Weddingbee Blog

Angela and Diva,
Check out herecomestheguide.com and labridezilla.com for recommendations as a starting piotn.

Angela, that is a very slim budget for SoCal. You might be able to do it, but you will need to keep your guest list low and do minimal food at your reception. Consider doing a Friday or Sunday in the off season as well. herecomestheguide.com gives an idea of what places charge for rental. also consider using a historic park or city-owned building. Try googling LA Conservancy and also look up city-owned property in your own city (you often get a big discount if you’re a resident).

Michelle, you generally don’t tip florists (maybe just the delivery people), but here are my tips on tipping:

http://www.weddingbee.com/2006/03/02/to-tip-or-not-to-tip/

angela, have you tried looking into old military bases? they usually have halls [like officers' clubs] and chapels in the same general area. and many have great places you can get married if you’re not totally against an outdoors ceremony. herecomestheguide.com is a great resource. i totally second that!

I need help!!! I have been in love with Mrs. BOP’s silver knife handle guestbook pens since
I saw her post on 27 November 2006. I tried to order them today however, and Whiteaisle doesn’t ship to Canada. Boo hoo! That’s the one thing that sucks about reading all of these awesome entries. So many of the gifts/favours/services featured aren’t available to us Canadian brides. I was wondering if either Mrs. BOP or anyone else that reads Weddingbee may have purchased the pens and would be willing to sell them to me?

Penless in Toronto, Ontario, CANADA

Jasmine, I also agree. It would be a great idea to show her some alternatives. I she won’t budge tell her that would love to honor her, but perhaps there is some other part of the wedding she can help you with, but that this dress is out of your budget.

jasmine - yes, i think you should say something. there is no way that the bride doesnt realize how much the dress is. and i think every bride should be conscious of how much she is asking everyone to spend. personally, considering you are paying for travel, gifts, parties, etc - you shouldnt have to pay that much for a dress that you’re only going to wear once.

just talk to her gently and tell her that the dress is out of your budget, and if she’s not willing to work with you, then you need to decide if the 300 bucks is worth it.

Alyson - I don’t know if my travel agent “specializes” in anything but she is extremely knowlegeable in what she does and I am impressed with her. She is based in Fort Lee, NJ so I just work with her over the phone. Her name is Arlette Strauss and she works at E. Clarke Travel
I don’t feel comfortable posting her number but their website is http://www.clarketravel.com.

hi angela,

what about chapels with reception venue areas? there are lots of churches in the koreatown area that can accomodate receptions. there is one on crenshaw and wilshire where i’ve been to at least 5 weddings. i know of a lot more, so if you’re interested, just let me know.

Jasmine - I have been in six weddings and I have never been asked to spend over 150 because I think these brides have always kept the BM’s in mind. When I set out to pick my dresses, I promised to keep it under 200. A couple are moms, a couple are in school and it didn’t seem fair to ask them to pay so much. And, it so happen we picked a dress that they say they can wear again.

A chat couldn’t hurt but the word is turly “gentle.” Brides are always on edge. But, I had a friend, like you, who had to travel across the country to be in a wedding where she paid for everything from flight to gas to put in the car once she was in Virginia! Because of the way she felt she was being treated, there was a blow-up at the end of the weekend. So I truly think you’d be wise to talk about it beforehand so you don’t blow up or continue to grow resentful.

Any ideas about how to mail invitation scrolls? Are there special boxes or something?