Weddingbee Blog

Every month Real Simple Magazine asks its readers a question, then publishes the best answers and selects one winner. This month’s questions was:

If you had an extra 15 minutes in your day, how would you use it?

This was the winning entry:

Recently my husband and I started couples counseling. We weren’t in crisis, and we weren’t angry - we were just sort of… distant. Our therapist told us to kiss more. It sounded silly, but it turned out to be the most amazing thing! Suddenly we were looking for reasons to kiss, and it reminded us how much we love each other and want to be together. If I had an extra 15 minutes, I’d pucker up.

I told Mr. Bee about this, and he immediately said, “Reader Buzz?” But it really did get me thinking because I don’t think we kiss enough! And I don’t mean those goodbye and hello pecks - I mean real kisses! It should be one of our New Year’s resolutions.

Do you and your significant other kiss often? (The real kisses I mean :D.)

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. We FINALLY have our honeymoon booked! Yay! Europe, here we come! We’re spending two weeks in France, Italy and England. We have our airline tickets to get us there–now all we have to figure out is where to go and stay in each country. While I have been to both France and England and lived in Italy, I can’t wait to experience it with Mr.Strawberry. Does anyone have any suggestion of must sees/places to stay/places to eat?

Vendor review: Tompkins Square Bakery, Matt Hutchins

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What are you ladies doing for placecards? My wedding is around Valentine’s Day and I am considering using valentines. The name of the person/couple/family would go on the outside of the envelope, and the table name/number would be written on the back of the valentine. Thoughts? Where to buy such valentines? Fiance would probably select Batman valentines from a drugstore. Any ideas for less juvenile valentines, or would it be fun for guests to receive the basic drugstore boxed valentines?

Thanks!

Iris

I saw these Unazukin dolls featured on Outblush yesterday and thought they were too adorable to pass up. These battery operated toys are activated by the sound of your voice. When you ask a question, they answer with one head nod for a yes, two nods for a definite yes, one head shake for a no, or two shakes for a definite no. It’s a new spin on the magic 8 ball and would make a super fun favor.

I did a little research and found out that Unazukin dolls are the latest rage out of Japan, spreading fast here in the States. They’re available in many different varieties, but are randomly packed at Firebox so you don’t know which one you’re going to get. $8.95/each.

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SharkyinNC - Durham, NC

maddyg - New Hope, PA

OKCBride2B - Oklahoma City, OK

I’m no bartender by any stretch of the imagination. Nor am I a big drinker…despite my nickname “Boozin’ Susan.” Really, I’m not. I haven’t the foggiest what goes into a “Sex on the Beach” or an “Alabama Slamma.”

All I want is a pink drink and a brown colored drink to go with the wedding colors. And at Drinkalizer.com, you can not only find your favorite bar recipes–but you can search by color! Are your colors green and pink? How about a Green Martini and a Cranberry Collins? Or maybe red and blue? The have a complete list of drinks to go with whatever your color scheme may be!

I have a dilemma.

I don’t really know what I’m going to do with my wedding dress. I mean, I loved (LOVED!) my dress and yes, there are some sentimental attachments that I have developed in the past few months. However, am I really going to wear it again? And is anyone else really going to wear it? Will my daughter (if I have a daughter) really want to wear my dress? What about my baby cousin aka my junior bridesmaid? Will she want to wear it 15 years from now? I don’t think so.

So I want to donate it to the Bridal Garden. I mean, it’s only been worn once, plus it’s tax deductible! And it could help a bride who’s on a budget.

But my husband thinks I should keep it and have it preserved. I think he’s grown fond of it as well.

I’m torn. Do I donate it for a good cause or do I preserve it for sentimental reasons? Both are very compelling choices. Help me!

Our friends Tracy and Will got married in 2005 at The Seamen’s Church by the South Street Seaport in Manhattan. It was a small wedding - I think it was definitely under 100 people. Afterwards we went upstairs to have hors’douvres and cocktails. The room was beautifully decorated with pink and fushia colored paper lanterns and cherry blossoms. Then we all got in our cars and drove to East Manor Buffet for the reception where 500 people were invited and let me tell you, the Chinese know how to partay! I mean they REALLY know how to partay.

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Usually I don’t make resolutions, since I just break them and end up feeling bad about myself later! However, my resolutions are usually stupid and lame, and I allow myself to break them. Good lord, I am a pathetic specimen. Anyway, back to my resolutions for 2007! I decided that since 2007 was going to be a big year for us, I should really attempt to stick to them. So, without further ado, my resolutions.

1.) Finally see our renovated venue. In January. Not the two weeks before to drop off our guest list. Seriously, that thing has been redone for about two months now, and while I am totally anxious to see it, I’m also kinda… what’s the word? Lazy. Which brings me to number two.

2.) Get off my hiney and do some more exercising. Walking home from the first bus stop isn’t enough. Neither is walking to the kitchen. I slightly resolve to lose ten pounds, but if I lose just five, that’s still good.

3.) Learn to drive. Soon. The pressure is on lately, I’m not quite sure why. I’m starting to feel a bit ashamed about needing a ride to try on wedding dresses. Hey… number four!

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Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Shower Gels are on sale for only $3 (down from $9.50), and their Classics line of body lotion and body splashes are on sale for $5.

We like the classic scents like country apple, cucumber melon, juniper breeze, flowering herbs and sun-ripened raspberry. Great for favors or as a little pampering treat in out of town bags.

(via bargainist)

Remember a few weeks ago, I asked for y’all’s opinions between 2 brooches that I was considering? So I would say 80% of voters liked this one, and I personally thought it looked more elegant and delicate as well.

It finally arrived in the mail yesterday, and it was teeny tiny, literally 1.5 inches wide. I guess that’s what I get for not really paying attention to the specs! Well, I DO remember seeing 1.5 inches on the description, but then ignored that fact, thinking it would be big enough. Anyway, I held it up next to my dress, and it didn’t really “go” well… boooo! Back to the drawing board… this was $40 poorly spent. Although I think this would be really cute as a dainty hairpin. Any takers? hehe.

I got this in my email today - click here to print a coupon for $2 off the latest issue of In Style Weddings!

Mrs. Bee here.

Many brides grow out their hair to have the most options for wedding hairstyles. So I thought that we’d do a reader buzz on hair care products to help keep your hair in tip top shape. I’m kind of obsessed with hair care products because I do so much crap to my hair. Why can’t girls just leave their hair alone?

Currently I’m using Frederic Fekkai’s Protein Rx Reparative Shampoo and Conditioner and I really like it a lot.

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David’s Bridal has a cool new feature on their website to help you coordinate the wedding party. At Dress Your Wedding, you can create and dress caricatures in the likeness of everyone involved. It’s got different body shapes, skin tone, and hairstyles–which is ideal! It really gives you a good picture of what everyone will look like on the big day.