Thursday, August 27, 2009

A Bee's Life: Pinot Noir Edition

Finding the Blogosphere…
I didn’t find out about the blogosphere until I found Weddingbee in the spring of 2008. I was recently engaged and in the midst of planning my own wedding. Like many other bees, most of my friends and family were located hundreds of miles away. On top of that, I was the first of my close friends to get married so I was completely new to the wedding scene. In fact, the last time I was a bridesmaid was when my big brother got married and I was fifteen years old! I was looking for inspiration for planning a destination, ecofriendly, daytime wedding. I found Mrs. Radish and I read every single post. That day another addict was born…

Deciding to Apply…
When I first found Weddingbee it didn’t even occur to me that I might apply. I had never blogged before and like so many other brides I didn’t think that anyone would care about my wedding. I felt like there was nothing ‘special’ about my wedding. I wasn’t on a specifically small or large budget, it would be a small affair and the destination part of the wedding meant there would be minimal DIY projects. But, the more I read WB I realized there was actually a lot more diversity then my first glance lead me to believe.

A major focus of my wedding was planning a ‘green’ event. But, Mr. Pinot Noir was less concerned with ecofriendly choices and more concerned about the food, the venue and the fun of our guests. The end result was what I called a green wedding in disguise.

Blogging for Weddingbee was a really great part about planning my wedding. I felt like I had the ability to inspire so many people and spread the word about what it means (and doesn’t mean) to have an ecofriendly wedding. But, even thought blogging can be a ton of fun, it is also hard work. On more than one occasion I spent my evening blogging instead of cuddling with my fiancé. He understood how much I liked blogging but I would be lying if I said the time commitment never caused any friction between us. It is important for any applicant to weigh the pros and cons and examine their lifestyle to see if blogging on a regular basis will fit with their goals and priorities.

Choosing Pinot Noir…
Choosing my character was a no brainer. The beverages class had just been released and since we were planning a wine country wedding it was the perfect choice! I just love when things work out so perfectly like that!

Blogging Tips…
I’m don't know if I'm in the position to be giving tips about blogging – I still have so much to learn myself – but a couple tidbits come to mind.

1. Blog Often
My favorite blogs are those that post regularly (at least 3 times a week). Because they are always popping up on my Google Reader I can remember their personal story and I just feel more connected with them.

2. Comment Love
The best way to get new readers is to spread the comment love on other bloggers who have write about similar topics as you. I found that the number of subscribers and commenter’s I have quickly started to grow when I made a point of commenting on other blogs and boards.

3. Stay (Mostly) Positive
Try to stay positive and upbeat. I’m not recommending you write posts full of lovebirds and butterflies when you are having a terrible day, but try to write more positive posts than negative ones. Most people are not going to want to listen to you whine and cry on a regular basis.


These days I'm blogging about open water swims, hilly bike rides and long runs on my triathlon blog, Commitment is Liberating. You see, I fought off the post-wedding blues by jumping feet first into the world of triathlon.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Keeping Time: A Daytime Wedding

Putting together a timeline for the wedding day was much more challenging than I anticipated. I struggled with balancing the level of detail and the amount of cushion time to build in. I couldn't find many examples that fit my unique situation: getting ready 1.5 hours away from ceremony site, 11am ceremony, lunch reception, etc. I used Mrs. Penguin timeline as my format and then adapted it to fit our situation. I'm sharing my final timeline with the hive to provide just another example of how to lay out your wedding day timeline. You can check out past bee wedding timelines on the Weddingbee Wiki.

We gave copies of the timeline to the site coordinator, the photographer, and our parents. We also included a contact sheet that include the telephone numbers for the wedding party, parents and all the wedding vendors.


Morning for Bride & Co.
6:00 AM – 8:00 AM (Bride's Hotel Room)
Hair Appointment for Bride and Flower Girls
Makeup Appointment for Bride, MOH, BM and Mother of Bride

8:30 AM
Bride and Co. depart hotel in limo to Napa Valley

10:15AM
Limo arrives at Auberge du Soleil
Put on dress, photos of putting on dress and bridal details (rings, jewelry, shoes, dress, etc.)

Morning for Groom & Co.
6:15 AM – 7:00 AM
Fun Run with the Groom / Meet in front of hotel

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Groom and Groomsman get ready in hotel rooms

8:30 AM
Groom and Groomsman depart from hotel, pick up Usher and Ring Bearer, drive to venue

10:30AM
Groom & Co. arrive at Auberge du Soleil

Event Timeline
9:00AM
Guests gather in lobby and begin boarding bus

9:15 AM
Bus departs with wedding guests from hotel to venue

10:45 - 11:00AM
Bus arrives with wedding guests

11:00AM
Music Starts & Pre-ceremony drinks are served (Lemonade and Ice Tea)
Guests begin to be be seated

11:15AM – 11:45 AM
Wedding Ceremony

11:45AM – 12:35 PM
Cocktail Hour for Guests

Photos on Balcony
- 10 Minutes for Bride Family
- All Families together
- 10 Minutes for Groom Family
- 10 Minutes Wedding Party
- 20 Minutes Bride & Groom on Auberge grounds

The time alloted for photos was unrealistic. We ended up mingling with guests for the first half and group photos for the second half. We skipped the private session during cocktails and squeezed in a few moments when we snuck away from the reception.


12:35 PM
Guests asked to gather for group photo on balcony
After photo, guests are asked to be seated for lunch
Bride & Groom practice dance in Cedar Room - This never happened... we just winged it!

12:45PM
Grand Entrance (CD played by trio as wedding party enters)
First Dance - Songbird by Eva Cassidy (played live by trio)
Father of Bride - Welcome Toast

1:00PM
First Course Served
Father/Daughter Dance - "I Loved Her First” Rascal Flats
Second Course Served
Main Course Served
Best Man and Maid of Honor Give Toasts
Mother of Groom Toast

We didn't go into a lot of detail for the time frame for the luncheon. Our site coordinator at Auberge du Soleil handled the flow of events and gave prompts for toasts, dances, etc. If you don't have a good coordinator at your site you might want to consider having more detail here.

2:30 PM
DVD Photo Montage
Cut Cake
Bride and Groom Give Thank You Toast
Dessert Served

3:45 PM
Music Concludes
Bride, Groom and photographer Leave Venue in Town Car

3:45 – 4:00PM
Bus & Wedding Guests Leave Venue

6:00PM
Bride & Groom go with photographer to take photos in Napa and San Francisco

8:00 PM to ??
After party at local bar near hotel


How detaied is your timeline?




Previously in the Pinot Noir Recap Series:
Part I: Rehearsal Dinner
Part II: Girls Getting Ready
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Part XXII: Beauty in the Details

There is a special beauty in the detail pictures taken on your wedding day. They remind you of all the sweat and tears you put into DIY projects, the care you took in selecting your vendors and feelings of the day. Today I will conclude our wedding day with a recap of details.

Photos by Jim Forneris Photography, unless otherwise noted.






{Photo by SIL Pinot}












Flower Girl Baskets

Bridesmaid Bouquet


My Bouquet


{Photo by SIL Pinot}










{Photo by SIL Pinot}












{Photo by SIL Pinot}



























































{Photo by SIL Pinot}












{Photo by SIL Pinot}









{Guest Photo}









{Photo by SIL Pinot}










{Guest Photo}




























{Photo by SIL Pinot}











{Photo by SIL Pinot}











{Photo by SIL Pinot}


















A donation to the MS Society, in lieu of wedding favors, to remember Mr. PN's cousin.



































{Guest Photo}





































Hair Stylist: Camilla Betteridge
Makeup Artist: Annette Avila, Lavish Hair and Makeup Studio
Florist: Susan Garden of Garden Party
Cake: Sweetie Pies
Ceremony & Reception Site: Auberge du Soleil
Photographer: Jim Forneris Photography (PM me for contact details)



Previously in the Pinot Noir Recap Series:
Part I: Rehearsal Dinner
Part II: Girls Getting Ready












Part XXI: The Final Photo Shoot + Late Night Snack
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Monday, January 26, 2009

Unsolicited Marriage Advice


Life is starting to get back to normal at the Pinot Noir house. This weekend Mr. PN and I were out and about and we started reminiscing about our wedding planning. Throughout our engagement we both received quite a bit of unsolicited wedding and marriage advice. Some of it was good, some was funny and some was simply inappropriate.

The week before the wedding I was shopping for a bottle of wine for a night in with SIL Pinot. I mentioned to the salesman that I was getting married in Napa the following weekend. His response: “Congratulations. I’ve been married 9 years. The secret to a happy marriage is to treat him like your boyfriend and he should treat you like his girlfriend. Go out to dinner and a movie. Watch porn together. You know, the stuff that you do when you are dating.”

On my way to California for the wedding, with my dress in tow, the airport security agent at Newark Airport told me this: “Don’t do it (as in get married). And if you do, don’t change your name. It is a huge pain the a** to change it back when you get divorced.” I was too shocked and tired to respond (it was 5am). I wish I would have said: “Wow. Thanks for that great advice! You’re right – I shouldn’t get married. Can I have my dress back?! I’m outta here.”

The man at the jewelry store where I had my ring cleaned the day before the wedding told me this: “You sure don’t look too happy. Cheer up. Your getting married tomorrow!” I was running around trying to get stuff together for the wedding day before the rehearsal dinner and feeling pretty stressed. His advice reminded me to cheer up – I’m celebrating!

On our honeymoon in Hawaii a craft seller told us: “Whenever you have problems remember this: see that girl you married, she is the best you could do. See that boy you married he is the best you could do. Because if that weren't true you wouldn't have gotten married.”

What is the best or worst wedding/marriage advice that you have been given?
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Friday, January 23, 2009

Part XXI: The Final Photo Shoot + Late Night Snack

After we stopped for a few vineyard photos we were on our way back through the city. Our driver took us over the Golden Gate Bridge and even though it is a bit longer we were able to have some really great views.

All photographs by Jim Forneris Photography.

These photos of the bridge were taken by our photographer who was riding in the front seat of the town car.












After we made it back to the hotel we dropped off some items in our hotel room and headed out for a final photo shoot. We had high hopes of going out for some really great San Francisco shots. We wanted to go to back to City Hall, have the Golden Gate Bridge and eat ice cream in a cafe. But, the trip back to the city took longer than we thought (damn traffic) and we were quickly losing sunlight. Plus, we were getting really tired (we were up at 4am!) and we just didn't have the energy left to be gallivanting around the city.

I like to think of this next picture as the urban counter-part to our vineyard walk. I love both the country and the city (not so much the 'burbs) so I like that we had the chance to take photos in both environments!



A trolley stop was located just a block away from our hotel. As we waited for the trolley people waved hello to us and one couple even asked if they could take our picture (I think everyone like Mr. PN's kilt).



This trolley stop was the last on the line so we had a chance to jump on and pose for some pictures while the legitimate (read: paying) customers were boarding the trolley. After a couple quick shots we jumped off and avoided paying the fare (so sneaky!).







I'm not sure what we were doing in this shot... I think we were imitating the ad behind us...




Up next it was time for a late night snack. Pizza! We stopped in at this local pizza joint to get a few slices. Mr. PN, always the gentleman, paid using the money he had stored in his sporran (code for murse).


The employees in the shop were obviously surprised to see us there (look how they are all staring at us)!




But, when we asked if we could sit down to eat our pizza they told us the seating was for dine-in customers only. Seriously?! I'm wearing a white dress and you want me to eat pizza while standing up?! They didn't seem to care, so we were relegated to the street. It's okay though because I think it made better pictures!






After pizza we went back to our hotel room to get changed and prepare for the after party. I changed into my second white dress and Mr. PN switched to jeans and a comfy t-shirt. We were meeting our guests at a local bar for some drinks and good times. After much deliberation we choose Zeki's Bar (California & Leavenworth). It was only four blocks from our hotel, had a pool table, took credit cards and cheap drinks. Unfortunately, I don't have a single snap shot of our after-party!

This was one of my favorite parts of the day because we were able to really relax and catch up with friends. A lot of people made it out to the party too! Most of our friends and quite a bit of our family!I think about 75% of our guests made an appearance! We stayed at the bar until around midnight and then we went out with a few friends for our second late night snack. What do you think we found?? More pizza! After our last late night snack we headed back to the hotel and crawled into bed.

The End.
Previously in the Pinot Noir Recap Series:
Part I: Rehearsal Dinner
Part II: Girls Getting Ready
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