I'm Getting Married in the Morning...

Since we want to pack lots of the sweet, sweet reggae music in our summer wedding play list, hardly any tune seems more appropriate than Yellowman's classic "I'm Getting Married in the Morning":



Rewind selectah!!

to Veil or not to Veil

To be honest, I've never fantasized about "Veil" while many brides (specially in Japan. at least as long as i know) do.
As I posted before, I just wanted to have some headband thingy thing.
But, I was blown away when I saw a bride who wore a "Birdcage" type veil :)

via Brenda's Bridal veils

via Tessa Kim

ヴェールって全然興味なかったんだけど。なんか日本だとマリアベールとかなんとかとか（全然知らない）いろいろあるみたいですが、私は前にも書いたような花を頭につけるのがいいかなぁって。

でも、このBirdcage(鳥小屋？）スタイルにビビビッときてしまいました。でも、ドレスのスタイルとの兼ね合いもあるし・・・うーん、悩むところだ。

Let's talk suits, shall we?

Okidoki, Alex here, time to also throw in my ten cents after Kaori's been doing all the hard blogging labor (by the way, isn't she doing a tremendous job? Please put your hands together, ladies & gentlemen, and give it up for the best fiancé in the woooorld!).

Kaori's scratched the 'groom suit' issue before, and...ehem...I'm loving it so far! :) No seriously, we've received some nasty funny comments regarding my initial desire to sport the baby blue prom tux, but I'm actually long over that, really. No hard feelings. Instead, I've really warmed up with the light gray summer suit, three piece sans the blazer. Nice slim cut though - not your average American power suit with the wide shoulders, puffy legs, pleaded trousers and isht.

Here's a good one I saw at our friends at J.Crew:

Fine-stripe cotton suit from J.Crew

We recently heard the comment that this would make me look like Pee-Wee which I took as a HUGE compliment because that's EXACTLY what I was shooting for! :) Love the skinny legs, 2-button blazer and bow tie!

For all my non-American friends: Mr. Pee-Wee Herman

Concluding my post, here a couple o' couples who are doing it right (in terms of light gray suit elements with white shirt, rolled up sleeves, and yellow tie):

Both via Green Wedding Shoes: left & right

Gentleman, it will be a fun suit day on August 7, so give your own closet a second opinion, say yes to color - or consult your local Goodwill for last century's prom tuxes in your size...I sure wouldn't mind. ;)

Love his shoes!! (okay, her shoes are nice, too) via Once Wed

Sorry to all my German readers (hi mom!) that there won't be a translation of the post into my mother tongue like Kaori always uses doing so - I hope you get the point. :)

As to my Japanese readers (hi Akiko!), let's give this a try...clearthroat: 紳士服は、お尻を右に収まるに来る。光やベビーブルーグレー - 両方の罰金です。限り、あなたのパンツのいくつかの種類を着用する。ありがとうございました。 >^..^<

Go Minis

For casual weddings like ours, mini dresses might be great, too.

by Jenny Yoo
above all are $450! beautiful and reasonable.

by Etsy sarahseven
so girly

by Etsy ouma
very whimsical, that's what Alex likes :)

ちょっとミニドレスもいいなぁと思ったりして。
カジュアルウェディングにはこんな感じも合うと思うんだけど、どうでしょーか？

hanging there

All we wanted for our venue is "outdoor" area.

Our ceremony "haven't been picked yet" location will be some park, hopefully, and our reception venue has a back outdoor patio and lounge area.

And this is what I always dreamed for it.

definitely paper lanterns.

and these pom-pom

I just need someone who could help hanging these stuff.

もう、この丸いちょうちん（？）は絶対はずせない！！これを飾るのが夢（小さい夢だな）！

このポンポンもかわいい～。

はい、これを飾るの手伝ってくれる人募集中。

shoes

Love shoes. I don't know since when I have been obsessed with shoes...


しかし、Can't find the perfect pair yet... Alex keep telling me "you have still enough time to find one!".But I'm scared what if...
My shoes should be yellow, high-heel, sandal or pumps, and with ribon or flower or some kinda motif on it.

top row- manolo

bottom row-louboutin

As everyone knows, Manolo&Louboutin are gorgeous!! don't know why they don't have "yellow".

yellow shoes-i google imaged "yellow wedding shoes", don't know the brand. its perfect

pink shoes-by chanel. its lovely!

bottow row- have no idea where its from. seriously omg so gorgeous, perfection! I want it.

To be honest, its much easier to find cute shoes in Japan(than US). They have beautiful shaped (shoes body and heel are perfectly well balanced) and fun color/design. But I can't go back to Japan for just finding shoes.(and also visa issue)

I saw some brides wear this shoes. I have this pair, and love it! (Vivienne Westwood&Melissa)

But, does not match my wedding theme color.


あ～日本に帰って靴探ししたい～。本当に日本の靴は形がきれい。全体のバランスが本当に良い。アメリカの靴って前から見るときれいだけど後姿が不細工とか、なんかどっかが欠けてることが多い。そりゃー7,8万出せばいいんだろーけど、それでもなかなか良いものが見つからん。そんでもって、デザインもなんかもたっとしたのが多いんだよねー。ちょっとキレイ目なのだとフッカーシューズっぽい。そこんとこ日本のは良くデザインされてると思う。

Mexican theme

As I mentioned before we haven't picked a ceremony location yet. However, we already picked a reception location which is in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles. Since it is a Mexican restaurant, I am considering a Mexican themed party.




The colorful banners are so lovely. Smacking a Pinata with Wedding dress is nice :) We both want our wedding to be colorful and fun!

Found Mexican banners.

by Etsy

They customize groom and bride name. Nice.

式の場所は決まってないけど、披露宴（というかパーティ）の場所はダウンタウンのリトル東京にあるメキシカンレストランを予約したよー。最初は黄色をテーマカラーに・・・と思ってたんだけど、ここに来てメキシカンテーマで行こうかなとも考えてます。

Groom fashion

It's not only about me, it's about US.
Seems like I care only myself, huh? NO, that's not true! this is how much I care about him.
Here we go!

by Ruffled

a tight vest and a over sized bow tie, hmmmm how cute!

by ruffled

a super slim grey suit and brown leather shoes. so classy...

I think Alex will look awesome in this kinda fashion.

BUT...
Actually Alex really really wants to wear "Baby-blue super slim suit" and "Frilled blouse" :)

He really wants to be like Temptations. He likes their 60' style.

Or, Mr. Randy Watson from "coming to America".

(another band men wear exactly what he wants.)

なんかこのブログ読んでると自分のことばっかり考えてるみたいだけど、アレックスのこともちゃんと考えてるのです、本当に。私がAlexのファッション決めてます。。(勝手に）本人はペイルブルーのスーツにフリルシャツが着たいらしいけど。。。「星の王子　ニューヨークへ行く」の教会シンガーみたいなやつ。　ごめん、無理！

Photographer

Photograph is priority for our wedding. One of the most important thing.
Oh my, it was looooooong journey, literally, LONG and hard journey.

Today, FINALLY, we signed a contract Photographer Marianne Wilson!

We met up at 101 coffee and chatted about us, our wedding, and her photo styles and so on.
She is super nice and sweet and very talented!
We can't wait our Engage session!!!

I will post about other photographers we contacted before, there are many super cool photographers, but today I just want to feel relief and set us free from the journey :))
It was a long way to come here and I was stressed out, but it turns awesome!
We finally found awesome Marianne!

私たちのウェディングで写真はもっとも大事な一つだったので、もーフォトグラファー選びは大変だった～。すんごい時間とかなりのリサーチをしました。（Alexは最初あんまり興味なかったようだけど、私がかなり教育したら2週間くらいして、写真の大事さと写真のスタイルってものがあって大事なんだと気づいてくれた。）かなりの労力を費やしてやっと、Marianneというフォトグラファーと契約したよー。写真のスタイルも好きだし、なんと言っても値段が安いというか良心的（こういうスタイルのフォトグラファーの中では）。ほんっとうに色々なフォトグラファーがいて、すっごく素敵な写真もいっぱいあるんだけど、やっぱりそこは値段との兼ね合いになってくるので。とにかくたくさんたくさん写真を見て、コンタクト取ることが大事！！　　来月くらいに婚約写真（アメリカではEngage sessionと言って、これをする人たちが多い）があるから今からその構想を練っております。

Headband

by Etsy

Love em! I really want a HUGE flower on my hair.
Alex said, "That's too big....". Really? I think its soooooo pretty!
I have another desire for my head (hair?), but so far this kinda flower headband is my favorite!

35にもなってこんな花を頭につけたいと思うのは間違いでしょうか？
アメリカでのウェディングでいいことは、やっぱり年に関係なく好きなこと出来ることだと思ってるんだけど。激カワイイ、このヘッドバンド。

Save the Date

Ok, here you go again... "Save the date" , this is new to me again.
My people (Japanese) don't do this thing.
We didn't want to spent money for "Save the Date", so we (I mean Alex) built a "Save the Date" website.
I really really love it!! (There are tons of more OUR pics on the site :)

isn't this pretty??

このWebsite送った皆には「何じゃこれ？」って思われたかも？（私たちの写真多すぎだし）

アメリカではSave the Dateってのを、招待状と別に送るんだってー。

私たちはここでまたプリント代をわざわざ使うのも作るのも何だった（面倒くさい～）ので、ウェブサイトを作りました。あ～Alexがウェブデザイナーで良かった。私はちんぷんかんぷんです。

Wedding cake

I had no idea how much wedding cakes cost. I knew it wouldn't be cheap.
$3.50 per slice? or $5.00? They charge per slice? interesting.

Alex and I are thinking to go with "Cupcakes" (I know it has been popular for longest time already.)
Here's super rough list from each cupcakes shop websites.
Approximetely, mini cupcakes average is per $1.50, and regular size is $3.50, maybe?

ウェディングケーキって日本では今、どんなの流行ってるんだろー？
こっちではここ何年かカップケーキが流行ってるようですが。
マジパンで固められたケーキよりこっちの方がおいしそー。見た目もかわいいし。

Budget (予算）とは？

はっきり言って、なーーんの検討もつかないまま始めたこの結婚式の予算プラン。
お互いがそれぞれ出せる額が（ひっくり返ってポケットの中までカラにしてまで）＄4000か？って感じで、「じゃ、＄8000」で。何て決めたからテキトー。
で、それから調べてみたら、まぁ高いこと高いこと。アメリカ舐めてたらいかんよ。
Los Angelesなんて、東京並だわ（東京知らんけど）。「私たちDIYウェディングです」（DIY＝Do it Yourself、自分たちですること）なんて、言っておきながら＄25,000で済みました。ｴﾍｯ。って。ｵｲ。まぁ、招待客が異常に多いってのもあるけど。
もー怖いわぁ。そんな金あったら、アレックスに車買ってあげてよ。ってかんじだし。コンドの頭金にするわ！って感じだし。
なんだか、もー結婚するのが35だとかいうと、現実味帯びてきてそんな大金一日で使えません！でも、結局なんやかんや言っても＄10,000くらいは使うんでしょー？こわいわー。
だから、大事に慎重に計画的にね。使うとこと使わないとこをはっきりと。

Our wedding budget was came up like "how much are you willing to spend for a wedding?".. "ahhh, like $4,000?" "ok, then our budget is $8,000."
Oh my, I expected that having a wedding in the states is much cheaper than one in Japan. HOWEVER, are you kidding? wow, it's really expensive here (or LA? its almost same as Japan). If we have that much money.. ok. let's say average min. cost $25,000(?) for just ONE day, we would love to spend for a "Prius" or "Down-payment for a condo".
Anyway here's super rough plan: (our wedding is small, guests will be 40-50.)
venue & food & drink: $5,000
Photog: $2,000
Rental fee: $300
Cake: $150
Decoration: $500
Total: $7,950

Ok, we can not wear any wedding dress or suits...
haha, actually our $8,000 budget does not include any fashion items. (Alex pays for his suits and shoes, I pay a gown and shoes etc...)
Still, where's flowers???
hmmm, we need to look this over again.

Table Number

This table number looks rustic and cute and EASY :)

I just went to a jobsite yesterday and found a lots of leftover planks (technically those are wood studs :) Then I asked the contractor guy if they can cut those any size.. hmmm, nice...I should take some of them(of course, just from leftovers). and just draw numbers. The thing is... it's "FREE".

昨日、今やってる現場に行ったら何か板が落ちてた。（落ちてたのか？）好きな大きさに切れるらしい。（それがお仕事だからね）ちょっと明日も現場だから余った切れっ端をお願いしてもらってこよう。テーブルは全部で8テーブルくらいになるかなぁ、多めに12,3個・・・　成功すればこれ、タダだわ☆

J Crew

As everyone knows, J Crew is the best place (I think) to pick cute and elegant yet "reasonable" dress.

Vintage taste($695) It seems very popular. This style was all sold out a couple month ago, now they have only size 6 left.

Very elegant ($695)

this is my favorite ($395!), good for our casual wedding.

venue reseach

I contact a lot of venue. (or you could say some.)
My dream wedding was at Ranch. But, realistically, it was impossible.
Here's a list I contacted.
venue list

by 100 layer cake

We haven't found a ceremony location yet.
We are thinking a park. like Griffith park. We need a huge tree behind us.
That's all we want... oh wait, and lawn.

まだ式の場所が決まってないー。公園にしよーと思ってるけど。グリフィスパークとか。大きな木がバックグラウンドにあればいいなぁと。

ring

by etsy

pretty, isn't it?

First step

After people engage, what is the first step?
Finding venue? photographer? date?
Actually, we both are from foreign countries (Germany and Japan), so getting to know the "Standard" wedding of United States was the first step for us.
However, we realized that we wouldn't want to stick with "Standard".
Why should we??? Look at us! Look at this city! It is the mixed culture city!
Our goal is "OUR" wedding without spending ridiculous amount of money.
haha-, we'll see what happens...

Our fams and friends are coming from each opposite sides of the world!

結婚が決まったら最初にすることってなんでしょうか？ 式場、カメラマン、日取り？？
私たち二人とも外国人なんで取り敢えずアメリカの「普通」の結婚式を調べてみたんだけど、
まぁ、金銭的なこともあるしー、って言うんで結局は「私達らしい」結婚式をすることにしました。
一応予算は＄8,000 －果たしてこの無謀な予算でいけるのでしょうか？？？

ハロー！！

改めて･･･
わたくし、香織とAlexander はこの度婚約しました！

2010年8月7日の結婚式までの8ヶ月間いろいろとアップしていきますのでチェックしてねん～。