We had only ONE cake tasting. And then, I wrote out the deposit check. Yes, the cake tasted that great. And well... okay... I was eager to get another item checked off my "to-do" list.
As a designer, I was more concerned about how the cake would look, than about how it would taste. This is why Elise, came along for the ride. I think that perhaps one of the most important aspects of the wedding (for Elise) is how the cake tastes. And this is a lucky thing for you (!) since you will be eating it! Only the photographer and I will care about how it looks.
Just as an aside, I have to mention that I had a great conversation with a rep from Paula DeLuc (catering). And she asked me this question at the end of our phone call, "If there was one thing that you'd want your guests to remember at the conclusion of your wedding celebration, what would it be?" I was stumped. I could not think of anything that I'd particularly want my guests to specifically remember. But after a minute, an answer came to me. However, the answer did not involve the guests. (Now you will know what is really important to me...) I said, "Well, I don't know if I care about what the guests will remember. However, I can tell you want _I_ want to remember! I want to remember that everything looked stunning! I really really care about how everything looks." Then I launced into my routine about how I am a designer and all I ever care about is how things look. If I forgot to eat for a week I wouldn't care or perhaps even notice if I could sit inside the Ritz Carlton, SF and enjoy the marble counter tops and $900 per night decor while starving. John has to frequently remind me to eat. In fact, he basically has to put food in front of me so that I will eat on time. How did I survive before John? Well, I ate a lot of packaged lunch meat and cottage cheese with canned mandrin oranges. Now I get gourmet meals 3 times a day. He just recently asked me to start chipping in to the food budget. I said that was fine, but I might have to go back to buying canned food because it's cheaper... (I'm kidding). In any case, my point is - I don't care much about food. But I care A LOT about how food looks.
Now that I have made my point about my lack of interest in food... I will completely contradict myself and say that this cake:6" and 14" Belgian milk chocolate cakes filled with Hazelnut pastry cream and whipped Belgian Milk chocolate ganache - is one of the best things I've ever tasted in my entire life. Only Kay from Beaux Gateaux could make me say that. Okay, it seems that the people at Butterfly Cakes are on par with Kay. But lucky for me, Butterfly Cakes is on maternity leave in June 2007. So that's one less vendor appointment.
And with respect to how the cake will look: Iridescent spiral drape on 14", edged in thin ribbons accented with silver and burgundy and bordered with silver ribbon; top three cakes with carved "waists", silver ribbon borders have silver fleur de lis and burgundy dots; fresh flowers to be provided by florist. If I could paste a picture here, I would. However, I don't have one. You will have to imagine what it looks like, from the words. I will say that the cake design was inspired by my dress. I sent the dress photo to Kay ahead of time, and it appeared that she did nothing but dream about how my amazing dress design could and would be translated into a cake design in the intervening 7 or so days.
Oh yes, and for those of you who think you might not want to eat the most amazing milk chocolate cake you've ever laid eyes on, then there will be this: 8" and 10" Italian cream cakes filled with Vanilla bean pastry cream and Key lime mousse, all serving 130; stacked on 18" board; all enrobed in white fondant. It's a win-win. I'm eating the chocolate. And I think I will request that the entire top layer of the cake (which is milk chocolate) be hand-delivered to my hotel room that night. And I will not bother photographing it before I eat it :)
Today we me with a photographer, and in some of her photos of past weddings we noticed that people had chosen to serve cup cakes! Can you imagine? Cupcakes are missed design opportunity. You simply cannot design a cupcake, the way you can design a "cake" serving 130 people. Have a look at Beaux Gateaux's website, and you will understand.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
What's in a date?
Think about June 17th. Does anything in particular come to mind? It's a prime number... In mid-June the days are long - thus lots of sunlight... it's summertime - what a great time for a "Wedding." Anything else? I like the number 7... there's a 7 in there...
Pretty much nothing comes to mind. It's a Clean Slate. What a great day to become our "Anniversary"... permanently. We mainly chose the date because the timing fits with my work schedule. It allows us to get married, have a leisurly honeymoon and return in time for me to start teaching the next quarter. We could have held the wedding the following Sunday, but the Rabbi preferred the 17th and it allows our honeymoon travels to be more relaxed.
Then you start telling everyone the date. It turns out that it is my housemate's parent's anniversary. It's Ilonka's friend's birthday. It's my skating instructor / hair dresser's mother's birthday. It's "June-Teenth!" For those who don't know, that's the day the slaves we're freed in Texas. Say "June-Teeth" reallly loudly and with a Southern accent... And just today... about two weeks after we decided on the date and have already told everyone we know about it... my friend Lia pointed out that it is FATHER'S DAY. Yes, June 17th, 2007 is Father's Day. Apparentlly nobody knows... You see Father's Day is a different day every year, because it is always on a Sunday.
I was not initially excited to learn that I would be getting married on Father's Day. Why? Because the day should be all about ME. Okay, it's about US. But now it's also about FATHER's. That's too confusing. I don't want that. John is a Father. Heck, half the people attending the wedding are probably Father's. EVERYBODY who will be at the wedding HAS a father. Will everyone be thinking about their Father on that day? "Congratulations on your marriage! How exciting! Oh, wait, excuse me... I have to go call my father right now... because, you know, it's Father's Day."
People do weird things with dates. They make dates "meaningful." We are trained to do this from birth. Starting with that day.... the birthday. If your birthday is Christmas, forget it. That's sensory overload. People can't handle two significant events happening on the same day. Their brains are already full with the first anniversary. You can't add a second one. So kid's born on Christmas are screwed for the rest of their life.
Then I had another friend warn me about setting the date to close to graduation time... maybe people will have conflicts. Then someone else said that maybe this is not a good time because Colin, John's son, will just be ending school for the year and starting a summer routine and that's a big change for Colin... should we be going away on a honeymoon for two weeks at that time? But if you say you're getting married in December people give you the "grimace" face. Weddings don't happen in December. They happen in Sring or Summer. So June is perfect, right? But there can be a lot of fog in San Francisco in the summer. So here, people want to get married in September. But September is when school starts, it's my birthday, it's John's son's birthday... Oh yes and don't get married on Mother's Day because your flowers will cost $8,000 instead of $4,000.
Is there any good day to get married? A day that has no inherent significance to anyone involved. A day that is made just for YOU. Given that there are only 365 days in a year, every date of the year means something to someone. But no one ever tells you about that significance under normal circumstances. My birthday has been on September 27th for 37 years. When I tell people my birthday they don't say... Oh! That's my parent's anniversay, my dog's birthday, my son's graduation, my husband's ex-cousin's hairdresser's comming-out day! They say, Happy Birthday! When you tell people the date that you're getting married, suddenly that day is everything EXCEPT your wedding day. Maybe that's because we can choose our wedding day but not our birthday?
I just spoke to my future brother in-law for about 20 seconds on the phone and mentioned that we just learned that we are getting married on Father's Day. He said, "That's Great!" And I think he really meant it. Good. Why do _ I _ think it's a problem? Am I looking for perfection here, because this is "My Wedding Day?" I'm just going to make the decision right now that there will be something imperfect about everything having to do with the wedding. Hopefully there won't be anything tragic... there will just be little imperfections about everything. There's no perfect cake, no perfect dress, no perfect location, no perfect florist, no perfect photographer, the list goes on. And there is certainly no perfect date. A date that won't pose any problems or have any conflicts for guests that have to travel to the wedding, that doesn't have a more significant meaning already, that will command perfect weather in San Francisco because the ceremony will be outside... Nothing in life is perfect. Why do brides hope for and expect perfection when it comes to their wedding day? Is it because they've been dreaming about that day since they were 6 years old? So now that I'm 37 I've had 31 years to envision what my Wedding Day will be like? This is too much pressure. Nothing is perfect. Sometimes you can get really damn close to perfection. But do you ever really attain it?
June 17th is a great day. Because as far as I am concerned, it is nothing but OUR WEDDING DAY.
Pretty much nothing comes to mind. It's a Clean Slate. What a great day to become our "Anniversary"... permanently. We mainly chose the date because the timing fits with my work schedule. It allows us to get married, have a leisurly honeymoon and return in time for me to start teaching the next quarter. We could have held the wedding the following Sunday, but the Rabbi preferred the 17th and it allows our honeymoon travels to be more relaxed.
Then you start telling everyone the date. It turns out that it is my housemate's parent's anniversary. It's Ilonka's friend's birthday. It's my skating instructor / hair dresser's mother's birthday. It's "June-Teenth!" For those who don't know, that's the day the slaves we're freed in Texas. Say "June-Teeth" reallly loudly and with a Southern accent... And just today... about two weeks after we decided on the date and have already told everyone we know about it... my friend Lia pointed out that it is FATHER'S DAY. Yes, June 17th, 2007 is Father's Day. Apparentlly nobody knows... You see Father's Day is a different day every year, because it is always on a Sunday.
I was not initially excited to learn that I would be getting married on Father's Day. Why? Because the day should be all about ME. Okay, it's about US. But now it's also about FATHER's. That's too confusing. I don't want that. John is a Father. Heck, half the people attending the wedding are probably Father's. EVERYBODY who will be at the wedding HAS a father. Will everyone be thinking about their Father on that day? "Congratulations on your marriage! How exciting! Oh, wait, excuse me... I have to go call my father right now... because, you know, it's Father's Day."
People do weird things with dates. They make dates "meaningful." We are trained to do this from birth. Starting with that day.... the birthday. If your birthday is Christmas, forget it. That's sensory overload. People can't handle two significant events happening on the same day. Their brains are already full with the first anniversary. You can't add a second one. So kid's born on Christmas are screwed for the rest of their life.
Then I had another friend warn me about setting the date to close to graduation time... maybe people will have conflicts. Then someone else said that maybe this is not a good time because Colin, John's son, will just be ending school for the year and starting a summer routine and that's a big change for Colin... should we be going away on a honeymoon for two weeks at that time? But if you say you're getting married in December people give you the "grimace" face. Weddings don't happen in December. They happen in Sring or Summer. So June is perfect, right? But there can be a lot of fog in San Francisco in the summer. So here, people want to get married in September. But September is when school starts, it's my birthday, it's John's son's birthday... Oh yes and don't get married on Mother's Day because your flowers will cost $8,000 instead of $4,000.
Is there any good day to get married? A day that has no inherent significance to anyone involved. A day that is made just for YOU. Given that there are only 365 days in a year, every date of the year means something to someone. But no one ever tells you about that significance under normal circumstances. My birthday has been on September 27th for 37 years. When I tell people my birthday they don't say... Oh! That's my parent's anniversay, my dog's birthday, my son's graduation, my husband's ex-cousin's hairdresser's comming-out day! They say, Happy Birthday! When you tell people the date that you're getting married, suddenly that day is everything EXCEPT your wedding day. Maybe that's because we can choose our wedding day but not our birthday?
I just spoke to my future brother in-law for about 20 seconds on the phone and mentioned that we just learned that we are getting married on Father's Day. He said, "That's Great!" And I think he really meant it. Good. Why do _ I _ think it's a problem? Am I looking for perfection here, because this is "My Wedding Day?" I'm just going to make the decision right now that there will be something imperfect about everything having to do with the wedding. Hopefully there won't be anything tragic... there will just be little imperfections about everything. There's no perfect cake, no perfect dress, no perfect location, no perfect florist, no perfect photographer, the list goes on. And there is certainly no perfect date. A date that won't pose any problems or have any conflicts for guests that have to travel to the wedding, that doesn't have a more significant meaning already, that will command perfect weather in San Francisco because the ceremony will be outside... Nothing in life is perfect. Why do brides hope for and expect perfection when it comes to their wedding day? Is it because they've been dreaming about that day since they were 6 years old? So now that I'm 37 I've had 31 years to envision what my Wedding Day will be like? This is too much pressure. Nothing is perfect. Sometimes you can get really damn close to perfection. But do you ever really attain it?
June 17th is a great day. Because as far as I am concerned, it is nothing but OUR WEDDING DAY.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Have you seen the lists?
I cannot decipher the lists. What lists, you ask? Go to www.theknot.com and sign up. Then click on "checklist." Or buy a wedding planner book from Barnes and Noble. There is not a Wedding Planning To-Do List out there with less than 50 items on it. However the average item count is more like three hundred.
I'm a motivated person. I'm an organized person. I'm even a (gasp) detail oriented person! And I cannot decipher the lists. I read them. Then I wonder, "Have I done this thing or not?" Let me give you an example. Here is a "to-do" list item from my Instant Wedding Planner book that I bought at Borders. The sub title on this book is: Get from "Will you? to "I do!" in Record Time. It's geared towards planning a wedding in six months or less (that's me!!!). On Checklist Number Two there is an item that reads: "Communicate key details to family, wedding party, and far-flung guests." I cannot actually say whether I have done this or not. Some people know about some details. Does everyone know about every detail? I don't think John has formalized arrangements with his third attendant. And I asked a couple friends from So Cal if they could attend a Monady wedding in June. Well now the wedding is on Sunday, but I'm not rushing to the phone to tell eveyone about that update. And what exactly are the "Key Details" that must be communicated? Is there another checklist that outlines "Key Details?" The lists are there to be specific and aid you in planning. But unless there is a definition provided for "Key Details" then how do I know if this item is done? So I do not check off the item on the list. And it bothers me that I can't check it off. On June 18th, that item will still not be checked off. I know what you're thinking. You're saying "so what! That's just a general guideline." in your head. But I'm very nervous that I will miss something. I'll forget an important item like the ring-bearer pillow, and Colin will then have to carry the rings in his hand which means he might then drop them in the grass while walking down the ilse and they won't be able to be found. It's a wonder that I can even sleep at night.
So today I interviewed a "Day of" Coordinator. I though that maybe she could help me decipher the lists and put my mind at ease. Her name is Leslie. John's friend Kelly used her for her wedding and recommended her. I liked Leslie because she was attentive and yet calm. I am not calm. Maybe she will rub off on me.
We also had brunch with Kelly and her husband today. They showed us their wedding album and other wedding paraphenalia. And I got to grill Kelly on what the bleep I actually need to do to make this thing happen. I went into the meeting thinking that I would be more calm once I had several of my questions answered. Instead I came out with a longer to-do list. Originally I was planning to do the "Save the Date" announcement via email. Well, I discoverd during lunch that John would acctually like to MAIL Save the Date cards because it is classier. Now I need to find a printer two months earlier than I was expecting. And apparently people host a brunch the day after the wedding. So we have to plan that too. And there has to be a wedding ceremony program, which I have to write. And Kelly and Matt had an $8,000 "film" made about them that was played at their wedding reception (this is separate from the videographer that videos the wedding). I had decided that a "film" was completely unnecessary. But Kelly said it was her favorite part of the WHOLE wedding. So, now we have to consider it. And I can't find a married person who LOVED everything about their photographer. The reports range from: "Many of the photos were blurry and the sole copy of the photos were given to us and they were then taken from us during a house burglary so we have no photos." To "We didn't provide a formal shot list so we got a lot of great candids but had to dress up and go back a month after the wedding to re-shoot." Are you kidding me? If you know someone who LOVED everything about their photographer please call me immediately.
The good news is that all of my research has resulted in confident reports that we only need to consider two caterers and two cake designers. We will consider Bon Appetit the in-house caterer for the Legion of Honor and Dan McCall who appears to have a flawless reputation among everyone. And we will taste cake at Beaux Gateaux and Butterfly Cakes. Could catering and cake really be that easy? I hope so, because the Floral Designers and Photographers are going to keep me awake at night for another month.
Speaking of Floral Designers, did you know that the most sought after floral designer in San Francisco requires a $4,000 minimum order for any weekend date? I'm lucky that she's already booked on my date. Otherwise I'd have to buy $4,000 worth of flowers that will be thrown away the day after the wedding. At least I can keep the dress!!!... which is considerably less than $4,000. The Legion of Honor is so beautiful. Why do I have to buy $4,000 worth of flowers for it?
So how do you think I'm doing on the To-Do list? Everyone that I talk to says that I'm in "Great Shape." I have a Date, a Dress, and a Location. I might have a videographer, but I didn't put down the deposit yet. I think we have an Officient. Okay. That's FIVE THINGS out of 300. So I should rest easy tonight (insert smiley face here).
I'm a motivated person. I'm an organized person. I'm even a (gasp) detail oriented person! And I cannot decipher the lists. I read them. Then I wonder, "Have I done this thing or not?" Let me give you an example. Here is a "to-do" list item from my Instant Wedding Planner book that I bought at Borders. The sub title on this book is: Get from "Will you? to "I do!" in Record Time. It's geared towards planning a wedding in six months or less (that's me!!!). On Checklist Number Two there is an item that reads: "Communicate key details to family, wedding party, and far-flung guests." I cannot actually say whether I have done this or not. Some people know about some details. Does everyone know about every detail? I don't think John has formalized arrangements with his third attendant. And I asked a couple friends from So Cal if they could attend a Monady wedding in June. Well now the wedding is on Sunday, but I'm not rushing to the phone to tell eveyone about that update. And what exactly are the "Key Details" that must be communicated? Is there another checklist that outlines "Key Details?" The lists are there to be specific and aid you in planning. But unless there is a definition provided for "Key Details" then how do I know if this item is done? So I do not check off the item on the list. And it bothers me that I can't check it off. On June 18th, that item will still not be checked off. I know what you're thinking. You're saying "so what! That's just a general guideline." in your head. But I'm very nervous that I will miss something. I'll forget an important item like the ring-bearer pillow, and Colin will then have to carry the rings in his hand which means he might then drop them in the grass while walking down the ilse and they won't be able to be found. It's a wonder that I can even sleep at night.
So today I interviewed a "Day of" Coordinator. I though that maybe she could help me decipher the lists and put my mind at ease. Her name is Leslie. John's friend Kelly used her for her wedding and recommended her. I liked Leslie because she was attentive and yet calm. I am not calm. Maybe she will rub off on me.
We also had brunch with Kelly and her husband today. They showed us their wedding album and other wedding paraphenalia. And I got to grill Kelly on what the bleep I actually need to do to make this thing happen. I went into the meeting thinking that I would be more calm once I had several of my questions answered. Instead I came out with a longer to-do list. Originally I was planning to do the "Save the Date" announcement via email. Well, I discoverd during lunch that John would acctually like to MAIL Save the Date cards because it is classier. Now I need to find a printer two months earlier than I was expecting. And apparently people host a brunch the day after the wedding. So we have to plan that too. And there has to be a wedding ceremony program, which I have to write. And Kelly and Matt had an $8,000 "film" made about them that was played at their wedding reception (this is separate from the videographer that videos the wedding). I had decided that a "film" was completely unnecessary. But Kelly said it was her favorite part of the WHOLE wedding. So, now we have to consider it. And I can't find a married person who LOVED everything about their photographer. The reports range from: "Many of the photos were blurry and the sole copy of the photos were given to us and they were then taken from us during a house burglary so we have no photos." To "We didn't provide a formal shot list so we got a lot of great candids but had to dress up and go back a month after the wedding to re-shoot." Are you kidding me? If you know someone who LOVED everything about their photographer please call me immediately.
The good news is that all of my research has resulted in confident reports that we only need to consider two caterers and two cake designers. We will consider Bon Appetit the in-house caterer for the Legion of Honor and Dan McCall who appears to have a flawless reputation among everyone. And we will taste cake at Beaux Gateaux and Butterfly Cakes. Could catering and cake really be that easy? I hope so, because the Floral Designers and Photographers are going to keep me awake at night for another month.
Speaking of Floral Designers, did you know that the most sought after floral designer in San Francisco requires a $4,000 minimum order for any weekend date? I'm lucky that she's already booked on my date. Otherwise I'd have to buy $4,000 worth of flowers that will be thrown away the day after the wedding. At least I can keep the dress!!!... which is considerably less than $4,000. The Legion of Honor is so beautiful. Why do I have to buy $4,000 worth of flowers for it?
So how do you think I'm doing on the To-Do list? Everyone that I talk to says that I'm in "Great Shape." I have a Date, a Dress, and a Location. I might have a videographer, but I didn't put down the deposit yet. I think we have an Officient. Okay. That's FIVE THINGS out of 300. So I should rest easy tonight (insert smiley face here).
Thursday, January 11, 2007
"The Date" is June 17th, 2007
We found a location, a date, a wedding dress, an officiant, and a videographer all within 6 days! Wow. John and I should plan weddings for a living. We're getting married on June 17th, 2007 at 5:45pm at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I will wear a Justin Alexandar dress (style not to be named to keep some things a surprise...)
I loved the James Leary Flood Mansion as well. It probably has the most perfect set up for a ceremony. But ultimately the "flow" of the rooms at the Flood was not as ideal as the Legion Cafe and Sculpture Garden spaces combined for a reception. And then there is the fact that John has a clear preference for the Legion. And I've always wanted to get married in an Art Museum. And while I'm at it, I will mention that ultimately the Flood Mansion would cost twice as much as the Legion. But that's not why the Legion is the winner. When you head up the hill to the Legion, step out of your car, and walk towards the stately colunmns that create the facade of the Legion of Honor, you will understand why the Legion is the winner.
Save the Date!
I loved the James Leary Flood Mansion as well. It probably has the most perfect set up for a ceremony. But ultimately the "flow" of the rooms at the Flood was not as ideal as the Legion Cafe and Sculpture Garden spaces combined for a reception. And then there is the fact that John has a clear preference for the Legion. And I've always wanted to get married in an Art Museum. And while I'm at it, I will mention that ultimately the Flood Mansion would cost twice as much as the Legion. But that's not why the Legion is the winner. When you head up the hill to the Legion, step out of your car, and walk towards the stately colunmns that create the facade of the Legion of Honor, you will understand why the Legion is the winner.
Save the Date!
Record Time!
I chose a wedding dress in FIVE DAYS. Can you believe it? I am so proud of myself. Last Friday I went to Amy Kuschel (the Kate Moss dress shop). On Saturday Elise, Toby and I went first to Paris Connection and then to La Boutique Des Brides - both in the Gift Center on Brannan Street. I was expecting to love "Hilda" at La Boutique. Everyone who reviewed her on the Web loved her. Indeed she is probably a lovely lady. But she is not the one who helped me try on dresses. An assistant with a heavy asian accent that I couldn't deicpher helped me. She was nice enough. But the dresses were all POLYESTER. What's wrong with polyester you ask? Well... go try on a wedding dress... in polyester. Then try on one in silk dupione. And you will have your answer.
Marie at Paris Connection ended up having "my dress." But like a good little anxious bride... I didn't buy it on the spot. I fretted over it. I wondered if it really was "right" for me. I looked at photos of it online and temporarily decided that the design actually looked "wacky." Oh, yes, did I mention that the sample I tried on was red? It exists in "natural" (read: off-white). But Marie didn't have it. Alas, as a result of my nervous nature, I managed to figure out that Papers and Petals in Burlingame had a sample of the dress in "Natural." So on Tuesday morning I hussled down there and tried it on. I loved it. But then I had to revisit the idea that maybe I shouldn't be completely strapless all night (and this dress is definately strapless)... does strapless really look that good on me? Well, the very inexperienced but nice sales girl at Papers and Petals made the much needed observation that I actually look best in strapless because I have the boobs for it(!) I think her exact words were, "So many girls would pay the BIG BUCKS to have your breasts." That's when I was finally sold. But I didn't buy the dress from her. I had made the astutue observation that Papers and Petals retailed the dress for $210 less than Paris Connection. But I was concerned that the inexperienced sales girl there wouldn't measure me correclty or order the right size. So I made some noises about needing to get the right credit card and calling back later. Then I promptly called Marie at Paris Connection, the minute I got home. Marie agreed to order the dress for me at $250 less than her price tag. Who knew that you could bargain on wedding dresses!!! What a find.
I should also mention that Elise and I visited Marina Morrison on Saturday afternoon. Everything in the shop was $5,000 to $6,000. Oh yes, and there was ONE dress that we both liked. And because of the beading... it had to be ordred yesterday. I think the sales girl said that if I ordered it "within a day or two", it would be okay. Who buys a $5,800 dress after thinking about the purchase for "a day or two." That was too much pressure for me. I didn't know that the minimum ordering time on a wedding dress was 6 months. John proposed on December 20, 2006. And we're getting married on June 17, 2007. That's already less than 6 months from the day he proposed. So we are late late late with everything. I thought I had a couple weeks to decide on a dress, at least. But no. I had about 5 days from the day I started looking. The good news is that I am in love with my dress. It's not the cheapest dress (read: not polyester) but it's not $6,000 from Mariana Morrison either.
So I hussled back down to Marie's boutique in the Gift Center last night to get measured. And voila! It was done! I have a dress. And it is a dress that a costume designer would be proud of!
Marie at Paris Connection ended up having "my dress." But like a good little anxious bride... I didn't buy it on the spot. I fretted over it. I wondered if it really was "right" for me. I looked at photos of it online and temporarily decided that the design actually looked "wacky." Oh, yes, did I mention that the sample I tried on was red? It exists in "natural" (read: off-white). But Marie didn't have it. Alas, as a result of my nervous nature, I managed to figure out that Papers and Petals in Burlingame had a sample of the dress in "Natural." So on Tuesday morning I hussled down there and tried it on. I loved it. But then I had to revisit the idea that maybe I shouldn't be completely strapless all night (and this dress is definately strapless)... does strapless really look that good on me? Well, the very inexperienced but nice sales girl at Papers and Petals made the much needed observation that I actually look best in strapless because I have the boobs for it(!) I think her exact words were, "So many girls would pay the BIG BUCKS to have your breasts." That's when I was finally sold. But I didn't buy the dress from her. I had made the astutue observation that Papers and Petals retailed the dress for $210 less than Paris Connection. But I was concerned that the inexperienced sales girl there wouldn't measure me correclty or order the right size. So I made some noises about needing to get the right credit card and calling back later. Then I promptly called Marie at Paris Connection, the minute I got home. Marie agreed to order the dress for me at $250 less than her price tag. Who knew that you could bargain on wedding dresses!!! What a find.
I should also mention that Elise and I visited Marina Morrison on Saturday afternoon. Everything in the shop was $5,000 to $6,000. Oh yes, and there was ONE dress that we both liked. And because of the beading... it had to be ordred yesterday. I think the sales girl said that if I ordered it "within a day or two", it would be okay. Who buys a $5,800 dress after thinking about the purchase for "a day or two." That was too much pressure for me. I didn't know that the minimum ordering time on a wedding dress was 6 months. John proposed on December 20, 2006. And we're getting married on June 17, 2007. That's already less than 6 months from the day he proposed. So we are late late late with everything. I thought I had a couple weeks to decide on a dress, at least. But no. I had about 5 days from the day I started looking. The good news is that I am in love with my dress. It's not the cheapest dress (read: not polyester) but it's not $6,000 from Mariana Morrison either.
So I hussled back down to Marie's boutique in the Gift Center last night to get measured. And voila! It was done! I have a dress. And it is a dress that a costume designer would be proud of!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
I'm exhausted
John and I have seen two locations, and I've been to four dress shops - all within the last 2 days. I'm exhausted. On the one hand I want to see EVERYTHING. On the other hand, I want to have everthing decided.
The Palace of the Legion of Honor was our first visit yesterday. John is in love with it. He was ready to write the check. It's French, it's art, AND it has an ajacent golf course. I think that John is planning a golf excursion right before the ceremony. The Legion is one of my top choices. Most people don't even know that you can rent it out. On the other hand, Saturday's book up a year in advance! So everyone knows about it, and no one knows about it. You can have the ceremony in the Court of Honor, or you can have it on the Balustrade lawn. John made the decision already. It's definately the balustrade lawn - which overlooks the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. However, I like the architecture of the Court of Honor. Tonight I decided that we are getting married under the archway in the Court of Honor - facing the direction of the city. I don't know if it's been done before, but I decided that we are doing it. It's like a massive built-in Chuppah... with a view. We're going to see the Flood Mansion as a possibility as well. But do you ever get that feeling? You know, that "feeling" when you know it's going to be "the thing?" I was thinking that I was going to like the Hamlin Mansion better because it's cozy and a historical mansion. But I didn't. I actually thought it felt a little cramped, and didn't have a good "flow." Flow is important. Spaciousness is important. Choreography of the space is very important. The Court of Honor at the Legion is "choreographed," if you know what I mean.
Today I learned that I don't like polyester on a wedding dress. The one salon that I thought I would like the most (based on web-based reviews), I liked the least - because everything that they showed me was polyester. Polyester doesn't have a personality. On the otherhand at a different store I found a Justin Alexandar dress in silk dupione that I think might be "it." If I don't count a 30 minute visit yesterday to Amy Kuschel's salon (who basically designs for Kate Moss and those who weigh within a 5 pound range of her) it's practially the first dress that I tried on. Hm... there seems to be a theme here... the Legion was the first place we toured, and the Justin Alexandar was almost the first dress that I tried on. It had that "it" feeling. Now if I could just go with that feeling, everything would be so much... but alas I will probably spend a day at Bridal Galleria, sweating and fretting and wondering what else is out there. And we will tour the Flood Mansion before putting down a deposit on the Legion of Honor. Don't ask me why. It's as if I have to be sure, even though we're already sure.
I'm exhaused. I'm obsessed, and I'm exhausted. Can I try on 20 more dresses? Do I need to see the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame? Is there a bigger, better, brighter location out there? I've known since I was in my early 20s that I wanted to get married in an art museum. And when I put on the Justin Alexandar dress today, I felt like it was made for me. You don't get that feeling too often with today's fashions. I found a dress at the Amy Kuschel studio yesterday that was gorgeous. But I came home thinking that I should loose 10 pounds so that my arms would look skinnier. When I put on the Justin Alexandar dress I felt like my body was perfect in everyway. It's also more than $1,000 less than the Amy Kuschel dress, and about $4,000 less than the dress that Elise and I liked the most at Marina Morrison. But it's not because it cost less that I like the dress... it just felt like "me." It has drama. So what do you think? Is that the dress for me?
Hm... as soon as I settle on a location and a dress, then I can relax! Oh wait... I have a cake tasting on the 21st, and I have to talk to the caterer, and Kelly Moser said that her fabulous florist books up early so I better call her right now. Did I mention that all the dress shops said that I had to choose my dress within the next two weeks if not sooner??? Then there is the invitations, we have to register, make a website, send out an engagement announcement AND save the date notes, finalize my guest list which I haven't even done yet, find a photographer, videographer, music, officiator, wedding-day coordinator... I keep looking for a comprehensive list of everything that needs to be addressed... oh wait, the Chuppah, my shoes, jewelry that matches the dress, the men's outfits, the marriage license... okay my head is going to explode. City hall is sounding really great right now.
The Palace of the Legion of Honor was our first visit yesterday. John is in love with it. He was ready to write the check. It's French, it's art, AND it has an ajacent golf course. I think that John is planning a golf excursion right before the ceremony. The Legion is one of my top choices. Most people don't even know that you can rent it out. On the other hand, Saturday's book up a year in advance! So everyone knows about it, and no one knows about it. You can have the ceremony in the Court of Honor, or you can have it on the Balustrade lawn. John made the decision already. It's definately the balustrade lawn - which overlooks the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. However, I like the architecture of the Court of Honor. Tonight I decided that we are getting married under the archway in the Court of Honor - facing the direction of the city. I don't know if it's been done before, but I decided that we are doing it. It's like a massive built-in Chuppah... with a view. We're going to see the Flood Mansion as a possibility as well. But do you ever get that feeling? You know, that "feeling" when you know it's going to be "the thing?" I was thinking that I was going to like the Hamlin Mansion better because it's cozy and a historical mansion. But I didn't. I actually thought it felt a little cramped, and didn't have a good "flow." Flow is important. Spaciousness is important. Choreography of the space is very important. The Court of Honor at the Legion is "choreographed," if you know what I mean.
Today I learned that I don't like polyester on a wedding dress. The one salon that I thought I would like the most (based on web-based reviews), I liked the least - because everything that they showed me was polyester. Polyester doesn't have a personality. On the otherhand at a different store I found a Justin Alexandar dress in silk dupione that I think might be "it." If I don't count a 30 minute visit yesterday to Amy Kuschel's salon (who basically designs for Kate Moss and those who weigh within a 5 pound range of her) it's practially the first dress that I tried on. Hm... there seems to be a theme here... the Legion was the first place we toured, and the Justin Alexandar was almost the first dress that I tried on. It had that "it" feeling. Now if I could just go with that feeling, everything would be so much... but alas I will probably spend a day at Bridal Galleria, sweating and fretting and wondering what else is out there. And we will tour the Flood Mansion before putting down a deposit on the Legion of Honor. Don't ask me why. It's as if I have to be sure, even though we're already sure.
I'm exhaused. I'm obsessed, and I'm exhausted. Can I try on 20 more dresses? Do I need to see the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame? Is there a bigger, better, brighter location out there? I've known since I was in my early 20s that I wanted to get married in an art museum. And when I put on the Justin Alexandar dress today, I felt like it was made for me. You don't get that feeling too often with today's fashions. I found a dress at the Amy Kuschel studio yesterday that was gorgeous. But I came home thinking that I should loose 10 pounds so that my arms would look skinnier. When I put on the Justin Alexandar dress I felt like my body was perfect in everyway. It's also more than $1,000 less than the Amy Kuschel dress, and about $4,000 less than the dress that Elise and I liked the most at Marina Morrison. But it's not because it cost less that I like the dress... it just felt like "me." It has drama. So what do you think? Is that the dress for me?
Hm... as soon as I settle on a location and a dress, then I can relax! Oh wait... I have a cake tasting on the 21st, and I have to talk to the caterer, and Kelly Moser said that her fabulous florist books up early so I better call her right now. Did I mention that all the dress shops said that I had to choose my dress within the next two weeks if not sooner??? Then there is the invitations, we have to register, make a website, send out an engagement announcement AND save the date notes, finalize my guest list which I haven't even done yet, find a photographer, videographer, music, officiator, wedding-day coordinator... I keep looking for a comprehensive list of everything that needs to be addressed... oh wait, the Chuppah, my shoes, jewelry that matches the dress, the men's outfits, the marriage license... okay my head is going to explode. City hall is sounding really great right now.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
I really want Gia to be a bridesmaid
Gia is my dog. She's a very cute dog. She's a very cute, female, dog that would look stunning in a Haute Couture bridesmaid dress. Envision the most gorgeous, well-breed, sleek, boston terrier brindle. She would be stunning. She would show up the entire wedding party. She's perfect!
But forget the fact that she would look great. Gia has been closer to me than anyone else over the past 6 years. She sleeps in my bed every night. We walk together every day. She licks my face constantly. You just don't get any closer than that. Gia has been one of my very best friends. I love Gia more than anything sometimes. Okay, maybe not more than my fiance. But Gia and I go back six years together. And she loves me unconditionally! She's been there for me every day! She's my biggest fan!
Gia puts up with everything. She's seen me through thick and thin. She's happy when I'm happy, she comforts me when I'm sad. Gia should be a part of this all-important life moment. Do you think that the Legion of Honor or the Hamlin House would allow dogs? Do you think that La Boutique Des Brides will make her a dress? Do you think that a layer of the wedding cake could be made with dog-friendly ingrediants? Do you think that anyone in the world will understand why I want Gia to be a bridesmaid?
But forget the fact that she would look great. Gia has been closer to me than anyone else over the past 6 years. She sleeps in my bed every night. We walk together every day. She licks my face constantly. You just don't get any closer than that. Gia has been one of my very best friends. I love Gia more than anything sometimes. Okay, maybe not more than my fiance. But Gia and I go back six years together. And she loves me unconditionally! She's been there for me every day! She's my biggest fan!
Gia puts up with everything. She's seen me through thick and thin. She's happy when I'm happy, she comforts me when I'm sad. Gia should be a part of this all-important life moment. Do you think that the Legion of Honor or the Hamlin House would allow dogs? Do you think that La Boutique Des Brides will make her a dress? Do you think that a layer of the wedding cake could be made with dog-friendly ingrediants? Do you think that anyone in the world will understand why I want Gia to be a bridesmaid?
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
I can't think about any thing else
I can't think about anything else. Really. I have deadlines. I have due dates. I have a to-do list a mile long. Sure some of it is wedding "to-do," but most of it isn't. In fact I have a deadline tomorrow night. And what am I doing right now? I'm writing about getting married.
John thinks that I am obsessed. He understands though. Because he gets obsessed, too. Not about weddings. He gets obessessed about ipod-music-organizing and using his dot-mac account for everything under the sun. We've started referring to it as "getting sucked in." We come into the house after a nice meal out, after a gym workout, after a trip to the park with the dogs, and we go to our respective computers (in different rooms of the house none the less!) and "get sucked in." I get on the Here-Comes-the-Guide website and search for venues, cake bakers, florists, and dress shops. He plays with dot-mac. I think he also does some networking for his career as well. I don't really know. But what do I do? I plan my wedding.
Oddly enough, it was actually my sister though who reminded me that I had to choose the colors. I really hadn't thought about colors. I'm more concerned about finding a classy place in the city of San Francisco that has a weekend date open in June of 07. I'm concerned about how many fittings my dress will need. I'm concerned about whether I should ask one more person to be a bridesmaid or not. I'm concerned about the fact that I need a comprehensive to-do list to follow in the planning or else I will forget to put on underwear on the day of the event. But, oh yes, I have to choose the colors.
So we chose the colors on New Year's Eve. I like the idea of red and yellow. I am a "designer." And I can envision some beautiful things done in red and yellow, or red and gold. But John didn't like that. It was probably too flashy for him. So it morphed into burgandy and silver with white. Maybe he's right. I guess that is a little more "classy" and a little less "designerly." Actually burgundy is truely my favorite color. So I am happy with that.
It's a good thing that this wedding is happening in 6 months or less. Because if it were going to take any longer, it would probably consume my life. What am I saying? It is comsuming my life. I guess I really want to get married. It is as if I was born to get married. Like a trip to Mecca. How silly. It's just a party. But I do have to say that I was talking through some of the details on the phone with my mom the other night which caused me to envision the moment of standing in front of people saying vows and I started to cry. Is it because I love John so much? Is it because I am 37 and I've never been married? Does a wedding really warrant this level of obsession? Well, it is fun and I am enjoying it. So sure, why not.
John thinks that I am obsessed. He understands though. Because he gets obsessed, too. Not about weddings. He gets obessessed about ipod-music-organizing and using his dot-mac account for everything under the sun. We've started referring to it as "getting sucked in." We come into the house after a nice meal out, after a gym workout, after a trip to the park with the dogs, and we go to our respective computers (in different rooms of the house none the less!) and "get sucked in." I get on the Here-Comes-the-Guide website and search for venues, cake bakers, florists, and dress shops. He plays with dot-mac. I think he also does some networking for his career as well. I don't really know. But what do I do? I plan my wedding.
Oddly enough, it was actually my sister though who reminded me that I had to choose the colors. I really hadn't thought about colors. I'm more concerned about finding a classy place in the city of San Francisco that has a weekend date open in June of 07. I'm concerned about how many fittings my dress will need. I'm concerned about whether I should ask one more person to be a bridesmaid or not. I'm concerned about the fact that I need a comprehensive to-do list to follow in the planning or else I will forget to put on underwear on the day of the event. But, oh yes, I have to choose the colors.
So we chose the colors on New Year's Eve. I like the idea of red and yellow. I am a "designer." And I can envision some beautiful things done in red and yellow, or red and gold. But John didn't like that. It was probably too flashy for him. So it morphed into burgandy and silver with white. Maybe he's right. I guess that is a little more "classy" and a little less "designerly." Actually burgundy is truely my favorite color. So I am happy with that.
It's a good thing that this wedding is happening in 6 months or less. Because if it were going to take any longer, it would probably consume my life. What am I saying? It is comsuming my life. I guess I really want to get married. It is as if I was born to get married. Like a trip to Mecca. How silly. It's just a party. But I do have to say that I was talking through some of the details on the phone with my mom the other night which caused me to envision the moment of standing in front of people saying vows and I started to cry. Is it because I love John so much? Is it because I am 37 and I've never been married? Does a wedding really warrant this level of obsession? Well, it is fun and I am enjoying it. So sure, why not.
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