Real Life Bride: Week 47

With the wedding under 30 days away you could definitely say that it is constantly on my mind! Even with Beth handling all of the logistics and design - and I still feel like there's so much to do! Everyday I talk to my mom and sister, multiple times, about what we should do about this, what would should do about that...etc. I think overall, though, I've remained relatively calm even while waiting for the final RSVPs to come in, people to book their hotel rooms (yes, I do know that this is out of my control and technically not my problem if they don't book before our block is release...but I still care and want everyone who wants to to be staying at our hotels!!), and anything else we are waiting for. Which isn't much now that we're into the final month of planning for the big day.

For the most part, things have been going fine, but I would like to give some advice regarding your wedding dress - definitely do your very best to purchase your dress in the city that you live! I got mine in Los Angeles so it has been extremely inconvenient considering that they do not do fittings on weekends! Now when I say "do not do," I mean that the seamstress does not work on weekends and the office staff will tell you this over and over - BUT, eventually you can wear them down and they will ask the seamstress for a weekend appointment (so far out of three times she has not denied me). Not that I want to miss another pilates class on the weekend...but I gotta have my dress! The whole process would have been a bit easier if my lovely dress was located here in San Diego with me, but none-the-less the finish line is in sight and I've finagled myself into one last Saturday fitting!

As for planning, I've started working on the shuttle list for guests heading to the wedding from the hotel. With 24 passenger shuttles, I'm keeping track so that we don't exceed capacity on either bus and also started working on the table assignments. Whether or not we are going to have assigned seats at each table is yet to be determined. We've started gathering the items for our tote bags and I took Beth's previous blog advice and contacted the hotels regarding their distribution policies. We are waiting on a list of balances due from Beth for all of our vendors as those are generally paid one month out, so we'll get that taken care of and Beth will keep everyone on track and on schedule - it's such a relief to not be dealing with timelines and schedules and charts and vendors.

Next on the planning agenda: finalizing the seating chart and getting the names to my sister for calligraphy for escort cards. I would also like to make a packing list for the honeymoon. Ryan and I are planning to pack for the honeymoon the weekend before the wedding to get everything done before he heads to Vegas for his bachelor party. Yes, he is going to Vegas the week of our wedding; what a crazy person!

Real Life Bride: Week 46

It's Sunday night and I'm simply exhausted after my weekend of all-things-wedding...and I didn't even have to plan anything or work! I was fortunate to have two beautiful showers with my family and friends, and I also had my wedding hair and makeup trial.

The first shower hosted by my longtime (24 years!) family friend Bonnie Lewis was so lovely and perfect. It was at a great location with delicious food and every detail was take care of - even down to personalizing the sparkling wine bottles! You can see the wine label below next to the homemade cupcake tower!

{future mother-in-law, me, our lovely host, my mom}

Everything was perfectly coordinated including the adorable tag on the favors - Bonnie made homemade chocolates in the shape of kitchen utensils!! The were "packaged" in little ceramic ramekins...definitely one of the cutest (and most clever) shower favors I've ever seen!

It was such a wonderful day - I just couldn't believe I'd be so lucky to celebrate again the very next day!
Details on that fete to come...

In the meantime, we did manage to squeeze in some planning with Beth to make some decisions on items that had been up in the air and to start going through some final logistics. I am happy to report that I definitely have less than 5 "tasks" to take care of - I love not being in charge of the logistics!

Next up...bachelorette party in Austin, Texas!

Real Life Bride: Week 45

The days are ticking by and the wedding is so close - only about 40 days now! It's so exciting getting RSVPs everyday and now I come home many days to really large boxes at the door! We decided to go ahead and send thank you cards as we receive any gifts even though there isn't really a final consensis on the protocol for that. Some sources say you should wait until after the wedding, and a lot of couples opt to wait so that they can use their new last name and/or new address. Other sources say that it's polite to let people know as soon as you receive their gift so they aren't wondering if it made it to you or not. Since our thank you stationery doesn't include our new last name, we thought we would go ahead and thank people now. Hopefully no one is offended at our decision!

Last week we went down to the San Diego County Clerk and applied for our marriage license! The office was located downtown,  was clean and not too busy and had quite a lovely view.

This was our beautiful view as we waited for our turn!

The entire process was so easy we even saved $20 by getting our license, which is good in all of California, in San Diego instead of Los Angeles...and we probably saved a lot of time and headache too since dealing with anything "governmentally" related is fairly difficult in Los Angeles. Overall we were in and out in about 30 minutes and on our way!

Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day

It's something I think most of us have heard our mothers or grandmothers tell us since we were children getting ready to head off to school.  And while our eating habits or patterns may not have us hungry enough for a big breakfast every morning, having a little nosh on the morning of your wedding can give you the energy and nutrition to get you through your Big Day.

With the excitement and emotion, anxiety and joy that comes with tying the knot, finding a few moments for a little brunch can go a long way.  Between morning hair and make up sessions, visits from family or friends, getting into your gown, traveling to your venue and pre-wedding photos, there is a lot going on!  By the time you sit down to eat your wedding meal, it could be well into the evening.  Without the growling in your stomach or worrying about how many hours it will be until your dinner, you will be more able to enjoy all of the wonderful experiences that come with being a bride.  Having a little food in your system will help keep your blood sugar from dropping throughout the day, which can prevent fatigue, irritability, or worst of all, fainting!  And after all the time you've spent planning for this day, you deserve to enjoy every last second of your wedding day.

Real Life Bride: Week 44

We are now in the month before the wedding and I couldn't be more excited. I am so fortunate to have two bridal showers being hosted in my honor and an amazing bachelorette party all lined up for this month!

I received both shower invitations in the mail a couple weeks ago and they are both just lovely. My bridesmaids are hosting a tea shower with invitation designed by none-other-than my sister Laura...and she even used my favorite of her designs in soft blush pink color -

I can't wait to see what the shower itself will look like!

The second shower is being hosted by one of my bridesmaid's mom. I have known her family since I was two years old and her mom has been so supportive and excited for my wedding since day one. She has multiple times let me know that it's like one of her own getting married and I am so thrilled to have her playing such an important role in the occasion. She's very crafty so I was really excited to see her invitation as well and she most definitely did not disappoint!

{You can't see it in the picture but the dress has a thin layer of tulle over it for the ultimate effect}

I have such wonderful family and friends and I can't wait to start celebrating with them!

Sneak Peek: Labor Day Wedding!

Sugey, the famous bride-to-be who's planning process is being heavily documented over on the Bride and Bloom website (and in the January Issue), is finally marrying this weekend. We couldn't be more excited to be a part of her labor day wedding. And, with her nautical theme, we think her aesthetic is so perfect for a holiday weekend that we couldn't wait to give you a sneak peek. The below image is from one of the 7 different table prototypes we did with Sugey, and while it didn't make the cut, with it's seersucker linens and pops of red in everything from the china to the chair pads, we do think it makes the perfect inspiration for your all-American Labor Day festivities...

Photo by Steve Steinhardt

New Feature: Susie Homemaker

Hello, all!  We've been busy, busy bees in the month of August so I'm sorry for the sporadic appearances we've made.  But it's good to be back!

On the blog, we mostly focus on details and tips for you to use during the planning process, which makes sense - we're wedding planners after all!  And hopefully we are helpful and you have some fun along the way.  But once you get married there is a whole other level of fun to enjoy - the homelife you and your husband create.  And while not every couple needs or wants to be chefs, I think any household could benefit from a couple of delicious, go-to recipes to pull out when entertaining or even just for your own personal enjoyment.

As we approach the end of Summer with Labor Day weekend, I've begun planning my holiday bbq menu and this dish will definitely make an appearance.  My family loving refers to it as "Susie Potato Salad" because I am the only one in my family that dislikes mayonnaise and this is a mayo-less potato salad created just for me.

Susie Potato Salad (or Italian Potato Salad)

1 1/2 pounds potatoes (I like small multi-colored, or red will do)
4 Tbsp good olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tbsp chopped parsley, more for garnish
1 Tbsp chopped basil
1-2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Kosher Salt and Fresh Black Pepper to taste


Remove any knots and cut potatoes in half or equal size so they cook evenly. Bring potatoes to a boil in salted water.  Cook until fork tender.  At the same time, mix all other ingredients in a mixing bowl and allow flavors to "marry".  When potatoes are done, drain and return to empty pot to remove excess water.  Transfer potatoes to mixing bowl while potatoes are still hot and toss with dressing.   Allow salad to come to room temperature or refrigerate.  Toss again and garnish with extra parsley before serving.

And that's it! You'll find that not only is this salad healthier by omitting the mayo, you also don't run into the same food safety issues if this salad sits out for a couple hours.

 So when you're called upon to contribute to the family potluck, you'll have a simple but tasty recipe in your back pocket.   I truly believe the meals you share with your family are what make traditions and turn your house into a home.