Hello any existing readers out there, I know my posts have not been frequent, and I think I'm going to take a little break...
I am trying to wrap up my Master's degree and there are some important loose ends to take care of, not to mention my personal life is now full of unpacking and taking care of the puppy.
So farewell for now, I will try to post here and there, but I really need to get my head out of wedding blog world and back into my own.
But I do guarantee that by Christmas, I'll be more than happy to start blogging again for the holidays.
And I do love the holiday season :D
August 31, 2010
August 27, 2010
Just Tap Your Shoes Together Three Times...
Ah! D:
I am so awful for not posting in forever, but there is a good reason for that:
The bf and I have gotten a new little puppy! :D So naturally, the cute little girl is keeping us busy, I've barely had any time to go online, and most of that time was used to look for puppy names! XD
So a little tidbit to tide you over...
You better believe it--
I'm going to make my eventual purple shoes even more awesome! With a rhinestone message on the bottom! <3 (or hearts, those work too) :)
I am so awful for not posting in forever, but there is a good reason for that:
The bf and I have gotten a new little puppy! :D So naturally, the cute little girl is keeping us busy, I've barely had any time to go online, and most of that time was used to look for puppy names! XD
So a little tidbit to tide you over...
You better believe it--
I'm going to make my eventual purple shoes even more awesome! With a rhinestone message on the bottom! <3 (or hearts, those work too) :)
August 21, 2010
The Tastiest Flowers...
...are made of cupcakes! :D
Thanks to Ms. Locket from good ol' WeddingBee, another adorable idea comes forth!
(Not to mention that Ms. Locket is a central New York gal, :) love hearing about the rest of New York state for a change! It's not just New York City people!)
Too bad the cupcakes are just too casual for the shindig I'm planning...
Or I would so do it :D
Speaking of tasty flowers, I have been bouncing around the idea of including fresh edible flowers into the mix: in drinks, on desserts, etc.
In addition, purchasing or learning how to make gum paste flowers for the cake.
There is a great site for affordable sugar flowers, DiscountSugarFlowers.com. Most of the flowers are just around $1, and they look fantastic!
(I have an unhealthy fascination with orchids lately...they're expensive! They are a fundmental budget no-no...more on that later)
Fresh edible flowers online are a bit harder to find. Most sites suggest you either grow your own (and never, ever use any pesticides on them,) or get them from local farmer's markets.
But I have found some places online that sell them, some even for a decent price:
Sid Wainer & Son, 50 pansies for $18, plus required overnight shipping. Turned out to be $36 for my location:
Sid Wainer & Son, 50 edible orchids for $16! But if you get 100 of them they are only $68 total with ship!
(also available 100 for $78 at Marx Foods.)
The Chef's Warehouse, 50 Wild Hibiscus Flowers in syrup for $31.50:
I love these because Mrs. Cola mentioned they looked like Seymour from the musical Little Shop of Horrors! 8D Anything to get a musical reference in, lol!
Sid Wainer & Son again!, 50 lavender wands for $13, $49 total with ship:
And if you don't care what type of flower you get,
Marx Foods has 400-600 assorted flowers for just $61!!! 8D
for that price I would just buy them and pick out the purple ones! XD
Overall, great fancy touches for your already tasty wedding noms :)
Thanks to Ms. Locket from good ol' WeddingBee, another adorable idea comes forth!
(Not to mention that Ms. Locket is a central New York gal, :) love hearing about the rest of New York state for a change! It's not just New York City people!)
Too bad the cupcakes are just too casual for the shindig I'm planning...
Or I would so do it :D
Speaking of tasty flowers, I have been bouncing around the idea of including fresh edible flowers into the mix: in drinks, on desserts, etc.
In addition, purchasing or learning how to make gum paste flowers for the cake.
There is a great site for affordable sugar flowers, DiscountSugarFlowers.com. Most of the flowers are just around $1, and they look fantastic!
(I have an unhealthy fascination with orchids lately...they're expensive! They are a fundmental budget no-no...more on that later)
Fresh edible flowers online are a bit harder to find. Most sites suggest you either grow your own (and never, ever use any pesticides on them,) or get them from local farmer's markets.
But I have found some places online that sell them, some even for a decent price:
Sid Wainer & Son, 50 pansies for $18, plus required overnight shipping. Turned out to be $36 for my location:
Sid Wainer & Son, 50 edible orchids for $16! But if you get 100 of them they are only $68 total with ship!
(also available 100 for $78 at Marx Foods.)
The Chef's Warehouse, 50 Wild Hibiscus Flowers in syrup for $31.50:
I love these because Mrs. Cola mentioned they looked like Seymour from the musical Little Shop of Horrors! 8D Anything to get a musical reference in, lol!
Sid Wainer & Son again!, 50 lavender wands for $13, $49 total with ship:
And if you don't care what type of flower you get,
Marx Foods has 400-600 assorted flowers for just $61!!! 8D
for that price I would just buy them and pick out the purple ones! XD
Overall, great fancy touches for your already tasty wedding noms :)
August 17, 2010
Groomsmen Everywhere Approve: Survival Kit
Sorry for the delay of posts, had a nice little mini-vacation being lazy at home, and this too was swept under the rug for a week!
A little funny humor to tide you over until I can come up with something more substantial:
The groomsman survival kit is just too funny!
The bf's groomsmen, (whomever he chooses), will absolutely love them! XD
4 bottles, however, may be a little bit much...
XD
A little funny humor to tide you over until I can come up with something more substantial:
The groomsman survival kit is just too funny!
The bf's groomsmen, (whomever he chooses), will absolutely love them! XD
4 bottles, however, may be a little bit much...
XD
August 11, 2010
A Different Kind Of Petal Isle...
How can you have an isle you won't trip on, save money on flower petals, and still have a romantic feel?
Bingo.
Yea Ever Ours for posting about this very stylish wedding!
Bingo.
Yea Ever Ours for posting about this very stylish wedding!
August 10, 2010
Sometimes It Helps To Clean Out Your Closet...
Being influenced by the cute rose purse I found earlier, I continued the search for shoes, and found myself being drawn to shoes with cute little flowers on the toes:
Both lovely shoes, both terribly expensive XP
Move on to times when I'm not glued to a computer screen...
I was rummaging through the many, many items in my closet, and I realized that I already had a lovely pair of purple heels, purchased from Payless several years ago for prom...
Similar to this in dark purple:
Not a literal photo but you get the idea.
They are perfectly good purple shoes. They're sandals, with a bit of a heel, but doesn't look excruciating to wear...however they're missing that little bit of "wow factor"...
*looks at closet shoes*
*looks at drool worthy internet shoes*
*looks at closet shoes*
*looks at drool worthy internet shoes*
*realizes something obvious*
All I need are some purple flowers to put on the closet shoes! :D
So the search was on for lovely satin fabric flowers!!!
I looked at some flower hair clip sites, My Diva's Closet and Hairflowers.net, and then at the lovely handcrafted world of Etsy.
And I think I found something just wonderful:
Yes, they are headbands, but I'm sure I can either ask for the flowers only or just remove the flower from the headband once I get it!
AND they come in silver too! So at the very least, the bridesmaids can have matching fabric flowers, and they just need to get themselves some purple or silver shoes.
(If you haven't noticed I have been bouncing around the idea of the 'maids having purple and silver color scheme...)
Much easier than finding cute, stylish, affordable, mid heel purple sandals in a wide range of available sizes. :P
Only possible problem with these flowers is the size, 3 inches may or may not be too much for a regular pair of shoes.
Itching to try it out though :D
Both lovely shoes, both terribly expensive XP
Move on to times when I'm not glued to a computer screen...
I was rummaging through the many, many items in my closet, and I realized that I already had a lovely pair of purple heels, purchased from Payless several years ago for prom...
Similar to this in dark purple:
Not a literal photo but you get the idea.
They are perfectly good purple shoes. They're sandals, with a bit of a heel, but doesn't look excruciating to wear...however they're missing that little bit of "wow factor"...
*looks at closet shoes*
*looks at drool worthy internet shoes*
*looks at closet shoes*
*looks at drool worthy internet shoes*
*realizes something obvious*
All I need are some purple flowers to put on the closet shoes! :D
So the search was on for lovely satin fabric flowers!!!
I looked at some flower hair clip sites, My Diva's Closet and Hairflowers.net, and then at the lovely handcrafted world of Etsy.
And I think I found something just wonderful:
Yes, they are headbands, but I'm sure I can either ask for the flowers only or just remove the flower from the headband once I get it!
AND they come in silver too! So at the very least, the bridesmaids can have matching fabric flowers, and they just need to get themselves some purple or silver shoes.
(If you haven't noticed I have been bouncing around the idea of the 'maids having purple and silver color scheme...)
Much easier than finding cute, stylish, affordable, mid heel purple sandals in a wide range of available sizes. :P
Only possible problem with these flowers is the size, 3 inches may or may not be too much for a regular pair of shoes.
Itching to try it out though :D
August 7, 2010
Dancing Under The Stars...
After glancing at many a custom-lit dance floor, I was curious how to possibly DIY one myself.
The theater would already have lighting equipment, so I'm sure they would be able to set it up! The effect discs are called "gobos" and usually made out of metal or glass so they can withstand the heat of the lights.
After realizing cutting small details into sheet metal is a bad idea, (danger factor and the need for smooth cuts,) and that custom gobos cost about $100, I decided to look at some already-made, stock gobos.
Wouldn't it be lovely to dance under the stars? For only $12?
I think it would be :)
The theater would already have lighting equipment, so I'm sure they would be able to set it up! The effect discs are called "gobos" and usually made out of metal or glass so they can withstand the heat of the lights.
After realizing cutting small details into sheet metal is a bad idea, (danger factor and the need for smooth cuts,) and that custom gobos cost about $100, I decided to look at some already-made, stock gobos.
Wouldn't it be lovely to dance under the stars? For only $12?
I think it would be :)
August 5, 2010
A New Quest Has Arrived...
...to somehow, someway, make the flowers for this purse:
What would I use it for? Me? The bridesmaids? Really, I have no idea.
But it is gorgeous, isn't it?! 8D
and it comes in silver too:
I knew one of these days I would come into contact with something expensive that I refuse to buy out of principle.
$98 without shipping is too much for a purse. $83 with ship and a 20% off coupon code "TOUTIE" at Lori's Shoes is still too much for a purse.
And we'll have bouquets to look at anyways, so do the purses really matter? Not really.
But a gal still needs a purse...
What would I use it for? Me? The bridesmaids? Really, I have no idea.
But it is gorgeous, isn't it?! 8D
and it comes in silver too:
I knew one of these days I would come into contact with something expensive that I refuse to buy out of principle.
$98 without shipping is too much for a purse. $83 with ship and a 20% off coupon code "TOUTIE" at Lori's Shoes is still too much for a purse.
And we'll have bouquets to look at anyways, so do the purses really matter? Not really.
But a gal still needs a purse...
August 4, 2010
More Pretty Glittering Crystals
Keeping with the lovely and sparkle-ly crystal theme:
This post from Bronze Budget Bride really makes me want a gorgeous, beaded curtain somewhere...
Even if it means me finding a lot of cheap clear beads in bulk and sewing many 6ft strands of it myself!
XP :D
This post from Bronze Budget Bride really makes me want a gorgeous, beaded curtain somewhere...
Even if it means me finding a lot of cheap clear beads in bulk and sewing many 6ft strands of it myself!
XP :D
August 3, 2010
Chandeliers Aren't Just For Candles
I found these gorgeous little chandeliers strangely enough, in a WeddingBee classified ad. But aren't the soo pretty?! :D *drool*
They sell for about $14 each on Amazon...not sure if I'm crazy over the price, because these things are not that big...
But they still are pretty damn cute :)
They sell for about $14 each on Amazon...not sure if I'm crazy over the price, because these things are not that big...
But they still are pretty damn cute :)
August 1, 2010
Renting Vs Buying, The More Sane Approach
I began to think about the last two posts and I realized it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I'm sure many brides and events have done a mix of both rentals and purchases to get a nice happy, more work-free medium.
Okay, last post on this, I promise:
Chairs:
Padded chairs = $2.50 each
Cost for 115 = $287.50
Chair Total: $287.50
Linen:
-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
-Found at linentablecloth.com
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $15 each
-Found at cvlinens.com
*Cost for 6 = $90
-Napkins = $0.53 each
-Found at efavormart.com
*Cost for 115 = $60.95
Linen Total: $294.95
Dinnerware:
-10" plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-7" salad plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Bread plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Cup and saucer = $1.05 each
*Cost for 115 = $120.75
-Sugar bowl = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Creamer pitcher = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Salt and pepper set = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $51.60
-Chargers = $0.38 each
-Hexagon 11" plastic plates found on Ebay
*Cost for 120 = $45
Dinnerware Total: $503.55
Glassware:
-Champagne glasses = $0.39 each
-Plastic glasses found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $46.37
-Goblet = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
Glassware Total: $172.87
Silverware:
-Salad fork = $0.16 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $19.40
-Fork = $0.13 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $15.60
-Spoon = $0.12 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $14.40
-Knife = $0.23 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $27.90
Silverware Total: $77.30
Add all these together with the venue rental cost, minus the venue chairs...
Grand Total = $1,846.05
Difference From Renting Everything = $221.85 less
Possible gain from re-sale = $220.57
Possible Net Cost = $1,625.49
This seems to be the best way to go about things, because now you have the rental company taking care of transportation and cleaning of most of the dinner items, what you have to do is wash a lot of silverware, (easier to transport anyways in my opinion,) iron the linens, and bring salt and pepper shakers, chargers, and disposable champagne glasses. After the event you would need to wash the silverware and linens for resale.
So never fear readers, I haven't completely lost my mind and out to buy 100 sets of dishes... :P I just did that for sake of comparison and curiosity!
Okay, really, I'm done with this subject...
:P
Okay, last post on this, I promise:
Chairs:
Padded chairs = $2.50 each
Cost for 115 = $287.50
Chair Total: $287.50
Linen:
-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
-Found at linentablecloth.com
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $15 each
-Found at cvlinens.com
*Cost for 6 = $90
-Napkins = $0.53 each
-Found at efavormart.com
*Cost for 115 = $60.95
Linen Total: $294.95
Dinnerware:
-10" plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-7" salad plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Bread plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Cup and saucer = $1.05 each
*Cost for 115 = $120.75
-Sugar bowl = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Creamer pitcher = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Salt and pepper set = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $51.60
-Chargers = $0.38 each
-Hexagon 11" plastic plates found on Ebay
*Cost for 120 = $45
Dinnerware Total: $503.55
Glassware:
-Champagne glasses = $0.39 each
-Plastic glasses found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $46.37
-Goblet = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
Glassware Total: $172.87
Silverware:
-Salad fork = $0.16 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $19.40
-Fork = $0.13 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $15.60
-Spoon = $0.12 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $14.40
-Knife = $0.23 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $27.90
Silverware Total: $77.30
Add all these together with the venue rental cost, minus the venue chairs...
Grand Total = $1,846.05
Difference From Renting Everything = $221.85 less
Possible gain from re-sale = $220.57
Possible Net Cost = $1,625.49
This seems to be the best way to go about things, because now you have the rental company taking care of transportation and cleaning of most of the dinner items, what you have to do is wash a lot of silverware, (easier to transport anyways in my opinion,) iron the linens, and bring salt and pepper shakers, chargers, and disposable champagne glasses. After the event you would need to wash the silverware and linens for resale.
So never fear readers, I haven't completely lost my mind and out to buy 100 sets of dishes... :P I just did that for sake of comparison and curiosity!
Okay, really, I'm done with this subject...
:P
Renting Vs. Buying, The Big Debate Continued
A continuation from the last post, I scoured the internet for the cheapest prices on all the items mentioned previously for rent.
Wow, this took some time! Most of my free time was spent thinking about where or how I could get something cheaper...that would still have enough quality for a one-time use.
Part of the insanity of buying over 100 place settings is that in theory you could sell the stuff back and get some of your money back. (Note some, potentially like 50% or less)
After hours of searching, here's what I came up with:
Linen:
-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
-Found at linentablecloth.com
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $15 each
-Found at cvlinens.com
*Cost for 6 = $90
-Napkins = $0.53 each
-Found at efavormart.com
*Cost for 115 = $60.95
Linen Total: $294.95
Dinnerware:
-10.5" plates
-6" salad bowls
-7" bread plates
-4.5" small bowls
-Cups and saucers
-Napkin rings
-Serving platter
-Serving bowl
-Salt and pepper set
-Found at Walmart
*Cost for 6 place settings = $40
*Cost for 19 sets = $760
-Sugar bowl = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree (seen in store)
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Creamer pitcher = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree (seen in store)
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.52 each
-Found at katom.com
*Cost for 24 = $60.48
-Chargers = $0.38 each
-Hexagon 11" plastic plates found on Ebay
*Cost for 120 = $45
Dinnerware Total: $913.48
Glassware:
-Champagne glasses = $0.39 each
-Plastic glasses found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $46.37
-Wine glasses = $0.83 each
-Found at Ikea
*Cost for 114 = $95
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.25 each
-Found at Ikea
*Cost for 114 = $28.31
Glassware Total: $169.68
Silverware:
-Salad fork = $0.16 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $19.40
-Fork = $0.13 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $15.60
-Spoon = $0.12 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $14.40
-Knife = $0.23 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $27.90
Silverware Total: $77.30
Add all these together with the venue rental cost, plus rental cost for the chairs...
(What? You didn't expect me to buy 100 chairs did you? lol)
Grand Total = $2,252.91
Difference From Renting = $185.01 more
Possible gain from re-sale = $727.71
Possible Net Cost = $1,525.21
BUT!
A very important thing to note!
If you do not rent, you're the one stuck with the transport, washing and ironing of all these items, not only once, but twice if you want to sell them to get your money back!
That is a LOT of work. But who knows, it may work for someone, possibly if you're having a smaller wedding than 100 XP
*Whew!* Maybe I'll stick to more fun posts for a while, that was a lot of (hopefully not too boring) info! :P
Wow, this took some time! Most of my free time was spent thinking about where or how I could get something cheaper...that would still have enough quality for a one-time use.
Part of the insanity of buying over 100 place settings is that in theory you could sell the stuff back and get some of your money back. (Note some, potentially like 50% or less)
After hours of searching, here's what I came up with:
Linen:
-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
-Found at linentablecloth.com
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $15 each
-Found at cvlinens.com
*Cost for 6 = $90
-Napkins = $0.53 each
-Found at efavormart.com
*Cost for 115 = $60.95
Linen Total: $294.95
Dinnerware:
-10.5" plates
-6" salad bowls
-7" bread plates
-4.5" small bowls
-Cups and saucers
-Napkin rings
-Serving platter
-Serving bowl
-Salt and pepper set
-Found at Walmart
*Cost for 6 place settings = $40
*Cost for 19 sets = $760
-Sugar bowl = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree (seen in store)
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Creamer pitcher = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree (seen in store)
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.52 each
-Found at katom.com
*Cost for 24 = $60.48
-Chargers = $0.38 each
-Hexagon 11" plastic plates found on Ebay
*Cost for 120 = $45
Dinnerware Total: $913.48
Glassware:
-Champagne glasses = $0.39 each
-Plastic glasses found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $46.37
-Wine glasses = $0.83 each
-Found at Ikea
*Cost for 114 = $95
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.25 each
-Found at Ikea
*Cost for 114 = $28.31
Glassware Total: $169.68
Silverware:
-Salad fork = $0.16 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $19.40
-Fork = $0.13 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $15.60
-Spoon = $0.12 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $14.40
-Knife = $0.23 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $27.90
Silverware Total: $77.30
Add all these together with the venue rental cost, plus rental cost for the chairs...
(What? You didn't expect me to buy 100 chairs did you? lol)
Grand Total = $2,252.91
Difference From Renting = $185.01 more
Possible gain from re-sale = $727.71
Possible Net Cost = $1,525.21
BUT!
A very important thing to note!
If you do not rent, you're the one stuck with the transport, washing and ironing of all these items, not only once, but twice if you want to sell them to get your money back!
That is a LOT of work. But who knows, it may work for someone, possibly if you're having a smaller wedding than 100 XP
*Whew!* Maybe I'll stick to more fun posts for a while, that was a lot of (hopefully not too boring) info! :P
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