source http://www.pridenyc.com/
I just had to share this post from a fellow planner, Terrica of Fabuluxe Events Inc.. She's awesome:
http://fabu-luxe.com/blog/2009/06/15/20-things-to-never-do-when-planning-your-wedding/
But great friends in addition to the pup's girlfriend took good care of him. We dined on spiced rubbed steaks, played some poker (I lost about $40 bucks, not bad!), and husband played craps - on our way up to the hotel room. A few hours later, we up a few hundred dollars! So we treated ourselves to a spa day, new pair of jeans, and a sweet brunch at the Water Club (new addition to Borgata).
During dinner, we discussed our wonderful wedding. It was very "us." Quaint church wedding that spoke about how our friends and family is our "church." A traditional Korean paebaek ceremony during dessert. A tented reception on the grounds of a very Victorian beach house. I wore a gorgeous Melissa Sweet gown, and husband wore a morning jacket. Our photographer rocked and I still gush over my wedding photos.
But yes, we have regrets.
The big one: We should have hired a day of coordinator. But we didn't. It's the same excuse that lots of our potential brides give: we didn't budget for it, and we think we can handle it on our own. Of course, this was before I started my business. My own mistake is why I got into this business, to prevent this from happening to anyone else and working my damnest so they don't have to lift a finger during their wedding day.
Instead, we had friends and my husband setting up our DIY components the morning of the wedding, groomsmen setting up the tables and chairs the night before, a friend returned all the rental tuxes on his drive up to the airport... it was horrible. And I regret more than anything making my friends do WORK on our wedding weekend, especially after all the traveling they did to be present at our wedding.
Second: Music. We hired a very talented pianist/keyboard player for our cocktail hour and reception. She was fantastic. The only issue was, we had no music playing for parts of the evening when she was taking a break, even though we provided a CD of music. But it was fantastic because she nailed our first dance song and played for my girlfriend who sang for us. But if we had a DJ, just a few moments... it would have keep the party smooth and perhaps have had more people on the dance floor.
Third: Video. We had dear sweet friends video tape our ceremony, our first dance, and part of our Korean ceremony, and they did a fantastic job editing it. But I wish we still had more of it on video because the day goes by SO FAST! So if I wish it and I had the important parts taped, then I can't imagine how couples who did not have any video feel now.
So enough with the bad...
The great:
We loved our rehearsal dinner. A full 3/4 course meal paired with wines. It was LEGENDARY.
Our welcome BBQ the night before the wedding. My mom made her authentic Korean shortribs. Casual and fun, with an informal beer pong (beirut) tournament in the basement.
I married the love of my life, and my best friend.
Happy Anniversary!
The product of our happy marriage: our baby Oscar.
image courtesy of Chris Bickford
I will be here the next morning... massage and some pampering. I assume Chris will resume his poker while I'm gone.
So cHill Weddings will be closed Friday June 12, and return Wednesday June 17th.
(photos courtesy of Liz, probably from a camera phone)
I also wanted to show you some before and after shots of the venue. We started decorating the venue at 10:30 AM for a 4 PM start time. We went right up to the wire... but I think the end result was fantastic!
Before and after of the tent!
We removed the fake ivy and twinkle lights from the rails, and used drapes provided by her family friend and used it to make it more festive. Mary Elizabeth, the florist, added a white drape to the black doorway and hung a "C" monogram of carnations.
We also hung lanterns from shepherd hooks (cHill Weddings) and Mary Elizabeth lined the aisle with lots of rose petals. It was gorgeous!
Sweetheart Table (yes, I am the world's worst photographer)
Close up of the tables. I LOVED this linen, provided by Total Table through Cricket Catering
Cookie favors (in addition to the candy buffet we set up later in the evening)
Sorry- more pictures from some one's camera phone...
When Lauren (our intern) and I first made it to the site, it was raining and I was so worried that it would continue throughout the day. But there were other items on our list we needed to focus on first besides the rain. We had around 16 tables we unexpectedly needed to set up and decorate before our bride came through to get ready!
We placed mason jars filled with freshly picked flowers from the farm all on the tables as well as buckets of ice filled with bottles of pellegrino for guests to enjoy. The flowers were a fresh way to start the May season and they really helped guests to enjoy the beauty of nature itself! Lauren also helped to save the day by folding every one of the guests' napkins so perfectly on the tables! See images below taken by Amy and Marc's photographer Janette McVey:
And, as always with cHill Weddings, the rain faded about an hour before Amy made it to the site and we had a no more rain for the entire rest of the day! Best Wishes to you Amy and Marc!
Their ceremony was a full Filipino Catholic Mass. The church was so beautiful on its own that it did not need any extra decor.
Janelle wore an absolutely stunning, yet delicate, lace gown by Vera Wang, which was accompanied by a cathedral length veil.
This was taken in Janelle's parents foyer. Gorgeous!
Kevin wore an ivory paisley tie and vest, with suit from Mens Warehouse. 
Jerry asked the bridal party to take over some tables and to relax as Kevin and Janelle walked by. I love how relaxed everyone looks.
I had the pleasure of helping Janelle and Kevin with their planning. They did book me later than most couples usually do... I think it was in March? cHill Weddings helped find them transportation, lighting, video, tuxes, and took care of some floral decor. 
We had two extra trays of wheatgrass, so we cut them up and put them in little wicker baskets Janelle had, and propped up their table names.
I had some hurriance vases, with we filled with crystal fillers and a little led light. We wired on 6-7 freeze dried orchids on a the curly willow. These were placed along the dance floor.
My lovely assistant, Lauren, had her little Jeep Wrangler. In her car, we packed in two full buckets of peonies and two trays of wheatgrass table number holder basket things. :)
I have to give Janelle and Kevin all the credit in the world. While planning a wedding for about 140 guests in DC, they collected a lot of items and designed the placecards (little seed packets) and table numbers. They made MANY trips back and forth to Philadelphia to complete the planning.
