so just now while we were trying to figure out how to change our water filter in our fridge:

*Mr. Poppy looking at things in the drawer pulling out a ziplock full of plastic things*

Mr. Poppy: "ohhhh these are those water bypass things you're supposed
to put in if you don't want to use the filter! *flips through pages of
manual* yeahhh these are it! i've been trying to figure out for the
longest time what these were!"

Mrs. Poppy: "ummmm those are my pastry bag and frosting tips"

both: AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Mr. Poppy and I are still recovering from our wedding but I thought a review was in order!

Dress: David's Bridal - Oleg Cassini
Grade: A

I can't complain too much about my dress. I tried it on, got alterations and that was pretty much it. I loved my dress and loved the bustle that David's provided. Even though I heard horror stories about DB, thankfully I didn't experience any of it.

Ceremony/Reception: The Astoria World Manor
Grade: A+

We worked with Nick at AWM and we can't complain at all. The ceremony was downstairs and the max time we were allowed was 30 mins - which was fine since we didn't want a long ceremony anyway. We were provided with cocktail hour, food at the reception, cake (for an additional price they will customize it the way you want), linens for the tables and a photo studio. We were also provided a bridal suite for the guys and girls that can be locked during the reception. (A huge plus!) Loved having our wedding at AWM!

DJ/MC: Pinilla Studios
Grade: A++
Pinilla was absolutely wonderful with all of our requests. We don't like pushy DJ/MCs and we asked them to keep it upbeat, encourage people to dance but don't force them to dance. We asked for 80s, reggae, hip hop, pop and we didn't want slow songs otherwise it wouldn't feel like a party to us. They handled the introduction of the bridal party, cake cutting, garter/flower toss and I had clothing changes (Korean, Chinese and American Dresses) that they announced each time. They also had leis, sunglasses, hats and other props which were kind of cheesy but our crowd really loved them.  We went with Pinilla since AWM recommended them but I have to say that I'm totally sold by them!

Flowers: Beez Designs
Grade: A

Betty is the florist that we worked with and she is incredibly talented, I know that Miss Violet is working with her also. Betty was really helpful since I don't know much about flowers and when she arrived with them, I couldn't believe my eyes. She set up everything, she was on time and most of all the flowers were even better than I hoped for. She was recommended by a friend of mine and I really do have to say that recommendations from friends are the way to go. (Thanks Betty!!!)

 

Limo: Five Towns Limo
Grade: B-

Mr. Poppy: We got a 20 passenger Hummer Limo with free bottled water and champagne. The driver was friendly, courteous and on time. We had 3 hours to go anywhere we wanted to go - We went from New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn and then Queens. Although they advertised the limo for 20 passengers it was quite small... it was tight for the 18 of us that were in there and trust us... we're small or average in size so it's quite puzzling how 20 people could fit in there. The AC was a bit weak and even though we had it at the highest it still was really weak hence the minus in the rating. We weren't sweating perse but still... we'd like to stay cool. We did enjoy our time in the limo and the service was really friendly and done to our request.

More to come... our professional pics.

Mr. Poppy and I have tried to keep our wedding as simple as possible. For the longest time I convinced myself that I actually don't need pew decorations especially since our ceremony was only 30 minutes long. But then at the last minutes I thought we might regret it and I asked one of my bridesmaids and one of our groomsmen over to help me make tissue paper pom poms (via Martha Stewart) that are used all the time now.

We used the directions that are given on the website but we made sure it wouldn't be bigger than our pews. Instead of using flower wire to hold it together we used ribbons so we could tie it around the pew. The only regret that I have is that I wished I used the left over ribbons to hang from the bottom of the pom pom. It would have added a little oomph and perhaps made it look a little fancier. *shrugs* Maybe not. But it is a good idea for those of you who want pew decorations that aren't expensive.

left: what we had at the ceremony
right: my crappy attempt at photo shop

Since our colour theme was pink, brown and champagne/white we had pom poms on every other pew alternating between pink and white. It would have been really pretty to have a mix of pink and white ribbons hanging from the bottom (a-la picture number 2). But I was really happy with the simple tissue paper and even more happy with the price.

What pew decorations have you decided on for you ceremony? I'd love to hear about it especially since I have a lot of friends who are getting married in the near future and I'm collecting ideas to present to them. I think I'll even show the girls my crappy photoshop to show what I could have done.... but didn't. Maybe they will want it at their wedding.

I can't stress enough how hard it was for me to find a personable florist. Mr. Poppy and I almost gave up until a friend of ours recommended a friend that just happened to be a florist. After much review of her portfolio we were instantly in love and what's even better is that this is her hobby that she loves. I met with her today and she couldn't be more sweet, informative and not to mention adorable. After talking for a bit we found out that Miss Violet is also using her for her wedding. Not only do Miss Violet and I have good taste in dresses but apparently we do for florists as well.

If you're looking for a florist in NYC that is really personable and love what they do. I suggest you give Betty an email and please let her know that Miss Poppy sent ya.

Beez Designs
betty@beezdesigns.com

Here we are again talking about my awesome bridal shower . Last I wrote I ended my entry with the toilet paper wedding dress game. After the winners were awarded their prizes the girls cleaned up the TP that was now scattered all over the floor and I opened gifts. Let me tell you - When you open gifts in front of your mom and sister that happen to be: chocolate body paint, edible bra and undies (for her and him)... I turned so red! The best part is when my mom asked "Oh? Paint what?". The theme for the shower was "Honeymoon at home" and I have to say that I got a lot of things for that! I received some really awesome and funny gifts: lover's die (I got two!), massage oils, bath oils/bubbles, flower petals for the bath, chocolates, champagne and glasses, wine, face masks, photo album and of course lingerie!

After eating some more the girls told me that they were going to quiz me on Mr. Poppy. I have to say - there were a lot of questions but thankfully I got most of them right. They also had everyone put the number they think I'll get right on a piece of paper and whoever guessed the right number won a beautiful lavender robe from Bath and Body Works. One of the most memorable questions was: "If Mr. Poppy were to live in any century which one would it be and what would he do?" Everyone in the room had this expression on their face and I guessed 18th century and a explorer. Turns out, I got it right and everyone was amazed. But once I knew 18th century was correct - what else is there to do?

Then it was time to end the shower and we all counted our leis to see who won the "lei game". The top three were all my bridesmaid!! My sister ended up winning the prize that my other bridesmaid made... I wish I would have taken a picture of it but it was a jar of bath tea that she had made. The bath tea had: powdered milk, chamomile, lavender, mint, rose petals, oatmeal, rosemary and other herbs and flowers. You're supposed to put it in the filter provided and put it in the bath and enjoy. I received one of those from the same BM that made it for Christmas last year and I love it! Each guest got to take lipglosses, hand lotion as favours to take home:

favours in the black box

Yes - That is a crane that you see. My sister thought it would be cute to have a huge paper crane on top of the bouquet. I don't think you can tell from this picture but that bouquet is HUGE. It is bigger than I am and right now I have it in a vase and it's bigger than that as well. I suppose the bigger the bouquet, the more love from my BMs right?

left over polaroids taken w/my girls

All in all it was a really great time. We over estimated on the food but it was worth it since more is better than not enough. Plus we got to eat it on Sunday morning after the b-party... Now speaking of the b-party guess what we did? We went to Duets which is a nice karaoke place near Koreatown. We made reservations and didn't have to wait at all, the service was great and the song selection was awesome! We also ended up getting getting a bottle of some kind of liqour called iichiko and one of my BM mixed it with grape juice. It was good but it really got to me quick - since I don't normally drink anything but red wine . I went to the restroom and ended up in a different room and asked them where my friends where. Oops.

After karaoke we ended up going to Culture Club. It's a 80s dance club and it was really packed! We got the bachelorette package - which basically means that the bride gets in free and since we went later the girls got $5 off. The music was a lot of remixes and it was a lot of fun but I would like my 80s music not to be remixed. They have a big stage with neon lights and yes we danced and had a lot of fun but there were so many creepy guys there that it kind of ruined it at times. We went next door to the 90s club and maybe it's just me but 90s wasn't my thing. Too much talk, not enough dance. But other than the creepy guys I had a great time there, I know there are a lot of other 80s clubs in NYC so I may try those out before I return to CC.

I think we were all tired so we ended up getting home around 3 or 4? We passed out at home and then everyone left on Sunday afternoon. I miss my girls already and had such a good time that I can't believe how fast the time passed. What do your ladies have planned for your shower/b-party? Are you helping them plan or are you completely out of the loop? I was partially in the loop but not really. I don't even know if that made sense. All I know is that I had a great time and I have my bridesmaids to thank for that.

Before I even start about what fun I had, I must thank my wonderful bridesmaids: Sami, Angela, Meli, In Young and Alyssa. These ladies have thrown me the most amazing shower and b-party a bride could ever receive. It all started when they all flew in Friday and kicked me out of my own living room to plan the last details together as they got to know each other!!!

The decorations were provided by the local party store: Streamers, balloons, tissue paper, ribbons and candies in glass vases. Everyone that attended the bridal shower complimented on how amazingly beautiful they transformed our living room!

They had polaroid guestbook and "make your own name tag" on one table. They also had "get leid" game - which is a spin on the old "clothespin" game. So everyone had one lei and if you catch someone crossing their legs then you take their leis. We all took a vote and said that if you catch someone crossing their legs then it's all or nothing. So sometimes people caught others and received up to 6 leis!! The name tags were fun since everyone got to decorate with markers, stamps, stickers and whatever else the girls provided. And with those same materials they had it so you can sign the polaroid itself.

The shower then started with tons and tons of food and although I have many pictures of it - this post is already getting too long. It was a combination of Japanese, Korean foods and desserts including: individual heart shaped cakes, chocolate molten cakes, truffle brownies, cream puffs and assorted Korean/Japanese snacks. Then after eating and opening half the gifts we played the toilet paper wedding dress game!

They had 10 minutes with 4 rolls of toilet paper to complete their masterpieces and guess who determined the winners? Yep - ME!!! I ended up picking group one - although group three had a great explanation of why she is covered up so much. They wanted to be a mysterious/arranged marriage bride. But I also heard that her face is actually covered with a veil The winners of the TP dress won aromatherapy body wash. Lucky them .

I think that will be enough for now but I'll continue with part II another day. It was a great shower and everyone had so much fun. The girls didn't spend an arm and a leg for it and we had more than enough food.  *Sigh* I'm the luckiest girl ever...

This an exciting weekend for me because all of my wonderful bridesmaids (except one ) are coming in for a weekend of food, fun and 80s night. It's kind of funny since I'm out of the loop since no one's telling me what's going to happen or what's going on. I've been told already that I'll be kicked out of the room when all the bridesmaids arrive tonight so they can discuss what plans will be.

All I've been told is that tomorrow night is going to be food, karaoke and a lot of dancing... to 80s music!!! I believe we're going to a 80s dance club, I can't wait!!!! I LOVE the 80s!!!!! So I will definitely update with pictures and stories once the weekend is over but I'd thought I'd share with weddingbee the things the girls have done so far.

As far as the shower - my sister (MOH) and my best friend from high school are already baking as we speak. We have on the menu: creme puffs (yes homemade), truffle brownies, white cake with strawberry frosting in heart shape individual cups, chocolate molten cakes, lots of candies in glass jars with ribbons tied around them, japanese snackies. My mom is cooking korean food: mandoo (dumplings), japchae (noodles w/veg and meat), kimbap (korean sushi), teriyaki chicken wings and I forget what else. But the cutest part of all is - they're all in my kitchen right now and I hear them talking and sometimes whispering.

Tomorrow's going to be a lot of fun and I'll be sure to take tons of pics so that you girls can get ideas from my bridesmaids!!!! I'm a lucky girl. Here are some of the things they already had ready. (The mochi we're eating at the moment hehe)

lipgloss/hand lotion favours, chocolates in vases, jelly bellys and creme puffs

shower gel prizes, chocolates in vases again

pockys, candies and such.

chocolate molten cake! (prior to baking)

My friend Sydney (who's dating one of our groomsmen) is the absolute best! She went back to Korea to visit her family and guess what she does for me? She goes and buys me a hanbok (Korean dress) so I can wear it at the reception! It's so pretty and I can't wait to put it on!!!

note: colours are brighter in person

What's even more amazing is that all of the women on my side of the family are wearing one, Sydney's wearing one and hopefully whoever else that has one will wear one too! It's going to be such a beautiful aspect to our wedding especially since hanboks are very colourful and elegant.

We had talked about doing a Paebaek (Korean Ceremony) but we're wondering about the price and also we don't know the order of everything involved in it. So unless we find a place that provides everything, including food and set up. I highly doubt we'll do that. It would have been fun for our non-Korean guests to see this during our reception but we shall see. I'm sure somewhere in the NYC there is a place for this - I'm just not familiar.

I simply can't wait to wear this! Much thanks to Sydney and her Mother for all their hard work finding me such a great hanbok. (For a GREAT price might I add)