Welcome to San Francisco!: A Preview of our Welcome Bags

I have no idea what my deal is, but I am weirdly obsessed with Out-of-Town/Welcome bags. Sometimes as I lay in bed, I fantasize about the day in which I walk into the local warehouse store and buy all of the yummy snacks to fill said bags. Strange? Most likely.

Anyhow, whatever it is, there's something truly exciting in knowing that my guests will be welcomed by a bag of goodies at their hotel room. I know I hate getting into a hotel room, thirsty and hungry from traveling, only to be met by $10 bottles of water and candy bars. It'll be a nice treat for them and another way for us to express our supreme gratitude!

Plenty of lovely bees have put their own twist on the welcome bags/boxes and I intend to follow suit! About a year ago (yes, a year ago), in keeping with the skyline theme from our Save-the-Dates, I purchased customized welcome bags from Favors You Keep. With my new found DIY confidence, I know that I could have perhaps attempted these myself for a fraction of the cost—but, honestly, I'm glad I let someone else take on the task, because I love what I ended up with!

Close-up of the bag detail

An empty bag just waiting to be filled!

In terms of what will actually go in the bag—I've got a few ideas. Mostly some bag staples like water, snacks, and gum. However, I do want to include a few items to help drive home that SF feel—for example, I'd like to include a few Ghirardelli chocolate squares, an SF map and travel guide, and maybe a couple of pre-postaged postcards.

And last, but certainly not least, I intend to tie one of our little mini Moo welcome cards onto the handles.

 Our assortment of Moo cards (each has the same note from the top on its backside)

I can't wait to get the bags stuffed, tagged and settled into our guests' rooms...four months from now. Hehe ;)

Which wedding projects excite you into early action? Are you doing welcome bags?

Open Bar Vs. Cash Bar: Zach the Beverage Guy Reigns Supreme

Prior to planning my own nuptials, I had never attended a wedding expecting an open bar. I kind of always hope there will be beer, wine and perhaps spirits for purchase, but in the rare occasion that a full on open bar is provided—I am legitimately surprised and grateful.

 The Seals at my cousin's wedding reception (Not only was it open bar—it was at a bar!)

When it came time to decide upon the type of bar that we would be providing at our own wedding, I'll admit I was a little naive. I figured, because I never expected free alcohol, that our guests would come to our reception with a pocket full of cash ready to purchase their own drinks—and was thus set on a cash bar.

Now, let me clarify for a moment here—I am by no means implying that having a cash bar (or no bar, for that matter) is naive, simply that my initial decision (without weighing all of the options) was such.

It was soon brought to my attention that asking guests to fly/drive out to San Francisco, pay for hotel accommodations, buy us a wedding gift and then purchase their own alcohol at a party for us was a decision at least worth thinking twice about.

So I did.

And I had a complete change of heart. I soon realized that, for me, having an open bar was something I really cared about. I've never hosted a party and expected guests to pay for refreshments before, so why start with our wedding? Plus, our families really do like to drink—paying for a bar service on their behalf would likely be a much better bargain than having them dish out "per drink" rates.

So I decided I would at least look into it and honestly, hive, I was really surprised by what I discovered. Our venue has only one preferred vendor when it comes to beverage catering (yeah, I didn't know "beverage caterers" existed either), which definitely initially scared me. What if their rates were outrageous? How much would it cost to buy them out and provide my own alcohol? How much is alcohol insurance?! I was a nervous wreck while I waited for the quote.

 

But then the clouds parted, a light shined down upon me and Zach the beverage guy (whom I've never met but imagine to look A LOT like Zeus) said, "HEY CRAZY FACE, YOU CAN TOTALLY AFFORD US! AND WE'RE AMAZING! BOOZE FOR ALL." (Ok, I paraphrased a bit, but you get the point.) I was even more surprised to learn that their "service only" (cash bar) option was only marginally cheaper than the full on open bar.

Background photo via EyeFetch/Photo of Zeus via Peperonity/Tastefully edited by me

(For full disclosure—our reception is scheduled to run from 5pm-12am, but we are closing the bar at 10. It's a bit of a compromise, but I figure five hours of gratis imbibing should do the trick, no?)

I know that the "Open Bar vs Cash Bar" debate can be a bit of a hot button topic and I want to make something clear—though Emily Post would have likely disagreed, I truly believe that each couple knows what works best for them. For example, not every family likes tequila as much as mine does and not every budget allows for five hours of free-flowing booze—definitely consider each option thoughtfully, but do only what you can.

OK. I'll get off my soap box now. Time for a drink.

What, if any, type of bar are you providing at your wedding? How did you come to make that decision?

Squee! A Bridal Shower for ME?!

I'm going to a bridal shower next month, kiddies. Oh, and not just any bridal shower—MY bridal shower! The other day, I got this lovely little thang in the mail and I squealed with joy.

 Forgive the crappy iPhone photo!

How cute are those flowers?! MOH Brandi sure knows the way to my heart with those new "Love" stamps (she went to three different post offices before tracking them down). I hadn't even opened the envelope and I adored the invitations already!

But don't fret, hive—the actual invite is equally adorable.

 A fête hosted by Mama Seal and MOH Brandi? Count me in!

 She included two recipe cards with each invite and boy am I lookin' forward to acquiring some tasty new recipes!

There had been some wavering as to where the shower would be held which caused some delay in invite production—so as soon as the place was set, MOH Brandi (and her sweet BF) feverishly toiled over these during a long weekend to ensure they got sent out with enough notice.

Brandi sent me this photo (which I promptly edited) showcasing some of her hard work:

The task drove her to (5%) alcohol. Ha! She didn't think I'd notice.

Don't tell her this (because she'll use it against me one day!)—but I am so thankful to have this lady in my life, and so honored that she will be standing next to me on my wedding day. We've been friends for nearly 20 years (since she asked if I wanted to play with her "Skip-it" in 2nd grade—remember those?). And despite her move to Delaware a few years back—we've remained just as close. I can't fathom how she is managing to help Mama Seal plan my shower from nearly 3,000 miles away, but she's doin' it and I appreciate it (and her) more than words can convey.

Brandi and Me in back 3rd grade on the left and some time a couple summers ago on the right.

My second lovely MOH (Meghan) and BM Sarah hosted an engagement party for Mr. Seal and I last year and it was amazing, so I am super excited for another wedding get-together! I really have no idea what's in store for me at this event, but I know it will be fabulous in the hands of my ladies and I cannot wait :)
 

How much did you *love* your shower invites? Who is hosting your shower? 

An Impressive Decision: Wax Seals

...and no, I don't mean wax versions of these Seals:

I mean these wax seals:

Image via Tampa Bay Calligraphy

 Image via RageHaus

I gave you a all a sneak peak of our invites a few weeks back, and though I still can't reveal the final product, I can tell you about the seals we've made for them.

We're going the pocket-fold route and I long toyed with how we would keep that flailing little flap at bay. I truly and honestly don't know where the wax seal inspiration stemmed from, I just recall waking up one morning firm in the decision that seals were the way to go. (This may or may not have been subconsciously influenced by my bee moniker.)

Despite my confidence, however, I found the thought of pouring hot wax onto our (not so cheap) invites extremely unnerving. So, I did as any savvy kid would do and logged onto the 'bee for some guidance—and guidance I found! Thanks to Mrs. Sewing's awesome DIY tutorial post, I was introduced to the ingenuity of hot glue gun faux wax.

Going with faux wax had a few perks—1) no mess on my invites, 2) I could make these bad boys far in advance and 3) I am super prone to burns and the further I stay away from open flames...the better. Seeing as how I couldn't think of a single downside (perhaps other than to its minimal associated cost?) to using faux wax, I ordered some wax sticks and a monogrammed stamp from Nostalgic Impressions.

I invited FSIL Tracy over for a crafting date and we got to work.

Our tools of destruction!

I have to make mention (for any of you thinking of attempting this project) that using a glass casserole dish as your wax surface, as Mrs. Sewing did in the aforementioned tutorial, is totally the route to go. We first attempted using wax paper but this had some disastrous and frustrating results and lots of ripping was involved.

FSIL Tracy's steady hand at work atop the casserole dish!

I'd say we spent a total of maybe an hour stamping these little guys and I now have a hearty stash just waiting to be adhered to our invites.

They, quite literally, look like gold!

Are you using seal stamps on your invites? Did you use traditional or faux wax?

Our Favors, Part II: The Grandmother I Knew

Last post I wrote about our See's Candies buffet guest favors and explained the family history behind that decision. I had mentioned that there was a bit more to be told on the favor-front and I will now (finally) explain what that "bit more" is!

And this time it has to do with this pretty lady:

My Nana Sayra Laverne

Our Favors, Part I: The Grandma I Never Knew

Hive, I haven't intended to be so elusive in regards to our favors and I fear I have unintentionally amped them up to be a bit more groundbreaking than they are. They're not quite as unique as Mrs. Tartlet's book charity favors or maybe not as fun as Mrs. Ostrich's CDs, but they come from an important place nonetheless.

And it's partly because of this beautiful lady:

My Grandma Mary

I never had the privilege of knowing my Grandma Mary - she passed at the young age of 56 from pancreatic cancer long before I was born. I can't tell you how weird it has been not knowing this woman - a woman who has touched the lives of so many in my family. Being that I am so very close to Mama Seal, it's strange not knowing the person who brought her into this world and shaped her into everything I aspire to be. Even now, referring to her as "grandma" feels strange to me - as if it's an amazing honor I never earned.

But despite not ever having met her - I feel an intangible closeness to her. Perhaps this is because I imagine her to be a lot like my own mama, or maybe it was all the vivid stories told growing up - I can't pinpoint it, but what I do know is that a day rarely goes by in which I don't wonder what life would have been like with her in it.

 Grandma with Mama Seal and Uncle Seal

My mom and aunties with Grandma Mary

Having already found a way to pay tribute to both my grandfathers and my Nana (more on her later, I promise) at our reception, I had long been thinking of a way to pay homage to Grandma Mary.

And then one night, while celebrating a belated Valentine's Day at what will be our wedding-night hotel, the Sealman hit another homerun. (Recall his previous triumph here.)

We were enjoying some Godiva chocolates and champagne...

...when he asked me a simple question,"Which do you like better, Godiva or See's?" Now, for all of you unfortunate folk unfamiliar with See's Candies, I'm sorry. I really can't describe the candies in a way that would do them justice, so I just won't. However, I can give you the same history I gave Mr. Seal that will hopefully help explain why this was such an easy question to answer.

Grandma Mary worked for See's Candies for years and years and even recruited several other members of the family to work in the factory.

For some relevant imagery, think of this iconic "I Love Lucy" episode:

Image via TvLand/Courtesy of CBS

Grandma was a floor supervisor and after a long night's work would return home to her husband and six children bearing imperfect (yet perfectly delicious) candy rejects and smelling of chocolate. My mom's face still lights up when she talks about that scent and I find great joy in knowing that she and my aunts and uncles need only step foot into a See's Candies shop to be reunited with their mother's fragrant memory.

That affection and appreciation has been passed down and I have nothing but fond (and scrumptious) memories associated with See's.

After sharing all of this with Mr. S, he followed up with another very important question, "Why don't we have a See's Candies buffet at the wedding and dedicate it to your grandma?"

This man? He's a goldmine.

Photo courtesy of The Marin Studio

So, that is exactly what we will be doing. As half of our favors to our wedding guests, we will let them indulge in a buffet of delicious yum-filled chocolates.

Image via See's Candies

I think the grandma I never knew but love anyhow would really like that ;)

What are you doing for your guests? How are you incorporating family into your wedding and/or paying homage to lost loved ones?

Stay tuned for Part II - I'll reveal the last component of our favors!

Money-Saving Methods: The Piggy Bank (Reveal)

We have a winner! (And she will be announced at the end of this post to forever live in BEE GLORY!)

In Part I, I introduced you to Mr. Piggy and asked you all to wager some guesses as to how much he was worth. If you recall, Mr. P was housing the savings for our favors (which I promise to reveal soon, kids) and we set a goal of around $600.

Big Brother Seal is a coin aficionado (a hobby passed down from my maternal grandma) and he and FSIL Maria kindly agreed to help me sort out my change one evening.

We started out with this:

I don't know if you can see that fat stack of cash on the left - Big Brother Seal told me putting cash in the piggy was cheating. I said my Piggy doesn't discriminate - money is money!

After inspecting the coins for hidden gems...

...and adding a couple of special finds to Big Brother Seal's collection...

...and filtering out the foreign coins...

(I bet Miss Gazelle and Mrs. Cinnamon Bun could tell you more about this one)

...we ended up with:

Bills

$1 x 62 = $62

$5 x 12 = $60

$10 x 6 = $60

$20 x 5 = $100

Coins

Pennies x 850 = $8.50

Nickels x 360 = $18

Dimes x 400 = $40
Quarters x 240 = $60
Half Dollars x 6 = $3
1 Dollar Coin x 2 = $2

GRAND TOTAL...

Not too bad, eh? Only a couple hundred shy of our total goal and over four months left to save ;)

Thanks to everyone who played along!

The winner, with a guess of $413 is...dinajean! Woohoo! Congrats!

And...if she doesn't claim her prize (of virtual high-fives from yours truly), the booty will go to the lovely Miss Pony with an amazingly close guess of $412.89.

How are your piggy banks doing? Are you close to reaching any of your "mini-goals"?