Mrs. Gummi Bear, San Francisco
Age and Occupation: 25, Japanese Importer/Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Game Developer/Programmer
Engagement Date: April 15, 2006
Wedding Date: October 13, 2007
Blogging Since: June 19, 2007
Venue: Organic farm an hour from San Francisco
About Me: I live for anthropologie, design blogs, sweets, japanese zakka, and vintage goods. We just bought our first home together and live with our two puppies and cat - it's a strange mixture of vintage, high-tech (we have 7 computers and 21 video game systems in all), and a whole lot of fur. Our wedding tries to embody the Japanese idea of "slow life", which is truly taking the time to enjoy food, company, and your environment!
My Hippie Pillow Room… Or Not.
July 10th, 2007 @ 12:05 pm by Mrs. Gummi Bear
We went to IKEA yesterday to buy 8 comforters and 32 large “euro” size pillows. You have no idea the kind of looks you get walking out with two carts stuffed to the brim with pillows and comforters… we did tell people it was for the wedding, but we were tempted to say it’s for the large orgy room we’re putting in the house. No traumatizing scowling 65 year olds going in for their meatballs today, kids.
So what’s this for? Our lounge!
That’s right folks, the Gummi Bears don’t dance, so no one else will. Well, you can, but we’re not sure where and how you’ll do it. That and you’ll be mostly alone since we have only ~100 guests, most of which are my Korean family who don’t dance and also never touch each other except to hit each other in that endearing Korean way. Wriggling your body in close proximity to another body? Out of the question.
We originally wanted this:
We then saw THIS:
(image via Oh Happy Day)
-insert grabby hands and drooling here-
So, trip to Ikea it was! We’re using those blankets and pillows to set up a picnic style area on the grass lawn. We’re also putting in picnic baskets, large umbrellas, a basket for shoes and courtesy flip-flops. For entertainment, there is a craft area so you can make our scrapbook for us (please no construction paper penises) with polaroids, lawn games, card games, and board games should you feel compelled to show off your scrabble prowess. We’re also offering a huge assortment of snacks. A coffee/tea station with cookies, a refreshment bar with frescas, lemonade, horchata, bottled sodas, and a few types of fresh fruit popsicles because it’s hot out there.
Best of all, we’re offering the option to go home early since who really wants to waste an entire Saturday watching me prance around in a foofy dress?
But other than all the above, what else could we offer that would make the whole reception worth staying for? I know, you’d say “the couple” but seriously, that is like covering poop with frosting and telling people to just deal with the poop because I made it “with love”. What have you wished there was to do at boring weddings you’ve been to?
PS. Mr. GB is desperately trying to find a way to have wifi for all of us internet addicted people… can you see me sitting in front of everyone, macbook open ignoring my reception? “Go away, my auction is TOTALLY ending soon!” We’re telling everyone to at LEAST, bring your DS and PSP, we all want some multiplayer Mario Kart and Puzzle Quest.
38 Responses to “My Hippie Pillow Room… Or Not.”
Oh I love this! How about sunscreen and bugspray in the baskets? Sunglasses?
I attended a wedding last summer where I was the honorary “Games Mistress.” (The bride also had bodyguards, not bridesmaids) As Games Mistress my job was to host a series of organized games on a schedule so that there was something going on in an organized fashion. Without someone coordinating it could be hard to get people going with things like croquet or bocci. If you announce that a game of bocci is starting in ten minutes, and then in five and you get someone enthusiastic to go around and recruit people then the game actually happens and it can continue to happen (it’s like breaking the ice).
Other games that we played:
-Three legged races
-Twister (it rained all day, so it turned into mud twister, if there are kids around it might be best to have two games - the kids game and the adults game, the men got brutal)
-water balloon toss
-obstacle course race
Have fun!
I would love to know this too. We’re having a dry wedding (religious reasons) and my fiance says that his family probably won’t dance. What on earth do we do during the reception. I love your picnic idea–people will get such a kick out of it and it’s so creative. I would love to use it if we weren’t having a sit-down reception in a ballroom. Boo….
Oh and drinking badminton was a bit hit too, although I’m sure it was fun without the drinking…
A soda bar with all the fixins would be great too.
Ooh and umbrellas! Maybe parasols or something. It would make everything so gardeny and pretty.
And don’t forget cute fans!
Can’t you just tell I absolutely love this idea?
MK - as for things to do during a sitdown ballroom reception without dancing I’d suggest games that were at the table (depending on how formal you’re going) or scheduled events that are “different”
- Boardgames
- Cards
- Those DJ games that are sometimes fun about who gets the centerpiece or who has the most credit cards in their wallet
- Bingo
- Slide show
- Live Entertainment (mariachi band, professional dance ensemble, acrobats, fire eaters, etc)
- The usual suspects of events - garter toss, bouquet toss, cake cutting, first dance, etc.
So cute! What about an ice cream sundae bar?
Oh my gosh, what would be so cool is if you could arrange for an ice cream truck to come by at a certain time! That would be perfect after a little bit of games, if people want a way to cool off.
okay, while i’d probably never would have thought of this myself, i love the idea! i’m excited and it’s not even my wedding. haha, i do like the above suggestions and i wish i could add one. i can’t wait to see how this turns out.
Love your blog and your ideas! Your picnic idea is awesome, I think you can execute the idea a lot better than the picture 
One thing to keep in mind is your women-guests with nice fluffy skirts - if you want them to sit on the ground comfortably, you may want to provide something like small pillows or blankets to cover their legs with..! You may also need to consider older guests too (if you have any) - they may not be able to sit on the ground picnic-style. Just a thought -
Can’t wait to see how it will turn out…!
Agree with irene — provide folding chairs for the elderly, pregnant, bad backs, etc.
I’d say focus on a few main broad-appeal “attractions” (suitable to what people will be wearing, maximizing the outdoor environment) and skip the rest. People entertain themselves by socializing.
Also, back-up plan in case of rain?
This is an awesome idea!!! I would love to go to a wedding like this… perhaps when I get married. I’m big into board games and my b/f loves video games… yeah some people might dance, but playing board games would be so much cooler!!!
Keep us updated with your ideas.
This is really awesome. I love different stuff - hmmm - not even engaged yet - but always fantasizing:)
lol love the visual of a bride looking at her lap top…That sounds like such a cool and different wedding!
I love it! It’s so different and creative. Taking something that’s trendy to a bit more unique. I love your sense of humor miss gummybear!
what a fun wedding!!!! I love it!
love the idea! you could rent a projector and screen and show movies on it. that might encourage people to stay later. if you didn’t want to do a long movie though, you could always do either all wedding related episodes of different sitcoms, or whole seasons of classic tv shows.
for the baskets, what about playing cards, coloring books and crayons (grown ups like to color too!), and random props/accesories to take pictures with/in.
Uhm, your wedding rocks my face off. I love it.
This is quite an interesting idea.
*I also am wondering how I am going to live without my Macbook for THE WHOLE DAY!*
One thing that I just thought of, depending what time you are talking…getting a projector and watching a movie…or slideshow! and then you could break out the wii…or ps3…or even a ps2 (old skool!), even though no one dances, it would be super awesome to rent ddr pads (the metal ones) and play that on a huge projector…who doesn’t love ddr, honestly!
oh, and I LURVE the ice cream truck idea!
keep us informed of what you decide to do!!
I love, love, love this idea. I just saw this picture on another blog somewhere a few days ago. I would love to do something non-traditional like this except for the fact that we are wedding in Hawaii and the logistics of it all would probably not work so well. Best wishes.
i forsee pillow fights…will def be a photo op!
Haha, you guys are such nerds, but that sounds like so much fun!! I know my bf and his cousins/friends would thoroughly enjoy an Xbox 360 reception!
Very Cool. Can’t wait to see the completed set-up!!
That is such a fun idea! Do you mind me asking if the farm charge you for doing the picnic on the grass? I would love to do something like this. It’s so sweet and relaxing!
How about setting up a Wii Sports station? Your guests can duke it out with boxing or golf (for all your Korean relatives).
“that is like covering poop with frosting and telling people to just deal with the poop because I made it “with love”.”
Can’t. Stop. Laughing.
Miss Gummie Bear, you are my hero.
great idea for korean weddings! =)
especially part about koreans not touching…lol…
wish i’d done that for mine…
thanks for all the suggestions! I’m trying to get badminton put up - we’re working on that one. 
the venue is not charging extra for the picnic on the lawn… thank god. hidden fees! hidden feeeees!
we’re having fans, parasols, large lawn umbrellas, sunscreen, a soda bar + refresher bar, and the popsicle stand. So hopefully that is enough - but the sunglasses and bug spray may be something to think about!
for elderly, well, my family is the only side with elderly people, and my parents have already decided they want nothing to do with anything other than sitting and talking with friends. (i know, terrible isn’t it?) so they will probably continue to sit in the cocktail lounge or the seated meal area. The lounge is for people who REALLY love us. haha!
love the blanket for skirts idea, thanks! never thought of that! I was going to get some shrugs, not that it will get cold really, but just in case. Double usage!
!!!
I have to show this to my BF. I am not the only crazy person who wants board games at my wedding!!
Hi,
That picnic picture was taken by me on a job a worked on. I don’t mind if you borrow pictures from my blog but please give it proper credit or else take it down.
thanks,
Jordan
jordan: sorry! I was just quick surfing through blog after blog and didn’t save the location for this image. 
Can you link me to your blog?
I AM SO JEALOUS!!! We are so not dancers, and neither are our friends… like on purpose, we do not dance (It seems to be a difficult concept for most people to comprehend)
the Moms are requiring dancing, and are even trying to squeeze in bad music that I am so not entertaining. I am putting together play lists for the entire wedding/reception, and it will definitely be mood setting and awesome… My friends are super excited, but the families don’t understand. I love that your family would prefer no dancing!!!
-still jealous
haha i love you miss gummi bear. the koreans not touching each other and the wifi bit…hilarious. i adore the picnic idea!
the only thing missing is a HUGE tv (ok a screen will do) and a wii!!! now that would be hillarious in photos! great idea, cannot wait to see your photos!
Miss Gummi Bear do you happen to know where the picture with the low seats and tables came from?
miss gummy bear… i think i love you! haha!
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Awesome ideas!!!!! You should consider decks of cards and maybe some board games as well. Playdough could be cool, and I would look through the kids aisles all sorts of cool things have come out in recent years. Your wedding is going to be awesome. I wish i could pull off something like that, our families would kill us though.
