Weddingbee Blog

MrsRobsButton - A sophisticated brown and white themed Seattle wedding.

(photo credit: Laurel McConnell)

Last weekend was my “surprise” bridal shower. A few months ago while at brunch with my family, my sister-in-law leaned over and said “Your shower is June 3rd, right?” I quietly told her I thought it was surprise and that I wouldn’t tell anyone I knew. My sister and my Mom take surprises very seriously, so I wanted to try to keep it going for them. Personally, I was thrilled to know! I could plan my outfit, make sure my hair looked ok, and be prepared to smile, open lots of gifts all afternoon, and provide witty appreciations for all the shiny new kitchen toys.

During the last couple of weeks approaching the shower, people were dropping gems all over the place. One friend’s husband asked me if I knew if my shower was outside or inside. I thought his wife might shoot him. Quite a few people sent gifts with cards telling me to “enjoy your shower!!” It was hilarious.

When the day finally arrived, I was nervous! Nervous I wouldn’t act surprised enough and nervous to open gifts in front of everyone (I don’t like being the center of attention). Mr. Grasshopper was responsible for getting me to the shower, which was funny considering the restaurant was in a neighborhood we have never been to together. Not once in our entire courtship. It would have been weird had he needed to keep the day a secret from me and tried to get me to Hell’s Kitchen without an explanation.

We finally arrived at the shower, after quite a few outfits that were cute enough to pass for a shower, but not cute enough to give away my knowing. It was really an exciting and lovely afternoon. Walking into a room of people from every aspect of my life was enough surprise for this girl. The afternoon went so fast and was very fun. If the shower was an indication of how quickly the wedding will fly by, I have a feeling at midnight Mr. Grasshopper and I are going to look at each other and say, “How is it midnight already?”

I am clearly very excited about that pitcher.

My family, working very hard, and by hard I mean cheating, on their shower bingo answers.

Good times all around! That’s my seven year old niece and flower girl on the right. Look at that child’s arm muscles! In the black pants, you’ll find my best friend, Melissa, from nursery school. Our Moms had our baby showers together. Melissa drank no fewer than six mimosas at the shower. The waiter (in white in this picture) was counting.

And my Momma and me!

Special Edition Online creates a product called The Wedding Times - a four page personalized newspaper that helps guests learn all kinds of interesting tidbits about the bride and groom.

Content is gathered from the wedding couple, friends, and family and each issue includes:

• articles about the bride and groom
• photographs
• “Letters to the Editor”
• Bride’s and Groom’s horoscopes
• selected wedding poem
• selected wedding crossword puzzle
• engagement announcement
• engagement photo
• milestones with special dates for the bride and groom
• wedding party members listed individually
• wedding quotes
• wedding trivia

I created a little 2 page newsletter for our wedding, and they were a huge hit. We placed them on each chair before the reception, and it kept the guests entertained as they waited for the first course to be served. Newsletters and/or newspapers are definitely a fun idea that can do double duty as a wedding favor. $650 for 150 copies minimum order.

(via In Style)

No bachelor/bachelorette party should ever proceed without these:

(click to enlarge)

(via liweddings)

I was exhausted last night and decided to zone out in front of the tv. I watched a special on the Style Network called To Have and To Hold: Last Bride Standing. The premise was having real brides place their hand on a Monique Lhuillier dress valued at $10,000 and the last bride standing would win the dress.

I was amazed that all 7 women made it through the night, including one that was 60 years old. They lasted over 24 hours with no sleep in 40 degree weather (but they did get 5 minute breaks every hour to use the bathroom). They really wanted that dress!

Some twists were thrown in, with various prizes offered to get the brides to give up - Stuart Weitzman shoes ($500 value), a $5000 cake, a trip to Tahiti in one of those overwater bungalows ($7000 value), but the women had amazing resolve. They also added elements to make the game incrementally difficult - having the brides stand in high heels, then on a little wooden platfom they couldn’t take their feet off of, then holding a bouquet over their shoulders.

As weariness came over the brides, they took the prizes and gave in one by one. Finally there were two brides left. One of them took her foot off the pedestal and didn’t even realize it. The winner had her hand on that dress for almost 27 hours.

I would’ve taken the Tahiti trip over the dress any day, but I’d never last in such a contest anyway.

Would you ever participate in such a contest to win a Monique Lhuillier gown?

For the last month and a half I have been playing a one-sided game of phone tag with my caterer.

It goes something like this:

Me: Hi Caterer! It’s Miss Caterpillar I just want to check in and talk about the menu.
Caterer:

Next Week

Me: Hi Caterer! It’s Miss Caterpillar I just want to check in and talk about the menu. Do we need to make some decisions on rentals soon?
Caterer:

Next Week

Me: Hi Caterer! It’s Miss Caterpillar I just want to check in and talk about . . . oh, you know . . . the menu and the rentals.
Caterer:

Next Week

Me: Hi Caterer! It’s Miss Caterpillar I just want to check in and talk about the tents. Just the tents! That’s all, the tents. Real easy like.
Caterer:

Next Week
Me: Hello? Caterer? Hello?
Caterer:

Imagine this goes on for 6 weeks.

Last week, I got an actual voicemail from Caterer informing me that I always tend to call her on Fridays, and Fridays are so busy for her, so she just can’t get back to me. So, I should try to call her when she’s not so busy.

I am going to eat her.

What?! How am I supposed to know when she’s busy? Do I use my cross-country periscope to make sure she’s not making crudites on Friday afternoon? Why can’t she call ME when she has the time? Did I not give this woman a billion dollars and the private school education of my first born just to finance some chicken skewers and a tent?

ARGH!

Michelle Doll makes beautiful cakes. Just the fact that she used to work with Ron Ben-Israel is enough to convince me that she’s probably a perfectionist when it comes to the art of cake making.

Every petal, every jewel, every ribbon and decoration is hand made from sugar paste. Although they are edible, the sugar objects found on Michelle Doll cakes are tastier keepsakes and will last for years to come. With her background in graphic design and pastry arts, Michelle will match anything from your dress lace and jewelry to your favorite golf bag or shoe and have it taste as good as it looks.

AC Moore coupon

Alex Woo’s jewelry is all the rage in Hollywood from her Little Numbers line to her Vegas Collection to her Heart & Daisy Collection and more. Everyone is wearing her jewelry!

Available in a variety of metals - silver, white gold, yellow gold and diamonds, these sweet pieces are perfect for bridesmaids gifts. You can even wear your lucky number as you walk down the aisle or create a numbers necklace or ring with your wedding date. Too cute!

This is why I love being a blogger on weddingbee. I write about my wedding, request a little help, and voila~!!

Thanks to a reader, I discovered the wonder that is Cocomyle!

Here we have a screenshot of the website where you can choose your own dress style - pick a top, pick a bottom, pick the fabric and color and you have your dress! You can even add different types of beading and get a matching shawl. The price adjusts itself automatically - and it’s really affordable!

Or, you can pick a celebrity inspired dress. You can still change the fabric and the color on these too!

I called them yesterday to ask for fabric swatches, and within 2 minutes I got to speak with a live person, who was very helpful. She told me to email the request for swatches. Within 2 minutes of sending the email, I got a confirmation that they were being sent out! Talk about fast service!

I also have a junior bridesmaid, who probably will not be able to fit into these dresses, however, they told me to measure her and they’d try their best to accommodate me.

I love this place!! Thank you Candice!

I love her style!

Anne Robin Calligraphy
917-863-0899

CB2 - the more modern sister of Crate and Barrel has just introduced a registry.

Shelter Sofa $799, Palm Leaf pillows $24.95

You know what my favorite thing* in the world is? Cheeseburgers. I love me some cheeseburgers. I grew up in Southern California, which had a natural abudance of excellent cheeseburger distributing outlets: In-N-Out Burger, Pie N Burger, The Apple Pan, Lucky Boy, Tommy’s. My best friend’s sister actually had the In N Out truck cater her wedding. My best friend’s sister is a genius.

I would have loved to have a burger-laden reception, but Mr. Caterpillar is just so fancy. (He’s the one who actually picked out the chargers for our china service. Chargers! Who would have ever thought . . . .) Consequently, the menu we’ve chosen is a sort of compromise — the food will be grilled, but it won’t be cheeseburgers.

If only I had remembered Callahan Catering. Callahan is where cheeseburgers meet fancy.

Mini cheeseburgers! As hors d’hoeuvres! Tour de force, I say.

And look here! Fries! Mini fries!

Who doesn’t love fries?

And if you’re really really fancy, and just can’t see your way to a cheeseburger reception, Callahan will do right by you and serve these:

Yes, mini lobster rolls.

I’m done with my crazy ranting now. (Okay, one more: mini food! How great is that?!)

*Besides Mr. Caterpillar, shoes, ironed sheets, anything sparkly, and puppies.

Sales

J Couture Design
What: Everything is marked off 35% or more
Where: 179 Berkeley Place, off 7th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 718-783-6855
When: Now thru July 31st, Tues-Sun, 12-6 (by appt only)

Vera Wang Bridal and Bridesmaid Dresses
What: Bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses by Vera Wang are marked down by 50 to 75 percent.
Where: Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 Seventh Ave., nr. 34th St.
Phone: 212-575-6400
When: 6/17 (8-5)

Paula Varsalona
What: Bridal gowns are up to 75 percent off.
Where: 1375 Broadway, nr. 37th St., fifth fl.
Phone: 212-221-5600
When: 6/15 (9-7); 6/16 (9-5); 6/17 (10-3)

The Bridal Garden
What: Gowns by Vera Wang, Ulla-Maija, and Anne Barge are up to 75 percent off ($295 to $2,995).
Where: 54 W. 21st St., nr. Sixth Ave., Ste. 907
Phone: 212-252-0661
When: 6/7 - 6/28 (by appt only)

Trunk Shows

Anne Barge
Where: Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, 127 E. 56th Street
Phone: 212-319-6778
When: June 15-17 (by appt only)

Justina McCaffrey
Where: Kleinfeld, 110 West 20th Street
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: June 16 - June 18 (by appt only)

Priscilla of Boston & Melissa Sweet
Where: Wedding Atelier, 103 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Fl. (bet. 17th & 18th)
Phone: 646-638-3263
When: June 16 - June 18 (by appt only)

Every Tuesday we 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 tips@weddingbee.com. Thanks!

I saw a great thread on the liweddings messageboards about what to put in New York themed gift baskets for out of town guests. These were some of the suggestions:

• CD - with New York songs
• apples
• NY Deli Chips
• 5th Avenue Bar
• I Love New York t-shirts
• Time Out NY magazine
• subway map
• NY Tour Guide
• metrocard
• bagels
• New York postcards

Some great ideas! The only thing I might add is a map, a list of suggested things to do, my favorite restaurants to dine at, and fun facts about NYC. For more New York themed gift ideas, check out the NYCwebstore.

What else would you add?