Save the Date

We're planning on sending the Save the Dates by the end of the year...with the engagement pics.

Here's the card that we're going to send.

They're $119 for 75 or $128 for 100

Photography Information

So, Eddie's mom works with this photographer's wife, and she offered to pay for the photographer and videographer as well.

After talking with the photographer (after a 1.5 hour conversation!), here are the details that I got:

$2000 which includes the engagement session and wedding day.  There are private passworded galleries with all the pictures, a public gallery for the guests, and discs of pictures (probably 3-4K) with a folder of 100-150 touched up pix.  There is no album for the cost, but that can be talked about after the wedding.  Apparently the albums start at $1000, and so most brides save up to get that done afterwards?...

One week before the wedding, they will go to check out the church and reception venue.
The day of the wedding, their official start time is 11, but they will probably be out and about a little earlier.
They'll stay through the end of the reception, there is no set time frame they'll be shooting.

And pictures will be done within 3-4 weeks. 

Redlands Tennessee Florist

After putting the deposit on Tennessee Gardens, Eddie's mom, dad, and I went to the on-site florist Sandie White of Redlands Tennessee Florist.  She actually was closing up shop early because it was her 11th wedding anniversary, but she was around long enough to sit with Eddie's mom and I to talk flowers (Eddie's dad took off after being given the go ahead from Eddie's mom as he lumbered bored in the store :) ).

For 12 centerpieces, 2 alter arrangements, 10 pew bouquets, 8 corsages, 10 boutonnieres, a bridal bouquet, three bridesmaids bouquets, one jr bridesmaid bouquet the grand total was $1257.15.

The flowers to be used include: hydrangeas (purple for me, white for the girls), lisianthus (bluish-purple), orchids (dendrobiums and the pink/purple ones, but I want to ask about vandas and phalaenopsis - she didn't seem to know what I was talking about when I asked about them), and freesia.

This vanda orchid looks really cool, but apparently is endangered.

Lisianthus

Freesia

I also want to ask her about this blue/purple orchid:

Not sure if this is natural or painted...but will find out...

The booking of a venue

So Eddie's parents and I are headed to Tennessee Gardens to book the venue, well I'll be booking while they're looking :) Once we get this done, I'll get on booking the photographer. Eddie's mom would like us to take engagement photos to include in the save the dates to send out.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tennessee Gardens Revisited

On Saturday, we went to Tennessee Gardens to see the set up for 250 guests. 

Eddie said that he would want to see more flowers decorating the place...that there aren't enough flowers in the garden.  He did agree that we could easily add ribbon or lanterns or whatever to decorate the place.  I was thinking that at least that's a little less than what we would have to add at Etiwanda Gardens.

Here's the set up of Tennessee Gardens for 250 guests...

Groom's Cake

So I've been watching that show Amazing Wedding Cakes...and boy do they have some Amazing Wedding Cakes!  Though the really cool ones are the groom's cakes.

I wonder if I could do this...

I'd wanted to do some kind of cool groom's cake...was thinking of something along the lines of a Wild Turkey bottle or Simpsons or... I don't know... in Funfetti.

Simpson cake toppers are at least $70!
I'd DIY it...find some figures,
make some clothes...

Maybe we could serve it at the rehearsal dinner.

Gifts from Singapore

Thanks to Jillee and Levi for getting me a cute purple cheong sam to wear for the tea ceremony!  There's even a matching bag!  :) 

I need to find someone who can alter it (though maybe closer to the still tentative wedding date).

Will post pictures soon...

How to House a Pineapple Tart

One idea we had about presenting the favors (pineapple tart and Mexican wedding cookie), was to put it in an origami box and tulle or cellophane around it.  Besides the manhours worth of work (though Anthony has already been volunteered to help fold boxes), another concern was the grease leaking through the box.  So here's our experiment with wax paper. 

Shinoda Floral Design

After dropping off Marianne and Candice at John Wayne, Margie ee ee brought us to Shinoda Flora Design , a wholesale floral design warehouse with rows and rows and aisles and aisles of all things floral.  I was mostly interested in pricing more vases, but under the direction of Margie ee ee, quickly found myself steered towards picking flowers that worked and getting something together that we could put together and work with beyond thoughts in my head.  I wish I'd taken more pictures of all the different things we saw here! 

Here is the final product from our travels today:

I think the height is good enough not to block people's views and hopefully there isn't too much stuff to catch the wind to be knocked over.  Or Pris ee ee said we could always use earthquake putty.

Veil

We looked at veils while we were at the Garment District.

We had looked at veils at David's Bridal, and I had decided I wanted the two layer (a blusher and maybe a fingertip?).

After reading about veils, I need to find one that ends either just above or just below focal points in my dress...which would be the neckline in the front and the low back in the back?. 

I also want something a little more detailed than a row of beads.  Maybe something with a little lace. 

Pris ee ee said to bring the dress down so she could look at the details and figure out what would look good on the veil.  Also she can look at how to camouflage the nipple beading!  She also pointed out that there is also a belly button!  I love my family....

You know you've been doing your research on wedding venues when...

You recognize a venue in someone else's wedding pictures...without decorations, during the rehearsal, from looking at 3 pictures...

I'd rather spend my money on cutlery

Our trip to Moskatels on Friday was semi productive. I was able to look at a prices of a few things like vases, fake flowers, favor stuff, Pris ee ee was a little (lot) appalled at my suggestion to use sandwich baggies with ribbon to hold the favors (at this time, still pineapple tarts and Mexican wedding cookies). I think that's not pretty enough, but for a bag of 25 cellophane wrappers @ $1.99 (approx $20 for 10 sets) vs . $0.28 for those boxes (approx $70 for 250), there's a $50 difference! Maybe we can incorporate the origami box bottom and then the cellophane bags to wrap it up? What color origami paper would we use? And can you buy very specific colors? I eonder if I could find a teal/turquoise and stamp gold swirly designs on it. Buuuuut that might be too much work....

Pris ee ee asked if she didn't spend money on the favors, what would I like her to buy: cutlery? And that became my slogan for the day. I'd rather spend money on something practical like cutlery than on 250 boxes that will be pretty to look at, but thrown away before the night is over. Although, I guess anything that we wrap the cookies in will be tossed.

A centerpiece option that may be reusable, or at least that will make it out of the night without meeting with a dumpster is: Pris ee ee, Joy ee ee, and Mum are pushing for live orchid centerpieces. Wrap them in plant sack material (?) at the bottom or put them in a painted wooden box. Would that be too plain? I guess toss a few votives or such around and you're all set.

I'd be interested in seeing how we could use the hurricane lamps Michelle has, if we have the wedding at TN Gardens.

Saw Pine Creek Gardens...had to walk down three thousand stairs...not so good for our elderly guests...and lazy ones too...come to think of it...even Eddie and I were winded walking up and down and up and down... ;)  Eddie liked the mountain-but-not-in-the-mountains feel to it, and the way the air smelled...fresh/piney/mountainy.  (I have some seriously weak olafactory senses compared to that kid, because I couldn't really smell anything out of the ordinary up there) 

Down sides was the road leading up to the venue was windy, unlit, and brought back memories of a foggy, death-defying drive home from his cousin Kim's wedding up in the mountains somewhere. 

So it's down to Etiwanda Gardens and Tennessee Gardens...

When we went to Tennessee Gardens, Eddie liked that Michelle knew the business and what she was doing: the DJ, and tables/chairs, the outside catering etc.  The down side was that it reminded him too much of his grandparent's backyard...not really a garden...it needed more flowers to be a garden.  He also thought the covered "dance floor" looked like a carport.  And he thinks it looks too small for 250 guests.  I should have asked Michelle for a cake tasting...that may have sealed the deal... ;)

Chinese Rehearsal Dinner

Prior to Jon and Marc's weddings, I've never been to a backyard rehearsal dinner for a wedding. Pris ee ee's rehearsal dinner was at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and the reception at the Velvet Turtle. I can't remember where Auntie Amy's was, though I do remember pink and white wedding bells in the Marylie Ln backyard. And Jillee's was a little blurry too (funny because it was more recent than Pris ee ee's)...but I'm pretty sure it was at a restaurant because we didn't go someone's house, and the reception was at the zoo. Rachel che che's wedding we went to a Chinese restaurant (got pictures on the wall from it). I can't remember about Michelle che che's (though I know we went to a Chinese restaurant for the reception). Other friend's weddings I've been in... Esther's was Olive Garden brought to their apartment, Shannyn's was at the country club their wedding was held at, and I can't remember about Megann's (update: Megann bought food and we ate it at her dad's house).

So I guess my recitation of wedding rehearsal dinner history is to explain that I had planned on a Chinese multi-course rehearsal dinner.  NOT limited to the bridal party.  Eddie's concern is the cost, and since it is mostly for me and my family, I said I'd take care of it...so I guess I  have to start researching pricing on this now too!  Maybe I can have Mum/Dad go at it for me.  :)

I know Eddie likes the intimate, cozy family feel of a small backyard rehearsal dinner. I suppose we could do two things if he really wants that, but I wanted it close enough to the actual wedding that people here from Sing or other places far away would be able to attend becuase they'd be here. I've yet to decide whether to have the tea ceremony there at the reharsal dinner or at the wedding itself. I guess it depends on how much time we have at the recpetion and/or who shows up to the dinner. It would make for a nice photo op at the wedding itself, esp if I wear a purple cheong sam. But it could go for a while because you're supposed to serve tea to the parents, grandparents, grand aunts and uncles, aunts and uncles.

On my side of the family that would be: AhMah, Kong Kong, Nei Nei, Gee Lou Koh, Soi Lou Koh and Soi Lou Teoh, Leong Chee Ku Ku, Uncle Ah Bee and Auntie Irene (?), Tai Ku Ku and Sei Ku Ku, Pak Mei and Pak Pak, Margie ee and Uncle Scott, Gerard Ku and Auntie Amy, Joy ee ee, Derrick Ku (and Auntie Karen?), Vee ee ee, Pris ee ee and Uncle Mike, Auntie Patsy and Uncle Geoff?. Jillee and Levi??? because technically they're one generation up too...does that mean Aidan too?!?

On Eddie's side of the family would be:  Grandpa Mario and Grandma Esther, Grandpa Paul, Grandpa Ernie, Eddie's dad's mom Lila, Grandma Cora (actually a great grandma), G Uncle Bob and Joe, G Uncle Ralph, G Aunt Lupe, G Aunt Lupe B, G Aunt Mary, G Uncle Joe, G Uncle JB, Uncle Paul and Cindy, Aunt Ruth, Uncle Matt and Julie, Uncle Steve, Uncle Ray and Aunt Debbie.  Although I'm not even really sure if Eddie wants to serve tea to his side of the family.  But I would at least want to serve it to his parents/grandparents/grand uncles and aunts, maybe to his godparents. 

So since there are a bajillion people, I was thinking maybe serve them tea in cycles:

1. Mum and Dad
2. Nei Nei Ahmah Kong Kong (Mum said that Ahmah might not want to sit with Nei Nei but it'll last all of 3 seconds!!)
3. Gee Lou Koh, Soi Lou Koh, Soi Lou Teoh, Uncle Ah Bee, Auntie Irene
4. Leong Chee Ku ku, Auntie Betty and Alan, Uncle Peter and Aunt Edith
5. Tai ku ku, Sei ku ku, Pak Pak and Pak Mei
6. Margie ee ee Uncle Scott, Gerard Ku Auntie Amy, Joy ee ee, Derrick Ku, Vee ee ee, Pris ee ee Uncle Mike

1. Cathy and Ed
2. Grandpa Mario and Grandma Esther, Grandpa Paul, Grandma Lila, Grandpa Ernie (and Judy?)
3. G Uncle Joe, JB, Bob, Joe, Ralph Lupe, Lupe, Mary
4. Dad's of G Aunts/Uncles (Aunt Armie and Uncle Ralph)?
5. Uncle Steve, Elsa, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Ray
6. Aunt Ruth, Uncle Matt and Julie, Uncle Paul and Aunt Cindy

I like to move it, move it

Aaaand I like pictures with motion.

Was thinking about the shawls and how I would like a picture with them moving somehow...tossed in the air, twirled around the girls, something with life... and I came the realization that I like pictures with things moving. I like the walking pictures, the jumping pictures, the look caught over a shoulder as someone turns to someone else; I just like pictures that show movement. And not necessarily those candid action shots that Eddie likes to take which also captures horrendous facial expressions as often, or MORE often, than not.

I think what I like about the movement is as if it's a snapshot of life. It's caught as it's happening, not posed (or posed as stiffly and formally as some of the wedding picturs that I also expect - and want - to take). It has energy.

I want pictures with energy. With grace. With laughter. With quirkiness (though I know that's not something that you can order up).

Brocade Shawls

I do love JoAnns.

Today, as I was searching for some monkey fleece for a blanket for Pris ee ee, I happened across some brocade and sari materials in gorgeous, bold, jewel tones. I wonder how the girls would feel about brocade/sari material shawls. I'm thinking they'll be teal and gold to contrast against the plum/purple.

I wonder how you finish the edges of the sari material.

Tennessee Gardens and Michelle's Bakery

This morning I had a meeting at Tennessee Gardens at 10. I showed up at about 10:05, mostly because I missed the place the first time, and after I found it, I drove in circles trying to find the office, which didn't really matter, because the lady I was meeting was late anyway.

Tennessee Gardens (named for the street that it is on) is a garden type of venue tucked behind a florist and a bakery (the Garden is owned by the same woman who runs the bakery). It's pretty much a green lawn, some white fencing, trees with lights, and a covered "dance floor"/patio. But it can fit $250, and I did like the lady even though she was running late.

So I'm snooping around trying to figure out where I'm supposed to meet this lady, when this guy with some crazy tats on his legs and wearing Metal Mulisha shoes asks me if I need some help. So I tell him I'm supposed to meet someone to tour the Gardens and he calls the lady on the phone, but gets no answer. He tells me that I can wait in the bakery and the lady is pretty good about calling back right away. Once I'm in the bakery, he tells me that his grandmother is coming down and she'd be able to show me around if not give me all the pricing.

When his grandmother comes down - Cecilia, this cute old lady with some European accent - she moves me to the shaded area of the bakery, piles binders of beautiful cakes in front of me, and feeds me cake while I'm waiting for "her daughter" Michelle, the owner of the bakery and Tennessee Gardens. She tells me about how she sent her daughter for school in France 27 years ago, and how she's been in the cake business for 25 years. All the recipes are Michelle's...and they are delicious! I tried the Toffee cake, the strawberry Victorian cake, the raspberry Victorian cake, and the orange poppy seed. Yum! Cecilia proceeds to tell me how to get the most bang for my buck (small cake in back, sheet cake cut up and ready to go in back if we're getting our cake from elsewhere or paying for a Michelle's cake for a different venue - they deliver everywhere - why just last weekend she was driving to Santa Ana with a 7 layer cake; but if we're going through the Gardens, our cake will be free and to put it all up front in one gorgeous, giant cake). We discuss flowers on cake (best to let the cake shine through and not to have too many flowers on it, and that the florist will do the flowers on the cake so they match with whatever flowers we have), special designs (I can bring in any picture and any design and they can recreate), and the cake business (they did 700 cakes last year alone).

Michelle eventually shows up, and she brings me for a short tour around the Garden. There's a covered patio which serves as a dance floor. The green lawn can accommodate 250 guests. There's a place where they set up the sweetheart/head table (which by the way, we still haven't decided what we want...though I am leaning towards head table; and I'm not sure if Mei will sit up with us or with her family...I guess again depending on what she wants). There's a smaller "dance floor" usually used for smaller parties and which, says Michelle, would serve as a nice place for our first dance etc as it is set apart from everything else. There's a gazebo that is set up as a bar. There's a pond/waterfall, white fencing, twinkle lights on all fencing and trees, rose bushes galore (though whether they are in bloom is another story). There is also a reception hall which stays open and will be set up with tables - we probably can do our cocktail hour in there or have our buffet tables in there. The reception hall is a nice place for elderly people to go when it is too hot/cold and they want to get out of the elements and can watch the goings on from the doorway.

Included in the wedding package are the tables (60in rounds), chairs (white wood/cushion), linens (a million choices) and overlays, napkins, flatware, stemware, silverware, cake, DJ w/AV equipment and screen, use of mirrors, votives, gold rimmed hurricane lanters, umbrellas/heat lamps for outside. There is no cake fee, but there is a champagne toast fee if we choose to do so. There is also champagne for the head table.

We can bring in our own caterer, but the bar must be done through the venue. Without the alcohol, and without a caterer of our own, the total is $6868 and change...which is DEFINITELY within my budget!!

I'm bringing Eddie to see the place on Monday evening, that way we can see what it looks like with the lights all twinkling and pretty.

Cross your fingers! This may be affordable AND the garden setting AND we won't have to go to the Mitten Building.

Lilikoilani

I don't even know if that is a real word, but I do know that I did enjoy visiting! I liked the guy Jeff who showed me the property. I liked all the foliage. I liked the cute house in the front. I liked being able to bring in your own alcohol.

I didn't like that it may not be the most comfortable if we have all 250 guests show up. I didn't like that we have to rent linens. And that it would cost an additional 2.5K to bring in our own food.

Eddie is willing to take a look at the place, so I'm pretty happy about that.

He also talked to someone at the Mitten Building today. It would cost about 4.4K. I really don't want to get married in the same place Esther did. :(

Victoria Gardens Cultural Center

Just a room, not particularly with character. Have to go through their catering. On to Lilikoilani...

Entertainment

At Rhino and Ashley's wedding they had Hawaiian and Tahitian dancers as a form of enterntainment, followed by the DJ.

Esther and Oscar had mariachis, a banda (live band), and a DJ (interchangeably with the banda)

Eddie wants a steel drum guy and is tossing around the idea of a reggae band.

Venues cntd

Etiwanda Gardens is available on June 18, 2011.

Eddie asked if we want to find out about the Mitten Building, especially if we can bring in our own caterer/alcohol. I have my reservations about getting married in the same place Esther did. Is that bad? I mean I know we're trying to save money, and getting it catered by an outside vendor would be WAY cheaper...buuuut...I just want something different.

Tennessee Gardens - called, left a message. Can they accommodate 250 people? It gives pricing for that on the website, but only mentions about 200 at another part.

Orchard Events Center (Oak Glen) - called, left a message.

Lilikoilani (Rancho/Alta Loma) - emailed for pricing info.

Victoria Gardens Cultural Center (Rancho C) - called, arranged a tour (8/25)

I hate calling and leaving messages. I prefer emails that I can archive for later. :P

To further research:

Heritage Hall (Redlands)

Crystal Rose Estate (Hemet) - no website though...

Guest book ponderings

Everyone wants to be "unique" and "original"...liberal sprinkling of such words probably gets you more hits on those wedding idea websites...

In any case, was thinking about the guestbook. Esther had two framed pix because her magazine wasn't ready in time. Ashley and Rhino had the photobook I was thinking about.

I read about having people sign objects and collect those objects into something (like if you had a beach theme, have people sign on shells, and collect them in a glass bowl). I think that may cause too much clutter, and I'll already have enough clutter by myself.

I've also read about the video booths, where people video themselves telling a favorite memory or whatever well wishes. I'm not really feeling that either because it sounds complicated, and I'm not sure I would want to sit through and watch it all at the end.

I had toyed around with having a tree to hang stuff on...but that sounds complicated and where would you keep such a thing in the long run? I guess you could collect the pieces of paper and put them into a book. But again, complicated.

I'm pretty much set on a book of some sort. I love the idea of favorite memories of the bride and groom, but am not sure how to get everyone to sit and write something out.

At Lisa's wedding, the one I attended with Matt, they passed out sheets and pens for everyone to fill out. I feel like that's too structured...although you can be pretty sure everyone filled one out.

I'm also still leaning towards the pictures in the book...probably pictures of us through the years? Kind of like the picture montage, but in print form, and maybe just with pictures of the two of us.

Speaking of the picture montage, I need to figure out who's doing that...or how to do it if I'm in charge of it.

Top left

Sparklers!

*sparkle, sparkle*


Has anyone else seen/heard about this sparkler exit?

Then again, do I trust my younger siblings and cousins with sparklers...?

Say, "Cheese!"

At Esther's wedding this weekend, we (the bridal party) took about 3 poses with Esther, and 1 with the groomsmen. Jen and I were talking about how we would want more pictures than that.

Did I mention that I want to take a jumping picture?... For sure with me and the girls. Maybe with me and the boys. I'm not sure I see Eddie jumping though... :)














This is also a cool picture with the rings against the colors in candy. It makes me think of Rachel che che's cocktail hour decoration with the martini glass with jellybeans.

To check out later for styling and poses:
http://www.jessicaelizabethblog.com

Groom's Stuff and Jewelry Ideas

Would like an orchid and maybe peacock feather.

Peacock feather boutinnere...not so sure about that angular piece at the top?
Eddie was impressed with Oscar's white tux. He plans on channeling James Bond in his tux choice:



I love glass beads!

Cuff links and tie pin: