tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71822496625964834072024-02-19T18:08:31.422-08:00"I Do" Budget WeddingsMy mission is to plan both our LA wedding AND the honeymoon with a $15,000 budget! That's 12K for the entire wedding, $3K for the honeymoon. Join me as I attempt to achieve the wedding we want with the budget we have!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-82633670363743620372011-09-05T01:59:00.000-07:002011-09-05T01:59:10.072-07:00No Regrets...OK, Maybe a CoupleI wrote before on the topic of having <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-7-no-regrets.html">no regrets</a>, absolutely loving your day regardless of what trouble/mini disasters came your way.<br />
Well, I still believe in that positive affirmation, and regardless of what happened, whatever detail wasn't immortalized in our wedding album, our wedding was truly a very special day for the both us.<br />
But...I would be lying if there are a couple things that I would reconsider if some magic time machine took me back to the moment we sat down and said, "Let's plan this thing."<br />
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<b>1) Daytime versus Nighttime</b><br />
We had a lunch wedding. It saved us a ton of money. <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-recap-rococo-room.html">Our wedding venue</a> was a fantastic place. But...I still wonder, what if we had a nighttime wedding? Would more people have danced on the dance floor? Thanks to our fun-loving, energetic college buddies and my adorable flower girls, the dance floor wasn't empty. But my usually-dance-happy Filipino family just wasn't feeling it at 4 p.m. I don't really think of this as a regret, but it is something I do think about. We did search far and wide for a dinner option that fit our budget (that included everything else in our wishlist), but we decided that we could forego dinner for all the other things we deemed more important. The money we saved was a great asset to us--without it, we would have struggled big time financially. I wouldn't give up the things we did have in lieu of a dinner wedding, but sometimes I do wonder if there was a possible dinner venue out there for us. <br />
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<b>2) The Guest List</b><br />
Yes, I know, I've discussed the<a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-8-obligatory-invitesdont.html"> trials and tribulations </a>of deciding who the "lucky" folks to be present at our wedding would be. I never would want to go through that torture again. I never really felt comfortable with putting a value on people I did care about -- who we like more, who would be rather see at our wedding. Growing up, my family always threw parties and it was always the more the merrier. I wish I had more of my family sharing in our special day. I wish I could have invited more of our friends. We couldn't invite children, and although our was a sophisticated affair, having children at the wedding probably would have made it more light-hearted and fun. But throwing a budget wedding, you have to be conscious of the number of people you invite. I still wouldn't have caved in to the pressure of the obligatory invites, but I think we would have tried to add more people. Of course, something else would have had to give...don't know what, but no use in worrying about it now!<br />
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So, yes, now you have it--sure there may be some things you would change if you had the chance, maybe researched a little more, and maybe some things you regret. But in the end, worrying about it, or dwelling on it, doesn't really do you any good. I say, when you plan your wedding really think about what's important to you. Realize that you may have to give up some things, but be at peace with it. <br />
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I say, thinking about the would-have, could-have, should-haves every now and then is normal. We're human and our weddings were a big one-time deal. But I think about all the positives that made that day the unique, memorable, unforgettable moment it was for the both of us, and those tinges of regrets fade away.<br />
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Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-87893076877104548852011-08-25T13:23:00.000-07:002011-08-25T13:23:35.170-07:00Head to your nearest Borders...Now!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HUh2fR8n3_MKX9cm0Zr1CQZWafEAvun0w439Q7dbApPkaeK4lQRF32dKe7TrCv8330YLQnfJZzWjwBiWx7mLSK9NlGl0LioBuqYMjFe_LJcmsDjl7RbCkih2Yaxl14vsJSYzG3C-sOmk/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HUh2fR8n3_MKX9cm0Zr1CQZWafEAvun0w439Q7dbApPkaeK4lQRF32dKe7TrCv8330YLQnfJZzWjwBiWx7mLSK9NlGl0LioBuqYMjFe_LJcmsDjl7RbCkih2Yaxl14vsJSYzG3C-sOmk/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wedding aisle at my nearest Borders -- some helpful planning tips at deep discounts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When I heard<a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/Home"> Borders </a>was closing and clearing out all of their books at discounted prices, of course this bookworm and book hoarder had to get her goods.<br />
My finds? Well, they might bore you...<br />
A book on digital photography (for the aspiring, ahem, <i>wanabe, </i>photographer here), travel novels by late great travel writer <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/11/obituaries/dame-freya-stark-travel-writer-is-dead-at-100.html">Freya Stark</a>,<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/books/review/Adams.html?pagewanted=1"> <i>Shadow of the Silk Road </i></a>by Colin Thubron, recipe books on baking and tea...<br />
I'm a nerd.<br />
But while combing through each aisle (had to make sure I didn't miss a gem), I found the wedding aisle, still with some useful resources - <a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=bw1&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=DIY+Bride+book&gs_upl=4109l4811l0l5053l5l4l0l0l0l0l301l505l2-1.1l2l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1176&bih=646&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17785775129545681773&sa=X&ei=7axWTsn3McPliAKIopSrCQ&ved=0CDkQ8wIwAg">The Crafty DIY Bride</a>, and other wedding planning books. I know when planning our wedding, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bridal-Bargains-Throwing-Fantastic-Realistic/dp/1889392081">few books were pretty helpful</a>. <br />
Now each store might have different stock, and who knows how cleaned out your nearest Borders can be, but it's worth the looksey!<br />
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Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-5596745621286841512011-08-22T05:55:00.000-07:002011-08-23T10:39:32.871-07:00In case you didn't see it...the paper crane chandelierYes, <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-recap-cranes-end-their-journey.html">our cranes made it safely north to Canada</a>. Yes, they joined thousands of other cranes from around world in a gorgeous paper crane chandelier.<br />
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For each crane 50 cents was donated to cancer research.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-F8ozqn766tNK2xn8GXW2ocQnqLDcCX5_Zo8CfiebUdZHvq388RE888e8HeqM5sIp3NrT9BoW1owR73ORtVeE_B_DePNAMBVPDlbcX-YYaFGbjNVh5NBcnZQnNLuHb7ItNrF3Bn_WtYb/s1600/smCranephoto21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-F8ozqn766tNK2xn8GXW2ocQnqLDcCX5_Zo8CfiebUdZHvq388RE888e8HeqM5sIp3NrT9BoW1owR73ORtVeE_B_DePNAMBVPDlbcX-YYaFGbjNVh5NBcnZQnNLuHb7ItNrF3Bn_WtYb/s320/smCranephoto21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRObp1J0Pje3WQ__Adk5YGLQwp7vXJW1p2q17FxSnUVPRyFC9mCwkEFtvtmmAK4TFCH-Did9SWU69Ou-cSkBR8PGLSs8OnXMytqXZRmba0SzxXX_jH0ignrmUPKbu5SbFP4xw_vGv28JR2/s1600/craneset1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRObp1J0Pje3WQ__Adk5YGLQwp7vXJW1p2q17FxSnUVPRyFC9mCwkEFtvtmmAK4TFCH-Did9SWU69Ou-cSkBR8PGLSs8OnXMytqXZRmba0SzxXX_jH0ignrmUPKbu5SbFP4xw_vGv28JR2/s320/craneset1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG-b6UhoO2QxsU3fvEmrGDKRuLVpaTyrjAl-7bIo0KI2Qb4zeEEvdY1efGuNnZMi5jX5fIMvDJorG1iAy7a3SE-sgvvcEYKQQEUq7y752P6QExwgJ8x0SxcKEPzQSxbUapZ-wNvSPxJT3/s1600/smCeranephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG-b6UhoO2QxsU3fvEmrGDKRuLVpaTyrjAl-7bIo0KI2Qb4zeEEvdY1efGuNnZMi5jX5fIMvDJorG1iAy7a3SE-sgvvcEYKQQEUq7y752P6QExwgJ8x0SxcKEPzQSxbUapZ-wNvSPxJT3/s320/smCeranephoto.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsdkM1lwRDCRCSqdzV_NleP6RO3QUb88PT_mgHzBcHQO5kIY4vjA9tfgAP3_TmOLk5fWz2LOy9y_A14hd3wpr7re4nfPjqGEAxq3p01Rtzg6ezWgUw-a6L3HnWb2h7Zi8BAqWy6lKLgFm/s1600/craneset4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsdkM1lwRDCRCSqdzV_NleP6RO3QUb88PT_mgHzBcHQO5kIY4vjA9tfgAP3_TmOLk5fWz2LOy9y_A14hd3wpr7re4nfPjqGEAxq3p01Rtzg6ezWgUw-a6L3HnWb2h7Zi8BAqWy6lKLgFm/s320/craneset4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*All photos from the <a href="http://www.theweddingco.com/2010/07/the-crane-chandelier-project/">Wedding Co</a>. </div><br />
Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-6316170519288454532011-08-20T11:40:00.000-07:002011-08-20T11:40:40.474-07:00Hello AgainNo, your eyes are not deceiving you.<br />
<br />
I am writing a post after, oh, nine months of letting this wedding blog languish untouched.<br />
<br />
Obviously, I knew posting would be light after the big day...but I didn't expect complete abandonment.<br />
<br />
So what's bringing on this renewed motivation for wedding blogging?<br />
<br />
Well, the hubby and and I just celebrated our one-year anniversary.<br />
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It was a quiet, low-key affair. We went back to the restaurant/banquet hall where had our reception for a romantic dinner. We ordered our favorite dish on our reception menu. Still as delicious as we remembered it.<br />
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But we were a little sad to see our wedding cake wasn't on the menu anymore.<br />
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Things change, that we know. But the memory stays the same, always there to come back to when we want to.<br />
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We sat there, held hands and reminisced. Even with all the <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2009/12/and-hits-keep-coming.html">crazy drama</a>, <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-8-obligatory-invitesdont.html">guest list issues</a>, <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-7-no-regrets.html">things we probably would have done differently</a>, we truly had a wonderful, memorable wedding. <br />
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And as time passes, new memories are created, new adventures, new lessons are learned...together.<br />
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I still love weddings, and as life goes on from our own special day, I start to realize yes, there are weddings going on every day. The day that you spent months planning becomes special only to you and your husband (or wife). You'll see a fabulous idea at someone else's wedding and wonder, "Darn, why didn't we think of that?"<br />
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But even then, I still enjoy being at weddings. I enjoy browsing over wedding porn (of course, not as much as I did during the planning stages). And I enjoy talking to brides-to-be and listening to the ideas and providing advice when I can, and when they want it (Beware, newly wedded wives! Do not be come a Wedding-Know-it-All once you tie the not! Engaged couples do not want to hear, "Well in <i>our wedding..." </i>)<br />
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A friend of mine snapped a photo of me walking down the aisle on the big day. It was of the beautiful veil my aunt made for me for free, basically with $20 of tulle and lace. She posted it on Facebook a year later to wish us a happy anniversary.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilW0Zcp3Kj0PbeyIl8B4denlxVBW5nJ6jtu3hkcsxXx9Mx9hVMLUOEVodSlMgTZBIbpIlq7A9Z-9Gxh0RTODgzRrqdp6Oqq0gplmxa1W2jUEIvnwsRvf8qDIGFkxOq4gXKoEy5qZJ4TaHT/s1600/299157_10100210524633950_20915890_46964686_5457802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilW0Zcp3Kj0PbeyIl8B4denlxVBW5nJ6jtu3hkcsxXx9Mx9hVMLUOEVodSlMgTZBIbpIlq7A9Z-9Gxh0RTODgzRrqdp6Oqq0gplmxa1W2jUEIvnwsRvf8qDIGFkxOq4gXKoEy5qZJ4TaHT/s320/299157_10100210524633950_20915890_46964686_5457802_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A reminder to thank my aunt again!</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-57181581264359323662010-11-30T04:00:00.000-08:002010-11-30T04:00:07.789-08:00Real Wedding in MN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Lsz23UhutQhHQuvqoBq9Zine0WIhvxYXrOWA5ifKNpN5b3Bdrz-RtOcJuHRoNQnITMYVtjup5nl9z3xQSEJ7rhyphenhyphenECLxASyVlKhS3vh34uRGxmK8azvLjV8v9qolti-CtnlTO86kKvqH1/s1600/-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Lsz23UhutQhHQuvqoBq9Zine0WIhvxYXrOWA5ifKNpN5b3Bdrz-RtOcJuHRoNQnITMYVtjup5nl9z3xQSEJ7rhyphenhyphenECLxASyVlKhS3vh34uRGxmK8azvLjV8v9qolti-CtnlTO86kKvqH1/s640/-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> What a pleasant surprise it was to see Kayla's photos of her lovely MN wedding waiting for me in my inbox after returning from the Thanksgiving weekend. The lovely ceremony, the adorable details (those cookies with the couples' names are steal-worthy), the bright purple color scheme -- and everything was $11K! But the best thing about these photos? The look of pure joy on Kayla's lovely face! So how did Kayla pull off such a gorgeous wedding on a modest budget? Take it away, Kayla!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJF-U5a66vjJfFI2pTQu_7h9Lag9saEcXrfA2NSDL4zbPIiURqQBqLv4clsoQnymMJRjVZQmEgauk_QQDRR6Q2WENcqDPH_O-yENPXucFtoebScPJbZkgYKE78Cvs5JX54MOE1IyCqVRB/s1600/-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJF-U5a66vjJfFI2pTQu_7h9Lag9saEcXrfA2NSDL4zbPIiURqQBqLv4clsoQnymMJRjVZQmEgauk_QQDRR6Q2WENcqDPH_O-yENPXucFtoebScPJbZkgYKE78Cvs5JX54MOE1IyCqVRB/s640/-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">My husband Elliott and I were engaged December 21st, 2009 (more on that at my blog <a href="http://www.elliottkayla.blogspot.com/">www.elliottkayla.blogspot.com</a> - with a video that will make you cry!) and one of the first things we did was sit down and make a VERY comprehensive and detailed budget, and then we STUCK TO IT! Our budget included wedding bands, thank-you notes, all postage, deposit on our new apartment together, and our honeymoon - some things that other couples budget for separately. <br />
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BIGGEST MONEY SAVER: involve friends and family every step of the way. Our pastor was also one of our closest friends, and his wife is a phenomenal wedding photographer (<a href="http://www.emilysteffenphoto.com/">www.emilysteffenphoto.com</a>). Elliott's dad made our cake stand, my hairstylist was a good friend (and professional!) Elliott's sister made the flower girl dress, family and friends rallied together to decorate the reception hall (with many homemade decorations), we borrowed, borrowed, and borrowed some more.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLigEz9y4_Pket-NQ91hQipdTXBvOPCoIvwvo0CBJfFGoOlZlu_a3-Uv3HVq-283Se9myzXGQU1Hv-qi_jF05LT6sX-WaHRxPzZV96M09ODDLVDCOi2Zbfqt0uA1ZHD16bWC4pJ6t-pl1/s1600/-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLigEz9y4_Pket-NQ91hQipdTXBvOPCoIvwvo0CBJfFGoOlZlu_a3-Uv3HVq-283Se9myzXGQU1Hv-qi_jF05LT6sX-WaHRxPzZV96M09ODDLVDCOi2Zbfqt0uA1ZHD16bWC4pJ6t-pl1/s640/-6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Dress - we started shopping for the dress early, because if we couldn't find something wonderful (and I was limiting myself to only $600 - INCLUDING alterations!!!) my mother and I wanted lots of time to start creating one ourselves. Mom did make my veil, but at the very last bridal store we went to (which also carried stylish consignment dresses) we found THE ONE!!! Our best decision: be very upfront with the salespeople and tell them your absolute budget. Our saleswoman (HIGHLY recommend <a href="http://www.bridesoffrance.com/">www.bridesoffrance.com</a>) treated us with the utmost respect and was able to give us extra discounts, bringing the total to $400! A friend altered the dress as a wedding gift to us - we were thrilled! Elliott bought his suit for $100 and his vintage tie for $3! Our bridesmaids dresses were on sale for less than $50 at Ann Taylor Loft, shoes were $20 from Rocketdog.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPbuJ7DFfqLay2-0WjmE6ONWDU9inBZaCUUm_E5iLJPKiljR5hRKqwlvSzC5uB8dJpRhKJhXI6kJnMc60Itr2OYcsd2XTp0hFqHTs-fez-tEtGFhPIz8Msv2AMCJKbaCoS7x2_CBlsvVF/s1600/-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPbuJ7DFfqLay2-0WjmE6ONWDU9inBZaCUUm_E5iLJPKiljR5hRKqwlvSzC5uB8dJpRhKJhXI6kJnMc60Itr2OYcsd2XTp0hFqHTs-fez-tEtGFhPIz8Msv2AMCJKbaCoS7x2_CBlsvVF/s640/-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Flowers - our photographer recommended a fresh, innovative young florist. Met with her and FELL IN LOVE! Gave her pictures, we talked colors, and then gave her our very small budget $300 - she said yes!!! The boutonniere were made out of quirky, cute supplies that were on clearance at JoAnns. Our centerpieces were also clearance flowers, pieces we borrowed, and wine glasses/mason jars we had been saving all year.<br />
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Stationery - my sister, a scrapbooking-fiend, helped us create invitations and programs that we created from supplies we only bought with coupons from Archivers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Food - we wanted a "down-home" feel, so decided on fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Called around for prices and the local grocery store's deli quoted us a price that was less than $4.00 a person! We had tons of food left over, and it was absolutely delicious. My sisters and I spent a lot of time over the summer baking food for the dessert table. We included lots of family recipes, and asked grandmas to bring something to share. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cake - a friend's mother makes wedding cakes as a side business. For $100, we had a beautiful chocolate with peanut butter filling cake that we COULD NOT stop eating! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGPKrA5I5_m1gmeS1EoecUhqNLswSLcNemGNn93mCpGGyVl5k2VG4ERh7RdEKIR5m1BXn1zFAGz5rVSGuIdfVaRLnsx12TZb-MzZH3WzcKvRxW5e5yrtQjXtk21ehyphenhyphenwvqPsDL5zdIKSGr/s1600/-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGPKrA5I5_m1gmeS1EoecUhqNLswSLcNemGNn93mCpGGyVl5k2VG4ERh7RdEKIR5m1BXn1zFAGz5rVSGuIdfVaRLnsx12TZb-MzZH3WzcKvRxW5e5yrtQjXtk21ehyphenhyphenwvqPsDL5zdIKSGr/s640/-9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">DJ - We created the playlist ourselves on iTunes and asked a friend to DJ for us - he also brought lights and a sound system that he was able to borrow for free!<br />
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Honeymoon - we drove to Door County (drove because we wanted to take our bikes with us) and stayed in an absolutely adorable and SUPER afordable suite (complete with kitchen, so we saved money by making some of our own meals) <a href="http://www.cornerstonesuites.com/">www.cornerstonesuites.com</a> Total cost: about $1100 (including spending money!).<br />
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Our Purple Table Linens -<span> </span>I spent time all summer buying purple fabric when I saw it on clearance - we turned these in to table runners, over "linenlike" tablecloths, which were great because they looked MUCH better than plastic AND kids could color on them (we put crayons on every table!).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was such a fabulous day, and we're so excited to share it with others! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br clear="ALL" /> </div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-23054493276667916812010-11-20T11:02:00.000-08:002010-11-20T11:02:09.347-08:00Sponsored Post: CSN StoresI think I must have done most of my wedding shopping online. With so many venues and vendors to visit, the Web really helped cut down on travel time. Everything is at your fingertips. One online store was a great go-to site for wedding party gifts: <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN Stores</a>. And now, I'm checking out their stuff to fill the nest!<br />
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When an opportunity to review one of their products came several months ago, I jumped at the chance. We were looking for a cool gift for one of our ceremony readers...let's call him Jake. Jake has expensive taste, and well, we didn't have the budget for expensive. <br />
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But looking over the products at CSN Stores, many of them were surprisingly affordable. Products range from <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Furniture-C45974.html">furniture</a>, <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/D%E9cor-C45752.html">home decor</a>, to fun stuff, like <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Games-and-Hobbies-C230958.html">games and poker sets</a>...almost anything you can think of that would make a great gift for you or someone you know. The gift we picked out for our traveling, high-end ceremony reader? Knowing that Jake is also a practical kind of guy, we went with leather toiletry traveling case. The selling price was $25, but we were very pleased with the quality (the fiance was tempted to keep it for himself!)<br />
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Let's just have the photos speak for themselves, shall we?<br />
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Yup, it had the genuine leather smell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y231mjCR5pPRi3RYrMVElIAazfbjzKBXnKUaspWKgcnAgHZfA7tX_JEvxZBfMkeXMfncYy3OQ2j6TanyLKfLCbHzMY74es8Eiy2VVJ7pYJQ6AcnsegjvKbb-BWHbbP6gIvS11pa9Kq_6/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y231mjCR5pPRi3RYrMVElIAazfbjzKBXnKUaspWKgcnAgHZfA7tX_JEvxZBfMkeXMfncYy3OQ2j6TanyLKfLCbHzMY74es8Eiy2VVJ7pYJQ6AcnsegjvKbb-BWHbbP6gIvS11pa9Kq_6/s400/IMG_3220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/">CSN Stores</a>! Now what do we <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Bedroom-Furniture-C45984.html">decorate our bedroom</a> with?</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-46201452389603866882010-11-18T22:40:00.000-08:002010-11-18T22:41:41.798-08:00Keeping up a wedding blog...post-weddingSo....it's been very obvious that it's been very quiet here lately...well, obviously my wedding came and went and what I have are very special memories from that day.<br />
But now that I'm not planning a wedding anymore, I'm wondering where that leaves my wedding blog. Planning my own wedding and gazing at tons of wedding porn was really fun, but most of all, reading about other brides' personal journeys is what kept me sane and grounded during that year of planning. I was happy to be part of the wedding blogosphere, coming from the lower end of the wedding budgets and being mighty proud of it! <br />
So where does that leave this blog? Many blogger brides have bid adieu once the their wedding is over, and I thought about going that route as well. But I was surprised to still see mail from new readers, even after my wedding. The truth is that there will always brides out there planning weddings. And there will always be budget-savvy brides looking to stretch their dollar and make their day amazing.<br />
So, no, this won't be completely goodbye. This site is going to get a fresh makeover. There are more giveaways, inspiration, Real Weddings and DIY tutorials on the horizon, so stay tuned!<br />
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BTW, you are a newlywed? Was your wedding a budget-savvy affair? Wanna show off your amazing wedding pics? I'm looking for Real Budget Weddings from all parts of the country (a budget wedding in New York or Los Angeles will probably be quite different in terms of actual budget than say a budget wedding in small town Tennessee). Send your photos to idobudgetweddings@gmail.com<br />
and tell me all about your wedding!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-8754926607648888012010-11-01T02:28:00.000-07:002010-11-01T02:28:18.282-07:00Wedding Recap: Our Kauai Honeymoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScuRq0oLAYr8OthGKIMbuDtRZT4b7LxjzHmw6x8Hh7axfznUaP6lEbnW4Bo2sT27ClF8xV8bU3eGq-prJLRtOF578Jrk96RJy5G3FytO9iatvAQvsLVjryt96lqd-9etFtu4_lP9261eG/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScuRq0oLAYr8OthGKIMbuDtRZT4b7LxjzHmw6x8Hh7axfznUaP6lEbnW4Bo2sT27ClF8xV8bU3eGq-prJLRtOF578Jrk96RJy5G3FytO9iatvAQvsLVjryt96lqd-9etFtu4_lP9261eG/s400/IMG_3312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, how do we recap nearly a week in heaven? In short, our honeymoon to Kauai was everything we could ask for -- romantic, beautiful, relaxing, adventurous and truly memorable. Hawaii was the perfect place to cap off our wedding. Our wedding was a celebration of our Asian/Polynesian backgrounds and Hawaii's eclectic cultural vibe surely encompasses that. My hubby's parents met and got married in Hawaii. So we set our sights on Garden Isle of Kauai, an island we both had not been to before and, from we were told, is considered the most beautiful of the islands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYiR1sN1j8N-CVQNfVrMalz6_P9npbsUjCb1BXC2sMYInUy84iaSqS_mJ9qnwhp2PSXZMTxSGjrcylnYy-QIPJU_7barWWemn1koRTH5Q7ueuaofNFYLClfsT7aWvhSwRsUQTV0tFrSpq/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYiR1sN1j8N-CVQNfVrMalz6_P9npbsUjCb1BXC2sMYInUy84iaSqS_mJ9qnwhp2PSXZMTxSGjrcylnYy-QIPJU_7barWWemn1koRTH5Q7ueuaofNFYLClfsT7aWvhSwRsUQTV0tFrSpq/s400/IMG_3364.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, if you have been reading my blog for awhile, we weren't initially headed to Hawaii for our honeymoon. Actually, we thought we were headed to the Caribbean when I won a complimentary lodging package to a resort in St. Thomas at a bridal expo. Sadly, the package expired <em>a week before </em>our wedding and the company that awarded me the package could not extend the deadline for us. Great...what was unbelievable good luck had become stinky luck!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But no worries. Not long after that fiasco, we found a great deal for a week stay in Kauai. Even better! (Ok...it's not free, but it's Hawaii!) </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here it is, our faves of our honeymoon in Kauai</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1.The Island Life:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We arrived in Kauai the Monday after our wedding, giving us a little time to pack and recoup after Saturday's festivities. We both had been to other Hawaiian islands before (I had been to Oahu and my hubby had also been to the Big Island), but Kauai struck us as the most laid back and rural of them all. If you thought Hawaii was slow-paced, then go to Kauai and you'll feel like everything is at a crawl!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZoEalIaYRYNB2fBWriTMvoFtEO-pbJ6zcp0zEexn8oiHvvnYw0E_4FyY4X98AAQtLbyCa4EOft-2482b-FdyScpxTBP9LRievENYyjy2pYH2Pb1JEAAJ8VlNdBHvma-c8EAfmuL7grK6/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZoEalIaYRYNB2fBWriTMvoFtEO-pbJ6zcp0zEexn8oiHvvnYw0E_4FyY4X98AAQtLbyCa4EOft-2482b-FdyScpxTBP9LRievENYyjy2pYH2Pb1JEAAJ8VlNdBHvma-c8EAfmuL7grK6/s400/IMG_3284.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we liked it that way! We weren't interested in late-night clubhopping or raging night scenes. All we needed was romantic scenery (check), the sound of crashing waves (check) and a comfortable bed (er..more on that later). We wanted peace and quiet, not crowded beaches you would probably find in Oahu. Sure, there might be some downsides to this, which to us were slight inconveniences, but the slow, quiet island life was what we craved.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Our View</div>We checked into our condominium resort, <a href="http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-at-lae-nani">the Outrigger at Lae Nani in Kapaa</a>. The room? It was comfy, but kinda generic. The bed? A little too firm and flat for me. Oh, and there wasn't any AC. Apparently, there aren't too many resorts in Kauai with AC and it does get pretty warm and humid (hey, it's a tropical island!). But the suite came equipped with plenty of fans that went on full blast nearly the entire week.<br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But what the room lacked, it made up for it with it's breathtaking view. Seriously, who wouldn't want to wake up to this each morning?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We decided that candlelit dinners on our balcony patio listening to the waves and feeling the island breeze were so much more priceless than going to a posh, pricey restaurant.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. The Beaches</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can spend an entire week in Kauai just scoping out the island's beaches. The beaches on the northern side of the island were our favorite, less crowded and touristy as you would see in the southern side. But head out toward the north shore and there are dozens of secluded beaches just waiting to be explored. Most beaches aren't even marked -- no signs alerting passerbys on the road--just trust your adventurous side, park your car and explore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. The Adventure</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If there was anything we splurged on, it was excursions. Most guided tours come with a pricey tag, so we limited our adventures to the ones that came most recommended. First was the kayak excursion on the Wailua River and jungle hike to Secret Falls. I have to admit, the view of the Wailua as you kayak right along it is amazing -- picture a winding river headed deep into a lush tropical forest below a large green mountain jutting through a blanket of low white clouds. All the while you listen to the foreign sounds of island birds and animals emanating from the trees and bush as you float by... truly a life experience! But we're pretty uncoordinated when it comes to kayaking. And just getting to our destination was a challenge! The hike in the muddy terrain was even more difficult as we didn't have the right hiking shoes (uh, I know it should be a no brainer, but make sure to pack real hiking shoes if you plan on going for a hike...in a tropical jungle!)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the views were gorgeous!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> But none more thrilling than coming to our final destination: Secret Falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ON2FDN-4EA-Zjqno5P7hFH6gLYM9vKY0MYbEtH32BejKRv8RRYKGOoD8T9sQjGc2gIKpODyhp7WIEgJH2FzkvhY7Wn8OSk_WMnWFDLbkvxoBtBa3oS1lmd3Hu91U35pvHbiZFxqwup0-/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ON2FDN-4EA-Zjqno5P7hFH6gLYM9vKY0MYbEtH32BejKRv8RRYKGOoD8T9sQjGc2gIKpODyhp7WIEgJH2FzkvhY7Wn8OSk_WMnWFDLbkvxoBtBa3oS1lmd3Hu91U35pvHbiZFxqwup0-/s400/IMG_3327.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, so it's not exactly a secret (there are dozens of group tours to the falls each day), but a chance to swim and bathe at the base of a Hawaiian waterfall...check!</div><br />
Another excursion that most people take when visiting Kauai is an island helicopter tour. Most parts of the island is not accessible by land, so the only other way to see the rest of the island is by air. Sure, it wasn't cheap, but we decided, why not? Despite coming down with motion sickness, the views helped me fight off the urge to use that barf bag.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZoKoLlhP9G-CsG1y1YKjZlLUZghXxn27ea1dJcb58AqwxixARgxDdYnQGhv5flAVJ3XPGTtqJuwbu03PKVsKcl1tTBXEU5BL7SyV7Ry3aZEH2RV720WAKoHxsTmnPD2ggUbJ6LgnUPpg/s1600/IMG_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZoKoLlhP9G-CsG1y1YKjZlLUZghXxn27ea1dJcb58AqwxixARgxDdYnQGhv5flAVJ3XPGTtqJuwbu03PKVsKcl1tTBXEU5BL7SyV7Ry3aZEH2RV720WAKoHxsTmnPD2ggUbJ6LgnUPpg/s400/IMG_3352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIb6scRQi51PPe5SCq_vsE_0a8j8gy-DPhhTuYNIzTKKs8g9VV6XDO5jnWCFusGj41p6jLXH4xUaR271tMzqdHcl7VgRb2XQ7TMysmQq0mRbBtzd2SEsXAdGjyQm0YqRwS9J8O2shtPSf/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIb6scRQi51PPe5SCq_vsE_0a8j8gy-DPhhTuYNIzTKKs8g9VV6XDO5jnWCFusGj41p6jLXH4xUaR271tMzqdHcl7VgRb2XQ7TMysmQq0mRbBtzd2SEsXAdGjyQm0YqRwS9J8O2shtPSf/s400/IMG_3372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But one fun adventure that didn't cost us a thing (well, maybe a tank of gas)? A drive to Waimea Canyon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY48HoEUdlZu1c7mPenoK33JDCYoiuWIiFUw8Ql0vi974CYfc5jQqlftWhYpAYhX6afzQsuksoMz9cL8an6VQvmrNsCypEGFT5qlGHFccY3rykTkd13NEDYX-wYLskLQreJX1oGUTD6yJW/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY48HoEUdlZu1c7mPenoK33JDCYoiuWIiFUw8Ql0vi974CYfc5jQqlftWhYpAYhX6afzQsuksoMz9cL8an6VQvmrNsCypEGFT5qlGHFccY3rykTkd13NEDYX-wYLskLQreJX1oGUTD6yJW/s400/IMG_3422.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Think of it as Hawaii's Grand Canyon. </div><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Food</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The best thing about having a room with a kitchen was that we could cook our own meals. We made the best of the island's fresh produce (the fruits are amazingly juicy and sweet). But when we did eat out, we stuck to the local fare. Our favorite local Hawaiian food is always the plate lunch. Simply put, it's just rice, a main entree (usually some kind of grilled or BBQ meat) and a side dish (mac salad is quite popular). Simple, but oh so delicious...and cheap! A few dollars and you have yourself a hearty meal.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Word from a Hawaiian friend was that Pono Market in Kapaa served the best plate lunch, and the tip did not disappoint!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpjoCJ6hyphenhyphenTn0PWz59POkKOyuW4X1bU1jZbPHzNn0sUdfPsqqg00sWU9bw6OTslWEm25SKUCCGd8AQDVj-2VhR-eFxOLY0pY0uwTi0xOuKbgm9o8WPNsqQSbEU9YCrqhKJecFfWSvq7Wji/s1600/IMG_3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpjoCJ6hyphenhyphenTn0PWz59POkKOyuW4X1bU1jZbPHzNn0sUdfPsqqg00sWU9bw6OTslWEm25SKUCCGd8AQDVj-2VhR-eFxOLY0pY0uwTi0xOuKbgm9o8WPNsqQSbEU9YCrqhKJecFfWSvq7Wji/s320/IMG_3386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hubby tried fried chicken and mac salad, a combo that's always good!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cFa_oUTVUhaTUGJ_6hhDrhyA9SLaB-hjUYaGxTiuB5Llyu1PHGpTBgfPhxf-BSyOhHfNThfdb6RAL2oO8G0oRyzFl2m1EV70wIpCVa4FprTY5bDjFGABWaKtppItNcz9UHAUJcn2GTwG/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cFa_oUTVUhaTUGJ_6hhDrhyA9SLaB-hjUYaGxTiuB5Llyu1PHGpTBgfPhxf-BSyOhHfNThfdb6RAL2oO8G0oRyzFl2m1EV70wIpCVa4FprTY5bDjFGABWaKtppItNcz9UHAUJcn2GTwG/s320/IMG_3385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went a little more authentic...pork laulau (pork baked in luau leaves) and lomi lomi salmon. The laulau was juicy and tender with a smoky flavor. Quite delicious!<br />
We trusted another local tip for breakfast. Word was Ono Family Restaurant had some of the best macadamia nut pancakes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdln0EM0g7H9oNExHQaWHMDcmJiGQ4aBlo9lOjm6lYGrf_OXgoiiKNs_7WV26-FABy8BZc0nH6b4VDjFqXDTqqOKhvve7Jf0cqiz3ShEU67Hbx4RPPTxsFwqmxVJPCHvncyiHtfSgevbT/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdln0EM0g7H9oNExHQaWHMDcmJiGQ4aBlo9lOjm6lYGrf_OXgoiiKNs_7WV26-FABy8BZc0nH6b4VDjFqXDTqqOKhvve7Jf0cqiz3ShEU67Hbx4RPPTxsFwqmxVJPCHvncyiHtfSgevbT/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drizzle some warm coconut syrup...(this is where my mouth starts watering!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After our tiring hike and river kayak on the Wailua, our tour guide told us where to get the best smoothies on the island. The place had no name, and the person responsible for the best smoothies on the island was known simply as "the smoothie lady." We were told to just look for the purple shack next to the furniture store at the end of town. Sure enough, we found the purple shack and the smoothie lady!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD3peMVaO3hSC_Uk5r77VveKiSxa1T565XH3kzpJASYdmBSMyYFmXLLu8fj0KvHA0lneQc4EdEasoCozYOJhSjR8PDUWZX5PhAo9_MM0OeN4yhWpqme_igDsqp85f9zHzKtfySOT54eSC/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD3peMVaO3hSC_Uk5r77VveKiSxa1T565XH3kzpJASYdmBSMyYFmXLLu8fj0KvHA0lneQc4EdEasoCozYOJhSjR8PDUWZX5PhAo9_MM0OeN4yhWpqme_igDsqp85f9zHzKtfySOT54eSC/s400/IMG_3332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4-aMwNNYrqlM5ZCUf0WJI7JsuHgJS3D_9cHM0DC7wxFaTJPpi9Ma-_skFK_EznrzgeJC67LGp9zhM63SuvA3qcPq0ZFIUVii15HsGNXI7ap7g5pInLSrHMW81O0TpY2NFgETF_360yRT/s1600/IMG_3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4-aMwNNYrqlM5ZCUf0WJI7JsuHgJS3D_9cHM0DC7wxFaTJPpi9Ma-_skFK_EznrzgeJC67LGp9zhM63SuvA3qcPq0ZFIUVii15HsGNXI7ap7g5pInLSrHMW81O0TpY2NFgETF_360yRT/s400/IMG_3330.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, yes, the best smoothies on the island!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. Sharing it all with Each Other</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLSRBhhyphenhyphenCeNttl92aVWoMkolun7bbzftnnPenGF1mKdyRfpRpMwdrESC_XwFc3VJQs3hVDG5JRnR8Y6XL-ZT-C6DHpUX3IzClZ5Ws-c34FfBkdeYoUejbr_E-l2jfWpSxqG4fVt8ikVLJ/s1600/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLSRBhhyphenhyphenCeNttl92aVWoMkolun7bbzftnnPenGF1mKdyRfpRpMwdrESC_XwFc3VJQs3hVDG5JRnR8Y6XL-ZT-C6DHpUX3IzClZ5Ws-c34FfBkdeYoUejbr_E-l2jfWpSxqG4fVt8ikVLJ/s400/IMG_3337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the best part of our honeymoon? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the craziness of wedding planning, and the whirlwind of the wedding day, spending some time to unwind and enjoy each other is truly priceless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is what it was all about, really. From beginning to end and ever after.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Each other. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not so favorites:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully, there isn't too much to bitch about our trip. Just remember, Hawaii is expensive. No, <em>really </em>expensive! We saved a ton of money shopping at the local supermarket and making most of our dinners and meals.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For excursions, we called around and price compared. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We talked to the locals and asked about the best deals, like where is the cheapest place to get gas. Overall, we pretty much stayed within our budget of $3,000 (including airfare and lodging for two, rental car, gas, food, excursions and souveniers).</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and these cute little chickens...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EJjGYCJSPY54io7v3KgJAP7w5_b2nf2vty8Npp3_sunS-PJST0ROYjbjfsXEdzVpcXtfZtMc54weZ8OiBLZTBCn9N9Qc3_XdeyP0uuGR9aAfwYlHYp505szEFTIqkhqsoXPkxI-DR_-Y/s1600/IMG_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EJjGYCJSPY54io7v3KgJAP7w5_b2nf2vty8Npp3_sunS-PJST0ROYjbjfsXEdzVpcXtfZtMc54weZ8OiBLZTBCn9N9Qc3_XdeyP0uuGR9aAfwYlHYp505szEFTIqkhqsoXPkxI-DR_-Y/s400/IMG_3417.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...are <em>Everywhere! </em>Not cool if you nearly crash trying to avoid these suckers on the road!</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-83884370707723623472010-10-13T10:05:00.000-07:002010-10-13T10:05:19.329-07:00Attitude of Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiqsWzwfLb8veWBrdOklWWD2Dd5LKKQTr1aUA2XBfNClJgjLI1JOmFXr_FkmP5W4F9GtjXEzaqrgq9e6iaZnQNytfLjIBrV2a9GTdIRySXoyVXcwNWLseu0GL5y3-P9oEr29-dbelfVJ8/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiqsWzwfLb8veWBrdOklWWD2Dd5LKKQTr1aUA2XBfNClJgjLI1JOmFXr_FkmP5W4F9GtjXEzaqrgq9e6iaZnQNytfLjIBrV2a9GTdIRySXoyVXcwNWLseu0GL5y3-P9oEr29-dbelfVJ8/s320/IMG_3623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our thank you greeting cards from Uprinting.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whenever I think of our wedding day, I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Truly, it would not have been possible without the help of our dear family and friends. So I was very excited to send out our thank you cards...but geez, who knew how time consuming they are!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to winning a blog giveaway, I won free greeting cards from Uprinting.com. I made a simple Thank You card design on Photoshop, and there you go, our Thank You cards were finished! We needed a few more thank you cards for our vendors, so I ordered several more postcards from Snapfish.com. I think Snapfish has the better deal if you just want a few (like less than 25). I paid a $1 for each and a minimal shipping fee.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU392fRSJvW6yQJF4M4_P3pQkIX6Fioqie3M-lI2SfkOIGSWoNF6DEY3NyfuyCxcp-hktRpSHbAjCRrEsvO_q9O0umYVeQJPdsdT5Hli717Vwbcs6UJx-FWRfZYh1w7oDXDkD7Oa-Qc2Tv/s1600/IMG_3622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU392fRSJvW6yQJF4M4_P3pQkIX6Fioqie3M-lI2SfkOIGSWoNF6DEY3NyfuyCxcp-hktRpSHbAjCRrEsvO_q9O0umYVeQJPdsdT5Hli717Vwbcs6UJx-FWRfZYh1w7oDXDkD7Oa-Qc2Tv/s320/IMG_3622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our postcards from Snapfish.com. When you send out postcards, postage is just 28 cents!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We knew we wanted to hand write out each card with a personal message for our guests, but times that by about 60 cards...that's a long time at the desk...and potential carpal tunnel! So, we didn't get them out as soon as we wanted (yeah, nearly two months later is a wee bit late), but we got them out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As an added bonus from our photographer at <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a>, we received little business card-sized photos from the wedding day. We put the photos in each of our cards to our guests as an another momento from the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10CqcHa21sj-PQi3MCnku4Vo1K5xc-ULm0ki623BD4abipL9cgNxj-Z78nlW84Hr68S4FnR2SC4kDimDBFVasR4Yc4hnuE5fO7qejEPWrhRp7AdSaTe0kNOwg7eAD0j8km58cfj6vOzHJ/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10CqcHa21sj-PQi3MCnku4Vo1K5xc-ULm0ki623BD4abipL9cgNxj-Z78nlW84Hr68S4FnR2SC4kDimDBFVasR4Yc4hnuE5fO7qejEPWrhRp7AdSaTe0kNOwg7eAD0j8km58cfj6vOzHJ/s320/IMG_3629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We headed to the post office and sent out our thank you cards and, in a way, I was a little sad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last item on our seemingly never-ending wedding list was checked off. Well, there are still wedding photos to get printed, and other random items, but really...that's about it. </div><br />
While we're happy the planning part is done and we're finally MARIEEED, the whole process was a fun, exciting, sometimes stressful and emotional ride, but truly memorable time for the both us. It was a project we both successfully completed together and it was a true partnership and team effort. We will always be grateful for the memories and every time I think of our special day, I'll always be reminded of how truly blessed we are. <br />
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Now it's time for an even greater team project...and this one lasts for a lifetime!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-59901186631361290672010-10-05T11:45:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:45:13.981-07:00Real Wedding Budget: Under $12K in VancouverSome of you may have already seen this on Wedding Bee, but I just had to share: <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/08/09/real-wedding-budgets-2/">a $12K wedding, all inclusive (including honeymoon!) in Vancouver, Canada.</a> Vancouver isn't a cheap town and to score this gorgeous wedding for under $12K is amazing!<br />
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What seemed to really work in our bride's favor was finding true gems on Craigslist -- vendors who are just starting out and are willing work for pennies (or in her videographer's case-- FREE!) just to build their portfolio. She certainly struck gold because her vendors all did an amazing job!<br />
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Now. finding the same kind of deals on Craigslist is very possible. It's not guaranteed, but they are out there. But remember, trusting a novice at their craft is extrememely risky. I, sadly, had<a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-4-trust-your-gut.html"> bad luck in that department</a>. So, yes, definitely check out deals on Craigslist--you might score big like our Vancouver bride did, but definitely have some caution when dealing with newbies. If your gut says no, it's not worth it!<br />
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But on the upside, our Vancouver bride also scored huge on giveaways and contests (a free wedding band and a honeymoon!). As a winner of several giveaways, I say yes, enter those contests! The more you enter, the more chances to win...just use a separate email account for those potential spam messages!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-82882162160831448332010-09-29T13:01:00.000-07:002010-09-29T13:01:23.285-07:00Wedding Recap: Cranes end their journey north<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9-dpQ-SLkC3dolMqiNp8BSLIQC3xWTIRVwXquLses-EbVUuK7jxZ4jqgWgCpvXYAaz6VOL_rmQv7ldhbcal6uiuNCwUZ-mHTS6kgTJ6Krqx4DQJcvlitMkDXOO0kcS6QyS-uTjadohFs/s1600/IMG_3450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9-dpQ-SLkC3dolMqiNp8BSLIQC3xWTIRVwXquLses-EbVUuK7jxZ4jqgWgCpvXYAaz6VOL_rmQv7ldhbcal6uiuNCwUZ-mHTS6kgTJ6Krqx4DQJcvlitMkDXOO0kcS6QyS-uTjadohFs/s320/IMG_3450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our cranes head more than 2000 miles north to Toronto, CA </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't use masking tape if you're going to ship through the post office...we found out the hard way. (personal photo)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After nearly three months of folding and watching our flock of little white paper cranes grow to 1000 birdies strong, and another several months figuring out what to do with them, we packed them on their way for their final flight north to their new home in Toronto, Canada.<br />
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For awhile before our wedding, I had this<a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/01/cranes-for-cause.html"> crazy vision of folding 1,000 paper cranes</a>. Cranes are symbols of great fortune across Asia and according to Japanese tradition, the couple who folds 1,000 paper cranes is granted a long and happy life together. Since my husband is half Chinese, and cranes are auspicious birds in Chinese folklore as well, I thought this would be a great project for our wedding. But with neither one of us knowing how to fold a crane, the thought of folding 1,000 of them was daunting. For a few weeks, I kept talking myself out of the idea, thinking folding 1,000 paper cranes on top of everything else we had to do was just crazy talk! <br />
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Then I heard about the Crane Chandelier Project by the <a href="http://www.theweddingco.com/">Wedding Co. in Toronto, Canada</a>. In celebration of turning 10 years old, the wedding planning support organization is collecting paper cranes from newlyweds around the world, which they plan to display in a massive chandelier at their 10-year bash in 2011. For each crane they receive, the Wedding Co. is committed to<a href="http://www.theweddingco.com/2010/07/the-crane-chandelier-project/"> donating 50 cents to cancer research. </a>Since we decided to make a donation in lieu of traditional wedding favors, we thought this would be a great cause to donate our efforts to. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDZ87X5k99CICGUx3A01aNCA-MNyqpdQyDj2ZY8fStntV4gMfq26Saxws6_J7OQCMFUOQrheOFRAC0P10Y7yocRaiyfspMuJVYeb63dM08Ms5qf2rYhx5aKv662dPXleuBitG_DEyGMPm/s1600/Use.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDZ87X5k99CICGUx3A01aNCA-MNyqpdQyDj2ZY8fStntV4gMfq26Saxws6_J7OQCMFUOQrheOFRAC0P10Y7yocRaiyfspMuJVYeb63dM08Ms5qf2rYhx5aKv662dPXleuBitG_DEyGMPm/s400/Use.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Personal Photo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So we started with our first paper crane. With my laptop propped on the coffee table, <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/02/20-down-980-to-go.html">we followed a youtube clip </a>on how to make a paper crane. Slowly but surely, we began our huge task. As we began to get the hang of it, we made it a goal to fold 100 cranes a week. Each week, we put 100 cranes in plastic bags to keep track of our numbers. It took many movie nights on the couch/crane folding to get to that goal. Finally, more than two months later and watching our upteenth rented movie, we folded our 1,000th paper crane! We almost couldn't believe that we had finished 1,000 little birds that we recounted our bags to make sure that we really did have 10 bags, each containing 100 paper cranes. Sure enough, they were all there!<br />
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Ironically, folding 1,000 paper cranes wasn't the hardest part. It was figuring out what we were going to do with them that really stumped us. We knew we wanted to display them at our wedding, to show our guests the fruits of our labor. But with limited set-up time at our reception venue, we had to think of a quick and easy way of hanging 1,000 paper cranes. After scouring the Web for ideas, I decided that we would make 10 chandeliers, each containing 100 cranes. <br />
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<b><u>Making our DIY Paper Crane Chandeliers</u></b><br />
Using jewelry beads, a needle, and some sturdy, translucent jewelry string (all purchased at Michaels), I followed <a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/blog/2009/03/10/diy-hanging-paper-cranes/">this DIY crane-hanging tutorial</a> to help me make my first chandelier. I started out by stringing 25 paper cranes on one strand, taking my needle (with string attached) through the top of each crane to the bottom until there were 25 cranes strung up on one strand. I made sure that I left a little slack on top, and attached a bead to the very top of the crane so they don't slide off. I attached another bead to the bottom crane as well so all 25 cranes stayed in one place. I made four strands each containing 25 cranes and tied them all together about five inches from the very top crane. Voila! I made my first chandelier!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs1dZdl-YMzovpWRCY_0V-E_pI0EOk5YUpP6faqlova7atrzkaE8p9oC6gkRSjJc4zqXF-Qp-UD0oueF-Ck_pcLQrgLPZy-VzB2qa1Yt1kjpyOgBX-sDvXcLmmOoCxG-SuS5FvS0vZFen/s1600/The+Wedding+Company+cranes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs1dZdl-YMzovpWRCY_0V-E_pI0EOk5YUpP6faqlova7atrzkaE8p9oC6gkRSjJc4zqXF-Qp-UD0oueF-Ck_pcLQrgLPZy-VzB2qa1Yt1kjpyOgBX-sDvXcLmmOoCxG-SuS5FvS0vZFen/s400/The+Wedding+Company+cranes.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by the Wedding Co.</div><br />
What I didn't account for was how time-consuming making one chandelier would be! We unwisely put off making our chandeliers until the week before the wedding (yikes!) With a bunch of other wedding-related stuff demanding our attention, there was no way we could add making 10 chandeliers to our list. So I enlisted the help of my MOH who thankfully helped us make half of the chandeliers. Seriously, give yourself at least a couple weeks if you want to make chandeliers out of <i>1000 </i>paper cranes!<br />
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When we finished, we handed our birds to our reception venue staff. All they needed to do by set up time was hang each chandelier to the overhead beams in the dining hall. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUMuibMBqa3Q5D9CtOCtSBcvPYBB_fdarUOlJLD44w-Z9Je9iw8rIOQwsdQbeykpgSCpLpkaqk2RP5E9FEp7NY8BVI80RmSkxRxRE1OUSWzThs7ScBpx3Tk3NrUAsSZp2kpVvTp5aUijX/s1600/4876851955_07a86060dd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUMuibMBqa3Q5D9CtOCtSBcvPYBB_fdarUOlJLD44w-Z9Je9iw8rIOQwsdQbeykpgSCpLpkaqk2RP5E9FEp7NY8BVI80RmSkxRxRE1OUSWzThs7ScBpx3Tk3NrUAsSZp2kpVvTp5aUijX/s400/4876851955_07a86060dd_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/"> Bliss Imagery</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSPpmXqKu7uNjWpIk6oGndgh3wMGmqTtUWzpWKmAvysLzxxe2z4zj_hbaCiH_HKCm6pb6m0E3SHMoiBPTycR_AAR5pYxJrbZ0PDA07keph0-Xbhn5Sq606uLnnCpcdw8QPgeBVLBpAjqc/s1600/Slideshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSPpmXqKu7uNjWpIk6oGndgh3wMGmqTtUWzpWKmAvysLzxxe2z4zj_hbaCiH_HKCm6pb6m0E3SHMoiBPTycR_AAR5pYxJrbZ0PDA07keph0-Xbhn5Sq606uLnnCpcdw8QPgeBVLBpAjqc/s400/Slideshow.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NiVEPZ00gDp6z5TefXEGQgjrmXkidQAfQmjX5PAq-pMauP-xk6IYL3KA-hvVUfGZgmNH3DPXtBVEDL85WU1BJk2x4dTHU7ZVicBnS5aO6syBOEChqKbhR0fNmAPub6m-njB41xgqB52C/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NiVEPZ00gDp6z5TefXEGQgjrmXkidQAfQmjX5PAq-pMauP-xk6IYL3KA-hvVUfGZgmNH3DPXtBVEDL85WU1BJk2x4dTHU7ZVicBnS5aO6syBOEChqKbhR0fNmAPub6m-njB41xgqB52C/s400/IMG_4314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Regina Bunye</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>When I saw them all hanging at the reception for the first time, I was amazed at how gorgeous they all turned out! The cranes became the focal point of the room, adding something truly unique to the look and ambiance of our wedding. Each of our guests received a card at their table telling them about the cultural meaning of the cranes and our donation to the Wedding Co. We constantly heard compliments about the cranes from our guests -- how much they adored them and how many of them appreciated the donation we made for them. Even weeks after our wedding, we still hear the compliments!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBFmvAGYYEe5O8arOcqlpjm5CG4hsxw_kY7zZ6feHWvBz1PnV7DDccWxJX_Y3L36DH8C0Q3DrdOmQ7YFvGCcpZixXCyS-aQFqtitfAwlenus2rYT1ZGKN8j2gIW4pS-5Y7ebGZur5hR8-/s1600/IMG_8992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBFmvAGYYEe5O8arOcqlpjm5CG4hsxw_kY7zZ6feHWvBz1PnV7DDccWxJX_Y3L36DH8C0Q3DrdOmQ7YFvGCcpZixXCyS-aQFqtitfAwlenus2rYT1ZGKN8j2gIW4pS-5Y7ebGZur5hR8-/s400/IMG_8992.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfyA21U8CNmJOOfSlLFqAi7dXmH1BoYIfVrv3qXYBI-nDEN4zt_CqTbSJfLkF6j8YiFUr4ett7EsSpp8_t3JNKJfjAJDV6yy8XeSevGCRICFhorudEsTanC02B8WYc9-z7MlUeylKVVfK/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfyA21U8CNmJOOfSlLFqAi7dXmH1BoYIfVrv3qXYBI-nDEN4zt_CqTbSJfLkF6j8YiFUr4ett7EsSpp8_t3JNKJfjAJDV6yy8XeSevGCRICFhorudEsTanC02B8WYc9-z7MlUeylKVVfK/s320/IMG_4313.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cards explaining the cultural significance of cranes and the donation to the Wedding Co. were placed at each seat. (Photo by Regina Bunye)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>But alas, we had to say goodbye to our little friends. We packed them up in boxes and shipped them to Toronto. As a side note, if you plan to ship the cranes, you'll have to find a box large enough to hold them...and the bigger the box, the bigger the shipping cost is. Add in international and postage fees, shipping 1000 cranes can be pretty expensive (it cost us more than $100 to ship from LA). Also, make sure you know about packaging protocol...don't use masking tape (like in the above photo). You need clear packaging tape...yup, that was us pulling off the our original masking tape and repackaging five huge boxes at the post office! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITDtMI9LhLK-NEKpSaODKoGFm4ggsIE1imbDmt6xKB3tR68qsxKo_i2jSNKdcL_oSGFtGfS8fMnEHd3nI8sa2Q9YvjvTJUIWBGV6Bn1_SeMi5Rt94oPNyiUUvuSp7RNJgXpUckeQg2SOl/s1600/Hazel51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITDtMI9LhLK-NEKpSaODKoGFm4ggsIE1imbDmt6xKB3tR68qsxKo_i2jSNKdcL_oSGFtGfS8fMnEHd3nI8sa2Q9YvjvTJUIWBGV6Bn1_SeMi5Rt94oPNyiUUvuSp7RNJgXpUckeQg2SOl/s320/Hazel51.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our boxes arrived beat up and weathered, but our cranes made it just fine to Canada! <br />
Photo by the Wedding Co.</span></div><br />
But really, it was all worth it in the end. One thousand paper cranes will bring in a nice donation going toward cancer research! Luckily, the cranes all arrived safely in their new home in Toronto. Catherine from the Wedding Co. <a href="http://www.theweddingco.com/2010/09/1000-cranes-from-hazel-and-isaac/">blogged about our donation</a>! They're moving closer to their goal of 10,000 cranes by January 2011 and need just over 1300 more to reach their goal!<br />
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A huge thanks goes to the Wedding Co. for putting on this awesome, worldwide effort! Over the months of planning we've come to see our cranes as symbolic of the time, effort, energy and patience we put into planning our wedding. It was a long, sometimes tedious, a little stressful, but overall fulfilling and fun journey. I'm happy to see our cranes' journey end someplace where they'll continue to hold a special meaning and purpose long after our wedding!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-92074672003238536572010-09-24T12:21:00.000-07:002010-09-24T12:21:06.552-07:00Wedding Recap: The Rococo Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhPt393p-wc0U6tZjZsTc4zIKCkcwzcsI-JB_A39iXMH5kJWpRCBlIPMuJgOwN8a8jA17ghw_N6Q8ZBqKeIatbub-AgwREtpi_9H2tZreURUWGH30xfx9JUh3UEE61FsWi6ZloVg8VAlM/s1600/IMG_9904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhPt393p-wc0U6tZjZsTc4zIKCkcwzcsI-JB_A39iXMH5kJWpRCBlIPMuJgOwN8a8jA17ghw_N6Q8ZBqKeIatbub-AgwREtpi_9H2tZreURUWGH30xfx9JUh3UEE61FsWi6ZloVg8VAlM/s400/IMG_9904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Don Le of Bliss Imagery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sure, I've shared my disgruntled opinion about a couple of vendors who turned out to be duds (Hello,<a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-4-trust-your-gut.html"> MIA hairstylist</a> and <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/07/oh-no-you-didnt.html">unorganized, shady hotel staff</a>) but there were, thankfully, amazing people who seriously went beyond expectations.<br />
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One of these star vendors is the staff at the <a href="http://www.cafesantorini.com/">Rococo Room</a>.<br />
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We had our daytime reception at their intimate banquet room in downtown Pasadena, and it was perfect for us. Why?<br />
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1) <b>They were extremely organized and super generous from beginning to end</b>. <br />
When we first met with Keith, the venue coordinator, he was very thorough of what he could offer us and how much everything would cost. He was very patient and willing to work within our budget. He even threw in some amazing freebies, like extra appetizers for our guests, or a very minimal room setup fee. Normally, parties have two hours to set up before the event, but Keith gave us extra time on Friday night to get the room prepared. Their staff knew exactly what was going on -- from set up, to the schedule of events, to clean up. The wait staff was professional in demeanor and attire, and the service was simply excellent.<br />
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2) <b>Our guests loved their food.</b> One of the things we did not want to compromise on when first planning our wedding was the food. I've had my share of dry, rubbery chicken at wedding receptions, and we did not want to go that route. Even it meant sacrificing a giant guest list, or the grand hotel ballroom, or even thousands of dollars of flowers--we did not want to go cheap on the food. Unfortunately, even if more than half of our budget was dedicated to catering and the venue, the menus in our price range were...disappointing. Luckily, the Rococo Room offered Zagat rated food that was D-lish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZaTSpJDGSB6hraxT7qwb4PrO85Jyf353x4iGj5qxMxJH3v7friPn5UNsXSaVfpErtAkFZuF_KctGTPCJsssNoqO-wmDcl6uaiRiuWcxQm71U1UjAA5yzG79TSMw1qNBFhAFCQm6HMVeO/s1600/4877523642_d7b9e56374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZaTSpJDGSB6hraxT7qwb4PrO85Jyf353x4iGj5qxMxJH3v7friPn5UNsXSaVfpErtAkFZuF_KctGTPCJsssNoqO-wmDcl6uaiRiuWcxQm71U1UjAA5yzG79TSMw1qNBFhAFCQm6HMVeO/s400/4877523642_d7b9e56374.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div>Guests were well-fed with plenty of appetizers, salad, a main course and the OMG cake. No, that not what it's called (chocolate mouse cake, really) but the looks and tastes of this cake had you saying that over and over. It's what our photographer deemed the <a href="http://findthebliss.tumblr.com/post/974139179/wedding-hazel-isaac">best wedding cake EVER</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnxcNuh9khmtAaKbt-agiJPhunQKUy1dKeu11c9yBtzZ6AHhk6bxtcrT7SY1IGZF28nmUk7E-ONJ60lT8TPPJEY5PBenn3mi7Zdt1oEzW2bkDAgup3ivZ-Izo8d-MC3gDKXlCNrRKdt7n/s1600/4876847261_8ecf66a20c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnxcNuh9khmtAaKbt-agiJPhunQKUy1dKeu11c9yBtzZ6AHhk6bxtcrT7SY1IGZF28nmUk7E-ONJ60lT8TPPJEY5PBenn3mi7Zdt1oEzW2bkDAgup3ivZ-Izo8d-MC3gDKXlCNrRKdt7n/s400/4876847261_8ecf66a20c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The OMG cake. Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>3) <b>Location</b>. Nestled in the trendy and historic downtown Pasadena district, The Rococo Room is a rare combination of prime location and affordability. The room was the right size for our intimate gathering of 100 people. The outside doesn't look like much, but the room has a rustic charm to it. With Chivari chairs, elegant linens and silverware, there isn't much you need to add to decorate this place. All we had were our orchid centerpieces, the lovely ceremony arrangements a family friend made for us, a few orchid flowers strewn about and some candles. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxR-91A1Z7uNS0hFWyNUewo8JPQBiZEkhDWHdE2IgeLRYM3co3hCIf6LgizGoDHv471tHsj4ZcURHTV8mWMXZO802GeYZterYk1xv3Lb3qRv-zftXLET3gb80iQUnlSQiEdHceQalG9H_/s1600/IMG_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxR-91A1Z7uNS0hFWyNUewo8JPQBiZEkhDWHdE2IgeLRYM3co3hCIf6LgizGoDHv471tHsj4ZcURHTV8mWMXZO802GeYZterYk1xv3Lb3qRv-zftXLET3gb80iQUnlSQiEdHceQalG9H_/s400/IMG_4324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Regina Bunye</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLYJUwfDz-6-lJvGnUSvhoLinSY2-oqAS3P7rFH7PJiGAwi7bl-aVpKmmpQfNm_atZeXixXNFKQxpqim9xZVn7wdUJD_vhREbNH9pncXnZHxnz8XQAUrLDY6L3V6Wib22oKrWQsDV4yiy/s1600/4876851653_9211e70722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLYJUwfDz-6-lJvGnUSvhoLinSY2-oqAS3P7rFH7PJiGAwi7bl-aVpKmmpQfNm_atZeXixXNFKQxpqim9xZVn7wdUJD_vhREbNH9pncXnZHxnz8XQAUrLDY6L3V6Wib22oKrWQsDV4yiy/s400/4876851653_9211e70722.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div>4) <b>We could afford it. </b>With two appetizers, salad, plated meal, cake, open bar, champagne and apple cider toast, set-up and cleanup, labor, audio and tech equipment, taxes and gratuity all for 101 people, we paid about $5300 out-the-door. Not. Bad.Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-33826751360533825402010-09-18T06:05:00.000-07:002010-09-18T06:05:27.411-07:00Wedding Recap: Unveiling my surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKGnw90gWGXTJ0miKDHi9J6Px-h2BwgYlzJRmQitPeu7lt9v-HFNgD4V8wxIjn0jMyM0nQ3Nuct5RwroJG3dmEqMAXUhHKt729Ybvpt-5CqLGx44uVC-68hvHiWCn2ZFosOcSzHj1sYfu/s1600/4876913171_c7873a50d0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKGnw90gWGXTJ0miKDHi9J6Px-h2BwgYlzJRmQitPeu7lt9v-HFNgD4V8wxIjn0jMyM0nQ3Nuct5RwroJG3dmEqMAXUhHKt729Ybvpt-5CqLGx44uVC-68hvHiWCn2ZFosOcSzHj1sYfu/s320/4876913171_c7873a50d0_o.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our dancers perform a Tahitian Dance</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>For those who didn't know, I planned to surprise my half-Samoan husband with the Taualuga, a traditional Samoan dance at our reception. The last I told you about the Taualuga, I was stressing about the dance moves. I seriously only had 2 hours to really learn and practice the whole thing...not the ideal situation for a rhythmically challenged gal like me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodz3rlEwdtcepvNzkRm3i9CymasZLXj1miTFWhgUio5hE_xRJ1CXOaNojf1n2tfcDWWTFL7ek9ZWQrejzRuA8XezRsZGh_xCGoHdgN4vlhzhyphenhyphenVNXv7nyY7Xuy0eqrfTmUXFVp4i-Txf6x/s1600/4876913333_4effa58da9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodz3rlEwdtcepvNzkRm3i9CymasZLXj1miTFWhgUio5hE_xRJ1CXOaNojf1n2tfcDWWTFL7ek9ZWQrejzRuA8XezRsZGh_xCGoHdgN4vlhzhyphenhyphenVNXv7nyY7Xuy0eqrfTmUXFVp4i-Txf6x/s320/4876913333_4effa58da9_o.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Performing a Tongan dance</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>For those who don't know, the Taualuga is a traditional Samoan dance which traditionally was reserved for the daughter of the chief, or someone of high importance. Nowadays, it's performed at Samoan gatherings, a grand finale where everyone gets up, dances around the dancer and throws money at her. Since we didn't have the usual money dance planned (nope, no time or patience to slow dance with folks for money), I thought this would be a fun alternative.<br />
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After our toasts, and the cutting of the cake, the Polynesian dancers came out and performed a few dances--one Tahitian dance, a Tongan dance and a Samoan dance. During their last number, I snuck out to the hallway (told the hubby I needed the ladies room) where I waited to make my entrance for my number.<br />
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While waiting, I was kinda nervous because the crowd was a little reserved. During a lot of Polynesian gatherings, the crowd usually makes noises and gets really into the performances. But our curious crowd was just politely watching, and not so much as a "Woo" from them. Turns out, most of my hubby's Samoan extended family couldn't make it to the wedding, and our guests were mostly non-Samoans except for my Father-in-law, my hubby's sisters and brother and of course, my husband. While our Polynesian dancers did an awesome job, our guests just didn't know they were supposed to be loud. Great, I thought. No one's gonna know what they're supposed to do during my dance!<br />
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While trying to recall all the moves I learned just the day before in my head, our wedding coordinator asked me if I had the CD with the song I'm dancing to.<br />
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I looked at her blankly. Uhhh, sure, let me pull it out from my dress....No, of course I don't have the CD! She told me that our DJ didn't have the song!<br />
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At this point, I started to panic. What do you mean he doesn't have it? I uploaded it to his public server. I even sent him the file by email. Turns out all the music files I sent him by email were dead files and he didn't see the song on his server.<br />
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What am I going to do???<br />
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Our coordinator headed back to the DJ to have him check his server again and I watched nervously as they talk. After a minute, and just when the dancers wrap up their final routine, our coordinator flashed me a thumbs up.<br />
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We're good to go.<br />
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Our MC, a good friend from college with a fun and boisterous attitude, introduced my number as a very special performance where everyone needs to get involved. And by involved, he meant get your bills ready!<br />
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The music started and I heard my cue. I bounded out and I did a little Samoan bow toward our families. <br />
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That's when I heard the cheers and the clapping, and I just smiled and let go.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTlHcN6CX02NAIdOd3eyPsJ36ZJDutGvIucMXnDCTWAQR1ZS3sbWd9ABWcTFqzviQGYg8WXir0zuapqLshu2t3qMpDOsN-E0iN1cpkAW_xc0xkO7tU244x2L10XiyEUp3RdhvlOij8Nt1/s1600/Hazel_Taualuga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTlHcN6CX02NAIdOd3eyPsJ36ZJDutGvIucMXnDCTWAQR1ZS3sbWd9ABWcTFqzviQGYg8WXir0zuapqLshu2t3qMpDOsN-E0iN1cpkAW_xc0xkO7tU244x2L10XiyEUp3RdhvlOij8Nt1/s400/Hazel_Taualuga.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me performing the Taualuga.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I don't think I got the routine exactly right, but I recall my instructor telling me, when you lose track of where you are, just smile and wing it. That's really all you have to do. Well, I'm sure there are people who do it much better, but I did my best.<br />
<br />
People came up and out of their seats and joined me. First, my SIL, then my FIL who seemed to be really enjoying it. Then a whole crowd of people surround me. The money was flying in all directions. I saw the smiles and laughter, and man, I was really enjoying myself!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30Q_OCSImxqkjOcPqz7OYvkcAnFYJGFsNRb4u8eiiJcVzMxBxknw39c-1JtF3XgyKh1jQBiN9e63uIZtYij_QSV5GZ871H4QhdiJIwJwI5SiHlVaK1p9ATq8nN1AhqDfpfgLO1deeU9Cs/s1600/Cash+air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30Q_OCSImxqkjOcPqz7OYvkcAnFYJGFsNRb4u8eiiJcVzMxBxknw39c-1JtF3XgyKh1jQBiN9e63uIZtYij_QSV5GZ871H4QhdiJIwJwI5SiHlVaK1p9ATq8nN1AhqDfpfgLO1deeU9Cs/s400/Cash+air.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Working hard for the money!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I kinda forgot what I was doing at one point, and that's when the DH came to join me. There's a part in the Taualuga where someone (usually a male) jumps onto the floor in front of the female dancer. I recall my instructor telling me if that happens, to step my foot lightly on that person and continue to dance gracefully. I don't know the exact meaning of that portion of the dance (apparently to signify the high status of the person dancing), but the hubby does exactly that and I do exactly as I was taught. People loved it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XiWTmKZ9oetFD-fqSU68BKNO8-hHFuf-BicnymgqV6v0y6ADWx54c7vDps3-YXTYYKJR8LWswmLHoQHyeeUV7UseZZ6715d9wo2QL9rGUHBNCoriN-2YmPri-JhJTL_hvasJdLCs-eQY/s1600/Isaac_Floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XiWTmKZ9oetFD-fqSU68BKNO8-hHFuf-BicnymgqV6v0y6ADWx54c7vDps3-YXTYYKJR8LWswmLHoQHyeeUV7UseZZ6715d9wo2QL9rGUHBNCoriN-2YmPri-JhJTL_hvasJdLCs-eQY/s400/Isaac_Floor.jpg" width="266" /> </a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The hubby joins me in the Taualuga.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>When the music wrapped up and I took my final bow, people cheered and clapped. My MOH, my FSIL, our coordinator and even one of my flower girls took part in gathering all the cash which turned out to be more than I've ever earned in an entire day's work...<i>much</i> more in three minutes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2cBAve6gjvEWOQH-xRbePdHVbcVz8XY0ZecJR9Ykc-N8xUK1J3NE4-p-tyGl8wgNrbdd0QeJGwBEMRwWXpTSxpbEjTNWiSsJCgY-jr6n1445h5k6uh5Ls3Ne3V1cfXWNo9sOek3h2F5w/s1600/Money_Money_Money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2cBAve6gjvEWOQH-xRbePdHVbcVz8XY0ZecJR9Ykc-N8xUK1J3NE4-p-tyGl8wgNrbdd0QeJGwBEMRwWXpTSxpbEjTNWiSsJCgY-jr6n1445h5k6uh5Ls3Ne3V1cfXWNo9sOek3h2F5w/s400/Money_Money_Money.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Money, money, money!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the end, I'm so happy to have shared that performance with our guests. People still tell me that the dance was their favorite part of the reception! Most of all, I think my hubby and his family really appreciated and enjoyed it. It was a gift, my husband told me later, that he will never forget. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And neither will I.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*All photos courtesy of Don Le from <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a>.</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-7018922558804437052010-09-15T14:40:00.000-07:002010-09-15T14:40:31.866-07:00Wedding Lesson #8: Obligatory Invites...Don't do itI'd hate to post something negative, especially since our wedding was such a beautiful, joy-filled day. Maybe I've got a grudge I have yet to bury, but I've got to get this off my chest: Don't fall victim to the obligatory invite. Nope. Don't do it. It's not worth it. If someone has to <i>force</i> you, I mean literally scream and pout about inviting someone who clearly was so far off your guest list you asked "Who?" when their name was suggested, then nope don't do it.<br />
<br />
But we caved in. We only have ourselves to blame for that. So my only resolution is to make sure other couples don't make the same mistake. When the auntie and uncle who mom and dad insisted on inviting never responded to our invitation, I called. And I left a message. Two weeks before the wedding, auntie calls to casually say that they're coming after we had assumed they weren't. Oh, and their grown son who lives with them wants to come, too. Whahhh? Never mind they're totally being rude by responding a month late, but they're <i>adding </i>another person on the invite! But I cave in. Not only does said auntie and uncle pull this on us, but so does another aunt who insists her grown granddaughter who lives with her can't stay home alone. Another aunt who's been MIA in our family for more than 10 years inexplicably shows up two weeks before the wedding. Mom insists that we must invite her now. She RSVPs for herself and her two adult kids, only to find out through the grapevine two days before the wedding and after our meal count has been locked in, that her two kids are not coming. Mom tries to tell me that I shouldn't expect too much from our guests.<br />
<br />
"Filipino weddings aren't like this. We don't do RSVPs," she says.<br />
<br />
"But we're not paying for the entire village either," I say.<br />
<br />
Come wedding day, auntie and uncle and their wedding crasher son don't even bother to show up to the wedding. Nope, no-show. So is the 20-year-old granddaughter who can't stay home by herself. MIA aunt shows up, but with two complete strangers in place of her kids. Yes, at least she brought people to replace her kids, but geez, did the two said strangers <i>have </i>to sneak out of our reception venue with <i>two </i>of our centerpieces (which were reserved for <i>one </i>person per table)?<br />
<br />
We lost nearly $300 on guests who did not show up at the wedding. One table was completely empty. And nearly all (but one person) were obligatory invites, people who weren't on our list on the first place. $300 is not chump change for us and I'm still fuming over it. I feel really bad, especially since I justified to my already-annoyed fiance why they deserved to be added to the list. And they don't even bother to show up? Seriously, culture should not be a reason for your lack of courtesy. I don't care if the wedding cost $5 or $100 per plate, you don't tell someone you're coming and <i>not </i>show up. <br />
<br />
So, couples, grow a backbone. Don't let people dictate your guest list. Guests, have some manners please. Don't insist on bringing along someone who wasn't on the invite, it's not your place, no matter how much you think this person should be there. And don't flake out. You might think we won't notice because of all that's going on, but we do.<br />
<br />
Too bad. Your loss. Food was D-lish.Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-31879949472694677662010-09-13T11:26:00.000-07:002010-09-13T11:26:51.586-07:00Wedding Trailer: Hazel + Isaac<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="295" style="background-image: url("http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/rDatNhW9hKs/hqdefault.jpg");" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rDatNhW9hKs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rDatNhW9hKs?fs=1&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="295"></embed></object> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm very pleased to share with you our wedding trailer courtesy of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a>! It pretty much sums up the joy of the day. Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been asked whether or not I think wedding videography is necessary, and from a personal view, I'd have to say that if your budget allows, it's always nice to have footage from the day rather than just still pictures. Sure, I think your main focus should be photography -- those are irreplaceable and if you don't have the budget, means or opportunity, stick to the photos--but I'm really grateful we have a cinematic perspective of the day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you can't afford videography, I've seen cool videos taken from a simple <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=flip+camera&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=2246892431&ref=pd_sl_4xmpai8mf5_e">flip camera</a>. Yup.</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-69676624228244139872010-09-08T14:56:00.000-07:002010-09-08T14:56:00.134-07:00Wedding Recap: Our First Dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7R3HHyP0eOnPwRNGAu5M088il_-O9_UEKFz3-pffpEq40H8yKYSywDi2QYqT7jFQF_yLmFGhL74SijmMRQtXI0UnZJpIKOJcXfLggLrIAYlrjaRc3YUGdYilSUULWmKywf1SZZk-Etd-/s1600/39773_10150235750915263_739320262_14071760_5538893_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7R3HHyP0eOnPwRNGAu5M088il_-O9_UEKFz3-pffpEq40H8yKYSywDi2QYqT7jFQF_yLmFGhL74SijmMRQtXI0UnZJpIKOJcXfLggLrIAYlrjaRc3YUGdYilSUULWmKywf1SZZk-Etd-/s320/39773_10150235750915263_739320262_14071760_5538893_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by our coordinator, Regina Bunye</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We never practiced our first dance. We still were as stiff as two awkward junior high kids. But I dunno, I still look back and think what magical moment it was for us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to do our first dance number right after our introduction as Mr. and Mrs. T. We danced to Etta James' "At Last," a number I gather from wedding blogs and forums is considered quite overplayed, but we chose it because we both liked the song, and it was, thankfully, short and sweet. To add a little personal feel, my sister took to the mic and did a wonderful rendition of the number as we swayed the best we could to the track.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure, it wasn't a meticulously choreographed number. No funny dance moves. Nothing that would garner thousands of Youtube views. But I remember every moment. I remember how it felt being there with my new husband and everyone's eyes on us. I remember seeing our old high school and college friends' start to tear up. I remember what it felt to look into the eyes of my new husband. And to me, that's all that really mattered. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-57301434997725044362010-09-07T14:35:00.000-07:002010-09-08T00:49:51.036-07:00Wedding Lesson #7: No regrets<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4oHTboMI-B87vULrMBh-M3AfSMpr2wpPoAkOLuct-lFgJEvU6L5GX4ULpHq_CPQ_iQ5aqfqJFs8gsZUvI3KVCkjOVjn7ruS0F_em3x17YvdpbuoSATSt2lcrZ31Cl9kKaODm1cPVsJwz/s1600/IMG_3472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4oHTboMI-B87vULrMBh-M3AfSMpr2wpPoAkOLuct-lFgJEvU6L5GX4ULpHq_CPQ_iQ5aqfqJFs8gsZUvI3KVCkjOVjn7ruS0F_em3x17YvdpbuoSATSt2lcrZ31Cl9kKaODm1cPVsJwz/s320/IMG_3472.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend's lovely wedding @ Irvine Presbysterian Church in Irvine, CA. (Personal Photo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I apologize for the little break from blogging, but I had a busy Labor Day Weekend, which included going to one of my good friends' wedding. Let me tell you, I'm still so amazed about all the creativity that turned a regular printing warehouse into an elegant, contemporary, modern-chic banquet hall! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtV5LDU3mlIVdfT9XxbPIjeLWybYpye8KkWWUholur6Gj7pTiagHfGIZLrP0YMXjcO3q0B1lXTDebMlL6Zir21nwRTYfsofuthXtUhUQuflhvQMXCAPo8J5TVsXiZymozWbiAGM4AWSeUY/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtV5LDU3mlIVdfT9XxbPIjeLWybYpye8KkWWUholur6Gj7pTiagHfGIZLrP0YMXjcO3q0B1lXTDebMlL6Zir21nwRTYfsofuthXtUhUQuflhvQMXCAPo8J5TVsXiZymozWbiAGM4AWSeUY/s320/IMG_3511.JPG" /></a></div>Please forgive my blurry photography! Long strips of white material (purchased at the LA Fashion District) covered up walls and printing machinery. Lighting and paper lanterns certainly did the job!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRONLvIHYPImSFNxnyA9ZrmBPyBNBeoywXaWwNUJYNtDOIxXHDOFt4tdTds9dy1RGeVvrhK0dn-EVKZYRVPrMF7ki6LormtuUrSgQicRsKGwOY0JIlKeTuaCPcMUfijzGmnAmOMmzIT4-N/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRONLvIHYPImSFNxnyA9ZrmBPyBNBeoywXaWwNUJYNtDOIxXHDOFt4tdTds9dy1RGeVvrhK0dn-EVKZYRVPrMF7ki6LormtuUrSgQicRsKGwOY0JIlKeTuaCPcMUfijzGmnAmOMmzIT4-N/s320/IMG_3492.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another blurry photo. Amazing what you can do with some lemon, rocks and sticks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd2WEr4v_x8zxt4ZuDKL-VTKai9JxkzEfCmMmDcpYjknZ1oyCeyq7LbIAxdO1ew3GH_RicLoTWst7Vw9H_lEawqcNxM0uZWnV-keMucJ1h-ptIKGa0m9ZVgf_knXbEsKyBKHhUsKyIJhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd2WEr4v_x8zxt4ZuDKL-VTKai9JxkzEfCmMmDcpYjknZ1oyCeyq7LbIAxdO1ew3GH_RicLoTWst7Vw9H_lEawqcNxM0uZWnV-keMucJ1h-ptIKGa0m9ZVgf_knXbEsKyBKHhUsKyIJhyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_3496.JPG" /></a></div>Food (a mixture of Filipino, American and Korean food...an ode to their Filipino, Korean and American backgrounds) was yumm! Catering by LA Rose Cafe in Los Angeles. (Personal Photo)<br />
<br />
This was the first wedding that I've attended since my own, and while I'm still ecstatic for my two friends' wedding, the inevitable comparisons come up. Their wedding was a fantastic, low budget DIY fair. It was an evening wedding where guests danced to the wee hours. I started thinking, gosh, would we have afforded a dinner wedding? Could we have done what they did? I started worrying that we had not done our best research, we hadn't fully explored our options. Perhaps we could have had a dinner wedding for nearly as much as we spent on a daytime wedding. I was wondering if I was regretting our decision.<br />
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I finally snapped out of my insane worry-wort ways, and realized, sure, we could have done what they did, but it would have been an entirely different wedding. We wouldn't have had the intimate vibe our smaller venue had, we wouldn't have had the rustic, vintage-y feel that was more us. And...I look back at our photos, and I loved the natural lighting only a daytime wedding could offer. And, sure we had a daytime wedding, and yes, the feel would be much different at night, but that didn't stop us from getting down!<br />
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My friends' wedding was gorgeous and lovely, proving you don't have to spend a lot to have a great, chic and stylish wedding. The artsy vibe was sooo them. But at the same time, our wedding was more us. It fit us. And I can't transplant what we had and try to fit it into what our friends had without coming up with something totally different. Not better or worse. Just different. <br />
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So don't worry about what's done already. There are no do-overs when planning your wedding...unless, of course, you want to do a vow renewal ceremony but for us, that would be way down the line. Yes, you might see something in the future that, had you known about it before, you might have done things differently. It's inevitable. But don't beat yourself up over it. The fact that you didn't have "Mrs." and "Mr." signs on your chairs wouldn't have made a huge difference in your wedding. What matters is not how much money you spent or if you had it during the day or evening, or if you could have afforded those favors instead of the ones you actually did hand out. Honestly, the best memories I have of our wedding are not the things we ended up buying or making, but the joy, the laughter, the love and loved ones, and the opportunities to share our love with the people close to us, that truly made our special day. For that, I'm truly grateful for our own amazing wedding!<br />
<br />
So no regrets...Ok, maybe except for caving into obligatory invites who insisted on adding more people to their RSVP and never even bothered to show up! But that's another post....Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-46121281398482750672010-09-03T07:13:00.000-07:002010-09-03T07:13:00.200-07:00Wedding Lessong #6: Let Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXMjWUAaqXj2ELQEPwPXfRiINBI7t1j1hJGF77PrfHzB_1xwMuQaIHOoZOctBK9u_9fm8U8MFyRwZsskeCJczfDrk93NnLBR-Nqa0Pkf7vroiAV18ea9qaRC6RIsULsXD_8eaIHvnKPLS/s1600/medancing_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXMjWUAaqXj2ELQEPwPXfRiINBI7t1j1hJGF77PrfHzB_1xwMuQaIHOoZOctBK9u_9fm8U8MFyRwZsskeCJczfDrk93NnLBR-Nqa0Pkf7vroiAV18ea9qaRC6RIsULsXD_8eaIHvnKPLS/s320/medancing_small.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me actually dancing at the reception! Photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div><br />
People used to always tell us that the wedding day would go so fast we would never remember it. But what I loved about the wedding day is that I did remember everything. I had time to actually enjoy everything, soak everything in. <br />
Not that I didn't have anything to worry about (oh, yes, there were more bombs thrown at us through the day, but none half as bad as the <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/09/wedding-lesson-4-trust-your-gut.html">MIA hair and makeup stylist!),</a> but once the ceremony started there was always at least one person I could hand over the reigns to, giving me time to just...enjoy!<br />
<br />
Earlier in my blog, I <a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-of-coordinator-worth.html">pondered whether or not hiring a wedding coordinator or a Day of Coordinator was necessary</a>. From my own experience, I would have to say, no you don't need to <em>hire</em> a day of coordinator... but you do need someone who will be the point person and who will coordinate the day. Someone you can had over the reigns and say, "here, it's all yours!" It may be a family member or a friend. But keep in mind, someone who's involved in the festivities and also wants to enjoy in the day, might not be as attentive (read, might not do as good of a job) as someone whose main purpose and job is to make sure things are running smoothly...not how Aunt so-and-so is doing cuz you haven't seen her in so long! <br />
<br />
We had a wonderful DOC and she came to us like a blessing. We knew we couldn't afford to hire a DOC, but she offered her services to us for free. My MOH just happened to have a friend who was looking to break into the wedding coordinating industry and wanted to take on our wedding to build her portfolio and references. And she was wonderful to work with, very organized and on top of things! She grabbed all of our reception items and set up the room (saving us money on the room setup fee). When we arrived at the venue 15 minutes late from taking photos after the ceremony, she brought our schedule back on time. When the Samoan dancers arrived, she welcomed them and showed them where to get ready. <br />
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The whole time, my fiance and I could chat with our guests, we can laugh, we can enjoy our yummy food (oh yeah, the food deserves a post of its own!) and we could dance...and dance we did!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLbpEeZkUELd7kE1GGY5oaB9iF36M2R3fK4NwmoIpHRYVnvy8_RpLNQzT78UCvhOLVb19S98t3Zcc9yeyjjsrylVDPdBAp74HbJNgPl-lBbWyD7WGzKuIKwI32nawz1BeY6KaGxi52SU1/s1600/Isaac+dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLbpEeZkUELd7kE1GGY5oaB9iF36M2R3fK4NwmoIpHRYVnvy8_RpLNQzT78UCvhOLVb19S98t3Zcc9yeyjjsrylVDPdBAp74HbJNgPl-lBbWyD7WGzKuIKwI32nawz1BeY6KaGxi52SU1/s320/Isaac+dancing.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">mmmhmmm, that's my new hubby gettin down!!! photo by Don Le of<a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/"> Bliss Imagery</a></div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-80936420270765254452010-09-02T07:41:00.000-07:002010-09-02T07:41:00.426-07:00Wedding Lesson #5: You're not Martha StewartAs you know, I'm all for DIY, or even better -- DIT (Do-it-Together). But as we got closer to the wedding date, I started to get real with all of my crafty, DIY ambitions. As I've said before, I'm a crafting wannabe, a complete novice. I've had some<a href="http://idobudgetweddings.blogspot.com/2010/06/birdcage-cardbox-transformation.html"> successes that actually turned out pretty nicely</a>, and then some fails. Ummm, the flower girl baskets I was determined to make? Ultimate fail!!! If you're not the crafty type, don't take on projects you know you don't have the skills or time to accomplish. Be real with what you can do amd you'll save yourself a headache.<br />
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One area I knew we had to be real with ourselves were our centerpieces. I met with different florists, but I was pretty unsatisfied with what our budget could buy us: a few flowers in a vase and a ribbon. yippee. Forget about orchids. They were too expensive. Needless to say, we skipped the florist. But with our wedding in the morning, we knew we had to come up with centerpieces that didn't require a whole lot of time, work, and of course, money.<br />
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Then we saw our inspiration while walking through the Asian Mall in Westminster, CA: a display full of tall, potted purple orchids. They were gorgeous, made a great impression, and yet so simple! We loved the idea of a potted centerpiece instead of cut flowers. These were centerpieces we knew our guests would want to take home with them, and they would last long after the wedding. Put them in nice pot, top the soil with moss, and they're good to go! <br />
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Potted orchids can be kind of pricey depending on where you buy them. We decided to order our orchids, moss and pots wholesale from the LA Flower Mart. We wanted double stem orchids as they looked more lush than single stems. We went through a vendor who offered us $13 for each orchid and we ordered our pots from another vendor for $4.50 each. We purchased all 12 of our centerpieces for less than $20 each.<br />
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The Friday night before the wedding, we were in a time crunch and with me fighting through a migraine, the last thing I wanted to think about were centerpieces. Luckily our centerpieces were so easy my husband-to-be put them together. <br />
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And I must say, they turned out nicely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKq-YqYfR5Uzpwris_lYV5d9smvozgxdWcjz1WWesF_abxF6QGfGglwUWzukYV90gAhtoYR78ZiX7Wv4Dzv3b16QEWseFagFJsSaywBr3Lu7yMDnzDmGSeg3u5LDljI7QNm-IV_MzURig/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKq-YqYfR5Uzpwris_lYV5d9smvozgxdWcjz1WWesF_abxF6QGfGglwUWzukYV90gAhtoYR78ZiX7Wv4Dzv3b16QEWseFagFJsSaywBr3Lu7yMDnzDmGSeg3u5LDljI7QNm-IV_MzURig/s400/IMG_4317.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OC6p1FFmftfjPe-sIHcs5LIgvJcEgzxSGGL_mGQpsC1zSWlD80yTyV19FrZUf7Qn33ZfetNpQ82KEI7LxTBILT8O9JJujwjvMrBUKSlpUnKpDZKQgTosTwbDbpsvw5-CrICh0nrS5qBK/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OC6p1FFmftfjPe-sIHcs5LIgvJcEgzxSGGL_mGQpsC1zSWlD80yTyV19FrZUf7Qn33ZfetNpQ82KEI7LxTBILT8O9JJujwjvMrBUKSlpUnKpDZKQgTosTwbDbpsvw5-CrICh0nrS5qBK/s400/IMG_4313.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEYBMuPXZlN4oEowCbhBipf5JGWjmegRLvDju46HYR9DiO0VAdMucrM8S9GLPbHRv_0Svx4m-HvBTZo0seoKtXQsZy5N5nfjRmTm5JbBzZoBakiNvwJ8RZR9Nj5N2MI6XvLzuYm9-ouwz/s1600/IMG_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEYBMuPXZlN4oEowCbhBipf5JGWjmegRLvDju46HYR9DiO0VAdMucrM8S9GLPbHRv_0Svx4m-HvBTZo0seoKtXQsZy5N5nfjRmTm5JbBzZoBakiNvwJ8RZR9Nj5N2MI6XvLzuYm9-ouwz/s400/IMG_4324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All photos by our coordinator, Regina Bunye</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-80380293532413017252010-09-01T07:30:00.000-07:002010-09-01T07:30:01.599-07:00Wedding Lesson #4: Trust Your Gut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm82FOsCpFN-n4Vb6qyIpAUScSGIvFKi_t6K_eDPqhwrYwD_1Ej3WSsWmSONxMEelFrISS811mVxXz_QxcD7YfqLLttSon2TExneda613y3vxdg6_GFcLoUqM8EV7dsycKHP2S-L4vFFf/s1600/hair.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm82FOsCpFN-n4Vb6qyIpAUScSGIvFKi_t6K_eDPqhwrYwD_1Ej3WSsWmSONxMEelFrISS811mVxXz_QxcD7YfqLLttSon2TExneda613y3vxdg6_GFcLoUqM8EV7dsycKHP2S-L4vFFf/s320/hair.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trying to relax while my stylist works on me. Personal photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Saturday morning came around, bright and early...ok maybe not really bright, but it was definitely <em>early. </em>We woke up at 5 a.m., and with my headache gone, I was ready to start the day! I had resolved to not let anything keep me from enjoying the day, that no matter what freak-out inducing bomb might appear, I'd just file under the "worry-about-later" category and move on. Little did I know that one big one would drop on me real soon!<br />
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At 5:45 a.m., my stylist, the wonderful Michelle Kimme, arrived at my hotel room to set up for my hair and makeup appointment at 6 a.m. Two of my bridesmaids, my mom-in-law and mom, met in my mom's hotel room for their hair and makeup appointment where my second stylist would work on them.<br />
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Ok, this calls for a little background info. <br />
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I was about to go through the Paul Mitchell School's Design Team (at $65 a person, they were a great deal), but they couldn't offer on-location styling, which we needed since we all had to be at the church by 9 a.m. I decided to book my own hair and makeup stylist through my wedding coordinator who gave her a great reccomendation. She offered on location hair and makeup styling, including a trial, for $221. <br />
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Since my mom, mother-in-law and two of my bridesmaids wanted hair and makeup as well, I had to find one that fit their budget. I didn't have much to work with: less than $60. So I hit Craigslist, since that seemed to be the mecca of deals and bargains. <br />
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I contacted several stylists and I found one with a good portfolio and an affordable price. She offered to work on all four ladies for $210. She was a freelance stylist who was in her last year of styling school. I decided to take a chance on her. <br />
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Before the wedding, we met and talked about the styles. <br />
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The thing is, I should have trusted my gut about this girl. For one, she said she would have her own freelance contract for me to sign, but she didn't. Luckily, I brought my own contract stating the services and the time, date and location of the agreed services, which she and I both signed. I mean, what professional doesn't have their own business contract?<br />
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And also...she didn't make a whole lot of eye contact with me. She also seemed like she was in a hurry to leave. These should have been a no brainer...I should not have trusted this girl. But I was under a lot of pressure to find a decent on-location stylist at an affordable price in a hurry (we were two weeks out from the wedding) and in my naive thinking, I thought a contract and a deposit (I paid her half the fee) would seal the deal.<br />
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But I guess I was wrong...6 a.m., our agreed upon call time, came and went. At 6:15 a.m., I called our stylist. No answer. I emailed. I texted. No answer. At 6:45 a.m., still no stylist and my bridesmaids and moms gave up. They had waited nearly an hour, taking an hour out of our already tight schedule. My stylist worked on the two bridesmaids, but there was no time to work on the mothers. We all had to be at the church at 9 a.m.<br />
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I felt horrible. I felt soooo bad. My bridesmaids and moms assured me that everything was fine (the moms said they would rather do their own hair and makeup anyway). Although my stylist's fees for bridesmaids' hair and makeup was considerably higher ($100 per bridesmaid) she was a lifesaver. A true professional. We decided to cover the difference for the bridesmaids and they looked fabulous! And, yes, I loved my hair and makeup! Sometimes it is worth it to pay more for piece of mind and a true professional.<br />
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I was still determined not to let this debaucle ruin the rest of the day. So, once we got our hair and makeup done, and I got helped into my dress, we sprinted to the cars (yes, sprinted) to make it to the church at the call time of 9 a.m. I had forgotten everything else by then.I was getting married. Nothing was going to get in the way of that. Not even an irresponsible, shady stylist I found off of Craigslist.<br />
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So 1) trust your gut about people you enter into a contract with. Do they seem like trustworthy, dependable people? If not, walk -- no run -- far, far away!, 2) Always have a contract. After the wedding and honeymoon, I had to bug this girl for 2 weeks before I was able to receive my deposit back in full. (Her excuse was that she got into a car accident the morning of the wedding...um, sure). I reminded her that I had a contract which she signed and if she didn't return my money, she would receive the full legal wrath. 3) I'm not saying Craigslist is bad (it's been a lifesaver for a lot of budget brides) but have caution when dealing with people there. There are definitely some crooks.Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-83128302973199106082010-08-31T13:13:00.000-07:002010-08-31T13:13:00.175-07:00Wedding Recap: Gifts for the lil ones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityBLUubCYO51id9Omsor8J2uEn7rrsjp6BzF81d0TC_1pK5Dr7dCbj2bAuNX17wbivPJrk3_nmWeFFoAaZHwWa44ApqrG4s3_bon1TgWDD-gHFN9oC4yvy5XctBkZpTvZQfNkWd80j0Ky/s1600/39741_629356806950_19901322_35676593_644041_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityBLUubCYO51id9Omsor8J2uEn7rrsjp6BzF81d0TC_1pK5Dr7dCbj2bAuNX17wbivPJrk3_nmWeFFoAaZHwWa44ApqrG4s3_bon1TgWDD-gHFN9oC4yvy5XctBkZpTvZQfNkWd80j0Ky/s320/39741_629356806950_19901322_35676593_644041_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Personal photo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Flower Girls (minus one) and our ring bearer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had four flower girls. There was no way I wasn't going to include my four nieces. They're just too adorable and we have both known them since they were born. So what do we get little girls ages 2-7 years old? Nearly all of them are flower girl veterans. They have all of the flower girl books and picture frames from previous weddings they've participated in. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since our wedding was an adult reception, except for the kids in the wedding party, we gave our flower girls little items they can enjoy and keep them busy on the wedding day. This included Disney coloring/activity books and crayons, as well as bottles of bubbles (Dollar Store, yo). I also put together a <a href="http://www.bridalbuds.com/2009/02/diy-wedding-coloring-book/">DIY wedding coloring book, courtesy of bridalbuds</a>.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And as an extra little gift, I gave them each freshwater pearl stud earrings from etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/orienjewel#">Orien Jewel</a>. They have a promotion that offers free 6.0 freshwater pearl stud earrings in the colors of your choice for each referral you make to their store. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO11UCWy5sxmSEFaTNMB3DmHDPjZuU4Cf5OoyYLPeviaN6OwuVaAViL0zJVAhl7kizFDXFVBeLK74JEeNNx7LjfdXXnbutJva-8mfEy5PCU2IRvHwRMBHA3u51-GCCnKOY76u7yQHf49RX/s1600/il_fullxfull.155891821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO11UCWy5sxmSEFaTNMB3DmHDPjZuU4Cf5OoyYLPeviaN6OwuVaAViL0zJVAhl7kizFDXFVBeLK74JEeNNx7LjfdXXnbutJva-8mfEy5PCU2IRvHwRMBHA3u51-GCCnKOY76u7yQHf49RX/s200/il_fullxfull.155891821.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/orienjewel#">Source</a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> For our ring bearer, who was a little older, we decided to give him what he asked for...we thought giving him something he'd appreciate would be better than giving him something we thought he should appreciate (can't really see him digging a T-shirt that says "Ring Bearer") . So we got him a Bakugan set (apparently the new kid fad in toy collectibles. Our ring bearer loves those things!). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxqG9yySWMRN4X3AU7FTYrkJOqo2K5qF5rUOuCmJhkBUZqTDwSNgrUm-nuDJKIvBuZ1X2DJ8jBp7sHOZMtdVdMUGNPJ10pZuiAutJKfjfB1srIPusVH7EAkjyoKVcGSjkGkQkeSb8lVir/s1600/bakugan_toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxqG9yySWMRN4X3AU7FTYrkJOqo2K5qF5rUOuCmJhkBUZqTDwSNgrUm-nuDJKIvBuZ1X2DJ8jBp7sHOZMtdVdMUGNPJ10pZuiAutJKfjfB1srIPusVH7EAkjyoKVcGSjkGkQkeSb8lVir/s200/bakugan_toys.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amazon.com/">Source</a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With an Amazon.com GC I won in a giveaway and the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/orienjewel#">Orien Jewel</a> promotion, we only paid for the girls' coloring books, crayons, and bubbles...all less than $5!</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-58352459120959136362010-08-31T11:41:00.000-07:002010-08-31T11:41:00.596-07:00Wedding Recap: Gifts for our ParentsWe knew we wanted to give our parents a nice thank you...but what do you give your parents for, oh, raising you for all of your life and their support (whether financial or emotional) during this entire wedding process? You simply can't put a price tag on that. Nothing we can buy can be enough for what they've done for us. But we still wanted to give them something. But what do we give our parents on a beer budget?<br />
So, to say thanks for the years of memories and the wedding they've helped put on, we gave both parents each a digital photo frame. We thought about a photo album, but knowing our parents, we knew another album would collect dust in a cupboard somewhere never to be seen again. At least a frame can be displayed and instead of one photo, they can display multiple photos at once. <br />
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We purchased two 7 inch Matsunichi digital photo frames from Amazon.com for, get this, $15 each! Regular price is about $70, but we found these two at a steal. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYkP4xYZzT5GLgCI-eQMi8tD6RaWuPRM0JTbfsmyfhcxNPEa0Mg1doj1ZHrcgX3mbFVtAjaMDuCDyVTQXA5Ynt9E50ooCdnKpPRsF3USumENKmm99r3otiVlmJk7cLR7ic-c-eMLeNTiL/s1600/matsunichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYkP4xYZzT5GLgCI-eQMi8tD6RaWuPRM0JTbfsmyfhcxNPEa0Mg1doj1ZHrcgX3mbFVtAjaMDuCDyVTQXA5Ynt9E50ooCdnKpPRsF3USumENKmm99r3otiVlmJk7cLR7ic-c-eMLeNTiL/s400/matsunichi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.framereviews.com/matsunichi/matsunichi-photoblitz-7-inch-widescreen-digital-frame-pf7e.html">Source</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
The picture quality is actually pretty good (480 by 234 pixels). But for our tech-challenged parents, we knew we would have to set everything up for them. We purchased memory cards and downloaded our childhood photos and engagement photos onto the cards. So all they needed to do was plug in the frame and press the on button! Easy peasy! We also figure we will download our wedding pics onto the frames when we get them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>When we gave them their gifts, both parents really enjoyed them. They love staring at the photos in frame. Really, they sit down staring at the frames like it's a television!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-10114393792997273822010-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:002010-08-31T07:00:07.525-07:00Wedding Recap: Gifts for our groomsmen<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zcx4Me8bz4Z6TuGE_aosqRjDFnekygqs0qEzidA11IxNFVqNSsdqF3j5XRW57sFbxunWseiNeMDu4yOm4i7jFR_YqMbkpOunGjfHFtzSMWmGbzmIFJpXBpoDleesT8qUzIf94uHE-0he/s1600/groomsmen+crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zcx4Me8bz4Z6TuGE_aosqRjDFnekygqs0qEzidA11IxNFVqNSsdqF3j5XRW57sFbxunWseiNeMDu4yOm4i7jFR_YqMbkpOunGjfHFtzSMWmGbzmIFJpXBpoDleesT8qUzIf94uHE-0he/s400/groomsmen+crying.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">photo by Don Le of <a href="http://www.findthebliss.com/">Bliss Imagery</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So what do you get these crazy guys?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Groomsmen gifts are always hard. It's hard enough finding gifts for guys, so what kind of wedding momentos can guys really appreciate? Let's face it...not every guy wants a wedding-y gift. But we still want to give them something to show our appreciation for their friendship and support. We decided to give something different to each of our four guys, something that fit each one's taste and personality--even if it wasn't a traditional flask or money clip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the Best Man:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZYfchIKTjk22xKpS-zdxVYiy_1V8DYVU1GB6jJAzbPO51PndT6pqILVgexlLTINltSHgRxv2FNs_p8f068EGNtjQdHSJFqEcG-hmZJy3ft_MEN8CUd75BjmxJlyJ4UCxe3OxJWIojdEY/s1600/office+of+minor+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZYfchIKTjk22xKpS-zdxVYiy_1V8DYVU1GB6jJAzbPO51PndT6pqILVgexlLTINltSHgRxv2FNs_p8f068EGNtjQdHSJFqEcG-hmZJy3ft_MEN8CUd75BjmxJlyJ4UCxe3OxJWIojdEY/s320/office+of+minor+details.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/officeofminordetails">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A New Zealand Kid Leather Wallet from the<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/officeofminordetails"> Office of Minor Details</a>. With our Best Man being a grilling type of guy, we also gave him a $20 GC to <a href="http://www.omahasteaks.com/servlet/OnlineShopping?Dsp=1">Omaha Steaks</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Groomsman #2:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lvQZEv93arm0-5RI6FdXI_hp4DH1XsZBOLLncifr287_te0yfcnbQOfiP7-7rlCVoInWcpU_4zEj2RY5Kyh3169fYnofrXrVeEK2QupkTvlXOYQhFHHmHkXtmDRWh1iac7y4uw8KUUe9/s1600/glass+for+manny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lvQZEv93arm0-5RI6FdXI_hp4DH1XsZBOLLncifr287_te0yfcnbQOfiP7-7rlCVoInWcpU_4zEj2RY5Kyh3169fYnofrXrVeEK2QupkTvlXOYQhFHHmHkXtmDRWh1iac7y4uw8KUUe9/s320/glass+for+manny.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.136232001.jpg">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We gave our groomsman a custom engraved mug from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PictureItCreations?ref=seller_info">Picture It Creations</a>, only his mug featured the logo of his favorite team, the San Francisco Giants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Groomsman #3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v82-dJeTTfWTNlX-Y6ok4Kqtt-MUBPRFUNysMiwKrQ7gV60VuXOqcLz2JlF4VWNCtTnfEZYN2b_X1IkDJEpfQQbeb2Ed8Ucw1d5adgDxPGyPSrQaQPrqQDT1O4ROL5jioYtqrm_TPQ9Y/s1600/SunglassWarehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v82-dJeTTfWTNlX-Y6ok4Kqtt-MUBPRFUNysMiwKrQ7gV60VuXOqcLz2JlF4VWNCtTnfEZYN2b_X1IkDJEpfQQbeb2Ed8Ucw1d5adgDxPGyPSrQaQPrqQDT1O4ROL5jioYtqrm_TPQ9Y/s320/SunglassWarehouse.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sunglasswarehouse.com/">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A $20 GC to <a href="http://www.sunglasswarehouse.com/">Sunglass Warehouse</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Groomsman #4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL25k7bI4bZ1TGD0IW0y185e172WnZhIUuqdgAbabyuPGk8Y0NrEWdh8tJ3EjwSQMWuT8qivMByZybnhZVxA6SNGEp55LsdFEIYepKYZzLAx_D_IzGOzzWmOqyI_rG2c0T3OriyWswl_Q/s1600/IMG_2881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL25k7bI4bZ1TGD0IW0y185e172WnZhIUuqdgAbabyuPGk8Y0NrEWdh8tJ3EjwSQMWuT8qivMByZybnhZVxA6SNGEp55LsdFEIYepKYZzLAx_D_IzGOzzWmOqyI_rG2c0T3OriyWswl_Q/s320/IMG_2881.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Personal Photo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, we got him a moneyclip, but for the Lakers fanatic, it had to be purple and gold! We got this one at the Lakers' official team store at the Staples Center.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How much did all of our groomsmen's gifts cost us? Many, many thanks to my blog sponsors and the blog giveaways I won, our groomsmen's gifts cost us no more than $10. Enter giveaways. Start a blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seriously.</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-8550256914828920652010-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:002010-08-30T07:00:01.453-07:00Wedding Recap: Our Bridesmaids' giftsWe had a pretty big wedding party--Four bridesmaids, four groomsmen, four flower girls, a ring bearer, our parents and, according to Filipino tradition, six sponsors. We decided we wanted to give everyone thank you gifts for their participation and help. This also included gifts to our ceremony readers, wedding shower hostess gifts and thank you gifts to people who helped us out for free (our MC, the family friend who made our gorgeous ceremony flowers, etc). That's 29 gifts! Even if we spent $20 a gift (which hardly buys anything these days) it would have really killed our budget.<br />
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But thanks to connections at work, blogging, online discounts, bargain hunting and giveaways, I was able to score some really awesome gifts for everyone on our gift list for under $300! First up, our bridesmaids' gifts. My bridesmaids really helped us out, whether with planning, performing tasks, hooking us up with great vendors or giving us a generous amount of money for the wedding. So obviously I wanted to spoil them with nice goodies! Instead of going for one expensive gift (which I couldn't afford) I decided to go with a grab bag full of smaller awesome gifts. Sure, I may have gone overboard with the gifts...but I really wanted to show them how much I appreciated them!<br />
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Each bridesmaid got a small clasp clutch purse from brands such as <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lenalimestudio">Lena Lime Studio</a>, Amanda Pearl (thank you <a href="http://mercinewyork.blogspot.com/">Merci New York!)</a> and Stila Cosmetics.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSvpSbRSC2kf_Zhk-atRpfJIizfRco2Ks-O8ZG0QM9KfHxImle0HMMzw7pr6O8ZUbp8ObbVVCzJmVtjdNddkPYQscZtMBlJeIH8NJcjp81dbLW40AfNsMu752zXFSD1Hwnz11ZU1iS4Zf/s1600/IMG_3148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSvpSbRSC2kf_Zhk-atRpfJIizfRco2Ks-O8ZG0QM9KfHxImle0HMMzw7pr6O8ZUbp8ObbVVCzJmVtjdNddkPYQscZtMBlJeIH8NJcjp81dbLW40AfNsMu752zXFSD1Hwnz11ZU1iS4Zf/s320/IMG_3148.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Personal photo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lenalimestudio">Lena Lime</a> clutch purse for my MOH</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38S5AkWIo49dXrm-tQKbJwZ7n9wMU92gcT0u6TKWd5SBqIK08LofihZS9jaER0eaDPbFyctmMgXprRTpo8qE7et0S_Qo1_pv_wWhUU6vv6SBiORRyUsP6bRtwEoUAeYmSuMVejVmlufBI/s1600/AmandaPearl" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38S5AkWIo49dXrm-tQKbJwZ7n9wMU92gcT0u6TKWd5SBqIK08LofihZS9jaER0eaDPbFyctmMgXprRTpo8qE7et0S_Qo1_pv_wWhUU6vv6SBiORRyUsP6bRtwEoUAeYmSuMVejVmlufBI/s320/AmandaPearl" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lh4.ggpht.com/_icolyb2WmA4/SvCWxUJqfSI/AAAAAAAAEeE/wzpOguy7cEk/DSC04087.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.thefabulousreport.com/1104/amanda-pearl-springsummer-2010.html&usg=__sZRAzDudX_p-CYISbjRQmwjOYTk=&h=480&w=640&sz=63&hl=en&start=20&sig2=12sbgiZaex8zx006o3lTaA&zoom=1&tbnid=jkYLIgsHDiiBSM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=208&ei=awJ4TMS7DJL0swOLwKitBQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAmanda%2BPearl%2Bclutch%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADFA_en%26biw%3D1501%26bih%3D641%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C241&um=1&itbs=1&biw=1501&bih=641&iact=rc&dur=172&oei=YwJ4TL2OLpS8sAOV1uWsBQ&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:20&tx=80&ty=44">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amandapearl.com/">Amanda Pearl</a> clutch for my Matron of Honor (her's was actually pink)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnzVXEHb5jiijrB1z92ROEp9BCcQbkTJURtgwOCNGuGZw6047AE3_JgOTc7nYvvwaGeFFtcz62VGGWzNavpcC_CPcH4j5bSmYH0e5vfmoa1kIMLOlyL8s-APoN8Z6cOG-hc_N7lcIrRsU/s1600/Stila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnzVXEHb5jiijrB1z92ROEp9BCcQbkTJURtgwOCNGuGZw6047AE3_JgOTc7nYvvwaGeFFtcz62VGGWzNavpcC_CPcH4j5bSmYH0e5vfmoa1kIMLOlyL8s-APoN8Z6cOG-hc_N7lcIrRsU/s320/Stila.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I purchased two Stila makeup clutches from <a href="http://beautycrunch.com/">Beautycrunch.com</a> for my 2 bridesmaids (both for less than $22 each)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I filled each purse with makeup from Stila, Urban Decay, Loreal, Senna, Sephora and Clinique.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLMb6CBjGeCtb6bUY60kEvujISrCXD97ycI_NkpcB8GkR8T5oREvztL5bdobtxYT2Y6d3dZgsqwyjaS5pEjdEXutSwY0vfaI_cyX0fZKTueYPJkYghjSyatd44ZXnz-EV3NpTyDnSp3bj/s1600/IMG_3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLMb6CBjGeCtb6bUY60kEvujISrCXD97ycI_NkpcB8GkR8T5oREvztL5bdobtxYT2Y6d3dZgsqwyjaS5pEjdEXutSwY0vfaI_cyX0fZKTueYPJkYghjSyatd44ZXnz-EV3NpTyDnSp3bj/s320/IMG_3151.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I also scored some beauty products from Moroccan Oil, Loreal and <a href="http://morningsmist.com/">Morning's Mist Country Store</a> through connections at work and sponsors of my blog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FFVd5UgBAynmST33JMNtZFNAzKSo3lP8RgfMIOKfop04QSFMqMtUzkwDsESAY3nLmujXCNhQbUB5fr_O3b7VtAHcjyhnfXoNlMo6pzz5Bd9J_1UhHXlHfxBf8AAehgJGsMNMZVe69W16/s1600/moroccan_oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FFVd5UgBAynmST33JMNtZFNAzKSo3lP8RgfMIOKfop04QSFMqMtUzkwDsESAY3nLmujXCNhQbUB5fr_O3b7VtAHcjyhnfXoNlMo6pzz5Bd9J_1UhHXlHfxBf8AAehgJGsMNMZVe69W16/s320/moroccan_oil.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_bT5hjM7MjgxCNb-7eEgwN03TmfDN-FGg8c9KaZBYVLKOvwoU0_K8zVgEBsLUwVHPK6tJcGjQyJsn3rsdxMyCf85jWaURX9AQ6Fqsz3CL-Hd5cDMk7frdpvK63tIcxcVafve7WfEFAdM/s1600/mornings+mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_bT5hjM7MjgxCNb-7eEgwN03TmfDN-FGg8c9KaZBYVLKOvwoU0_K8zVgEBsLUwVHPK6tJcGjQyJsn3rsdxMyCf85jWaURX9AQ6Fqsz3CL-Hd5cDMk7frdpvK63tIcxcVafve7WfEFAdM/s320/mornings+mist.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They also received handmade soap from <a href="http://morningsmist.com/">Morning's Mist Country Store</a> and <a href="http://www.sweetsallyssoaps.com/">Sweet Sally Soaps</a> (thank goodness for blog giveaways!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoeMSjCbHPVtDVOVfqJLJ_WJdvdhVqw8btnzIqquxcKD6lGk5vT6bAiOZWoKVXZpteiC3LKw0Cuyw57h5klvdaHWbdiJAq0QhuTBLMCQjEkSissm76AHfay27IBvf7j0weD98mrh3Bn6Y/s1600/sweet-sally.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoeMSjCbHPVtDVOVfqJLJ_WJdvdhVqw8btnzIqquxcKD6lGk5vT6bAiOZWoKVXZpteiC3LKw0Cuyw57h5klvdaHWbdiJAq0QhuTBLMCQjEkSissm76AHfay27IBvf7j0weD98mrh3Bn6Y/s320/sweet-sally.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2009/06/monthy-giveaway-our-biggest-so-far.html">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> On top of all that, they received handmade Hawaiian jewelry from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreationsbykawai">Kreations by Kawai</a>: and this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeoniVon?ref=seller_info">Hawaiian jeweler on etsy</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5GHo5fYveEDijwlcsWZYmiOhAKvqEH6D0rngch2ZP4PWtdg4z42QKrwbpz6wAUvfwphKsTva3KMZZYYVDqhurKafPBHmRda0m1QVdUkzpLP7CvxWDR5SoDdd_M78mpRHqxahvm96VDM4/s1600/KK2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5GHo5fYveEDijwlcsWZYmiOhAKvqEH6D0rngch2ZP4PWtdg4z42QKrwbpz6wAUvfwphKsTva3KMZZYYVDqhurKafPBHmRda0m1QVdUkzpLP7CvxWDR5SoDdd_M78mpRHqxahvm96VDM4/s320/KK2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreationsbykawai">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The blue Tahitian shell pearl necklace I gave to bridesmaid #2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk-QE0WXhqR1Try3pkniqyVvmBOIu-d27XBYEcyfQrZRJfCIfzWiA3VkAbTWC6LAgAFCaWbJ3HF6IeTwQxW5nlRbVIxJYzZiqdYW2m2XX919o6doSvKNi6bv-Jox7GdGudhmH9b11YAPr/s1600/Lotus+Flower+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk-QE0WXhqR1Try3pkniqyVvmBOIu-d27XBYEcyfQrZRJfCIfzWiA3VkAbTWC6LAgAFCaWbJ3HF6IeTwQxW5nlRbVIxJYzZiqdYW2m2XX919o6doSvKNi6bv-Jox7GdGudhmH9b11YAPr/s320/Lotus+Flower+necklace.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreationsbykawai?ref=seller_info">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Lotus Flower Necklace for my Matron of Honor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWV56rTQkth8HmMLXy-iKBupKsksvN6xFhJlVSCUkT6Hzu7OSZD0bpPo39RXN2wh0wWsA7WGQ3rUwzcQLLxhdSmjtcoEV6eF93nz-ghiZIRrpC8M5JgEoPu8pJN7yST0mzCaeugryRJiT/s1600/Opihi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWV56rTQkth8HmMLXy-iKBupKsksvN6xFhJlVSCUkT6Hzu7OSZD0bpPo39RXN2wh0wWsA7WGQ3rUwzcQLLxhdSmjtcoEV6eF93nz-ghiZIRrpC8M5JgEoPu8pJN7yST0mzCaeugryRJiT/s320/Opihi.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeoniVon?ref=seller_info">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Opihi shell necklace I gave to bridesmaid #1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy_B24ww9ZuUy23T4qnuzKkVy8STc-nmwCEUe_evVi6Gsmo5YDQD0GLu7HOYVjEdk2o_3N_H6QSY99WtRGTQmd44IJkxnmm7EJxrrzWm95B5gM2gEwRXwOBF0GHI-P2x0_n82snMQvAwM/s1600/moh_opihi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy_B24ww9ZuUy23T4qnuzKkVy8STc-nmwCEUe_evVi6Gsmo5YDQD0GLu7HOYVjEdk2o_3N_H6QSY99WtRGTQmd44IJkxnmm7EJxrrzWm95B5gM2gEwRXwOBF0GHI-P2x0_n82snMQvAwM/s320/moh_opihi.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeoniVon?ref=seller_info">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Opihi shell necklace I bought for my MOH</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, wait, there's more! They each received genuine pearl earrings:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB5csAq2rJ6EAuCofgLsjOpg8DfL4YHzf1DLy2ZlgYjPb1MLE8Qjcgs9EMdUFRAOCpPWo9-173VBZZm2dpWHVh-uuFdQ0cbt0_hcn6UGb8pwi-9vJKtf8W4weyCg9tqYRI0vItBPIOggB/s1600/KOURTNEY_20094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB5csAq2rJ6EAuCofgLsjOpg8DfL4YHzf1DLy2ZlgYjPb1MLE8Qjcgs9EMdUFRAOCpPWo9-173VBZZm2dpWHVh-uuFdQ0cbt0_hcn6UGb8pwi-9vJKtf8W4weyCg9tqYRI0vItBPIOggB/s320/KOURTNEY_20094.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://savvycouponmommy.blogspot.com/2010/05/guy-and-eva-review-giveaway-ends-68.html">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guy and Eva mother of pearl earrings for my MOH</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejNTF9sZu1fWgPyse43rXpawbK__-uqKHQdvK9VeHV9Z1e9An7sCVfc0xsI2hF-G7QRIb7dpbxWZ3lWMc_SLJOdMYnSMAmi8MvDqYCHRSr_eztGAqJlHoN9kNJcvLaSaw2q_HlgZNQ6SS/s1600/lkwht+big+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejNTF9sZu1fWgPyse43rXpawbK__-uqKHQdvK9VeHV9Z1e9An7sCVfc0xsI2hF-G7QRIb7dpbxWZ3lWMc_SLJOdMYnSMAmi8MvDqYCHRSr_eztGAqJlHoN9kNJcvLaSaw2q_HlgZNQ6SS/s320/lkwht+big+1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofpeltier">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Mother of Pearl earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofpeltier">House of Peltier</a> for my Matron of Honor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbb34aBbRHstiFhDomLyineMBUbSgT3nHsEHl4Vd3mX235s6DIlfSl27BNQBUF4WunA3hiNqjnrStwy7P_LKoDsmSnu2X0-EpzQFPPVwCnNLdLGXI7xbQj1uMR7Ri0Tsm089Nu7j_amqi/s1600/Dazzling4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbb34aBbRHstiFhDomLyineMBUbSgT3nHsEHl4Vd3mX235s6DIlfSl27BNQBUF4WunA3hiNqjnrStwy7P_LKoDsmSnu2X0-EpzQFPPVwCnNLdLGXI7xbQj1uMR7Ri0Tsm089Nu7j_amqi/s320/Dazzling4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebinster2009">Source</a></div><div align="center"> Freshwater pearl earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebinster2009">Dazzling Jewelry and Pearls</a> for Bridesmaid #1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVZlmiu_INxnZgcUuQ7hTMUPGa4OBndmei2qJ5eFoNzT6R-DIGhacHJ7P47z2CTSHlfiMuvuDTiTybi29s2VSRZUYcdQSAE0TlIF0foVxXV0eKsI93cTQSJSaQ6Sx3T5XP96fogVkdkZL/s1600/Golden+Drops+Earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVZlmiu_INxnZgcUuQ7hTMUPGa4OBndmei2qJ5eFoNzT6R-DIGhacHJ7P47z2CTSHlfiMuvuDTiTybi29s2VSRZUYcdQSAE0TlIF0foVxXV0eKsI93cTQSJSaQ6Sx3T5XP96fogVkdkZL/s320/Golden+Drops+Earrings.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellaluandme">Source</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and Freshwater Pearl Earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellaluandme">Bellalu and Me</a> for Bridesmaid #2</div><br />
I put their gifts in cute lauhala bags I ordered from <a href="http://www.ailanakai.com/Lauhala/Lauhalabags/lauhalabag.html">Ailana Kai</a>, an online shop based out of Honolulu. Each tote was only $2.50 each!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SFVlwmUpM4PGw1ECQXEO7oTmFKqm4tQ5VXpcHCcFWPZPaENHiP4Q9BT7iJN5ihyphenhyphenCTTvdsrTD5M0arzE4CXAhr1oOIzAMmD_A1aIPQ31SFZwfghca5GzvY69JJSBHT3hNfk6lODx4F8I1/s1600/Lauhala+tote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SFVlwmUpM4PGw1ECQXEO7oTmFKqm4tQ5VXpcHCcFWPZPaENHiP4Q9BT7iJN5ihyphenhyphenCTTvdsrTD5M0arzE4CXAhr1oOIzAMmD_A1aIPQ31SFZwfghca5GzvY69JJSBHT3hNfk6lODx4F8I1/s320/Lauhala+tote.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Personal Photo</div><br />
So, for four grab bag of goodies for each of my bridesmaids (including tax and shipping), I spent a total of $120! A huge thank you to my blog sponsors and blog giveaways!!!!<br />
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I also gave my MOH and Matron of Honor extra gifts for being so helpful and hosting our wedding shower. I gave my MOH a bangle bracelet from Guy and Eva:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknajQMwMcMiFbMhQur6Uh583FLl9AN4MtIUD6GQIXpVTZOAYbOfXM6NIjXFyA7YhZElEjPAghtY90KRSyhQUNQI7NgqEarg3U4K6Gb_M07Wy-IWvg3XhkthD1Dk0cgLDpEag-McROkxxN/s1600/IMG_4727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknajQMwMcMiFbMhQur6Uh583FLl9AN4MtIUD6GQIXpVTZOAYbOfXM6NIjXFyA7YhZElEjPAghtY90KRSyhQUNQI7NgqEarg3U4K6Gb_M07Wy-IWvg3XhkthD1Dk0cgLDpEag-McROkxxN/s320/IMG_4727.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4BvedXsQ3fComyHT6seyHoeC6u3whjKK4DLUIAcZ20HfcKroIZQX64NYC4VLEZQCLj-zwp4uvco8WgBBSiTU2OJIUfsHvZVVeFIGlkNbKCcNJvGFQb_YrFjc_GGWHR_3GIRwWUCl_v0/s1600/IMG_4727.JPG">Source</a></div><div align="center"><br />
And my Matron of Honor received a handstamped mother of pearl necklace with each of her three daughters' names from <a href="http://www.thevintagepearl.com/">The Vintage Pearl</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8ssOCguVMGz472ulb8Oa6Fg2NcSMJCloH3Oo3HLfVkyLGxm7y3PoJYhTJJJrnwoSG-HTVVFH47vmLafBDprMTDS-bh2xcxD-gFbH3bA0rfv4wJ1QqgHJ_nKME6ZuuuQbpvwmgkmGOhlB/s1600/MotherOfPearl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8ssOCguVMGz472ulb8Oa6Fg2NcSMJCloH3Oo3HLfVkyLGxm7y3PoJYhTJJJrnwoSG-HTVVFH47vmLafBDprMTDS-bh2xcxD-gFbH3bA0rfv4wJ1QqgHJ_nKME6ZuuuQbpvwmgkmGOhlB/s320/MotherOfPearl.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.thevintagepearl.com/products/motherofpearl_p20">Source</a><br />
And since my mom helped my ladies put on a nice party, we gave her a gift certificate for a free massage at a nearby spa. Total for all 3 hostess gifts? $30. For realz. Enter those giveaways!!!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">Coming up: Our groomsmen's gifts</div>Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182249662596483407.post-18720512039858862162010-08-29T09:29:00.000-07:002010-08-29T09:29:00.539-07:00Wedding Lesson #3: Forget DIY, Be a DIT Bride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg520TbTLxO4cHV-HvRlK8-ELy6Ipc36ItaEo6FAsnLAR25ggz8AlRsLVQ8y9flLFd38I_y4uE4Z5btYVMsr1mDheIBKnUZP3OxP1ZaoP8z6p520ToSlWcIhInFiqHRT0HWNJZJ-NJKHnkg/s1600/Bouts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg520TbTLxO4cHV-HvRlK8-ELy6Ipc36ItaEo6FAsnLAR25ggz8AlRsLVQ8y9flLFd38I_y4uE4Z5btYVMsr1mDheIBKnUZP3OxP1ZaoP8z6p520ToSlWcIhInFiqHRT0HWNJZJ-NJKHnkg/s320/Bouts.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(personal photo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boutonnieres my aunt and cousin made as I nursed a migraine</div><br />
So when I last left you, I was stressing out big time over my last minute Taualuga dance and my DIY flowers. By evening time, when I planned to work on the bridesmaids' bouquets and flowers, my headache had gone from bad to worse. I was feeling nauseous and dizzy. I couldn't stand up upright without feeling like I would puke. We decided to work on the flowers in the hotel where everyone was staying in the night before the wedding. My MOH, Matron of Honor and even one of our groomsmen came to help me cut the leaves, stems and thorns from flowers. Thank goodness our potted orchid centerpieces were pretty much already done. My FH simply put them all in their pots and covered the soil with moss and voila! Our centerpieces were taken care of!<br />
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But by the time I had put together one bridesmaid bouquet, I decided to give up. My head was pounding and my body was telling me to get some rest.There was no way I could finish the rest of the flowers. I needed to go to bed.<br />
But then my aunt and cousin came knocking on our door. They had just come to see how we were doing and bless their souls, they took on the rest of the flowers! They knew exactly what to do because they've done bouquets and corsages for church-related events before. They did an absolutely beautiful job--even better job than what I could have done without a migraine! My aunt and cousin used several leftover roses from the bridesmaid bouquets, baby's breath and purple orchids to make the bouts. I was able to get the sleep I needed while they made the rest of the bouquets and all the pretty bouts for our groomsmen, sponsors and parents. <br />
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My aunt scolded me by saying I should have asked her earlier for her help. There's no reason for me to try to do it all on my own. She's right.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSqOhR0GZfSDBxrk9xruShDbJvXluF3WvtMp-OINyu2doIYTIWC1uWNciSw2jBVD4hL423UOA6tvYMs1uAOSXG-LWwGZXaeP5J1iD2cDgl9HAPsFrtEzmedugaL_fzVDyur_PYcp3TW4D/s1600/Bridesmaids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSqOhR0GZfSDBxrk9xruShDbJvXluF3WvtMp-OINyu2doIYTIWC1uWNciSw2jBVD4hL423UOA6tvYMs1uAOSXG-LWwGZXaeP5J1iD2cDgl9HAPsFrtEzmedugaL_fzVDyur_PYcp3TW4D/s640/Bridesmaids.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My lovely bridesmaids with their bouquets (photo taken by a friend)</div><br />
So don't be afraid to ask for help. Forget being the super-DIY bride all the time. You can't do it <em>all </em>on your own. Do-it-together -- with friends and family who really do want to help -- and take some of that load off your shoulders. A bride needs her beauty sleep you know!Newlywedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05272453719193466840noreply@blogger.com1