Hey! I'll be moving to www.xanga.com, it was easier for many.

My new link will be to www.xanga.com/kiwi_the_bee

Thanks for reading!

There's just something about weddings from the 40s, 50s, and sixties. If I had been a little bit smaller, I would have definitely chosen to get a vintage wedding dress. If you'd also like to experience the romantic look of a vintage dress, don't look any further!

Website Posh Girl Vintage (www.poshgirlvintage.com) has a line of vintage prom/wedding dresses available for purchase!

I especially love this one: 1950'S Cream Lace Velvet Dress for $275.00. In a size 3/4/5.
(http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/Bridal/50IvoryLaceRibbon/ivoryLace.html)



Or this lavender lace colored party dress, I would love to wear this to a rehearsal dinner or backyard bar-b-q! It comes in a size 6, and is $285.00.
(http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/dresses/50LavenderLace/lavenderLace.html)



And this is any girl's fancy dress dream, a white tulle and silver tea-length, it just yells out "I Love Lucy" to me. It's in fantastic condition and a size 3/4. It's $455.00.
http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/Bridal/40WTEsilverTulle/silverSequinedGown.html



It seems like the dresses go fast, so keep an eye on Posh Girl Vintage! They also have lingerie, regular clothing, men's items, and accessories! It's my new favorite place!

So many of us are planning weddings on a budget. This may mean having less than spectacular flowers, less guests, different food, a cash bar, etc. This begs the question: are you allowing guests to bring a date?

In my family/friends, those who have boyfriends/girlfriends have been together a long time. So those significant others will be invited. What about the cousin/friend who is not currently dating someone, but wants to bring a date anyway?

The guest list is usually a huge object of contention between many couples and their families. Although I really don't want to anger anyone in my family, why would I invite you + guest if there is no one in your life, not even a prospect? It may sound rude, but I really don't want to fund your first date if that means I can't invite a close friend.

Our guest list is as large as we can allow. We are paying for every single penny of this wedding, and trying to avoid expensive nights out so we can invite more people. Yeah, I guess I'd be slightly bitter at having to fork over more money for someone I've never met, and someone she/he has just met.

If it's a family member, they'll certainly have plenty of people to talk to, and will most likely know about 75% of the guests. So is it really wrong to just invite that single person? I'm not saying my another cousin's boyfriend won't be invited- they've been together at least a year and a half, and Mr. Kiwi and I have spent a lot of time with him. Of course, this would invite some of the "double standard" comparisons that I just don't want to deal with. I can slightly understand inviting a friend + date if they won't know that many people, but what if they will know a handful of people, is it still an uncomfortable situation?

My question is this: for a tightly budgeted wedding, where do you draw the line, guest-wise?

As you guys know, Mr. Kiwi and I have been amazingly busy, between planning the wedding, coaching his teams, going to playoffs and getting our summer schedule together... and we haven't really had time to ourselves in a long time. Well, my friends, that will change for at least one day this weekend!

Mr. Kiwi has proposed DATE NIGHT for this Saturday! I honestly can't remember a date night in the recent months. And yes, that IS sad. So, this Saturday, we're heading to a restaurant and then a movie. I LOVE date nights. They just remind me of the first few months we were together, seeing Love Actually and 50 First Dates.

While it is such a typical date, I love the movie/dinner combo. The one problem is my unbelievably anal movie personality. I tend to nag Mr. Kiwi/Dad/whoever goes with me into going early, because I hate waiting in line. The movie could be like, a month old by then, and I'll still want to get there an hour early.

Any good date movies to recommend? What kind of date nights do you guys have? How often do you have them?

Hey Everyone, as you saw from my prior post about possibly marrying in the church, I have a meeting today with the Father. I'm very bad about meetings, I get flustered and tend to shut in on myself. So, I'm going to go with a prepared list of things the comments already made me think about, like these:

What is the dress code for the ceremony? May I wear a strapless dress?

What are the rules for rose petals (even though I don't really know if I want them)?

How about aisle decorations? What can we do/not do?

What types of classes will we have to take prior to the wedding, and why?

Will we have to undergo counseling prior to the wedding?

How does the marriage certificate get signed and sent?

What are the rules regarding thrown rice (or other substitute) after the ceremony?

Can we not do the communion, or is that a must?

What do you guys think? What other questions am I overlooking?

Miss Bluebell's post reminded me of something I need for the wedding, my wedding band. I have to idea what actual band I want. My choices have been changing so much over the past year (when we got the engagement ring) because this band will be forever. I am so inspired by the families who have heirloom pieces, and yeah, even though my ring will most likely not be totally fancy, I'd love to be able to have a meaningful piece to pass down.

This is my engagement ring:


At first I wanted a plain WG wedding band, something engraved inside, much like this one from e-weddingbands.com ($56.00, 14k WG). (http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/product876.html)


Then I decided I wanted a prong-set half eternity band, like this one from Facets/Signed Pieces (www.signedpieces.com)in 18k WG, at 1.9mm and .33 carats of diamonds. Price: $534.00
http://www.thefacetscollection.com/item.cfm?item_id=4000


After that, I wanted a plain band with a design on the outside, like this one by e-weddingbands.com. 3mm, 14k WG, $185.00
http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/product717.html


Now, my current favorite is the plain WG, with milgraining. This one is from e-weddingbands.com, and is 3mm 14k WG. $124.00 (http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/goldmgr3info.html).


What do you think would look better with my e-ring? I'd really like to wear them together, if that helps.

Yesterday Mr. Kiwi and I each got magazine order forms from his "niece". Actually, it's more like from his sister, who is my MOH.

MOH wants us to order some magazines so the niece can get a prize. :) As much as I'd love to subscribe to bridal mags, by the time they would finally come it will be past the wedding already!

As I've blogged before, my MOH is really more of a hands-off wedding party. While I'd love to be able to share this with her. she seems to have other things of importance. That's all fine, but the woman could at least get me her measurements!

Anyway, I am so thinking of just slipping in a picture with the BM dress I want her to get, and a note saying "Let me know your measurements- and THEN I'll buy Real Simple!"

Okay, I'm kidding. Partially. :)Would it be rude of me to send her a newsletter or package of the places and things I'd like to go/do before the wedding? Possibly include some pictures of the dresses she might like?

Have you tried any tricks, scams or other methods to get your bridal party into action?

Hey guys! Mr. Kiwi's wedding band is back in. Why do I say "back" in? Well, despite the many times we sized his finger with various sizers, it was a little snug when it arrived.

Even though Mr. Kiwi tried to tell me he LIKES wearing it directly under the middle knuckle and "Aren't they supposed to fit like this? My nail isn't turning blue", I thought I should just get it resized. Luckily for us, it only needed sizing up a 1/4"- which they do for free, since it doesn't have to be remade.

Here is the ring (http://www.titaniumera.com/detail.php?cid=687&product=369&locale=1):


Even though I had heard this before, if the ring had a width wider than 8mm (Mr. Kiwi's is 8mm) make sure you size up at least a quarter more than what he usually wears. The wider the ring, the chances of needing a bigger size.

So, just try to remember that if your fiance has a higher mm sized ring coming!

Tell me, hypothetically, if your fiance had a greater attachment than you to something that could be possibly be part of your wedding, would you let him have it?

I ask because of our ceremony venue. Months ago it was booked at the hotel where we're having our reception but a deposit wasn't made because it was just attached to our plan. Anyway, as I'm sure I've said before, Mr. Kiwi works in a Catholic school- the same one he went to from K-8. For various reasons, having a ceremony there was out of the question at the time of engagement.

Now, it seems that a ceremony at the church may be possible. Although my mother is Catholic, and my dad is Christian (both non-practicing), I was given the right to choose which religion I'd like to be when I was older. I was to educate myself on various cultures and religions, and choose the one I felt I agreed with (I wasn't supposed to choose as a kid, but when I got old enough to know what I was doing). After many years of attending different temples, churches and things like that, I was still unsure.

All along, I think I had always imagined I'd let my husband be the deciding factor. We will raise our children per this decision/choice. And let me tell you- it's a big decision. I am neither religious nor am I an atheist. I've been raised to think for myself, and make choices based on what I think would be best for me. Growing up in a scientific family, where everything was learned on proof and of being able to SEE where things come from makes it hard for me to base things on faith. Please, don't judge me though. This is all I've known- all I've been taught.

I think that if we end up marrying in the church, I'll not only have a lot of learning to do, but a lot of studying as well. I don't think it's ever too late to find a faith- if you feel the need for one. I know a lot of people find it offensive for a non-Catholic to marry in a Catholic church. I've been told many reasons for this, one of the reasons being the disrespect non-Catholics would "theoretically" show towards the Church. While I can understand the reasoning to a point, what if one of the members of the couple DOES participate in the church? Is it the same feeling? While I do love the look of pews and altars, I would never marry in a church just because of how pretty it is, as there are plenty of non-religious places that are just as beautiful.

If we marry in the church, it will be because I know that despite his previous indifference, it would mean something for Mr. Kiwi to be married in the church he grew up in. Should I need to, I will do whatever I can for Mr. Kiwi to have something that is meaningful for him. I also know getting married in the church would make him think of his father who passed away years ago, so it will be entirely Mr. Kiwi's choice.

As a disclaimer, I am neither opposed nor for any specific religion. To each his/her own, I say. I would never disrespect any religion or faith for the ability to marry there. So, please don't be offended at this post.

Ever since I was little, I've had a love of primates. Chimps, apes, gorillas, monkeys, orangutans, you name it. This love has led me to a possible favor donation idea.

Chimp Haven is an organization located in Keithsville, Louisiana, whose mission is to provide lifetime care for the chimpanzees who are no longer of use as entertainers, research or pets. These animals break my heart, and knowing there are people out there who are trying to make the rest of the chimp's lives better is amazing.

Chimp Haven provides permanent housing and care of chimps who are no longer wanted, and are completely non-profit. You may have heard of Chimp Haven on television, where one of the chimps gave birth recently- impregnated by an unknown chimp who was supposed to be sterilized!
Teresa and Baby Tracy


In a direct quote from the site (www.chimphaven.org): "Once inhabiting 25 African countries, they are either nearly or completely extinct in 13 of those countries. However, more than 1,600 chimpanzees currently reside in American laboratories, which does not take into consideration the number of chimpanzees living in zoos and sanctuaries, working as entertainers or being kept as pets by the general public."

Since I'd like to help, I figure a donation made for each guest would be a nice favor, along with whatever we put in our boxes. Chimp Haven has many different things to donate to:

C.A.R.E: Sponsoring one of Chimp Haven's special residents. Through regular updates, you will follow your chimpanzee's experience at Chimp haven knowing that your generous gift helps provide his or her sanctuary.

Rescue Fund: Chimp Haven has established a Rescue Fund to help care for chimpanzees in need. Chimp Haven recently answered the call for help and rescued seven chimpanzees from a facility in Texas. They are receiving healthy food, enrichment, medical care and the attention of a caring and skilled staff.

Areas of Greatest Need: The commitment to provide a humane natural environment for the lifetime care of chimpanzees no longer needed in medical research, entertainment or as pets comes with a price. It costs roughly $15 to $25 a day to properly care for a chimpanzee. Some chimpanzees have greater needs, some less. Donations play a key role in how many chimpanzees they can retire and rescue each year. Your tax-deductible gift will support the areas of greatest need within the sanctuary and will help them bring additional chimpanzees home to Chimp Haven.

All donations are tax deductible and go toward chimps in need. Although not your average donation, I think Chimp Haven is doing good work. I know my family would appreciate this donation, as we were raised donating to the World Wildlife Federation as well as other organizations and charities. Animals are a soft spot for me, always being taught to take one in, should it need care.

I'm not quite sure how I'll notify guests about this donation, maybe a framed card on each table with a picture of a chimp in the background, with the wording in the front?

Are you donating to any needy causes? Why did you choose that one?