Weddingbee Blog

Last Saturday, Mr. Orange and I drove out to Lindenhurst, Long Island to a local bakery called Black Forest Bakery to pick up our sample cake. Our catering hall has an outside contract with the bakery, and included in the contract is a free 6 inch cake with frosting, cake and filling of your choice. We chose yellow cake with raspberry and white chocolate mousse and ivory whipped cream. It was so yummy…moist, dense and not overly sweet. Raspberry mousse was perfect and the white chocolate mousse was o-k. I didn’t taste much of the “white-chocolatey-ness.

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I remembered everything but the balance $$ HAHA. So, I had to run out in the sub-zero temperature and find the closest ATM. However, it all paid off (literally). Everything came together perfectly. After reading disappointed first or even second fitting experiences, my initial mindset was that I wouldn’t like the dress or something would go wrong.

I didn’t buy SPANX yet, but after feeling the tulle against my no-stocking feet, I will be investing in SPANX’ Marry Me Footless for comfort and hopefully, warmth.

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These are the small cubic zirconia chandelier earrings that Mrs. Bird of Paradise wore at her wedding, and the ones I bought a few months ago at full price. They’re now on sale at Banana Republic! Originally $42.00, now $23.99!

My first fitting was cancelled last minute due to the seamstress’s family emergency. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. But, now I have a complete list of things one should bring with them to the first fitting — Here’s the recap:

• Slip, crinoline (if you bought it elsewhere)
• Jewelry
• Spanx (optional) — Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Bare Necessities
• Veil (optional)
• Shoes (of course)
• Undergarments
• Trusty careful pair of eyes
• Hair clip (optional; if you plan to have an updo on the day of)

My first fitting will now be on the 1-year anniversary of Mr. Orange’s proposal

Whether you’re at work or with your family or friends, everyone seems to ask “how the wedding plans are coming.” I can go on and on about our wedding, but I learned that Mr. Orange doesn’t want me to talk about it - especially to our guests - so the element of surprise will be there.

What are you and your FI keeping to yourself about the wedding? Mr. Orange doesn’t want anyone (including Bee readers) to see the wedding rings until after the wedding. Boohoo. But, stay tuned

Why shoes you may ask? Tomorrow is my first fitting. The first fitting is usually six weeks before your wedding day, and with my mom in Japan, I asked my FMIL to come along. You want to bring someone with careful eyes so you can make sure that:

1. the dress is what you ordered (sleeves, color, train, neckline, etc.)
2. the dress feels good on you (waist, length, chest, or even how the material falls)
3. the dress is well sewn and in good condition (lace, beading, etc.)

It’s also your time to meet and evaluate your seamstress. You want to feel comfortable leaving your dress with her, so watch and check if she knows what she’s doing.

I am definitely packing my strapless bra and shoes — but what else did you bring to your first fitting? Jewelry? Veil?

Goodies on sale from Pottery Barn —

OVERSIZED PERSONALIZED FRAMES
28 x 11″ Black Frame with Black Mat $19.99 (Was $59.00)
32 x 34″ Frame $39.99 - $59.00 (Was $99.00)

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The Weather Channel has a Wedding Planner where you can check out the weather in your area for the past three years, as well as typical weather for that day.

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I found this lovely small design firm called Papered Together in Minneapolis, that specializes in custom stationery. Their etsy store also features everyday cards, bookplates and valentine cards.

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Adorneya! has these little cotton print clutches featuring front pockets that close with a vintage button ($30).

You can pick from over 30 custom fabrics to fit your color scheme or your bridesmaids’ tastes. Adorneya also offers wristlets and messenger bags in the same customizable fabrics, as well as handcrafted jewelry and accessories. The designer, Georgia Hadley, makes every piece by hand in her home studio, and from her own original patterns!

The anniversary dance is a special dance for all the married couples at a wedding. Throughout the song, the DJ names off number of years being married, starting with less than one year [That's when the newlyweds are off the dance floor]. It continues with less than two years, five years, ten years, and so on until the couple who has been married the longest is left dancing.I saw this for the first time at my friend’s wedding and plan on having it at our wedding as well. Mr. Orange’s grandparents just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year and I know of another couple attending who celebrated their 50th anniversary last February.

So far, our candidate for the song for the dance is Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. Are you including an anniversary dance in your reception? If so, to what song?

I ordered a size 10 bridal dress despite my street clothes size being a petite 2. In case you were going through a minor emotional trauma about your dress size, rest assured. Here’s why bridal gown sizes are not like your street clothes size.

Bridal sizing goes back to a scale established during World War II that used data intended for making uniforms, Moore [Senior vice president of merchandising and product development at retailer David's Bridal] explains. The scale also was used for ready-to-wear clothes, but over time, sportswear adapted its sizes to reflect changing body shapes, while bridal, for the most part, didn’t.

…The order is based on the woman’s largest measurement: bust, hips or waist. If her hips and waist are an 8 but her bust a 10, she gets the 10; if her bust and waist are 12 but her hips 14, she gets the 14. (Samantha Critchell, Associated Press).

Japan has a culture of speech-giving. In a traditional wedding for instance, the bride and/or the groom’s boss (yes, boss from work) is often asked to give a toast in addition to those by friends and families. But in the US, the best man and the maid of honor usually give the toasts. We already have 2 best men and 1 MOH, so that’s 3 people giving speeches.

Plus Mr. Orange thinks his grandfather will also give a toast (actually his grandfather gives the sweetest toasts ever!) so that makes it 4. Then there’s the blessing of the bread by Mr. Orange’s other grandfather, and the blessing for the meal by my pastor….bringing the toast/speech/prayer total 6. Wow, is that too many?

How many toasts/speeches are you planning?

I am down with a stomach flu. The word on the street is it’s definitely going around. So, make sure to wash your hands when you get home!

All day I’ve been staring at the Panera Bread’s Catering Menu and wondering what I should order for lunch the day of the wedding. The wedding does not start till much later in the evening and gosh darn it, this girl needs to be fed!

So my question to you is, are you planning to eat the day of the wedding? And at the wedding? If you are already a Mrs., please share what to avoid —

Last month you all voted on my CP’s. Despite low votes, I chose the hydrangea plus a dozen roses for its soft but elegant style. However, I will not use a silver mint julep cup as pictured in the poll and below.

Reader K suggested that I may want to look into gold/champagne vases since they are included in my color scheme. Thanks K that’s a great suggestion! But due to my restricted budget, I chose glass instead.

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