Seattle Wedding Expo

It is that time of the year!!
The Grand Seattle Wedding Expo at the Convention Center January 7-8, 2012!
I went there with my maid of honor that will be getting married this coming August as well.
The entrance fee is quite expensive $17, but i think it is worth it as many vendors offer you "Wedding Expo only" deals when you went in there.
I was a bit bummed when i found out that the Entertainment book coupon for the wedding expo was not valid for this particular expo. Nevertheless, the trip inside was worth it.
I got $40 off deal from Men's Wearhouse when i signed up inside, also trying out many delicious cakes.

One trend for 2012 that I seem to notice is:
1) Pies instead of normal cakes
2) Many truck-mobile vendors: Skillet burgers catering, molly moon dessert truck.
3) Photo booth options: from flipbooks to traditional photo booth.

I Love Vistaprint

I think ordering Wedding stationery from Vistaprint is a bliss!!
www.vistaprint.com
Look out for some groupon deals on vistaprint.
Although groupon said it is 50% off the value, but because of random deals that Vistaprint regularly offers, it is technically about 20% extra on top off whatever Vistaprint usually offers. Still good deal though =)

Here's some ideas from other brides:
http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/ideas-for-free-vistaprint-items/2abf6902970b6
http://vistaprint-goddess.weebly.com/

What I have done via vistaprint:
- Save The Date magnet
- Invitation & Enclosures
- Rehearsal Dinner Invites
- Thank you postcards & cards
- Personalized pens
- Puzzle card for reception
- Circle stickers for envelopes seals & other wedding needs
- Wedding Calendar
and.....oh, my "here comes the bride" banner :)

Shoes!

My diy shoes with the "I Do" Mindy Weiss rhinestones :)

Staying in Shape

In the effort of staying in shape and looking great on our wedding day,
we did Zumba last night! Thanks to Eva Chen for lending us her zumba concert video.
Thanks to my fiance to drag my butt off the couch and did zumba with him for 1 hour!
(Well, i didn't last that long, i quit after 45 minutes :P)
Zumba is way more fun than gym or running.
Perhaps one of these days, we'll host zumba party somewhere =)

Guestbook Ideas

I am brainstroming for alternative guest book ideas besides the regular sign-in book or picture album.

Here are my choices:
1. Wishing Tree
I have 2 of these 5' Silver metal tree.....so i figure wishing tree is great!
http://www.shopwildthings.com/mecatrswclbe.html

2. Guest book calendar

3. Photo puzzle guest book

1. from http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/topic/wishing-tree-038-card-box-038-easle
2. from http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/
3. from .http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-sarah-justins-sweet-smog-shoppe-wedding/
They all look so fun :) Which one is your favorite?

First Dance

Swing or Waltz or Fun Suprise ?
What's your song? =)

Picking the date!

Being a bride-to-be myself, picking a date can be so tricky!
I never thought that it will be "that- hard"

1. Talk to your parents (if you have Asian, particularly Chinese, or from any other ethnicity background, your parents might have "good dates" in mind)
2. Bear in mind if you like roses, try to avoid 1-2 weeks before and after Valentine's day- your flowers will be tripled.
3. If you are or many of your guests are religious, try to avoid those Lent or fasting periods.
4. If you have siblings in school or you are still in college too, try to get married around the school breaks.
5. Consider holidays- see whether your important guests will be available or they might be traveling somewhere?
6. Summer (starts May through September) and December weddings are by default more expensive than other months like October, November, January, February, March, or April.
7. Most of the time, Sunday or Friday night wedding receptions will be cheaper than Saturday as well.

My best advice, plan early!- 1 year ahead is highly recommended so that you can get the your date of your choice as most the venues get booked a year before.

More resources:
http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/wedding-dates-to-avoid.aspx?MsdVisit=1
http://weddings.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/Badweddingdates.htm