Know what's cool?

...and I kind of wish I had done, but kept forgetting, and then ran out of time?

Inviting the President to your wedding. I know some people that have done this, and no, obviously Obama's not going to come to your wedding, but you get a response from the White House! I'm not alone in thinking this is a pretty cool keepsake!

via Google Images

How to invite the President:

The Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama
The White House
Greetings Office Rm. 39
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500

ALSO, you can invite the Queen! But I think Buckingham Palace only responds to requests within the UK.

How to invite the Queen:

The Secretary to Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II of England
Buckingham Palace
London, England
SW1A 1AA

Note: Both ask for at least 6 weeks to respond (but the earlier, the better!).

Do it!

-C
xxx

Party Time! Excellent!

via Martha Stewart

I can't wait to start cooking things for our party. Former Bridesmaid/Now Wife Amanda and I are throwing a joint birthday party for our hubbies this Friday. It's BYOCC themed - which means Bring Your Own Christmas Cookies! It's going to be at their house, since ours isn't really conducive to having lots of people in one area (we have lots of tiny rooms on three floors, versus big, open spaces on less floors), unless we wanted to have it in the backyard... in December. Anyway, we kind of procrastinated on the planning, but this past weekend it kind of hit me, oh crap! We're having a party on Friday! So I went out and bought a bunch of crap... I mean, delicious food (that's probably not in the health food aisle). I decided to make spin dip (which I'm also bringing to my work's floor holiday party that day), decided to throw some Velveeta cheese and salsa in a crock pot for a quick and easy cheesy dip, decided on a cookie recipe for myself... I guess I was in panic mode that I wouldn't have time to do anything. But now? Oh now I'm finding more recipes I want to make and I'm going to drive myself (and possibly my husband...) crazy this week with all the cooking I'm going to do. But I don't care! I want to do it! It's Christmas, and you know what I think my problem is? I don't think I've ever... wait for it... wait for it... thrown a Christmas party. Yeah, so I guess I'm kind of on overload with wanting to do all sorts of things in addition to what I already listed above. Like making eggnog from scratch (yes, it's delicious if you don't buy it at the store), and making two kinds of cookies... and making deviled eggs with green and red food coloring! EEK!! That's my excited sound.

How am I ever going to be able to wait the two days before I can start making things??

I'm blaming Martha Stewart for providing me with a plethora of recipes.

-C
xxx

Tip O' The Week - Tipping!

No, not cows. Vendors. No, not physically. Monetarily. (I know, I'm hilarious.)

Via Google Images

I did a lot of research on a lot of things during my wedding planning, one thing I'll bring up for you today is vendor tipping. Some say tipping isn't necessary. I think it is. But that may be because I worked in the service industry in college (read: waitress), and I know how it feels to not get tipped. I also know how good it feels to get tipped! Needless to say, I always tip bartenders, waitresses, etc. But when it came to figuring out what to do for wedding vendors, I definitely needed to do some research. I read some forums, googled and saw what other people did, and I think I came up with a pretty good solution. You tip those that don't own their own business. Those that simply work for the business typically get paid less than those that do own that business. Those that own the business set the prices and do so by figuring out how much profit will be made versus how much they spend to provide the service. For example, our videographer. He owns the business, so obviously he gets all that money. Yes, I know that he uses it to produce the final product and pay for his equipment and all, but if it were anyone other than him doing the videoing, they would get less of that profit. Therefore, the owner gets the price they laid out, but the worker (non owner) should receive a tip (unless they sucked at whatever service they provided). Same goes for delivery people (if you have to rent things like a tent, port-a-potties, tables, etc., like I did). I gave delivery people $5-$10 per person depending on what they had to set up (I had 3 rental companies).

Hope this helps someone out there! And I also hope it doesn't offend any vendors. I think it's pretty fair, no? I mean, if you want to tip everyone, go ahead, but that's your call!

-C
xxx

Recap Time: The Ceremony (pretty stuff version)

And now, time for the pretty (if I do say so myself) decorations and details from the ceremony! (See the mush version here.)

I have some awesome friends who figured out how to hang my old windows above where we were getting married (the "altar" if you will). They looked really great. And we hung Christmas lights around the area and had tiki torches surrounding the chairs (to keep bugs away as well as provide lighting).

I designed all of our programs, and Bridesmaid Amanda and Bonnie helped me assemble. Tying tiny ribbons ain't fun, but they sure do look pretty! :) We had bubbles but no one really used them. Oh well! Our flower girl had fun with them, so they got some good use!

(Tip: stones or glass marble-type thingies you can get from the dollar store are really helpful when having an outdoor wedding that has paper anywhere!)

So we had a sign that said "Here Comes The Bride" on one side, meant to be brought down the aisle just before me, and "Just Married" on the other, for walking back up the aisle after being married. Our flower girl really really wanted to carry it the "Just Married" way down the aisle (you know, before we were married)... and did. Lol! She's at the age where she likes to be a little dramatic, too, and loves to just plop herself down on the ground! Her mom thinks she's a great actress :) Luckily she didn't plop herself down on the way down the aisle, but did on the way back! The wedding video of everyone walking past her is hilarious because everyone keeps looking at her and she seems to want to know why everyone keeps walking, lol.

MOB planted white hydrangeas in the area behind where we would be getting married. Don't they look pretty? The little stand between Tim and I is where we put the glass of wine for our wine ceremony. After we said "I do" I took it (the glass of wine, that is, not the stand) with me to the reception. Yes, I walked back up the aisle with a husband, my bouquet, and a glass of wine. Lol.

-C
xxx

Deliciously Awesome Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Not my pic, but kinda what mine looked like! via Google Image Search

Straying from the norm here. Recipes? On a bridal blog? Yup. Because I'm so in love with it, and no, this isn't even the first time I've made it! I just fall back in love with it every time I do... AND it's (kind of) green! There's broccoli in it :)

So without further ado...

Deliciously Awesome Broccoli Cheese Soup

(serves at least 4)

Ingredients:

4 cups water

1 - 16 oz. bag of frozen, or fresh, broccoli, chopped

1 cup diced onion

2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 medium potatoes)

2 chicken boullion cubes

2 - 10.75 oz. cans cream of chicken soup

1 lb. Velveeta cheese (or Walmart brand!*), cubed... I accidentally used 2 lbs. the first time I made it (because I mistakenly thought the large package of Velveeta was only 1 lb., when it's actually 2 lbs.) and have done so ever since, so if you want it to be cheesier and/or want to make a bigger batch, try using 2 lbs.!

Instructions:

Add water, broccoli, onion, potatoes, and boullion cubes to a large pot. Cook on medium - medium high heat until potatoes and broccoli are tender (about 20 minutes). Add cream of chicken soup and chopped up velveeta, stir every couple of minutes until cheese melts. Simmer for about 15 minutes, soup will thicken.

Yum.

Notes:

If you serve it right away, the potatoes will be REALLY hot. Like, my husband drinks/eats things that are scalding (while I put ice cubes in everything) and he even had to let the soup sit a while, so it may be best to put the soup in bowls and let it sit 5 minutes or maybe even longer (again, I wouldn't know, I put ice cubes in mine, lol). Also, while I love it fresh off the stove, for some reason I REALLY love it after it's been in the fridge for a day or so. One of my favorite things to bring to work for lunch! And sometimes even breakfast :) I was thinking last night after I made it that some chopped up carrots would be a good addition to it, too! I'll have to try that next time.

Sorry to say, but Brits? You may be out of luck in the Velveeta department. I might have to send you some! I'm not sure there's a Velveeta equivalent over there! If you'd like to scope out the grocery store for something similar, basically it is a processed cheese that comes in the form of a brick (but is very soft), virtually never expires (it doesn't have to be refrigerated until it's been opened, so can sit on the shelf for a very long time), and is an orange-yellow color. I found somewhere online that Dairylea triangles might be similar? But I have no idea what that is so can't vouch for that :)

via Google Image Search

-C

xxx

*Yes, there is a Walmart brand version of Velveeta, it's called "Melt and Dip Cheese" or something. It's right next to the Velveeta on the shelf...

Recap Time: The Ceremony (mush version)

After our first look shots we came back to the house and I didn't know what to do with myself. We had run a little late, so everyone was there. I knew they'd see me eventually, and I was dying to go outside and look at everything, but I hesitated for a few minutes. I didn't know if I should go out and let everyone see me! Eventually I realized that it wouldn't get started until I did, though, lol. So out I went. My grand entrance:

Tim's uncle and cousin are amazing violinists and they were so great to play for us during our cocktail hour, and then to learn the songs for the ceremony. I LOVE violins. LOVE. And they played beautifully! We all walked down the aisle to Portuguese Love Theme (from the movie Love Actually, check it out here), and back up after being married to God Only Knows and All You Need Is Love (both were also featured in Love Actually, one of our favorite movies!).

Getting the ceremony started was a little unorganized. Since we had pre-ceremony cocktails first around the pool, then the ceremony was in a different part of the yard (with the reception in yet another part of the yard). So, it was kind of difficult to get everyone to the different areas in a uniform fashion. It was kind of like ok we're lining up now... maybe you should go sit in the chairs? Yes, this is where I could have used a DOC (Day of Coordinator), I'll admit it. I don't regret the way things like lining up and moving people from one part of the yard to the next worked out, though. I think it made everything more casual (and also provided some humorous moments).

I walked down the aisle with both of my grandfathers, which made me so happy! I love having pictures with both of them. I realized halfway down that I was so concerned with tripping that I was staring at the ground (probably made for GREAT pictures!)! Oops. Tip 'O The Day - Look up as you walk down the aisle!

My boss and friend Molly, got ordained online to officiate at our wedding (so now she's Minister Mol), and she wrote the perfect ceremony for us. It was just the right amount of mush and humor. I laughed a lot! Which probably kept me from crying (but not Tim, LOL).

Tim "got something in his eye"... and I handed him my hankie.

After she read what she had written, we had a "wine ceremony" and then did vows. We wrote both the wine ceremony and the vows (and borrowed some parts from other weddings we found online) and this is what we came up with for the wine ceremony:

This wine represents both the bitter and sweet moments in life. The years ahead will consist of happiness, joy and love, but there will also be moments of sorrow, grief and disappointment. In sharing this wine, so may you share your lives, including not only the good, but the bad moments as well. May you find life’s joys heightened and its bitterness sweetened, because you experience them together.

(Bride and groom drink from a glass of wine.)

This wine is symbolic of the pledges you have made to one another to share together the fullness of life. As you drink from this cup, you acknowledge to one another that your lives, until this moment separate, are now one. Drink now, and may the cup of your lives be sweet and full to running over.

and for the vows:

With this ring, I take you with all your faults and strengths, as I offer myself to you with all my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and turn to you when I need help. Whether the days that come are happy or sad, I will live them with you. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.

Tim's dad asked us after the ceremony if he could throw confetti. Of course! Confetti's fun! Plus, it made this awesome picture! (So glad Gary, our photog, was standing right there!)

Next up: Recap Time: The Ceremony (details/decorations version)

-C

xxx

All photos with watermarks were taken by our awesome photographers Hughes Fioretti Photography and those without were taken by family and friends.

Never a Bridesmaid, Always a Bride

Shockingly enough, I've never *really* been a bridesmaid. I was a bridesmaid in my uncle's wedding when I was like 19 or 20, but my bridesmaid duties were limited to trying on the dress when it was sent to me, and showing up at the church on time. Oh, and I think I was there for the rehearsal. Now I'm going to be a bridesmaid for my friend Bonnie! I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it.

Plus, I'll have more material for the blog :)

That is all. Enjoy your weekend! I need to upload and prep some pics so I can get back on the blogging horse.

-C
xxx

"How was it?"

Why is it that when you run into, or meet, people after your wedding, they always ask:


"How was it?"


I know it's just a standard, harmless question, but it's funny to think about, no? Like, what if I turned around and said, "OH MY GOD it was terrible, you're so lucky you weren't there!" Lol. I'm not picking on people for asking, just think the question is ridiculous and funny. I had so many people ask me this question when I was at Lela's house a couple weeks ago and every single time I'd say, "It was great." And trail off. It's just kind of an awkward question! Or maybe I'm just awkward... But I definitely think it's the question. I mean, does someone I just met really want me to go through my whole day with them? Probably not. I think they feel just as awkward, but for some reason it's like a reflex when people find out another person got married. They can't help it. It just comes out.


And there's my random thought for today. :)

Is it just me??


-C
xxx

Recap Time: First Look Shots!

First look shots are gaining popularity, but some feel more traditional about it and prefer not to do them because they want their husband's first look to be of them walking down the aisle. I, personally, really wanted to do first look shots. I guess because I wanted to capture his reaction and get a chance to do pictures before the ceremony (and so we didn't have to miss any of the party after). I'm really glad that I did, as well, since when we got back from the shoot I was running around in the backyard doing things anyway, so I would've been seen regardless! So I guess my now husband got the first look (and my bridal party), and basically everyone else just saw me running around the backyard as their first look at me. LOL. Oh well.

Our photogs, Hughes Fioretti, scoped it out the morning-of and decided we would opt for site #3, Hopatcong State Park, and I have to say it was the perfect choice. MINUS how many stairs I had to climb in my dress, lol, the pictures turned out great and it was a great view from the top! But first, the view from the bottom (these pics are courtesy of Bridesmaid Lela's husband Brad)...

Check out all those green shoes! Nicely done ladies!

Flip floppin' it halfway up the stairs.

I love this shot of my MOHs!

Oh, hello!

And now, the view from the top!

Hiking in my wedding dress...

Taking a breather at the top of the hill!

I can't leave without telling the funny story that goes along with the first look shots. I guess it wouldn't be my wedding without a good Brett story! So, to get to the park, one literally would go out to the main road from my mom's house (like less than a block), turn right, and go all the way to the end. The road literally stops in a T with the state park directly in front of you. However, my brother, notorious for pretending like he knows where everything is and always getting lost, shockingly got lost. I even said to Julie, part of our photog duo, "Are you sure he knows how to get here?" and she said he told her he did. Needless to say, I wasn't hopeful, and he called her 10 minutes later. He had gone to the wrong park. He called ME 10 minutes after that. He had gone to ANOTHER wrong park. He actually said to me, when I described exactly how to get there, "Oh, you mean Bear State Park?? Why didn't you just say so!!" I was so confused, until I realized he was talking about the Smokey The Bear sign outside of the park.

via Google Images

I'm pretty sure they have these at most state parks. They're the signs that tell you the fire danger level of the day. So, needless to say, the name of the park is NOT Bear State Park.

*face palm* He showed up eventually...

-C
xxx

*Pics with "Proof" watermark are courtesy of Hughes Fioretti Photography, all others are candids from friends and family.

Reverse! Reverse! Recap Rewind: Rehearsal Dinner

This past weekend I visited Bridesmaid-Turned-New-Momma Lela for a milisecond (not literally, but pretty much). I flew out to AZ for, oh, like a grand total of a day and a half? Anyway, this weekend her husband Brad gave me a CD of all the pics he took of our wedding weekend - all 315+ of them, plus 5 videos! And, as I suspected, he had some rehearsal dinner pics so I thought I'd do a little rewind back to the rehearsal dinner recap (here and here), but sans more recap and plus more pics.

Ceremony site in MOB's backyard (notice old windows to the right waiting to be hung)

Me probably laughing at how funny it was that I wouldn't say "I do" during our rehearsal. I'm so funny!

Beer in hand during faux vows

There's one of our signs! It says "Here Comes The Bride" on one side and "Just Married" on the other. Our flower girl was to hold it one way for down the aisle, the other for the way back. More on that later, lol.

Green decanter and wine glass for our wine ceremony (more on that later, too)

The pool, tables with lanterns, pergola with lights, and guests (and me in the shadows on the left).

Of course we had green solo cups for beer pong. Why would they be any other color??

Um, apparently we like to stand the same way? Weird...

-C
xxx

PS Brad made us this AWESOME album (like, physical album) on Snapfish.com with some of the best pics he took. We got it on Thursday before I left for AZ and were all smiles at how great it turned out! AMAZING!

Phall in Philadelphia

via Google Image Search

If you don't live in Philadelphia, you probably don't know this, but people here like to turn F's into Ph's. Sounds stupid to the outsider, but I have to admit it's kind of fun - I mean, phun. Anyway, after getting back from our honeymoon, it was straight to work on our department's biggest event of the year. It basically consists of a lot of logistics for the people flying in, all-day programming for our visitors (and all the materials and logistics that go along with that), and the cocktail reception to cap it all off with (my favorite part). It's kind of a rarity for people in our industry to throw receptions and actually decorate, but I wouldn't have it any other way (and luckily my director wouldn't either). So we spend a good couple of hours, with help from our facilities men and on-site caterers, setting up and decorating for a good ole time to be had by 150+ people. It's stressful, but I love it. I love seeing peoples' reactions to all the decorations, hearing the compliments, and secretly knowing that I didn't spend a fortune on decorating it. Not that it's my money, but still. It's fun getting creative with things you buy at the dollar store, or some other cheap place online, and seeing the result looking like you spent way more on it.

We used to do a theme not to be mentioned (I'm just so sick of it I don't even want to talk about it), but I finally got to nix it and we ended up just doing a fall theme this year, which I think turned out great. Even though we had a ton of dollar store decorations, I think it looked classy. I hope it looked classy. I'm pretty sure it looked classy. We cleared the area of all the furniture and brought in a ton of high tops. We rented antique gold shimmer linens for our food tables and high top cocktail tables. We hung spiral fall decorations from the ceiling, had leaf confetti, leaf garland, tissue paper leaves, and I made floral arrangements from ($ Tree) fake flowers, leaves, and fabric petals. They looked great, if I do say so myself. The final touch was the gold balloons. I loooove me some balloons for a cocktail party. Especially gold ones. I feel like they're fun but being gold they're classy. So they're classy fun. We had delicious food and I bought a ton of candy and bags for people to take it home in (they really liked that). Autumnal fare, candy, pretty decorations, and alcohol. Who needs anything else? We didn't even have music, but it was so loud no one noticed anyway.

via Google Image Search

Next up? I'm off to Arizona to see Former-Bridesmaid-Turned-New-Momma Lela to help her throw a Halloween party. I'm hoping she'll let me put up decorations and help make fun party stuff versus changing diapers. I'd like to think she knows better than to put ME in charge of a baby :) juusssst kidding (sort of)

Happy Halloween!! What's YOUR costume going to be? I'm going to be a Panda!

-C

xxx