I Guess I Do

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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Top Ten Father/Daughter Dance Songs

Continuing with the parent dance song theme, here are some ideas for the Father/Daughter dance. My dad and I chose to dance to the first song on the list because my dad had always loved Elvis Costello. It also helped that I listened this song on the Notting Hill soundtrack on repeat during all of high school. Below is a variety of songs I think would make for great picks!

1. “She” – Elvis Costello


2. “To Make You Feel My Love” - Adele 


3. “Forever Young” – Rod Stewart


4. “American Honey” – Lady Antebellum 


5. “My Girl” – The Temptations 


6. “God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton


7. “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder 


8. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Steve Tyrell


9. “You’re My Best Friend” – Queen


10. “Send Me On My Way” – Rusted Root 







Monday, February 24, 2014

Amy & Brian Trevisan

Meet Amy and Brian. Their wedding was definitely one for the record books - chalk full of  I Guess I Do moments. But what I love, is that their wedding is the definition of this blog. Despite all that went on behind the scenes, they didn't let it put a damper their night! Enjoy Amy's hilarious story in her own words below! 
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A wedding is a glorified party for 2 people celebrating their love and union together. Granted, you only hope to do this once in your life, at the end of the day, it is a party and that is it. I see my friends going through the planning right now and I can’t help but think about my wedding and everything that transpired that day. The booze was flowing, 80’s music was blasting and the food was good. These are the things people remember at a wedding. Not the nit-picky little things like napkin colors, flower arrangements, wedding favors, etc. 


I know I sound like every bride when I say my wedding was a great time for all. From the outside looking in it was well coordinated and planned. The flowers looked nice, my dress was beautiful and the venue was romantic (the ceremony and reception were held at a yacht club overlooking the Huntington Harbor area). What my guests didn’t see was the crazy bride-to-be running around with her head cut off all day and not taking in all of the great moments we are “supposed” to experience. On the day of my wedding everything that could go wrong went wrong. Here is a little rundown of my wedding day (which ended up being one of the best days of my life).

8am: Woke up (hungover) in a hotel room with all my bridesmaids. We actually had the rehearsal 2 nights before because we wanted to avoid the hangover situation. My bridesmaids and I had still gone out to dinner the night before and had a few too many sake bombs. My hangover wasn’t the worst I have ever had, but I did have to visit the bathroom a couple times prior to going to get my hair done. My Maid of Honor was my sister so it goes without saying we fight often. But I thought it may be different on my wedding day. Nope. She woke up mad at me from the night before and she didn’t want to wake up because it was early (we had less than an hour for all of us to take showers and get to the hair salon that was 15 minutes away). I don’t know too many brides that have been cussed out on the morning of their wedding (especially by their MOH), but this is just the start of my “perfect wedding day”. My bridesmaids actually had to step in and tell her to suck it up and stop being a bitch. It was my day and they did not want her to be the thorn in my bronzed ass.


9am: Arrived at the hair salon with all 5 of my bridesmaids for hair and makeup. (The groom is golfing right down the street from the salon with his groomsmen). I was never able to make it to my style appointment prior to this day because my future hubby to be had too much “fun” on his bachelor party and I had to take him to the ER when my hair appointment was scheduled. I didn’t think it would be a big deal because I had a simple look in mind. I went in, explained it to my hairdresser and he assured that I would love it.

45 minutes into my hair, I started thinking this is NOT what I want at all. Even my bridesmaids couldn’t tell me they liked it with a straight face. It was horrific!! Not even close to what I had in mind and what I had explained to him. I started to tear up because I saw all my bridesmaids getting their hair done and they all looked so beautiful. I had told my stylist that I didn’t like my hair and he took it personally and made me feel bad about saying anything. I left the chair to go upstairs to get my makeup done because I just didn’t know what to do. I would have to completely start from scratch, and I didn’t have time for that. The lady that was doing our makeup knew by the look of my face when I got up there that I was not happy. She was brutally honest and told me that my hair looked like shit. I think everyone in the salon thought that. It just so happened that her mom owned the salon and she called her upstairs for an emergency make over. So while I was getting my make-up done, the owner took out all of my hair, re-curled it with tighter spirals and put my veil back in. It wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but it was close enough. I was beginning to feel a little better. Hangover was subsiding, I was able to eat finally (MOH was finally coming around and ran over to get McDonald's for lunch) and even able to drink a little champagne to take the edge off. 


I failed to mention that during all of this, my mom was MIA. She went back to the hotel because she didn’t see a need to be there and she “wasn’t feeling well”. While she wasn’t really needed and most of the time I get annoyed by her, I thought that this was something my mom wanted to experience with me and that she “should” be there with me. Hair and makeup was done and we had to stop by the venue which was on the way back to the hotel because I wanted to make sure everything was moving smoothly. I also had to pick up our flowers for the pictures that were going to be held at our hotel.

12PM: Got to the venue and flowers had arrived. My MIL and her friends were absolutely amazing in helping getting all the tables put together. I didn’t have a coordinator to take over everything, but my MIL was more than enough. From what I saw the tables were coming along amazing. There was one problem though. One of the larger tables that was supposed to be for my extended family (Aunts, Uncles and cousins who I am close with) did not fit inside the ballroom!!! There were 3 larger tables that were supposed to accommodate our families and only 2 fit in the area. So last minute they were put outside on the patio area with a couple other tables (needless to say, I got a lot of crap from them not being included in the family area). But as I left, I was confident that everything was coming along and I would be very happy with the end results.

1:30PM: Back at the hotel room getting ready with all of my bridesmaids and family started showing up for pictures (scheduled at 3pm). My twin brother was stuck in traffic with my Grammy coming up from San Diego and had to keep calling to give us updates. But hell let’s throw another curve ball; my photographer was MIA and he was not answering his phone!! My videographer finally showed up and asked if I had talked to the photographer. He had to be the bearer of bad news and tell me that he wasn’t going to be able to make it due to a family emergency!! This is the guy that we had gone over all the shots with and what pictures I was expecting. The videographer would now be the head photographer and he brought around 6 people to help assist him take photos and video (guests eventually referred to them as the paparazzi because there were so many damn people taking pictures). I finally got in touch with the photographer and gave him a piece of my mind. While I understand emergencies come up, he actually admitted it was not a dire emergency which pissed me off even more! I mean, who doesn’t even give the courtesy to call and let a bride know on her wedding day that the person who is supposed to capture the most important day of her life can’t make it. I even paid the deposit!! I had to call my fiancĂ©e (who I wanted to avoid talking to until the ceremony) and tell him the good news. He was mad as all hell but he knew the stress I was under and was really great in helping me calm down. I mean there is nothing I could do except be thankful that someone showed up to take the pictures (and with a lot of help)….right? 

We proceeded to take photos with all the bridesmaids at first because my brother was still not there with my Grammy. We got in all of the shots that we could without the final family pictures. I finally saw my Grammy walk in and following her was my brother. And as they walked in it was clear that my brother disregarded the suit that I had arranged for him (he was supposed to match the groomsmen). While he looked very sharp and handsome, he was wearing his military “dress whites” that completely matched me!! Everyone in the hotel thought we were the ones getting married! Like I said, he looked very handsome but it is not what I told him to wear, so you can imagine my surprise as he walked in. Oh well, just add it to the list. Family pictures were done and my parents (who are divorced) actually got along for the sake of me so that was a plus. 
4PM: We decided to get drinks in the hotel bar while we waited for the limo. The limo was scheduled to show up around this time but was nowhere to be found. We had called the company who patched us through to the driver and he told us that he was at the groom’s hotel (which was 15 minutes away). Apparently there was some major miscommunication between him and his office. My wedding was scheduled to start at 5pm sharp. He apologized profusely and he was on his way to our hotel (which was 10 miles down the road on PCH in the middle of summer time with bumper to bumper traffic). Awesome. At least we were in the bar where I could drink all my troubles from the day away. The limo finally showed up and we took side streets all the way there because PCH had so much traffic and there was no way we would make it on time. We arrived about 10 min before the ceremony was scheduled. At this point I didn’t know how to feel. I was a little buzzed and my emotions were so up and down. When we pulled up, I saw all of the guests conversing and everyone looked so happy. My dad came to the limo to greet me with a glass of champagne because he knew how my day had gone so far. With all the emotions running through my head I started to cry with my makeup and everything. I was happy, stressed, frustrated, you name it. Crazy thoughts were running through my head. Were all these events a sign that I shouldn’t be getting married? 

I definitely have my bridesmaids to thank for keeping me together. My friend Megan had said something to me that I will never forget. She had said that she had been to the most perfect wedding a year prior and that everything went absolutely perfect for the bride on her wedding day. Nothing went wrong, totally smooth sailing for her. She then said that a year later they were divorced. Maybe this shouldn’t have made me feel better (I mean divorce totally sucks), but it did. Maybe all the craziness of the day would just be a really good story one day and I would look back and laugh about it later (at that time I didn’t think it was possible but time heals all). My friend Becca, who had just been married, gave me a little pep talk as well. It went something like this; all of your family and friends are here to see you and Brian commit to each other. They don’t care about anything else. This is YOUR day and nothing can take that away. Everything that has happened is done and you are still here looking beautiful, about to walk down the aisle and marry the man of your dreams. She pointed out to where the guests were all mingling and having a great time. She said; “Look, they have no idea what you have been through. Let’s walk down the aisle and get this party started!" With that, I thanked her for putting everything in perspective, chugged my champagne, grabbed my dad and told him I was ready!!

The rest is history. We said our I Do’s, and proceeded to party the night away. All of my guests complimented me on how gorgeous everything turned out and how it was one of the best weddings they had been to. I still get it 4 years later. 

With that said, here is my unsolicited advice to future brides. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Hell, don’t sweat the big stuff. At the time, it will be the most important day of your life. But all the things that could go wrong will not affect the ultimate purpose of your wedding; celebrating love. It will all come together in the end, and as long as you throw a great party people will talk about it for years to come. 

Flowers: Petals by Xavi  Caterer: Country Garden   Dress: Mon Amie Bridal 



Thursday, February 20, 2014

Top Ten Mother/Son Dance Songs

Music makes or breaks a wedding, which is why it is so important. The First Dance is always on a couple's minds, but it's important not to neglect the parent dance songs as well. Kyle and his mom, Pat, chose to dance to "How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor. Here are some of my favorite Mother/Son Dance song ranging from Modern to Traditional!

1. “Momma Hold My Hand” – Aloe Blacc 


2. “How Sweet It Is” – James Taylor  


3. “Love on Top” - Beyonce


4. “Let it Be” – The Beatles


5. “You are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder 


6. “You are so Beautiful” – Joe Cocker 


7. “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys 


8. “She’s Got A Way” – Billy Joel 


9. “Best of My Love” – The Emotions


10. “A Thousand Years” – Boyce Avenue


And not everything has to be so set in stone. One of my favorite parent dances came when my friends Bernard and Krystal both danced together with their moms to "Hero" by Mariah Carey in ode to their single moms who devoted their lives to raising them.
 

Every relationship is different, so pick a song that best fits your relationship and personalities and is meaningful to both of you!




Monday, February 17, 2014

Valentine's Day

How did you spend your Valentine's Day weekend Un-Brides? Kyle and I aren't really ones for splurging on holidays. Last Valentine's Day, he played in his basketball league and I spent the night eating peanut butter Cheerios and watching Downton Abbey in bed. A perfect night if you ask me.

This year Kyle's mom was in town for President's Day weekend so we had dinner at our favorite restaurant Koi and exchanged cards. 

If you know Kyle, you know that this is the perfect Valentine's Day card for him. His badonk is envied by the likes of JLO and the Kardashians, and his jean shopping trips always end with him wishing they made apple bottoms for men. It's sad that I'm jealous of my own husband's ass. 
With the Mother-in-Law being in town, I was inspired to do a post this Thursday on Mother/Son Dance songs. Have a great week Un-Brides!

Monday, February 10, 2014

Claude Morady

After our engagement, I was hopelessly searching for a place to re-size my grandmother's ring in fear that I would lose it because it was too big. The first place I took it to claimed to be the "World's Largest Engagement Ring Store," but they said they wouldn't do it because if they put a flame to it the whole thing would melt. Well, that didn't sound appealing.

I searched online for the best person to entrust my ring and that's where Claude Morady comes into play. After reading his gleaming reviews online and his extensive work with estate jewelry, I decided to meet with him. I traveled to his Beverly Hills office, which for all you Real Housewives fans, is right next to Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant, Villa Blanca. 

Claude & his wife Jennifer not only re-sized my grandmother's ring, but retained our business for life. They were so amazingly nice that we bought our vintage wedding bands from them. They even loaned me a pair of amazing diamond earrings to wear on my wedding day!


If you are looking for some one-of-a-kind vintage pieces - engagement rings or Valentine's Day gifts, then this is the place for you! Visit www.claudemorady.com to see more of his selection and be sure show some love and like him on Facebook!











Thursday, February 6, 2014

Thanh & Joyce : Psalm Oines Photography

If you could bottle up sunshine and put it in human form, that would be Joyce. And the man lucky enough to have that sunshine every day is Thanh. Read on to see the touching I Guess I Do moment that led to their Hawaiian nuptials. Enjoy Joyce's story in her own words below!
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Thanh and I met the summer of 2012. Our first date was one of the few sunny days in Seattle. He had suggested we go to the driving range. We had a great time and ended up spending the entire day together. The rest is history! 

Then in May of 2013, Thanh sat my parents down and asked for their blessing to get to marry their daughter. They of course said yes and were very excited. My father was lucky enough to have the opportunity to get a liver transplant. Yay! He would be on call beginning October 1st, 2013. This meant that he had to be within 30 minutes of the hospital. Now begins my very first I Guess I Do moment. 

In my mind I kept thinking summer of 2014 would be perfect! I would have all the time in the world to plan and enjoy the wedding process. Finally, my mom and fiancĂ© sat me down and gave me a heart to heart. I am very blessed to have them both in my life. They gently suggested that we have the wedding before the October 1st date, because if for any reason my dad was called for surgery on the day of the wedding, I’d be devastated. Not only would my dad not be able to walk me down the aisle, but my mom wouldn’t be there on the biggest day of my life! All of a sudden my mind flooded with questions I had never asked myself. How do I feel about a destination wedding? Do I want the big white wedding? What about all my friends, my 25+ aunts and uncles, my 40+ cousins, and my grandmother? I won’t lie it was not an easy decision, but I grew up with my dad reiterating daily the importance of family. I had faith that my friend and family members would understand and support our decision. We finally decided that a small ceremony was the best way to ensure both of my parents would be with me when I married the man of my dreams. 

Thanh and I found a great hotel near Kona, Hawaii. We spoke with a beautiful resort hotel about hosting our wedding. If you are thinking about doing a destination wedding, I would highly recommend it. There is very little leg work required of the bride and groom. The hotel provided a lovely package that included the venue, officiant, flowers, cake and photographer. We picked from a few options and my dream wedding was complete. Done and done! Now all that was left was for Thanh to ask me to marry him!

On June 7th, 2013, Thanh took me for a walk around a river near our home. We had done this walk many times over the last year. He led me down a walkway that was right next to the water. He told me to look at the fish. There were no fish! Then I turn around and there he was on one knee asking me to be his wife. Since wedding planning was all finished, I got to enjoy every moment of just being an engaged woman. I was on cloud nine and so excited to be Mrs. Thai! 

Soon the day was here, September 17, 2013. We had been on Hawaii’s Big Island for 3 days already. We woke up late, stopped by the coffee shop, and went for a 30 minute walk around the resort. We ate a small brunch and decided it was time to go to our separate suites to get ready for the wedding.

My mom and maid of honor met me in my room. We chatted and slowly got ready. My maid of honor was my cousin LuAnn. We had grown up together and had remained very close since I can remember. I was so glad that her and her family could make it out to Kona, because I couldn’t imagine getting married without her! My other bridesmaid was not able to make it out, she had just two weeks earlier, welcomed a beautiful baby boy! I know if she could have sneaked herself and her newborn baby boy on a plane, she would have!


Our photographer showed up and had a fun energetic personality. We were on time and everything was running smoothly. We had picked this gorgeous grass area that overlooked the ocean lagoon for our wedding ceremony. On my way to the ceremony, we stopped and took some pictures with my mom and maid of honor. Also, my dad came by to snap some of his own pictures, which gave me the opportunity to get some very meaningful photos with just my dad. Finally, the time came to walk down the aisle. I was so unbelievably thankful that my dad was the one sharing those precious moments with me.

The ceremony was surreal! Our vows were perfect, there were tears and lots of laughter. After the wedding, we were giddy. We did cake, champagne, and apple cider for the kids. Then some great family photos and off we went to take couples photos in different areas of the resort. Then came a few of my I Guess I Do moments. First off, no one tells you how awkward taking professional photographs can be. I was completely blindsided. We hadn’t done an engagement photo, so I had no idea. In my mind, me plus the man I love, equals amazing photos. There were countless times that I just busted a move (I dance when I’m nervous) or made a super dorky face because I felt like such a cheese ball. Our photographer captured some beautifully touching photos even though I was awkward as hell. 




About a third of the way into the wedding photos, my next I Guess I Do moment, was when I starting to feel like a drowned rat. If you have ever been to Hawaii it can be rather warm, and I had made the decision to wear the full deal wedding dress. The full length gown did not breathe well, as I would have liked, so I was sweating up a storm. My hair is very thin and as the amount of sweat increased, the more my hair began to stick to my head. I am pretty sure my sweat soaked hair resembled a helmet by the time we were half way through. I was distracted from my awkwardness and helmet head by the breath taking views of the ocean. It was easy to focus my energy on soaking up every second with my new husband. Eee! 

Our final photo spot was by the water where our wedding ceremony had taken place. After our photographer had left, we sat and reflected on the day’s events. One of my favorite wedding photos is the one our photographer took of us, from behind, sitting where we had said our ‘I dos’ just a few hours earlier. We just wanted to soak in our first few moments alone as husband and wife. We were oblivious to our photographer’s presence, until we received our copies of all the wedding photos. Still drunk on happiness we walked up to our room, changed into our swim suits, and headed to the beach. To this day I will remember our time as a married couple together in the warm waters of Hawaii. What more could I ask for? 



Monday, February 3, 2014

Super Bowl Festivities

How did you spend your Super Bowl UnBrides? Were you happy the Seahawks won? We always have people over for the game because growing up I was always taught this day came second only to Christmas. So like my father, we now have TV's in every room, including the kitchen, and endless amounts of food.
 

I made my famous Buffalo Chicken Dip. I may give you all the recipe some day, but I keep it closely guarded because it's the only reason people invite me to parties. I also feel like the Pinterest gods were against me when I bought this cake from Von's. Yes I could have made something cute from scratch, but ain't nobody got time for that. Needless to say, it barely made it through the car ride home. 



Also a Super Bowl staple in the Kelley house is "The Betting Board." This was my dad's holy grail growing up and we have continued the tradition. Only at our party were people screaming during the National Anthem if it was over/under 2:25, or going nuts when the coin toss was heads or tails. It gets everyone interested in the game whether your a die hard fan or someone who could care less. I mean you've got 5 bucks riding on this!
 

Well I hope you had a good night with your fam and friends. Hopefully they were able to keep you awake during the game. We have a great Hawaiian wedding chalked full of I Guess I Do moments to share with you on Thursday. Stay Tuned!