Why Hire A Videographer?
May 8th, 2007 @ 12:57 pm by Mrs. Tomato
I always regarded hiring a wedding videographer as a rather frivolous idea-a vendor only people with extra money to spare would consider hiring. After all, a photographer would be capturing all the special moments in pictures and that was enough for me. Besides, if I really wanted someone to videotape my wedding, I could always ask my Dad.
But then one of my friends hired Alex Tomek from Lumitone Productions for her wedding, and when I saw her video clip a few weeks later, I literally started tearing up (and I don’t cry THAT easily). I didn’t realize that a professionally done video could evoke so many emotions. In the same way that an experienced photographer can capture images that your cousin’s candid snapshots probably can’t, so a professional videographer can film your wedding as a timeless, unforgettable memory.
A wedding is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I realized that sometimes pictures are not enough to remember it by. I want to be able to remember how the sun shone during the ceremony, and how we recited our wedding vows. I want to remember how my Dad looked as he walked me down the aisle, and how the reception went. Everyone tells me the wedding day goes by in a blur, and a video would allow me to relive anything that I missed in the excitement of it all. Plus it’d be great to show our kids in the future (if they were interested).
Indiana Jones and Star Wars! At a Wedding?
May 5th, 2007 @ 11:00 am by Mrs. Tomato
Mr. Tomato and I attended such a fun wedding last weekend and I couldn’t wait to post about it! It was creative and borderline cheesy–which doesn’t work for everyone, but really portrayed the newlyweds’ personalities.
The ceremonial music started with the traditional “Air” piece by Bach. Then it smoothly transitioned into the groomsmen processional–Raiders March from Indiana Jones! It was hilarious but well done.
The officiant was witty, and the marriage vows were both touching and entertaining. The groom started off by saying that wedding vows made him think of “a-e-i-o-u: VOWels” (haha) and proceeded to explain what each letter meant (”a” meant “always”, for “I will always love you”).
When he finished, someone strapped a guitar onto the bride, and she started singing her vows to her groom. Unfortunately I don’t remember the words, but she wrote the song herself, and during one stanza, sang that her parents were probably ashamed but he (the groom) has always taught her it’s okay to be cheesy and laugh at herself. Aww. 
Wedding Vows
May 3rd, 2007 @ 7:37 pm by Mrs. Tomato
I don’t know how many of you out there are writing your own wedding vows, but I came across Elegant Vows today and perused their “Free Wedding Vows Collection.” I found some words in “Vow Three” particularly moving and beautiful….
When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. That is impossible. It is even a disservice to pretend it is possible. Yet that is what most of us demand. We have such little faith in the ebb and flow of life and of love and of relationships.
We leap forward at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb, for we are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But the only continuity possible in life, as in love, is in growth, in fluidity and in freedom, as dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in creating the same pattern.
Cost Breakdown of my DIY Invitations
May 3rd, 2007 @ 1:21 pm by Mrs. Tomato
Thank you for all the kind compliments you’ve given to my handmade invitations! It almost makes the sweat worth it. 
I was able to mail it all with a 39 cent stamp. The reason being, I used a traditional RSVP-sized card for my invitation, and a place card as my RSVP card. I felt the small size would contribute to the intimate theme of the wedding, and it was a lot cheaper too! The only downside is you’re not able to fit as much writing (which is why most of the information is on the wedding website Mr. Tomato and I created from scratch).
I wanted to answer a few questions that came up regarding where my materials came from and how much they cost. Here’s the breakdown:
I purchased the outer envelope, medium vellum envelope and vellum from envelopemall:
Classic Crest 4-3/8 x 5-3/4″, (A2) Envelope 100 Pack, Classic Cream
Price: $11.50
Translucent Clear 3-5/8″ x 5-1/8″ (4Bar) Envelope 100 Pack
Price: $10.50
Translucent Pattern Sheets 8-1/2 x 11″, (30 lb) 100 Pack, Gold Vine on Clear
Price: $18.95
* Shipping costs are reasonable, but it’s dependent on order quantity
Wedding Program Fans
May 2nd, 2007 @ 7:45 pm by Mrs. Tomato
I woke up at 7am this past Saturday, my mind in a whirlpool of wedding programs. I can’t stop thinking about them. Against my will, I’m showing symptoms of being a bridezilla.
Time is ticking, and I still haven’t decided if I want to risk the invitation fiasco and make the programs myself (which may possibly mean I’m doing this until mid-June) or find an economical stationer that will make them for me.
However, I HAVE decided that they need to be wedding program fans, as the wedding is in July and I don’t want my poor guests to faint from the sun. I also don’t want silk fans or palm leaf fans, as I know a lot of the attending men-guests would be embarrassed using such feminine goods. I’ve been scouring the Internet for wedding program fan ideas, and it’s surprisingly limited. Here are some of my favorite designs:
Ceci New York. I love the rippled edge and use of multiple ribbons.
Done With Invitations!
May 2nd, 2007 @ 2:35 pm by Mrs. Tomato
….well, the NorCal ones at least. ~60 more to go for SoCal.
I was commenting to Mr. Tomato the other day that “I hope people will understand the significance of the individual components of the invitations.” He gave me a blank look. Uh oh.
“They have significance?” he asked.
So I have decided to post and explain what each component stands for, so all my labor is not disposed within 10 seconds by the receiver.
Here is my labor of love (heh) for the past six weeks…the wedding invitation!
Hello from Miss Tomato!
May 2nd, 2007 @ 9:38 am by Mrs. Tomato
Hello Weddingbee readers! I’m thrilled to be coming on board!! It is my promise to let you know of every great wedding bargain that comes my way. And so I decided to blog my first post on one of my greatest deals ever…
The Search for “The One” (ie The Wedding Dress)
Though I never dreamed about my wedding dress before I got engaged, I did dream about what I would look like. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Basically nothing short of knocking-the-socks-off of Mr. Tomato when he sees me walking down the aisle.
Yet I’m practical as I am idealistic, and I knew my allotted dress budget of $1000 didn’t allow for a new designer gown. Still, I knew bridal salons held sales, so I subscribed to a number of e-mail lists and received notice that there were upcoming sales in two bridal salons in San Francisco-Atelier Des Modistes and Glamour Closet.
I checked out Glamour Closet first, which sells “gently used gowns” at up to 75% off. There was a detached frenzy about this place. I was ushered in, handed a number, and told to peruse the rack of dresses and then wait. Though they claim to carry Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang gowns, I only saw one Vera and Carolina, and they must have been from five seasons ago (the Carolina was long-sleeved, which would not be appropriate for my summer wedding).
Mrs. Tomato, Napa Valley
Age and Occupation: 25, Technology Project Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Engineer
Engagement Date: October 22, 2006
Wedding Date: July 1, 2007
Blogging Since: May 1, 2006
Venue: Auberge du Soleil
About Me: I love all things beautiful. From handmade stationery, feminine fashion and delicate flowers to the little moments in your life treasured with your loved one. I am also notorious among my friends to be a deal hunter! My best deal was perhaps my Monique Lhuillier dress for $1100 (orig. $5000). I also tend to use a lot of exclamation marks! =)
