Name and/or LJ userID: Stefanie
Wedding Date: September 12th, 2010
Bride/Groom/Other (please specify): I'm the bride!
Age: 23
City/State/Country you live in: Right outside Chicago, Illinois in Joliet
City/State/Country you're getting married in (if different): Itasca, Illinois
Your song/First Dance song: No clue
Wedding Colors: White, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Grey
Formality: Vintage modern
Theme (if you have one): See above
Number of guests: 300
How'd you meet your fiance?: Well... I work in a uniform store that fits the city we live in, as well as the neighboring towns (Police & Fire) And Aaron got hired on as a firefighter in Joliet! My dad is a cop, uncle is a cop, my aunt is a dispatcher, my grandma was a dispatcher... but my GREAT GRANDPA was a fireman... I figured it was about time we brought another one into the family. Seriously, though, he stalked me (buying socks... coming back for a belt...) finally he got up the nerve to ask me out, and we've been inseparable ever since.
How long have you been together?: 4 years
Do you have a personal wedding website?: Nope
Have you read the community rules before posting this survey? Yes
Anything else you'd like to tell us?: I have really cute dogs, lol. wedding unrelated =)

I think I'm going with a really simple STD to send out. I don't think I'm doing magnets, but just postcards.

I have a couple of questions though. Do I HAVE to include "formal invite to follow" on the STD?

Also, do you think I need to be more wordy than this? Or do you think it will get the point across? We have family coming from out of town (1.5 hours away max) but they are all pretty immediate family, so I know they will know that we are getting married in OKC. I didn't feel like I HAD to include the city. But if you disagree, let me know.

( Sample STD behind the cut... )

I have never had an emotional conversation with my grandfather. Probably the only time I have cried in front of him was one of the many times I skinned my knees.

Today I asked him to give me away at my wedding and I bawled. He said that he would be honored, but would do it "with a sad heart" because he hates to see me go. He says it would feel like losing me.

I'm crying again as I type this. I love my Bubba. I asked him to give me away because it seemed too difficult to choose between my father and stepfather. I'm closer to my Bubba than either of them anyway, and he has been more a father figure in my life than either of them. My dad has never really been a part of my life, and my mom married my stepdad when I was already quite grown up.

I'm thinking about having my older brother also walk me down the aisle; one of them on each side of me. Does that sound weird or do you think it would be acceptable?

On a slightly less emotional note, and more on a squee note, I love my engagement ring. White gold, blue and white diamonds. Check it out!

i know everyone loves proposal stories, this is copied right from my livejournal <3

( we just got engaged on friday the 13th! )

It's two days after our amazing wedding day and I really don't know where to begin. In the simple and short form, everything was as perfect as one could wish it to be and my husband and I (and our lovely parents) couldn't be more pleased with how the day went.



( Quick lowdown and some amateur photos! )

Name and/or LJ userID: yourlove_x ; Erica
Wedding Date: we have not yet picked a date [probably within 2-3 years]
Bride/Groom/Other (please specify): Bride - Erica ; Groom - Jason
Age: I am 22 (September 4, 1987) and he is 24 (June 29, 1985)
City/State/Country you live in: I live in Tunkhannock PA and he lives in Kingston PA.
City/State/Country you're getting married in (if different): I know that we will be getting married in PA most likely. We have not yet picked out a place to get married.
Your song/First Dance song: Our first dance I'm pretty sure will be 'Come What May' from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack.
Wedding Colors: I'm leaning towards black and pink right now.
Formality: semi-formal
Theme (if you have one): We do not have one yet. Lots of planning to do!
Number of guests: I have a huge family and he has a smaller family. Our guest count could be anywhere from 50-100 people and I'll be okay with that.
How'd you meet your fiance?: We actually met on www.plentyoffish.com (a dating website)
How long have you been together?: We have been together a little over 8 months now. Engaged for 3 days <3
Do you have a personal wedding website?: no, not yet. I will be making one in the future though.
Have you read the community rules before posting this survey? yes!
Anything else you'd like to tell us?: I honestly never saw this engagement coming and I can't wait to post ideas here with you ladies/gents.

Tanya's thoughts:

Coming soon!


Band: Tanya, Selwyn, Clarence


Repertoire:

遇见 (Encounter), 小情歌 (Little Love Song), More Than Words, For All We Know, Greatest Story Ever Told, 小手拉大手 (Small Hands Holding Big Hands), Pachelbel's Canon (march-in), From This Moment


Compliments:

Dear alittledream,

Heartfelt thanks for providing a fitting atmosphere to our solemnization ceremony. Despite hiccups with timings and sound, Kelly and I were deeply moved by the band's performance, particularly Kelly, who was so emotional during the march-in she couldn't smile. Indeed it has been her little dream come true.

Although we did not have the chance to stay to enjoy the music and get to know the band as much as we really wanted to, please accept our heartfelt thanks for the preparations behind the scenes, and indeed leaving a deep impact on us in a subtle, sweet way.

Kelly and I express regret for not properly introducing ourselves to the band (all a bunch of nerves) and the band to the audience. Regardless, without your help, our little dream wedding would not have come true.

Thank you so much Tanya, Clarence and Selwyn, who made the difference to our special day.

Will send the "pro" photos once they're ready :P

James and Kelly

I am terrible with hair... I just get so lost! I am looking for...

• something classic and sleek
• something that work with a traditional veil (worn at crown)
• something that also works with a pill box hat and french veil (as shown)

( Read more... )

Today was quite a long, tiring and difficult day. Did not sleep well last night, and had to bear with a migraine. However, God sustained me. It can only be through His abundant grace and mercy that I managed to fulfill all my responsibilities of today. I am immensely thankful for a God like Him.

To God be all glory and praise. :)

I've already posted once and commented a couple of times, but I forgot to fill this out and post it, so better late than never!

Name and/or LJ userID: Allie
Wedding Date: 10/7/2011 (hopefully)
Bride/Groom/Other (please specify): bride
Age: 21
City/State/Country you live in: Belfast, Maine, USA
City/State/Country you're getting married in (if different): Greenville, Maine
Your song/First Dance song: How Sweet It Is by James Taylor
Wedding Colors: Fall colors- deep reds, oranges, browns, etc.
Formality: casual
Theme (if you have one): fall
Number of guests: about 30
How'd you meet your fiance?: mutual friend
How long have you been together?: three years
Do you have a personal wedding website?: no
Have you read the community rules before posting this survey? yes
Anything else you'd like to tell us?: I'm so excited to be getting married! I hate having to wait two years. However, I'm starting the planning early because I'm a student, and coming up on the end of my degree process, so school is going to get more and more hectic.

I apologize if this sounds ranty, but I am really frustrated with my bridesmaids as of late. They haven't been very nice lately, and I really get the impression that despite the fact they are two of my best friends, they really don't care much at all about my wedding, at least not even enough to try and pretend to be enthusiastic. Maybe I wouldn't care so much if we were having a large, "regular" wedding, but we're not. It's going to be super small, probably 30-50 people, with not too much of a reception after, so... I don't know. I figured they would be touched to be a part of my day in such a way since we can't have a lot of people with us. I should note that I expect nothing from them other than showing up in nice clothes and walking down the aisle with me. I don't want anything else, and they know this.

Anyway, I was planning on pretty much buying everything for them except the dress, so shoes, accessories, bouquet (which will be faux, so it's a souvenir for them to keep), manicures/pedicures, and hair and airbrush makeup the day of. Given our limited budget, I think this is really generous, I figured I'd have no problem getting them to buy their own dresses. To make things easier, I have been showing them ideas generally under $100/150, that are definitely re-wearable and pretty much not interjecting my personal opinion at all (I haven't been saying like, "This is the one you MUST buy"). I have figured, if they're buying, they really need to like it, and so I have been giving them countless pictures to choose from/suggest and told them they could show me anything else appropriate that they liked...

Well, needless to say, they've been horrible sports about it. Pretty much everything I have shown them they either vehemently dislike or give me one-word answers about ("it's okay"). One of my girls, who has a very lucrative job and does not want for any money, was upset at a suggeston I had for her to order something online because she didn't want to spend the $5 to ship it back in case it didn't fit. The last time I had her order something to try on, I compensated her for the shipping back when it didn't work out and I was obviously planning on doing that again (nevermind the fact she is complaining about $5 in the first place...). In addition, her "suggestion" to me for a bridesmaids dress was, I kid you not, a yoga/hiking/spandex-y tennis type dress from an outdoor store, and we're having a traditional, formal, Catholic mass... needless to say I was sort of stunned she'd suggest to wear something so completely inappropriate for the occasion, especially when she is religious/traditional herself and knows what you should/should not wear in church...

My other bridesmaid has been rude in general and not really sharing her opinion about anything. For example, I asked her if there was a Dillard's near her to go and look for a dress I saw that might work, but I completely didn't realize at all the fact that the closest one to her is 6 hours away- she freaked out on me and was sort of like, "Um, forget that, I'm not driving 6 hours, I can't believe you'd want me to do that" and I was just sort of shocked... like, sorry, I made an innocent mistake, I didn't realize it was so far and would obviously not have asked if I knew that there wasn't one near you. I honestly thought there was. I don't know why she had to get so snippy.

So, I decided after months of this attitude from them (they've been like this since April or so), that even though it's not really in the budget, I am buying their dresses. It sounds horrible to say, but I'm doing it because they're not helping me out, not being good sports (when I was basically going to let THEM choose), and if I pay for the dresses, I have complete control over what they wear. I will not have to put up with whining, complaints, rudeness, or extreme pickiness (seriously, one bridesmaid pretty much hates color/flowers/detail work/anything that isn't a burlap sack) because they will not be spending their own money. Of course I won't pick something unsuitable for their body types or something with bad fabric, etc., but I refuse to put up with arguing with them about something so presumably simple, especially when I think my initial plan was really generous, I generally have good taste, and the things I have been suggesting are not fugly. There is no reason for them not to like them at least a little, other than they're both being difficult. So, they had their chance- now, they get no choice and they get to wear what I pick and what I pay for. They can suck it up it if they don't like my choice. Or, if it bothers them so much and they can't bother to put on a nice cocktail dress for a whole day, they can kindly not be a bridesmaid and spend the day at home lounging around in sweats.

But on a happier note, I have a picture of the front-runner dress under the cut.

( happy bridesmaid dress picture )

Anyway, that's it, I'm done rating and at least feeling better that I'll get exactly what I want since I'm buying.

Background:

Ben and I live in Vermont, but I grew up on Maui and almost all of my family live there. We are getting married on Maui so all of his family is flying out there as well as all of my friends.


The Dilemma:
For our reception were going to have it at the Old Lahaina Luau. This runs from 5:45 - 8:30 and involves and full buffet, open bar and entertainment. Ben and I have gone there before and it really is an amazing time. The food is incredible and so is the entertainment. However, I woke up at around 4:00am the other day and suddenly realized that people are flying all this way and are going to have very little time to actually interact with us at a reception. At the luau, you basically stay in your seats and that's it. We thought about hosting a "morning after" brunch in addition, but it's really just too much money to do both.

So what do you all thing? Stick with the luau idea or plan a traditional reception?

Originally published at when dog meets kat. Please leave any comments there.

Self explanatory really. We didn’t disappear into some blackhole or other but really, were trying to survive the twosome. Jayden is 4 months shy of turning 3 but we don’t see the end of the ‘terrible twos’ stage. Nowhere in sight. Nope. In fact, it feels like it is getting worse.

He is testing boundaries, pushing limits and has spent an insane amount of time getting to know Mister Cane. A part of us suspect that he might be ADHD but there’s no way to actually test it out until he turns 3. And even so, will take a while before a proper conclusion can be reached. He has turned the home topsy turvy and been chalking up a whole list of ‘naughty’ deeds. Like spoiling a perfectly new-old TV that we had just brought home yesterday. And refusing his medicine. And not eating. Flipping tables in acts of defiance and turning around to hit whoever is disciplining him.

No fun I say.

Behavioural issues aside, we did a whole host of other things over the last week. Like visit Changi Airport to watch the aeroplanes take off (and a couple taking ROM shots), stare at fountains and rub out etched carvings of ‘iconic’ Singapore. (Terrorise the foodcourt is not the main point but they did just that. Jayden did. Kathlene just slept through most of the meals).

Baptise Baby K 2 Saturdays ago. Monkey around with the gramps. Life does go on. Just that we need a whole lot more comfort food. And canes. And more raised voices.

As for Baby K, well, she is a screamer. And a spoilt brat (quote unquote my mum). She is quite the koala, nevermind who is carrying her. Just so long as she is being carried. Sometimes she takes it up a notch higher by disallowing said person to sit. Time consuming. And also, since she’s on a developmental streak, she has learnt how to flip perfectly and is constantly ’showing off’.

I had quite forgotten how difficult it is to change the diapers of babies who love to flip. And am not enjoying the reminder.

Oh. I forgot. She’s quite the tv addict too.

Enough photos for today. Till the next round… Hopefully sooner than later!

Originally published at Sparkle Thots. Please leave any comments there.

If you didn’t already know, I love treasuries. The one thing I missed most about not selling regularly at Etsy over the last couple of years was that I didn’t get the chance to be part of beautiful treasuries. I am a very visual person so seeing pages upon pages of curated treasuries was a treat in itself. Even more so to find yourself in them. But, since I’m back there all over again, I’ve a chance to be a part of it.

Nevermind its just something from the destash shop… Its still a start. By the way, Gaia’s Ocean, which uses those gorgeous stones are now available at our Etsy store too.

ps: I’m planning a lil something BIG soon. So check back often or subscribe to our Twitter, Fanpage or Blog. You’d want to be in the know. Trust me.

Just curious, if you had enough money and time for it, there is very little hassle/red tape of getting married abroad, and anyone you wanted to come would be able to go to it, where would be your absolute dream wedding ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD?

Describe your absolute dream wedding.


For me, I want...
( a fairy tale wedding in Germany )

Hsin Yeow's thoughts: All I Want Is You

The lyrics of "All I Want Is You" kept ringing in my head after Shawn and Sherrie's exuberant wedding celebration.

Shawn serenaded his lovely bride Sherrie with this song, and even prepared a special video (with the song lyrics running in the background) which was played during his surprise performance.

If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.





Sherrie couldn't stop smiling while Shawn was singing. Kudos to Shawn!

The wedding was also marked by performances from Shawn and Sherrie's guests. The couple are youth counselors at their Church, so their charges performed an elaborate song-and-dance routine that had everyone applauding.


Even Sherrie joined in!


These two guys performed "You And Me" and even got Shawn to give an encore performance!
Congratulations Shawn and Sherrie! It was a joy to sing at your wedding. Thank you for engaging us!


Band: Hsin Yeow, Tanya, James



Repertoire:

Fly Me to The Moon, L-O-V-E, Fever, Kiss Me, To Be With You, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Close To You, 月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart), 给我一个吻 (Give Me A Kiss), Butterfly Kisses, Happy Together, Wonderful tonight, Moon River, My Girl, Stand By Me, When I’m Sixty-Four, Sway, The Way You Look Tonight, When I Fall In Love, At The Beginning, 今天你要嫁给我 (Today I Marry You), Crusin’


Compliments:

Good evening Hsin Yeow,

Thank you once again for playing at our wedding. I have attached a picture of my family and the band.

I'm afraid I can't give you much comment from Sherrie and myself as we were not around most of the time! However, many of our guests have given us much positive feedback! =)

We were a little apprehensive on a 3-piece band as we were working on a tight budget and were concerned about the music sounding a little "thin" with only one keyboard. However, James did great and pulled off great accompaniment music! Also, your vox was terrific as well and Tanya complemented the whole band as well.

In general, we were very pleased and the crowd loved the timeless classics like "月亮代表我的心." The band really added another dimension to our wedding.

We will definitely recommend you guys if we know of any future events and once again thanks for being part of our special night!

Regards,
Shawn

We've got engaged on October 10, Wedding is on June 21, 2010. Here is what I've done so far (not much):
( pics & text )

Is anyone doing a wedding guest quilt?

I am interested, but I'm not sure about how to find someone to quilt the squares together when I'm done. Ideally, I'd like to have someone help me choose fabic and who will work with me to design the quilt. I was hoping to find someone local to the SF Bay Area but haven't yet, so do you guys know of someone online who has good communication? Of if you know of someone in Northern California that would be even better.
Thanks!!!
Here is a wedding guest quilt I've found online:

Eleanor's thoughts:

Coming soon!


Band: Eleanor, Zheng Quan, Ein Ein


Repertoire:

Close To You, Besame Mucho, The Look Of Love, What A Difference A Day Made, Fire, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, If, 月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart), 爱很简单 (Love Is Very Simple), Grow Old With You, Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You, 每天爱你多一些 (Every Day I Love You More), I'm Yours, Baby I'm A Want You, L-O-V-E, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Dream A Little Dream, When I Fall In Love, Quando Quando Quando, 今生注定 (My Destiny), 爱情电影 (Movie About Love), 男人女人 (One Boy One Girl)


Compliments:

Hi Hsin Yeow,

To be honest I didn't had much opportunity to really sit down and listen to the band play due to all that was going on, moving here and there.

But from the 2 songs I did get to hear I was mesmerised, so this speaks volume on how fantastic you guys were. The feedback from most of my guest were that you were fantastic.

Never regretted my choice of engaging you guys! Anyway one of our friends will be calling you guys soon as she's planning for her wedding... Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy the band's performance then...

Cheers
Daniel


Songs To Recommend:

Here are two classics to bring you down on memory lane

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face



Baby I'm A Want You

Ariel’s thoughts: Everything I Do (I Do It For You)

Anybody who attended this wedding lunch reception would surely leave a happier person! I know the band sure did as we basked in reverie and let our hair down with the fun-loving guests of the couple. Even Ein Ein and I couldn’t help but be amazed at Hsin Yeow’s show of energy with each successive song!

From the beginning, Lucas and Su Geok made sure the repertoire for their wedding lunch would entertain all their guests, with songs for every generation from Mandopop and Cantopop to radio-friendly English pop songs and jazz.

We loved it when we saw guests at different tables clearly resonating with the meticulous selection of songs: Lucas’ family members swaying to oldies like Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Su Geok’s parents’ enthusiastic applause when the band sang the all-time Chinese favourites 爱你在心口难开 (Love You More Than I Can Say) and 月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart), and friends of the couple giving us appreciative glances as we serenaded them with more recent Chinese hits like 小夫妻 (Couple).

We were impressed with Carol’s (Lucas' cousin) efforts to set up several memorable highlights for the wedding reception. As soon as the band began singing Endless Love, Carol surprised Lucas by dragging him to the dance floor. The endearing scene of the dance moved several friends and relatives to rush to the dance floor to take photos and videos of them!

But that was not the end of Carol's 'pranks'. After the yum seng toasts, she forced Lucas to the front stage and lined up his 'ex-girlfriends' beside him. As if to symbolise a clean break from his former romances, each of his 'ex-girlfriends' handed him a set of keys and wished him a lifetime of bliss with Su Geok, coupled with a toast of red wine! The audience roared in laughter as two 'ex-boyfriends' suddenly appeared with their own sets of keys – we’re quite sure Lucas would have a lot to explain to Su Geok that night!

It was no surprise no guy dared to ask Su Geok for a dance; she was simply just too gorgeous to behold… Eventually, at his sister’s insistence and nudging, Lucas plucked the courage to approach an unwitting Su Geok for their first dance as Hsin Yeow crooned Everything I Do (I Do It For You). The bashful couple’s dance was really the highlight of the day for us. All in all, the band was truly blessed to have the opportunity to perform at Lucas and Su Geok’s wedding reception. We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the lovely couple and wish them happiness and joy in the many years to come!


Band: Hsin Yeow, Ariel and Ein Ein


Repertoire:

Always, At The Beginning, Endless Love, 小夫妻 (Couple), 私奔到月 (Escape To The Moon), Dream A Little Dream, 恋爱频率 (Love Frequency), 你是我心内的一首歌 (You're A Song In My Heart), Love Story, We’ve Only Just Begun, 爱你在心口难开 (Love You More Than I Can Say), 月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart), Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Close To You, 小手拉大手 (Small Hand Holding Big Hand), Everything I Do (I Do It For You), Grow Old With You, You And Me, Can't Help Falling In Love, 身边 (By Your Side), 每天爱你多一些 (Every Day I Love You More), I Do (Cherish You)

Song Dedication: 爱很简单 (Love Is Very Simple)