Weddingbee Blog

All photos taken by Agaton Strom

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My grandmother made all these paper cranes and I glued each one onto a place card (Paper Source) after the calligraphy was done for names/table numbers. I could not work on this until we had all (or most of the) RSVPs back and we were ready to assign tables (i.e. two weeks before the wedding.) But, it was all worth it.

(Non Professional Photo)

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1. I eat cut-up raw summer tomatoes with a sprinkle of sugar
2. I start speaking Japanese towards the end of the day (That explains why Mr. Orange understands some Japanese — well, my whinings at least)
3. I love Manischewitz Kosher Wine
4. I sing in my car — it’s an oversized karaoke box to me (I try not to dance since they can see you dance at intersections)
5. I am always cold even in the middle of the summer
6. I am addicted to the Food Network

We finalized the menu the first week of February, but I waited till 18 days before the wedding to print the menu with my finicky Epson inkjet printer.

3-4 menus/table x 15 tables = approx. 45. Took 2 hours to print.

The text is in dark brown (which matches the invite and place card) and the fonts are those used in the invite as well (Script: Carlotta Block: Garamond). On the top is a diagram of how to make a paper crane (which will again match the invite and the place card).

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I love washing dishes. Don’t know why, but I do. And when I do, I make sure to take off my engagment ring and put it with my “kitty.”

This “kitty,” my FMIL bought for me so that I don’t lose the ring inside the house. She also keeps the ring for the night while I sleep in the other room.

So, where do you keep your ring when you don’t have it on?

…because I just finished my very first DIY project! It’s no Martha Stewart - I was terrible in art in school and don’t have a “creative” gene anywhere. But with a low-temp glue gun, two packets of swarovski crystals (clear and pink) and few candles, this unity candle will serve just fine for the Orange wedding.

I only hope this encourages other brides who may not be so confident in DIY projects.

Sorry about my hiatus. I had a cold that lasted throughout the last week on top of final meetings with vendors. But, I am okay now with less than three weeks to go!

Last weekend, Mr. Orange and I went for the semi-final meeting with our catering hall. Everything went well until we discussed the timeline. We were told that we cannot arrive at the hall until 6, unless there is no afternoon event. So far, there isn’t any and if that is the case on March 1, we can arrive at 5:00 as we had originally planned (to take pics then so that we may fully enjoy the cocktail hour).

The moment our banquet manager said that, my mind raced so quickly around all the details of the arrival time — the makeup/hair, photographer, florist, etc. The banquet manager assured us that they’ll let us know as soon as something changes, but I was not a happy camper then.

Did you have a timeline for your wedding day? And did it go accordingly?

(from my sister who also designed the invite; me and Mr. Orange)

We asked our guests to write advice for the newlyweds on the back of the RSVP postcards. My MOH suspected that this may actually delay the arrival of our RSVP’s, and she was very very right. We have not received RSVP’s for 50+ guests as of yesterday, our RSVP deadline.

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I have no idea how anyone is going to eat after an hour of cocktail hour. But, here’s what Mr. Orange and I decided on with dinner. We have our semi-final meeting with our caterer this Saturday! As I look back, Papa Orange who does not speak much English saw the menu last year and uttered these words: “Lots of food I like.”

Appetizer
Seasonal Fresh Fruit Salad on a Platter with Raspberry Sauce

Salad
Fresh Mesculn mix with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing and Toasted Walnuts

Intermezzo
Penne Pasta with Red Sauce

Entrees
(Pick One)
Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus
Chicken served with Artichoke Hearts in a White Wine Sauce
Jumbo Stuffed Shrimp with a blend of crab and lobster
Norwegian Salmon with Dill Sauce

Dessert
Wedding Cake
HÆ’¤agen Daz Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Mini Viennese Hour
Espresso / Cordial Cart

I love Kiehl’s products. They just launched a new line of lip gloss ($13.50), that’s non-sticky, creamy, sheer, with hydration — just what you’d expect from Kiehl’s. It comes in eight beautiful shades (including clear), and would make the perfect addition to you or your bridesmaids’ makeup bags on the day of.

I also love Kiehl’s lip balm (I use it on my lips and eye lids on a cold day) and have a tube at home, at work and in my handbag.

Speaking of lips, after reading Miss. Peach’s post on luscious lips, I tried Lipscription from Benefit Cosmetics at Sephora. It’s a combo of lip buffing cream and lip balm in two small tubes. I didn’t care too much for the lip balm, but the lip buffing cream made my rough and dried lips SOOOO SMOOOOTH. It’s $30 for the combo so, I may just resort to sugar buffing (as suggested by reader Annie). You should give it a try too for smooth luscious lips!

When I first met Mr. Orange, I sported an easy-to-maintain short hairstyle. When we got engaged, I started thinking about the look I want for at the wedding, so I decided to grow out my hair to wear a chignon. It’s been more than a year since then and tomorrow, I will go to my final “pre-wedding haircut.” I go to Stacy Pitt of Styles on B; she is amazingly affordable (by NYC standards) and her chair is at her apartment in LES — As Mrs. Firefly commented, “she has a calming presence.”

I will be at the Weddingbee GTG after that appointment and you’ll see the result there

So, are you growing out your hair for your wedding ? If so, do you plan to chop it off (”Newlywed Chop”) after the wedding?

I haven’t done anything wedding related this week. Or has it been since the first fitting. Until the RSVP’s are all in (next Sat) and the hotel blocking is closed (next Fri), there’s not much to do. Favors, programs and menus will all be done after the RSVP deadline. OOT bags will be done after the last date for the hotel block. Mr. Orange and I will be running around the next three weeks for our final meeting with every vendor except for hair/makeup. So, now what?

Here’s a list of things to do still (besides those listed above)…but where is the motivation?

• Buy pashimina wraps for the bridesmaid gifts
• Research what fun activities are available in Key West
• Reserve a rental car for HM
• Figure out how to get 9 family members plus their luggage from JFK to Manhattan
• Make an appointment for threading/waxing before the wedding
• Ask a few people to do the readings (No clue who)
• Go get rental tux set up for Mr. Orange, his GMs, my bride’s attendant and Papa Orange
• Make a list of things to confirm with each of the vendors

Stay tuned —

…to try to go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week.” Mrs. Bee’s post on unconventional diet tips and Miss Lemon’s declaration (and nudging from Mr. Orange to lead a healthier lifestyle), has led me to make a 1-year commitment to a gym. I am turning 30 this year and knowing my eating habits (favorite bagel topping: peanut butter and butter), my metabolism will not keep up much longer and I will only grow wider.

The problem is I am a gym virgin. Yes, I’ve never been to a gym in my life, not even in college. I will have my first session tomorrow with a complimentary personal trainer and hopefully set a goal for my arms and tummy.

Do you have any suggestions for a gym virgin like me?

From the NY Post, January 26, 2007:

Computers take up so much of our time that they threaten to close windows on our most important relationships, a new study says.

Sixty-five percent of people spend more time with a computer than with their spouse or significant other.

So, are you spending more time on a computer than with your significant other?