About the Bride: This current California girl was born and bred in the North Suburbs of Chicago. Loves: The Chicago Bears, chocolate, logic problems, old movies, anything Disney, cruising & Adam. Hates: Traffic on the 101, pessimistic people, rudeness.
About the Groom: A Southern Californian who was bit by the travel bug. Loves: X-Box, chess, reading, anything Star Wars, movies, traveling, cooking & Shana. Hates: Stupid drivers, stupid drivers, stupid drivers.
How We Met: On a mildly cold December night (well, cold by California standards), Adam IM'd Shana on JDate. He said he was drawn to her smile, which was a good thing — because unbeknownst to her, he couldn't see her profile. Several long e-mails and phone calls followed until they decided to meet. The first date included a visit to Borders, BevMo, Linens & Things, Sports Authority and Pier One (where Adam made his move by taking Shana's hand).
About the Proposal: While sitting in first class at 37,000 feet, Adam took a small box -- with a beautiful ring inside -- out of his pocket. The flight attendant brought champagne and the captain announced it to all over the loudspeaker.
About the Big Day: The fairy tale was held at our synagogue where blue, silver and white adorned all -- including the greatest group of bridesmaids (Laurie, Sammi, Elana, Alli and Stephanie) -- who took the awesome picture seen above) and groomsmen (Evan, Zack and Dan) in the history of weddings (well it seemed like it anyway).
Our Vendors:
Catering: Steve at Parties at Your Door (A+:
Steve saved our wedding, thanks to his generators. The food was
amazing; the wedding cake was delicious; and he worked with our budget).
Flowers: Allie at These Buds a Blooming (A+: View my review of Allie at projectwedding)
Music: Mel at Noblegrande Entertainment (A: Played every song we wanted -- and none of the songs we didn't).
Photographer:Jodye Alcon (A+: Very professional and a total sweetheart. She and her assistant captured everything -- from poses to candids -- and she was with me from noon till 9:30).
The Dress: David's Bridal in Oxnard Story
behind the dress: I went with my aunt in search of the "oft heard of
but seldom seen" long-sleved bridal gown. The salesgirl pulled this one
out of the section in my size. It was discontinued -- as were 99% of
the long-sleeve gowns -- and the clerk told me she had NEVER seen it
before. I think an angel put it there just for me, as it is the dress I
dreamed of. :)
Make-up: Jenny Rosenberg (A+: My make-up stayed put through wind and ashes; she worked with what I already had and gave me a "natural" glow).
Invitations: Audrey at Sisterhood Stationery. (A+: Easy ordering; the invites and kippot and thank you notes came out just as we had hoped.)
Hair: Ani at John of Italy in Westlake Village (A+: Hair stayed in palce the entire day -- as did the veil).
Groomswear: Men's Wearhouse (B: The guys all looked so handsome; but my dad was given the runaround by a clerk who culdn't seem tog et his order correct).
Nails: Nail City in Westlake Village (A: No breakage all weekend -- and they got me in and out in time to make Shabbat dinner).
Engagement Ring: Zales in Camarillo (A for the ring; C for the staff - Gave DH hell when he went to buy the ring and tried to jack up the price).
Wedding Rings: XIV Karats in Beverly Hills (A: So sweet and we found what we wanted right away -- and in our size, too.)
Out-of-Towner Hotel: The Hyatt Westlake (A: Luke is an angel and every reservation worked out. Our room was beautiful; all OOT bags were delivered -- with a fee per bag, which is why I didn't give the Hyatt an A+)
Shoes: Easy Spirit in Camarillo (A for the shoes; C for the service - Shoes were great, but I should have worn them more. Store help was not helpful at all, though).
Bridal Party Gift: Trio Pilates Studio and Day Spa (A+ - the staff went out of their way to make our Bridal Party Party so beautiful. Ali led a great Pilates class, the massages were amazing and the snacks and champagne were wonderful (as were the little goodie bags each of us received. My girls all had a great time and I hope to have another party there soon.)
Honeymoons: Royal Caribbean (A: As a Diamond member I received a lot of perks during the trip; nothing for being a HMer, though. Still made wonderful honeymoon!)
Planning Pics:
The Dress
My ring
Hair (colored in at Salon Buzz by Caitlan and cut by Steve; style by Ani at John of Italy)
Make-Up Trial (with Jenny)
The sanctuary
These were wrapped around the railing
This is the invite with the font on the second pic in royal blue. It will have Ani l'Dodi v Dodi Li (I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine) in an arch on the top .
These are our DIY STDs
Adam and I fell in love with this cake topper we saw and bought at Disneyland
We ordered this ketubbah from MP Artworks with the Traditional Aramaic & Egalitarian English
Currently Working On:
Thank you notes
Done:
Finished TY notes for shower No. 3
Finished music play lists
Finished table assignments
Finished d'var Torah for auf ruf
Finalizing bridal party present
Finalized ketubbah
Had final fitting
Confirmed hotel for wedding night
Attended third and final shower
Finished TY notes from shower No. 2
FMIL booked RD location
Checked in with FILs about liquor
Ordered kippot
Enjoyed bachelor/bachelorete weekend
Finished wedding program
Dad is creating wedding bentschers
Updating RSVPs
Picked up e-pic proofs
Had hair trial
Bought ketubbah
Sent invitations
Had first fitting
Picked up postage
Picked up invitations
Took engagement pics
Picked up change-of address card
Had make-up trial
Finished thank you notes from shower No. 1
Selected wedding bands
Finalized guest list
Arranged for runthrough on the day before wedding
Bought shower hostess gifts
Met with temple coordinator
Bought dresses for showers
Verified bridesmaid spa day
FI Selected groom formalwear
Ordered thank you notes
Have the invitation proof
Arranged for B-pics in July
Made appointment for make-up trial
Made appointment for first dress fitting
Found shoes online at Easy Spirit
Sent invite wording to stationery contact
Finished registering
Arranged for hair
Sent out STDs
Paid for HM shore excursions
Found make-up artist
Found printer for STD
Met with photog and gave her deposit
Registered at Crate & Barrel
Finished guest list
Met with rabbi (meeting monthly)
Gave deposit to caterer
Found a ketubbah
Gave deposit to music coordinator
Created save-the-dates
Started looking around for hair/makeup for wedding day
Started Couples Communication class.
Arranged with synagogue for day-of onsite coordination.
Selected invites with stationery coordinator
Selected bridal party present (day at the spa).
Have flight arrangements for Chicago shower
Arranged for L.A. auf ruf; Chicago auf ruf taken care of
Started registering and RSVPd for C&B Engagement Sundays
Signed contract for Out-Of-Towner hotel
Met with caterer and arranged for food and linens
Met with florist, selected flowers and gave florist deposit
Booked location
Selected color scheme
Arranged meeting with rabbi
Arranged videotaping of service
Bought dress
BMs selecting their own blue dresses.
Booked pre-HM and mini-moon
The First Shower
The Chicago Shower
(Standing behind me, from left) Jacqui, Laurie (MOH & best friend), Erica, Sammi (sister &BM), Jen
Shana and Bobie
The hostesses (from left): Aunt Sandee, Shari, Bernice and Sheila
Moms and daughters: Sheila with her daughter Jen and future daughter
in law Erica; mom and me.
The Bachelor/Bachelorette
Elana, Steph, Shana, Adam, Danny, Evan and Zach at Disneyland
The Honeymoons
Pre-Honeymoon: We cruised to Europe!
The beautiful Solarium onboard the Splendor of the Seas
Our "there really was plenty of room" Cabin
Embark: Barcelona (at the city's Arc du Triumph)
First Port: Cannes (a week before the famous festival)
Second Stop: Firenze (Florence) - At the incredible synagogue
Third Port: Roma! (Adam is excited to be at the Trevi -- Really!)
Fourth Port: Split, Croatia (Inside the ancient palace)
Debark in Venice (The courtyard at the Doge's Palace -- where I'm sure duels and parties took place -- before the church conquered it all).
Our favorite port was Florence! We navigate the metro beautifully in Barcelona. If anyone is taking a similar cruise and has questions, please contact me.
Our Minimoon: We're Murder-Mystery Cruising to Ensenada
The Monarch of the Seas
Our Cabin
In front of the Happiest Cruise that ever sailed
The Happy Couple at the Getty
I love helping with any HMs involving cruising or Disney, so feel free to page me on the Honeymoon board, the L.A Bride board or the October 2007 board. Also, if you are Jewish bride with any questions, please page me on the L.A., Oct. 2007 Knotties or the Jewish Wedding Board (=399)
Shoshana & Adam
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