Pretty boys

This weekend the boys are going to try on some suits for the wedding. Though there are some brides who like to have the surprise of seeing what their husband-to-be will be wearing the day of, I'm not that bride. Not that I don't trust Mr.Flamingo, but he's a joker and I could just imagine him arrive at the church in a pale blue suit with ruffles. (Ok maybe I'm exaggerating - but you get the point)

I'll be going with them for the trial and I will bring a camera for the main event. Mr.F in a suit... you rarely see that... and he looks so good. At first I wanted to have them wearing the real tux with the bow tie. Seem so perfect for our vintage/movie/ glam theme, but Mr.F says there is no way he will wear that. What a bummer.

The perfect example of the possibility of the hotness factor.

So we have no choice but to go for the other route. The tie route. I have nothing against ties... I find them really pretty but the bow tie would of been perfect. Since the girls will be wearing brown/taupe I thought having the best man in brown could be a very nice choice. For the ring bearer I thought it would be cute if he could be be a mini version of Mr.F. Honestly, I don't even know if all these options are available... so I will need to make a part 2 of the Pretty Boys

Am I going overboard with the whole matchy matchy? Are you planning on making your boys match your girls? Any suggestions to convince Mr.F to go the bow tie route?

Images: 007, suit

Help needed - movies anyone?

Alright everyone I need your help. If we look back at the whole theme idea of my wedding, I was going for a vintage glam (40s) inspired wedding, combined with the movies of that era. All seems swell when describing it... but less than 80 days to the wedding, and all the elements seem to be all glam and no movie-ness.

I want to be able to incorporate movie elements in my whole theme, because thats what represents Mr.Flamingo. A wedding consists of 2 people. I'm the glam and he's the movie. I want original ideas ... not the classic, let me go to the party store and buy some fake Oscars and paper movie clappers. So I need all the suggestions I can get.

This is what we have so far:

• Invitation design (vintage hotel , vintage clock and chandelier)
• Website design (matching invitation)
• Cake design (matching pattern of the invitation)
• Centerpiece : chandelier type something (more to come on that)
• Transportation : Vintage 1959 Bentley
• Dress and accesoires : very à la oscars

Whats left (and not really figured out yet):

• Guestbook (no idea)
• Place cards, Menus
• Card box (I purchased a wire mannequin and would like to transform it into a card box. I'm just not sure if I will look good so I need other suggestions)
• Reception decoration / Cocktail decoration
  

Ideas to incorporate the movie aspect:

• Hiring 8mm videographer
• Projecting a slient movie during the reception (not certain this is possible)
  
• Wanting a photo corner with movie props (melon hats, boas, cigarette holder..etc)
• Using old 8mm reel and tin cans for decoration (just an idea)
  

I desprately need your help awesome weddingbee readers. What would you do to make my wedding more movie worthy?

(Sources: Chandelier, Movie Reel)

Des Fleurs SVP...

I've always had a passion for flowers. I've never taken a course or anything but I love making flower arrangements (unfortunately for me, I haven't had the chance to practice with real blooms only the fake plastic-y ones) I wanted to make my own fresh flowers bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres for the wedding. I even purchased The Martha Stewart Wedding Collection - Martha's Complete Weddings to prepare myself. (Well it was just an excuse to buy it. I wanted it, wedding or no wedding. I'm a Martha freak and I'm not ashamed to say it. :)

When I announce to my family that I wanted to do my own flowers, they all looked at me as if I were nuts. They honestly thought I had fallen on my head or something. Why is that? A girl can't do DIYs ??? I'm sure I won't be as stressed as much as everyone else is saying I will be... then again, you never know.

My step mom sat down with me to have "the talk". Basically she does not want me to do my own flowers (not in a mean way- she is simply concerned) So being a good girl, I've been visiting florists left and right to compare prices and see if it really is worth it to make my own bouquets. Of course its worth it, I mean its 110% certain... there are so many factors to consider; flowers delivery, quality of the flowers, etc. This experience can be a beautful one but on the other side of the spectrum could result in a horror story. I don't want my wedding to be a horror story... so I'm going to hiring someone. Poor florist. They have no idea how I can be when it comes to wedding details

Will you be doing your own flowers? Like me, did you have someone talk you out of it? If so, was it a blessing in disguise?

(FYI - April is here and I haven't hired my florist yet. I'm getting married in June. I'm not stressed, not stressed at all, I'm only getting married in 85 days! Oh my)

I want a Comb, over there....

The time has come to really but I mean really figure out what I want to do with my hair. My appointment for my hair trial is next weekend and I have no idea what I want because I like so many styles. I am still debating on which type of hairstyle I should go for the wedding, though to be honest the vintage part is slightly winning the race.

Though in the vintage type hairstyles, some are not comb friendly, and that is something I must take into consideration. Yup, I purchased a beautiful hair comb which I guess in the heats of planning and blogging, slipped through my fingers and was forgotten. Here is my beautiful hair comb... purchased on ebay and was a mere 6$ shipping included. What a bargain!

Another thing I must consider is that I will have a veil. Okay... its a classic, but because I want a bun-ish type of hair-do, it limits the veil placement options. I tried wearing it under the bun (which personally I love) but it really doesn't suit me. So I need to wear it not on the top of my head, but more in the middle. (Please see illustration)


So now, I have continued my search for hair styles... I feel like I'm all over the place. I only have one chance at this cuz I'm only having one hair trial. Ok, sure if the results are really horrible, I will go for trial #2 but I'm trying to avoid it.

So here are some more hairstyles. I'm going for the vintage-y, bun type, place comb over there & leave room for the veil kind of style.


Which style do you like? Because I can't seem to make a decision. I like option # 3, I think its good for the veil and the comb. Just the vintage-y part us missing. I wondering if waves like in picture 12 would work. It might be too much. What do you think?

Ah! this is so frustrating. How I hate being indecisive!!!

Image Sources:
1, 2, 4, 6, 8: Brides.com - 3, 5 : Instyleweddings.com - 7: Unfortunately I don't remember the source - 9, 10, 11, 12 : People.com

Favors: Ribbon Please

After the over heated discussion about giving donations as favors, we finally figured out what we were going to do. Mr.Flamingo and I want to give donations as favors because it is something we truly believe in and like many of yous mentioned - it is our wedding. I still felt a bit odd giving donations only so we agreed that the donations will be accompanied by a gift (part 2 of the favors - to come shortly.)

Every Wednesday night, I go to Daddy Flamingos for supper and we spend quality time as a family (my sisters included) Isn't it great, that my sisters are my bridesmaids.... its that much more easy to impose some DIY. And thats just what i did. Clever - Miss Flamingo Clever.

Presentation wise I thought it would be neat to make Breast Cancer ribbons. So that we can attach it to the favor. But no classic satin ribbon.... we went all out and we went ahead and beaded some fabulous charms. (About 2.5 inches in height)

Eldest sister flamingo:
Task - To cut the wire to the desired length.

Me - aka Miss Flamingo:
Task - To loop wire at one end to make sure the beads stay in place.

Other 2 sister flamingos:
Task - To bead the wires (make 100 of them)



Me again:
Task - To loop the other end of the wire. And create the ribbon shape.

After all this trouble, I was wondering if the guest would simply disregarding our beautiful charms and throw them in the trash. What do you think? If you received a charm like this, would you reuse it for something else, or simply say buh-bye to our fabulous craftmanship???

Sash Bling - cuz the sash deserves it!!!

I started planning my wedding almost 2 years in advance, so it's only normal that I started buying stuff in advance. I pretty much have all my accessories down. It's too bad because last year I started making jewelry but I had already purchase my bridal jewelry. Oh well.

Every one asks me "Did you make your own necklace" then I say "No", "How come" then I have to explain. This happens every time. I love my jewelry, but if I wouldn't of been so early in my planning process I would of made it myself. Whats done is done. So instead I will make my bridal party their necklaces.

One accessory that I haven't purchased yet is my brooch. I wanted to tie my sash with a bling bling brooch but haven't found anything I liked. Then it hit me. Why not make my brooch. That is exactly what I did. So ladies... here is my DIY brooch. (with step by step instructions)

List of materials:
Cooper Wire (color of your choice)
Swarvoski beads (Small, Medium and one large piece)
Cutters
Pin (for backing of the brooch)
Round nose pliers (optional)




I purchased medium and small cone shaped swarvoski crystals in both greyish-taupe and clear color. I also purchased a galatic form which will be the center of the brooch.


Step 1:I prepared all my materials to be sure not to miss anything. Its really annoying when you have to go back and get something, or if you don't calculate your stuff correctly and you need to go back to the store.


Step 2: Using the copper wire, start making a base to your brooch. Its quite simple, simply pretend you are sewing. Make circular shapes and intertwine the wire in certain places as to ensure it is steady.

You should stop when you have a shape you like. It needs to be quite steady otherwise the weight of your stones might cause the brooch to bend. You should get something similar to the picture above.

Step 3: Now its time to incorporate the swarvoski beads. You do the same thing as when you were creating the nesting of the brooch. Simple loop and intertwine the wire but at the same time add beads to create a pretty shape.


Keep going until you have gone completely around the whole brooch. Verify that certain areas don't have huge gaps. No worries, this is error proof. If you are missing beads, simply go back and add more. Its a s simple as that.

Step 4: Now its time to add the back pin to the brooch. Using wire, simply "sew" it to the brooch using the base of the brooch. Go around several time to ensure it stays in place.

Voila! The brooch is done. Here is the final product. I must say I'm quite happy with it. Whats great is that if ever after the wedding, I don't want to keep it (I don't know why I wouldn't - but you never know) I can undo it and use the stone for a matching necklace and earring set. Recycle-cyle :)

Price breakdown:
Galactic Swarvoski stone = 6.75$
Medium sized Swarvoski stones : 4.90$ / dozen
Small sized Swarvoski stones : 1.85$ for 6
Cooper wire: 5.75$ huge roll (which I already had - for my other DIY projects)
Pin : 1.00$
-----------------
Total cost: 20.25 (in reality its about 18$)
Don't forget these are genuine Swarvoski Crystals. Its worth at least 60$

What do you think??? Is my brooch sash worthy?

Giving Hope well trying at least

I like to consider myself being someone who gives. Giving, in the sense that I try to volunteer when I can for events that are important to me I and donate to charities in which I truly believe in. I think we can all make a difference.

Breast Cancer awareness is something I truly care about. It only makes sense because six years ago, my grandmother passed away from the disease. Luckily though, my mom was more fortunate. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37 and this year will mark her 10th year of remission. She is a proud survivor and I am happy to share it with the world.

In honor of my mom and in memory of my grandmother, I want to incorporate pink elements in my wedding which will highlight breast cancer. When I told my mom this, she started crying. She was so touched and I was happy because I love my mom so much.

The bridesmaids will have beautiful pink bouquets filled with roses and ranunculus. My flower girls basket will have pink and ivory ribbons on it. The favors will be part gift part donation to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. (more to come on that) I was even thinking of making pink ribbons for the guests. But I'm still not sure about this idea.

You Americans have Brides Against Breast Cancer. I think this is such a great cause, but unfortunately we dont have this in Canada (well I don't think so) So I am still searching for more ideas.

Any suggestions of what else I can do to highlight breast cancer? Will you be highlighting a charity for your wedding?

Honesty Time

I've mentioned before that Mr.Flamingo and I have a very honest relationship and I love that. Before we started officially going out (FYI - Mr.F had been asking my out on a date for over 8 months) he composed a song for me. He wrote the song because I wasn't certain if I liked Mr.Flamingo enough to date him. I guess he was trying to win me over... well it worked.

Every Thursday (don't ask me why we chose that day) but we would have a session of Honesty Time. Basically it was a time allotted to talk about everything throughout the week and the rule was we needed to be 110% honest. It wasn't pretty all the time, but because we did this we can be completely honest with each other and I find it is the recipe to a great relationship.

Mr.Flamingo composed the tune and the lyrics. He originally wrote it in French and a good friend translated it in English (because he knew I was English and I guess he wanted to impress me). He is the one singing and playing guitar. Please remember (Mr.F is french and doesn't speak English very well.)

Honesty Time
written and composed by Mr.Flamingo
Silent screams run through my head
Invisible tear drown in my face
I want to escape with you
Its such a mystery how things
May come together in this life
and we always wonder why

And then you came in my world
You give the best out of me
I couldn't ask for more you see
I don't need to search anymore

Chorus
Like a shadow in the rain
I disappear when the light fades away
Like a ghost you want to leave
I keep on coming back to you
I'll give away my soul for you
Until the day your love is true
Honesty Time

Your voice whispers to me and said
I get so lonely when you go away
Just stay a little while
The smell of your skin, is like a paradise breeze
The touch of your lips delight my day
I can't believe your here with me

And then you came in my world
You give the best out of me
I couldn't ask for more you see
I don't need to search anymore

Chorus (2x)
Like a shadow in the rain
I disappear when the light fades away
Like a ghost you want to leave
I keep on coming back to you
I'll give away my soul for you
Until the day your love is true
Honesty Time

Its a given that when I heard the song tears were falling down my face. No one has ever written me a song before and this one was so beautiful. I don't know if Mr.F is planning on composing another one for the wedding. I would love that as a wedding gift (wink wink)

Have you ever gotten a song written just for you? Was it good?

I'm NOT a real bride

The statement is pretty self explanatory. Okay, I AM getting married, but as I reading about everybody else's planning process I've realized that I'm not doing a lot of what you brides-to-be are doing. I know there is nothing wrong with being different... but I'm starting to wonder... am I missing out???

So here's a list of my multiple unbride-ish things

Asking the bridal party: Everyone did these cutesy cards or something extra special to ask their bridesmaids to be bridesmaids. I did none of that. It was practically a 'wanna be my bridesmaid? yes, well good' end of story. Already my bridal party think I'm nuts doing all these DIY things imagine if I gave them a pop up card or something like that. lol

Engagement photo session: Before I started reading weddingbee... I didn't even know people did this. I find it really neat especially if you are hiring the same photographer for your wedding - gives you an idea on how they work. But nope, we didn't do this. More money for something else...

Save-the-dates: I went ahead and made electronic versions of a STD but I really don't think it was worth it for me. I won't have guests coming from far (exception for my good friend from Toronto) so it wasn't really necessary. Also I didn't do it all the way (meaning I didn't have everyones email address) so come think of it... there was really no point.

Engagement party: This is something very popular with italian weddings... I mean its almost as big as the wedding itself, but I didn't feel there was a need. So we didn't have a party, a supper or get together. They're just gonna all meet at the wedding. Hope that goes well.

Registry: It's very simple. We won't have one. I know - I can see all your faces and your head nodding, but its something Mr.Flamingo and I have decided and its one thing we will stick to. We've been together for 4.5 years and have been living together since 4 so we have everything. (Exception a BBQ - which we will most probably get anyway) Why make a registry then? I rather have monetary gifts to pay for our future home.

So what un-brideish thing are you doing or should I say, not doing?

It fits... really!

Mr.Flamingo has always been honest. That is something I truley love about him, because when I go ahead and ask him a question, he doesn't need to sugar coat it. He is very respectful and I love him for that, though sometime he says things that need to be filtered. (but no one is perfect - right? )

Before we started "changing our eating habits" Mr.Flamingo said something to me. Something that made me sad. To put you in the context of the story... here's a background on the whole situtation.

I purchased my wedding dress early. Exactly, 1 year and 3 months before my wedding. I fell in love with it and needed to buy it. Of course when I purchased it I was at about 175 lbs, and I unfortunately gained some weight afterwards. Nothing alarming and I knew I would still fit in my dress... so the first thing I did when I received my dress (In July 2007) I went to try it on, just to confirm. (And it fit - hurray)

Months passed and a week before it was time to go pick up my dress Mr.F said "Are you sure you still fit in your dress???" I mean, I know his intentions weren't to hurt my feelings but still, this comment made me sad. I told him how I felt and he was extremely sorry. I forgive you... just don't do it again =)

Me in my dress with my sash --- Don't I look so happy - It fits! See

Have you ever gotten a comment by your fiancé or husband that hurt your feelings?