So...I'm pretty much officially freaking out at this point. Yeah, like I wasn't freaking out before but seriously now, I'm about one more NO RSVP from putting an ad on craigslist.
All the sites say that if you are doing a destination wedding, that about 50% of people will show up. And I was fine with that. So when I invited 80 people, I expected, at least 40.
The last count this morning was a paltry 27, with Chris and I included. I know that its not the number of people, its the quality of people but still. 80 people and only 27 are coming. And I'm happy the people that are coming, are. My aunts are flying from the east coast, my mom's cousin, even Jen paid $400 for a ticket so that she could come.
I didn't want anything too huge. I was thinking 50 people. That seems like a nice number. And its not about the presents. Its about the fact that Chris and I are dropping over 10K on a huge party that only two dozen people are showing up to.
We're really trying to get more people to come. Asked his sister if she has any friends in LA, her boyfriend, my cousin who lives in SD. Like I said, I'm about ready to put an ad on craigslist. "FREE HAWAIIAN BBQ DINNER AND KARAOKE! PARTY STARTS AT 5PM!"
Would that be going too far? At this point, I don't think so. Like I said, I'm not interested in gifts, I'm interested in bodies. (wow, that seems so wrong)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
My favorite word in the whole world
I have a favorite word in the whole world. Just the sound of it, it makes me light up with delight. It's such a simple word. Four letters. Starts with F. (And those of you that know me, it's not THAT word, despite how much I use it)
FREE.
Just the word can turn me on in ways that modern man and science has yet to replicate. I am the ever baragin hunter, hating to pay full price on ANYTHING. Shoes are the worst. I will wait, stalk my prey, until that huge sale and then pounce like a hungry lioness. I compare online, in store, I hit Ebay, thrift stores. I don't even buy books or magazines new. Nope.
So imagine the state of bliss when my Aunt Cathy told my mom that Nordstroms can do our makeup for the wedding FREE. We should just buy our own lipsticks. Really? My favorite word in the whole world applied to one of my favorite things?
I usually don't wear makeup. Mostly because my mom is about as anti-girly as you can get. She is about one flannel shirt and hiking boots away from being a dyke. She likes to go to Home Depot, that says it all. She asked me a few months ago HOW one paints their toenails. I couldn't go to her for makeup advice. Until I was in high school, I thought the proper way to do makeup was to slather blue eye shadow on up to your eyebrows, as heavily as you could. And if you weren't spackling on your foundation with a trowel, you were doing it wrong.
Long story short, ridicule ensued, I got help from friends, and then college hit. College, ah, land of getting up at noon, going to class in your PJs and going back to your dorm to sleep. It took too much effort to put on pants so makeup was out of the question. I just fell into a bad habit.
And part of me is still that ridiculed little freshman with the Jersey eyeshadow (and you people know what I am talking about). I've got countless makeup books, I did some hot ass hell looks for Rocky Horror but when it came to my wedding, I was floundering. Sure, I can slap on some liner, dark shadow, and look like Magenta but that's not appropriate wedding attire.
So thank you holy wedding gods for my Aunt Cathy. Now I can sit in the chair, have a pro do my makeup, and come out with some lipstick to show for it. Speaking of, the one time I actually bought counter cosmetics and not the cheap ass stuff in Target, it was Elizabeth Arden. I coverted that lipstick and eyeshadow like it was made out of liquid gold and crushed diamonds.
Makeup, my friends, is serious business.
FREE.
Just the word can turn me on in ways that modern man and science has yet to replicate. I am the ever baragin hunter, hating to pay full price on ANYTHING. Shoes are the worst. I will wait, stalk my prey, until that huge sale and then pounce like a hungry lioness. I compare online, in store, I hit Ebay, thrift stores. I don't even buy books or magazines new. Nope.
So imagine the state of bliss when my Aunt Cathy told my mom that Nordstroms can do our makeup for the wedding FREE. We should just buy our own lipsticks. Really? My favorite word in the whole world applied to one of my favorite things?
I usually don't wear makeup. Mostly because my mom is about as anti-girly as you can get. She is about one flannel shirt and hiking boots away from being a dyke. She likes to go to Home Depot, that says it all. She asked me a few months ago HOW one paints their toenails. I couldn't go to her for makeup advice. Until I was in high school, I thought the proper way to do makeup was to slather blue eye shadow on up to your eyebrows, as heavily as you could. And if you weren't spackling on your foundation with a trowel, you were doing it wrong.
Long story short, ridicule ensued, I got help from friends, and then college hit. College, ah, land of getting up at noon, going to class in your PJs and going back to your dorm to sleep. It took too much effort to put on pants so makeup was out of the question. I just fell into a bad habit.
And part of me is still that ridiculed little freshman with the Jersey eyeshadow (and you people know what I am talking about). I've got countless makeup books, I did some hot ass hell looks for Rocky Horror but when it came to my wedding, I was floundering. Sure, I can slap on some liner, dark shadow, and look like Magenta but that's not appropriate wedding attire.
So thank you holy wedding gods for my Aunt Cathy. Now I can sit in the chair, have a pro do my makeup, and come out with some lipstick to show for it. Speaking of, the one time I actually bought counter cosmetics and not the cheap ass stuff in Target, it was Elizabeth Arden. I coverted that lipstick and eyeshadow like it was made out of liquid gold and crushed diamonds.
Makeup, my friends, is serious business.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Botox for bridesmaids?!
You have GOT to be kidding me with this. A friend sent me this link with nothing more than a "I really can't believe this. How shallow are people?"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/fashion/24skin.html?_r=2&sq=Botox&st=cse&oref=slogin&scp=2&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
That article is EXACTLY what is wrong with not only America but the wedding industry as a whole. For those that don't want to read it, it is basically how brides are paying for their bridal party to get Botox and even boob jobs.
Now I will fully admit, I am in defcon diet levels right now. No high fructose corn syrup, all low GI carbs, no more than 1200 calories a day and I upped my Metformin. Oh the pounds are coming off but that is something I wanted to do before the wedding anyway, ever since my dad died and I packed on a ton of weight.
But there is NO WAY on god's green earth I would ever tell my bridesmaids to get a boob job or even a fake tan at all the same place. I have three bridesmaids. They are all different shapes, colors, styles. And I love them all. They are all beautiful and I know my big day is going to be so much better because they were there.
And they were themselves.
When is this obsession with injecting ourselves with harmful stuff going to stop? When are we just going to be able to accept that we were made how we were made and what makes you beautiful is who you are. Hell, I got more ass than a toliet seat and I am no Laguna Hills girls, that is for damn sure.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/fashion/24skin.html?_r=2&sq=Botox&st=cse&oref=slogin&scp=2&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
That article is EXACTLY what is wrong with not only America but the wedding industry as a whole. For those that don't want to read it, it is basically how brides are paying for their bridal party to get Botox and even boob jobs.
Now I will fully admit, I am in defcon diet levels right now. No high fructose corn syrup, all low GI carbs, no more than 1200 calories a day and I upped my Metformin. Oh the pounds are coming off but that is something I wanted to do before the wedding anyway, ever since my dad died and I packed on a ton of weight.
But there is NO WAY on god's green earth I would ever tell my bridesmaids to get a boob job or even a fake tan at all the same place. I have three bridesmaids. They are all different shapes, colors, styles. And I love them all. They are all beautiful and I know my big day is going to be so much better because they were there.
And they were themselves.
When is this obsession with injecting ourselves with harmful stuff going to stop? When are we just going to be able to accept that we were made how we were made and what makes you beautiful is who you are. Hell, I got more ass than a toliet seat and I am no Laguna Hills girls, that is for damn sure.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Cake Toppers and Photographers
The invitations are in the mail and I feel like just a little bit of this boulder I have been carrying on my shoulders has been lifted. Now I can breathe easy about guests until August 16th, when I have to start calling people to see if they are coming or not. That is not a part that I look forward to at all.
Chris and I are fairly excited because we found a woman on Ebay that will make a custom cake topper for us. After looking at really funny toppers (like a bride dragging a groom) and just silly ones (personalized bobble heads), we found a good compromise. Slightly comical looking animals. The woman is going to make us a topper with a sea turtle and a dolphin. Along with a real shell and some hearts. They look kind of fimo-dough-ish. http://stores.ebay.com/Mamasazgottago is her Ebay store if anyone wants to take a look.
Chris is working on getting a photographer. It looks like that isn't going to come in under a grand sadly. We haven't even paid the largest expense, which is the actual site for the ceremony and reception. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to spend 10K for one day but it really is starting to look like that is going to happen.
Oy...vey.
Chris and I are fairly excited because we found a woman on Ebay that will make a custom cake topper for us. After looking at really funny toppers (like a bride dragging a groom) and just silly ones (personalized bobble heads), we found a good compromise. Slightly comical looking animals. The woman is going to make us a topper with a sea turtle and a dolphin. Along with a real shell and some hearts. They look kind of fimo-dough-ish. http://stores.ebay.com/Mamasazgottago is her Ebay store if anyone wants to take a look.
Chris is working on getting a photographer. It looks like that isn't going to come in under a grand sadly. We haven't even paid the largest expense, which is the actual site for the ceremony and reception. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to spend 10K for one day but it really is starting to look like that is going to happen.
Oy...vey.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Shoes
I was all ready to get my super cool perfect for the beach Crocs when mom objected. She really wasn't feel the sort of carefree Crocs vibe. So I was forced into something that I hate with a fiery passion...shoe shopping.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE shoes. I own dozens upon dozens of shoes. Some of them very expensive, most of them on sale, one pair that was custom made for me and another custom made for my dad that I totally stole and wear. But the actual shopping for shoes drives me nuts. And I have a good reason why. In addition to the Lally Gunboats, one of my feet is a different size from the other. So it is really hard to find a pair of shoes that fits and is comfortable. Most of the time, if I know I am only going to wear them a few hours, I forgo comfort for style. But these wedding shoes, I am going to be in them for really hours upon hours. So no thanks.
Mom drug me to no less than ten stores and I must have tried on about a hundred pairs of shoes. No seriously, I did try on that many. The thing was, they couldn't be flip flops because I am wearing pantyhose and they had to be white. It narrowed the options down a lot. We spent an entire hot day in Phoenix going to every single shoe place in two malls that we could find. I've never been more exhausted in my life.
And just for kicks, Chris suggested we just go to Sears in the mall in Prescott because I had found a really comfy nice pair of shoes there. Wouldn't you know, I found TWO pairs of shoes there? How crazy is that?
I am just happy at this point that its done. I didn't want to have to commit homicide over shoes. Okay, maybe just a little bit.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE shoes. I own dozens upon dozens of shoes. Some of them very expensive, most of them on sale, one pair that was custom made for me and another custom made for my dad that I totally stole and wear. But the actual shopping for shoes drives me nuts. And I have a good reason why. In addition to the Lally Gunboats, one of my feet is a different size from the other. So it is really hard to find a pair of shoes that fits and is comfortable. Most of the time, if I know I am only going to wear them a few hours, I forgo comfort for style. But these wedding shoes, I am going to be in them for really hours upon hours. So no thanks.
Mom drug me to no less than ten stores and I must have tried on about a hundred pairs of shoes. No seriously, I did try on that many. The thing was, they couldn't be flip flops because I am wearing pantyhose and they had to be white. It narrowed the options down a lot. We spent an entire hot day in Phoenix going to every single shoe place in two malls that we could find. I've never been more exhausted in my life.
And just for kicks, Chris suggested we just go to Sears in the mall in Prescott because I had found a really comfy nice pair of shoes there. Wouldn't you know, I found TWO pairs of shoes there? How crazy is that?
I am just happy at this point that its done. I didn't want to have to commit homicide over shoes. Okay, maybe just a little bit.
Invitations
Well, today was a very busy day. Chris and I managed to address and put postage on about 60 invitations. And that is just the start. I am missing a lot of addresses still, people I've lost contact with or who haven't answered emails about their latest known whereabouts. We will probably have close to 80 to send out when all is sad and done. That leaves 20 for keepsakes. I know that for sure I want to go get our invitation framed. I've seen it done before and I think it is really pretty. Maybe with the bride's bouquet and a buttonaire as well.
The invitations themselves turned out very nice. I will scan and put a picture up later for all those that want to see them. We ended up skipping the do your own invitations after getting a gift certificate for $100 towards the purchase of invitations through the Kiwanis Auction. The woman who did was very nice. Very grandmotherly. You could tell that she really did love being a part of someone's special day. All told, the invitations were about $250 after taking that $100 off.
My only issue with invitations is the wastefulness of it all. You've got the outer envelope, the liner envelope, the invitation, the tissue paper, the RSVP card, the RSVP envelope, the registry card, and a little card telling people to go to our website for airports and accomodations. And the thing is, I know most people are going to toss the RVSP card and envelope and just do it online. So I wasted not only paper but postage as well. It starts to seriously add up.
But it is done and tomorrow, they will be in the mail! Now I just have to sit back and wait for those RSVPs (as if it was that easy!)
The invitations themselves turned out very nice. I will scan and put a picture up later for all those that want to see them. We ended up skipping the do your own invitations after getting a gift certificate for $100 towards the purchase of invitations through the Kiwanis Auction. The woman who did was very nice. Very grandmotherly. You could tell that she really did love being a part of someone's special day. All told, the invitations were about $250 after taking that $100 off.
My only issue with invitations is the wastefulness of it all. You've got the outer envelope, the liner envelope, the invitation, the tissue paper, the RSVP card, the RSVP envelope, the registry card, and a little card telling people to go to our website for airports and accomodations. And the thing is, I know most people are going to toss the RVSP card and envelope and just do it online. So I wasted not only paper but postage as well. It starts to seriously add up.
But it is done and tomorrow, they will be in the mail! Now I just have to sit back and wait for those RSVPs (as if it was that easy!)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Stress
I have been neglecting my blog and I know it. This was suppose to chronical every thing that I was doing for this wedding as I did it. You know, do something, come home, blog about it. But I am finding that as I started to get things done, the last thing I wanted to do was write about it. I would get home just exhausted whether it was ordering invitations or doing registries or dealing with bridesmaids dresses. I just didn't want to talk about it anymore.
But I am going to try to be more deligent. Today was a really productive day. I sent an email off to the lady that is doing our invites and gave her a gentle prod about it. If she doesn't respond by Wednesday, I am having Chris give her a call. He is my little pit bull when it comes to phone calls.
I also emailed Erin, our wedding coordinator, because Fred hasn't gotten back to me about menu and pricing. That is making me more than a little nervous. We sort of need to know how much this is going to cost us. We have budgeted 10K and already spent about 3K in terms of deposits/my dress/etc.
I made my appointment for my alterations in August. The woman told me five weeks to a month so I made my appointment for six weeks in advance, just to be safe. I am kind of excited. I have found my shoes too. I originally bought shoes at David's Bridal but since this is a beach wedding, I changed my mind. I am going to get http://www.surfanddirt.com/nofear/assets/product_images/PAAAAANPNMNKBDFE.jpg
these lovelies (my HTML was borked). I am excited about it.
I promise, another entry tomorrow.
But I am going to try to be more deligent. Today was a really productive day. I sent an email off to the lady that is doing our invites and gave her a gentle prod about it. If she doesn't respond by Wednesday, I am having Chris give her a call. He is my little pit bull when it comes to phone calls.
I also emailed Erin, our wedding coordinator, because Fred hasn't gotten back to me about menu and pricing. That is making me more than a little nervous. We sort of need to know how much this is going to cost us. We have budgeted 10K and already spent about 3K in terms of deposits/my dress/etc.
I made my appointment for my alterations in August. The woman told me five weeks to a month so I made my appointment for six weeks in advance, just to be safe. I am kind of excited. I have found my shoes too. I originally bought shoes at David's Bridal but since this is a beach wedding, I changed my mind. I am going to get http://www.surfanddirt.com/nofear/assets/product_images/PAAAAANPNMNKBDFE.jpg
these lovelies (my HTML was borked). I am excited about it.
I promise, another entry tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Because they can
I am slowly starting to think that this wedding is going to bankrupt Chris and I. For two people who wanted a simple toes in the sand kind of beach wedding, we are spending a hell of a lot. I was typing up our budget of what we have spent, what we are expecting to spend, etc and it is not looking good. Even with my mom offering to pay half.
And this is what I realized...weddings cost so much because they can. Weddings and funerals are the two things that people do not want to compromise on. They are willing to spend an insane amount of money because society tells us that these days are of utmost importance. It isn't that they are any more important than any other day, it is just that we are told they are. So people spend thousands, hell, hundreds of thousands of dollars on this single party. And at what point did it turn into this?
I'll be honest in that the only reason we are having a wedding is for our families. No offense to them but we would have been just as happy driving down to the JOP in our Sunday best and getting hitched. But I know that part of what makes a wedding special is that it isn't for the bride and groom so much as their friends and family. Again, its like a funeral. Funerals aren't for the dead guy, they are for the people that are left behind.
I mean, think about it. Most brides and grooms are so stuck in this surreal experience, that they don't remember it. They put on a huge party, a huge expense, for the enjoyment of everyone else. And for that reason, I don't mind doing it. After all, I am the girl that used to throw these HUGE birthday parties, invited my whole class, just had fun with it.
So, does anyone want to buy a kidney? Slightly used by still in good condition. Cost: One wedding and honeymoon. :)
And this is what I realized...weddings cost so much because they can. Weddings and funerals are the two things that people do not want to compromise on. They are willing to spend an insane amount of money because society tells us that these days are of utmost importance. It isn't that they are any more important than any other day, it is just that we are told they are. So people spend thousands, hell, hundreds of thousands of dollars on this single party. And at what point did it turn into this?
I'll be honest in that the only reason we are having a wedding is for our families. No offense to them but we would have been just as happy driving down to the JOP in our Sunday best and getting hitched. But I know that part of what makes a wedding special is that it isn't for the bride and groom so much as their friends and family. Again, its like a funeral. Funerals aren't for the dead guy, they are for the people that are left behind.
I mean, think about it. Most brides and grooms are so stuck in this surreal experience, that they don't remember it. They put on a huge party, a huge expense, for the enjoyment of everyone else. And for that reason, I don't mind doing it. After all, I am the girl that used to throw these HUGE birthday parties, invited my whole class, just had fun with it.
So, does anyone want to buy a kidney? Slightly used by still in good condition. Cost: One wedding and honeymoon. :)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Ministers and Money
I have begun the long and stressful task of trying to find a minister on just four months notice. I really had no idea that men (or women) of God were so damn popular. And so damn expensive.
Our wedding coordinator, Erin, sent me a referral for a Reverend who will remain nameless. I will call him Rev. Moneybags. First off, it would have been nice if Erin sent me a website BEFORE I emailed the guy. If she had, I never would have emailed him in the first place. I had to hit Google to find the guy's website and I was less than happy with what I found.
Sure, his website is very nice and I am sure that he is the most kick ass minister in the entire world, I am not saying anything about the guy because I don't know him. But prices starting at $350 and then an extra $75 for the rehersal? Really?
I get that the wedding industry is out to make money. Out to make a lot of money. But if you are a minister, shouldn't there be some kind of rule that you shouldn't charge that much? What happened to a honoraium and a nice dinner? Hell, the minister was going to cost more than our wedding rings and that is just not right.
And of course, he is booked. Because someone out there is more than willing to fork over piles of cash for this guy. I can just imagine some Bridezilla on her pile of money, using a pitchfork to toss it from her wedding pile right into this guy's pockets.
Thank god that my future Mother-in-Law (MIL) was able to get me a website to find someone else to do the ceremony. At this point, with how close it is, I think we are going to end up with a clown and some confetti. (Speaking of, do you think since it IS in LA, Rip Taylor might be available? Is he ordained? If not, I will pay for his Universal Life Church certificate!)
Our wedding coordinator, Erin, sent me a referral for a Reverend who will remain nameless. I will call him Rev. Moneybags. First off, it would have been nice if Erin sent me a website BEFORE I emailed the guy. If she had, I never would have emailed him in the first place. I had to hit Google to find the guy's website and I was less than happy with what I found.
Sure, his website is very nice and I am sure that he is the most kick ass minister in the entire world, I am not saying anything about the guy because I don't know him. But prices starting at $350 and then an extra $75 for the rehersal? Really?
I get that the wedding industry is out to make money. Out to make a lot of money. But if you are a minister, shouldn't there be some kind of rule that you shouldn't charge that much? What happened to a honoraium and a nice dinner? Hell, the minister was going to cost more than our wedding rings and that is just not right.
And of course, he is booked. Because someone out there is more than willing to fork over piles of cash for this guy. I can just imagine some Bridezilla on her pile of money, using a pitchfork to toss it from her wedding pile right into this guy's pockets.
Thank god that my future Mother-in-Law (MIL) was able to get me a website to find someone else to do the ceremony. At this point, with how close it is, I think we are going to end up with a clown and some confetti. (Speaking of, do you think since it IS in LA, Rip Taylor might be available? Is he ordained? If not, I will pay for his Universal Life Church certificate!)
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