The 6 Month Schedule

Here's a helpful template to get you through the six months leading up to your wedding.  Of course, this schedule is a guideline and can be rearranged as you see fit.

 Monthly Schedule of Things to Do

Month 1

• Confirm Location – Ceremony, Cocktails and Reception

Sign Contract and Send Deposit

• Music – Book Ceremony, Cocktails and Reception Music
• Photographer – Sign Contract and Send Deposit
• Videographer – Sign Contract and Send Deposit
• Order Wedding Dress

Get Swatch of Wedding Dress

• Order Save the Date
• Book out of town hotels

Month 2

• Prepare Initial Guest list
• Send Save the Date
• Order Bridesmaids dresses 
• Get Swatch of Bridesmaids dress

• Book Officiant
• Register for gifts
• Reserve Bride and Groom accommodations for Wedding day
• Reserve Rehearsal Dinner Location
• Reserve Brunch Location

Month 3

• Reserve Hair and Make-up
• Order Wedding Invitations
• Order Thank you notes

Month 4

• Centerpiece Sample Set up

Choose Linens, Napkins, Chair covers

Napkin treatment

Discuss Ceremony décor and Personal Florals

                        Choose Charger, Silverware, Glassware, China

• Choose favors if you want them
• Choose seating cards
• Select/order cocktail napkins, guest towels

Month 5

• Food Tasting
• Location walk thru with vendors
• Discuss Event Schedule
• Discuss Hair and Make-up Schedule
• Order Wedding Cake
• Final bookings of honeymoon plans
• Choose rings
• Choose menu for the rehearsal dinner
• Final guest list ready early to mid-November

Invitations sent to calligrapher

Invitations in the mail on mid-November

• Choose Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts
• Compile budget for event
• Order Grooms and Groomsmen tuxedos
• Look for rehearsal dinner outfit
• Look for bridal shower outfit
• Buy shoes, start wearing around the house

Month 6

• If you are saying vows start writing thoughts
• Hair and Make-up trials
• Talk about procession for ceremony
• Order Wedding Programs
• Order Printed Menus
• Order Table numbers
• Talk about out of town gifts/welcome baskets
• Approve welcome letter to out of towners
• Send out rehearsal dinner invites
• Order transportation for bride and groom
• Order transportation for out of town guests

• Get the following:

1.    Guest Book

2.    Pen

3.    Garter

4.    Something old

5.    Something new

6.    Something borrowed

7.    Something Blue

8.    Hankie

9.    Unity Candle

10. Kippot/Glass for breaking

Month of Wedding

• Call any guests who have not rsvp’d
• Seating arrangements for wedding reception
• Final Dress Fitting
• Call in final guest event count 5 days before event
• Deliver welcome gifts to out of towners
• Leave everything else to your planner and have fun!

Setting up the Seating

All my recently married friends had one piece of advice for me...start your seating chart early.  The seating chart can easily be pushed aside for later, especially when you have so many other things going on.  But where people sit influences a guest's entire experience, making its mark on his/her memory...whether its good or bad!

One friend told me to get a big piece of poster-board and some small post-its so you can move around the names easily if anyone changes their RSVP.  So, I sat down and made an empty chart (pictured above).  Once you've got your empty tableau, you can just put names on your post-its and shift them around as you see fit.

Balancing Your Budget

So, I have a few friends recently engaged that have been asking for this document....thought I'd share. When making your budget, create a spreadsheet that includes all the costs for your weekend with names, contact information, and prices for your vendors; down payment cost. date the contract was signed, and the date the dp was paid; the balance for your accounts and the date final payment is due;  how and when you made the payments.

To get yourself started be sure to include the following:
VENUE:                                                                                                         
Venue Fee                   
Ceremony Fee
Catering  (per plate, apps, dessert, and cake)
Liquor (bartenders, types of liquor, champagne toast)
RENTALS:
tables
chairs
linens
place settings/glassware
other
LIGHTING:
labor
lights
fire license
FLORAL:
centerpieces
decor
ceremony/altar
bouquet
bridesmaids bouquets
boutineers
 

Accerorize This!

So, the wedding is ten weeks away and the dirty details are starting to really creep up on me...and with it added costs.  For instance, when it comes to what you're wearing for the wedding, there are a bunch of little pieces that can dramatically deepen the cost of your outfit.  So, try and account for these as much as possible early on.

One of the most obvious accessories for the big day is, of course, the veil. Not everyone chooses to go with a veil and if you do there are about a million to choose from.  I think it's really impossible to pick the perfect veil without your dress.  Try them on together and figure out the length and trim that lets the dress and, most importantly, you stand out the most.

Apparently there are a whole host of traditions about the veil, which I had no idea about.  In the Jewish tradition there is an entire ceremony dedicated to the veil called the bedecken.  The bedecken was historically the moment when the groom, or a member of the groom's family, checked out the goods he was getting.  In the ceremony the bride would be seated in a room where the groom's rep would enter and lift the veil to ensure that a) there wasn't a swap out, and b) that the bride was to his liking.  Only then could the marriage continue.  Fortunately, I live in a time and place where the bedecken is unnecessary.

Another important accessory are your shoes.  While there are no special ceremonies surrounding your shoes, there is a more modern tradition of taking plenty of pictures of this particular accessory.  Most brides I've talked to say one thing...get comfortable heels (as comfortable as you can) because even before you change into dance shoes, you are on your feet for hours. 




Many women splurge on shoes and buy pricey designer heels.  Give me an excuse and I'll take it for sure!  Since all my friends are getting married I've gained a few tips from the other brides: 
1) Stay away from Louboutin unless you're already used to wearing them because the pitch becomes unbearable after a few hours on your feet.
2) Buy from Nordstrom's because they'll take ANYTHING back (sometimes even after you've worn them)
3) Order Jimmy Choo's online and not in the store or you'll be stuck with only store credit and no chance for a refund.  And the "Clue" is supposed to be one of the most comfortable wedding shoes.
4) You can always buy one pair for pictures (and return it) and wear a different pair :)

Dressing For Less Deux

lovelybride.com

So I still have been searching for my bridal belt.  Even though I fell in love with Untamed Petals on Etsy, I've been hesitant to hedge my bets, blindly building a belt online.  What if it doesn't fit?  What if the color of the sash is wrong?  What if it just looks better in pictures than it does in person?  And if any of these concerns come true, I've busted my budget and ended up with a bougie belt. 

Randomly, my friend told me about a new little bridal store on Robertson Blvd in L.A.  The Lovely Bride once based only in NYC has opened a small boutique on the West Coast.  I went in with my mom one Sunday and asked to see their collection of bridal accessories.  Looking through the belts, I finally found one that felt right....and of course...it's made by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge.  Now, I can be properly fitted and find the correct color in person with my dress.  So happy!

And if I hadn't already bought my gown, I think this would be the place to find an affordable, alternative gown without blowing your entire dress budget.  The Lovely Bride has amazing trunk sales and small, hip wedding designers.  Check it out!

Engagement Photos Are In

I think the engagement photo shoot might be a guy's worst nightmare.  At least, for my guy it was.   He was skulking around the house hours before we were supposed to meet our photographer and snapped at me when I told him that his mom suggested he wear a button-down shirt.  In the end, he wore his usual uniform: white v-neck t-shirt, jeans, and converse.

Originally, I was going to wear a red dress from Alice and Olivia.  But, anyone who knows me knows that I hate the color red and just started working it into my wardrobe last year.  When I told my sister about my outfit plans, she gawked and then suggested that I wear something I would be guaranteed to like next year and better still in ten years. And so, the day before the shoot I was rummaging the racks at Bloomie's looking for a suitable alternative. The lesson for both me and him: wear what you're comfortable in because the shoot is awkward enough!

Even though engagement photos are cheesy by nature, and the shoots are more than a little awkward (unless you're a professional model or something), I definitely recommend going through the experience with the photographer. There are a couple of really good reasons:

1) Up until the engagement shoot I was a little worried that I made the wrong decision.  I mean, there are just too many choices out there.  And I was having a little case of buyer's remorse...but once we met the photographers, all my doubts dissipated.  The ladies were super relaxed and made it really easy to just let go and be ourselves.  They also knew exactly what types of shots to take and how to get us as relaxed as possible with each set-up.

2) I can't imagine having never worked with my photographer before and then allowing them into one of the most intimate moments of my life (my wedding).  I mean, there are so many super intimate moments on your wedding day (the first time you see your groom, getting dressed with your girls, having your mom there, walking with your dad/mom, etc.) and it seems to me that it would be best to have someone photographing you who you have at least worked with once before.  I can't imagine some stranger rolling up the day of my wedding and trying to capture my best moments.

As a side note, I have a good friend who opted not to do an engagement shoot before the wedding and ran into some of these exact problems on the day of.  Since she had never met or worked with the photographer before, he had no idea how she and her groom interacted and how best to capture it.  They also felt more awkward having someone they didn't know witnessing their intimate moments before the ceremony and stuff.

The Ketubah

Sorry about the hiatus...but I think when you're planning an event sometimes you just need a break :)

Photo from CultivaStudio.com

Now I'm back and on the hunt for a ketubah.

The ketubah is the Jewish marriage contract.  This document is often an elaborate work of art that includes Hebrew and/or English text.  Originally the contract was negotiated between the bride's father, the rabbi, and the groom. Traditionally, the legal document outlined the financial responsibilities of the groom and the compensations that would be made should the marriage end in divorce. First written over two thousand years ago, the original ketubah document was quite liberal in its small degree of recognition for women's rights. 

Today, the ketubah often reflects an equal commitment by both the groom and the bride and outlines their rights and obligations to and for each other.  It has become a spiritual and symbolic contract, which is signed alongside the state's marriage license.  Typically, the ketubah is signed in a small, intimate ceremony before the actual wedding with at least two witnesses.  

Photo from WeddingBee.com

Finding a ketubah is not an easy feat.  There are actually quite a few websites and stores that sell the documents and there are a number of artists, styles, color palates, designs, and texts.  What's great is that in many cases you can customize your text in both Hebrew and/or English to reflect the values that you and your future spouse share.

Urban Collective at etsy.com

Here are a few websites for finding your perfect ketubah.

Many Jewish brides will tell you that Ketubah.com is the place to go for your wedding ketubah needs.  This website has a plethora of ketubot that are searchable by artists, color, theme, text, and price range. 

I personally prefer Gallery Judaica.  I think they have a better selection of the paper cutout ketubot.

Urban Collective {Modern Ketubot}  on etsy also has some amazing hand-made paper cut out designs.

From Urban Collective at etsy.com

Picking a Photographer

Photo from http://wedding-blog.gigmasters.com

There are about a billion wedding photographers out there in the web-sphere, so it's really hard to know who to chose or how to chose them.  I definitely want my wedding photos to be a bit different.  I'm not into the typical wedding photography style--full of soft light and silhouettes.  I want something that reflects me and my fiance--something with character, something fun, and maybe something with a sense of humor.

After a lot of research, I narrowed my playing field down to a handful of potential candidates:

I found One Love Photo on StyleMePretty.  I love love love the vintage feel of their shots.  The pictures on their blog and website are all framed really well, so you know that the entire frame was taken into consideration during the actual shooting.  Another thing I loved about these photos was the personality and emotion that came through on film (digital film anyways). 

FocusPhotoInc is my personal choice for a wedding photographer.  They were recommended through a friend of a friend, who had an amazing experience with these photographers during her wedding.  The ladies at FocusPhoto take amazing shots that are super saturated and well framed.  The pictures on their website and blog are really fun and expressive.

And for a bit more traditional photography with a hint of vintage feel, look at Michael Segal.

Since I'm not a photographer and have never had a wedding, once I was in the potential candidate phase, I found out that there are some really important questions to ask your photographers.  I never realized there were so many details to ask in your initial research and quote aggregation.

1)  Find out exactly what is and is not included in their package prices: number of hours, number of photographers and assistants, albums, prints, digital negatives, engagement shoot, online album, digital photo editing/image enhancement, expenses (accommodations, food, etc.), and rights to reprint. 

2)  Check the photographers' photos for both indoor and outdoor events.  The super saturated brightness of my frontrunner's outdoor shots was completely non-existent when I looked at her indoor shots, and since my wedding is inside in winter....

3)  Give the photographer a tentative timeline to help you figure out how many hours they'll need to shoot everything.

4)  Ask to see all the shots from at least one entire wedding.  I think this gave me the best idea about the consistency of the photographer's shots, their attention to framing and emotion, how they shoot the "party pictures," and if they have a familiarity with the types of shots you might want. 

5)  Ask about the photographer's familiarity with the type of wedding you're having and the venue.  For religious ceremonies, find out the photographer's familiarity with that type of service and/or wedding traditions.

Meltdown

Photo from WeddingByColor.com

Back from a brief hiatus....mostly because I was getting overwhelmed by all this wedding stuff and my real life was calling.  But, even with a blogging break, over the past week or so, I have had more than my fair share of wedding related meltdowns.

Today was the first time I think my fiance and I really realized how deep we were getting into the cost of this thing.  Although we set initial budgets and estimated our costs, the contract with our venue really put it in perspective...and neither one of us had fully come to terms with the price.  I think part of the issue is that we've been working within an unspecified budget.  Since both our parents are very generous and want us to both to be happy, they have been sometimes unwilling to commit a hard number.  After multiple attempts, I was finally able to get a specific number from my dad about how much he and my mom were comfortable pitching in, while my fiance's parents were more vague.  Initially this worked for us all, but as we start to book vendors and sign contracts, my fiance and I feel like it's all just sort of getting  away from us.  Since we're unsure how much over our firm number we can really go, we're hesitant to book anything at all because it might end up costing too much.  I think getting firm numbers as soon as you can is an essential step, so that you can cut your guest list or wedding package or change venues to get everything you want for the price you know you can afford to spend.

After a panic attack or two, and a few heated phone calls my fiance and I finally reality checked ourselves.  First of all, we reminded each other that we agreed not to get in fights with each other about this wedding, since initially we both wanted to run away with 50 friends and get married.  But, while neither one of us initially wanted a large wedding, we are grateful to have families that can afford to give us that type of wedding.  And both of our parents want to celebrate with their friends and ours'.  I think being gracious for the opportunities that we can afford, and not getting overwhelmed and annoyed is a better approach to the situation.  But I constantly think of ways this money might be better used.

The Name Change

So, I had this internal debate about the name change for many years before meeting my fiance.

At first, I really believed that I didn't want to change my name.

My name and I have history.  We go way back. As one of my favorite philosophers puts it, we come into being as we turn in response to being called out by a name.  This suggests that in some ways we are nothing before that name.  And, if the name is such an integral part of our being...then I couldn't so easily just give it up.

When I was a kid, I hated my name. My first name was too soft-sounding and I refused to let anyone, but my dad, call me by my full name.  He's still the only person who calls me Nicole. I think it was in middle school that I finally started to like the special quality of my first name.  I remember having to complete this essay on the origin and meaning of my name.  I found out that my parents originally wanted to call me Nicolette, but when I was born they shortened it to Nicole.  Once I learned that little fact, I felt a fondness for my full name that I had never felt before because I really couldn't imagine being called Nicolette. In middle school, I studied the Greek gods l and learned that my name originated from the goddess of victory, Nike.  I'm pretty competitive, so it's fitting.  And, I like that the name itself has evolved to mean victory of the people. 

I also hated my middle name because it was foreign and weird and other kids laughed at me when I told them what it was.  No one could ever pronounce it.  And, I always had to explain to people that it was Japanese.When I had my bat-mitzvah, I finally learned what my middle name meant.  I had asked my mother before, but she only told me that she named me for a famous mid-century Japanese actress.  Oddly, it was my Rabbi who enlightened me on the real meaning of my Japanese name.  I found out that in Japanese each character has its own meaning and can be arranged together in various ways to produce different meanings.  The characters of my middle name come together to signify, "beautiful flavor" or "beautiful and good."  I think learning the meaning of this part of my name at a time in life when I was searching for my individuality worked to strengthen my sense of connection to it.  The difference I had felt because of my name was no longer based in shame, but, rather it became a sign of my "pride in difference."

As I grew to like my first and middle names, I started to love the sound and rhythm of my name in its entirety.  My history with my name has been a tortured one. But, unlike my first and middle names, I have never felt a sense of detachment from my last name.  It has always been there for me...strong, sturdy, stable.  It connects me to the people who have always been there for me, supported me, sustained me.  And so, giving up my last name is sort of bittersweet. 

Not So Cheezy Wedding Songs?

p.s. this isn't me :)

So, I started looking for wedding songs to play during our first dance... And, I have to say that I'm feeling really stuck, and a bit pessimistic.  I mean, there are just too many cheezy options floating around out there in the universe.




And, while I'm sure that Bryan Adams' early 90s ballad "Everything I do, I do it for you" is right for some couples...it makes me giggle and think of Kevin Costner in tights.

So, I'm working on a short list of possible songs:

This is a work in progress....

UpBeat Reggae/Blues:

Rhianna or Bob Marley (original version), "Is This Love"(...not sure about this one...verging on cheezy)
Keb Mo "Tell Everybody I Know"(legit blues song)

Bluesy Classics:

Otis Redding "That's How Strong My Love Is" (huge Otis fan passed down to me from my dad)
Al Green "Love and Happiness"(classic, happy song)
Sam Cooke "That's Where It's At" (great song)
Nina Simone "Feeling Good" (one of my favorite songs)
Nina Simone "Be My Husband" (obscure Nina Simone song performed at the '69 Harlem Festival)
Nina Simone "Turn Me On"

Contemporary:

Jeff Buckley "Be Your Husband" (a cover of Nina Simone...he's great!)
The Black Keys "Everlasting Light" (love this song)
Erykah Badu "In Love With You" (although she's sort of an anti-semite)

Offbeat:

Radiohead "All I Need" (we played this album all the time in the car when we were first dating)
Radiohead "True Love Waits"
Big Star "Thirteen" (fiance will hate this one)
Bright Eyes "First Day of My Life" (fiance will hate this also)

Bridal Belts

Lux Collection by Untamed Petals

So, I bought this amazing dress, but it looked better with a belt.  The girl at the store gave me a sample belt to try one with the dress and I fell in love...unfortunately, only the dress was for sale.

Now I'm on the hunt for a bridal belt.


I thought the belt was a really simple way to break up the dress....I mean, the all white thing is beautiful, but also a little plain.... the belt adds just the right amount of classy pizzazz.  And since I'm short, it also helps to elongate and accentuate my figure.  Win-win.

Ellie Beaded Sash by UntamedPetals

I had no idea there was such a saturated market for sashes, but apparently there is.  The bridal belts can be made from beads, fabric, florals, rhinestones, crystals, silk....some have crazy designs, others have big huge fabric flowers.  That's not for me...but there is something for everyone.

Giselle Lux by UntamedPetals

These belts are from Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge in NYC and are available on Etsy.  I think she has the best ones.

Siri Lux by Untamed Petals

Super Into Succulents

My cousin recently got married and had the most amazing succulent centerpieces.  He even gave out these little air plants with the seat assignment cards.  It was such a great gift to give as a party favor since the plant can last indefinitely beyond the wedding. 

ASubtleRevelery.com

And anyone who knows me knows that I'm really into succulents and air plants.  I did a DIY air plant terrarium for my coffee table centerpiece.  It was super easy and gives a real modern, clean feel to the room.  And, I think maybe my guests would like one too.

TheKnot.com

I also did a DIY traditional terrarium in Maine over the summer.  I scavenged for the materials in the woods of Maine and used an old glass jar that I salvaged from  the recycling to create a completely self-sustaining ecosystem.  My fiance and I displayed it in our city apartment to give us a little greenery, and the terrarium totally thrived. 

100LayerCake.com

So, I'm obviously really into the idea of terrariums and succulents for my wedding.  I mean, if I'm going to spend so much money on floral arrangements, it might be nice to get something that will live longer than the wedding week.







Plus, there are so many beautiful things being done with succulents....

weddinginaction.blogspot.com

Save the Date!

It's been sort of a nightmare trying to find a good Save the Date card.

There are just too many super cheesy ones out there.  Like the bride and groom hand and hand against a wheat field.  I mean, we don't live on a farm, nor do we want to.  And I saw one the other day, it was a photo of the happy couple cuddling in front of a fire.  No offense, but that shit is private...and who really does that anyways and takes a picture of it?

Destination

And, the ones that aren't super cheesy are a bit pricey and plain.









I found this amazingly cute website called Minted.com that has some pretty unique wedding invitations and Save the Date cards.  While they do still have some classic, cheesy photo cards...

Stache and Kiss

Planes, trains, and Aut

Your grandmother never would've used what Minted has got.  They're fun, modern, and minimal invites...not your traditional, stogie, double-border stuff.  The website has a lot of different designs to choose from and all of them are customizable.  They're also moderately priced.  

A Faraway Destination

Leis of Love

My mom is making me a lei for my wedding. A lei is a garland that is worn around the neck or forehead as decoration.  It can be made from any type of material, but traditionally the lei is made from nuts, leaves, and flowers. 

Pikake and Pakalana

Pikake

Personally, I want a three strand pikake lei because the  flowers  look like pearls when they're all strung together, and smell amazingly beautiful.  I think this type of lei will look best with my more traditional wedding dress.  But leis can be made in all different patterns and with a variety of flowers.

purple orchid

Traditionally leis had sacred uses related to the reverence of gods, but they also have a history of social use for celebrations. 

Microginger

Today leis are often given during times of celebration.  They are used as gifts between friends or loved ones during special occasions.  A lei is something that takes time and love to create and those gifts are given with the lei itself.  The lei serves as a sign of affection.

Traditionally, leis were give by bowing slightly and raising the lei above one's heart.  The recipient could then take the lei and place it upon his/her body.  Raising one's hands above another person's head or touching a person's head or face were seen as signs of disrespect. Today, the lei is often placed around the neck of the recipient with a kiss.

double sided green orchid

When disposing of a lei, don't just throw it in the trash.  The lei is a symbol of love, the gift of love given to the recipient.  Tossing the lei also throws away that love.  Traditionally, the flowers should be returned to the sacred place from which they were gathered.  But, since this is often impossible, the lei should be returned to the earth in a natural process.  Hanging the lei to dry, burying the lei, or burning the lei are suggested means of disposal. 

Dressing for Less

Wedding dresses can get really expensive. Some of the designer dresses can run you anywhere from 5,000 to upwards of 25,000.  Maybe there's something special about wearing an expensive wedding dress, but that's just not for me.  I personally can't justify spending so much on a dress that I will only wear one time.  And, a lot of the brides I know that did spend big bucks on their gowns aren't so sure they want save those dresses in storage anyways.

 

The Lita Gown by BHLDN

I investigated a few different options for a budget-friendly dress.

The Aiguille Gown by BHLDN

Anthropologie's Bridal Shop BHLDN has a variety of vintage-style dresses for under $3,500.  The bridal stores are located in Chicago or Houston.  But, if you can't get to those cities you can just order online.

Jenny Packham

White Magnolia is an upscale bridal consignment shop located in Los Angeles.  It's located on the corner of Sepulveda and Exposition in West L.A.


This place is AMAZING!!!  They have a whole show room full of beautiful designer dresses that are either samples from designers or once-worn dresses on consignment from other brides. They carry designers like Vera Wang and Jenny Packham.  You can really find  anything you want at Magnolia and pay less than half the original price.  They have a variety of sizes and styles. And the two women who work there are very sweet and super helpful!  

At White Magnolia

Another option to dress for less for your wedding is renting a wedding gown.  One Night Affair is a bridal and evening gown rental store located in Los Angeles on Sepulveda Blvd. There are also websites for dress rentals.  If you pay a little bit extra you can be the first to wear the dress that will be rented after your wedding to other brides.

Vera Wang

1000 Paper Cranes

Hapa, Hafu, Mixed, Multiracial, Multiethnic, mixed-heritage, Asian-American, Jewish, Japanese, Jap Squared, Jewenese....

These are all things I have been called in my life. 

My mom is a Japanese American, a third generation American with parents who grew up in Hawaii.   And my dad is a New York Jew with immigrant grandparents from Russia.  They met at a coffee shop in Southern California...and had me. 


Since I have a mixed heritage, being from a multiethnic home has played an important part in my path to personal identity, and it's really important for me to blend these multiple traditions into my wedding. 

In Japanese culture, paper cranes are a symbol of good fortune and are given to the bride on her wedding day.  The crane has served as an ancient symbol of honor and loyalty. 









 There are different stories behind the significance and origin of this tradition.  In ancient Japanese legend, there is promise that anyone who folds one thousand cranes will be granted one wish by a crane.  The crane, a mystical creature said to live for a thousand years, is said to be able to grant good fortune, a long life, recovery from illness, or any other happiness.

Some say that the bride and groom who can complete the task of folding one thousand cranes before their wedding day, gain the trust, understanding, and patience to sustain a long and successful marriage.  Because folding a thousand cranes takes great patience, dedication, time, and understanding.  And, each of these qualities is vital for a healthy and lasting marriage. The end result was a visual testament to the couple's love and dedication to each other. 




Traditionally, either the couple made the paper cranes themselves or the bride's father gave her the thousand cranes on her wedding day to wish her and her new husband one thousand years of happiness, love, and prosperity. 

Today the cranes are made by the bride's family  and presented to the couple upon their wedding, wishing them all the blessings of love, prosperity, and happiness.  The more people who participate in making the cranes, the more love and happiness will be transferred to the couple with the gift. 

Room Mood

Reception rooms can look so drab if not accentuated in the right way.  I never knew that there were so many components that went into making your mood: lighting, linens, dance floor, florals, design, set-up.

These pictures are both from the same venue space, taken from similar angles.  Although one is a reception photo and one is a ceremony photo, you can see how different the space looks just based on the different lighting of each event.

I think I might be the luckiest bride since my best friend is a set designer in real life.  Being the bestie that she is...she has agreed to help design my dream reception.  All I have to do is pick out some pictures of reception rooms that I like.



Most people are not as lucky, but hiring a creative florist might work just as well.

Love these ceiling accented rooms.