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New link is http://futurephillymissus.wordpress.com

Our first registry gift

A couple of weeks ago we got our first registry gift from my former boss and coworker. (I recently transitioned to a different business unit). I can't tell you how exciting it was to receive that big black and white box from Crate and Barrel.

Doesn't it look lovely on our dining room table.

The Candle Saga Continues

So as you know I got a great deal on candles last week. They came and HOLY COW its a lot freaking candles!!!!!!!!


In this photo each box contains 40 candles and there is still another box underneath with another 40!

I had to check with my florist to see if she had glass containers for this quantity of candles, which duh, she did not have enough for in her existing stock. (Plus I am adding 24-40 more candles.) So she would have to order new glass. Since my florist is a small business owner I didn't think this was fair to her and would be an extraordinary expense, which would eventually get passed on to me. So in her and my best interest I started to hunt for a cheap solution. (Most venues do not allow you to have free standing candles, they either need to be in a container or sit on some type of dish).


Well the internet hunt was on! I love trolling the internet in order to find a great deal.

First up is Save On Crafts. I found that they had some really spectacular prices. Here is a sampling of their deals I am considering.







Clear glass cylinder 7-7/8" tall floral vase $2.36 each

Order 12 for just $1.49 each

Regular price $2.99 each

7.825" tall x 3.25" wide (diameter at the top) glass cylinder vase. Measures 3" diameter until it tapers at the bottom to 2-1/4" wide.







Quality Glass Cylinder Vases at Discount and Bulk Discount Prices

Clear Glass Cylinder Vase 6" tall X 3¼" diameter $2.69 each.

Order 12 for just $2.29 each

Regular price $3.99 each

Excellent for shorter stemmed flowers, floating candles and tea lights.
















Quality glass hurricane shades and bases at discount and bulk discount prices.

6 clear 4" Diameter glass bases will hold pillar candles up to 2.9" wide - You get 12 bases for $10.20/ $.85 each

Reg. price $19.08/ $1.59 each

Candle is not included. Pillar candle holders. It has a thick outer lip. Holds up to a 2.9" pillar candle.

Then in a random Google search (search words candle wedding centerpiece) I came upon this lovely idea utilizing glasses from IKEA as candle holders (courtesy of Mrs. Lemon on Weddingbee). What a wonderful and resourceful idea.

IKEA has great prices on their glassware. (I've priced their candles and even with shipping and handling the candle vendor I went to was cheaper. But that is not to say that you can not get a steal on their floating candles and votives. Just be wary of burn time.)

Also check her post for a great deal on plumeria flowers. From my recent trip to Hawaii I can attest to their loveliness from first hand expereince.

So my question is now: What will I do with all that glass after the wedding?

Better start researching how to burnt candled from glass containers.

Cake Tasting II : I'm the greedy one for once

(via Starling fitness blog)

Roe and I had another cake tasting yesterday at a famous cupcake place here in Philly by the name of Brown Betty's. And as you know from the last post I am somewhat of a cake snob. However, I entered into this tasting with high expectations. A couple of weeks ago Roe and I had sampled their wares at their new Rittenhouse location and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was so anxious to get at all that cakey goodness into my mouth that I actually bit into part of the cupcake paper!

Now we had originally planned to go with a more traditional cake and I had foo-foo'd doing cupcakes as too trendy for the longest time. But when we had their cakey goodness we changed our mind. One they have one of the most kick a** cakes out there. Period end of discussion. Two we are always looking to support African American business owners in whatever we do. And three we saw how creative we could get with the display and how it could really add to the decor and feel of the wedding.

Well we were greeted by Norrinda and I must tell you she was the most pleasant woman. Her and her mother, who is the owner and prime baker were working the shop that day. I love the fact that all the recipes are a reflection of their family history and they demonstrate such a love and passion to preserving their memories through baking. You can see this by all the family photos decorating the wall of the shop. Its like walking into your great aunt's house and being treated to afternoon snack.

We had already tasted their carrot cupcake and lemon and were sold on those, but we wanted to try some of their other flavors, particularly the red velvet. Now as someone whose family comes from down south I did not have a tradition of eating red velvet and I have heard raves about it for the longest time. Therefore it was top on the list.

Roe and I tasted the red velvet, buttermilk pound, chocolate fudge, and regular vanilla. They were all great but the red velvet was TO DIE FOR. I wanted to push Roe away and have it all to myself. We both agreed that red velvet had to be served at the wedding. To quote one of Roe's favorite expressions "I gots to have it!"

Needless to say we settled on lemon, red velvet, carrot, and vanilla for the cupcakes and red velvet for a 6" cake for cutting. And we have decide to do two shades of a soft pink for the icing on the cupcakes and a traditional chocolate fondant icing for the cutting cake.

Going with cupcakes also helped in saving us money since we have a smaller wedding and usually bakers will add a surchage if under 75.

Now for the display, which I want to partly be a surprise. Just know that I am on the hunt for lovely pink milk glass cake stands like the following.

Deal on Candles

So as you may or may or not know one of my design elements is candles. Partly because I love candlelight and partly because it is a cost effective design alternative to flowers yet still classy, elegant, and striking.

I have been trolling the internet to find bulk candles as a great rate. In my inital design consultation with my florist we agreed that I would provide the candles so as to cut down the cost and she would provide the glass containers they are to sit in (check with your vendor because a lot of places have rules against open flames - plus I think the glass enhances the effect of the candles.)

I started out by doing a Google search and found a number of vendors that sell candles as good rates. By far I found that Dining by Candlelight a wholesale internet seller had the best prices. They sell votive/tea light and pillar candles as well as containers.

I was most interested in their pillar candles, which can be costly else where. They sell the traditional 3" wide and also a 2.25" wide one known as a chamber pillar. I went with the chamber pillar since they are a little less costly and just as effective. They burn anywhere from 30-70 hours depending on the size.

(source diningbycandlelight website)

And as you can see they were even discounting them below normal price. Off course I got the sale sizes (2.25", 4", & 8"). Still need to get some 6" which I am hoping they discount and tealights which I have seen for better prices than Dining at other vendors.

332200 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" WHITE Mini Pillars - 48/cs Burns 15 hours $45.00 Sale: $23.85

332201 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" IVORY Mini Pillars - 48/cs Burns 15 hours $45.00 Sale: $23.85

225469 2 1/4" x 4" Unscented Chamber Candles - 48/cs Burns 30 hours Colors BurgundyNavy BlueRedRoyal BlueHunter Green $86.40

225600 2 1/4" x 6" Unscented Chamber Candles - 24/cs Burns 50 hours Colors WhiteIvory $49.50

225869 2 1/4" x 8" Unscented Chamber Candles - 24/cs Burns 70 hours Colors BurgundyNavy BlueRedRoyal BlueHunter Green $104.28

225400 2 1/4" x 4" Unscented Chamber Candles - 48/cs Burns 30 hours Colors WhiteIvory $72.00 Sale: $40.00

225800 2 1/4" x 8" Unscented Chamber Candles - 24/cs Burns 70 hours Colors WhiteIvory $86.90 Sale: $40.00

I was a little freaked out when during the check out process they asked for a tax id and company name in order to preceed, however, I filled in dummy values and my transaction went through.

Can't wait to receive them. And candles store well for years so no need to worry that there are almost 11 months to the wedding.

We plan to use them on the alter during the ceremony and lining the aisle, as well as on all the reception tables.

My question is what the heese am I going to do with all these half burned candles after the wedding?

Late summer garden

I know its fall and everything but I wanted to post pics of my garden from late summer.

Enjoy.

Craigslist Finds

Since I am addicted to wedding internet porn, I come across a lot of wedding stuff during my time surfing.

The one place I am finding that has potential great deals from smaller vendors is craigslist. In my search for wedding vendors I started with theknot (internet and print), friends, and my planner. I just wish I had known about all the blogs and craigslist. There is some great talent out there who may not have the exposure as some of the bigger names or are trying to build up their business.

I came across Mhari Scott Photography and was really captivated by her images and style. She does photojournalism, which my fiance and I decided to go with since we wanted a real life record of the day. And to top it off to boot her prices are AWESOME. 8 hours for $1550 (according to her website).







The second find was Kimberly Noel and she had a style that was a little more vivid than Mhari Scott, yet still great photojournalistic style and once again reasonable prices (packages starting at $1295 woohooo!). Check out her blog to look at her work and more info.

You find fab wedding stuff in the oddest places ....

You find fab wedding stuff at the oddest times and places.

Place : Genaurdi's Supermarket
Time : Between 9 & 10 at night



These would be perfect for florals and decor.

And check out the price on these puppies (1/10 of the original price).

Unfortunately they don't go with my theme, but would be great for someone else.

Wedding Dresses I Wish I Was Daring Enough For

If I was more bold and sassy here are some of dresses I would choose. (Or just had a 2-gown wedding or had multiple wedding receptions or was just filthy rich and wanted pretty dresses. Alas none of these are true.)

Melissa Sweet (courtesy theknot) - which was on my short list and looks even better in person
I felt so Carrie Bradshaw in it

Vineyard (courtesy of theknot) - was on my short list. While classy and sophisticated wanted something more romantic

Monique Lhuiller (courtesy of theknot) - the colors are surreal and divine

Oscar de la Renta (courtesy brides.com) - so classy

Vera Wang (courtesy of brides.com) - saw these in runway show and its stunning

J Crew (courtesy of brides.com) - to live out my Jane Austen fantasy

How lovely is this ....

Was surfing looking for possible cake toppers and ran across this on Etsy.




This is from the seller stjudescreations. She creates the most lifelike flowers. This is listed for the purpose of pew flowers but I could also see this as a lovely cake topper. The possibilities are endless in terms of what you could do with her flowers.

Weddings are Not Cheap

[source www.thedigeratilife.com/]

After going through another week of running the budget (for like a whole hour - I keep running month over month comparisons. How anal am I?), looking at where we stand in our wedding fund, sending out another big deposit check for a vendor (sending out the checks really hurt the worse - it's like someone clutching a fist around my heart), and purchasing other little incidentals I had to stop and ask myself : Is all this worth it?

This week I began to doubt myself and the choices we are making. For a wedding of our size, 50 people including ourselves, plus no alcohol or dancing are we spending too much? While not disclosing our budget lets say for our brunch reception we are kicking out the same per person price as people having their wedding at county clubs (which includes open bar). My girlfriend who is also getting married next year raised the same question. An acquaintance of hers just threw her whole wedding for $12k with three times the number of guests as mine!!!! (And I saw the pics it was a nice affair) When I heard this I nearly dropped into spasms on the floor and said to her in a whiny voice, "Am I doing something wrong? "

I think I have come to a point where all if not most of our vendors are locked in and I am starting to second guess our judgement. Could I have gone with a cheaper florist and gotten more arrangements? Could we have had a bigger wedding for the same price? Are we just spending too damn much money for 50 people for one day? And there are still little things that we would like to do that are not in our original budget (like draping, lightening, etc.) Also we decided that since we are doing a nine day cruise of the Carribean in October we are changing our honeymoon plans, which means more expense for us since we had planned to do an all inclusive resort. The little costs here and there are starting to add up and I see that we are easily going to come in over, when just last month we were $2K under! (Which by the way is my fault because I had the burning desire to have a videographer after seeing the work of the company Wellspun which pretty much ate the surplus up.) I feel like its spiraling out of control and I can't stop it. And I know there will be other items that "I just have to have or I will die and the wedding will not be right ....". But will there be money in the budget? And believe you me, Roe and I will not be the proud receiptents of an economic bail out if we get ourselves in trouble.



My fiance ever the pratical one constantly reminds me that its just one day and not the rest of our lives and that we have other priorities. Very easy to for him to say. I want us to have a fantabulous wonderous day with everything just right, but at what cost? And me who never worries and is the most non-chalant person is starting to stress over it. At one point I just wanted to junk everything and just go to the City Hall.

Drawing the line in the sand is hard. When do you say enough is enough and my day will be special regardless. No one will notice there is no pin lighting on the florals, or that we have no big florals in the ceremony room, or that its a dry wedding (Who are we kidding? People will definitely notice that). And that day will be special with or with out these things.

Help! Are other brides panicing about costs and asking "Is it worth it?"

Wedding Purse : Is it Really a Must Have ????

Right before I departed for Hawaii, I had been working with the etsy seller blueorchidhandbags to design a wedding bag for myself. It came the day before I left and I must say I was thrilled!

Here is a photo courtesy of blueorchidhandbags.


I really loved working with her, she was so easy and accommodating. First I sent her pictures of my dress and described the colors of my wedding and the color of my dress sash. She then sent fabric samples of things she thought would go well with my outfit. And she was willing to work with me until I found the perfect match. From there I think the turn around for my bag was about a week.

THANKS BLUEOERCHID!

I was originally drawn to her because of her simple yet elegant clutch design and she has a lovely range of fabrics to choose from. Wanted to also choose something that I could use after the wedding as a fancy going out bag and to carry on our anniversaries.

However, it did get me to thinking about why do we as brides obsess about our pocketbooks so much? For the weddings I have been to I can not recall seeing not one bride carry their purse on that day. For my friends wedding last year, for which I was a bridesmaid, I did not know she had a bag till the professional shots came back and I saw it in only 1 shot of her accessories laid out on the bed. Now my cousin who was married 40 years ago said she wore her little pouch wristlet bag the whole wedding as a means to collect cash gifts. (WOW, how often does that happen these days!)

My question is do we really need to carry a bag that day? While I am uber excited about mine, I wonder as to its practicality. When I need something such as blotting paper or a retouch of my lipstick will I just ask a bridesmaid for something? Are we just so entrenched in the habit of getting purses to match our outfits that we feel compelled to get one on this day as well? And I find it super ironic that I put so much energy into getting a purse when as a little girl and into most of my teens it was like pulling teeth for me to carry a purse (YUCK!). My of my, how things change!

Invitations to be a Bridesmaid

So here was my inspiration for my bridesmaid invites courtesy of Mrs.Lovebug on Weddingbee.Com:


So I had already told my bridesmaids beforehand that I wanted them to be in the wedding. But I wanted to do something special for them and really show how much they mean to me. So I decided that this would be my first DIY project! Yeah.

I decided to do a backstage pass as well as a ticket to the wedding. All was done in Microsoft Word since I have no clue about Photoshop. And all was cut out by hand since the fanciest cutter I have are scissors. The tmeplate for the ticket I got from the Microsoft website and I just modified it to suit my needs. (can pass it to anyone who wants it - assuming someone other than Roe and I are reading the blog.) I decided to get each of then monogrammed totes from Etsy seller loyalty and blood (to use as supermarket bags, to carry stuff for the wedding, etc). Then I just packaged it together with a ribbon.

They loved it.