Weddingbee Blog

Hey Ladies…

Avid reader of the site, recently engaged (July 3), and trying to get as much planned this summer before grad school starts in the fall. I’m wondering where to begin with the honeymoon search. Are there websites you would recommend? I did a google search and saw that New York Magazine has featured some really great places over the years, and am wondering if there are other such resources that I might be leaving out.

Many thanks,

Molly

Mr. Grasshopper and I recently moved to a new apartment in Brooklyn. I would be lying if I said part of the motivation for the pre-wedding move, was not about having a bigger place to get ready the day of the wedding (not recommended by the way: invitation addressing and mailing the same week as packing and moving was a good marriage readiness test). We had to move eventually, but it probably could have happened after the wedding.

Three days after we moved in, I walked by the mailboxes in the hall one morning to find a sign that read “Block Party September 9th! Planning Meeting, Thursday Night”. WHAT?! That’s the day I am getting married! They can’t have a block party THAT day. That’s my day. But they can and they will.

I am expecting a cross between this:

And this:

And maybe a little of this:

Who doesn’t love busted fire hydrants when one is wearing her wedding gown? While I could easily get ready in a hotel suite somewhere, I really wanted to be home that day because I thought it would be more relaxing for everyone (read: me). I have come to terms with the block party and I have actually learned to embrace the additional festivities of the day. I suppose you just have to shrug and say “that’s fine” sometimes. I just hope the neighbor kids let me jump in the blow up castle that day.

COrunnerwedding - White and black themed Colorado wedding.

ZachsDame - Pink and green themed Pennsylvania wedding.

Real Wedding: Jennifer & Alfred - A vibrant traditional Chinese wedding in San Francisco.

GonnabeaGoody - Blue and green themed Florida wedding.

I’m headed to Los Angeles aka my hometown for the rest of the week. I’ll be attending a conference that Mr. Bee is speaking at tomorrow, and we’re also going to visit my family (kill 2 birds with one stone).

Posts may be a bit delayed tomorrow because I’ll be at the conference and on West Coast time. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up in case your weddingbee fix comes a little later than expected. But never fear - we’ll be back to our regular posting schedule on Thursday!

I also wanted to thank everyone who submitted blogger applications. We’re going through all of them now and will be contacting you shortly. More weddingbees coming shortly!

I cannot decide about favors for the wedding. Originally I had thought we would do cookie favors. I actually said I would BAKE Mexican wedding cookies the week of the wedding and package them up all cute like because I am that nuts. More sensible people (my Mom) talked me out of this idea, thankfully. I also loved the idea of the boxed cookies by One Girl Cookies (Brooklyn represent!) so I thought that might be a good plan.

However, I recently read some wedding article that suggested if you want to cut back on wedding costs, don’t do favors because it is an easy way to make things add up quickly when you are trying to stick to a budget (that’s us!). This same article also mentioned that favors are more likely to be left on the table at the end of the night than make it home with your guests.

“I would NEVER leave cookies on the table!” I thought, as I defended my favor plan to myself. Then last weekend we went to a wedding in Ohio and sure enough at the end of the night, the delicious little candy favors the bride had so thoughtfully created were all stranded at empty place settings as the guests headed back to their hotel rooms empty handed. “For shame!” I thought, but then I realized this is the reality of favors.

So now I am faced with the decision, go with the cookies and sadly collect them at the end of the night as guests abandon them or make a donation to a charity of our choice? That sort of ruins the joke I was going to play on my Republican cousins by leaving a note on their plates that read: “A donation has been made in your name for the Hillary 2008 campaign” and then hand them their cookies after a few raised eyebrows. However, some organization could probably use a real donation more than our guests could use some baked goods, no matter how crazy delicious the cookies might be.

So folks, my question is: what type of favor would you not leave on the table at the end of a wedding?

Since Miss Spider is feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning stress, I thought we’d cheer her up by showing her the entries we’ve received so far for the Miss Spider drawing contest. They look great!

Thanks to everyone who’s participated in the contest so far. Remember you still have until August 3rd to get your entries in!

Hi Bees,

Any thoughts on rechargable candles? I went to a restaurant recently that had soft glowing light coming from beautiful little candle holders at each table. When I peeked inside, I was surprised to see that it was a small flickering led light! Since this is relatively new, I was wondering if any other brides have had experience using this as an alternative to candles at their wedding… especially at a venue that does not allow candles.

Thank you. Your website keeps me entertained and well-informed as always.

From,

Christine

July 15th / Sat

Lay out on the beach day! I’m so excited! It looked like this when we woke up.

We got out there around 12:30ish after having lunch. So here we are, laying out.

Do you see the sun? That’s funny! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Neither do I! So sad. The sun came out for 15 minutes then said “Peace Out Biotch!”

We layed out in the clouds till 4 then headed up to our dinky 12×12 hotel swimming pool on the roof.

Ok so eventually we gave up on the sun and I don’t want to hear any shit about what I’m about to tell you. It’s ugly but it’s part of their culture, and I wanted to experience it while we were down there. We went to a cock fight and can I just say that I have never seen grown men get so excited over 2 chickens! I really thought some of the older guys were going to keel over and have a stroke the way they were yelling. Yes it was sad. I had to look away when I saw the blood. They were serving tacos and I really wanted one but then I saw that it was chicken tacos and I’m thinking uh yeah. No spank you.

For our last dinner we wanted to try real Puerto Rican food so the hotel recommended Platos which was right down the street.

The little container I’m holding is guava butter. It was delicious!

For dessert we ordered plantain cheesecake. It was ok. I think I’m allergic to fresh plantain. It made my mouth feel funny.

July 16th / Sun

Oh shit. We’re back.

Oh and the dinner bill on the first night was on our final hotel bill when we checked out. Mr. Ladybug basically said f you, we’re not paying for it. Assholes man.

Random Photos

To my favorite travel partner: Thank you for everything hun. Your love for me shows in everything that you do for us. My heart is forever yours.

I’m so sorry that I’ve taken an unexpected hiatus from wedding blogging. I have been so overwhelmed with planning that I constantly feel like I am on the verge of a breakdown. Of course people have offered their help, but it’s like being trapped in the bottom of a dark well and hearing voices from above but not having the strength or any sense of orientation to accept help.

Last night as we were taking our 100000th stab at assembling all the invitations, we realized correcting an off measurement would set us back another couple of days. And while I sat there trying to fight the urge to build the world’s biggest bonfire with every piece of wedding related material I have, Mr. Spider found a typo in the direction card. The only thing that kept me from having a full on anxiety attack was imagining myself at the bottom of a dark damp well and not being able to hear anything or anyone.

I will bounce back, that much I know. I keep trying to remind myself that blogging helps. Charting the little triumphs and accomplishments helps and the support of readers helps. I will bounce back my kit kats. Just gotta climb out of this crazy well.

Scott Adams, creator of the popular Dilbert comic strip, married Shelly Miles, his girlfriend of two years aboard a yacht in the San Francisco bay this past weekend.

The pair were married by the ship’s captain in front of 150 guests, and danced to Keith Urban’s You’re the Only One for their first dance. This is the first marriage for Adams, 49, and the second for Miles, 37.

(one of my favorite Dilbert cartoons)

Stay tuned to his blog for more details and pictures to come!

(via people.com)

Desiree over at Hip Chic Couture emailed to let me know she’ll be participating at the Michael C. Fina Girls’ Night Out event tomorrow.

Click to RSVP!

…don’t know when I’ll be back again. That’s because I don’t know a) when the f I’m going; and, moreover, b) where the f I’m going.

Ah, the joy of honeymoon, or to bite Mrs. Ladybug’s terminology, minimoon planning. Gotta love it. See, the thing is Mr. Daisy and I do plan to have a “proper” honeymoon come springtime. We’ll be off to Italy for two weeks to do so. But we also recognize that, post-wedding, we both I will really, really need to decompress.* So we’re doing a week in a warm, beachy place. The actual location of said place is TBD. Our only limitations were that it be a decently short flight and not require more than 30 minutes on a boat. (someone I am petrified of boats.)

That left us with the Caribbean and Mexico as options. After creating the following spreadsheet (with formulas and everything), we’ve narrowed it down to the following options, yet still cannot decide.

Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Ocean Suite

the beach

Pros: Seclusion; romance; lovely rooms open onto beach; really cool touches, like a screening room, private dinners on the end of a jetty, etc.; full breakfast + afternoon tea included
Cons: Pain in the ass to get there– BWIA flies there but twice a week and guarantees you lose two whole days to travel, whereas connecting flights have better timing, the time between connections cuts it thisclose. (I haven’t flown a connecting flight in recent memory and have these scary thoughts of a) missing it and b) arriving sans luggage); seems pretty “kid friendly”.

Caneel Bay, St. John

pretty beach

rooms

Pros: Secluded, beautiful beaches, activities (i.e. kayaking, an activity on which Mr. Daisy is fixated, for no apparent reason), beachfront rooms
Cons: Perhaps a bit “rustic” room decor (this girl likes the luxury touches), i.e. standing shower stall, no telephones in rooms; no meals included; with 166 units, larger size resort than others we’re considering;

Cap Juluca, Anguilla

jr. suite bathroom w/double tub

aerial view of the resort/beach

Pros: Secluded; gorgeous beaches; nearby restaurants in addition to onsite hotel restaurants; continental breakfast included and delivered to room
Cons: Some comments on tripadvisor.com scare the bejesus out of me– esp. those that refer to ants in the room and bugs everywhere. I don’t know if I ought to believe these reviews though. Our neighbors went here for their honeymoon and have nothing negative to say.

Ikal del Mar, Mexico

our villa, private pool and queen size chaise

the beach

Pros: Secluded; only 29 villas; no kids; private plunge pool; luxurious amenities; continental breakfast delivered to villa + full ƒ la carte breakfast included
Cons: We’ve already been there; no water activities on-site; one restaurant for dinner is pricey and has a limited menu (however, Playa del Carmen is a 10 minute/$8 cab ride away and has great restaurants)

Combo: Ikal del Mar + Maroma or Ritz

Maroma Room

Maroma Beach

Ritz Room

Ritz Beach

Pros: Getting to go to a new place; seeing a resort with more going on; knowing we will end up at a place we love
Cons: Packing our stuff mid-trip

Maroma includes daily breakfast and is known to have one of the best beaches in the world. The Ritz is, well, the Ritz. But it’s kind of pig and in Cancun proper… romantic? hmmm…

So what do we do? The tried and true that may feel too much like been there done that? Someplace new? Has anyone been to any of these locales or any other romantic getaway that blew you away? What’s so weird is that I am decisive in almost *every* aspect of my life (such that, in certain lights, it almost appears as stubbornish/obnoxiousness), but with wedding planning, paradoxically, I’m afraid to commit. What’s a girl to do?”

~~~
* if we’re deciding honeymoon deservedness on wedding planning stress then, the truth is, my mom and I would be going on this vacation together, since we both seem to be the epicenter of wedding related drama and decisions.

In today’s beehive, Novice is looking for a hair/make-up artist, m wants some advice on her reception timeline, and dee is looking for baseball themed invites.

Please add your question to the beehive!

Mika Inatome: For the bride if you’re still looking for a dress.

Bluefly: For your bridesmaids.

Kate’s Paperie - If you’re still looking for invitation or paper products.

J. Crew - If you’re still looking for a swimsuit for your honeymoon.

Sales

Kleinfeld
What: Bridal gowns from Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, and Carolina Herrera starting at $499.
Where: 110 W. 20th St., nr. Sixth Ave
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: 8/3 (6-9)

Mika Inatome
What: Bridal gowns are up to 90% off retail.
Where: 93 Reade (W. Broadway/Church) 2nd Floor
Phone: 212-966-7777
When: 7/25- 7/30

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

Trunk Shows

Kenneth Pool
Where: Kleinfeld, 110 West 20th Street
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: 7/28 - 7/30

Claire Pettibone
Where: Kleinfeld, 110 West 20th Street
Phone: 646-633-4300
When: 8/3 - 8/6

Peter Langner
Where: Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, 127 E. 56th Street
Phone: 212-319-6778
When: 7/25 - 7/27

Monique Lhuillier
Where: Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, 127 E. 56th Street
Phone: 212-319-6778
When: 8/3 - 8/4

~~~

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!