Clarification Needed on Tips List

I am sure when ABC's Good Morning America published the Tips List posted below and included the following tip:

"If you want to trim costs even more, download music onto an mp3 player and consider making copies of your wedding soundtrack or your favorite songs as a couple to give to your guests as favors."

They did not mean for individuals to illegally download music for use with an MP3 player. I am also sure that ABC's Good Morning America would be aware that making copies of a compilation as favors for your guests would require both a Master Use and Mechanical Licenses for the owners of the sound recordings and of the copyright song material.

Just in case, I have emailed Good Morning America to correct them. I am sure it was a small unintended oversight on their part.

Thank you for bring this to my attention. I am sorry for clearly including an article on my blog that I had not thoroughly read myself.

Tips to Cut the Costs of Your Wedding Reception

This article was forwarded to me and I thought I would share with everyone... that way you can remind me when I get too happy spending all my money!

Tips to Cut the Costs of Your Wedding Reception

Learn How to Trim the Cost of Flowers, Food and Invitations

Face it: Weddings are as beautiful as they are expensive, but soon-to-be brides and grooms can save money while still having the ceremony of their dreams. "Real Simple" executive editor Jaimee Zanzinger has tips for the perfect but still affordable wedding reception.

Learn how to save on invitations, flowers, food and music.

Choose Rectangular Invitations

Invitations (and other stationery) should make up about 2 percent of your total budget, but postage can get pricey. To cut down on cost, choose a rectangular invitation instead of a square. The square will cost you at least 17 cents more per invite to mail.

Also, you should think seriously about whom you invite to your wedding. You may spend 50 hours a week with the guy in the cubicle next to you, but do you really need him at your wedding? The rule of thumb for co-workers is to either invite all of them, or exclude all but the few who have become your outside-the-office inner circle.

However, if you work in a small office where everyone from the receptionist to your boss have heard you arguing with the florist, it's a good idea to invite the whole group. That said, the No. 1 way to cut down your budget is to invite fewer people.

Stay Away From Floral-Heavy Holidays

Stay away from floral-heavy holidays like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. It's all about supply and demand. When flowers are in high demand, they are bound to be more expensive. You should always go with something that is affordable for the season in which you are getting married.

These blooms are available all year long, and are affordable: alstroemeria, freesia and snap dragons. They all cost less than $2 per stem.

Focus on Flowers for the Reception, Not the Ceremony

If you're looking to shave money off your flower budget, cut down on the flowers during your ceremony. The guests are closer to the flowers at your reception.

Finally, if you don't feel like seeing all those beautiful buds going to waste, donate them after your wedding to a hospital, hospice or nursing home. Some cities even have nonprofit organizations that will pick up flowers and drop them off for you. Check out www.flowerpowerfoundation.org for more information.

Don't Say Wedding When Calling Vendors

When you call to inquire about availability for a caterer, don't mention the word wedding. Instead, say you're calling about a party. Sometimes when certain vendors hear wedding bells, they see dollar signs and inflate their prices.

You always should ask about taxes and other charges that will be added. Look out for things like corkage fees for wine and cake-cutting fees. Make sure the contract has a breakdown of all the fees.

You also don't have to offer a full open bar. You can consider open bar for a cocktail hour only, and then switch to wine and beer. Or you could serve a signature cocktail that goes along with your wedding theme. By not serving hard liquor you can shave a whopping 30 percent off the cost of your reception.

Butter Up With Buttercream Frosting

If you're looking to save money, go with buttercream instead of fondant. The simpler, the better. Intricate designs will set you back more.

Also, don't think you have to have a wedding cake. Many couples now are choosing to do cupcake towers, or even different pies.

Try a DJ Instead of a Band

A DJ generally is less expensive than live music. It also offers a great musical range, and most are willing to act as the emcee for the evening. Check out www.wedj.com to find a list of pros in your area.

If you want to trim costs even more, download music onto an mp3 player and consider making copies of your wedding soundtrack or your favorite songs as a couple to give to your guests as favors.

For more ideas, and helpful checklists to plan your wedding, visit the Real Simple Web site.

The Cake Lady - Kate Korzekwa

During the planning for Ardent's 40th Anniversary party, I met Kate Korzekwa who we began to affectionately refer to as the Cake Lady. She made the best cake for Ardent's party! It was fabulous. She designed an old style record player. It tasted great too! To quote her website "the cake gives a pleasing gentle glow to your throat from the addition of spicey Saigon cinnamon and a carefully measured amount of cayenne pepper. Balanced with a cream cheese icing for an exceptional experience in chocolate extravagance."

Can I get an Amen! I will be contacting her to see her prices for either the grooms cake and/or both.

Check out her other cakes at her website: www.acmecakes.com

October 18, 2008 sounds good!

Mark it in your calendar, Ladies and Gentlemen! We have a date - October 18, 2008.

For those wondering what has happened on this date in history, well... alot! Check it out and pick a favorite. I think my favorite is 1929...

Events taking place in history on October 18th

• 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who hacks the Church's foundations down to bedrock.
• 1016 - The Danes defeat the Saxons in the Battle of Ashingdon.
• 1081 - The Normans defeat the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Dyrrhachium.
• 1210 - Pope Innocent III excommunicates German leader Otto IV .
• 1356 - Basel earthquake, the most significant historic seismological event north of the Alps, destroyed the town of Basel, Switzerland.
• 1386 - Opening of the University of Heidelberg
• 1561 - Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima -- Takeda Shingen defeats Uesugi Kenshin in the climax of their ongoing conflicts.
• 1648 - Boston Shoemakers form first U.S. labor organization.
• 1685 - Louis XIV of France revokes the Edict of Nantes, which has protected French Protestants.
• 1767 - Mason-Dixon line, survey separating Maryland from Pennsylvania is completed.
• 1775 - African-American poet Phillis Wheatley freed from slavery.
• 1851 - Herman Melville's Moby Dick is first published as The Whale by Richard Bentley of London.
• 1867 - United States takes possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million. Celebrated annually in the state as Alaska Day.
• 1892 - The First long distance phone call in the United States between Chicago and New York.
• 1898 - United States takes possession of Puerto Rico.
• 1912 - The First Balkan War begins.
• 1922 - The British Broadcasting Company (later Corporation) is founded by a consortium, to establish a nationwide network of radio transmitters to provide a national broadcasting service.
• 1925 - The Grand Ole Opry opens in Nashville, Tennessee.
• 1929 - Women are considered "Persons" under Canadian law.
• 1944 - Adolf Hitler orders the establishment of a German national militia.
• 1945 - The USSR's nuclear program receives plans for the USA's plutonium bomb from Klaus Fuchs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• 1954 - Texas Instruments announces the first Transistor radio.
• 1967 - The Soviet probe Venera 4 reaches Venus and becomes the first spacecraft to measure the atmosphere of another planet.
• 1968 - The U.S. Olympic Committee suspends two black athletes for giving a "black power" salute during a victory ceremony at the Mexico City games.
• 1977 - German Autumn: a set of events revolving around the kidnapping of Hanns-Martin Schleyer and the hijacking of a Lufthansa flight by the Red Army Faction (RAF) comes to an end when Schleyer is executed and various RAF members allegedly commit suicide.
  
• 1991 - Azerbaijan declares independence from USSR.
• 2003 - Bolivian Gas War: President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, is forced to resign and leave Bolivia.
• 2007 - After 8 years in exile, Benazir Bhutto> returns to her homeland Pakistan. The same night, suicide attackers blow themselves up near Bhutto's convoy, killing over 100 in the cheering crowd, including 20 police officers. Bhutto escaped uninjured.

Additional Bridesmaid Dresses!

I have found 3 more possible Bridesmaid dresses. Check them out below. These are all couture dresses and will be available at Low's in Brinkley, Arkansas.

The first is from the Badgley Mischka Bridesmaid collection. You can't save the picture so please take a moment to visit the designers website. When you load the website, click on Collections, the Spring 2007 collection and click on next button until number 13 appears. It's a V Neck empire waist chiffon gown with cascade sleeve. Very elegant? Not your typical Bridesmaid dress. You can also see this dress on the runway. The designer has a show. The dress in question is the 5th one to walk down the runway and is black.

http://www.badgleymischkabridesmaids.com/spring_2007/video.html

The second is a blush/ cashmere chiffon modified A-line gown, square neckline, gathered empire bodice, sleeve accented with ruffle trim, keyhole back designed by Lazaro. I don't like the color, but the design is unique. See photo above.

http://www.lazarobridal.com/laz_bm/display_dress.php?imageno=3849&multimatch=x

The third dress is a variation on dresses we have already looked at and considered. Dupioni silk coat dress with portrait collar and sash. Available in knee length, floor length or extra length. I like the knee length, but I think a bit of extra length might be a good thing too. I was unable to download this pic as well so visit it at:

http://www.watters.com/dress_popup.php?showid=405

Maybe Bridesmaids should be strippers?

I try to spend quality time each day searching for Bridesmaids dresses with a definite sassy style and other small requirements I am trying to work with. After days and days of looking, I thought... well, knew I had looked at every possible Bridesmaid dress on the net until I found a very, very special website tonight...

And oh, is it Blog worthy!

I guess even strippers can be Bridesmaids... Yes, I found the perfect website for Stripper Bridesmaids! Seek your inner stripper, which dress would you pick?

DJ Steve Anne in the house too!

I haven't run into Steve Anne lately, but Joseph has and he passed along the wonderful news. Steve Anne generously offered to DJ the wedding for FREE! My new... well old favorite word.

Steve Anne DJs on Mondays at the Beauty Shop. Y'all all know him!

Check him out on MySpace at www.myspace.com/stevancollins

Keep your fingers crossed once again that he'll be able to do the gig!

SNOZBerry... once we have a date

Luckily I have the fortune to know a few bands in town. Through a hookup (Big Shout out to Kevin Nix), I think we will be able to have SNOZBerry play the reception.

They are a local cover band and a bet you might not know it, but I bet you have heard them play. They have gigged all over town including hot spots such as The Fox & Hound, Rooftop at the Peabody, The Flying Saucer, several bars on Beale to name a few.

Feel free to check them out on MySpace at...
www.myspace.com/snozberryband

They have a show coming up at the Saucer downtown on February 9th. We should all try to go! They rock the party and hopefully my reception!

All I need is a date............. so frustrating!

Parents coming in for a visit

My Parents are coming to visit this weekend. My parents, Joseph and I will be going to church service on Sunday at First Presbyterian and scouting out various reception sites downtown.

The plan is to come up with a DATE! This will relieve my mind greatly and help with getting all the other details taken care of...

Evidently October is the new May for weddings.... Very busy time of year to be getting married so I need to book all the other vendors now! Such as a photographer, carter, band, DJ, videographer, florist... etc etc etc

I have had some good tips on who to hire and who to NOT hire. And big Thanks to all that have whispered in my ears.

Keep your fingers crossed we will have a date by Monday! YEAH!

Maybe Men Should Be Bridesmaids?

Yesterday, I received a text from a man and a phone call from another. Why is this Blog worthy? Both men where calling to tell me things they had either seen on The Today Show or The E Channel!

One texted to tell me to tune in to the Today Show because they were having a segment on Bridesmaid dresses. Very strange since HE IS NOT A BRIDESMAID!

The second was surfing and caught the E Channel stating the one of the top 10 tends this year for celebrity wedding was non-matching Bridesmaid dresses. Once again... Very strange since HE IS NOT A BRIDESMAID!

Now I know why the Bride always picks ugly hideous matching dresses for her Bridesmaids.

You're slackers! Get with it Girlfriends or I'm having all men for my Bridesmaids... because they rock!

To Blog or To Jog - That this the question?

Right now, I should be jogging on my treadmill, but I just can't seem to make myself. How many calories to you burn blogging?

Why can't I get motivated? Yesterday, I cut out a couple of pictures of fat brides from my Bride magazines. I then blew them up on the copier and taped on a picture of my head on the fat bride picture!

Very unattractive to say the least! I took it a step further and blew up some skinny brides and again pasted on an Elizabeth head. Fantastic. I would be a hot skinny bride.

Last night with fat and skinny pics of me as a Bride, I felt ready to start my new "lifestyle". When to bed feeling excised, woke up not caring!


So here I am blogging and drinking my coffee when seriously... I should be jogging my way to a skinny bride!


(I will see if I can scan the photos in for your viewing pleasure!)

The Reception... Any thoughts?

So... Cadre is out of the question. What about The Hunt-Phelan Home, The Delta Queen Riverboat, somewhere in Victorian Village, The Botanic Gardens...

The Hunt-Phelan Home

Built of red bricks made on the spot by slave labor between 1828 and 1832, the Hunt-Phelan home was designed by Robert Mills, who also designed the Washington Monument and part of the White House. Saved from destruction in the name of urban renewal, the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970; today it is Memphis's only antebellum home open to the public. Continuously owned by the same family for 150 years, the home is filled with original furnishings that evoke pre-Civil War glory days. During the Civil War, the home served as headquarters for General Ulysses S. Grant, and after the war was over, teachers from the North used the home as a school for former slaves. The recorded tours of the historic building provide glimpses both into the history of the Hunt-Phelan Home and into the history of Memphis. Just a walk-by.

If we did the Hunt-Phelan Home... we could have great pics on Beale Street....

Tacky... Cute... Hmmm... I am getting so confused!!!!!

The Delta Queen - Delta Queen Riverboat
The Delta Queen steamboat was completed in 1927, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark. The Delta Queen has an interesting history that includes carrying U.S. Navy troops to ships in San Francisco Bay during World War II. Now the Delta Queen cruises the Mississippi River through the Old South and America's Heartland, and along Wilderness rivers. The Delta Queen riverboat is an intimate ship with hardwood paneling, teak handrails, ornate trim and brass fittings. The Grand Staircase on the Delta Queen steamboat is crowned by a crystal chandelier and is photographed often. Gathering spots on the Delta Queen riverboat include the wood-paneled Texas Lounge; the Forward Cabin Lounge, a Victorian sitting room with Tiffany-style stained glass windows and crystal chandeliers; and the Betty Blake Lounge, a cozy retreat with artwork that depicts the history of the Delta Queen. On your Delta Queen cruise, you can watch the scenery roll by in a comfortable rocking chair on deck, pick up a souvenir in the Steamboatique Gift Shop or see the view from the Engine Room Viewing Area. All Delta Queen staterooms are outside cabins featuring period furnishings and special touches like patchwork quilts and wood-shuttered windows.

Victorian Village (Woodruff Fontaine House)

Rising from ancient magnolia trees, the Woodruff-Fontaine House stands as a reminder of an era long gone. This beautiful FrenchVictorian mansion was built in 1870 along “Millionaires Row.” The mansion, home to two prominent Memphis families, was deeded to the city in 1936 and stood vacant for several years. The Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities rescued the house in 1962 and restored it to its former splendor.

I think this is where Chirs and Angie got married. And possibly where Matt and Shabby had their reception in the basement. I don't think I would do the basement a bit too dark for me, but you can rent the main floor and the grounds! Very nice and it's a beautiful home.

Memphis Botanic Garden

The Memphis Botantic Garden strives to enhance lives by connecting people with plants and by increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment. Our 96-acre property includes 23 specialty gardens, which provide an in-depth look into various families of plants, flowers and trees. Choose a garden from the menu on the left to learn more about what makes it unique.
Memphis Botanic Garden strives to enhance lives by connecting people with plants and by increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment. Our 96-acre property includes 23 specialty gardens, which provide an in-depth look into various families of plants, flowers and trees. Choose a garden from the menu on the left to learn more about what makes it unique.

There are some beautiful photos taken the garden. The reception area is very "Hotelly" and not very unique. But I do adore plants, bbbbuuuutttt too far from Downtown!

The rooftop of The Madison Hotel would be AMAZING!!!!!! The photos would rock and a band.... how fun...

Then there's the Junior League... So pretty but not very close to downtown either!

First Presbyterian Church?

So after sitting on the fence and getting frustrated with trying to find a church, I think we might have found one. My parents suggested First Presbyterian downtown. Herb is friends with the minister and they would be willing for Herb to conduct the ceremony.

First Presbyterian is definitely in the running. Joseph and I will be attending church this Sunday with my parents. It's a beautful church and hopefully will a perfect fit for Joseph and I in the future. I will post Sunday afternoon to let everyone know what we thought.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Cadre I have a question

So after the disappointing news of membership required for Idlewild, I was hit yet again. I called the Cadre Building which is downtown at 2nd and Monroe.

This historic former bank in the heart of downtown has quickly become the hippest party spot in the city. With a grand ballroom that can accommodate 500, small rooms for privacy, and flexible policies for catering and décor, Cadre has it all.

What a great photo! What a fabulous place for the wedding reception! Live Band... Perfect!!!!

Especially given the Cadre has a nice size stage and large dance floor! Both very important.

I should have known I was in trouble when the very friendly and talkative sales rep continued to talk and talk about all the extra amenities - tables, chairs, linens, bar, security and etc.... See picture... Very, very nice!

After about 5 minutes on the phone, a pause was heard... I didn't speak; she didn't speak!

Should have known... The pink elephant was about to walk into the room!

Yes Ladies... The rental price for 4 hours on a Saturday night in October is...

drum roll please....

$6,000!

Oh, absolutely not!

Plan B! Oh, crap... Lost Plan B!

Anyone have a Plan C I could borrow?

Plan B?

I had a Plan B! Has anyone seen it?

I'll ask Barbie!

Membership required?

So... Given all the choices of churches in town, we finally narrowed it down to one... Idlewild Presbyterian. Two reasons: My step-father could marry us and the church is gorgeous! Believe me... this was not an easy decision. Several hours of deep thought was required along with hours of looking at photos on the net.

I asked Herb to call and see about setting a date with Idlewild. He knows the minister and staff there. Well... What seems so easy.... NOT! One - Idlewild doesn't allow outside ministers to participate in any part of the ceremony. Two - Either the Bride or the Groom must have been a member at least one year prior to setting the date!

So... Yes, membership is required!

On to Plan B!

Flowers and a Barbie

What is a girl to do with a Barbie who loves the smell of expensive flowers? Take a pic!


Thanks to Santa, Barbie received an off the rack wedding dress that she now refuses to take off. The question isn't whether or not she knows the wedding is at least 9 months away... but does she care?

I think the answer is No! She'll be wearing it everyday for as long as she can! Did I say keen fashion sense? Maybe not!

The Perfect Bridesmaid Dress

I might be making some of the decisions in a funky order, but with Ashley returning home to Mexico the time seemed good to look for the perfect Bridesmaid dress. Some of you might find this funny since a date had not been picked yet. Looking good is sometimes more important than knowing when you need to look good. Do I here an Amen?


We all arrived at David's Bridal at Wolfchase on Saturday afternoon. Heidi of course arrived a few minutes early with myself arriving 1 minute late followed in 20 minute with Emily & Ashley and bring up the rear Tommie an additional 20 minutes later.


Heidi and I began the search of the Bridesmaid dresses. Mission "Find Sleeves" began in earnest. With the casual suggestion by the oh so genius Brandon Patterson, we had a color scheme in mind - Brown and Coral! Now we needed to find sleeves!


After 45 minutes of intense searching, we determined there was not a sleeve in the entire building! Plenty of jackets, scarfs and wraps ... but no real sleeves!


We did find a short , very sassy dress with enough coverage for the ladies of the "Well Endowed"! We had a contender. As the Bride-to-be, I do hold the right to change my mind several times and without notice. **insert evil laughter here** We did find a dress we liked... you can find it at:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/social_dresses_detail.jsp?stid=2986&prodgroup=213

Overwhemled...

After recently becoming engaged and evidently not passing along all the details to all the girlfriends. (I still think some of you just forgot!) I have decided to blog all the news surrounding the planning of the wedding and keep all of you in the know.

I hope to keep the blog going until the happy nuptials. Please stop by the blog and keep updated on all of my "Bridezilla" moments!

Please be patient with me as I have vast mood swings and bouts of unpleasantness!