Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Life after weddings
Life does go on after the rose petals have settled,after the rings and I Do's. But mostly after they cut the cake and dance the night away. After the wedding was done, I was lucky enough to be given a room by the lovely newly weds. It was nice to just go upstairs, shower n relax. The hotel rooms are beautiful. Joe loved the big flat screens. Very modern. After I had the long weekend off from work, I find myself.......dare I say it? Bored, I always seem to be looking for the next event to dive into. Ugh, its crazy. I need to chill and relax. Maybe after my vacation I'll start obsessing about a party :) until then......
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The BIG Day!! Pre Reception
It was finally here.....The BIG Wedding Day!!! I woke up early, picked up my partner (j & j productions) and went straight to the hotel. We get to the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel at 7:45 am ish. We were tired and waiting for our coffee to kick in. Of course right off the bat we have a problem with the hotel. The coordinator from HELL, Gabriella Jackson (she is the worst person ever!!!), didn't tell the banquet staff June and I were going to start tying ribbons on the chairs. Gabby told me I could go into 1/3 of the ballroom at 7am and the rest of the ballroom will open up after 1pm. I had to get a banquet manager to help me. They were not the nicest people to work with at first either. But after a little while, June and I were in business. Because the ballroom wasn't set yet, all we could do was wrap the ribbons on EACH chair, and knot it. Once the tables were set and chairs were dropped, only then could we tie bows and then trim the tails. I knew this was going to be a mission and a half, but it was something the bride wanted so I made sure it happened.
A couple hours after we started, Glori and Irene showed up to help tie knots. It was great talking story and laughing about old times. I miss all my Paper Roses girls!!! Keep in mind, these are some of my closest and dear friends, Jessica and all of us worked together for years. I needed help the morning of the wedding and I knew I could count on my girls to follow through. We did have to miss the ceremony to complete the room :( Uber sad face sine the videographer damaged the footage for the ceremony. But in the end we pulled it off. My friend Lindsey also came to help out after the entire ballroom was opened.
I have to say I love the look of the hotel, I am the one who suggested Jessica and Justin have the wedding there. but Gabby and even some of the banquet staff made the experience pretty horrible. But I have to say, when my husband (Joe) came by to help in the afternoon, the staff seemed to be a little friendlier. Come to find out, Joe use to work with them at the Convention Center. I didn't even think Joe would know them but thank god he showed up cause I was getting ready to snap. I was just a little stressed before Joe arrived. Justin was calling me and I had to run up to his room to help with minor alarms :) He was so nervous, it was cute. But those small fires were easy to put out and back to the ribbons I went.
So one of the things I was trying to resolve was locating the table runners Jessica dropped off days before the wedding. They didn't appear til after all the tables were set and I could tell ALL the banquet staff was mad they had to put each runner on all 28 tables. Again, this was another thing Gabby didn't relay to them. So after that was done, napkins were dropped and Joe helped me put the favors out for all the guests.
On the reception table I put out the card box I made just for Jess n Justin. It turned out way better than I could have imagined. I will add pics later and I will tell you how I made it too :) I also put out the pens, sign in pages, and escort cards.
After the room was set, Lindsey, Taka, June and I rushed upstairs to shower and get ready. Once we were back down stairs guests were already showing up. By then it was already 5:15pm. I waited for Jessica by the elevators. When I first saw her, I got chills. She looked so beautiful. Everything hit me at that moment. And I felt so happy knowing I made this day special for my friends.
A couple hours after we started, Glori and Irene showed up to help tie knots. It was great talking story and laughing about old times. I miss all my Paper Roses girls!!! Keep in mind, these are some of my closest and dear friends, Jessica and all of us worked together for years. I needed help the morning of the wedding and I knew I could count on my girls to follow through. We did have to miss the ceremony to complete the room :( Uber sad face sine the videographer damaged the footage for the ceremony. But in the end we pulled it off. My friend Lindsey also came to help out after the entire ballroom was opened.
I have to say I love the look of the hotel, I am the one who suggested Jessica and Justin have the wedding there. but Gabby and even some of the banquet staff made the experience pretty horrible. But I have to say, when my husband (Joe) came by to help in the afternoon, the staff seemed to be a little friendlier. Come to find out, Joe use to work with them at the Convention Center. I didn't even think Joe would know them but thank god he showed up cause I was getting ready to snap. I was just a little stressed before Joe arrived. Justin was calling me and I had to run up to his room to help with minor alarms :) He was so nervous, it was cute. But those small fires were easy to put out and back to the ribbons I went.
So one of the things I was trying to resolve was locating the table runners Jessica dropped off days before the wedding. They didn't appear til after all the tables were set and I could tell ALL the banquet staff was mad they had to put each runner on all 28 tables. Again, this was another thing Gabby didn't relay to them. So after that was done, napkins were dropped and Joe helped me put the favors out for all the guests.
On the reception table I put out the card box I made just for Jess n Justin. It turned out way better than I could have imagined. I will add pics later and I will tell you how I made it too :) I also put out the pens, sign in pages, and escort cards.
After the room was set, Lindsey, Taka, June and I rushed upstairs to shower and get ready. Once we were back down stairs guests were already showing up. By then it was already 5:15pm. I waited for Jessica by the elevators. When I first saw her, I got chills. She looked so beautiful. Everything hit me at that moment. And I felt so happy knowing I made this day special for my friends.
SURPRISE SHOWER!!!!!
On July 24, 2011 we threw Jessica a SURPRISE Bridal Shower at the Mermaid Bar in Neiman Marcus. It was awesome Sylvia suggested this restaurant. They are closed on Sunday's but they open up for private parties!! This was right up my alley :) It was beautiful. Sylvia and Linzy made all the flower arrangements and June and Taka helped set the tables and make the room look awesome.
A few days before the party, Linzy and I made rum cakes!!!!! So yummy. We bagged up the cakes in sandwich bags, tied them with a twist tie and used some ivory tulle to wrap around the cakes. It was finished off with a 2" wide sheer zebra printed ribbon. It was so pretty. I used my hot pink table runners over the white linens. The black napkins matched the black and white print that was on each vase. We used hot pink carnations in an assortment of tall and short vases. I actually had a bunch of old Tanaka of Tokyo glasses, since they wereetched I had to wrap the veses to cover the designs. But I recylced what I had and it worked out great.
I also printed individual place cards for everyone. It was a simple black card stock, with each guests name printed on the white paper. I taped the two pieces together and added some bling to them. Years ago, i bought some rhinestone brads. They were so great. I wanted to bling it up for my bride. The brads turned a simple place card into an awesome personal detail. If there's one thing I am all about with every single party I plan, it's all the little details!!!! Never over look them :) Those are the special things everyone appreciates.
A few days before the party, Linzy and I made rum cakes!!!!! So yummy. We bagged up the cakes in sandwich bags, tied them with a twist tie and used some ivory tulle to wrap around the cakes. It was finished off with a 2" wide sheer zebra printed ribbon. It was so pretty. I used my hot pink table runners over the white linens. The black napkins matched the black and white print that was on each vase. We used hot pink carnations in an assortment of tall and short vases. I actually had a bunch of old Tanaka of Tokyo glasses, since they wereetched I had to wrap the veses to cover the designs. But I recylced what I had and it worked out great.
I also printed individual place cards for everyone. It was a simple black card stock, with each guests name printed on the white paper. I taped the two pieces together and added some bling to them. Years ago, i bought some rhinestone brads. They were so great. I wanted to bling it up for my bride. The brads turned a simple place card into an awesome personal detail. If there's one thing I am all about with every single party I plan, it's all the little details!!!! Never over look them :) Those are the special things everyone appreciates.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Diep & Akuna Wedding Completed!!!
WOO HOO!!!! What a celebration we had this past Saturday, 09-03-11. My good friend Jessica married the love of her life. Me and my team missed the ceremony to set up the reception, which was awesome. Of course we had our fair share of problems but I expected them. I don't think the couple did but I did. I just can't believe I haven't been bloggin about the wedding for a year!!!! omg where do I begin?
