The Center Of It All - Well Sort Of

Centerpieces are but one element that should carry the theme (wait, there's a theme?!) of the reception throughout the night. They can can either tie everything together, provide an unnecessary barricade or fall flat and be overlooked. There are a myriad of options out there ranging from candles like hurricane candles and candleabras to vases overflowing with your choice of flowers to centerpieces with both candles AND flowers. I have not doubt that most florists can assemble something to most people's liking (& budget!). I, however, am not like most people.

With that being said, I may be a bit opinionated when it come to planning this wedding but I expect what I want - It's that simple. Almost a year from the date and I have no idea what the perfect centerpiece will be - yet. Here are some of the points to consider:

* size (small, short, tall, narrow, etc.)
* style (candles, flowers, potted, vase, other fauna, etc.)
* motif (classic, modern, country, symmetric and uniform, etc.)
* table layout (size, shape, # of seats, etc.)
* season (ours is a fall wedding)
* time of day (afternoon, evening, night, etc.)
* locations (tables, washrooms, cocktail location, welcome table, ceremony, etc.)
* HER bouquet (flowers, color)
* clean up (or will the guests just take them home?)
...and last but not least
* cost


Above all else I think a centerpiece shouldn't be overwhelming. I want guests to be able to see each other either across from one another at the table or across the dance floor. Height is key for me. I'm not sure what the perfect height is but I would sacrifice girth for height no question. The problem then becomes one of stability. Tables get bumped into (for drunken and/or other reasons) and a centerpiece toppling over during the night is not an option.

Resources are out there but they are limited. I've found these to be helpful at first glance:

* Better Homes & Gardens
* The Knot (Obvsiously)
* Centerpiece Building Blocks
* The Wedding Channel


While there is plenty of time to argue - achem - negotiate over the details here are a few that I'd like to use as inspiration:

Random Thoughts of Weddingness

* With almost year to go, Coco and I are finalizing our plans for the Honeymoon. As much as I'm sold on hitting Thailand, I am having a hard time pulling the trigger on flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui and finally from Koh Samui back to Bangkok in order to return to NYC. [Here's a map] Seems like a lot of flying, no? I haven't quite worked out the total time commitment needed but think it might eat into time at the actual destination. Perhaps we cut Bangkok short - I've seen plenty of dirty city in NYC.

* We've countdown past the 400 day mark and are QUICKLY (almost too quickly if you ask my man purse.) approaching the 365 day mark. Whoa. It will definitely be here sooner than we think.

* We're going to visit the Carlyle in a few weeks to check out the grounds for photos and lighting. Around the same time we'll partake in our discounted din-din at The Oak Room with Big A and Mrs. Big A. (Mom, have no fear, I want you to see and taste what the Carlyle has to offer the next time you're up in NY!)

* We just got back from a great trip to the Berkshires; we hit John Williams at Tanglewood on Saturday night for his film night tribute to the great British director, David Lean, creator of Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, A Passage to India, and Doctor Zhivago. Here's the program.

Sunday was all about betting the the ponies at Saratoga. I know it wasn't for the Travers but it still was a great time! What a beautiful race track. (pix to follow shortly!) I'm still trying to figure out why I didn't bet our wedding savings on War Pass in the 3rd?? Big A said "pound it". You think I listened?? It was a losing day for me but here are the results in case you're interested - [here]

* We got a letter from Brad that says he hopes to be done with this war on or around July 4, 2008. Should I count on that given the state of things??

* Wedding Dress decisions are upon us (or Coco for that matter) and I'm sure tensions will rise. Her first venture out is in a week or two I think. My opinions vary and I've had my say, LOL, and think Coco will make the right choice. Big A and I will be passing the time at Shea as Los Mets take on the Phillies. Is it me or has the progress on Citifield exceeded your expectations?! Be sure to check out the time-lapse constructions web-cam on the right of the page.

* Not that I need another distraction but classes start up today for the fall term. Hear me now, but listen to me later, children - if you can afford to do it full-time - do it. 60+ credits across almost 4 years isn't as much fun as it's cracked up to be.

A Request Regarding Brad

At the request of Boogie via Chicago:

For those that may be interested in sending a holiday care package (yes, they are already thinking about Christmas!) to Brad, here's his snail-mail address:


Sgt. Meetze, Brad
A Co. 2-508 PIR
FOB Ghazni
Jalalbad Airfield (JAF)
Bagram
Apo, AE 09354

Be prepared to receive a letter of thanks. I am no doubt sure that it will also include a list of items not to send him next time.

Wedding Photography

Even thought we've finalized who our photographers (& videographer) will be, I came across this contest sponsored by the Wedding Photography Directory. It's a reach but I wonder if any of the photographers from DUET have entered or made the cut. Check out the 100 finalists! [Here] Take the time to look at them all. It's worth it.

I'm not sure who it's open to but I have my suspicions that you must be member before
you can submit. Bummer if you've got some good stuff out there. I know a few friends might want to look into this when the contest for 2008 opens.


My comments after viewing:

~The site could be set up in such a way that you can get to the next photo from the preceding as opposed to having to return to the index. (Read: use 'Next' arrows)

~There are some really great shots. Very creative. Very artistic. I hope that some of ours come out the same.

~What's with wearing masks on your wedding day??!

~I wonder how many are Photoshop-free?

~There may be only a few I don't like. Pretty impressive.

~Angry Bride is classic!


Some of my favorites:

In no particular order...

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5] I like the concept but the photo isn't sharp enough.

[6] Again, good concept but I think it is overdeveloped.

Do you have a favorite?

Familial Update - Afghani Style

Via Momma Mac, I've received a slew of pix from Brad. Most are from his tour of duty with the Army either on the way to Afghanistan (ie. boot camp, Shannon - Ireland), in Afghanistan (Ghazni) or on a short leave down in Florida. Take some some time to see what he sees. I'm always amazed by the climate in Afghanistan.Come home soon, kid.

Brad's Army Pix - v1

Starting The Week Off Right - Sort Of...

Television
It looks like Coco will be a bit disappointed as one of her favorite shows is bound to have trouble on the set. It seems Chase has backed out of his upcoming nuptials to House kitten Allison Cameron. Booo. What a way to spoil a romantic proposal atop Le Tour Eiffel. Read about the details here. I wonder if it had to do with the lack of success on their movie "Flourish"??


Politics(???)
I haven't figure out yet if this quote is legit or not but it's fitting none-the-less ; rock on Jenna Bush:

"The president's friend and long time adviser Karl Rove has graciously consented to remain on board past his August resignation deadline to serve in the capacity of Chief Wedding Coordinator and strategist as a favor to the president," offered Dana Perino. "Negotiations are underway to have the president's personal pastor, reverend Luis Leon officiate the ceremony but there is a minor sticking point over a mandatory series of prenuptial birth control counseling sessions." - Gotta love Unconfirmed Sources.

Unfortunately for the blue team, popularity ratings for GWB are likely to soar (perhaps out of sight??). Can you say publicity?? I hear the White House wedding of Alice Roosevelt took up the entire front page of The Washington Post — every column — and a song about her was the No. 1 hit in the country, and they named a color (Alice Blue) after her. GASP. I wonder how The Post will counter??


Humor
Jimmy Fallon is officially off the market as he popped the question to long time GF Nancy Juvonen (who??). Ohhh, that's who. Am I the only one annoyed with Metromix's report?? - "It's the first engagement for the former "Saturday Night Live" star and Juvonen..". Presumption of 'multiple engagements' is not only uncalled for but eerily American, n'est pas?

Not So Humor
aka Buzzkill. And people say there's a god. As if.

Addendum - Baby Related

Ps...I forgot about the third baby item...[Buffalo, baby, Buffalo]

3) Big ups to Baby EP (really, Lil Hugh Parker) - I hear he has more than two teef..(Coco would call them toofins, right??) Rumor has it has he can stand all by his lonesome but I wouldn't know - I haven't seen pix since C-Town days. Insanity isn't it...

pps......I'm running Memphis-style with tons of southern hospitality tomorrow night at JT's H-O-T show. Holla.

Baby Related

Tough times call for tough measures - and by tough I mean "I've terrible about making regular posts"! It's time for a change people!

And with that I have two pieces of baby-related news:

1) One of my mates from UB (TK in the house!) has had his first baby. Tom and Summer have brought Siena Rose Kassmel into this world. (I'd post a pic but I don't have one - Sorry TK & Summer)

2) Coastie bro Seannie and his wife Jenoa have received a 99.99% confirmation that they are expecting a baby girl. And here I thought they'd be blessed with triplet boys - twins at the least...

Brides Decide? - Decide What??

Using Google's Reader I clearly get a picture of what's going on in the world specific to news I am dying to read about.

Get a load of this juicy, and I suspect controversial, tidbit; David Liu, the money-making genius behind TheKnot.com, is taking bridal decision making skills to a new level. BridesDecide wants brides (& bridegrooms, I suspect) to get more involved in the 2008 presidential election.

They provide some pretty interesting features like side-by-side comparisons by issue (abortion, health care, education, etc.), a voter registration link and various polls about *important* issues.

They've gone so far as to dig up the particulars of each candidate's nuptials complete with real wedding photos. (Oooh.) As expected, former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani's wedding profile is a bit lacking. I'm not sure their programmers knew how to take into account the whole second-cousin thing. Here is NNDB's run-down on him. Please note "Mistress" classifier. Ouch. (disclaimer: I helped elect him into office)

Since I'm knee-deep in guest list F-U-N, I'd love to see what the guests lists look like and what their lifetime political contributions tally up to.

Come to think of it, I'd like to see BridesDecide include *potential* candidates, too; Al Gore, Fred Thompson, Newt Gingrich, Bloomberg, Chuck Nader... Why not, right?!

The US divorce rate (1st marriage is 41%, 2nd marriage is 60%, 3rd marriage is 73%) keeps flashing into my mind - The cynic in me hopes this doesn't somehow project to voter turnout.

We're Back NYC....Did You Miss Us?!?

Briefly...

*Chicago rocked. Lori and Bart = great hosts.

*The Mets not only took 2 of 3 from the Cubbies but the team also stayed at our hotel. S-W-E-E-T. Sightings at the Westin include David Wright, Howard Johnson, Marlon Anderson, Ramon Castro, Jorge Josa, Pedro Felicianco, Paul Loduca, Tom Glavine, Jerry Manuel, Aaron Heilman (& wife), Moises Alou, and Lastings Milledge. Not bad, huh!?!

*Chicago seemed much cleaner than NYC and locals seemed exceptionally nice. Almost too nice if you ask me.

*We saw Bulls stalwart Will Purdue checking out of our hotel. Damn, he is t-a-l-l.

*The only way to see Wrigley is from the Skybox on Sheffield. OMG. I'm rethinking my bachelor party destinations as we speak.

*While edible, Chicago-style pizza doesn't have anything on NYC-style pizza (Smiling Pizza on 7th Avenue @ 9th street in Park Slope rules!) - one shouldn't have to use a knife and fork to eat pizza, right?

*The Peninsula Hotel Bar is swanky. Men, be alert. Ladies are on the prowl. Try not to fall for the "Can you teach me something about cigars?" line. Remember how Clinton fell for it?

*Until January 1, 2008, bar (& restaurant I believe) patrons can smoke inside until their heart's content. G-A-S-P.

On The Road Again...

The HerWayOrTheHighway wedding couple is off to the Land of Capone to see 1) another wedding couple and 2) support the Metropolitans as they take on the H-O-T Cubbies.

See you on Tuesday.