January 18, 2006
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Weekend Update
Hi~! How was everyone’s weekend? I was mostly housebound because I was babysitting my buddy’s puppy. Lily and Bella used to be the same size but then suddenly Bella became twice as big! Even though Bella is so much bigger she is still as gentle as a lamb…she got a little roughed up…Lily is toy aggressive so she bit Bella right by her eye! They got along most of the time though…I just had to take all the toys away.
Since I was housebound I made French toast for the first time…thanks to Susan! I tried looking up recipes online but they were too complicated for me…this one website had 100s of different kinds. Luckily I remembered that a long time ago Susan sent me a recipe so I searched my e-mails and found it!
Wedding UpdateAnyways, I haven’t done anything for the wedding in so long! I need to get myself motivated again…
Here’s what I’ve done so far…
Venue – Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, Pacific Promenade
Andy and I spent so much time there falling in love with it. Even Bella loved it! I especially love the Pacific Promenade because it is a completely separate venue with super high ceilings, gorgeous ocean views and an awesome marble foyer. I wish I had some good photos of the Promenade!
Coordinator – Stephanie Lairson
Maybe I’ve forgotten about wedding planning because I figure she’ll just handle everything!
Photographer – Jenny Stafford / Red Loft Studios
As you all know…it took us soo long to find a photographer. We were soo impressed with Jenny! Her photos were gorgeous and she just has this amazing ability to capture emotions and perfect little moments in her photographs.
So…I always had this idea about having a mini photo set-up at the wedding for the guests…sort of like a photo booth but fancier. Most weddings are all about just taking tons of photos of the bride & groom but I really wanted to find a photographer who could offer us something for the guests too. We’re having a separate photographer just for the guests! The guest photographer will focus on taking candids of the guests and also set up a photo taking area. We’re thinking of setting something up outside with the ocean as a backdrop as the sun sets and later setting up a couch in the foyer so guests can either have formal or goofy photos taken. I’m so excited!
Videographer – Video Artistry
We turned off most DVD demos we received within 5 minutes. I finally understood why so many people can’t stand wedding videos! We knew Video Artistry was the one for us because we were actually able to sit through the whole thing…it must’ve been over an hour long!
Our visit with Video Artistry was so random! We walked into the office but there was another couple finishing up. As I walked out I heard…Jenny? It was my Xanga buddy (k_bridetobe)! We had been e-mailing about wedding stuff but had never spoken and I had no idea what she looked like because she never posted pics on her site. It was so funny that we ran into her there…we ended up having a joint meeting! More randomness – they were showing us demos and we kept seeing people who looked familiar but not really. When we looked closer and asked it turned out to be people like Lindsay Price (remember that ½ Asian girl on 90210?) and Debbie Matenopoulos (remember that girl who got kicked off The View?)…random, huh?
DJ – Mark Thomas Peace
He is really really nice and charismatic! Nice is important to us. We didn’t want one of those cheesy or outrageously loud DJs who make people feel uncomfortable. I’m thinking DJ meetings probably only take about an hour or so…we ended up staying like 3 hours!
Make-up/Hair – Joyce Luck
Joyce is soo sweet and I’ve only heard great things about her. I had my trial but I wasn’t that happy with it. Maybe it’ll be better next time!
Dress – Monique Lhuillier
Before this whole wedding thing I wasn’t that interested in wedding dresses and really didn’t think I’d care for a brand name one. There are certain things I knew for sure I wanted to have high end or brand name (venue, photographer, ring) but I really didn’t care about the dress as long it was a good quality one. I don’t know what happened to me…I found my perfect dress at ML!
Need to do…
- Guest list
- Pastor
- Ceremony music
- Florist
- Invitations
- Favors
- Registry
- I’m sure there are so many other things I need to do!
P.S. I know this is really late but…Bella says HAPPY (belated) HOLIDAYS!
Comments (26)
bella’s still adorable even though she looks huge next to lily. what does a coordinator do? everything, i suppose? i’m surprised you chose a videographer. you guys are doing everything, huh? i love that you have a separate photographer for the guests! that’s soo awesome! too bad about the make-up trial. hopefully next time will be better. can you put the pic of the dress sometime? i wanna see! also post the french toast recipe please!!!
when’s the wedding, anyway? how did you meet andy btw?
you are going to have the most beautiful wedding ever!!! i could see it already. i’m impressed how much you’ve gotten done already. i love your venue and can’t wait to see you in your dress!!! we didn’t go with the typcial loud mouth, cheesy DJ either and so glad we didn’t. people had fun and didn’t need someone to egg them on. (we had a wild crowd even though larry and i tend to be somewhat reserved). i know what you mean about the videography…hated all of them except one. we should be receiving the video soon (it takes 6 months to edit..they are kind of popular). you can check out their website: http://www.unionphoto.com/cinema.html
their style was a little different than most. almost like you’re watching a classic silent film.
and bella is soooooo cute!!! love the red kerchief and outfit on lily and bella. they look happy and well taken care of.
Your puppy is so cute! She seems like a really good puppy, too : ) Anyway, we’re going to meet with Yuki from Taipei-LA tomorrow, so we’re hoping it goes well! Thanks again for your input, I appreciate it a lot!
bella’s puppy house is so cute!!
i love your separate guest photographer idea!
omg…bella is soooo cute!
omg bella is adorable!
wedding planning looks so hard!!! dunno how you girls do it.
Sounds like you have the big tasks checked off your list! Check out Square Root, they are in Irvine and do amazing arrangements. Something about them being connected with Mark’s Garden?
Are you guys settling in once again, since all the craziness with the house happened?
cute pictures of your puppies..your chosen venue is beautiful!
omg… bella is too cute!!! i think she’ll make perfect friends with charlie…. they’re about the same size and they kinda look alike too…lol. i don’t know how you managed to babysit 2 dogs… when my friends’ doggies come over for a playdate, they tear my entire house upside down. but since charlie loves to play with other doggies, i’ll sacrifice my house, my furniture, my shoes, etc. =) ryc: is your fiance in finance too? my bf travels at least once a week, otherwise he gets home really late at night. you live in west la too, right? me too!!! one of these days, let’s arrange a bella & charlie playdate. =) oh, also two thumbs up for your choice in venue! i love that place and you’re going to have the most beautiful wedding!
OmG! bella is so huge now!! :O) I was thinking about having pics of bentley taken with santa, but my little boy’s a vicious one. lol.
your wedding choices sound great!
Man, the wedding’s coming up quick!! Is that creepy santa going to be part of the ceremony?
Hi Jenny! wow sounds like your planning is coming along nicely. will i see you before our weddings? haha. i saw your parents! but not you =(
RYC: It sounds like your wedding planning is coming along. Actually I’m not that far ahead. I still have booked my wedding day photographer, DJ, or Makeup/Hair.
I LOVE your idea of having a ‘guest’ photographer! What is your wedding favor?
love the picture of your pup and santa. so funny!
hiya! yay, you’re doing great with your wedding planning! it’s going to be a gorgeous one!!!
and thank you so much for all your kind words. you’re so sweet! 
bella is adorable! she’s a maltese right? i love her black eyes and nose! i could totally tell what a sweetie she is just by looking at her pictures. 
Here is their website: http://www.squarerootdesigns.com/ I was watching Project Runway last night on Bravo and saw Square Root’s commercial on there! The husband was upset with me that we didn’t go with them because they’re awesome.
no, he’s so ugly!! haha but he’s really affectionate and always happy which is why we love him.
Such cute pics!! I’ve been wanting a dog soo bad.. but don’t think I have the time to properly take care of one.. =(
What kind of doggie is Bella? She looks like my doggie except bigger. Mine is a yorkie-poo.
little bella’s not so little anymore… but still sooooo cute!!
yeah 411 charges are sooo annoying… that’s why i used to call people whenever i’d need a number hehe. but not anymore… it’s free!!
hi, thanks for dropping by. i am indeed excited about both weddings.
Now that is one happy pooch! I’m so glad she made it thru when she was a sickly young pup – look at her now!
you deserve nothing but the best!
miss you jenny!
i feel sorry for bella getting beaten up a bit by lily. hee hee. poor little one! don’t forget..i want that french toast recipe please!!! also wanna see the wedding dress!
lolas actually really big too. i woke up one morning and shes gotten a lot longer!
its an oldie…beautiful by mandaley