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:

Flowers and such

Peacock feathers have to be placed at the center and be the tallest part of the arrangements.

What ARE these flowers?


Purple vanda orchids

The thing I like about peacock colors is that there is such a bright, vibrant variety.

Take these cupcakes for example.

Bridesmaids' Gifts

Have an idea of part of the bridesmaid gifts and for my shoes...inspired by this Etsy shop...though I would be more interested in something made closer to home...as in by Pris ee ee. :)


I also plan on including something for blisters if the girls decide on heels!

On a Quest for a Peacock Centerpiece

Wow, these colors can get kind of overwhelming!


My Real Wedding from The Knot and The Nest.

From The Knot:
(Green theme) Reception tables in the center of the room had tiny, glass cube -- centerpieces that were lined with moss and filled with antiqued hydrangeas, green kale, dusty miller, silver brunia berries, purple trachillium, begonia leaves, green hanging amaranthus, seeded eucalyptus, and peacock feathers.

Peacock feathers added color and texture to the white rose arrangements that topped the cocktail tables.

Nix on the Crestmore - completely booked.

And Serendipity is 12K just for 175 people!!

Still no answer at Brocktonian Manors, and Thatcher Manor is going to be renovated through next summer.

Crestmore Manor

Eddie's friend Shivali got married here. There was a recent renovation of the carriage house...
http://www.riversidecountyparks.org/locations/regional-parks/crestmore-manor/
Emailed about a tour.

Mei's Jr. Bridesmaid Dress

Gaby's Bridal in Chino

Found a place that would MAKE a dress similar to everyone else's dresses adding straps for Mei. They'd charge $101, and it'd be fitted to her size! We'll probably go back to order it in a couple weekends.



P.S. I found the bridesmaid dresses at Nordstrom for $78!! Though not sure it's in plum.

Serendipity can only seat 200.

I did email a request information from Pine Creek Gardens, another outdoor facility, this one in San Berdoo. (They even have a sale on chair sashes!... ;) )
http://www.pinecreekgardens.com/welcome.html

A Change of Venue?

Wanted to check some other places out...

For a garden setting:

http://brocktonianmanor.com/
Not sure if it accomodates 250 guests
Packages starting at $42
Called today and left a message requesting more info - and to see if it could fit everyone.

At a Southern Colonial Estate ... also in a garden setting:

http://www.thatchermanor.com/contents.htm
Opens on Wednesdays-Sundays
$65 per person: Buffet, punch, coffee, soft drinks, cake, china/flatware, tables, chairs, linens, napkins,
Will call on Wednesday

For something fancier:

Theater seats 250
http://www.chantrellescatering.com/general-info.nxg


More outdoor wedding receptions with a view of the hills of Yucaipa...and a horse drawn carriage:

http://serendipitygardenweddings.com/
Emailed for info today.