You've got to check out this video that Walker found. It's horrifying and hilarious in the same breath.
http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/08101004.html
So my crazy trip to India is coming to a close. We got A LOT done. I am on my way to getting both my wedding outfits and my reception outfits and a couple extra outfits as well. I'll probably order them all at the end of January after I get my swatches.
And I had a late night skype session with Walker and my wedding planner last night and it was really helpful! (Her first client skype session ever!) I mean it was midnight my time and we were on the phone til about 3am and I had basically just stepped into the apartment after getting off a plane that had been delayed for four hours. But, you know, it was really helpful!
She's doing "partial consulting" with us, so we don't get off scott free on the work, but there will be a lot less aimless searching going on and she her company is totally into being green, so we've been talking about taking the leftover food to a homeless shelter and the leftover flowers to a nursing home, which kind of rocks my world.
Also, she's totally going above and beyond in helping us with the caterer (for those of you who don't know yet, that usually ends up being 50-60% of your budget. FOOD! Do you remember any food that you've ever eaten at a wedding. I have not. You know what that means, right? That means I've never particularly LIKED the food at any wedding, otherwise I WOULD HAVE remembered it. Which is why this whole catering thing is like a big ole thorn in my eye, which, by the way, is way more painful than a thorn in your side. But I digress..) The only thing I'm excited about with this whole catering thing is going to tastings. Mmmm. Free food. Free cake. Mmmm!!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Maybe Mumbai
Well, actually, this post should be called "definitely Mumbai", but it doesn't have the same ring, does it?
Lemme back up for a second: last thursday, my mom and my dad and i, who had been playing with the idea of going to Bombay to go shopping for clothes because Delhi is hella expensive.
So long story short, my mother and I find ourselves in Bombay staying at a hotel within walking distance of the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi (bioth of which re-opened the day after we left). Talk about a whirlwind trip! We got into the city Friday afternoon around 2pm, checked into the hotel, had lunch and then sped off to our 4:30pm appointment with our resident family designer. I kid, sort of. This woman, Zeenat, rocks. She’s made saris, gagras, lehngas and salwars for my mom, my sister, several of my cousins and aunts and I for various weddings over the years. She is extremely sweet and attentive and knowledgeable about what she does. I repeat: she rocks.
So we spend THREE HOURS at her shop and I try on everything in the store pretty much ad the most amazing thing happens – I find out I’m totally wrong about everything. When I walk in I know exactly what color I want my wedding to be. When I walk out, I’ve chosen something totally different. When I walk in I am totally convinced that I am going to wear a sari for the Indian wedding because all the lehngas I have seen in the stores in delhi are ridiculously over the top and fairly hideous. When I walk out I have chosen not one, but two lehngas during my wedding weekend. (A lehnga, by the way is a short blouse and a skirt – yes the belly is exposed, new york sports club here I come! – and a dupatta or scarf, which, incidentally, I will be using to cover my belly). I’m afraid that’s all the detail I can get into right now because until my wedding day (or days, I should say) the color, style, design etc. of my outfits shall remain a mystery. Mwahahaha!
After three hours in the shop, my mom and I go back to the hotel and have a fantabulous south Indian dinner, then walk to the lobby and do some people watching (there was a sangeet – an Indian wedding function in the hotel that night, so we thought there’d be some outfits to check out, but frankly, it was a pretty poor showing). After that we pretty much passed out.
Next day: Breakfast, then a men’s designer, then a purse shop, the a jewelry shop, then back to the designer for measurements and then back to the airport (which we got to early, only to have our plane delayed by an hour and a half).
The men’s designer was a trip. First, our cab driver gets hopelessly lost on the way (even though the store is like 3 minutes away). We end up passing it twice, while my mom yells at this ridiculously confused cab driver who obviously speaks no a single word of English. Finally I spot the store and my mother and hop out. My mom is still grumbling at this point. Then we walk in and meet the designer/owner of the store and my mom falls silent. Why, you may ask? Because he’s gorgeous an my mom, who usually has 10 million questions, jokes, arguments and statements all of a sudden has nothing to say. So I take the reigns and I’m asking this guy questions. Quickly I realize that this is the type of guy who knows what he wants to sell you as soon as you walk in the store and no matter how many dissenting opinions you have, he keeps leading you back to the same item. So now he’s telling me that Walker is a size XXL and that white people look really good in ivory – better than they do any of the colors I have suggested so far. Ok. That sounds like a bit of a generalization to me. And I’m not convinced, so I take the swatch of the ivory fabric that he wants to use and hightail it out of there. And I make sure to make fun of my mother as soon as the doors close behind us. (Later when we get back to Zeenat’s she takes a look at the swatch and shakes her head. I’ll talk to him, she says. Did I mention this chick rocks?)
Ok, before I sign off I have to tell you about our driver, Martin. You have to have a driver in India because the streets are intraversable Seriously, you couldn’t PAY me to drive in India. Lanes, traffic signals – these are all merely suggestions to drivers. Not to mention you have to make sure not to hit the rickshaws, motorbikes, bicyclists and pedestrians that dodge unpredictably in and out of traffic. (That’s another thing you couldn’t pay me to do in India – cross the street! Ok, ok, I have done it once or twice, but only in dire emergencies.) Now our driver is the sweetest guy in the world. He’s always smiling and cheerful and it just makes you happy. But he’s a terrible driver. He doesn’t know where anything is so he’s always got his map out WHILE HE’S DRIVING. Well I guess that’s not entirely true. There was the one time where he stopped in the middle of traffic to check the map. He wasn’t technically driving that time. Also, he doesn’t look. Perhaps I should clarify. One time he was changing lanes and accidentally side-swiped a tractor. Then there was the time that he switched sides of the street and drove straight into oncoming traffic in order to get around a couple of cars. And there was the time he got out of the car to make sure the trunk was closed and forgot to put the parking brake on, so the car just starts rolling forward with me, my mom and my dad in and we’re all heading straight for a ditch. Luckily, my dad was sitting in the front so he reached over and pulled the parking brake up. My personal favorite, though, was the time he was backing out a parking spot and didn’t look behind him and ended up hitting A PERSON. Ok, he was going like 2 miles an hour, but STILL. Luckily this is India, where cars rule the road so the dude just scowled at him and kept walking.
Ok, that’s all for now! Merry Christmas and I’ll catch you on the flip side.
Lemme back up for a second: last thursday, my mom and my dad and i, who had been playing with the idea of going to Bombay to go shopping for clothes because Delhi is hella expensive.
So long story short, my mother and I find ourselves in Bombay staying at a hotel within walking distance of the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi (bioth of which re-opened the day after we left). Talk about a whirlwind trip! We got into the city Friday afternoon around 2pm, checked into the hotel, had lunch and then sped off to our 4:30pm appointment with our resident family designer. I kid, sort of. This woman, Zeenat, rocks. She’s made saris, gagras, lehngas and salwars for my mom, my sister, several of my cousins and aunts and I for various weddings over the years. She is extremely sweet and attentive and knowledgeable about what she does. I repeat: she rocks.
So we spend THREE HOURS at her shop and I try on everything in the store pretty much ad the most amazing thing happens – I find out I’m totally wrong about everything. When I walk in I know exactly what color I want my wedding to be. When I walk out, I’ve chosen something totally different. When I walk in I am totally convinced that I am going to wear a sari for the Indian wedding because all the lehngas I have seen in the stores in delhi are ridiculously over the top and fairly hideous. When I walk out I have chosen not one, but two lehngas during my wedding weekend. (A lehnga, by the way is a short blouse and a skirt – yes the belly is exposed, new york sports club here I come! – and a dupatta or scarf, which, incidentally, I will be using to cover my belly). I’m afraid that’s all the detail I can get into right now because until my wedding day (or days, I should say) the color, style, design etc. of my outfits shall remain a mystery. Mwahahaha!
After three hours in the shop, my mom and I go back to the hotel and have a fantabulous south Indian dinner, then walk to the lobby and do some people watching (there was a sangeet – an Indian wedding function in the hotel that night, so we thought there’d be some outfits to check out, but frankly, it was a pretty poor showing). After that we pretty much passed out.
Next day: Breakfast, then a men’s designer, then a purse shop, the a jewelry shop, then back to the designer for measurements and then back to the airport (which we got to early, only to have our plane delayed by an hour and a half).
The men’s designer was a trip. First, our cab driver gets hopelessly lost on the way (even though the store is like 3 minutes away). We end up passing it twice, while my mom yells at this ridiculously confused cab driver who obviously speaks no a single word of English. Finally I spot the store and my mother and hop out. My mom is still grumbling at this point. Then we walk in and meet the designer/owner of the store and my mom falls silent. Why, you may ask? Because he’s gorgeous an my mom, who usually has 10 million questions, jokes, arguments and statements all of a sudden has nothing to say. So I take the reigns and I’m asking this guy questions. Quickly I realize that this is the type of guy who knows what he wants to sell you as soon as you walk in the store and no matter how many dissenting opinions you have, he keeps leading you back to the same item. So now he’s telling me that Walker is a size XXL and that white people look really good in ivory – better than they do any of the colors I have suggested so far. Ok. That sounds like a bit of a generalization to me. And I’m not convinced, so I take the swatch of the ivory fabric that he wants to use and hightail it out of there. And I make sure to make fun of my mother as soon as the doors close behind us. (Later when we get back to Zeenat’s she takes a look at the swatch and shakes her head. I’ll talk to him, she says. Did I mention this chick rocks?)
Ok, before I sign off I have to tell you about our driver, Martin. You have to have a driver in India because the streets are intraversable Seriously, you couldn’t PAY me to drive in India. Lanes, traffic signals – these are all merely suggestions to drivers. Not to mention you have to make sure not to hit the rickshaws, motorbikes, bicyclists and pedestrians that dodge unpredictably in and out of traffic. (That’s another thing you couldn’t pay me to do in India – cross the street! Ok, ok, I have done it once or twice, but only in dire emergencies.) Now our driver is the sweetest guy in the world. He’s always smiling and cheerful and it just makes you happy. But he’s a terrible driver. He doesn’t know where anything is so he’s always got his map out WHILE HE’S DRIVING. Well I guess that’s not entirely true. There was the one time where he stopped in the middle of traffic to check the map. He wasn’t technically driving that time. Also, he doesn’t look. Perhaps I should clarify. One time he was changing lanes and accidentally side-swiped a tractor. Then there was the time that he switched sides of the street and drove straight into oncoming traffic in order to get around a couple of cars. And there was the time he got out of the car to make sure the trunk was closed and forgot to put the parking brake on, so the car just starts rolling forward with me, my mom and my dad in and we’re all heading straight for a ditch. Luckily, my dad was sitting in the front so he reached over and pulled the parking brake up. My personal favorite, though, was the time he was backing out a parking spot and didn’t look behind him and ended up hitting A PERSON. Ok, he was going like 2 miles an hour, but STILL. Luckily this is India, where cars rule the road so the dude just scowled at him and kept walking.
Ok, that’s all for now! Merry Christmas and I’ll catch you on the flip side.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
NEW wedding website
So I started a wedding website today. It's not finished yet (translation: Walker hasn't touched it yet, so it's really just all my stuff), but here's the website anyway: http://soneelaandwalker.weddings.com.
I was working on it for like 2 hours today. it completely sucked me in. the only reason i stopped was because my mom and i had a shopping date.
Speaking of shopping, i really wish you all could see the amazing outfits that i have been seeing/trying on/pawing through here. They are fabulous. There is absolutely nothing comparable in the States. If you've never been shopping in India - I highly suggest it. The colors, the crystals, the sequins - it's absolutely mind boggling.
I'm afraid that's as much as I can give away. My outfits have to be a surprise, after all. But I'll put up a picture of an outfit I tried on the first day. It's not nearly fancy enough for a bride, but it'll give you an idea what you mean. They don't let you take pictures in the shops (obviously) because they don't want to get ripped off, but I happened to have my camera, so I sneakily took a pic in the dressing room.
Meanwhile, we went to the craziest mall today. It was one of the biggest sheesheest (yes, that's a technical term) malls I've ever been to. What was weird about it was that it could have been in any country in the world. If I had to put it somewhere I would have put it in Dubai. It was all Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Versace, Fendi, Gorgio Armani - you name it. And this mall was even more packed than the cheaper malls. Because peoples in India gots money now. "It's all the dot commers", my mom would say. I felt like I was seeing for the first time how India (and China) are the new emerging economic powers. Don't get me wrong, their in an economic downturn here too - and I can tell because whenever I walk into a store I get pounced on by someone who works there or sometimes three people who work there - but I don't see it like I see it in the US. I don't know, the point is: It was really crazy. I've never seen this India before. I mean, the last time I was here, three years ago, and granted, I wasn't in Delhi, I didn't see Louis Vuitton ANYWHERE. And just so you know, just because it's Louis Vuitton in India doesn't mean it's any cheaper. My mom, a seasoned shopper, did some quick price comparisons and the stuff in the stores here costs pretty much the same as it does in the US. Now, given the standard of living here - those prices are exorbitant. And I'm telling you - people were buying stuff. It was deep.
Anyway, I spent all my time on the upper floors which boasted the Indian garb. There was some gorgeous stuff there. I am now officially obsessed with an Indian designer by the name of Satya Paul. His stuff is way too casual to wear for a wedding, but he has all these awesome print saris and his style is totally unique. I bought two scarves from one of this stores the other day. But before this trip is over, as Shiva is my witness, I'm getting one of his saris. They totally rock.
I was working on it for like 2 hours today. it completely sucked me in. the only reason i stopped was because my mom and i had a shopping date.
Speaking of shopping, i really wish you all could see the amazing outfits that i have been seeing/trying on/pawing through here. They are fabulous. There is absolutely nothing comparable in the States. If you've never been shopping in India - I highly suggest it. The colors, the crystals, the sequins - it's absolutely mind boggling.
I'm afraid that's as much as I can give away. My outfits have to be a surprise, after all. But I'll put up a picture of an outfit I tried on the first day. It's not nearly fancy enough for a bride, but it'll give you an idea what you mean. They don't let you take pictures in the shops (obviously) because they don't want to get ripped off, but I happened to have my camera, so I sneakily took a pic in the dressing room.
Meanwhile, we went to the craziest mall today. It was one of the biggest sheesheest (yes, that's a technical term) malls I've ever been to. What was weird about it was that it could have been in any country in the world. If I had to put it somewhere I would have put it in Dubai. It was all Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Versace, Fendi, Gorgio Armani - you name it. And this mall was even more packed than the cheaper malls. Because peoples in India gots money now. "It's all the dot commers", my mom would say. I felt like I was seeing for the first time how India (and China) are the new emerging economic powers. Don't get me wrong, their in an economic downturn here too - and I can tell because whenever I walk into a store I get pounced on by someone who works there or sometimes three people who work there - but I don't see it like I see it in the US. I don't know, the point is: It was really crazy. I've never seen this India before. I mean, the last time I was here, three years ago, and granted, I wasn't in Delhi, I didn't see Louis Vuitton ANYWHERE. And just so you know, just because it's Louis Vuitton in India doesn't mean it's any cheaper. My mom, a seasoned shopper, did some quick price comparisons and the stuff in the stores here costs pretty much the same as it does in the US. Now, given the standard of living here - those prices are exorbitant. And I'm telling you - people were buying stuff. It was deep.
Anyway, I spent all my time on the upper floors which boasted the Indian garb. There was some gorgeous stuff there. I am now officially obsessed with an Indian designer by the name of Satya Paul. His stuff is way too casual to wear for a wedding, but he has all these awesome print saris and his style is totally unique. I bought two scarves from one of this stores the other day. But before this trip is over, as Shiva is my witness, I'm getting one of his saris. They totally rock.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Woodend Sanctuary
Ok! I received the contract for the wedding location, so I don't have to worry about jinxing it anymore!
Walker and I are getting married at the Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD. It's a lovely, outdoor venue.
Here's the website. Audubon Naturalist Society
You can take a virtual tour. And I've attached a picture of the outdoor cocktail area.
So we're going to have a very small Indian wedding at my parents' house on Friday, July 24th and then a bigger western (or American) wedding at Woodend Sanctuary on Saturday, July 25th.
It's so nice when something falls into place.
I just got to India yesterday at 4am. Now it's 5:54am the following day. I forced myself to sleep at nidnight, but lo and behold i'm up again, so I thought I'd blog a little. And then I'll probably watch an episode of the West Wing.
Anyway, my mom and I are on a tight shopping schedule while I'm here. I'm only here for three weeks and I have to get clothes for me, clothes for Walker, shoes, jewelry, wedding favors and invitations. I'm going to have my camera in tow, though, so be on the look out for some pictures.
Nighty night!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Decisions, decisions
Why does it feel like every wedding-related decision I make is gargantuan? It's the end all be all. If I make the wrong decision about this everything will end up being awful. Nothing will work out like it's supposed to.
Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. But only slightly.
I met with my first wedding planner today. It felt huge. I mean it is huge. I'm basically getting in bed with this person for 7 months. And who's to say that this wonderfully accommodating person will continue to be just as accommodating after you hire them? (Believe me, even at this early stage, I have had experience with this!)
Anyway, I meet with two more wedding planners tomorrow. And I have a phone date tomorrow with yet another one.
What would I have done if my passport had been valid and I had actually ended up flying to India last week?!
Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. But only slightly.
I met with my first wedding planner today. It felt huge. I mean it is huge. I'm basically getting in bed with this person for 7 months. And who's to say that this wonderfully accommodating person will continue to be just as accommodating after you hire them? (Believe me, even at this early stage, I have had experience with this!)
Anyway, I meet with two more wedding planners tomorrow. And I have a phone date tomorrow with yet another one.
What would I have done if my passport had been valid and I had actually ended up flying to India last week?!
Date change
This is insane. Every time I think I've gotten something down, I don't. It changes.
From what I understand weddings are like this. But the type A in me is freaking out!!
Ok, remember how we changed the wedding location from Martha's Vineyard to DC? Well, now we're changing the date too.
Forget about September. It's all about July. 25th that is.
I hope you're all ready for hot fun in the summertime.
The wedding venue I fell in love with was not available at all in September. So I was considering October 3rd, which they did have free. I didn't put a hold on it because I was told that in order to do that, you had to put down a fairly large deposit. Turns out the woman who told me that had NO IDEA WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT. And by the time I took my mother to see the place, oct 3rd was taken. I was devastated when the even coordinator told me. I had to sit down. Luckily I was able to hold my tears until I got back into my car. I didn't know who this woman was who had stolen my date right out from under me, but I did not like her ONE BIT!
We have July 25th free, she said, by way of consolation. Please!! I thought.
And then I realized it would be warm. The sun would set at like 8:30pm so we could frolic around the beautiful grounds for a couple of hours after the wedding. I mean, it's an outdoor venue. What would be the point if it were too dark to enjoy the place?
So July 25th it is.
Irony of ironies, I got a call this morning from the even coordinator. The woman who had put a hold on October 3rd now wanted MY date, so I had to decided by the end of the day whether to book it or let it go. BOOK IT, BABY.
Ahhhh, revenge is sweet.
stay tuned for pictures of my wedding venue....
From what I understand weddings are like this. But the type A in me is freaking out!!
Ok, remember how we changed the wedding location from Martha's Vineyard to DC? Well, now we're changing the date too.
Forget about September. It's all about July. 25th that is.
I hope you're all ready for hot fun in the summertime.
The wedding venue I fell in love with was not available at all in September. So I was considering October 3rd, which they did have free. I didn't put a hold on it because I was told that in order to do that, you had to put down a fairly large deposit. Turns out the woman who told me that had NO IDEA WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT. And by the time I took my mother to see the place, oct 3rd was taken. I was devastated when the even coordinator told me. I had to sit down. Luckily I was able to hold my tears until I got back into my car. I didn't know who this woman was who had stolen my date right out from under me, but I did not like her ONE BIT!
We have July 25th free, she said, by way of consolation. Please!! I thought.
And then I realized it would be warm. The sun would set at like 8:30pm so we could frolic around the beautiful grounds for a couple of hours after the wedding. I mean, it's an outdoor venue. What would be the point if it were too dark to enjoy the place?
So July 25th it is.
Irony of ironies, I got a call this morning from the even coordinator. The woman who had put a hold on October 3rd now wanted MY date, so I had to decided by the end of the day whether to book it or let it go. BOOK IT, BABY.
Ahhhh, revenge is sweet.
stay tuned for pictures of my wedding venue....
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I think I found the place....
I've looked at 7 places in the last 3 days. I'm totally pooped. But I think I found the place where I want to get married! I'm not going to tell you where it is because I haven't booked it yet and I don't want to jinx it (apparently it's a very popular place!), but stay tuned....!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Designer Woes
I fired my designer.
He had fantastic style and great ideas, but he never got back to me. Ever.
I'd call him. He would call back a week later.
I'd email him. He'd never email back.
And I'd just had it!
He's in California right now. It's not like I can just drop by his place and pick up the "Look Book" that he promised me a month ago that I still have never seen in it's entirety.
So I sent him this long email explaining everything: How great I think he is and how I just don't think it's going to work out because I don't have time to pick up the phone and pester him about something while I'm choosing saris, browsing event spaces and searching for images for my save-the-date card.
True to form, he hasn't emailed me back. Or called for that matter.
But it's a huge relief for me to be done with all of that.
Onward!
He had fantastic style and great ideas, but he never got back to me. Ever.
I'd call him. He would call back a week later.
I'd email him. He'd never email back.
And I'd just had it!
He's in California right now. It's not like I can just drop by his place and pick up the "Look Book" that he promised me a month ago that I still have never seen in it's entirety.
So I sent him this long email explaining everything: How great I think he is and how I just don't think it's going to work out because I don't have time to pick up the phone and pester him about something while I'm choosing saris, browsing event spaces and searching for images for my save-the-date card.
True to form, he hasn't emailed me back. Or called for that matter.
But it's a huge relief for me to be done with all of that.
Onward!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Change in Plans
The wedding is going to be in DC. It's official. We're both a little sad that we can't have it in beautiful Martha's Vineyard (I think Walker is sadder than I am), but it'll just make everything that much easier to do it in DC. We're even now thinking of having the Indian wedding at my parents house, in the backyard. That was just an idea that came up today.
But in the meantime, we are reception-location shopping next week!
We're looking at: Strathmore Hall, the National Women's Democratic Club and the National museum of Women in the Arts so far.
I'll keep you posted! And if you have any suggestions, please, by all means let me know!!
But in the meantime, we are reception-location shopping next week!
We're looking at: Strathmore Hall, the National Women's Democratic Club and the National museum of Women in the Arts so far.
I'll keep you posted! And if you have any suggestions, please, by all means let me know!!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Back in New York
Well, I finally made it back! And we are still on hiatus, while I try to unpack as many boxes as I can in as little time as I can. AHHH! I should take a picture of the mountain of boxes in my living room and post it, but I'm way too embarrassed. I think we're going to change the date of the wedding, though, to September 19th because all the hotels are waaaaaaay cheaper on the Vineyard that week than they are just two weeks earlier.
Did i mention I have another bridesmaid. I don't know if I can really call him a bridesmaid. But my beloved friend Bobby who I met when I was working with Sojourn Theatre in Portland, OR. He is a brilliant actor and director and writer. But he's been hiding away in New Mexico for like three years. He's back in Portland now (sorry to out you Bobby!) so I saw him when I was there a couple of weeks ago and I asked him. He was so happy. Which made me so happy. Yay!!
Ok, I'm going to go watch some Arrested Development now. Or maybe West Wing.
Did i mention I have another bridesmaid. I don't know if I can really call him a bridesmaid. But my beloved friend Bobby who I met when I was working with Sojourn Theatre in Portland, OR. He is a brilliant actor and director and writer. But he's been hiding away in New Mexico for like three years. He's back in Portland now (sorry to out you Bobby!) so I saw him when I was there a couple of weeks ago and I asked him. He was so happy. Which made me so happy. Yay!!
Ok, I'm going to go watch some Arrested Development now. Or maybe West Wing.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wedding Dress?
So Eyan and I are thinking of going a little more chic with the wedding dress. Something like, I don't know...this?! Of course it would be white. Well, off-white. :)
And it would have straps. Eyan won't let me have a strapless dress. haha! or maybe a cute little short jacket. ya know?
i'm gonna be the hippest bride ever!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hiatus
So, we're on hiatus until I get back to New York (IN EXACTLY ONE WEEK!!!) Don't ever try to plan a wedding when you're fiance is 3000 miles away. It's impossible. Believe me. I've tried. :)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Never ye fear
Don't worry! I haven't forgotten about the blog! I was just out of town in Portland for a few days. Had a blast. But as a result, I haven't thought about the wedding at all. But rest assured - there will be more (much more) very soon.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wishy Washy
Are all couples this wishy-washy when it comes to planning a wedding?!
As long as we have been working on it, I can't say with any certainty where the wedding is going to be or when it is going to be. I mean, the main thing is that we don't want to blow our budget. That's normal enough. Well, it seems that the best ways to save money is to cut your guest list (which we have recently done by 50 people!) and to have your wedding in the off-season. This is a little more difficult because the off-season is the off-season for a reason, you know? Who wants to get married in January?
Certainly not I!
And apparently September is not the off-season (not in Martha's Vineyard or DC anyway). October is the off-season on Martha's Vineyard (of course! because you can't sail or hike or go to the beach, which is the whole point of being on Martha's Vineyard!). But it is not the off-season in DC because it is still pleasant there in October.
So! Save money and wed in a crappy cold season or pay and arm and a leg so that neither you nor your guest have perpetual goosebumps and have to tread through the snow. Hmm. That's a tough one.
Anyway, I think we're still leaning toward Martha's Vineyard. I mean, it's special you know?! And for the reasons I've outlined above moving it to Oct would not be preferable. So the other day I thought, "Why don't we have it in April instead!?!" Brilliant idea. Then we'd have 6 months to plan it instead of 11.
You see what I mean? Wishy washy!
And then we get to the ceremonies. Obviously two ceremonies is more costly than one. So do we just have one? And then if we do, will it be the indian one? or the western one. You see where I'm going with this?!
I think though that now that we're closer to a budget, we'll be able to divvy things up according to our priorities. That should help. I hope!
Anyway, my friend Chris and I tried on some wedding dresses today just for fun. All the dresses at the Ashland Bridal Shop were like size 12 or 16, so please keep that in mind and use your imagination! Anyway, the picture up top was my favorite dress that I tried on.
That being said, I think I've narrowed down a style I like (or rather, I like that style before and now I have confirmation!) V-neck, cinched waste (possibly with ruching). Eyan suggested a short dress. I'm gunning for a long one. But I have to say I saw some cute short ones in a catalogue today, so I could be persuaded otherwise. Mind you, we're not talking short short. We're talking below the knee.
Ok, that's all for today!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Married Life
My friend Gabe just got married this past August. I emailed her the other day to ask her how married life was treating her and her response was so sweet that I wanted to share it with all of you. She said:
"Married life is FUN! You get to have a slumber party with your best friend every night and no one has to pack an overnight bag."
"Married life is FUN! You get to have a slumber party with your best friend every night and no one has to pack an overnight bag."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Talk about a Wedding!
Are you a fan of breathtakingly beautiful indian weddings?
Well, then you've got to check this one out!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/fashion/weddings/12VOWS.html?ei=5070&emc=eta1
I can only begin to imagine how much this wedding actually cost!
Well, then you've got to check this one out!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/fashion/weddings/12VOWS.html?ei=5070&emc=eta1
I can only begin to imagine how much this wedding actually cost!
My Maid of Honor
So, my sister visited me in Ashland this weekend. And thank goodness for her. In typical girly sister style, we went shopping and as we combed through rack after rack of clothing, hats, purses and shoes, we talked shop. My sister has been to like 12 weddings in the last 4 years and she imparted her wisdom upon me. Ceremonies, receptions, brunchs, you name it! She was at a wedding just last weekend! Very helpful, indeed. Though I may be changing the structure of the wedding yet again. More on that if it actually comes to fruition.
And while she was here, she was able to meet Eyan, who will be clothing her for the ceremony, so that made me happy too. And I'm so glad they were able to bond over making fun of a certain halter top wedding dress I had briefly been interested in. Listen, everyone makes mistakes, alright?!?
Walker and I, for convenience sake, have also decided to explore the option of having the wedding in dc. Weddings are expensive and it's cheaper there, we're all for it. They funny thing is, it may very well not be! Hotels are less expensive. Reception locations are more. Much much more.
After all the comparing I've been doing, after this is all done, I might quit being an actor and become a wedding planner.
PSYCH!!
And while she was here, she was able to meet Eyan, who will be clothing her for the ceremony, so that made me happy too. And I'm so glad they were able to bond over making fun of a certain halter top wedding dress I had briefly been interested in. Listen, everyone makes mistakes, alright?!?
Walker and I, for convenience sake, have also decided to explore the option of having the wedding in dc. Weddings are expensive and it's cheaper there, we're all for it. They funny thing is, it may very well not be! Hotels are less expensive. Reception locations are more. Much much more.
After all the comparing I've been doing, after this is all done, I might quit being an actor and become a wedding planner.
PSYCH!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What to wear?
I started looking at possible wedding dresses today. I'm still very far from buying one. Although, frankly, I'd like to get it over with right now! But see the pictures below for my top three wedding dresses (for the moment!) for the Western wedding.
It's funny. There's a lot of waiting when it comes to weddings. My inclination is to do, do, do. But there is a certain amount of patience involved. Waiting for people to get back to you. Booking things in the right order (as opposed to everything at once).
Waiting for the priest get back from vacation so you can ask him a couple of questions.
I'm not very patient, so this is a true test for me. Plus I'm on the opposite coast from all the action, so that doesn't help either. If it weren't for Walker, who, by the way is very patient, I would have exploded about a week ago.
Anyway, we booked the church, Grace Episcopal Church, on Martha's Vineyard. Which means, we now also have a date! The Saturday before Labor day: September 5, 2009.
I am totally tickled by the fact that we have to have 3 counseling sessions with the priest before we can get married there! And at least one of us has to have been baptized. (Luckily, we both have, though, technically, I'm Hindu. It's a little confusing, I know.)
And we're currently working on the location for the Indian wedding. It's a private club, so the woman wouldn't even talk to us without a referral. Thank goodness for The Lewises. Walker's parents came to the rescue on that one and a friend of theirs vouched for us.
There are so many little loops to jump through. So far, I'm finding it really fun. And it so exciting when something actually pans out!
It's funny. There's a lot of waiting when it comes to weddings. My inclination is to do, do, do. But there is a certain amount of patience involved. Waiting for people to get back to you. Booking things in the right order (as opposed to everything at once).
Waiting for the priest get back from vacation so you can ask him a couple of questions.
I'm not very patient, so this is a true test for me. Plus I'm on the opposite coast from all the action, so that doesn't help either. If it weren't for Walker, who, by the way is very patient, I would have exploded about a week ago.
Anyway, we booked the church, Grace Episcopal Church, on Martha's Vineyard. Which means, we now also have a date! The Saturday before Labor day: September 5, 2009.
I am totally tickled by the fact that we have to have 3 counseling sessions with the priest before we can get married there! And at least one of us has to have been baptized. (Luckily, we both have, though, technically, I'm Hindu. It's a little confusing, I know.)
And we're currently working on the location for the Indian wedding. It's a private club, so the woman wouldn't even talk to us without a referral. Thank goodness for The Lewises. Walker's parents came to the rescue on that one and a friend of theirs vouched for us.
There are so many little loops to jump through. So far, I'm finding it really fun. And it so exciting when something actually pans out!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Bridesmaids, baby!
I'm so excited! I have officially asked all my bridesmaids and they have all accepted! Meena is going to be my maid of honor, what are twin sisters for if not for that?! And my bridesmaids are Sonali, Christine and Abby. And you will be happy to know, girls, that Eyan and I did a lot of work on the bridesmaids dresses today. We went to a fabric store and got swatches galore! Loni Anderson of WKRP and Cincinnati fame was in attendance as well. She was ahead of me in line TAKING FOREVER!
Anyway, Eyan and I got some fantastic swatches as inspiration for the bridesmaid dresses. We also got some fabric for a cocktail dress for me for the rehearsal dinner and something for the brunch Sunday morning (assuming we end up having one!) I'm not going to post pictures of those, though, you'll have to wait and be surprised! But I tell you what, it is going to be one funky wedding. Well, don't take my word for it! Check out Walker's possible suit and pictures of the some of the swatches below.
Again, this is all just for the western wedding, which is going to be in the morning.
We haven't started working on the indian wedding yet, but we did come up with a possible color scheme. You can check that out below as well.
It feels so nice to be getting things moving!!
Anyway, Eyan and I got some fantastic swatches as inspiration for the bridesmaid dresses. We also got some fabric for a cocktail dress for me for the rehearsal dinner and something for the brunch Sunday morning (assuming we end up having one!) I'm not going to post pictures of those, though, you'll have to wait and be surprised! But I tell you what, it is going to be one funky wedding. Well, don't take my word for it! Check out Walker's possible suit and pictures of the some of the swatches below.
Again, this is all just for the western wedding, which is going to be in the morning.
We haven't started working on the indian wedding yet, but we did come up with a possible color scheme. You can check that out below as well.
It feels so nice to be getting things moving!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
YES!
So I told Meena she was going to be my maid on honor on Monday. Unfortunately for her she doesn't have a choice. :-)
Then Tuesday afternoon, Christine called me. For once in both of our busy lives we were both free, so I popped the question, "Will you be my bridesmaid?" She said yes! And she'll be going shopping with me when I get back to New York. Hurrah! Because let's face it: no one likes to go shopping alone.
A couple hour later, before being dragged to the world's worst movie "Nights of Rondanthe", I popped the question to Sonali. She said yes too. Hallelujah. She's psyched to see Martha's Vineyard for the first time. And she's writing down all her ideas for the wedding. She will share them with me upon my return.
Great, so 3 down, 1 to go!
Then Tuesday afternoon, Christine called me. For once in both of our busy lives we were both free, so I popped the question, "Will you be my bridesmaid?" She said yes! And she'll be going shopping with me when I get back to New York. Hurrah! Because let's face it: no one likes to go shopping alone.
A couple hour later, before being dragged to the world's worst movie "Nights of Rondanthe", I popped the question to Sonali. She said yes too. Hallelujah. She's psyched to see Martha's Vineyard for the first time. And she's writing down all her ideas for the wedding. She will share them with me upon my return.
Great, so 3 down, 1 to go!
Guest List
So, one of the first thing you gotta get done is your guest list. Without our guest list, how are going to figure out your budget?! And how big the location has to be. And how much food and liquor to serve. You get the idea.
Now our guest list has been growing by the second. We started out with 120. That was what we were aiming for.
Then Walker and I actually wrote down some names. Of course, I had like 20 more than he did and that was after paring down a fair amount. So next thing I know we're at 140. Last night I spoke to my parents and I forgot two family members (oops!) and my parents also want to add another 20 or so people, work friends, to my guest list. Ok, so we're at 160 then. And then Walker told me that his parents want to add some people too, naturally. So the long and short of it is I have no idea how many people are going to be at our wedding.
But I'm meeting with Eyan tomorrow, so at the very least, in 12.5 hours, I will have some idea of what the bridal party will be wearing! I can't wait!
Now our guest list has been growing by the second. We started out with 120. That was what we were aiming for.
Then Walker and I actually wrote down some names. Of course, I had like 20 more than he did and that was after paring down a fair amount. So next thing I know we're at 140. Last night I spoke to my parents and I forgot two family members (oops!) and my parents also want to add another 20 or so people, work friends, to my guest list. Ok, so we're at 160 then. And then Walker told me that his parents want to add some people too, naturally. So the long and short of it is I have no idea how many people are going to be at our wedding.
But I'm meeting with Eyan tomorrow, so at the very least, in 12.5 hours, I will have some idea of what the bridal party will be wearing! I can't wait!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Priorities
Just a quick funny note:
Yesterday Walker and I spent 2 hours on the phone taking this quiz to help us figure out what our priorities are for the wedding. In the first section there were 10 categories (food, family and friends, music etc.) that we had to put in order from most to least important.
His most important item was Spirituality.
Mine was Apparel.
What? Can't I be a little superficial on my wedding day?
:-P
Yesterday Walker and I spent 2 hours on the phone taking this quiz to help us figure out what our priorities are for the wedding. In the first section there were 10 categories (food, family and friends, music etc.) that we had to put in order from most to least important.
His most important item was Spirituality.
Mine was Apparel.
What? Can't I be a little superficial on my wedding day?
:-P
Martha Stewart scares me
No really. She does. Have you been to her wedding website yet? You gotta register. She's not playing around. She wants to make sure you're in it for the long hall.
I found some save-the-date cards on Martha's site that I seriously dug. They look like old fashioned train tickets. Funky. And since people will be traveling to come to our wedding and we're going to be having a sort of traveling theme I went bananas for them. THANKS MARTHA!
But Martha wouldn't tell me how much they were. So I did some digging. Found the website. THANKS GOOGLE!
The cards (which, incidentally, I could make with colored paper, a computer and a pair of scissors) were $847.50 for 50 invitations. Yes. 50. THANKS FOR NOTHING MARTHA!
Ah well. Back to the proverbial drawing board....
I found some save-the-date cards on Martha's site that I seriously dug. They look like old fashioned train tickets. Funky. And since people will be traveling to come to our wedding and we're going to be having a sort of traveling theme I went bananas for them. THANKS MARTHA!
But Martha wouldn't tell me how much they were. So I did some digging. Found the website. THANKS GOOGLE!
The cards (which, incidentally, I could make with colored paper, a computer and a pair of scissors) were $847.50 for 50 invitations. Yes. 50. THANKS FOR NOTHING MARTHA!
Ah well. Back to the proverbial drawing board....
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Eyan!
Well, I hired the fantabulous Eyan Candini last night to help me with clothes, hair and makeup for the entire bridal party and our parents. Best thing I've ever done in my life. He used to be a wedding planner and next thing I know he has written out all of the outfits, shoes and accessories I will need for the entire wedding, which is WAY more than I have done so far.
He is very excited. I am very excited. Walker is very excited. It's a match made in heaven.
It's really nice to have someone on board who knows what he's doing. It makes me feel like I don't have to be responsible for everything. Which is good because I'm prone to having my head spin off. You know, like in Poltergeist.
Eyan informs me that the next step is to finalize a guest list and send out save-the-date cards (especially since we're looking to get married on labor day weekend!) Which reminds me: send me your addresses people!!
He is very excited. I am very excited. Walker is very excited. It's a match made in heaven.
It's really nice to have someone on board who knows what he's doing. It makes me feel like I don't have to be responsible for everything. Which is good because I'm prone to having my head spin off. You know, like in Poltergeist.
Eyan informs me that the next step is to finalize a guest list and send out save-the-date cards (especially since we're looking to get married on labor day weekend!) Which reminds me: send me your addresses people!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Where and When
I have been fixated on this wedding being at Martha's Vineyard for like 6 months now. I don't think my parents particularly dig this idea, but they are coming around. Martha's Vineyard is BEAUTIFUL. Can we say - destination wedding? And you don't even have to leave the country.
Everything else is completely up in the air though.
We know there is going to be an indian ceremony.
And we're pretty sure there is going to be a western one too (probably in the morning).
And we're thinking late August or early September.
Though right now I think labor day weekend would be the best.
Whenever that is.
Can someone get me two hundred save the date cards please?!?!
All I can say is: what would planning a wedding be like without Martha Stewart? I mean, seriously, people, the woman may have done hard time, but when it comes to weddings I've got her back. At this point I think I've read upwards of 12 magazines. I even got Walker to look at a few...and he loved them! But don't tell him I told you that :)
In fact, I think I'm going to thank Martha in my wedding toast. Yeaaaah!
Everything else is completely up in the air though.
We know there is going to be an indian ceremony.
And we're pretty sure there is going to be a western one too (probably in the morning).
And we're thinking late August or early September.
Though right now I think labor day weekend would be the best.
Whenever that is.
Can someone get me two hundred save the date cards please?!?!
All I can say is: what would planning a wedding be like without Martha Stewart? I mean, seriously, people, the woman may have done hard time, but when it comes to weddings I've got her back. At this point I think I've read upwards of 12 magazines. I even got Walker to look at a few...and he loved them! But don't tell him I told you that :)
In fact, I think I'm going to thank Martha in my wedding toast. Yeaaaah!
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