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OMG! Did you hear? Jesse G.’s got a crush! It’s totally tragic because her crush is utterly unattainable! As in, no longer on the market. (Single tear…) Here’s what Jesse confided in us:
“I need some of your CAI/GOI magic. In this case though it’s not so much can’t afford it as just can’t have it. I’ve got my heart set on black and white print bridesmaid dresses. I found this last summer at White House/Black Market.
And then I waited too long to tell the girls to go for it, and they sold out. I’m trying to stay under $100 because I know my maids aren’t rolling in cash. Help. I need to stop going back to this image over and over again, I can’t have it.”
Poor Jesse! I say we pop a bottle of wine, curl up with Ben & Jerry, and GET OVER IT! I’m here to help! Black & white bridesmaid’s dresses abound! Jesse, are you totally prepared to be smitten with something new?
Be careful with ModCloth, Jesse. They only have a limited stock. If you find something there that you absolutely must have, grab it! You can always get your gals to reimburse you. We don’t want you getting your heart broken a second time!
I know, I know! I cheated. This last one is black on black. But, I just liked it so much I had to throw it in! Okay Jesse, I gave you halter top, spaghetti straps, & strapless. You got to see black on white, white on black, black on silver, and black on black. And every last one is under the $100.00 mark!
Do you like what you see? Circle: Yes or No. I hope this CAI/GOI got you through your dress dilemma, and now you’re totally head over heels for something that’s actually attainable. And in the event that this Get Over It didn’t knock your socks off, I have some tips for you. Don’t search for anything that says “Bridesmaid” if you want to keep the price down. Use key words like pattern names and dress styles (i.e. sundress, party dress, cocktail dress, & yes, even prom dress). So girl, stop pining away for something you can’t have. And revel in the endless choices you do have! You’re bound to find “The One”, just like you found your fiance. So buck up, Butter Cup! And lemme know how it turns out!
In last week’s episode of Broke-Ass TV, we covered bachelorette parties… but we can’t neglect our main men and their requisite dude-bonding debauchery! Check out Grandmaster Fresh lay down the 411 on bad-ass bachelor party planning!
Nice tips, eh? (and the host is pretty cute, too!)
If planning a bachelor party is just too daunting, or you’re stuck in a rut and have a little extra budget to burn, there is one other alternative. Our buddies James and Nadine run Firefly Events, locally, and they’re just one of many cool bachelor/ette party planning businesses popping up all over the place.
Got any other stag night advice or ideas to share? Hit us up in the comments!
… and don’t forget to subscribe to our youtube channel for all the most up-to-date episodes of Broke-Ass TV and other fun videos we might post along the way Thanks!
Yep, this week’s episode of Broke-Ass Bride TV is all about bachelorette parties and how to stay true to yourself while reveling in girl power while your besties! Oh, and not going broke in the process. Key for you, and for your maids, amiright?
Chickity check it out! (Oh, and try to not be distracted by my puffiness. I don’t know what I did to anger the bloat gods that day, but man did they let me have it!)
Dangit… I wish I had remembered this tip when shooting: for my bachelorette party, we saved on a big expensive dinner in a really creative and special way. My bestie MaPo and sister Dawn had everyone potluck over one of my favorite dishes, so we had a buffet of all my favorite foods (and yummy cocktails) to pre-game with at MaPo’s house! Cha-ching! Less money on dinner = more money for cocktails later!
Also, MaPo wanted to provide transportation, but limos are hecka pricey and cabs just couldn’t hold our whole crew, so she rented a budget van, decorated it, threw in a case of beer for our “mini-bar”… and (the best part) had her hubby dress up as our in full character and costume and act as our driver. His name was “Chim Richalds” and he had a bad-ass mustachio and accent. It was SO fun and unique, and a great way to get a gaggle of girls around town!
Stay tuned for next week, ‘cuz Hunter is tackling tips for the guys in his bachelor party video!
Ha, speaking of bloat… here’s a fun fact. The first commercial I ever booked was a Diurex ad. Yup, I was all “I take Diurex, and get on with my life!” on television during many daytime talk show commercial breaks I wish I had a copy of that to show you guys – you’d die of laughter…
Got any other broke-ass party tips to share? Leave ‘em in the comments, yo!
Oh hello there! Are you admiring my proud peacock feathers? I thought you might be! Why so proud, you ask? Well, aside from the lovlieness of my plumes (pfffft), its because my handsome hubby is a contributing editor to Destination Weddings & Honeymoon’s Magazine in their super-sweet Groom’s Room column every issue!
We’ve always been huge fans of DWH Mag, and I had the honor of being quoted in it a few years ago… but I’m so excited for Hunter that he’s now a regular columnist. What a gigantic honor for us both!
Check out his first article, advice for destination bachelor parties. I just lurve it (and the illustration too)!
I know, its tiny… so here’s the full text for your reading pleasure!
Destination Wedding Bachelor Party
One of our favorite grooms, the Fresh Hubby from BrokeAssBride.com, tells your guy how to throw a great bachelor party.
by Hunter Stiebel
Congratulations, dude — you are soon to marry the love of your life. And just as your future wife is beautiful and amazing, the spot where you’re getting hitched is too — that’s why you chose a destination wedding. I’m sure you and your partner in crime are excited for every detail of what will surely be the happiest day of your life so far, but don’t overlook what could be your second favorite day: Yup, I’m talking about the bachelor party! Instead of doing something at home like those traditional grooms, set aside some time in paradise to make some memories with your best buds. (If the celebration becomes a boozy haze, hey, at least you’ll have some great photos.) Whether your wedding is in the mountains or the heart of the city, here are five creative ideas for a destination bachelor bash.
Beach
Why drink on land when you can drink on sea with a band of bawdy buccaneers? If you’re headed to a tropical locale, pirate cruises make a great bachelor-party option, and they’re a staple in places like the Caribbean and Mexico. In the latter, Cabo San Lucas’ Buccaneer Queen offers an open bar, pirate shows and games, as well as a close-up view of El Arco, the famous rock arch.
Mountain
Nothing says male bonding like climbing rocks. Technical climbing is a good analogy to life: As you search for your next foothold, you rely on your buddy to have your back and yell, “Upward and onward!” Conquer the rock, and don’t worry about skill: Instructors at Pikes Peak Alpine School, in Colorado Springs, can customize group outings complete with helmets, harnesses and shoes. Afterward, you and your team will have earned the right to tap the Rockies at a local bar.
Wine Country
Wine has unfairly been given a less manly image than beer, but here is a quick way to up the testosterone in the vineyards: wine tours by Jeep. Forget stomping grapes with your bare feet; you’ve got massive tires for that. In Cali, Sonoma-based Wine Country Jeep Tours can do the driving while you do the drinking — ahem, I mean tasting.
City
For a big-city bachelor party, why not kick it like an all-star? Book a party bus from the hotel to your favorite stadium to watch the game in style. If your budget allows a little more creativity, rent a private suite or take advantage of the “all you can eat” seats popping up in many stadiums. Chicago’s Wrigley Field Rooftop Club has three sections of special seating, each a different price and offering perks like high-def TVs, extra-wide seats and the all-important private bar.
Resort
If you’re hosting a resort wedding, why not go old-school, or rather, back to school, with an on-campus scavenger hunt? Start off in the spa and get a clue from your masseuse leading you to a hike, a golf course, a cigar bar or whatever fun activities the resort has to offer. Get a new clue from the staff at each stop. The multiple resort bars (and drinks) along the way can be helpful clue-cracking pit stops.
Whatever you do, your party is going to be a kick-butt, boogie-down bonanza. It’s hard to believe it’s only a pre-game, but when you say “I Do”, that’s when the real party begins.
(originally printed in Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine, March/April issue)
When I set out to DIY our wedding, I had no idea what I was in for. I knew there would be a lot of trial and error, mixed with hair pulling frustration, but I also knew that I was capable of pulling it off. My heart was certainly in it, my attitude was positive, and therefore I was able approach the difficulty of it all with an open mind and a smile. The one project that I have been working on since April (4 months, people) is our DIY bouquets. I declared these bouquets finished at least 3 different times. The first time I declared them “finished” was at the end of April after my “Hey, Bridesmaids! Let’s Make Some Bouquets!” Party. Here are a few shots of the bouquet in PHASE 1:
DIY Bouquets: PHASE 1
More of PHASE 1
This first night of bouquet crafting left us all feeling successful. I was truly impressed with what we did. But just days after that night, I started to futz with the bouquets again. I saw little gaps that needed fixing and pieces that needed gluing. This was to be expected, though. We were DIYing bouquets blind, pretty much. You see, at first, we did the “glue-as-you-go” method where we basically took some pretty crap and glued it to the bouquet handle base, trying our hardest to keep it looking spherical. I’d say for our first attempts, we did a pretty damn good job.
But then I decided I wanted different colors than the materials I had on the bouquet. So instead of starting from scratch (which would have ended up costing us nearly as much as a set of real floral bouquets), I decided to paint over what I had. And this is what I came up with (you may recognize this picture from my previous DIY Bouquet post):
DIY Bouquets: PHASE 2
I truly loved this phase of the bouquets. In fact, after I completed said “phase,” I believed it to be the last and final. But no. I decided I wanted lighter colors. So I started painting again. And the I decided some of the bouquets didn’t have the right shape, so I began to reshape. And then I looked at a picture of a real bouquet, and I decided that the handles on my bouquets looked skinnier than everyone else’s. And I didn’t like that. So I found some soft cardboard used to pack fragile things with, rolled them into cylinders, then glued them to the current handle. Then I noticed that “real” bouquets have some sort of ribbon or lace wrap around the handle. So I went and bought some lace ribbon, wrapped it around the handles, and pinned it.
Annnnd 80 glue gun burns later, this is the final look of the bouquets:
DIY Bouquets: PHASE 3 - The (Actual) Final Phase
My bouquet: PHASE 3
PHASE 3: Complete.
I am very VERY happy with the end result. Don’t get me wrong, I would have been happy with the phase 1 result, but since I had time to tweak and perfect, I was able to let the bouquets evolve into my original vision.
Lessons learned:
There is no right or wrong way to make a DIY bouquet.
Do not feel pressured to make your DIY bouquet perfect on the first go-around. Give yourself time to let the bouquets evolve.
It’s ok to be a perfectionist — just make sure you give yourself enough time to be said perfectionist. I finished my bouquets 5 days before the wedding, people. This perfectionist likes to cut it close… So starting four months prior to W-Day was a must for me. Assess your perfectionist tendencies and plan your DIY bouquet plan of attack accordingly.
If you do not plan on painting your bouquet, make sure you pick colors you like and want to commit to. My bouquet colors changed completely from start to finish. Just look at Phase 1 compared to Phase 3. Same bouquet, totally different look.
Do a glue test to make sure everything holds. For example, hold your bouquet by the handle, upside down and shake it a tad. If it feels loose, it’s not glued down enough. Don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll find yourself in a hot glue gun mess.
Build from the center of the bouquet out. This way you can decide layer by layer how big you want your sphere to be, and you will have an easier time keeping the sphere even and symmetrical.
Make the handle of the bouquet LAST. I made 3 different handles before I landed on a style that worked. Trial and error: get used to it.
What are your DIY lessons learned? Anyone have similar experiences with crafting their bouquets? Have they evolved as much as mine have?
Ring a ding ding. When I came across Tina H. Dee, who handcrafts bad-ass alternative, affordable unique wedding rings and custom gifts that your wedding party will be thrilled to rock. I took one peek at her etsy site and started writing this post. Its, like, broke-ass to the max.
Perfect for your unfussy fiance(e), or your own unfussy finger, these rings and things start at around $30, don’t go much higher than $150, and many are customizable. Personalizing rings and gift jewelry with people’s names, special dates or quotes is a bonus that even broke-asses can get behind!
This ring set below is $68. Yup, that’s right. And its gawgeous.
People. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Etsy is where its AT!
I like fun. Been a huge fan of it my whole life, really. Take me to a dance club and I’m usually the weirdo intensely pelvic thrusting to the music while everyone points and chuckles, not believing their eyes. I love theme parties and scavenger hunts… arts and crafts… attending pool parties dressed as a German Beer Girl just for the hell of it… starting dance parties in the middle of a casino floor in Vegas… drinking games… dance-offs… impromptu guitar sing-alongs… the list goes on.
And I am very lucky to say that my closest friends and wedding party share my same interest in “the fun.” They are the ones who have constantly encouraged me to let my inner silly out… so I thought, as a tribute to our amazing wedding party, we would do something a little special for ourselves and them. Give us all gift that will keep on giving and keep us collectively laughing for years to come. Call it ours and their “gift of fun.” Since Mike and I are German, and my Dad is graciously making us a couple kegs of his delicious homebrew, I originally wanted to get each other steins. But steins were a little pricey. Way cool, but too expensive. And then I found something that was just as awesome, and just as fun… I present to you… DAS BOOT:
A plastic boot. You fill with beer. That hangs around your neck. Life.Is.Good.
I got all 14 members of our wedding party each one of these babies. And you better bet your bottom dollar that these boots will be filled with homebrew and worn proudly during the reception. Hands-free, spill-free dancing while drinking? Sign me up! Since these puppies can hold an entire liter of booze, we won’t have to leave the dance floor as much… and for our wedding, maximum dancing time is crucial. And the pictures are going to be downright hysterical. See…? FUN. And of course I wasn’t going to neglect the stars of the party… for my sweet love and I, the bride and groom, I purchased two of these bad boys:
1 Liter of glass boot awesomeness, complete with engravable crest!
I can’t reveal exactly *what* will be engraved on our beer boots… but I will tell you that it is most-certainly fun, and most-certainly meaningful to both Mike and I and our German heritage. I cannot wait to share it with you all!
What sort of “fun” elements are you including in your wedding? What are some other fun ideas for groomsmen/bridesmaids gifts? Or am I the only weirdo gifting our wedding party boot-shaped drinking receptacles you hang around your neck?
When we left off…. I was just arriving at the ceremony site, along with the ladies of my bridal party. We took off our shoes before ascending the stairs, as was tradition at the Shumei Center, in whose Hollywood garden we had our ceremony.
I knew the time had come, and all I wanted was to peer out the upstairs window at the guests gathering, but I was quarantined upstairs so as to avoid being spotted by Hunter. We hid out in a spare room, and waited, all a-buzz with bridal delight.
Ta-Dizzle!
Our dear friends own a company specializing in tea, accessories, and gourmet goods called Algabar (in whose former shop I worked for years) which also offers marvelous tea-inspired catering as Fete du The. As a wedding gift to us, they offered to serve a ceremony refreshment, and we loved the idea!
They served our favorite tea cocktail that they had invented, The Mrs. Palmer: a lavender-infused lemonade blended with earl grey and lavender tea, (with an option to spike with vodka), and sweetened with lavender syrup. As soon as we got upstairs, I was all… “someone get this bride a drink!” Just one… to take the edge off. Hey, I may be an actress – but standing in front of everyone without a character to hide behind, is still intimidating. And, I was about to get freaking married!
wetting my wedding whistle
Our friends served the drinks in mason jars that I BrideShared with a bride I met on the indiebride kvetch forum, at a table off to the side of the ceremony seating. The guests later gushed about how much they loved and appreciated the tasty drinks.
Then of course, thanks to my drink and the nerves, I had to pee. Now, I am posting this out of love for you readers, and because I keeps it real. But you gotta know, it probably will happen to you. And you’ll need help. That’s what your maid of honor is for. That’s what sisters are for. So, ladies and gentleman (that’s you, dad)… I give you, The Broke-Ass Bride at her very finest!
It happens to the best of us...
I just had to post this picture because MaPo took it and I love it. (and in the hopes it will help you forget the previous photo)
Next thing I knew, Sharlene our intrepid DOC, was upstairs telling the ladies it was time to line up for the processional. I quickly rallied the troops for some last-minute wall pushups to get strong and make ourselves feel ultra bad-ass.
for last minute toning...
And it was time to go! I took a moment to be alone upstairs after the girls left, to breathe, to give myself a moment. I gave myself a “be present” pep talk and felt a HUGE smile creep across my face. I was nervous, but mostly just excited and calm and steady and ready.
I could hear the processional music beginning, and I knew that everyone was lined up downstairs, ready to walk that aisle before me. That my father was waiting to walk with me on that path. That the garden would be full of my favorite faces and most beloved friends and family. I knew at the end of that aisle stood my husband.
With all the last moment emergencies the month leading up to our wedding was a stress fest! And if I thought the last month was stressful the last week was a Stress-mare! I woke the morning of our wedding with a goal: “I won’t stress out about a thing. I will live and love every moment of today.” And here is how it went…
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Uno for the MONTH of your wedding: Watch your cell bill and add minutes if necessary.- The past week felt like I was on the phone answering a vendor’s or guest’s question more than I was off the phone. Don’t believe me? Well if you can get T-mobile to remove the FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN OVERAGES for the month of May, we will be besties for life. I knew I needed to slow down the Bullet Train of Wedding Planning and turn it into the Soul Train of Wedding Loving. Its one thing to have a goal, its another to have a plan.
This thing won’t stop ringing!
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Uno for the DAY of your wedding: You need to mentally and physically stop and relax. The planning has ended and now it’s time to be fully present in the day.- Hellooooo Massage. If you live in L.A. you may know the joy of Pho Siam. A beautiful calming location where a nice Thai lady will stretch you like a rubber-band and walk all over you for only 40 bucks an hour. I told my brother and Best Man that was how we were going to start the big day, and surprisingly *wink* he had no objections. For the first time in a week the cell phone was being turned off. I was now on the Wedding Soul Train and nothing was gonna mess up my groove.
This may be the rehearsal dinner but you can see my Best Man is a relaxing guy
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Dose for the DAY of your wedding: Give your best man your cell phone. Just because my cell phone had been turned off does not mean the calls stopped coming. When I turned my phone back on I had to play catch up. Everyone respects that the bride needs to be left alone on the wedding day so EVERYONE turns to the suit for answers. Today you are Vinny Chase and you have an Enterouge for a reason. Turn to them.
My Crew has Balls!
Fresh Hubby tip Numero Tres: Do something fun and simple with the Fellas for bonding and relaxing- My Best Man and I both emerged from Pho Siam, with a calm confidence and we were ready to get our wedding on. But it’s only 12pm. Good thing we planned to go bowling with the Groomsmen and other men of the family. I had thought about golf, but getting there and back on time would have harshed my mellow, man. Bowling was just a block away from our out of towners hotel The Magic Castle I.E. Groomsmen Prep. Headquarters.
Aye! When it comes to bowling my Pops in-law and I don’t mess around.
Fresh Hubby tip Numero Quattro and Cinquo: Make sure you eat something, and if a friend is your second shooter, make sure its a very reliable friend- Bowling was a blast. Groomsmen, Groomslady, and the Pops/Bros In-laws having a good time. Lounging around with a spread of bowling appetizer grub surrounded by some of my closest gents (and lady) in my life was a very good way to smoothly start building the momentum of the day. But where the heck is our second shooter who is supposed to be documenting all this brotherly love?! I get a call from our awesome D.O.C. Sharlene and she asks, “Do you know where the heck your second shooter is?!” She has been trying to reach him forever. Mellow Harshing Alert! Man, I’m just trying to keep it groovy here, ya dig. Our second shooter was a friend who was emphatic about taking pics for our wedding. We had given him a billion oppurtunities to simply be a guest at the wedding, but he insisted. So where the heck is this guy? Thankfully my groomsmen stepped in. Between my Best Man and Groomsman Nick, our second shooter magically appeared. A little sweaty, but in time to get some good pics. Let the soul train roll on.
Nick’s got my back… and my boobs
Bowling has been so fun but I’m kind of in the mood to lay by the pool because it’s only…YOWSERS It’s later than I thought! We need to get changing and S.T.A.T.! We are in the final countdown to the ceremony and all of a sudden the Wedding Soul Train is going to EXPRESS!
Thanks!
