Things received:
- Freeze dried rose petals
- Eiffel tower cake topper
- Wedding Favors
- Paper parasols
- Dinner and Cocktails napkins

Things to receive:
- Gold shoes
- Flower girl dresses
- To have and To Hold orb for ring bearer
- More wedding favors
- Vases for centerpieces

Things to order:
- Personalized ribbons
- Paper for menu, table numbers, escort cards

Things to do:
- Sign contract with caterer
- Rent more chairs for ceremony
- Create cones for petals tossing
- Create menus
- Create table numbers
- Create escort cards
- Create wedding programs

I just bought two colors of Freeze Dried Rose Petals from FlyBoy Naturals:
 

Summer Sun and Coral Pink

They were pretty expensive because I got the 60 cups + 6 Free. Shipping is around $40.

I will post pictures when I get them!

It's 12:24am and I'm not asleep yet. I'm waiting for the CD that I made to finish verifying. We've been going to dance lessons a few times a week and tomorrow we're going to start putting our "dance" together so I had to edit the song using Cool Edit Pro.

Wedding favors have been ordered!
Cocktail napkins and dinner napkins have been ordered!
Parasols have been ordered!

Next ...

Logo for Gobo
Songs list for DJ
Songs list for Trio
Finish writing wedding ceremony
Silk flower petals
Create timeline
Create ceremony program
Create menus
Create reception program
Buy hair accessories
Buy wedding jewelery

We originally got a menu that was more exotic than what our families could handle so I did a search for really simple/basic cocktail foods and this is what we came up with:

Cocktail Sandwiches on White and Brown Bread (Meat and Vegetarian)
Crab Wontons
Chicken Skewers with Peanut sauce dip
Beef Tenderloin brochettes
Oven baked scallops wrapped in bacon
Fresh Fruit Salad

Drinks:
Orange Juice & Soft Drinks
Freshly Brewed Coffee & Tea
Strawberry Daiquiri
Lime Daiquiri

We've hired the Civilization Museum for the catering.

Because there is NOTHING in Canada, everything I order online is from the US and I'm paying crazy shipping fees.

I just ordered 40 parasols (half red, half yellow), shipping is half the cost of the total order!

 

I hope to be able to order the wedding favors, napkins & coasters, and silk flower petals today.

---

Update:

Napkins and cocktail napkins ordered from Foryourparty.com

I was feeling pretty "blah" yesterday. I was being very indecisive and suggested that we take a spontaneous trip to Toronto, to which he answered with "Not this weekend, maybe another weekend. Do you want to go to Loblaws?" -- I was not impressed. I thought this was typical "now that we're living together, go to the grocery store and get me food" attitude.

Once we got home, I told him that I wanted to do nothing more than to sit in the home theater room, eat watermelon and veg. However, at around 7:30pm, P-Man insisted that we go out and get some food. Once we were in the car, he told me to keep my eyes closed and that he'll take me to a new place to eat. I lowered my car seat and thought he'd just take me to a restaurant by the river. He told me "It's nothing big but I think this will be fun. We have to go there late because it gets really busy there. I have to do this more often. I'm just sort of winging this but I think it will be good." He drove and drove for about half an hour or more. I could not figure out where we were going at all and he told me that we've never been there so I didn't try to guess.

Once we arrived, he told me to wait in the car and keep my eyes closed. He went for about 5 minutes and when he came back to the car, he tried to get me to follow him with my eyes closed. I was freaking out at this point because the door was squeaking and it smelled old. I thought that maybe he was taking me to a cemetery and broken into one of those graves that holds a family. After a while, he picked me up and carried me up two flights of super steep stairs. While he was taking me up these stairs I asked him, "Patrick! How are you taking me upstairs without anyone saying anything???" At that point, I figured that maybe he had taken me to an old bed and breakfast and there were no patrons. I was soooooo wrong.

He sat me down and told me to open my eyes. To my surprise, he had taken me here!



He was on one knee and trying to catch his breath. I could not believe it. When we first started dating, he arranged for a private tour of the Bytown Museum with the museum's director after hours because I wanted to hunt for ghosts. That was the same night that we fell in love with each other.

"This is how I've always wanted to propose to you because this is where we fell in love. I love you so much and can't imagine myself with anyone other than you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you to be my wife, will you marry me?"

At this point, I had already transformed into a human water fountain. I said "yes" and he pointed to the camcorder that was recording.

I want to always remember how he looked at me, on bended knee, when I opened my eyes. He looked at me with so much love, I couldn't believe that he had done all this for me! It was then that I felt like I was grounded again and although there is so much work in planning a wedding, I just want to marry Patrick and become his wife! I am the world's luckiest girl to have his love.


Bytown Museum is where we had our engagement pictures taken.

I love you Patrick!!! I love you I love you I love you!

HOORAY!

We got our MARRIAGE LICENSE today! I was so giddy with excitement ALL DAY. Seriously, I was such a happy camper before sleeping last night in anticipation for the monumental event today at city hall. Even the woman who was sitting next to us in line at city hall asked us if we wanted her to take a picture for us, "I figured that you were here for your marriage license since you are so happy."

DAMN RIGHT I'M HAPPY! :) As we sat patiently waiting for our number to come up, the woman next to us shared stories of her wedding 20 some years ago.

I am seriously so happy right now. I don't know why but getting this marriage certificate makes me feel ... at peace. Does that make any sense? I am CERTIFED to marry my big French Man! YAY!


This is what Patrick looks like after he pays.

I just realized that I haven't said a word about where we're going for our honeymoon! Given that we are paying for our own wedding, we definitely do not have the luxury of escaping our normal habitat for an extended period of time. However, with the amount of time that we do have, it will be spent relaxing on the beaches of Hawaii. Originally we were planning a European honeymoon but given the time constraint + too many attractions would mean that we'd probably be entirely pooped. So although it's going to be insanely hot while we're there, I'm definitely going to enjoy being away from work! The trip to Hawaii (location, hotel, timing) was arranged by P-Man as I am consumed with wedding plans. I definitely appreciate him taking the initative and getting that done!

A disadvantage of not having an engagement party to celebrate is that I feel like no one really cares that we're getting married and they also don't realize the amount of work that is required.

It gets worse because my parents and his parents aren't really big on celebrations and definitely aren't familiar with planning what is essentially a big party. Our friends are all pretty wrapped up in their own lives and have not offered us any help. I'm fairly positive in a not so postive way that it won't really feel like we're getting married until some of my relatives/out-of-town guests actually start coming into Ottawa (Most of my family members aren't even in the country). In the meanwhile I'm busy making tons of arrangements, yet our parents and friends still expect us to be able to commit the same amount of time to them as though we aren't planning a wedding. Yes I understand that it's just a 1 day event, but this 1 day event is costing us a lot of money.

Although we will definitely not be "showered", and I don't expect anyone to offer us help with much, the least that I should be able to expect is that they don't request help from us. That kind of behaviour is what ticks me off and makes me want to stop talking to these people. It's not just that they have the nerve to ask, it's the manner in which they ask the favor in. You realize we are incredibly busy, how dare you ask us to do you a favor ASAP. Inconsiderate and selfish attitudes like these makes me wonder why we didn't just elope.

I have rented gold chivari chairs for the ceremony and reception. I'm pretty sure that Patrick will wring my neck if I try to add anything else to the budget now that it is TWO MONTHS UNTIL THE WEDDING! But I'm still dreaming about red linens that reach the floor. Our round tables are large, which means that 120" will not reach the floor. Right now we will be having white table linens with gold overlays ... but my biggest beef with this is that the table cloths will not reach the floors! Sigh. This has also totally messed with my color scheme, why don't reception halls have linens in multiple colors?

What do you guys think? Should I just leave the tables as they are?

Now that I have ordered my veil and OBridal has sent me the tracking number (Wow, quick service!), I have to concentrate on my hair!

These are some pictures that I have collected:



( + a couple )

Which one should I get?! I wish I could have 2 hairstyles :( Could I? :D

My veil search is over! Last week, I made a point of visiting local boutiques and seeing what they had to offer. I was able to cross off every bridal boutique because they didn't meet my requirements:
- Veil needs to be 108" cathedral length
- Veil needs to be no more than $150!
- Nothing sparkly on veil
- Must include detachable blusher

Basically the CHEAPEST veil I could find was $150 and it was super short (much like the one that I already have at home). I ended up buying my veil at Obridal.com because I refuse to pay $400 for a piece of tulle that I will only be wearing for a few hours maximum. The woman was really helpful and answered my e-mails within a reasonable time period. I also had the option of requesting a rush order with no additional fee. I will take a picture as soon as I receive the veil!

Ever since we got engaged, I've been searching for "the perfect wedding favor." After an endless amount of google image searching, I've also come to the conclusion that there really is no perfect wedding favor. Even if you had a huge budget for wedding favors, nothing seems to have that "meaningful" element to it.

I really did not want to give chocolates/mints/candies. I also detested the idea of giving dollar store coffee scoops or overpriced keychains.

Increasingly discouraged, I tossed around the idea of giving tea tins (as a sign of respect) or setting up a candy buffet (fun for the kids!). Neither of those ideas stuck since they still didn't have that "memorable" aspect. I kept imagining the tea leaves being boiled and the tin being tossed or the keychain rusting and breaking apart.

Finally, I realized that in order to give my guests something special that they can keep forever and still have it be affordable for me, I'd have to make part of it.

I've now decided to volunteer my Daddy's beautiful handwriting (using a calligraphy brush) on red scrolls that guests can either hang on the wall or just keep on a bookshelf.





I plan on asking my Dad to write a Chinese love poem/proverb on each of these scrolls and include an english/french translation. I've always adored his Chinese calligraphy and I'd love to share it with everyone. I've already ordered 5 samples from India and they should be here in about a week! I'm so excited!!

What do you think? Would you keep this wedding favor?

Around a week ago, I ventured out to a local florist called Flowers Talk and met with Elizabeth. I had already heard of great things about this florist and knew that she has done many beautiful weddings.

My requirements are the following:
1 Bridal Bouquet - Peach and Pink Peonies & Roses
1 Groom's Boutonniere
2 Mother corsage
1 Grand mother corsage
2 Fathers boutonniere
6 Boutonniere
Sweetheart table
8 cones of flowers for chairs at ceremony
Standing balls of flowers for ceremony

------------------------------------
The cost is $1300 (with taxes)

We have decided to book with Flowers Talk due to Elizabeth's (who is also the owner) extensive knowledge of flowers. I loved how she wasn't afraid to tell me what she didn't like about some of the flowers she has done and I also found that we have similar tastes in flowers. Since I know nothing about flowers, I appreciate someone who can offer good advice! Before going to Flowers Talk, I also paid a visit to Carling Flowers because I was hoping to get the "special deal for Chinese customers" (no tax and 10% off flowers), but I was scared away by the owner not know what kind of flowers were in the picture I showed her.

Lesson to learn from this is "don't always try to find the best deal!" :)

** Picture reference:
http://images.gtdecorations.com/product_thumbnails/39630073/200_200_pink.jpg http://www.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/07/604.jpg
http://www.distinctivedesignsforweddings.com/images/tn_ceremony-chairs1.jpg
http://patmarkphoto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/041407_h.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/2wevwpy.jpg
http://www.wildflowers-design.com/brides_magazine/brides_magazine_cover.jpg

Originally we were going to have our Chinese Tea Ceremony in the morning at Chateau Laurier. Then I realized that I'd be really rushed and really didn't feel like switching from my Chinese Qua to my ceremony dress in such a short period of time.

This is the tea set that we bought in Toronto (except ours has about 6 cups):



Apparently people have been using this tea set style for decades because my Mom said that they used to have this exact same tea set but they gave it away! Back then it only cost them $15, I bought this for almost $40!

Along with the tea ceremony, Patrick's friends & family will also be arriving with "gifts". These gifts are traditionally part of the betrothal and includes items such as a roasted pig, double happiness cakes, fruits, etc (my parents have made a list of all the items). I will talk about this some more as we get closer to the wedding!

I could not sleep last night. I kept tossing, turning and calculating how much we have paid, how much there is to pay and how much we can expect from wedding gifts (using the worst case scenario: where all I can depend on is moola from our parents and my relatives).

Then I kept trying to calculate the sources of the growing cost of our wedding. Reception, photographer, videographer, dresses, cake, flowers, ceremony location, caterer ... the list goes on. At 5am, I woke Patrick up and tried to get him to talk to me.

Jenny: "Patrick, I can't sleep. I'm worried about the cost of the wedding."

I don't know what I expected, I guess I was hoping that he'd wake up and calm my fears so that I could sleep. But all he did was tell me that he had a big day and needed rest.

So then I went back to worrying and trying to figure out how long it would take to pay off our debt.

Sighhh. I imagine that there will be many more sleepless nights for me in the next two months.

Around a month ago, we scoured Toronto for the most perfect red lanterns to change our very western-style Congress Centre into a little chinatown. We ended up buying $500 worth of lanterns of various sizes. Here are the lanterns all wrapped up!



The weekend after, we spent it at my parents and put together our invitations! My awesome Dad handwrote every envelope and also added a little quote inside for the non-Chinese speaking guests. The invitations are trilingual (French, Chinese and English).

Our invitations:



( More pictures )

Cake Testing! We have decided to go with Swiss Pastries:

We are almost 2 months away from the wedding! Yesterday was a really busy day and we were able to cross a lot of things off our list.

9:30AM - Make up trial with Grace's Esthetics
I got to Grace's a tiny bit late due to construction and I was also confused about where I could park. I generally do not like to park on the street because my car is black and gets dirty really easily.
Excuse me for my hair, this was just a make up trial and I usually do nothing with my hair:

I tried to take pictures while I was driving out to Carleton Place. You can't see the make up really clearly but I was not happy with this trial at all. Basically my eyes were full of glue, the lashes were cheap and criss-crossed. The lipstick was also not applied correctly in my opinion. You could see a clear separation between the fake lashes and my real lashes. If I hadn't pushed her, she wouldn't have even put eye liner/mascara on. The eye shadow wasn't blended in well at all!

( Don't look honey! )

That's all for now! I will post pics of my lanterns and wedding invitations in my next post!

I have found the wedding cake that I want!! And the baker that we have pretty much chosen said that it will be no problem!!!

Without further ado, here is our beautiful cake design:






This fits perfectly with our theme! My Chinese Paris!

Brides this year, who are mailing their invites, will be pleased to find that the rats that appear on the Canada Post stamps are dressed like traditional Chinese bride and groom! Check it out here:
http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/collecting/default-e.asp