Where Da Party At? - Part II

Aaaaaaand…. we’re back!  Where Da Party At? -Tips to Finding the Perfect Venue Part Deux!

We last left off on Mr. FJ and I coming to the realization that a Manhattan-based wedding will be out of the question.  Thinking outside of the box meant having to look into areas such as the outer boroughs, Long Island, Upstate New York, and even New Jersey.  Yep, you read correctly… NEW JERSEY!

Mr. FJ and I then began to research into various locations and venues located in the outer boroughs, mainly Brooklyn.  We found that there quite a few selections.  To just name a few, Stage 6 at Steiner Studios, Dyker Beach Golf Course, Bubby’s Brooklyn, and the Dumbo Loft were all considered.  Stylistically, the 4 venues are very different.  The décor at Stage 6 is very modern, but also very elegant.  It is the epitome of New York.  Dyker Beach Golf Course is more traditional, yet newly renovated.  Bubby’s Brooklyn and Dumbo Loft were more on the urban-chic side.  All of them had a lot of potential but they were all TOO DIFFERENT!  We had to make up our minds on what style we were going for.

Though I personally love urban-chic and I’m a city girl through and through, the notion of being a princess for a day and having a totally glam’d up wedding was just too appealing to resist.  Mr. FJ is also a semi-yes-man, and really had no particular convictions towards the style of our wedding.  Therefore, Bubby’s and Dumbo Loft were then eliminated.

Two of our good friends from college, Stan & Robbo actually got married at Stage 6.  We remembered thinking that it was probably one of the most aesthetically beautiful weddings we have ever attended.  However, we also noted that since the big name, Abigail Kirsch was involved; the cost probably won’t fit us.  We decided to visit Dyker Beach Golf Course in person.  While, it DBGC is indeed beautiful and newly renovated, I really didn’t have the “WOW” moment upon walking in.  In addition, their limited seating of holding up to 250 just wasn’t going to cut it for our party.  The search continued...

New Jersey?

I remember attending various weddings in Long Island in years past, and it would usually take us over 45 minutes to get there WITHOUT traffic.  In addition, there are only a handful of venues able to hold up 300 guests that are not deep into the island.  The Aesthetics of these venues also wasn’t what we had in mind.  For us, Long Island didn’t make sense.

For most non-New Yorkers, one might ask the questions, “What’s the big deal with Jersey?” or “Why Jersey?”  For a few more reasons other than the ridiculous amount of toll one needs to pay in order to travel to and fro Jersey, Jersey would not be a common choice for New York folks like Mr. FJ and yours truly.  HOWEVER, noting that we were still living in Lower Manhattan at the time, we discovered that the distances traveling to many Jersey venues were still much closer to traveling areas like Long Island and/or Upstate New York.  Most of them were only about 30 minutes of driving without traffic!  This fulfills the criteria for the point of, Proximity.

To be continued…

Pretty in White!

A mini-break from my mini series, and onto gorgeous fashion!

Love-love-LOVE the Fall 2012 bridal collection from Carolina Herrera.  These dresses are so pretty it makes me want to be un-married for just one second so I can try them on!

ENJOY!!!

Love the lace detail! - Heather

This is so 1960's chic, I could die! - Hillary

A-DOR-A-BLE! - Harmony

OMG, I love this dress WITH or WITHOUT the jacket! - Hayley

DIVINE! - Hannah

(Photo credit: here)

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! :)

Where Da Party At? - Part I

It's Bloggin' Tuesday!  I decided that it was time to give my blog a little face lift because it was just becoming too busy for me.

Now, I don't know about you, but I remember being an itty-bitty girl who have had many dreams of what my wedding was going to be like.  Everything from the dress, to my hair, to the bouquet in my hand, the people around me, and of course... the venue.  I know, I know... the seemingly most important aspect of the wedding was missing... my husband.  But at the tender age of 3, the only thoughts in my head were, "What's a 'husband'?  I just want to wear a pretty dress!"  Of course as the 26 year-old, newly engaged woman, I had a few more worries to add to that list.  First things first, exactly where were we going to make those childhood dreams come true?

Thus begins the mini-series which I'd like to call, Where Da Party At? -Tips to Finding the Perfect Venue.

SO.....

After purchasing my 11 bridesmaids dresses, Mr. FJ and I began scouting out for venues which we wanted to have our wedding.  Very early on, we had both agreed that we were not fans of traditional Chinese wedding banquets.  For one, I personally felt that since the interior of most Chinese restaurants were either red or gold (or both), it would definitely clash with the hazel blue that I had already chosen.  Another factor was, as guests, Mr. FJ and I remembered that we were never too thrilled about the idea of having to travel for one location for the wedding ceremony, and then another for the reception.  As a planner, I would HATE for all the festivities to be behind schedule due to unanticipated traffic and travel time.  As hosts, our biggest priority was to make our wedding as convenient as possible for everyone.

Living in the metro NYC area, we knew that there were several important factors to consider when planning a wedding.  I'd like to call these the CAPS of venue selection:

                                  1. Costs/Budget
                                  2. Aesthetics/Presentation
                                  3. Proximity
                                  4. Size of the venue

Of all the criteria, I really believe that Costs/Budget should be held in high regard.  I think it's safe to say (and most people would probably agree) that it's pretty silly and irresponsible for one to run oneself into debt just because one is planning a wedding.  Two, Costs/Budget provides a good framework for how much you can spend and how many people you can realistically spend it on.  (This is the usual pep-talk I give to all my couples upon meeting them the first time.)  Our original guest list of 450 people basically informed us that we were not going to be able to have the wedding INSIDE of New York City.  It would've came at the cost of both our arms and legs.  We had to think outside of the box... literally.

To be continued....

13 Weddings...

Not counting the ones for work, Mr. FJ and I were invited to 13 weddings this year (not including our own).  Last year, it was 12.  Maybe next year, it'll be 14, who knows?

At this going rate (and not to mention being a professional event planner), it's easy to think that I have seen it all and have become all too jaded by this 'wedding' business.  Truth be told, there is indeed a general formula and equation to the entire wedding process.  Some people can become so wrapped up in it all- the 'bling', the glitz, the glamour, the "different" ideas, the favors, the colors, the stationery... the list can go on forever and ever.  Basically, it becomes easy to forget the real meaning behind a wedding celebration.  A wedding, in it's core, is two people coming together to celebrate their union with the ones they love the most.  It's really just a big ol' party!

Regardless of all the weddings which I have attended, planned, and/or coordinated, there are still moments and universal elements about each wedding that still gets me all teary-eyed.  These elements, I believe, are also the simplest moments involved in a wedding.

In no particular order, these things include:
- The bride walking down the aisle to her groom
- The groom's face while watching his bride walking to him
- The exchange of vows
- Parents' faces and expressions during the ceremony
- The first dance b/w the bride and groom
- The father/daughter & mother/son dances
- Toasts and speeches

I was recently at a wedding, and there were a series of events that occurred which triggered some realizations in me.  As the host of a wedding celebration, it is such a precious feeling to know you are surrounded by people who are rooting for you in one of the most important moments in your life.  As the guest, it is incredibly special to be there for your loved ones as they take such a huge step as individuals and as a couple.

To all brides- & grooms-to-be: While it's important to make your wedding as special, memorable, and different than others, just remember that there has never been and will never be 2 other people who are just like you to get married.  Just relax and try to enjoy planning, because YOU ARE LOVED no matter what happens!

To all guests-to-be: This might be "just another" wedding you are attending, but please remember that you are very special and dear to the couple; so special that they want to remember you in their wedding photos and in one of the biggest days of their lives.  Enjoy and have a good time!

From Bride to Wife... and the Dresses in Between

38 days since becoming Mrs. FJ... What a milestone!

From planning to executing, and now from honeymooning to moving in together; the last 14 months have surely been a whirlwind. So much so that I haven't even blogged anything about it yet! From this point forth, I will try to recount all the details of planning, which eventually materialized to what I call, 'My Wedding'.

About 14 months ago, my then-boyfriend of 6 years-4 months-22 days (but who's counting?) asked me to be his wife. I excitedly said 'yes' and we embarked on a beautiful journey (otherwise known as, wedding planning). There were many sleepless nights and silly arguments. All-in-all, it was a good time (at least it was for me).

'How and where would a wedding planner begin her own wedding planning', you ask?

I didn't, actually! Unlike many brides, I tried really hard to savor every moment of being engaged without becoming too enthralled by wedding colors, flowers, vendors; the works. That is until I saw 6 words.... "SALE: ADDITIONAL 30% OFF + FREE SHIPPING" Ah! Good'ol J.Crew. How could a girl ever pass up on a good sale? I began browsing the sale section, as I always would. Then I found something which seemed too good to be true.

Behold...

This is the Sophia dress made in Blue Hazel silk chiffon. It caught my eye immediately. I can't say I'm a connoisseur in fashion, but I know that I love really classic looking pieces. I am especially drawn to the fashion trends of the early 1960's, where women's wardrobes were dawned with elegance, simplicity and symmetry. The icing on the cake was that this dress was on sale for $49.99 with an additional 30% off! I thought to myself, "If I bought this dress for my bridesmaids, I would only be paying $35 + taxes per dress. WHAT A STEAL!"

It is 9 days after my engagement. I haven't even begun looking at venues, choose a photographer, try on wedding gowns, or even decide on THE date. Part of me began to doubt whether I'd be making a huge mistake, because I knew bridesmaids' dresses are pivotal pieces to a wedding. The dresses are supposed to reflect the overarching theme and colors of the entire affair. After wrestling with myself for about 20 minutes, I followed my gut and decided to do it.

Since it was a sale, I knew the sizes and quantities of the dress were limited. I had to move fast. In about an hour's worth of time, I called/emailed/text'd 11 of the closest women in my life (yep, you read correctly... 11 is right) and asked them to be a part of my bridal party. With their blessings and dress sizes, I made the order over the phone. The sales representative congratulated me. That moment marked the beginning of the next 13 months of my life.