Sunday, October 30, 2011
I believe
"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles" -Audrey Hepburn
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Budgeting a Wedding
Before I even start, here's a bit of background.
"On average, US couples spend $26,542 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $19,907 and $33,178. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring." per Costofwedding
That's a lot of money.. For one day. Important enough, and once in a lifetime.. But still!! Am I the only person numbed with sticker shock?
I gotta say, we make much above the national average in regards to salary. However, we are far from spending above this national average in wedding cost. Of course, there will be aspects of this wedding where we will splurge (I'm thinking food, and the venue) but I'll have to keep this average in mind and give myself restrictions. I have too many friends that went on a spending frenzy as a bride.
So.. Fiancé made a great plan. Any money saved up to our engagement date will not be touched. That's for our future.. Downpayment for the house, furniture, trips. Whatever we can manage to save from now on will be the defining factor for our wedding. Let's see if we can do this:)
"On average, US couples spend $26,542 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $19,907 and $33,178. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring." per Costofwedding
That's a lot of money.. For one day. Important enough, and once in a lifetime.. But still!! Am I the only person numbed with sticker shock?
I gotta say, we make much above the national average in regards to salary. However, we are far from spending above this national average in wedding cost. Of course, there will be aspects of this wedding where we will splurge (I'm thinking food, and the venue) but I'll have to keep this average in mind and give myself restrictions. I have too many friends that went on a spending frenzy as a bride.
So.. Fiancé made a great plan. Any money saved up to our engagement date will not be touched. That's for our future.. Downpayment for the house, furniture, trips. Whatever we can manage to save from now on will be the defining factor for our wedding. Let's see if we can do this:)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Meet & greet
Korean tradition dictates that a formal engagement party be celebrated to introduce the two families together. Often held at fancy hotel banquet halls, white gloved courses are served, and the kicker.. multiple gifts are presented to each family member. $1000 cash for each sibling to purchase clothes for the wedding, more cash for the parents and grandparents, rolex for the groom, clothes and jewelry for the bride.. Final cost ranges from $30,000 to $100,000!!
Of course, we are not partaking in this tradition. But, wondering if we should do something on a lower scale. Just a simple dinner, so everyone can put a face to the name. Especially since none of our family members have met eachother (Minus one occasion where my brother met fiancé's brother). I mean, we've met each others family. But having both families get together.. Thinking the upcoming holidays will be a good opportunity to host such a gathering.
Of course, we are not partaking in this tradition. But, wondering if we should do something on a lower scale. Just a simple dinner, so everyone can put a face to the name. Especially since none of our family members have met eachother (Minus one occasion where my brother met fiancé's brother). I mean, we've met each others family. But having both families get together.. Thinking the upcoming holidays will be a good opportunity to host such a gathering.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Embracing religion
A wedding truly is a testament to which religious belief you affiliate with. At the start of this wedding planning process, I didn't realize how Catholic I am. Even considering venues, I was focusing on a site that allowed for a convenient combination of ceremony and reception. Who was to marry us, if there were any pre-marriage education to be done, if it would be recognized by the Catholic church, if Mass must be involved.. all of those questions really did not maturate. It really wasn't until I saw a space I thought a ceremony set up would interrupt the reception, then realizing the mother church of all Catholic churches in LA was right at its front door.. The gears starting to turn.
Just a week later, we are pretty firm on having a religious ceremony at a Catholic space. If the Cathedral can not accomodate our date, we will find another church. It's just one day, but it is a meaninful day. He and I will become one. The ultra convenience of one space servicing both purposes has been put aside to cultivate our shared interest in becoming married under God, with Jesus.
Just a week later, we are pretty firm on having a religious ceremony at a Catholic space. If the Cathedral can not accomodate our date, we will find another church. It's just one day, but it is a meaninful day. He and I will become one. The ultra convenience of one space servicing both purposes has been put aside to cultivate our shared interest in becoming married under God, with Jesus.
Friday, October 14, 2011
No no to Hoedown
Then the unlimited great Bar-be-cue, aka catering from Woodranch. ooh, those garlic rolls
Dancing under the stars. Not happening in LA's smog, so with the help of strung up lights
And the most wonderful night munchie, an In'n'out truck rolls in!! Or maybe King Taco to make it more "us"
.. And then I imagined my parents horror and grandparents confusion. Sigh.., outdoor rustic barn theme is just Not gonna happen
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Picking the Date
How do people go about this?
I know some people like the look of numbers, especially 7/7/07.. And actually, I have a friend getting married on 11/11/11, yupp! National Pepero day, hehe. Others seem to dream of a summer wedding for various reasons.. lush flowers, outdoor receptions under bumblebee lights, supposedly the wonderful California weather. But honestly, I'm avoiding the summer in fear of heat strokes and being a sweaty mess under the gown. And the men in tux! Also seems like April and November are popular months, for a non-season wedding discount.
At my rate right now, it seems as though we'd be picking on availability.
I know some people like the look of numbers, especially 7/7/07.. And actually, I have a friend getting married on 11/11/11, yupp! National Pepero day, hehe. Others seem to dream of a summer wedding for various reasons.. lush flowers, outdoor receptions under bumblebee lights, supposedly the wonderful California weather. But honestly, I'm avoiding the summer in fear of heat strokes and being a sweaty mess under the gown. And the men in tux! Also seems like April and November are popular months, for a non-season wedding discount.
At my rate right now, it seems as though we'd be picking on availability.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Booked!!
Ooh I'm kidding, we are far from
But seriously,
What's going on?
- A top contender is booked every Saturday and Sunday till October 2012, and that'll be a Sunday availability
- Another possibility has 1 Saturday and 1 Sunday available. We put a soft hold on the Saturday pending a tour. Even before we get a chance to check it out.. do we want to put a deposit? There's another couple interested.. And *poof* it's gone. The Sunday, too
- Here's a place that has a Saturday that opened up, the catch? It's in 3 months
- Actually, another has some availability on a discount.. Want a Christmas wedding?
- Wow! This place has a couple Saturday open.. Whoops day before Easter
I did notice many sites had the Saturday before Mother's day, but I dont want a flowerless wedding
Is this the reason why most couples have a 1+ year engagement?
But seriously,
What's going on?
- A top contender is booked every Saturday and Sunday till October 2012, and that'll be a Sunday availability
- Another possibility has 1 Saturday and 1 Sunday available. We put a soft hold on the Saturday pending a tour. Even before we get a chance to check it out.. do we want to put a deposit? There's another couple interested.. And *poof* it's gone. The Sunday, too
- Here's a place that has a Saturday that opened up, the catch? It's in 3 months
- Actually, another has some availability on a discount.. Want a Christmas wedding?
- Wow! This place has a couple Saturday open.. Whoops day before Easter
I did notice many sites had the Saturday before Mother's day, but I dont want a flowerless wedding
Is this the reason why most couples have a 1+ year engagement?
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Being KoAm
Getting a bit ahead of myself, but there are elements of my Korean culture I'd like to include in my wedding..
1. Dress the mothers in HanBok, traditional Korean silk gowns.
2. Stationary appetizer station during cocktail hour, featuring traditional rice cakes (signifies long healthy life together, good fortune) & other munchies
3. Pae-Baek ceremony, the traditional Korean ceremony of where the bride and groom celebrate family union. The couple gets dressed in the ceremonial HanBok and bow to family, perform a short tea (or rice wine) ceremony towards family elders, and accept wishes, advice, or wisdom regarding the future. I think it's cute when the couple attempts to catch all the dates and chestnuts thrown at them with the brides apron. Later, the couple gets to eat the ones they've caught. I think dates symbolized daughters, and chestnuts sons. It used to be something the grooms family set up, correlating with the bride entering his family. No longer the case now. For me, It's colorful, a great change in pace, and wonderful photo opp.
.. My favorite is when the groom piggy backs the bride around the ceremonial space, then her mother to show thanks, and then his own mother.
1. Dress the mothers in HanBok, traditional Korean silk gowns.
2. Stationary appetizer station during cocktail hour, featuring traditional rice cakes (signifies long healthy life together, good fortune) & other munchies
3. Pae-Baek ceremony, the traditional Korean ceremony of where the bride and groom celebrate family union. The couple gets dressed in the ceremonial HanBok and bow to family, perform a short tea (or rice wine) ceremony towards family elders, and accept wishes, advice, or wisdom regarding the future. I think it's cute when the couple attempts to catch all the dates and chestnuts thrown at them with the brides apron. Later, the couple gets to eat the ones they've caught. I think dates symbolized daughters, and chestnuts sons. It used to be something the grooms family set up, correlating with the bride entering his family. No longer the case now. For me, It's colorful, a great change in pace, and wonderful photo opp.
.. My favorite is when the groom piggy backs the bride around the ceremonial space, then her mother to show thanks, and then his own mother.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
No ring, no bring
Totally realizing that the biggest factor in wedding budget is the size of the guest list. It determines everything!! First of all, My being over 120 shut down a couple of my fore runners. Then there is the price attached per head.. Food, drinks, cake, parking, rentals, and so many more per person fee I can't keep track of!
Honestly, simplest way to trim that guest list..
No bling no bring. No ring no bring.
Yupp! Unless there's a hunkamunka diamond on her hand, or a copy of a marriage certificate, no plus ones at my wedding. Why does my special day have to accommodate you being sensitive about your single status. How does my paying for your guest (that you scrimmage up just to keep you company) have anything to do with me wanting you to enjoy your time. So really, cut out someone I know to have you bring a stranger? Does anyone else think the same?
Funny thing, read on theknot.com that "If asked why you're not allowing single friends to bring guests, size constraints or your parents' never-ending guest list are always good fallback white lies." .. Psh, not gonna be white lies for me. I'm having huge size constraints.
Goodbye dream wedding venue .
Honestly, simplest way to trim that guest list..
No bling no bring. No ring no bring.
Yupp! Unless there's a hunkamunka diamond on her hand, or a copy of a marriage certificate, no plus ones at my wedding. Why does my special day have to accommodate you being sensitive about your single status. How does my paying for your guest (that you scrimmage up just to keep you company) have anything to do with me wanting you to enjoy your time. So really, cut out someone I know to have you bring a stranger? Does anyone else think the same?
Funny thing, read on theknot.com that "If asked why you're not allowing single friends to bring guests, size constraints or your parents' never-ending guest list are always good fallback white lies." .. Psh, not gonna be white lies for me. I'm having huge size constraints.
Goodbye dream wedding venue .
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Black & white
Bride V's favorite colors were.. None. She just stuck with the non colors, aka black & white. So it was a very easy choice to have a black & white wedding. A perfect fit that led her to a gorgeous Chanel inspired 5 (or was it 7??) tier cake, that inspired every other aspect of her production of a wedding. Without her requesting it, we knew to throw her a black & white bridal shower today. She's such a consistent girl, that all her gifts were wrapped in black, silver, and white. The rehearsal bouquet I made with all the tissue & ribbons will match her wedding! Will match her!
Interestingly enough, I've found that black and white is a very popular choice. This is really from my limited exposure to wedding via browsing randomly for possible venues. But is that a trend? Or are modern brides just not the frilly flowery as our older counterparts? Easter is out, huh?
Interestingly enough, I've found that black and white is a very popular choice. This is really from my limited exposure to wedding via browsing randomly for possible venues. But is that a trend? Or are modern brides just not the frilly flowery as our older counterparts? Easter is out, huh?
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