 through Friday)

Bouquets Antonia is a fun, flirty, slip-on peep toe shoe. (on sale for $50.95 through Friday)

The Cynthia Rowley Sav is a classic and very comfortable looking wedding shoe for $195.95.

I’m one of those people who would never spend a fortune on wedding shoes (unless I were fabulously wealthy because then of course I would hahahaha!). But I do like these pretty Vera Wang numbers from the site.

(Upon closer inspection, this has sparkles on it. I still like the design of the shoe though.)

I sometimes find that my interest in wedding planning comes in waves. One week, I’ll research everything — favors from zimbabwe, top ten dance instructors for the cha-cha, I’ll book vendors, buy glassware, edit invite designs.

And then there is the lull. Nothing to do; no interest to do it. I feel like I’m in a holding pattern. Am I the only bride-to-be whose interest in the wedding waxes and wanes?

Crate & Barrel
I forgot to give you ladies an update on our Crate & Barrel trip to create our registry. It didn’t start off very well. We started bickering about the stupidest things and to top it off I was pmsing like no tomorrow. I mean, you could have changed my name to Lucifer.

C: You don’t need 10 plates! 6!
S: Nooooo I want 10!
C: 6!
S: You know, you don’t need those shot glasses either but you put them on! 10!
C: Ok fine. What about the bowls? 6.
S: Nooooo 10.
C: 6
S: 10!

C: (looking at a teapot) What about this?
S: Mmmm…no I don’t like it.
C: But I like it.
S: But it doesn’t go with anything I picked.
C: Ok fine!

Then I started to feel bad…
S: Ok hun, you can get it if you want to.
See, I’m generous. ONE teapot.

C: What about this?
S: We don’t need it.

S: What about this?
C: We don’t need it.

After about 45 minutes we were both in a really pissy mood ’til we hit the kitchen appliance section where we ran into a sales person (who instantly became a superhero in my eyes) who said:

Super Man: Would you like some wine?
C: YES PLEASE!

After 2 glasses, C was as easy going and loose as a two-bit ho. YES! He comes up to me and goes:

C: Hun, I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m so uptight sometimes. You can put whatever you want on the registry.
S: It’s okay, I forgive you for being an a**hole.

Sike! I said I was sorry too. I’m not a total bitch. That would have been cool though if I got to say that and got away with it. After the 2 glasses of red wine it was smooth sailing.

Bloomingdale’s
So Saturday my sister Esther and I went to Bloomingdale’s to create another registry. I originally wanted to because I wanted to get nice bedding but I didn’t really see anything that I liked. My FAVORITE thing on my registry is this china set. The picture doesn’t do it any justice. Esther and I were just staring at in awe.

Every Tuesday we’ll post listings for upcoming trunk shows and sales in the city. If you know of a trunk show, sample sale, or sale that we’re missing, please send it to us at bee@weddingbee.com. Thanks!

SALES

Candice Solomon Couture
What: Wedding Dresses 50% off during sample sale (normally $2,500 to $20,000). Alterations are also included.
Where: 327 Lafayette Street, (near Houston)
Phone: 212-645-7123
When: March 1 - March 15 (Tues - Sun by appointment only).

Mika Inatome
What: Wedding Dresses are up to 90% off (normally about $3,000).
Where: 93 Reade Street near Church, second floor
Phone: 212-966-7777
When: March 11 - March 17 (by appointment only)

TRUNK SHOWS

Monique Lhuillier
Where: Mark Ingram’s Bridal Atelier, 127 E. 56th Street (bet Lex and Park)
Phone: 212-319-6778
When: March 9 - March 11 (by appointment only)

Bonapart NY
Where: Bonapart, NY, 154 Spring Street, 2nd Floor
Phone: 212-206-9302
When: March 10 - March 11

Christos
Where: Kleinfeld, 110 West 20th Street (bet 6th and 7th Ave)
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: March 10 - March 12

Henry Roth
Where: Kleinfeld, 110 West 20th Street, (bet 6th and 7th Ave)
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: March 14 - March 16

Amsale
Where: Kleinfeld, 110 West 20th Street, (bet 6th and 7th Ave)
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: March 17 - March 19 (by appointment only)

These are the final people that I met with. I am very close to a decision and I’m so excited!!

Photo/Video II - DagZag

Please go to their website for photos and a clip of their demo video.

Package & Pricing:

Photography

• up to 10 hours
• Film and digital (color & b/w)
• All images burned to a CD + contact book (similar to proof book)
• Second photographer
• $3000 for above
• Albums are 150 - 200 images all different sizes for $1500
• Different album with 1 photo per page with border for $400

Videography

• up to 10 hours
• 10 - 15 minute video with 3 DVD’s for $2700
• 20 - 35 minute video with 3 DVD’s for $3500

Final Rating:
A-/B+

I really liked her photos. She took a lot of great shots and I really liked the emotions that she captured of the guests while they were watching the ceremony - it was really beautiful. Her personality is amazing and I got along with her very well.

Her husband does the videography and his videos are pretty good. I liked the style of the video, but there was some background noise that I could have done without. Certain portions have faster songs, which you don’t see a lot with other videographers. If you like the fun music, I would recommend him. Overall, they make a great pair and would do a really good job at your wedding.

I am now meeting with only people who do both photo and video. I think I’ve seen enough photographers who work on their own to have a good idea of what I am looking for. I’m looking at photo and video people who work together, because it might save me some money.

Photo/Video I - 5 West Studios

Please go to their website for pictures and a demo clip of their video

Package & Pricing

Photography

• Digital pictures
• 4 hour basic coverage, but you can buy additional hours
• Negatives on CD or DVD (your choice)
• Online proofing
• Proof book
• Assistant
• $250 per hour
• $200 for engagement session
• Sales Tax additional
• Albums are coffee table style, with about 100 images - base at $350 plus $12 per page. Additional albums are discounted.

Videography

Package 1

• only available on off season
• 7 hours of shooting
• 1 camera and 1 camera operator
• 1 DVD
• $1,400

Package 2:

• 9 hours of shooting
• 2 cameras and 2 camera operators
• 3 DVD’s
• $1,800

Package 3:

• 11 hours of shooting
• 3 cameras and 2 camera operators
• Online highlight footage
• Raw footage (everything they shot during the day)
• 5 DVD’s
• $2,300

Final Rating:
A-/B+

This photographer takes some amazing shots. Very photojournalistic and has a good eye for detail shots. He takes about 500 to 700 photos which was the only thing that concerned me a little, since I was expecting over 1000. However, the quality of his photos are really good, so I don’t think I will have any problem coming up with 100 or 120 really good shots for an album. He touches up a little bit on photos that go into an album. If you are looking for a very reasonably priced photographer, this is it! His photos are very good, especially for someone in this price range.

The video that I saw was also very good for its price. The editing during the fast songs were a bit choppy (went from one scene to the next very quickly), however, the editing during the slower songs was very good. I got teary eyed when I saw the groom getting ready, in black and white. He was showing off how he looked to his groomsmen, and they gave him a hug for good luck. Awwwwwww.

I told him that I liked this slower feel better, and he said just to remind him of it when it comes time. The bonus? If you liked Iris Cinema, then you’ll like the feel of this group - the videographers used to work for them! There is a whole range of videographers between this price range and the higher price range, but again, I think this video is very good for the price. You can also customize your package, depending on what you want added (example - online highlight of the wedding video).

Note: If you book them together, you get a discount of 5%.

Photographer Search I
Photographer Search II

I’m almost done meeting with photographers! As much as I love seeing different styles of photos and meeting with different personalities, I am tired of running around all over the city and running out of work just to get to these meetings! I’m putting cab drivers’ children through college with all the money I’m spending on them. Why do all photographers work from the west side!

Anyway, I met three photographers this weekend.

Photographer 4 - Daphne Borowski

Basic Package:

• Digital pictures
• 8 hours
• Website for online pictures
• Proof book
• Assistant

Cost:

• Prices (including albums prices) are available upon request

Final Rating:
A-

I think her pictures are absolutely fantastic. She has some great shots that are not on the website, my favorite being a wedding ring on the bride’s finger while she is getting ready. Her style reminds me of something out of a classic 50’s movie - very classic and very elegant. She also takes portraits of brides to make sure that you have that one shot of you where you look absolutely perfect.

She takes about 600 to 700 shots for the 8 hours, and does all different types of albums, including coffee table (my favorite!). She also touches up all of the pictures when they go into an album (wow). I loved her personality - very frank. I talked to her like she was my friend, not someone whom I would potentially hire.

Finally, she works with a specific group of videographers (if you were interested in hiring a videographer through her), and their videos were really good. I don’t know which company does it or if it’s even a different company - all I know is that you book them through her. If you like her style, then I would definitely go in for a meeting, and ask about the videos too!

OMG the Hello Kitty Bridesmaids Dress has been found and it’s worse than we could have ever imagined. (via liweddings)

Jennifer Wilbanks gained national notoriety last year when she became known as the runaway bride. Now she’s been forever immortalized as a bobblehead.

DULUTH, Georgia (AP) — Like the woman who inspired their creation, Runaway Bride bobblehead dolls disappeared quickly during a sports promotion in her hometown.

The dolls, given to the first 1,000 people through the doors at the Gwinnett Gladiators ice hockey game Sunday, were gone in about 10 minutes.

People lined up more than three hours before the gates opened.

The minor league ECHL team named the trinket the “Runaway Bride Any Similarity to Actual Persons is Unintended and Purely Coincidental” Bobblehead Doll. Read more…

(images via: 11alive)

Manolo for the brides has an interesting post on the Oscar dresses that could have doubled as wedding dresses.

Missing from the list is Uma Thurman’s Versace gown.

And Jessica Alba’s Versace halter. Ok maybe this dress is gold… but she just looks so amazing! How gorgeous would this be in a cream as a wedding dress?

(images via A Socialite’s Life)

Part I

Bridal shows and wedding websites often sell “lead lists” of registrant contact information to vendors who want to purchase them. That means you could be receiving tons of unsolicited email, mail, and phone calls simply by attending a bridal show or signing up for a wedding website.

While bridal shows can be a valuable resource when planning your wedding, it’s important that you know how to protect your personal information by taking some basic precautions beforehand.

This article from Oracleband and this one from Wedding Planning offer some great bridal show tips on maximizing the experience (wearing comfortable shoes, bringing your fiance/friend) while protecting yourself from the deluge of spam that may be inevitable. Before attending a show they suggest:

1. Creating a free email account specifically for your wedding.
2. Renting a PO box.
3. Creating a voicemail box.

This way you can shut down any wedding related accounts whenever you want to and receive as much information as you can. Still while creating a new email address is certainly feasible, renting a po box and setting up a voicemail seems like an awful lot of trouble just to attend bridal shows.

That being said not all bridal shows sell lead lists - I had a wonderful experience with the recent Bridal Event at the Pierre. Perhaps your best bet is to contact the show’s organizers and find out what their policies are as far as lead lists. That way you know when you need to be extra careful when providing your contact information.

Bridal shows can be an excellent information gathering resource so I do recommend attending them; just be sure you know how to protect yourself from bridal spam while taking advantage of all the shows have to offer.

Essie makes some of the best nail polish colors around! (I personally love ballet slippers and pound cake.) Now they’ve released a 6 color wedding collection for 2006 so you can keep your nails looking wedding day gorgeous year round.

Also check out Opi’s honeymoon edition colors. Once you’re engaged everyone will want to see your beautiful ring so don’t neglect your nails like I did.