#321: sharing (the news) is caring.

the fiance had a couple of friends visiting from out of town this weekend. the 4 of us set off on saturday morning to meet up with some other folks and ended up stuck in the car, enduring traffic and curvy roads together for over 2 hours. it wasn't fun for the fiance, i'm sure (he was driving)...but it gave the rest of us plenty of time to chat it up.

as we talked about weddings and receptions (they brought it up, not me!)...it was clear that in our capacity as guests, we'd all at one point either applauded brilliant ideas...or pitied the oversight of a significant detail.

so i asked. what was the most memorable thing you've seen at a wedding...and what was something you would have done differently.

friend #1 talked about a wedding he attended where flip flops were available for the women to change into during the reception. he didn't see it as a 'trend'...he simply saw it as a thoughtful and cool move by the bride and groom. (interesting idea...to be thoughtful and cool...)

friend #2 talked about an outdoor wedding he attended where many of the guests were adverse to the sun. guests kept running for cover under the shade which broke the flow of the reception and kept everyone separated for the most part. (!!!)

it made me realize two things...first, to not close myself off to an idea just because i think it's too 'trendy' (guilty!)...and second, to take a closer look at my guest list to make sure they'd all be ok with some sun (especially if i decide to move forward with an outdoor wedding). and i really appreciated taking away those points from our conversation.

so. let me ask you...to kindly share your best or worst experience as a wedding guest. hopefully we can all learn a little something something from each other.

#320: what a difference a week makes.

when i wrote (just a week ago too!) that i couldn't really see myself coordinating a wedding reception in a park, i was picturing completely open and public park spaces (egads). but after reading through the comments and taking your suggestions to heart (and consequently doing more research) i realize that i'd be stupid to close us off to the possibilities state/city parks have to offer.

one of the venues that was mentioned is the temescal gateway park.

i don't know. with the $1500 indoor/outdoor facility 12-hour rental fee and the cabins they rent out on the grounds (s'mores the night before!), it may just be...dare i say it...perfect.

#319: with the right belt.

on sale for $19.99 at delias

it's a little crazy metallic...but i don't know. for the right sort of themed wedding...casual, outdoor, grecian-y (?!)...with a super thin turquoise or dark purple belt, it could just possibly work for the 'maids.

#318: pretty in a cup.

from black eiffel

as you know, i'm strongly considering an outdoor wedding. this centerpiece idea is tre perfect. both clean and pretty.

and i'm guessing DIY and budget friendly...

#317: plan B.

$408 at nordstrom

if i ever drop the 'planning a wedding' thing and decide to elope, i think i know which dress i'm going to wear.

EDIT: you're right! it's not $408...it's $252.90!!!

#316: "newbie mistakes" series, post #2: what? it's taboo? oops.

post #1

i like to call myself 'street smart'. it's probably because my report cards proved i wasn't 'book smart' and i had to explain to someone *coughstrictparentscough* at some point that i had some type of intellectual capacity. regardless of why, over the years, i've come to actually believe that i really am 'street smart'. and by 'street smart', i mean i have some seriously powerful gifts of common sense...tact...and intuition.

but i must have missed something somewhere.

i was chit chatting with one of my friends who was preparing for her wedding last year when i grandly stuck my foot (shoe and all) into my mouth and asked...

"dude. how much is this wedding costing ya?"
her answer was "um...um...i'm not sure...um..."

oops.

at first, i believed her and really thought she didn't know. but after giving it another go around in my head, i realized that there's no way someone as meticulous as she is doesn't know how much money she's dropping. in fact, she probably had it calculated all the way down to the various flowers in my bridesmaid bouquet.

in part due to the fact that i made my friend so uncomfortable and in part due to the fact that i'm planning my own wedding (and will inevitably get asked this question and predict that i will be just as uncomfortable), i now understand that it's SO NOT OKAY to ask about someone's budget.

oops.

so...the advice here is two-fold.

1) if you're not yet engaged but have friends who are getting married, don't ever ask about their budget.
2) if you're newly engaged, be prepared with smartly disguised answers should newbies who don't know any better ask you about your budget.

p.s. so if i'm not book smart...and my street smarts are questionable...um...

#315: aloha in l.a.?

you can take the girl out of hawaii...but not the hawaii out of the girl.

nah, i'm not from hawaii but it's certainly one of my most favorite places EVER. i absolutely love it there...my body and soul feel at peace whenever i visit. if i could, i'd grab the future hubs RIGHT NOW and do the quick step over to the island wedding of our dreams.

but since i can't, perhaps a menu like this:
Shrimp Skewers and Prime Top Sirloin
Jumbo shrimp skewers grilled in garlic butter offered with prime sirloin steak broiled with a roasted red bell pepper relish.
Served with jasmine rice & vegetable.
Lunch: $28 pp

Big Island Mango BBQ Pork Ribs and Huli Huli Chicken
Individually cut baby back pork ribs glazed with our homemade mango BBQ sauce paired with a grilled chicken breast marinated in a sweet ginger teriyaki sauce.
Served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes & vegetable.
Lunch: $26 pp

and views like this:


dukes malibu

...could hold me over until i go back.