Posts in the 'Recaps' Category
February 10th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
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)
Feels like a fairy tale.
Headpiece and earrings by TS Tiara
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.
January 17th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
(Missed part 1? Get up to speed – we’ll wait!)
It had been a year since I first tried on my dress, an ill-fitting runway sample that still made me feel like some bridal angel from heaven. I spent hours daydreaming about it over the year, sneaking peeks at the sample in Deborah’s studio during my work-trade hours, or using it as motivation to sweat my back fat off. Putting it on was the holy grail of my pre-ceremony prep, and I was dizzily giddy with glee when the time came to step into that swathe of frothy, creamy, lacy confection.
Even though Deborah (my fairy godmother/dress designer) was there to help me change, I didn’t want my mom or maid of honor to miss out on their part in the dressing honor. So I invited them up to get me started….
My mom and MOH as Cinderella's little birdies
Make. Me. PRETTY!
I have a tendency to let adrenaline and excitement overwhelm and keep me from really being present in a moment, so as often as possible throughout the day, I’d try to quiet down and let the moments really sink in, instead of merely washing over me.
Feelin' it.
But, on the real, it was hard to keep from bursting the seams of my joy every minute.
Deb stepped in to lace me up….
My sister is looking so perplexed!
I just kept looking down at the gown, in awe of it all.
Then it was time to tie my sash…
My paparazzi moment.
Like a perfect present.
We almost forgot my garter! A few years back, Hunter caught the garter at my sister Kim’s wedding, so we thought it would be fun to use it as a “something borrowed”
Momma, your leg smells like bride!
How does it look?
Fashion tape time! Ah, how innocent I was, how badly it let me down.
Got some sassy glitter to decorate my decolletage!
My girls need some glitter!
I took a last look before running out the door…
Is my halo on straight?
Back fat check! All clear!
…..and it was time to roll! We all piled into a van and headed towards the ceremony site, feeling high on happiness and full of joyous anticipation. My vows in hand, I looked down at the words I was getting ready to utter, and remembered to switch my engagement ring over to my right hand, as something different would soon be taking its place. I was off to be married. I was on my way to the arms of my husband.
January 13th, 2010 by The Fresh Hubby
The Big Day when I become a Hubby has arrived. If you missed all the fun things I did to gently morph the speeding bullet of wedding planning into the Wedding Soul Train click here. But Yowsers! The wedding countdown clock is ticking, and we need to get back to Groomsmen HQ to change, and FAST!
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Seis: Through out the day, find a few moments here and there to look at your vows. Whether you wrote them yourself or you are going the traditional route, take some time to connect with what you are going to say later on. After all, that’s the whole point of the day right? You have gathered your dearly beloved to witness your declaration of love of and commitment. These are more than words, they have meaning. When the time comes you don’t want to just repeat them, you’ll want to be comfortable enough that you feel them. I wrote mine out on business cards and during every activity took just a few moments to check in with my vows.
VOWS, now in a convenient travel size...
...study on the bus...
...Study where ever you get a moment
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Siete: Keep all your destinations close and flexible: We were going to lounge by the pool at the hotel but, “Whoa where did the time go? We’ve got to get ready!” To The Magic Castle! We all crammed into my Brother the Best Man’s hotel room to change. I’m flinging clothes on, throwing some water on the fro, and pulling off a little Flashdance hair shake.
Hmm, how many was the room reservation for?
It's raining Grooms, Hallelujiah!
The SHUTTLE HAS ARRIVED TO TAKE US TO THE CEREMONY!!! Oh dear! My suitcase of clothes for our newlywed sleepover is with me. Unless we want to get dropped off at The Magic Castle and then stumble two blocks dragging a suitcase, in the middle of the night after our wedding, I better get it over to our hotel fast! “DAVE! Can you run this over to the Renaissance Hotel and then RUN back?” “Wha? Uuuh… On it!” Knock Knock. “It’s your mom. We haven’t rehearsed our mother son dance.” “Yikes! I haven’t even heard the song in ten years!” Cue Mom and half dressed son Dancing around the hotel while mom says “one, two, one two three” and son mutters, “Shall we dance? bum bum bum”.
My mom never takes off her dancing shoes
OK, we can pull this off! I just have to fling my jacket on. Ask mom to pin on my Boutonniere.
The last moment alone with my mom as just... her boy
Run downstairs to the doubledecker bus which…is… getting a parking citation from the Los Angeles Parking Violations folks.
NOW IT’S AN L.A. WEDDING Y’ALL!
"Oh it's the Fresh Hubby's Wedding?!... You're still getting a ticket!"
Awkward...
Every one on board! We need to get out of here before we get another ticket, but “Where’s Dave?!”. Fortunately its a doubledecker so we are at a vantage point to see off in the distance a slender fellow in a suit running towards us with all his might. Dave hops in and we are off! … TO GET MARRIED!… HOLY CRAP!
Full speed ahead! To My Wedding!!!
P.S. Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Ocho: If you are riding a topless double decker bus and a huge tree branch comes straight at you…
...DUCK!!!
January 6th, 2010 by The Fresh Hubby
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!
January 4th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
I relished in every single minute of the “prettifying” part of my wedding day like it the sleepover party of my dreams. Surrounded by my favorite ladies (sisters Dawn and Kim, future SIL Cathy, bestie Mapo, future SIL Judith and my mom), getting the royal treatment, feeling full of joy, relaxed and openhearted, my body buzzing with anticipation. It was a fairy tale transformation that made me feel like a bad-ass princess, ready to take on the day, find my prince charming and waltz our way into our happily-ever-after.
Cinderella smile.
It started with my hairdresser Martina putting tight Shirley Temple curls all around my head….
Curlsplosion!
…which she then had to brush completely out to achieve the perfect look, before fastening my gorgeous, custom TS Tiara headband across me like a whimsical crystal halo. At this point, Martina had been my hairdresser for nearly 2 years by the point we reached this day. She’s adorable and bubbly and warm, and she made my hair look ultrafly. I loved having her there to share in the excitement.
tying the knot before tying the knot.
Meanwhile, my dress was waiting patiently….. showing off for the camera.
with my coat of many colors.
Even the dresses had their own special makeover party. A few days before the rehearsal, my wedding dress designer Deborah Lindquist saved the day by doing a last-minute alteration on my rehearsal dress. When we picked it up, she thrilled us with a generous offer to come over the morning of the wedding not only deliver but steam my dress and help me into it. You might remember that I worked with Deb for nearly a year, after bartering a work-trade for a discount on the gown, and we bonded through that experience. I was so touched when she offered to come help. That morning she surprised us by offering to also steam the bridesmaid’s dresses so everyone would look perfect. I felt so spoiled with love! Having her there was so special.
a colorful gaggle of tafetta.
I took care of some last minute hygiene (to make sure that first kiss would be as sweet as ever)
brusha brusha brusha!
And carefully nested the bottle of wine given to us by our friend Nick, who crafted us the most gorgeous box for the box ceremony….
here's hoping we don't meet again soon.
I swathed it in a vintage sari depicting the Baraat (an indian wedding processional) which was a recurring element in our paper goods.
yards of marital marching.
Paco wanted to wish me a happy wedding day, too.
today, we become a true family.
I checked in with my mom for some girlish giggly glee…
Mamaw, you look marvelous!
While my vows, our rings and a letter from our best homey in absentia to include in the box ceremony canoodled quietly. Our rings are nestled into a seashell from the beach in San Felipe on which Hunter proposed to me. My dad fastened a bit of ribbon onto the lip of the seashell with epoxy, we strung a ring on each side, and tied a bow. That way it could be passed around during the Ring Warming Ceremony (more to come on that) in a ‘cradle of love’, as-it-were.
Our rings sat in a seashell from the beach where he proposed.
I inserted my “cutlets” and maid of honor Dawn felt me up to make sure they were secure. I needed them to fill out the bustier of my dress a little better. What can I say, I”m a proud member of the itty bitty titty committee. These cutlets would prove to be the only thing that save me from certain death by mortification later that night.
Tune in tokyo.
Our incredible makeup gal, Jessica Rinsky, put the finishing touches on my momma’s lips. We found Jessica at the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom – The Grove, in a moment of desperation after a failed makeup trial elsewhere and hired her on the spot. Her personality and talent were bright shining stars! I am very particular about makeup… but she made me and my mother glow as if it were completely natural. If you don’t like feeling like you’re wearing lots of makeup, and want a really natural radiance, I totes recommend Laura Mercier’s line.
a perfect pout.
Then it was my turn to hop in the (effing fabulous) chair once more to get my final touchups done.
My sweatpants said "Love this Life" across the rear. And how I do.
Painting on the perfect pucker.
Waterproof mascara please (I'm a crier).
Pucker up, buttercup!
My ladies each signed the sole of my shoe, so their support would keep me sure-footed through the day.
What a gorgeous momma I've got!
Mapo drew a margarita. She knows me too well.
Sister Kim left her mark while Paco made a fort underfoot.
Let's play dress up!
….Then it was time to get in the gown! Come back for part 2: Dress up time!
(Catch up on past recaps here. See more details in our wedding highlight video here.)
December 21st, 2009 by The Broke-Ass Bride
(When we left off, I was checking off last-minute to-do’s and ready to face my day)
My first real “appointment of my day” fell just after my shower (in which it was verboten to wash my hair), and was with my sister Kim. I had requested it months before my wedding day, and knew that despite my procrastinatory disposition, it would be the make-it-or-break-it moment of my pre-ceremony wedding day. Kim is the most incredibly gifted healer that I know, and she generously offered me a craniosacral therapy session the morning of my wedding. I’d had experienced her abiliities before, but never in such extreme circumstances, but this was by far the most profound of them all. I’m no kookyspooks, but Kim can hold her hands over an area of my body, and not only feel my emotions without question, but seemingly exorcise tension from my body and prepare me for any experience with pure openness. Now that is a true gift of healing.
It was an extremely personal session, but I will say that I laughed, I cried, and I worked out any possible many insecurities, discoveries and awakenings that I never even knew existed before this…. it felt like years of therapy were accomplished in an hours’ time. As usual, I stood taller, felt stronger, and more grounded as I moved forward with my day; but the gratitude and connection I felt for Kim can never be surpassed. It was a truly deep and integrated moment among sisters that I will cherish as long as I live.
Kim has studied craniosacral, massage, and structural therapies for many years, and her healing powers are so strong it was mind boggling to me. She’d barely, if even, be touching me for the past hour; and be able to feel me having a thought process or feeling, it was incredible. She would hear me laugh or feel me start to cry, and feel it just as deeply as I would.
That hour before my wedding bound me closer to Kim than I ever dreamed, and prepared my body and soul to be open for the experience of a lifetime. I am so grateful to have had that experience, and had my swami sister there to ready me for every angle of emotion I could have possibly imagined experiencing.
My love, thanks, and gratitude to our family members for their support is unmeasurable. And as I readied to walk the aisle I was more sure footed than ever before.
December 10th, 2009 by The Broke-Ass Bride
This is a repost of a guest blog I did for my boo Sasha at Sparkliatti last month… but in case any of you missed it, here it is again! Enjoy!
I’m completely in love with creative and original ideas that won’t drain your budget! When Sasha asked me to bring some of my budget decor savviness to her blog, I thought, let’s get to the heart of the matter… or at least of the room: The Table.
Table decor can either be unique and memorable or fade into the background of a wedding – but whether you’re dropping $1 or $100 on it, why waste a chance to surprise and delight your guests with fun and distinctive design? I struggled for days to find inexpensive yet dynamic ways to spruce up our tables without busting our budget, and today I’m sharing my top 5 ways to save on money but stay rich on impact.
1. Having a rustic affair but want to give your tables flair? A large roll of kraft paper can serve as a no-muss sub for linens for much less. Don’t forget to toss some crayons near the kids’ seats…. or everyone’s seats for that matter! Instant interactive fun for your guests!
2. Prefer the feel of fabric? Buy a bolt of unbleached muslin or burlap fabric and use pinking shears to cut tablecloths or runners with character (and leave your sewing kit out of it)! Use baker’s twine to tie a rock into the corners of your tablecloths to help weigh them down.
3. Craft poms are my new obsession. Fill some clear glass bowls, vases or glasses from the flea market with the colorful bunch, or hot glue them to some branches in a vase, and check centerpieces off your list for pennies! Fill paper cones with the leftovers for a fun toss alternative to rose petals that will look whimsical and darling in photos.
4. Save the cost of vases altogether, and cut down on the number of flowers you buy. Pop the heads off some larger stems such as spider mums or orchids and scatter them along the center of the table with some smooth river rocks or seashells woven between them.
5. Bring the outdoors in for tables that add texture and visual interest. Use mosscloth for dynamic table runners or centerpiece elements. Its a natural and inexpensive way to wow your guests, and comes in various shades of green to suit your palette.
I took my own advice, and our guests loved the moss centerpieces!
I hope these ideas help inspire some of you to take your table decor to the next level while keeping your budget in check. Saving money on your wedding decor is often as easy as thinking outside the box! Now go, unleash your inner budget bad-ass and make your tables sing!
What’s your favorite outside-the-box saving tip for table decor?
December 9th, 2009 by The Broke-Ass Bride
{When we left off, Hunter and I had parted ways after the rehearsal dinner, and he found himself startled by the timing of it all…}
The night before our wedding, I slept in bed with my momma, at the rental house that all eleven of my immediate family members had rented for the week. It was so cozy and stirringly appropriate to be transported via sense memory, back to childhood, surrounded by my family. Growing up, when my dad was out of town, I loved sleepovers in mom’s room – and here I was again. Right before I fell asleep, Hunter texted me: The Wedding Countdown Clock my mom gave me at my shower was going off! I floated off to sleep amidst giggling giddily with my mommy about what excitement the next day would bring.
I woke the next morning to breakfast in bed, courtesy of my (freaking awesome) sisters, and I felt magnificently rested and calm, even though there was much to do (and am usually the opposite of a morning person). Dawn, Kim and (future SIL) Judith were so thoughtful about making sure I had a proper balanced meal (especially given my recent lack of appetite), and it definitely felt like royal bridal treatment. I didn’t manage to eat very much, but I nibbled casually in bed as I got down to business.
‘Memba when I said we procrastinate? Well, we were so far behind on our task list, that I still had to design the layout of our the programs so they could be printed and folded, write my letter to Hunter for the box ceremony during the wedding ceremony, and spend some time reviewing my vows. And then some. But, it was almost meditative to go through it all, and even with the last-minuteness of everything, I felt so blissed out it was incredible. Nothing could harsh that mellow. Well, almost….
NEW RULE, BRIDES: Give up your phone to your mother or maid of honor the night before the wedding. I don’t care how much of a control freak you are, this will save. your. sanity. The one less-than-perfect part of my morning was the incessant text messaging from people looking for information. Your 2nd shooter not knowing where to be or when is not what a bride needs to deal with the morning of her wedding. Ninja please, that is not ok! Thank goodness my sister Dawn intervened before the crabbiness set in. That was a close call, yo.
I managed to keep riding my wedding high as I finished those tasks and made my way downstairs to officially greet the day, and take care of some more very important business…. a special treatment from my swami sister Kim!
November 30th, 2009 by The Fresh Hubby
As I’m sure it is no surprise, the week leading up to the wedding was in a word: Insanity. Exactly seven days prior to the big day my amazing in-laws-to-be landed and we went into wedding preparation hyperdrive. We were behind in a major way, and practically an entire months work had to be crammed into a week. Throw into the mix that everyday a new loved one is arriving and you have a recipe for one frazzled bride and groom. Everyone had something important to tell me but I could only respond, “Please forgive me if I forget, because my brain is currently a wedge of wedding swiss cheese.” I was co-ordinating so many things that the following month I discovered I went over my cell minutes by 500 dollars! I could write another post about why I hate T-mobile, but this here blog is about Broke-Ass romance.
The entire week I was never alone for a minute and I always had a list of things to do. So when Dana dropped me off at our house after our rehearsal dinner and I was left alone, I think it was the quietest moment of my life. Not a noise, not even the normal tip tapping of my best buddy Paco (For new readers: that’s our dog, not a random tap dancer who lives with us) Just silence to marinate in the anticipation that surely surpassed a five year old on steroids during Christmas Eve at the North Pole. Then it happened. Out of the deafening silence came a piercing alarm. I immediately thought it must be a smoke detector but both had been undisturbed. It sounded like nothing I could recognize and I feared there may be some type of emergency. I walked around the house following the noise, with out a clue as to what it could be… until it was staring me in the face. My future mom in-law had given us “The Wedding Countdown Clock”. It was 12am. As the hairs raised on the back of my neck I realized, “Holy Crap… I’m getting married today.”
Yowsers!
