- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
Today my bridesmaids and I ventured into the wonderful world of Martha Stewart. We are planning on baking cookies for our out of town guests, and I will be placing them in pink gable boxes.
Our first attempt was a disaster. Our first clue should have been the 9 cups of flour that was required. Needless to say we will now be serving them at the wedding brunch as breakfast pancake flavored cookies. The second attempt went much smoother. We had a plan. This time we were determined to produce cookies and not pancakes disguised as cookies. We were girls on a mission. And failure was not an option. Enter Martha Stewart.
And a few hours later, of course with tons of girly talk in betwen *ding* cookies are done! I was really pleased how they turned out aesthetically. We added edible silver balls for an understated sparkle, and the royal icing was really great to work with.
Will they rock your cookie world? Probably not. To be quite honest they still have the makings of a wannabe pancake. Darn that underlying pancake taste. But factoring look and taste I am quite satisfied.
Since Mr. Jelly Bean’s arrival, it has been a whirlwind of wedding activities. One of the more important but daunting to-do’s on our list - taking our much anticipated engagement pictures.
It’s almost 99.9% guaranteed that I will either have a really cheesy, unnatural smile or a super dorky facial expression. On a good day I get really lucky and happen to look photogenic in photos. I can count the number of photos with my fingers. I call those my “money shots.” Mr. Jelly Beans on the other hand looks cute without even trying, with his standard photo op smile or girly girl giggle.
No wonder the supermodels get paid so much. It’s no joke and it is freakin hard work trying to produce a magazine worthy pic. In our case guestbook, photobook and reception worthy pictures. No pressure though!
No matter how much I planned, no matter how much I practiced it just doesn’t seem natural. *I am America’s Next Top Model, I am America’s Next Top Model…* Don’t hate me because I am a reality show junkie. 
If I could go back in time I think I would have been steered in a different direction with our favors and their respective packaging. There are so many cute and creative options out there. And they are becoming more and more affordable too.
Why am I only seeing them now? *kicks self in behind* I think I need to start planning for renewing our vows soon.
If I can’t have them then I hope one of you brides-to-be can. I shall live vicariously through you!
It’s picture time. 
After frequenting our local Winners on a weekly basis with no success, I finally found my vintage birdcage! It is so true that you always find things when you aren’t looking.I was walking in the mall with Mr. Jelly Beans (yes, he is finally here) to get my ring rhodium plated, when he points to this gift shop and says “Hon, look it’s a bird cage.” That is why I am marrying this man in less than two months.
It is brownish in color and the size is exactly what I envisioned. It matches my vintage Paris theme perfectly. The birdcage even has Fleur de Lis inspired decorative accents all throughout. That’s absolutey, positively fantabulous!
Featured on Weddingbee
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
“Make an elegant invitation statement without the fuss. Stylish invitation sets with matching envelopes, reception and response cards included.”
We searched high and low for a cake that we both would love. Guess where we found it?
In a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine of course! Is it bad that I am still thinking of buying her wedding magazines post-matrimonial bliss?
So without further ado I present to you the Mr. and Miss Jelly Beans wedding cake:
*drumroll please*
And give me a high five! We finally got the long awaited, much anticipated (and never duplicated) marriage license.
We filled out the form. Drove to the nearest City Hall. Walked in at 2:00 PM to a very empty office. Bonus!
The clerk was super nice. Before I even finished my sentence, she interrupted me with “Yes, this is where you apply for a marriage license.” She then proceeded to tell us that as we were walking in, she and her co-workers were taking bets as to whether or not we were applying for a marriage license. She said she thought we looked like we were getting married. Awwwww! Hold up, that is a good thing, right?
We showed our identification. Waited a few minutes for the clerk to process our forms. Raised our right hands. And there you have it. Our marriage license in less than 15 minutes. That’s almost as quick as a drive-thru wedding in Vegas.
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
I finally, finally completed my monogram cake topper. I had a really good talk with myself and we both agreed that we needed to sit down and finish this.
I purchased the metal letters in our Bickham Script Fancy font from wedding cuts and the equipment and crystals from Tami’s Place. I highly recommend both vendors.
Since my “failed” mock table appointment, I received an email response from the Catering and Sales Manager. She was quite apologetic and seemed genuinely sincere. Here is the kicker:
“We will provide you with a new Special Event Planner (insert name here). She has many years experience and is very professional and personable. I’m sure you will get on very well with her.”
Ummm, ok? I was really shocked and surprised at this point. This was the last thing that I expected. I sure hope I didn’t get someone into trouble, or even worse maybe she didnt want to work with me anymore. I can hear the “It’s not you, it’s me” speech in my head.
Anyway, our new special event planner, we shall call her, New Event Planner or NEP for short, is the best thing that has happened to us. She immediately called us to set up a meeting to go over all our reception details *jaw dropping*.
It’s all booked! Our honeymoon is all booked. I am soooo excited! Italy for 16 days. Yipeee!!!!! It’s going to be super romantic. I cant wait!
Here is our itinerary:
Day 1 Leave Canada
Day 2 Arrive in Rome
Day 3 Rome to Venice
Day 4 Venice Sightseeing
Day 5 Venice-Lugano-Italian Lakes
Day 6 Italian Lakes Excursion
Day 7 Tuscany
Day 8 Florence
Day 9 Naples
Day 10 Sorrento
Day 11 Naples - Rome
Day 12 Rome
Day 13 Returning to Canada- NOT!!! We are staying 3 extra nights in Rome post tour!!!! YEAY!!!! Obviously I am trying to prolong this honeymoon as much as I can.
I love, love, love my hairdresser Dominique! She is super nice, very bubbly and got what I wanted in one shot. I am in dire need of a haircut so the back should be smaller than it is now. She said I had way too much hair - she had trouble finding places for every strand *tee hee hee*.
I tried on my veil and brooches, and I am so happy with everything. At least I am quite at ease that she knows how to put my veil on. Not many people have seen a drop veil before, and she placed it perfectly. I am soooooo excited.
Still not 100% sure which brooch to go with. Classic or pretty?
Well here you go. I apologize in advance for the abundance of pics.
Mr. Jelly Beans and I decided that we were going to forgo the traditional Filipino favor route of native accessories (ie. fans, baskets, capiz boxes, etc..) much to my grandmother’s dismay. I think she had everything picked out as soon as she heard we were engaged. Sorry Lola! (grandmother in Tagalog)
We wanted something that was meaningful to us and at the same time had a 50/50 chance of escaping the inevitable trash can destiny. So it began, my long and arduous search for that unique and functional favor, the one that would rule them all. Who knew there were so many options. At one point it got really overwhelming. Mints, rhinestone matchboxes, homemade cookies, wedding tea, candles, hand cream, almonds, candy, coasters, frames and I could go on forever. I vowed not to give up, I was on a freakin quest after all. So after many months, many websites, long hours on Ebay, I found it, my precious!
I went to Canada post recently to mail the last batch of wedding invitations and to pick up my package. Lo and behold, our aisle runner had arrived! I was so excited to get home and inspect it. I really tried not to spend any of our budget on an aisle runner but at the same time I wasn’t loving the bright, “Here comes the Queen” red that the church generously provided.
The aisle at the Basilica measures 107 feet in length. The inner bride in me picked this church because of that known fact. And because Mr. Jelly Beans loved it as well. The one I purchased off ebay measures 100 feet in length.
I am going for my first hair trial next week. I have already had my make up trials (x2) and now onto my hair. I think I am going for side swept bangs and a low, tousled chignon - I’ve compiled several pics to show the stylist. She says the trial should take about 1.5 hours, so I hope she takes her time and does an awesome job. She was recommended by my make-up artist who I love, so “keeping my fingers crossed.”
Here are some of the hairstyles of other brides that I love…. (I apologize in advance if any of these images are yours. Please let me know so I can give you credit! )
We have hit the one month mark. Yikes! I really have to step up on crossing off things on my to-do list. I have been feverishly running wedding errands, scheduling meetings, and trying to complete projects on all my days off.
Mr. Jelly Beans was supposed to have arrived last week, but due to some unforseen circumstances, he will not be arriving until next week. Aside from receiving the bad news, I had to scramble and reschedule all our wedding appointments. 
Here is our agenda when he arrives:
Thursday:
Miss Jelly Beans awaits eagerly at the airport for the arrival of her favorite Bean
Friday:
Marriage License (I am so excited for this moment- I anticipate a much needed photo op)
Minto Suite Viewing (Again, for Mr Jelly Beans viewing pleasure)
Get Mr. Jelly Beans measured for his tux
Submit groomsmen measurements
Meeting with Msgr Powers at the Notre Dame (90 minutes)
Invitations and Ceremony Fans made in the Philippines = $$$
Making a huge error in the entourage list thus having to have the fans reprinted (*&^%%$$) = $
Shipping the Invitations to Canada = $$
Customs Charges = $ (phew)
Maling the invitation boxes all over the United States and Canada = $$
Receiving your first RSVP card in the mail = PRICELESS!!!!!!!
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Jelly Beans, Ottawa Age and Occupation: 28, Pediatric Registered Nurse and full time bride to be Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Investor and very supportive groom to be Engagement Date: July 7, 2005 Wedding Date: August 25, 2007 Blogging Since: June 20, 2007 Venue: Cathedral Ceremony and Rooftop Tent Reception Honeymoon: Italy About Me: I have been in wedding planning mode since Mr. Jelly Beans popped the question almost two years ago. I am a very dorky and sentimental person. I love laughing and living life alongside my husband-to-be. We have been in a long distance relationship for over 6 years - he is in California and I am presently in Canada, so you can imagine how excited we both are for our upcoming wedding.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
