This is claudne's Green Wedding!

Here's a preview of our official wedding photos.

Irisandlight.net
they're the best photographer/videographer ever!!!

I haven't update this site since last year. wow.
Follow me @ http://claudne.blogspot.com
That's where I've been posting all my wedding stuff plus all other randomness. I have tons of DIY projects to post! :)

Another free day to set mock ups for the table centerpiece. These are semi finished set-up, i wasn't able to buy all the needed materials yet.

2 of my bridesmaids were able to join me last sunday for the much awaited vintage flea market at Long Beach. My cousin (one of my bridesmaids) told me about it :) the place was HUGE! that was actually the first vintage flea market that i've been to and i was so fascinated with every single item that i saw. Felt like i had an ADD for that morning because I just couldn't focus on one thing when there's gazillion other things vying for my attention. From $1 trinkets to $250 typewriter (made 1906) it's a perfect place to be at to gather ideas for decorations. I ended up buying 2 luggage and a white birdcage. I wanted to buy more stuff but I had to control myself and figure out the things that i really need first. I also forgot to bring a cart... you can tell those who are pros at this because they're well prepared! carts, plastic bags, water bottle in hand and superb bargaining skills (something i wish i can be good at). At least now i know what to bring next time i come back! They only have it every 3rd sunday of the month.

Im trying to look for place to rent affordable table linens. I thought buying the fabric and making my own table linen would be cheaper but turned out to be more expensive. (or maybe i don't where cheap fabrics are sold). I bought some from JoAnn so I can have a better idea on how the table set up would look like. I really like the black fabric with swirly prints so I used it as the main table linen then added a green table runner. The actual cloth is darker, it photographed really bright so it looks more like "crayon green".

Some of the uploaded pictures are sideways (sorry about that). I seriously don't know how to rotate it. It's modified in my computer but when i upload it it reverts back to the original file. and the website doesn't have any editing option. oh well =)

I've been to 2 bridal expos this year and on both accounts I was able to check off something from my to-do list. One of them is the catering service. Now if there's one thing we love to do as a couple.. that would be enjoying scrumptious food. from gourmet to home cooked meals, we're very passionate in satisfying our tastebuds. Parties or get-togethers in general consists of munching from beginning to end. When my mom throws a party, guests would need to fast for a day so they would have room for whatever my mom offer them. With that said, i wanted our wedding party to have abundance of good food! Im sure all you brides know that catering isn't as cheap as we hope they would be. I think the first few caterers I inquired had set menus (usually salad, main entree and desert) and they are at least $30/person to $100+/person. As much as we want to have variety of dishes, it's not within the budget. Just when I thought Im gonna be spending $$ on food based on average catering prices, I received an email from Michael (nicest person to work with!) They had a booth at the LA Bridal Expo and i must have signed on their mailing list (couldn't keep track of which booths i signed up for). Their offer is probably the best out there! I simply cant compare them with any of the previous ones I inquired about. To all you brides who are planning for a wedding on a tight budget, La Grotta Di Capri Catering is the answer =) They're offering an "Economic Stimulus Special", for $16.90/person (it's a buffet set-up btw) you get this: (as copied from their website)

This amazing show special is just for the two of you on your special day. Our package is custom made just for you. We include at no extra charge: * Standard Size Table Cloths *Cloths Napkins * Dinner Plates *Bread Plates *Flatware * Water Glasses *Wine Glasses *Champagne Glasses * Professional Staff Show Special Menu * Caesar Salad or Spring Salad * Fresh Bread & Butter * Your choice of two Chicken Dishes from our menu * Your choice of two Fresh Pasta Dishes from our menu * Champagne Toast * Complementary Cake Cutting

Seriously, how can you top that?! Michael Bader (Director of catering) is an awesome person to work with, he is very personable and client-oriented. The day I emailed him that I was interested in their service I immediately got a call back/email within an hour and was able to set up a taste test the following weekend. Since my then fiance was still at training camp I asked my mom and my sister (MOH) to accompany me. Im still in the process of becoming non-vegetarian so I'm still trying to figure out the meat taste. Beef doesn't appeal to me at all, chicken..i can eat it if it i can't taste the chicken (haha), fish..i like =) Anyway, having them was a lot of help because I needed someone who can critique the meat entrees. During the taste test Michael offered 7 dishes: an eggplant appetizer, 2 pasta (Alfredo sauce and Pomarola sause ), 3 chicken (Champagne and I forgot the others) and a special italian beef dish. By the 4th dish we were full! but everything was so delectable, even the chicken dish that i tried was good. It passed our standard needless to say =) One thing I liked about the catering service is that they're very flexible when it comes to the menu selection. They would accommodate your needs from mixing and matching pasta/chicken/beef with their endless list of sauces (I would LOVE to try all of them), down to details like what ingredients to add or omit, even the saltiness or spiciness of the dish could be adjusted based on your preference. That kind of client-oriented service is hands-down the best.

Affordable service + amazing person to work with + client-oriented + irresistible and flavorful dishes = La grotta =)
I have to make sure i get to eat during the reception!!

more info:
La Grotta Di Capri
6267967652
1770 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106

Venue:
Grapevine Park, San Gabriel CA

We initially planned to have our wedding and reception in Pasadena, Ca. We already have a venue in mind but my mom insisted that i visit Grapevine park first before putting a down on the other place. The moment i walked in the venue I was sold! i fell in love with the ambiance and the character of the place. Somehow it ties in with that Corleone, Sicily scene from Godfather (yay!)

Since im a San Gabriel resident, i get additional discount for the venue package. It is amazingly cheaper than all the other venues we scouted. Even without the discount i still think it's cheaper. For brides who are still looking for a venue please please please check it out! It wont fail you. For the price I paid, I get to use the whole venue: indoor multipurpose hall, Grapevine park outdoor: one for ceremony and for the reception, and an outdoor white tent space which im planning to use as my cocktail area. That's not all (starting to sound like one of those cheesy infomercial. haha), the package includes use of their chairs, tables (round and rectangle), a/v system for both indoor and outdoor. Im ecstatic with the $$ i can save for rentals. They also have a huge kitchen which you can use for the occasion for only $90/day.

The only downside...well, not really a downside but minor limitations. Only Wine and Champagne are allowed in this venue.

Parking is definitely not a problem, they told me that i can use the parking lot for the Mission Playhouse next door FOR FREE. Unless there's a show that falls the same day of the wedding.

I feel like im trying to sell this venue, haha. It's just that I LOVE it and im more than happy to share whatever affordable resources i know with other brides.

if anybody needs more info jst msg me =) i have more pictures too just didn't want to flood this post with it.

Hi lovely brides.
Just have few questions about this website, im still learning how to use it. How does messaging work? when you "contact" someone and they reply does it go to an inbox? im trying to find the inbox option on this website and i could see any. Does it go straight to my email?

Also, ive been visiting other websites and some of them have personalized background.. is there an edit option for that so i can apply it to my site?

i think that's all my non-wedding related question for now =)

This is my first mock up of wedding decors/ inspiration board. I don't really know how and where I'm gonna use it, but the lamp would be a centerpiece for sure. I wanted to see how the colors would look together. Most of the stuff in the picture are random things in found in my room. The ones that were purchased (lamp base, glass vase, pearls, green candle holder and crystals) i got from downtown LA and Lamp shade top from Walmart $9.50 (i'm still trying to find a cheaper one online...)

Does anyone know where i can buy battery operated bulb or candle?

That bottle inside the vase was a last minute added detail to this mock up. Im still browsing for unique ideas on what to put inside. Im planning on using the vase (i bought a dozen) to line the aisle for the ceremony area.

this is so much fun! =)

A friend of mine emailed me this link:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/09/living-in.html

i feel in love with the whole theme and now im determined to incorporate as much details as i can for the wedding party.

Few months ago i was in the dire process of coming up with a "theme" for the wedding party, I really wanted it to reflect US as a couple because that's what weddings are about right? His input is greatly important to me because hey, it's gonna be his party too!

My hubby, (yes, im actually married now but we're planning on a wedding party for next year to celebrate with family and friends), made me watch the Godfather trilogy because it's his favorite movie. well, after watching the movie with him for the first time, i surprisingly enjoyed it! i like the story and the whole movie set-up. I googled the movie for more info and found out that the first movie was set during 1940's. Now i happen to love the music genre and fashion from the 40's so it made it easier for us to come up with this theme: Godfather (he especially wanted to include fedora hats =); 1940's vintage glamour; casual fun and quirky coz we both live to laugh and enjoy each day.

im almost done collecting pictures for my ever growing theme board. im moving on the execution part of the planning now and as stressful as it may be at times, i prefer this stage just because i can finally start buying stuff! haha.

I've been planning for our wedding party for few months now. I've been pretty laid back because i figured i still have a year to plan. (current status: OH CRAP I ONLY HAVE 1 YEAR TO PLAN!!) i got most of the major items on my to-do list finalized. so my focus now is geared towards pretty little details to tie the wedding party to our theme.

I've been visiting this site since last year and spent countless hours browsing through pictures and ideas from such creative brides. I figured i should at least join and share what I came up with for my wedding =)

would love to hear feedbacks and meet other amazing brides! =)