THE FAVORS.

The FH and I had decided on our wedding favors probably 6 hours after we were engaged. We are both music addicts and have been known to email one another play lists through Rhapsody, to set the tone for the day or to send a sentimental message. In fact, before we had even met in person, our first Christmas present to each other was our Top 50 Favorite Songs of All Time, in autobiographical order.

Ultimately, we decided that the appropriate wedding favor would be the consolidation of these play lists in CD format. We would include the full version of the above mentioned story in the "liner notes" with explanations as to why we chose each song.

In further research, I've drawn inspiration from another knottie, KSirish, who also used CDs as her favor, but incorporated them into the seating cards in a very creative way.

They attached their own custom-made concert tickets to the front of each CD, which displayed the couple's information, the wedding information, and in the front and center - the guest's name and table number. This way the guest would pick up their favor and find their table in one quick, swift motion!

They organized the CDs in alphabetical order by the guest's last name in these cute CD boxes. The guests flipped through the boxes, much like at a music store, to find their CD. I have to say, KSirish, this is pure, creative, genius! And I'm totally copying you. :P

THE CAKE.

I'm not thrilled at the thought of paying $6 a slice for a decadently decorated fondant covered wedding cake. On top of that, I'm also not thrilled at the thought of paying an additional $3 per person just to have the venue cut and serve pieces of cake to our guests. Yes folks, that's a hefty $9 per person.

Granted, I know this is probably the most extreme of situations I could encounter, but I'm trying to think outside of the box here. That's why I've been considering cupcakes as a major contender to the traditional wedding dessert fare. However, I had two hangups.

The first hangup was the typical cringe you get at the idea of swaying from anything traditional that could get your guests a talkin' - I mean complaining - about your personalized wedding decisions. I mean, after all, who's wedding is it anyway? At the same time, who are you paying to entertain? Honestly, this doesn't throw as much weight as the next hangup.

Secondly, I'd really like to have the cake cutting ceremony, but what do you cut when you're serving cupcakes? This is where my trusty internets come in handy again. Thanks to a posting from Mrs. Lime of WeddingBee fame, I was introduced to the photo album of the Vanilla Bake Shop. As you can see in the photo below, they placed a small cake at the top of the cupcake tower that can be used for such an occasion.

Perfect! I absolutely love the display tiers used - we can definitely incorporate our wedding patterns and colors into the mix - and offer a plethora of flavors to our guests. I'm sold - we're having cupcakes. How yummy do these sound:

Key Lime
Yellow Butter Cake, Key Lime filling, Cream Cheese Frosting, Graham Cracker Crust Crumbles

Meyer Lemon Raspberry
Yellow Butter Cake, Lemon Curd Center, Vanilla Bean Frosting & Raspberries

Pumpkin
Sweet Pumpkin Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dusted with Graham Cracker and Spices

Old Fashioned
Bourbon Dark Chocolate Cake, Whip Cream Center,Vanilla Bean Frosting, White Chocolate Sprinkles, Cherry on Top

Chocolate Raspberry
Bourbon Dark Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Preserve Filling, Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Banana Chocolate Chip
Banana Chocolate Chip Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting

Spicy Carrot
Spicy Carrot Cake, Sweet Cream Cheese Frosting

The list goes on and on...

I'm going to have to find a baker in my area that can concoct duplicates of the so-obviously-genius creations from Vanilla. The best news of all? Each gourmet stuffed cupcake is only $3.25!

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS.

There is one thing that we've known about our future wedding for a long time - and that is that Ken's sister would be our photographer. Whether or not we hired an alternate photographer to at least attempt to have my FSIL enjoy the party instead of work it - we knew she would be snapping away at her big bro's wedding.

Michelle (yes there are now two Michelle's) is amazing and has made a name for herself in Louisiana with her small-business turned busy. We know she'll go all out on the day of the wedding and therefore, we've decided not to hire another unneeded photographer for an exorbitant cost.

However, as you may have noticed, Michelle lives in Louisiana. So, when we started discussing engagement photos we were at a loss. I went to my trusty internet and got to searching - when I found Sarah Maren Photography and fell head over heels. Her photo journalistic, rustic - yet edgy style is exactly what we wanted.

We did not hesitate in booking her for the next available weekend - and on November 3rd we will be vogueing in front of the lens with the beautiful Old Sacramento fall in the background.

THE HONEYMOON.

Guess what? We won a free honeymoon!

Now, before you get all excited please know that this is a scam. I received a call from one of the vendors from a wedding show I went to a few weeks ago. Obviously, I had given them my information for the "drawing" and they had chosen me as a "winner."

I signed us up for the 90 minute cooking demonstration without hesitation and then began researching this online. See, from what I've found, everyone is a winner. They just hassel you to go to the cooking demo and state that you'll receive your "prize" certificate at the end - with no pressure to buy anything.

Not only do you have to sit through a 90 minute sales pitch but you have to pay for your airfare. Why would I be complaining about having to pay for something I'll already be paying for? Well, I've also discovered that the accomodations aren't all that great. I mean, we're talking Mexico people - how bad could it be? Please, don't answer that.

The moral of the story is - don't enter the free honeymoon drawings and most of all, if they call you anyway, tell them to take you off their call list. Oh, and budget for your honeymoon.

An example free honeymoon suite - or honeymoon dump?

THE FUNNY.

I've been sick all day - and while I've had time to book a venue tour and speak with the prospective engagement photographer, I've really just been sleeping all day. Between watching movies, Sex and the City reruns, My Boys on-demand episodes (does anyone else watch this?) and drinking Throat Coat - my FH has been bringing me food and messing my hair whilst working in the home office.

He's so sweet. I can tell he's doing as much as he can to take care of me without fully risking contamination. Which I appreciate - because neither he nor I wants him to get sick right now. However, he has made a point to set aside movie watching time with me tonight.

We'd just finished watching Disturbia - which was a good nail biter - and in discussing the next movie we were to watch, I called him my "F-H", out of habit of course. He asked me what this meant and I responded, "take a guess."

His response? "Fee-Honsay?"

Hehehe...that cracked me up. It cracked him up too when I informed him that it instead, stood for, "Future Husband." Ohhh...my silly FH.

THE SORE THROAT.

Dammit. As much as I attempted to avoid getting "whatever it is going around" - I could not avoid it. My tonsils are slowly closing the gap to my air passage and the only thing that seems to deflate them are many, many cups of Throat Coat tea. I really don't need this right now.

But - I guess I'd rather it now than later. Not that I have a choice...

Cheers! With a cup of Throat Coat!

THE VENUE PART DEUX.

The FH and I have an upcoming meeting with our wedding coordinator, Michelle, on Monday night. With the elimination of choice #1 - The Crocker Art Gallery - I've done extensive web searches for gallery options in the Sacramento Valley area.

I've gathered them below in an Idea Board and will be weighing the features of each extensively before making a decision. Michelle might have additional suggestions after our meeting - I'm hoping she knows something I don't, because I'm having a hard time making a decision.

FIRST ROW (left to right):

1. THE FIREHOUSE. Located in charming Old Sacramento, The Firehouse Restaurant patio dining area is swathed in strings of lights, brick facade and the beautiful trees Sacramento is known for. Bonus: Their kitchen cooks up a mean steak. The Firehouse Restaurant and Bar, Sacramento, CA.

2. THE CREST THEATRE. Not your typical wedding setting, this historical old theatre is elaborate in it's decor and boasts an almost magical setting for any event. The Crest Theatre, Sacramento, CA.

3. THE HISTORIC HOTEL. Beautifully maintained, this historic wedding venue has a gorgeous exterior. However, no wedding site interior pictures were available on their website. The Historic Hotel, Woodland, CA.

SECOND ROW (left to right):

4. THE GRAND BALLROOM. An amazingly vast ballroom with beautiful period detailing including large pendulum lighting hanging over the marble bar and inlaid ballroom floor. The Grand Ballroom, Sacramento, CA.

5. TSAKAPOULAS LIBRARY GALLERIA. This venue can hold up to 350 seated guests on it's main floor - and you can rent the balcony as well as the entrance. It's soaring ceiling and proximity to the popular Capitol Rose Garden ceremony site makes it a big contender for larger parties. Tsakapoulas Library Galleria, Sacramento, CA.

6. LAKE NATOMA INN. Right next to - you guessed it - Lake Natoma, this Inn has gorgeous wedding gardens nearby a spectacular view. The ballroom can hold a mighty number of guests and out-of-town guests have an on-site place to stay. Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, CA.

THIRD ROW (left to right):

7. JOHN NATSOULAS ART GALLERY. An alternate to our ideal Art Museum location, this gallery boats a permanent collection including some of our favorite local artists. The top-floor sculpture garden is amazing - but will it hold enough seated guests with room to dance? John Natsoulas Art Gallery, Davis, CA.

8. OLD SUGAR MILL. I adore the brick interior of the Old Sugar Mill. It has a gallery feel - but on the exterior it has a nice, worn-in, country feel with many architectural interests for photo-ops. Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg, CA.

9. PAMELA SKINNER ART GALLERY. Another art gallery alternative, Pamela Skinner is a beautiful light-saturated option. It's midtown location would be a perfect centrally-located venue for our spread out families. Pamela Skinner Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA.

FOURTH ROW (left to right):

10. SAC STATE ALUMNI CENTER. A good friend of ours renewed their vows here - and it was gorgeous. However, neither the FH nor I are alumnus - does it make sense that I feel odd renting this for our reception? Sacramento State Alumni Center, Sacramento, CA.

11. MONTE VERDE INN. A beautiful, elegant, but rustic locale for a wedding. The outdoor gardens are fantastic - and would lovely surrounded in paper lanterns. Monte Verde Inn, Foresthill, CA.

12. WINE & ROSES. This is a huge contender because of it's reputation alone. I've heard fantastic things about this venue and on top of it having an on-site spa, beautifully decorated guest rooms and a gorgeous patio - the wedding planner stated that it has fantastic food. Wine & Roses, Lodi, CA.

THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY PART DEUX.

Both of the engagement parties turned out fabulous. Due in great part to the great care of our close friends and family as well as a wonderful catering resource at one of our favorite restaurants in midtown Sacramento.

The first engagement party was held at Lucca Restaurant and Bar on Friday evening. This was to be the party held for our close friends - just a few...say 22 of them! We were able to make special arrangements to allow for our large party to have a non-catered event in a secret hiding space on the back patio of Lucca's gorgeous outdoor dining area.

From left to right: Lucca's gorgeous outdoor dining patio flanked by fountains and topped by sparkling lights, Me with Beau the Best Man who is signing our scrapbook, Me and the FH, Me and my gorgeous bridesmaids/MOH - those who could make it.

The second party was held the following evening at Ken's Aunt's home. She had gone all out making fantastic mini sandwiches, sherbert punch, chicken wings - on top of all of the other goodies our family brought, we had quite the spread! She even custom made the gorgeous glitter sign that hung behind the buffet - sheer talent! The biggest surprise of the night was the incredible bouquet of white roses that Ken's family in Ohio had sent to me in celebration - how sweet!

From left to right: The fabulous Cook Family - including Sue who will be doing my flowers and giving us dance lessons, the FH and I behind the spread - check out those roses, my parents with the FH and I, the BM with FH and his two uncles.

THE VENUE.

I will update you as to the happenings of the engagement parties this weekend, but first - a note of disappointment regarding our first choice of venue, The Crocker Art Museum.

I hadn't realized until now how attached I was to the idea of The Crocker being our venue. I had thought that it was FH's dream - and my budget's worst nightmare. However, he had convinced me that he would make it work - we would expand our budget and somehow make it happen because it's our wedding and we should pull out all the stops. Never mind you the honeymoon and house we are to buy apres wedding - we'll figure it out!

Alas, to no avail, I had inquired as to a meeting with their events manager this morning and promptly received a response back:

Thank you for your interest in the Crocker Art Museum. We are undergoing a very exciting expansion of the Museum. Construction has begun and will continue over the next 2-3 years. Unfortunately, we are unable to host weddings/events during construction. I'm sorry that we won't be able to share in your special day, but I do hope that you will continue to support the Crocker Art Museum as we grow!

Now, I'm slightly heartbroken. Which is silly because I kept telling myself that I'll have to talk FH out of it once we checked it out. Apparently, I had hoped his stubbornness would prevail and that the wedding of our dreams would be held at the venue of our dreams.

Perhaps this was never the venue of our dreams and we just don't know it yet - but I can't help feeling a tad disappointed.

THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY.

We're having two engagement parties - not because we're that self-centered, but because we're blessed to have such a large group of close friends and family that we cannot possibly hold them all in one room without having to rent a facility. To be honest, that's what the wedding is for. However, we wanted to get together with everyone and celebrate. To do this, we decided to have two separate parties: one for close friends and one for close family.

Tonight's party will consist of all of our close friends & family and dinner at one of our favorite midtown restaurants, Lucca. We will be taking up the greater part of their beautiful covered stone patio, drinking wine (and what have you), eating bruschetta, and eating their fantastic risotto. I'm so excited!

Tomorrow night, Ken's Aunt Jaime has graciously offered us her home to host a Family Potluck Engagement Party. This will be the first time many of our family members will have met - a good thing to do before the wedding - as there will be less ice breakers needed if everyone already knows each other.

My mom has created a special scrapbook to hold the details of the engagement and the engagement parties. Our day-of engagement photos are inside, along with my Zoltar card, State Fair tickets and a few other things. These pages are followed my "Friends & Family" pages for people to sign. The last few pages will hold photos of the two events. Shown below, are the front cover and first page of the scrapbook - in perfect reflection of my wedding colors.

THE RING HOLDER.

You're engaged? Let's do a little test here, okay?

Fiance?
Check!

Engagement Ring?
Check!

Safe place to keep engagement ring when you can't keep it on your finger?
Errrrmmm...does the hook on the towel bar in my bathroom count?

This is the exact place I normally keep my ring when I'm: showering (no soap scum here!), slicing veggies (specifically stinky onions), doing the dishes (no ring of mine will slip into the garbage disposal) and any other high-risk-ring-loss situations. Not exactly the classiest of ring display cases, is it?

Therefore, I'm shopping for a ring holder. Of course, there are a multitude of Waterford and the classic porcelain counterparts - but I'd like something different. I've put together an Idea Board of ring holders that I've found throughout the net.


FIRST ROW (left to right):

1. WOODEN. This beautiful spalted* hickory ring holder would be the perfect gift for yourself or a friend. It's to be placed by the sink or on a dresser and when rings are removed, they are placed on the ring holder so they will not get lost. The exotic cocobola wood finial at the top of the ring holder is made to resemble a flame. This is something beautiful and very useful. It's the perfect gift. $18.00 woodturner of Etsy.com

2. CORAL. The look of "Coral" is more popular than ever. Our white porcelain coral collection emphasizes life-like design. The Coral Branch stands about 5" tall and can be used as a ring or jewelry stand. $16.00 The Well Dressed Home

3. FUN. Each item includes wooden animal ring holder lid & glass jar. $9.00 loloko

SECOND ROW (left to right):

4. CINDERELLA. You'll feel like Cinderella when you store your ring inside this Fairytale inspired keepsake box. Features blue velvet lining, removable magnetic carriage box, and movable wheels. Box can be removed from the base to Present Wedding Ring or set on nightstand for everyday ring storage. Use on a ring pillow at your wedding ceremony. $30.61 Bride's Treasures

5. BLING. Put your bling bling on display with our Bling Ring Holder! This adorable ceramic ring holder is hand painted and the unique design provides some comical relief. An absolute necessity for the vanity table. $14.95 Wrapables

6. MUSICAL. Absolutely Exquisite, Limited Edition Collectors Musical Goose Egg. You have to see this one to believe the exquisite detail as each butterfly wing is a door that opens to reveal a window covered in gold mesh, then the whole egg opens to reveal a revolving, porcelain rose ring holder. Each one is delicately hand made and crafted to look marble, absolute perfection.Features: 4 opening butterfly doors, a revolving rose ring holder and a very heavy guilded metal base. Fabulous! $175.00 Music Boxes & Musical Gifts

THIRD ROW (left to right):

7. TWIST. This ring holder features a grace and flair in a petite package. Comes in Cobalt, Purple, Ruby, Turquoise and White. $18.00 Ron Hinkle Glass Online

8. MODERN. Devote your most treasured charms to this generous, sculptured slice of full-lead crystal. With a special spot for your rings, necklaces, and earrings, our Jewelry Holder is a sensible addition to your bureau-top, but also a piece to admire for its comforting asymmetry. $75.00 Nambé

9. HEART. You are viewing a beautiful, one-of-a-kind glass heart ring holder by glass artist Rebecca Zhukov. These ring holders each come with a business and bio card plus a complimentary white gift box. $32.00 providenceartglass of Etsy.com

What's your style?

THE VEIL.

I've decided that I'd like to have a birdcage veil, prefereably incorporating feathers into the design. I think they're classic, nonfussy, and elegant. I also think that the French Tulle would mesh well with the rest of the french patterns throughout the wedding.

I've attached my Idea Board below. Once again, I know of all the designers listed. Inquiries are welcome in the comments.

THE DRESS.

Why is it that "the simplest" usually means "the most expensive"?

I've been looking high and low for The Dress online, in the simple hollywood glamour style that I'd like and within my budget. The task seems nearly impossible, but I've not allowed myself to panic because I have yet to try on one single dress. I tell myself that I will not know The Dress of my dreams until I do so. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Once again, I've found that my taste is rather expensive. The dresses that I'm drawn to are of the fashionable drawing boards from some of the most noted wedding dress designers of this day: Reem Acra, Vera Wang, Monique Lhullier, Amanda Wakely, Melissa Sweet, Elizabeth Fillmore and Amsale. Here are my design inspirations for The Dress. I know the "make and model" of every dress below - so inquire within the comments if you're interested.

THE PROPOSAL.

From a previous posting at my other blog:
I'm engaged.

Yup.

“Since when?” you ask. Well, since last night. Ken popped the question at the very tip top of the ferris wheel in very romantic form - with his all-to perfect timing: right before the fireworks.

Of course, there has to be a little deviation from the perfection - which adds humor to the tale. On the way in, Ken set off the metal detector (yes, it’s that HUGE!!). I hadn’t noticed as I was peeking in at the fair activities - while I was distracted, Ken whispered to the security guy, “it’s an engagement ring!” To which the security guard apologized and quickly passed him through.

We wandered around; stopping to take a look at the Toytopia exhibit - very cool - where there was a Zoltar machine (ie. the movie Big). Ken gave me a $1 for a prediction. The winded speech from Zoltar made little sense, but the tear-off card that ensued spoke of a future love.

Then off to a few random rides before landing at the ferris wheel. We hopped on our gondola and sped upwards. I almost completely ruined his plan - I was freaked out about the speed and the drop. I’m sure Ken was thinking, “crap - I can do this unless she calms down!” However, after the first speedy drop I was fine…and Ken wandered into a wonderful, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you speech” and plopped a gigantic diamond onto my finger.

I was almost speechless and was unable to utter anything other than, “Oh…my…god!” for the next 20 minutes or so. We grabbed a drink and headed hand-in-hand over towards the “river” to catch the first glimpses of the fireworks overhead. It was wonderful.

Our engagement photos - which those of you who are close will soon seen I’m sure - are of the photo booth variety. We also purchased out entrance photo, which amazingly, turned out fantastic. I couldn’t have ask for better photography to capture the moment - it’s added a nice touch of kitschy-cool to the memory.

As for the ring - it’s gigantic and gorgeous. A perfect choice. And effing HEAVY!!! Haha - it’s a constant reminder, which Ken of course loved to hear.

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION.

Hello there!

I'm Kate - a recently engaged twenty-something here to share with you my planning tips, tricks and design tastes. I wanted a place to document the steps I took during this process, to keep track of my wins and losses, and to have a sounding board for my Bridezilla frustrations (should there be any).

Many choices have yet to be made as we have not yet even set a date. The date will be determined when the venue of our dreams availability becomes more clear. Then the REAL planning will begin. However, the few things that we do know are that we will be wed in October 2007, that our colors will be green, black and white and centered around classic french damask and thick stripe patterns. I've included a copy of my Idea Board below. Any thoughts?