Weddingbee

And I really love cupcakes, so who wouldn’t be excited by an invitation that looks like this?!

Also, I heard a rumor that there would be ice cream. I really like ice cream.

And candy.

And cookies.

And cupcakes.

Sadly, Amanda has informed me that a lot of people have been RSVPing that they can’t come. They’ve already planned trips, they can’t afford to come to San Francisco from wherever they live, etc. I know that I’m not the only person out there who will have less than stellar attendance at her shower. It’s kind of sad, huh? I remember my cousin Deborah’s shower was packed with all of our family members. Only one of my cousins can make it to my shower. I’m wondering if we should have chosen a date months ago…?
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I loved the little poem my MOH put on the evite! And the best part? They are keeping me completely in the dark! I have no idea what they have planned for the festivities. I was trying to put my two cents in in the beginning, but MOH wasn’t having any of it hehe. I can’t wait to see my favorite ladies tomorrow! Hopefully the rain won’t put too much of a damper on things.

But on the bright side, at least the weather is nice for Sunday when Mrs. Bee, Mrs. Onion and I are catching SATC together with anyone who’d like to join us. I’m excited to see what that wedding scene is all about in the movie!

It’s going to BEE a jammed packed weekend for this little bird! What wedding related things do you have in store of this weekend? Can I get a “TGIF”!?
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I also wanted to share how they worded the “instructions” for the gifts. We wanted to make it guy friendly and allow people to buy off the registry. I thought that she did a great job!

Here is my super simple but crazy yummy margarita recipe. Enjoy

1 can limeade
1 can tequila
1/2 can triple sec
1 tbsp. powdered sugar

Mix in the blender. The remaining mix works well on the rocks. For frozen margs, pour half into tupperware and save for later. Mix the remaining half with a full blender of ice. Enjoy!
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The shower took place at Erin and Nick’s place out by Hamilton way. They were amazing hosts and spruced up their backyard so that we ladies could enjoy the sun and the present opening outside.

(L to R: Mr. Hum’s Stepmum, his aunt Anne, his cousin Kim, aunt Kathleen, Mr. Hum’s mom and Kim again!)

Everyone brought a lawn chair and we sat in a big circle on my FIL’s patio for the present opening.

(Bottom to Top: My friend and soon to be married lady Sheena, Sheena’s mum, my Man of Honour Greg, Mr. Hum’s stepsister and recently engaged lady Lauren, Mr. Hum’s stepmum)

These are the smart people. They not only were smart enough to keep some food in close proximity throughout the present opening but they parked themselves under the umbrella. It was so crazy hot, in spite of applying and reapplying sunscreen I still managed to get burned!

(L to R: Cathy, my mom!, my cousin Caitlyn, family friend Sharon, my bubbi taking a picture and Mr. Hum’s Aunt Lisa)

My cousin Caitlyn and my Man of Honour Greg took turns being present secretary for me. While this was sweet, it also set off some sort of rivalry between them that makes me wonder if there’s going to be some sort of rumble at the wedding. (When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way!). Also, I have a funny story about my mom, but I’m saving that for another entry, preferably one where I can get some photographic evidence.

(L to R: Me and Cathy)

This is me slowly opening a present. I fully admit, I am a slow present opener. I remove ribbons slowly (partially because I’m disabled and partially because I like ribbons) and I hate to significantly tear nice wrapping paper. It’s a sickness, I know.

(L to R: My friend Edita, Kim, Mr. Hum’s cousin Adrienne, Me, Greg, Cathy)

I’ve skipped through present opening pics to show you what people really come to showers for - to see the bride dressed up in a paper plate hat. Unbeknownst to me, Mr. Hum’s cousins Adrienne and Kara were fashioning this behemoth as I was opening presents so that the second I was finished, I could be saddled with it. For some reason, in this picture, I look like some sort of bizarre Rainbow Brite/Little Orphan Annie hybrid.

(L to R: Edita, Kim, Adrienne, Me, Greg)

It then slid down my head and attempted to eat my face a la Alien.

(L to R: The hat that ate Toronto, Me)

The struggle continued . . .
Me: You’ll never take me alive, hatty!
Ribbon hat: (whatever noise a ribbon hat makes)

(L to R: Adrienne, the hat that ate Toronto, Me)

Adrienne saved the day and helped me right it before decorating me with another wrapping accessory - a ribbon choker. My Man of Honour Greg told me it looked like I had shiny silver chest hair (thanks Greggy! That’s what every future bride longs to hear! )

(L to R: The hat that ate Toronto, Me)

It might be silly, but what can you do? It’s a shower!

(L to R: A whole bunch of people)

After the excitement of presents and paper plate hats, we all headed inside for food. Erin’s lovely mum who helped out with the shower made a peach cheesecake that was to die for.

(L to R: Mr. Hum, Kim)

Kim has a bite to eat while talking to Mr. Hum. I have to give a shout out to these two because not only did Kim take the train a long way to be at my shower but, because the train she was taking didn’t come out to where the party was, Mr. Hum drove down to the train station and picked her up so she could be there. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mr. Hum is awesome.

(L to R: Edita, Greg, Me, Kimfa)

After the majority of the guests had gone, I got to hang out with some of my old friends. Edita and I used to work together when I was a paint wench for Benjamin Moore (and she was actually over the night I met Mr. Hum!), Greg and I met through a mutual friend in college and as for Kimfa, we’ve been friends since the 9th grade! Having them all there was a super-surprise since I had assumed, because of the invitation snafu with the post office, none of them could come. Happily, I was proven wrong and got to spend the afternoon with friends.

And now the reason you’ve all been reading this far - the kittens!

Mr. Hum’s brother is a teacher and, through a series of unfortunate events, came to be the caretaker of two tiny feral kittens when their mother was hit by a car. Because this all went down the day before my shower, the kittens celebrated with us and became the unofficial stars of the show. A girl seriously cannot compete against little furry faces like these:

Baby Tristan after a bath.

Baby Sydney on my lap.

Mr. Hum makes for a convenient resting place.

Kittens on Mr. Hum’s Chest.


Sydney sleeps while Tristan tries to eat Erin’s wedding ring.

Happily enough, a few days after the shower, the pint size shower invaders were permanently adopted by a loving family, so all in all, it ended up a great weekend for everyone.

(P.S. I am broadcasting tonight at 8PM EST. Stop by and say hello!)

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I also have to thank my lovely and hot bridal party! Their participation was key, and they did not let me down one bit! To honor that, we posed like true Charlie’s Angels. (A little fact about me… my mom named me Kelly after Kelly Garrett, a Charlie’s Angel played by Jaclyn Smith in the 70s.)

From left to right: Youngest sister F, Oldest sister F,
Me and middle sister F. At the bottom my MOH

The grand entrance:

I was really happy but didn’t have an emotional breakdown - that was reserved for a little later when my best friend from Toronto drove down 6 hours for my shower, so it most definitely deserved some tears…

Here are some of my high school friends. I love it that even after 13 years of knowing each other we still find time for one another.

Before the party officially started, I was called to the dance floor to do my famous cowboy dance.

There were lots of games and dancing and everyone participated. Of course we had to do the classic toilet paper wedding dress contest. I won and this is what I looked like:

I have a feeling it will be the next wedding dress trend!!!

Then it was gift time. I didn’t have a registry, but all the gifts I received were awesome. Thank you everyone!

 My godmother got me a pair of studded Swarovski crystal earrings. I’ve always wanted a pair but never bought them for myself, so I was so happy when I opened the box. They are absolutely stunning and I will most definitely wear them on my wedding day.

Lastly was a collective gift from everyone. They made me close my eyes and everything… I got a check for 500$ which must be applied to our honeymoon. Hurray!!! Watch out Mexico here we come!

I had to say my thank yous in these pjs I received as a gift.   And I had to give my MOH a big hug too.

Everyone was so nice and not to mention generous. Thanks for a great bridal shower! « Hide it

My sweet bridal shower invitation made by Sister Shortcake, complete with strawberry stamps to honor my weddingbee moniker, and the BEST DRESS CODE EVER:

WOOT! WOOT!

When wedding-work is getting you down, what keeps you afloat?
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However, somehow in the past few months, it’s like a wave of previously untapped estrogen has hit me and, as strange as it is for me to admit, I’m actually really looking forward to it. Not only have people been really excited for me, but I’ve been really touched by people who are making an effort to come (one of my friends, Kim, a.k.a. zombiebride, is braving public transportation to get from Toronto to Hamilton, where my shower is being held).

So, today after work, I’m meeting Mr. Hum at the train station and we’re headed out to celebrate. Dainty sandwiches and paper plate hats, here I come!

Has there been any aspect or event leading up to your big day that you’ve been surprised to find yourself looking forward to/enjoying?

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(The wine glasses were super cheap at IKEA, I also used Swarovski crystals for the charms and some Martha Stewart tags)

(You can see one of the tissue pomanders here. See? Not so poofy. I’m using a floral ball next time!)

Games were the most taxing decision because I know some people loathe bridal shower games (*guilty as charged*) so I wanted to spruce things up a bit. The first game we played as sort of an ice breaker. It was titled, “How Well Do You Know the Bride?” and I printed it out on my laser printer and taped it to some pretty Martha Stewart paper I had bought. The second game was a quiz for Sister Coconut, but the best part was that I had met up with her fiance earlier that week and videotaped his responses. It was quite hilarious watching Sister Coconut get so embarrassed! The last game was Bridal Boggle, which is a game Sister Coconut and her fiance play often. For gifts, I bought a couple of Vera Bradley porcelain jewelry boxes that were so cute!

(Again, to spruce it up I attached the white paper to some pretty Martha Stewart paper with double-sided tape)

Did I use the gocco? Of course I did! I’ll use any excuse to pull that baby out! I didn’t have many ideas for what to gocco - I made a menu and a sign for the front door. It was a waste of bulbs but who cares, it was totally fun! I also made her bridal shower invites on the gocco and let me just say that the gold gocco ink is fabulous. I’m totally using it to make our wedding invitations.

(Can you see the speckly gold? I’m obsessed. For those wondering, I designed the invites on Illustrator, but it could have easily been done on Word. I found the scroll pattern at istock and the fancy font is Bickham Script Fancy. I believe I downloaded it at FontFreak.)

Gocco Tip: I used scrap paper to mark my spot that way I got it right every time!)

(You can’t see it but the gold ink is super cute!)

(As part of her invitation suite, I made an advice card. I only collected a few because many forgot to bring it, but I’m going to put them in a book for her with some pictures from the shower!)

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Garden Party: Gifts could include anything to get your patio or garden going- BBQ tools, coolers, shovels and potted plants. You could throw this shower in the couple’s yard and actually get down in the dirt.

Gearing the Garage: Tools, storage containers and other handyman goods. It wasn’t the right party for us, but it may be for the more handy bride and groom.

Holidays: Guests are assigned a holiday and asked to bring a corresponding gift. Some holidays are a little easier than others, and the more couples that you invite the further you have to reach for the holiday. Memorial Day may be more obvious than President’s Day, for example, and I worry about the guy that gets Valentine’s Day. Hilarity would ensue.

The Unwrapped Shower: Guests bring their gifts unwrapped, and hand them to the couple as they walk in. This simply cuts out the long process of opening gifts, worrying about breaking the ribbon and doing a Vanna White around the room. It still allows for surprise and a nice, personal thank you.

Have any of you done a less traditional shower? Want to share your ideas?
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The stationery cards were super easy to make. I had some leftover 8.5×11 Cover Weight paper, so I cut them in half and printed out an image with each girl’s name on the card. They were a big hit, and super quick to make!

Using the same image from the stationery, I printed their names onto sparkly pink paper and taped each to a white gift bag. I added little paper flowers and some pink tisssue and thats about it!

Each bag cost around $7 to make with all the goodies inside. I think the girls loved them!

Did you give out favors at your shower or did you leave it up to the hosts?

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