Weddingbee Blog

Hi karen,
I go to Fred Astaire dance studio on E 43rd street. Fabulous! Take lessons with Gabrielle..she’s the best!

Kara - what if you divided it into two separate events? What if you held the rehearsal dinner for only those IN the actual wedding, and then see if you have another relative (maybe an aunt or a cousin) that would be willing to host another event for anyone that wants to come. Send an invite to everyone at the wedding, and maybe even figure out a way to word it that everyone pays for themselves (”We’re all getting together for dinner before the wedding to meet each other - swing by and say hi! There will be food for those who would like to eat, and if not we’d love the company anyway!”)

That way, you pay for only those who did something to earn the food (!) without feeling weird about excluding anyone, or footing a huge bill. Maybe the money your mom offered could go towards cocktails for the second party, then those who want to eat something on top of that could pay for it…

GG- I love Ashley Beem’s work and hired her as my videographer. She is based out of Monterey but is willing to travel. Check out her website: http://www.beemvideo.com.

Ramona - For a laugh on this very topic, watch the movie “In Her Shoes” and see if you feel better about it.

Ramona - I think I would kindly decline her offer to throw the bridal shower. I’m not sure of the history you have with this family member, it seems like she plays a lot of mind games. Since she poo-pooed your fiance and your relationship, I’m guessing word of her actions has probably spread widely amongst your family/friends. To me this seems like her way of making her actions seem like rumors that were going around. If they see/hear/attend the shower SHE threw for you, then those things they heard about her must’ve been untrue — see my theory? hopefully this helps and good luck to you.

Ramona - I had a number of people who were initially shocked that I was engaged to someone of the “wrong” religion/race, but then once it sunk in they were pretty happy for me/us. So see if you can feel out her motivation for throwing the shower (maybe she’s embarrassed for her initial faux pas and is trying to make it up, or maybe she’s still upset and is hoping to showcase “I told you so” by hostessing the intervention). If you detect any inappropriate motivation, would decline gracefully.

karen: we’re in a similar situation, and we’re having the RD fairly early (6:00 p.m.) with just wedding party, parents and their dates. Then we’re hosting a bonfire with beer and soda starting at 8:30 for everyone…we liked it b/c it was the best of both worlds. Maybe you could do something like that?

I need some ideas to decorate the rustic fountain/pond that will be at our cocktail, reception site. It is not the main focal point, but I’d like to do something with it other than just line it with votives. Thanks!

I have a question for the bee…

We are having a semi-destination wedding, which means that save the dates went out last January for our September 07 wedding. Since then, a cuople, both of which are friends of mine, have seperated and will be divorced by the wedding. I would still like to invite them both, but don’t have any extra room to invite them with guests. Since ALL OTHER single guests are being invited with a guest, is it inappropriate to not extend that offer to my newly single friends?

Question for the beehive - a lot of wedding vendors use nicer web sites with Flash photos. How the heck do you copy those images so that u can save them to look at later? I use internet explorer as a browser if that makes a difference.