Weddingbee Blog

Looking for a creative invitations for an engagement party, bridal shower or bachelorette party? Check out these fill-in-the-blank letterpress coaster invitations from Snow & Graham. $12 for 6.

I watched a bit of Martha Stewart Weddings yesterday (part of the Style Network’s 21 day Wedding Party) and they said only 4% of men ask their girlfriend’s parents for permission to marry their daughter. I still think it’s a very nice gesture, not at all antiquated.

Did Mr. Bee ask? Well he met my parents about 2 months after we’d first met. At dinner he brought up the topic of marriage and my dad’s response was that he wanted to meet Mr. Bee’s parents first, as was traditional Korean custom.

Technically did Mr. Bee ask? Yes. Alas the answer at the time, I guess was… no.

Weddingbee reader Nirmala sent us a link to Impress Rubber Stamps and can I just say… we are in LOVE! Not only do they carry a ginormous selection of the cutest diy paraphernalia - stamps, punches, embellishments and more, oh my! - but they also have an awesome idea gallery.

Since Mrs. Ladybug’s diy thank yous were so popular, check out Impress’ extensive thank you card idea gallery for more inspiration.

More from their wedding idea gallery: Monogrammed favor tags

Bird on a Branch Invitation

Wedding Rings Save the Date

Lace Flower Stamp Invitation

Notched Invitation

Dot Stamps

I love looking through all their products to get my diy creative juices flowing. Impress has four locations in Washington for you lucky duckies and even classes galore! Paper-Source and Impress - when oh when are you going to come to New York?!

PS - I was at the Paper-Source in Pasadena a couple years ago and asked why they didn’t have a location in New York. One of the sales clerks told me that they thought they couldn’t compete with stores like Kate’s Paperie and the hundreds of other stationery stores in the city.

Trust me… you could compete! Even with my business alone.

When it rains, it pours. At least vis-Æ’ -vis bridal showers of late. This past weekend I had the shower of Liz, the (once) little girl for whom I used to babysit and the weekend before that was Mags’ shower. (Mags and her fiance can be credited with introducing me to Mr. Daisy). Both showers had a couple of things in common: great food, fun people and lovely brides-to-be. Aside from that, they differed greatly and I definitely will plumb both for any ideas to coopt.

In order of appearance:

Shower de Magnolia
Mags’ shower was at the apartment of her sister-in-law-to-be. Although I initially fell for the clever ruse of Magnolia’s mom, the food was not actually all home-cooked by her, but was from Trader Joe’s. The spread included the following:

• appetizers: cruditÆ’©, hummus, another dip (maybe chipotle, maybe crab), coconut shrimp, hot chicken wraps, and probably other things that i am forgetting.
• mains: mini-meatballs, sushi, cous-cous with cranberries, sesame noodles
• desserts: spice cake with lemon frosting (actually made by Mags’ mom) and a trifle with brownies, pudding, heath bars and a whole lot of awesome (made by the hostess).

The shower was low-key and sans bridal games, except for a cute idea that I’d never seen before. As Magnolia opened a gift, the gift giver had to pick a little scroll from a bowl. The scroll contained a question about Scott, her fiance, and before she could open the gift she had to answer the question correctly. As a bonus, two of the scrolls contained the word “gift” meaning, shockingly, that whomever picked that one got a little gift from the hostess. The questions were insanely tough and had I been asked them about Mr. Daisy, I would have gotten maybe 10% right. (Happily, ignorance is bliss, so I guess that means the less I know about him, the happier we’ll be. Or something…)

Shower de Elizabeth
Although it’s still hard for me to accept, Liz is actually a grown-up now and about to be a bride. The shower, thrown by Liz’s two aunts, was a tea at CafÆ’© Opaline in the Dahesh Museum. Not only did the shower coincide with the timing of the Puerto Rican day parade, but the location was just a block east of the festivities.

Despite the proximity, neither J.Lo nor parade grand marshal Marc Anthony stopped by the shower. Too bad for them, because they missed:

• mini tea sandwiches: salmon napoleon, lobster sausage, mint and yogurt rolls, sesame chicken wraps, grilled cheeses, cucumber cream cheese and maybe a couple of others
• petit fours: mocha Æ’©clair, chocolate squares, carrot cake, fruit cream tarts
• scones, clotted cream and jam

This shower also had one game, and that was one where the mom of the bride-to-be (and the woman under whom I have a subsidiary Costco membership, so big ups to her) asked if you had something in your purse (i.e. thread, food, a train ticket) and then whoever answered first received a book that thematically related to the thing asked for. Because I am so utterly charming, I was able to win the book How to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable, since I was able to raise my hand for the “who has had an argument today?” question. I probably will not read this book, since I rather enjoy being disagreeable and fear that, were I to abandon that trait, my own family might think I’d been taken over by pod people and have to exterminate me in order to save the human race. I mean, probably.

Anyway, another shower perk was the favor they gave out:

A little box of two Teuscher champagne truffles. So freaking good! And, they came in a little decorative box, which you can actually create with a custom color box/ribbon combination.

If my guests are extra lucky, I may well try to incorporate these as favors for some aspect of my wedding events. Because they really taste a lot like what I imagine heaven would taste like if it were an edible bonbon.

Shock and Awe A-Go-Go is a show created and hosted by a real husband and wife team (theblackandthejew) who have been married for 20 years. To celebrate their long lasting union, they’re acting out their erotic fantasies on stage in this “erotic comedy spectacular.”

“Shock & Awe is an erotic comedy spectacle, unlike any show you’ve ever seen. Flouting such conventions as g-strings and pasties, the acts of Shock & Awe will explore outrageous fantasies and connect with your wild side and funny bone at the same time.” Playgirl Magazine, April 2005

“A sexy, sensual, salacious, erotic show to heal the sexes.” Time Out New York

It sounds like an interesting idea for a bachelorette party! Or perhaps even a joint bachelor/bachelorette party.

Website: SHOCKANDAWEAGOGO.COM
When: Fridays, June 23 & 30th & July 7th
Time: 8pm
Where: Chris Noth’s “The Cutting Room”
Address: 19 West 24th Street
Tickets: $25 at the door or $20 advance tickets from smarttix.com

The Food Network is looking for applicants for their third season of Food Network Caters Your Wedding - and this time it’s in Hawaii!

If you’re selected, you and your guests will board a cruise ship departing from Los Angeles on October 22. The prize package also includes:

• A one week trip aboard the Celebrity Cruise Ship Infinity
• A beautiful beach ceremony
• A wedding menu supervised by Giada de Laurentiis (love her!) and designed by all of your favorite Food Network stars
• A world-class cake
• A wedding consultation with the editors of Brides magazine

To apply, you have to submit an application and a video. Read all the rules and download the application here. Good luck!

(via budgetdreams)

Ok - I have not been very good about communicating my ideas to my bridesmaids. Sorry!!! So I hope it’s OK with them that I am just spitting out my ideas on this blog.

Let’s continue our bridesmaid dress choices.

Dress A

Designer/Style: Anne Klein Double Charmeuse Rouched Inset Dress
Color: Almond
Price: $149.99 - today
(on Overstock)

Dress B

Designer/Style: Tadashi Lace Beaded Sheath Dress
Color: Taupe
Price: $222.00 - today
(on Bluefly)

Dress C

Designer/Style: Alexia Admor Lace Asymmetric Tube Dress
Color: Champagne
Price: $99.00 - today
(on Bluefly)

Dress D

Designer/Style: Alex Evenings Lace Column Dress with Organza Jacket
Color: Champagne
Price: $152.00
(at Nordstrom’s)

My favorite? I love Dress D - because mine is a November wedding, the jacket (although see-through) might provide enough cover. Plus, it is definitely wearable again after the wedding!

What do you think?

Hi there,
I am in the process of wax sealing my invitations. Do I have to put the wax on the outside envelope or on the inside envelope? If I put the wax seal on the outside envelope wouldn’t get ruined?

Thanks a lot,

Nina

~~~

Hey Nina,

In the past, wax seals were traditionally used on the outside of the envelope…sort of as a lovely finishing touch. However, my main wedding motto is: do whatever the heck you want!

Many brides have decided they truly love the look of the seal and have even used it on the actual invite. Inside envelopes are OK too, just keep in mind that the outside envelope may not close “flat” with a bumpy seal on the inside. If you do decide to use the seal on the outside, make sure you bring your invites to the post office so that they can be “hand cancelled.” This basically means that instead of all of your pretty envelopes being fed through a machine, someone will hand stamp them with the date, thereby avoiding some of those mucky marks that the machines tend to imprint.

This bride actually hot-glued her wax seals to the envelopes to ensure nothing would fall off en route. If you are worrisome about how your own envelopes will make it through the mail, I would recommend you send one to yourself and see what condition it arrives in.

wax on, wax off,
Erica
www.paperbride.com
www.papermama.com

Pick a Petal sells roses and petals online, but also offers detailed instructions on how to make 3 different sizes of diy rose bouquets and centerpieces.

The grande clutch bouquet above uses 36 roses and the classic rosebowl centerpiece below uses 24 roses. Roses are sold for $29.95 per bunch of 25, but volume discounts are available.

The arrangements are designed by professionals with beginners in mind. I gotta try the centerpieces at my next dinner party. For the bride on a budget, this might definitely be worth checking out!

(thanks, Nirmala!)

You know you gotta throw in that “Ho” after saying Puerto Rico. It’s a must really.

As you know me and my hubs, we is po folks now after the wedding so we wanted to financially recover before going on our honeymoon. I really don’t recommend this. If you can afford it, go on it asap! Otherwise you will suffer…like I am. The hubby noticed that I’ve been stressed so he planned a mini vacation to hold us over till the honeymoon. Sweet huh? That’s why you’re my numero uno!

So July 12-16! I can’t wait! I love the beach! I love the sun, and the salty air, and the warm sand in between your toes, and the smell of coconuts in your tanning lotion… We really needed this. Thanks babe! I love you.

Don’t forget that Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 18th. It’s a great time to give your future father-in-law a nice hand-written card. Thank him for raising such a wonderful son, being supportive of the wedding, welcoming you into their family, etc. It’s a gesture he’s sure to appreciate and love.

This year I decided to have me, Mr. Bee, my brother and his wife all sign the same card because it’s the first Father’s Day my dad has 4 children. As a writer, thinker and lover of the great outdoors, the card below really suits his personality.

So don’t forget your father-in-laws to be!

While we have already selected our venue for the wedding, a friend from work has been after me to switch it to the Precious Moments Park Chapel in Missouri. Be sure to check out the chapel paintings. They’re pretty, um, interesting. Here are some photos from from their Wedding Island:

Picture perfect

A bride and groom exchanging vows

Fancy dance floor

The honeymoon suite?

We had reader Ariel write to weddingbee about her wedding shoes. She wants to spend under $100, she would like them to be 2 inches, and she would also like a shoe that she can wear after the wedding.

Easy! I love researching shoes! What girl doesn’t love a nice pair of heels?

These were the shoes that she really wanted. Kate Spade Essence for almost $300 on Zappos. Let’s see what I can find.

Zappos
QUARTO by Lumiani / 1.5 inch heel / $89.95

Julep by J.Renee / 2.25 inch heel / $93.95

Aldo
FLOREMIE / 1.5-2.5 inches / $69.99

Nordstrom
FLAMINGO - Dyeables / 2.25 inches / $47.95

AMBER - Dyeables / 2.35 inches / $53.95

Steve Madden
STORIE / 2.75 inches / $39.95

Chinese Laundry
JULIETTA / 2 inches / $59.00

Macy’s
JANE - Chinese Laundry / 2.75 inches / $59.00

JELLO - Chinese Laundry / 2.25 inches / $59.00

Oh Joy! posted about Bald Guy Greetings’ hilarious cards on her site today.

The brutally honest, uniquely illustrated line includes cards for occasions such as 23rd birthdays, 35th birthdays, breakups, and more. Perfect for the person with a deliciously dark sense of humor in your life.

Ok - I’ve been a bum with wedding planning (until I go see my florist, get color samples for invitations, go shopping for bridesmaid dresses, etc., etc., etc.). So last night, I decided to record some Bridezillas on WE - just to see what all the fuss was about. My main intention, however, was to show Mr. Butterfly - who probably thinks I’m crazy, hormonal, bitchy, stressed - that I, in fact, am not crazy, hormonal, bitchy nor stressed. I am a normal bride compared to these girls.

Well, that was my point anyway. Until I started watching this show.

Granted, I didn’t throw fits like some of the girls on the show, but then again my wedding is 5 months away (), and these girls had their weddings in a month or so.

I found myself feeling strangely sympathetic for many of these girls, while my fiance sat on the couch next to me going, “What are they crying for?”

Take Korliss, for example.

Her wedding planner had been MIA for weeks. Dude, if I hired someone to coordinate my wedding and she was MIA for weeks right before the wedding? I would be incredibly pissed off.

Antonella

Ok - so she’s a bit more hot-blooded than I am. But if I picked up my wedding dress the week of the wedding, had it in the bag for safe-keeping, then wore it on my wedding day only to find that there was a rip in the dress and that it was dirty??? Holy crap man - I would be screaming bloody murder.

So I ask you readers - does sympathizing with these women make me reasonable? Or am I a bridezilla?