So winding down we’re heading into three weeks before the big day. And I must say, I’m ready. All of this preparation, organization, minor ocd, but its been totally worth it thus far. I can now enjoy the rest of the weeks without having to worry about the diy programs, gifts, outfits, readings, timeline, etc. See, us ladies who aren’t procrastinators should be applauded and not looked upon and named bridezilla. =)

We met with our hotel (guest accomodations) coordinator today to finalize all of our blocked rooms, rates, conference room we’re reserving, and any other special requests that we made for our guests. She’s been so very helpful and accomodating thoughout this whole wedding process. She’s been superb. She’s answered my twenty million questions and changes to our blocked hotel suites via email. Quick too! I love it when vendors answer reply back quickly! At the end of the appointment she mentioned to us that its great that we’re so organized – prepared with good questions. I guess she’s worked in the hospitality industry for awhile and its rare to see couples who are like this.

So **pat on the back Mr. and Miss Apple**. It felt so good to hear that.

So I guess this leads to my main post – Wedding Vendors.

From the very beginning of wedding planning, I really had no idea what I was getting into. The wealth of “free” information via world wide web. The wedding industry is pretty cut throat – with so many choices, so many options its really hard to narrow it down to just one. Having engulfed myself in wedding “everything”, I have so much respect for people who can work in this industry. It’s high stress, detail oriented like no other, customer friendly, trend setter, creativity, the list goes on and on….

How has it been working with wedding vendors? See any difference between wedding vendors or non wedding related vendors?

Love these flickr finds. Alternative guestbooks. I am seriously considering doing something similiar to the first one or third one.

“This was such a beautiful idea. Beside the frame was this note:”

“During a trip to Tokyo, we enjoyed watching many generations of visitors to a Sensoji temple, Asakusa Temple. Each would come to read their fortune and write a note to tie on the wire. We have adapted this idea and incorporated it into our wedding in lieu of the traditional guestbook. We would like each of you to take a sheet of paper and write anything that you would like on the paper. At the end of the evening, our photographer will take a photograph of all the notes on the wire. We plan to frame this and place it within our home, in order to serve as a reminder of this wonderful day that we have shared with all of you.” – mvcork from flickr

This works well because its a b&w photo plus the couple isn’t looking directly into the camera.

The husband was a huge baseball fan, they had guests sign the baseballs with nice ink pens provided.

Vintage typewriter so guests can type in a note. I like this idea because its fast (if you’re a fast typer). I hate being rushed to sign in and get seated. If we decide to do a book, I might just have someone pass it around the reception just so people can sit and think about what to write.

Who says the guestbook has to be wedding related with pictures of us? I love this.

A scroll with photo of the couple

Fresh or Silk bouquet with guests notes pinned in.

The ever so popular sign in wish tree.

I met up with a friend who I haven’t seen in ages ( 6 months or so) a few weeks ago and she mentioned that I am “glowing”.

Huh? Glowing? But I’m not pregnant? People “glow” when they’re pregnant, right?

Maybe its the “I am going to be married glow?” -)

Did you receive any comments like that?

i’m getting married in 3 weeks…its hitting me now.

when did it really hit you?

Sorry for the “non-existent” post but its crunch time!

Artichoke and Garden Cake

Lace Cake – some pieces replicates the brides pearl and crystal encrusted lace wedding gown.

Alice in Wonderland Birthday Cake

Faerie Wedding Cake

Turkish Themed Wedding – Ottoman Decorative Arts incorporating mosaics, carpets, and clothing.

A Cake Fit for A King

“Best of the City 2004″ Cake

….I agreed.

You see, Mr. Apple is a huge Lord of the Rings fan. He has all of the LOTR Trilogy Series on dvd. He also received this leather bound LOTR 50th Anniversary Edition book from me a few years back for Christmas. So after seeing LOTR post awhile back from Miss Blueberry, he suggested why not have towns from LOTR as our table “numbers”.

With these unique and somewhat difficult town names, we thought it would be a better idea to include photos of fruits – for those older guests who’s English isn’t so good. I even used some Asian fruits like the rambutan and lychee. I actually thought of doing different varieties of apples since I am Miss Apple! But I realized most guests wouldn’t even get it since they don’t read WB plus apple variaties are so close in color and shape that people wouldn’t be able to distinguish between the apples. At least from the quick search I did on google.

I d-i-y’d the table names by using MS Word and printing them off my personal printer. The fruit images were downloaded from google images.

I even thought about doing different flavor covered apples like the caramel covered and chocolate covered apples but thought it still would have been a little confusing for our guests to distinguish between tables.

Hey bees, do you see your fruit?

My question is how should I design the bulletin board for guests to look for their names?

Miss Emerald posted this awhile back and I thought it was a great idea so i stole it! haha..thanks Miss Emerald!

Except I won’t be using teddy bears, I’ll be using Marvel Comic Spiderman instead. My two nephews will be my ringbearers. So I thought since they love Spiderman why not just have them hold one. Plus, they can play with them post wedding. The practical side of Miss Apple again – recycle them if possible!

I tried to think of some Marvel Comics/Cartoon type toys that are green (my wedding color) but only a few popped out – Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Green Lantern, The Hulk, Power Ranger Green Color, Robin has green shorts I think. They’re definitely not as cute as Spiderman. So I am going to gamble and hope that the bright color (red and blue) won’t clash too much. =) Besides, they’ll look so cute clutching onto Spiderman as they walk down the aisle. -)

I bought them at www.vermontcountrystore.com for only $4.99 each! Spiderman has a soft sculpted fabric body, poseable arms and legs, a durable plastic head, and stands 12″ long. I am still not sure if I will add 2 feux rings to its wrists, should I?

Fast Service and Great Quality for the price!

tons of opportunity to diy silk flowers, bridal stuff, etc…for cheap! go go go, for sure i am!

Mr. Apple just purchased the Toyota Prius a few days ago and it kicks ass. These hybrid cars are the best thing since sliced bread! The Prius is basically like sitting inside a computer.

Though we have many fond memories cruising in his 1996 Burgandy Toyota Camry over 150,000 mile, missing hubcap, broken door handle it was time to part ways. It was on its last leg.

We definitely wanted to stick with Toyota because they are well made and reliable cars. It was a toss up between the Toyota Camry, Toyota Camry Hybrid, or the Toyota Hybrid Prius. We did a test drive on the Prius and we were blown away by the hybrid system (half gas half electric motor). I don’t know anyone who has a hybrid so I had no idea at how technology/envioronmentally helpful/fuel efficient these cars are. They cut emissions from 25% to 35% over even the most fuel efficient cars and have great gas mileage – approx 50-55 miles to the gallon!

So, back to my post. I’m excited that we’re using this as our getaway car. Our exit car back to our la casa – how exciting. We’re forgoing renting taxi cabs, or limos, or borrowing a relatives luxery car. This is so Mr. Apple and Miss Apple – so nerdy, so economical, so green, so us. -)

with the Smartkey – only the press of a button and the car engine starts. Check out that shifter (it looks like a little toy!)

here’s the Pulse and Glide technology screen – Prius Energy Display Screen

Is anyone using there own car as a getaway car?

Without my knowledge and consent (ha), my sister and maid of honor planned a surprise bridal shower. I kind of had a stinking suspicision a couple of times but wasn’t 100% sure. I even grilled Mr. Apple a few times – he says he thinks I work for the Chinese CIA cuz i’m so good at asking him 20 questions.

So surprise surprise! I heard that they’ve been working on this for the past 2-3 months. It was held at Petit Fours (http://www.pfcakes.com/) located in West Village Dallas. Its a quaint little bakery that serves bite size pastries, chocolates, tarts, and treats. We had afternoon high tea service that served cucumber sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, Roobias African Red Tea, Cranberry orange, Strawberry Marmalade, Lemon Curd and Clotted Cream Scones, and a tray of assorted desserts.

They surprised me plentiful of VS gifts, bridal pjs, engraved wedding frames, and a $200 Spa Nordstrom package. I felt so giddy and loved from all of my aunts, sister, mom, and close friends. My sister went all out Martha Stewart. She and my maid of honor even baked these adorable cookies from scratch with piped icing! They also created these fun little cute games for us.

my sisters MS creation

Surprise!

Its game time!

Before the game begins, my sister mentions to my moh that she misspelled my name. oh susan, our 10 years together and you’re just the same. Love you even though you can’t spell “partay”.

the strong women of miss apple’s side

my aunts must think i got a ba donke donk (sp?) cuz look at the size of those panties!

I will use this until the letters fall off

hand made card from my sister

More later for a full review of petit fours pastries, tea, and service!