I just saw this on Weddingbee. The performance troupe, Improv Everywhere, just did a Surprise Wedding Reception for an unsuspecting couple who eloped at City Hall. Improv Everywhere doesn't do regular improv comedy. Instead, they usually create events that invoke confusion and chaos. An example of such an event was the twin subway prank, where they got several sets of twins to dress exactly a like and filled an entire subway car with the twins sitting across from each other, mirroring each other's every move. It wasn't meant to be funny, merely to freak people out. This time they created an all-inclusive Surprise Wedding reception for two giddy elopers. Check out the video.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Surprise Wedding Reception
Cake Tasting Seconds
On Tuesday, my Austin stand-in-bride, Hillary, did our second cake tasting. As you remember, our first tasting, Lucy's, was a bit disappointing and our 3rd choice, Matty Cakes, was booked up while we waited. So we were really counting on Michelle's. And according to Hillary...it delivered! Hillary called it "delicious" and said that Michelle was really "nice and flexible." Perfect for the out of town bride. The only downside was that Hillary didn't get to taste the flavor combo I was most interested
in, the banana indulgence--vanilla cake filled with vanilla custard, banana slices and a thin layer of chocolate ganache. I get excited just thinking about it. The upside is, she did get to taste some other flavors that she loved. Here's what she had to say about them
Italian Wedding (usually has almonds)
"Good. This one was good. A little dryer than the rest. The frosting was delicious and I was lapping it up! Pretty good for Italian Wedding Cake."
Tres Leches (a Mexican-inspired cake soaked in 3 milks, usually with cinnamon)
"Moist. I really liked this one. It was moist and sweet. It wasn't rich, but very indulgent. Guests might want smaller pieces. Not like tres leches I've had before, but still delicious."
Chocolate with Chocolate Butter Cream (potential groom's cake flavor)
"Rich. The chocolate is very indulgent. I mixed it with the strawberries and it was incredible. It is a little rich to were I wanted a glass of milk."
Strawberries & Cream
"Delicious! The Butter Cream was creamy and not gritty or too rich. I love strawberry's and they were super fresh. Great cake that you can really sink your fork into."
I think we're most likely to go with the strawberries & cream option. I'm a huge fan, but mostly I'm excited to find out the buttercream is good. I'm really picky about my icings as a lot of NY bakeries go with a toothache-sweet icing that can actually be gritty. Michelle's policy is apparently, less sugar plus more butter equals a lighter fluffier icing. I heartily agree. I'm still interested in the Banana Indulgence, but I don't think we could go wrong here. Here are some other things I like about Michelle's:
1) They never freeze the cakes. Lots of bakeries do and this causes the cake to dry out.
2) The new and improved buttercream
3) Michelle will deliver the cake herself.
4) Most slices are $3 each.
5) She operates out of her house!
Yep, check out these pics of her in-home business. (I'm so jealous. I gotta figure out a business I could run out of my house.)
Michelle's Patisserie Home Office
Super cute pink chandelier
Michelle's showroom
Adorable baker, Michelle
And here are some examples of Michelle's work:
So what do you guys think? Should we risk going with the Banana Indulgence for a layer even though we didn't get to taste it? Can you tell I'm excited about this place? I'm still waiting on the estimates, but I'm really hoping it works out!
Mary
Friday, May 29, 2009
If I had a million dollars (part 1 of ?)
If I had a million dollars
(If I had a million dollars)
I'd buy so many flowers
(I would buy so many flowers)
If I had a million dollars
(If I had a million dollars)
I'd buy us a photo-booth guestbook
(Maybe with props and fake mustaches)
And if I had a million dollars
(If I had a million dollars)
Well, I'd buy us some fireworks
(Some nice, patriotic fireworks)
If I had a million dollars I'd buy your love
Anybody know that little folk diddy? That definitely sums up wedding planning for me. I see these blogs everyday with beautiful things that, well, I don't really need. And this morning I saw the latest take my breath away thing that is probably expensive and I definitely don't need.
Check out this Alice in Wonderland tablescape from Project Wedding. It's just too, too cute. And too girly for a wedding, but wouldn't it make the dreamiest Bridal Shower ever?
There are also some tips on how to pull this look off yourself at http://www.projectwedding.com/wiki/show/diy-decor-alice-in-wonderland
Okay, yes, so its over the top. But doesn't it just make you wanna have a Mad Hatter's Tea Party? And if you're behind on time, you could run around shouting, "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!"
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Deals and Steals in NYC
Just in case we have some NYC brides (or brides visiting NYC, or just shoppers in general) following the blog, I thought I would mention a few great deals I found over the weekend.
1) Calypso Outlet (the awesome outlet branch of Calypso Celle) is selling the Butter by Nadia signature convertible dress in satin for $90!!!! They have teal, pale gold and maybe a green remaining. Call or stop by for details. I actually checked this one out for my girls b/c it's such a good idea, but in the end, I knew they preferred the jersey and the color wasn't quite right.
2) Check out this adorable lace vintage dress I spotted in a vintage store window on Grand street in Williamsburg. This dress was beautiful and a steal at $45. Perfect for anyone looking for a vintage, short wedding dress. I would've snapped it up myself, but weirdly, the armholes were tiny! Did people have smaller arms in the 50s? It's also pretty small in general and would best fit someone size 2 or smaller (this is me in the dress, but not zipped up. Shhhhh,) Also, in case you can't tell, the dress is white lace with a pale blue liner. And it's super adorable! I think the store is Flores Vintage Clothing and they had tons of great stuff. Especially if you're planning a 70s prom party anytime soon. 
(try to ignore the makeup-less face)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Yep, the flowers still look pretty when I do them
Like I said last time, flowers are already pretty so I should be able to do them myself right? Well, on the way home from work tonight I stopped by a deli and decided to do some DIY flower trials. I bought 5 bouquets for $28. For that $28, I got 2 stems blue hydrangea, 2 stems white hydrangea, a bunch of (what I'm calling) pink delphinium, a bunch of blue hyacinths and one dozen small yellow roses. Here's what I was able to make with that.
The Pink Delphinium Bunches
A single stem of Blue Hydrangea--wouldn't these be lovely nosegays for the mothers or bridesmaids?
4 stems of hydrangea bouquet--forgive the Cruella D'ville 2-tone. I didn't know which color I wanted, so I went with both.
The white hydrangea centerpiece
Yellow Rose Bouquet (1 dozen roses)
Yellow Rose Centerpiece
White Hydrangea and Yellow Rose Centerpiece
Blue Hydrangea, Yellow Rose, Pink Delphinium
White Hydrangea, Yellow Rose, Pink Delphinium 
My first idea for escort card--single bloom in a mini vase (baby food jar)
Escort Card with piece of a Hydrangea
Another idea would be to replace the single bloom with one of these tissue paper carnations. Probably cheaper and definitely greener.
Similarly, here are some blooms made from paper. We could make these from pages of old books.
So what do you guys think? Can I do DIY flowers? Do they look too DIY? Should I look into different flowers? What about the paper flowers? Cheesy or a cool alternative?
Or should I scrap the whole DIY thing and just buy these pre-made centerpieces? They come to about $15 each.
But flowers are already pretty, right?
Alright, despite hearing over and over again, "arranging flowers is a lot harder than it looks," I've decided to keep moving forward with the project. I mean, flowers start out pretty, right? How far off could I go? The trouble, it seems, is figuring out what to order. I would like kind of a messy, wildflower look (which everyone assures me is the most difficult to pull off), but I have no idea what flowers to order. My colors are blue and blue, but in an all-white reception hall, I'm worried monochrome would look too boring (or worse, too prom.) Anyway, here are a few examples of some centerpieces I like
On the other hand, here are some cool centerpieces that don't use any flowers at all.
Stay tuned for my first attempts at DIY flowers.
Monday, May 11, 2009
First the Bridesmaid, Then the Bride
I'm sure most of you guys know this, but next month I'll be taking my very first ever turn as a Bridesmaid and will be taking the honor of Maid of Honor to boot. (How's that for jumping to the top?) Yup, I'll be the MOH at my sister's wedding on June 12th. And as I spent a lot of this weekend thinking about that wedding, I thought I would share with you my bridesmaid style and approved my my sister, the Bride.
First up the Dress:
My sister generously let each bridesmaid choose her own dress, provided it matched the red she chose. As fate would have it, I stumbled across an Amsale sample sale and found this dress on the sales rack for $75 from $400!
It was actually a sample they sent the stylists for the Kate Hudson movie, My Best Friend's Girl. They eventually chose a different dress for Kate and sent mine back to it's bargain bin destiny.
Here's a pic of the one they chose for Kate in the color I'll be wearing as a bridesmaid.
Next up: The shoes
Because of the long, flowy, grecian nature of this dress, I decided gold, flat sandals would be the perfect completion to this look. I'd been eyeing these at J Crew for months now and would love to make them my summer sandals after the wedding. 
They are marked down, right now, from $99 to $59 so it seemed like the perfect time to pounce. But when I got there, I found these other gold, flat t-strap sandals that I fell in love with also on sale for $60 and I took them home instead. They've mysteriously disappeared from the website since then, but they're simple, thin t-strap sandals in a very shiny, soft gold leather. However, I'm still torn b/t the decision. Ultimately the t-straps seemed more delicate and therefore more appropriate for the wedding, but will I miss the gladiators later?
Finally: the hair
I think, in keeping with the Grecian inspiration, I want to go with a loose, romantic updo. Much like Michelle Williams' gorgeous Oscar do. (But I think I'll trade the red lips for a nude gloss.)
And I'm thinking about adding this little jeweled ribbon headband from Anthropologie. (It's an ivory ribbon, bedazzled with clear glass bead, circled in gold.
So what do you guys think? Should I go for the gladiators or stick with the t-straps? Can I pull off the messy up-do or will I look like I rode to the wedding with Thelma and Louise? And should I spring for this dream clutch from Lauren Merkin?
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